Dive Site Information

 Similan Island
The Similan Islands lie approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. In 1982, this 128 square kilometres area was declared a marine national park, and in recent years this group of nine small islands (Similan is derived from the Malay sembilan, and means nine) has become one of the leading attractions for visitors to Southern Thailand.
The islands have never been inhabited and for many generations, the only human visitors were the so-called Sea Gypsies who came to fish on the teeming reefs.
They were followed by dynamite fishermen who destroyed hundreds of years of coral growth with one bomb, collecting the dead and stunned fish before moving to new grounds. Commercial trawlers also came to wreak havoc with corals and fish populations alike.
With the establishment of stations by the Royal Forestry Department on Koh Miang and Koh Similan, fishing within the national park boundaries was banned and the unwanted visitors were substituted by tourists, especially after 1987, when leisure boats and dive operators started coming out on a regular basis.
Today, all reefs have recovered from earlier disturbances. Boats entering the Similan Islands National Park have to follow strict rules imposed and controlled by the national park officials, have to use the moorings prepared by the national park and use closed waste water systems to avoid any pollution.
The high number of repeating tourists, especially divers, is a clear sign for the popularity and the quality of the protected waters and the diversified underwater world.

 
 
 
 Richelieu Rock
Some 50 nautical miles North of the Similan Islands lies one of the best known dive sites in Thailand. Just breaking the surface at low tide, Richelieu Rock is probably your best chance to have the whale shark experience. Some years ago, this site was regarded as a "whale shark magnet", and while this is now somewhat of an exaggeration, they still visit regularly, especially from February to May.
Other large pelagics such as eagle and manta rays are occasional visitors to Richelieu Rock. The dive site is huge and most liveaboard tours will schedule more than one dive here. The sheer variety of life is amazing. Huge schools of trevallies and barracudas cruise the currents, and many tiny critters such as frogfish, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimps and seahorses are hiding in crevices.
 
 
 
 Koh Tachai
The island of Koh Tachai lies about 20 nautical miles South of Richelieu Rock and can be another great spot for Manta Rays. The dive site is a submerged sea mount with depths from 14-35m and currents can be quite strong. The top of the reef is a beautiful mixture of hard corals, while deeper regions consist of scattered boulders and sea fans. Leopard sharks are commonly found resting on the bottom, while schools of barracuda and batfish cruise around the reef.
 
 
 
 Koh Bon
Koh Bon is only a short cruise North of the Similan Islands and is without doubt the best site for Manta Rays. The dive site follows a ridge, covered in pastel shaded soft corals, which drops to depths of 35-40m. Mantas are often spotted over the ridge or in the deep water to the South. Leopard sharks are also common in the deeper water. Another deeper site "Koh Bon Pinnacle" is also dived by some boats, but is not really recommended for beginners.

Best value packages are available, live-aboard with accommodation at Dive Den

 
 
 
  Live-aboards
 Mini – breaks – 2 days / 1 night, 7 dives and 3 days / 2 nights,
 11 dives at Similan island Only
          M.V. Seapearl 3

Technical information :
Length :21 Meters
Width : 5 Meters
Draft : 2.5 Meters
Engines : 1x330 HP HINO’S
Generators : 2x20 Kw
Cruising Speed : 9 Knots
Compressors : 2 Bauer Mariner SP Electric, 200 Bar / 3,000 PSI tank fills
Instrumentation : GPSChart Plotter, SSB Radio
Fresh Water : 12,000 Liters
Diesel : 4,000 Liters
Capacity : 16 Guests Maximum
Staff : 1 Dive Master for 4-6 Guests
Cabins : 6 Standard Rooms,
2 Master Rooms Rest Room / Shower 3 Rooms
Sundeck : 4.5 Meters Life jackets, Oxygen,
Full complement of fire extinguishers
Safety Equipment : 4.2 m Dinghy with 30 HP outboard

 
 
          M.V. Similan

Technical information :
Length : 17 Meters
Width : 4.5 Meters
Draft : 2.5 Meters
Engines : 1x330 HP HINO’S
Generators : 2X20 Kw
Cruising Speed : 9 Knots
Compressor : 1 Bauer Mariner SP Electric, 200 bar / 3,000 PSI tank fills
Instrumentation : GPS Chart Plotter, SSB Radio
Fresh Water : 5,000 Liters
Diesel : 1,800 Liters
Capacity : 8 Guests Maximum
Staff : 1 Dive Master for 4-6 Guests
Cabins : 4 Standard Rooms
Rest Room / Shower 2 Rooms
Sundeck : 3 Meters
Life jacket, Oxygen, Full compliment of fire-extinguishers
Safety Equipment :4.2 m Dinghy with 30 HP outboard

 
 
 3 days / 3 nights or 4 days / 4 nights to Similan island,
 Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richeleue rock
          M.V. Daranee

Technical information :
Length/Beam : 24 meters/5 meters.
Max. Guest : 18.
Cabins : 7 twin and 1 quad.
Bath rooms : 3 showers/toilets.
Fresh Water : 9,000 Liter.
Generators : 220v.-24v. 2 Sets.
Compressors: Bauer Mariner.2 Sets.
Engine : 2 Hino Ek100 380 HP.
Oxygen First Aid system
GPS Navigation System.
Sounder.
Radar.
Ship-to-Ship Radio.
4.2m Tender with 25hp Yamaha.

