Scuba Diving at Deep Six, in The Similan Islands

Scuba diving at the Similan Islands in Thailand is something that every serious PADI diver should try to experience. Clear turquoise sub-tropical waters full of colourful and healthy marine life, are surrounded by picturesque islands out in the Andaman Sea. Without a shop or hotel within miles, this archipelago of nine main islands and a few rocky outcrops makes up what surely offers the best scuba diving packages in Thailand and among the best in the world.
What does diving at The Similans offer? Well, other than the possibility of seeing a passing whale shark or one or more playful manta rays, The Similan Island diving sites guarantee exciting granite boulder formations, many creating swimthroughs, hard and soft corals, sea fans and anemones, all of which are home or hunting ground to thousands of species of fish, invertebrates and reptiles.

One of the most famous Similan Island scuba diving sites is Deep Six. This dive site certainly lives up to its name, as PADI scuba divers can easily reach depths of 40 metres or more while exploring the rocks and enjoying the creatures who live and visit this underwater playground. Deep Six is one of the more anticipated diving sites by those divers who want to reach depths not normally attainable elsewhere in Thailand. Yes, there are deeper areas of the sea in this region, but not with water clarity, marine life, boat moorings, and other world-class diving sites right next door.

Click here to watch a video of  Deep Six

Facing north at the tip of island #7, Deep Six is formed by huge granite boulders which appear to have fallen into the sea thousands of years ago. One or two break the surface of the clear warm water, while most lean against one another under the waves. Currents can be strong at Deep Six, and usually come from the north. Divers should try to stay to the north and get as deep as they plan as soon as possible, then remain close to the boulders and rock formations while exploring and ascending. Doing so should ensure that the current is a help rather than a hindrance. Normally, divers explore to the north side of the V pinnacle which can split the current into two streams. At 10-12 metres there are several swimthroughs and lots to see. Fusiliers live here and attract larger species of schooling predatory fishes, such as rainbow runners, snapper, trevally, barracuda, and tuna. Corals, anemones, and sea fans filter the rich water and offer shelter to reef fish and invertebrates. The whole diving site really is a wonderful place, and although it suffered more damage than most Similan diving sites by the devastating 2004 Asian tsunami, it is recovering well and still and excellent place to try a deep and exciting scuba dive in Thailand.