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Listed below are specific details on M/V Giamani's scuba diving sites, please select from below;
Please note that not all of the Scuba Diving Sites mentioned below are visited. This is weather depending.
Giamani's Cruise Map - Northern Thailand & Burma
THAILAND NORTHERN CRUISE 6 DAYS
The Similan and Surin Islands
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The Similan and Surin Islands
- Distance from Phuket: 55 Nautical Miles
- Diving Depth: 0 - 40m (0-135ft)
- Visibility: Excellent to fantastic
- Sea Temperature: 27/29°C
- Diver Level: All levels
The islands are universally recognized as some of the best world-class diving. .The Similan Islands National Park lies some 100km or 4 hours from Phuket. The word "Similan" is derived from the Malaysian word " sembilan " which means "Nine" and there are nine granite islands.
The islands had never been inhabited. For many generations, the only human visitors were the so-called Sea Gypsies who came to fish on the teeming reefs. The Similan Islands were formed some 100-150 million years ago. There present formation is derived from cracked granite rock which has been sculpted from the winds and waves.
The Nine Islands in the similan group are: (running from North to South):
Koh Bangu (No.9), Koh Similan (No.8), Koh Pabu (No.7), Koh Payu (No.6), Koh Ha (No.5), Koh Miang (No.4), Koh Payan (No.3), Koh Payang (No.2) and Koh Huyong (No.1).
The Similan's were designated as a National Park in 1982. The National Marine Park take great pride in the conservation of the islands and have closed islands No.1-3. Island No.1 is turtle inhabitation.
High season in this area officially begins in November, and ends in May, but the visibility varies all year round, from generally 20 meters to sometimes over 40 meters.
On the west side of the islands, the granite has been eroded into massive blocks. Diving here, you can explore swim-through's, avoiding the huge sea fans, you may see a shy white-tip or black-tip shark, as they speed off into the blue. In good visibility, the granite boulders truly can seem like an underwater city. On the east side of the islands, you can drift through coral gardens and streams of fusiliers, watch dozens of feather worms pop closed as you pass, or observe fields of garden eels, swaying in the sand.
Of course, no trip to the Similan's is complete without visiting the nearby Surin National Park. This is the site of the Richelieu Rock, world-famous for sightings of the magnificent, yet gentle, whale shark. Also, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai are top class dives and are the best places to see manta rays.
The reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks. ironwood and gum trees are among the larger trees, while jackfruit, rattan and langurs, squirrels, bats, lizards and a good variety of birds. But the most striking feature of these islands, at first glance, are the huge boulders that litter the western and southern shores on several of the islands.
But most of all the Similan's has it all for divers from coral walls, big rocks, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, caves and swim-through's.
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THAILAND NORTHERN CRUISE 3 DAYS
Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock & Boonsong Wreck
If time is limited our three day northern cruise onboard MV Giamani is perfect for you. We have taken the best sites, Koh Bon for Manta Rays, Koh Tachai for Leopard Sharks and Richelieu Rock where you can see everything from the smallest critters such as Harlequin shrimps, Ornate Ghost Pipe fish and Sea Horses to the larger pelagics, Whale sharks, Guitar sharks and Mantas all visit this site. Boonsoong Wreck closer to the mainland is a perfect site to complete this 3 day cruise,
Honey combed Morays, Durban dancing shrimp and so much more.
THAILAND & BURMA CRUISE 9 DAYS
Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Burma Dive Sites
For information relating to the sites in Thai waters, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock please refer to the Thailand cruises above.
Myanmar, Burma and The Mergui Archipelago
In 1997 the Mergui Archipelago in the south of Myanmar (Burma) was opened to foreigners for the first time in over fifty years. Back in the 17th Century the port of Mergui was a major port, all passing boats came to the port to offload cargo and replenish supplies.
Since then the Mergui Archipelago has been left largely alone and today it is still an area with a lot of mystery. Numerous islands remain unexplored and new dives sites remain to be discovered.
Coral representation is sporadic and the underwater terrain is not as colorful as that around Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park. However the areas waters are certainly not without their attractions. Sites such as Black Rock attract a variety of Sharks, as well as Manta, Eagle and Marbled Rays, while Shark Cave or the Three Islets as it is also known has a healthy abundance of small marine life as well as pelagic visitors.
The Burma Banks offers fantastic diving, shark encounters and drift dives ideal for the more experienced diver. Please note the Burma Banks are a long way out in open sea with little chance of shelter so if the conditions are not suitable it is not always possible to visit this location, safety being our first concern; if that is the case there any numerous other sites of outstanding quality that can be visited.
Due to the remote nature of these sites and the distances involved this area is, and will only ever be possible to be visited by live aboard vessels. The majority of the time you will experience each dive site being the only boat there.
Experience Burma diving onboard MV Giamani.
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