All Cruises Include :
:: Full accommodation on board
:: Personal Climate control for each cabin.
:: All meals, tea, coffee and fruits.
:: Transfers from/ to hotel.
:: A Qualified PADI Instructor as your Dive    Guide.
:: Minimum of 4 dives/day
   (2 dives on the returning date).
:: Tanks and weights.

 
 
          M.V. Parinee

Technical information :
Length/Beam : 20 meters/5 meters.
Max. Guest : 12.
Cabins : 6 twin
Bath rooms : 3 showers/toilets..
Fresh Water : 12,000 Liter.
Generators : 220v.-24v. 2 Sets.
Compressors : Bauer Mariner. 2 Sets
Engine : Hino Ek100 330 HP.
Oxygen First Aid system/
Navigation System/Sounder/
Ship-to-Ship Radio
3.6m Tender with 15hp Yamaha

All Cruises Include :
:: Full accommodation on board
:: Personal climate control for each cabin.
:: All meals, tea, coffee and fruits.
:: Transfers from/ to hotel.
:: A Qualified PADI Instructor as your Dive    Guide.
:: Minimum of 4 dives/day
   (2 dives on the returning date).
:: Tanks and weights.

 
 
          M.V. Vilai Samut

Technical information :
LOA : 26m.
Beam : 6m.
Draught : 1.8m
Displacement : 55 Tons
Speed : (max/cruise) 12/10 knots
Engines : 350 H.P. x 2 Nissan V8
Generators : 20 kW x 2
Air compressore : 2 electric Bauer Mariner
Fuel capacity : 6,000 liters
Fresh water capacity : 10,000 liters
Accommodation : 22 persons
Cabins (Air Con.) :
4 cabins with 2 bunk beds
2 cabins with 3 bunk beds
2 cabins with 4 bunk beds
Toilet/Shower : 3 rooms
Outdoor shower : 2
Recreation area : 6 x 10m.
Dingy : 4m with 25 H.P. outboard
Sun Deck : 6 x 4 m
Kitchen : 4 x 3 m
Suiting up area : 6 x 8 m
Platform : 6 x 2 m

 
 
       M.V. Manta Queen

Technical information :
Length : 30m
Width : 6.0m
Hull : Wood
Engines : Hino 350hp
Generators : 2 x 40Kw
Cruising Speed : 10 knots
Navigation : GPS SatNav, Sounder, Compass
Water : 14.000l
Accommodation : 10 air-conditioned Cabins, 4 Bathrooms
Amenities : Large air-conditioned Salon, Coffee Counter, TV/Video
Crew : 1 Captain, 1 Engineer, 1 Cook, 1 Ass. Cook, 2 Deck hands
Diving : 30 12l aluminum tanks, INT Valves, 2 Compressors
Safety : VHF Radio, Life Jackets, Life Rings, First Aid Kit, Oxygene
Dinghy : 2x4m with 40hp Engine

 
 
         M.V. Le Mahe

Technical information :
Lenght : 20 m
Beam : 5.2 m
Draft : 3 m
Engines :
1 x 400 HP Hino's
2 x 150 HP Hino's
Generators :
2 x 30Kw 1 x 5 Kw
Cruising Speed : 8 Knots
Max. Speed : 12 Knots
Compressor : 2 BAUER
Cabins :
4 Double Bed Cabins
2 Single Beds Cabin
Fresh Water : 6000 L
Fuel : 4000 L
Guests : 12 Guests Max.

SAFETY
GPS Track Plotter
Depth Sounder
Cellular Phone
SSB Radio
Full Compliment of Life Jackets
Fire Extinguisher System
Fully Equipped Medic First Aid Station
O2 Tank + O2 Instructor provided on board

CREW
1 Captain
1 Engineer
1 Cook
1 PADI Instructor
2 Divemasters

 
 
    June Hong Chian Lee

Technical information :
Length : 33 meters
Beam : 8.50 meters
Speed : 8 knots Motor Sailing
1 Main Engine 380 Hp
2 generators 50 kW each
Tenders : 1 tender 40 hp 4.20 meters
1 tender 60 hp 5.80 meters
Compressors : 2 Bauer
Scuba Tanks : 40
Electronic : Satellite Navigation System
3 VHF Radios
2 CB Radios
Video Depth Sounder
Water-maker : (6.000 l/p.day)
Range : 10.000 liters of diesel
(range unlimited as long as there is wind)
Safety : Patient area with 2 large oxygen tanks
40 life jackets
Life raft for 25 people
Surface : 2 recreational areas totaling 150 square meters
Capacity : 18 passengers, crew of 10
6 cabins, 8 hot water showers with toilet

 
 
 Dive Mergui Archipel Burma with M.V. Saimai
         M.V. Sai Mai

Technical information :
Lange 21 m, Breite 5,50 m,
Tiefgang 2,50 m
6 Zylinder Dieselmotor 320 PS
4.500 liter Kraftstoff
Geschwindigkeit 10 Knoten,
2 Generatoren 380/220 Volt,
8.000 l Wassertanks, Abwassertanks
2 elektrische 160 l Kompressoren,
12 x 12 l Alutanks Int-Ventile
4 x 15 l Stahltanks Din+Int Ventile
4 m Schlauchboot


 
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