The crystal blue waters, the fantastically shaped granites, a variety of tropical fish swimming in the pristine coral reefs…This well blessed place is Similan Islands National Park in Thailand. It is acclaimed by the Skin Diver Magazine (U.S.) as one of the world’s top 10 must-visit sites, and has become a dream destination for divers.

Concerted Efforts to Protect the Sanctuary

The Similan Islands consist of 9 offshore islands located 95 km northwest of Phuket. The place was designated as a national park in 1982 and is arguably one of the very few archipelagos in the world that retain their unspoiled beauty. In order to protect and preserve the ecosystem there, the Thai government only allows access to the Park from Nov. to Apr. each year. In addition, all dive sites have several mooring buoys laid by the Thai navy, so that dive boats wouldn’t harm the corals and the marine life.

In Malay, “Similan” means “nine,” indicating nine islands. They are: Ko Ta Chai, Ko Bon, Ko Ba Ngu, Ko Similan (with a lighthouse), Ko Pa Yu , Ko Miang (with two adjoining islets), Ko Pa Yan, Ko Pa Yang, and Ko Hu Yong. The locals, though, prefer to identify them in numbers.

Similan Islands National Park Headquarters is located on Ko Miang, where the camp sites, wood cabins, sanitary facilities and restaurants are located. If tourists want to stay overnight, this is the place to be.

Ko Miang features a pristine and pollution-free environment, as evidenced by the lizards shuttling through the woods and the colonies of bats hanging on tree branches. Thanks to the strict regulations, the reef area, which only accounts for 1 % of the total ocean area, can conserve well over 25% of marine life. Tourists also abide by the rules, which is conducive to the sustainable management of the ocean resources. This is something Taiwan should emulate to become the next Similan Islands.

• upper: Similan Islands National Park is touted as one of the world's top 10 must-visit sites. /by Dmitry
• lower: In Malay, “Similan” means “nine,” indicating nine islands. / by Dmitry

Natural Mystery of Similan Islands

Ko Hu Yong boasts the longest white sandy beach in Similan Islands. Sea turtles come up ashore to lay their eggs here from Nov. to Feb.

Ko Similan, the largest in the chain, features stone formations of peculiar shapes, the most representative and symbolic one being the huge rock shaped like a sailing boat. Within less then 10 minutes, visitors can reach its top to appreciate an extensive panorama of the sea and the breathtaking sunset. Despite a short walk, visitors are advised to wear sneakers to avoid otherwise possible foot injuries. In addition to the sailboat rock as the landmark of the Park, there is also the boot-shaped granite that provides telling stories of the Park’s extraordinary natural landscapes and resources.

The island also encompasses a long curving bay with pristine coral reefs, powdery sandy beaches, and sparkling green seaweeds. The unspoiled natural mystery of the island is what most tourists find inviting.

Similan National Park is home to 200 species of corals and over 100 species of tropical fish. The most ideal depth to see them is around 12-30 m underwater. Beneath the waters are the giant Stegostoma fasciatus, the carefree Plectropomus leopardus, the gazing Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the imposing Caranx ignobilis, large sea fans, the colorful fish and artificial reefs. The wonderful underwater scenery abounds with fascinating and dazzling marine life.

Preservation by Individual Self-discipline

As the rich and diverse marine life of Similan Islands draw divers from all over the world, an important task would naturally be the protection and preservation of all the resources there.

• upper left: The huge rock shaped like a sailboat on Similan Islands is a masterpiece of Nature. / by Dmitry
• upper right: The long bay on Similan Islands is a natural hideaway that has been embraced by tourists. / by Dmitry
• lower: In addition to various schools of fish, there are also giant sea turtles in the non-polluted Ocean. /by olga

There are over 20 well-planned dive spots in Similan Islands National Park, but divers, regardless of their diving experience, have to first take a diving test before they are assigned an appropriate site to dive. Then detailed briefings are provided, introducing the underwater environment, diving routes, prohibited underwater behaviors and things to note. Though cumbersome and time-consuming, pre-diving briefings, as numerous research have concluded, not only make diving a lot safer but lessen the harm divers do to the marine ecosystem. Next, grouped divers follow the directions of the diving coach and enter the wonderful underwater world. When they return, they are immediately sent back to their dive boats. This service-oriented management style fully complements divers’ experience.

The service providers’ respect towards Nature and the self-respect they exert are keys to the preservation of the resources on the islands. Diving coaches play a major role in this process as divers follow the instructions they give. In this sense, diving coaches can be seen as the chief spokesman for marine conservation. If a well-thought out coach system, where every coach needs to be well trained and certified, can be established in Taiwan, these coaches can effectively stress the significance of marine conservation through each ecotourism they provide.

On top of the stunning beauty of the Similan Islands, there are also important lessons to be drawn for Taiwan. It is our sincere hope that the marine resources inTaiwan can one day receive better protection and respect.

A special ceremony in Similan Islands National Park goes that with each tourist stepping on the Thap Lamu Pier, the dive boat Rina Scuba Divers would set off long strings of firecrackers to inform the pals underwater that “tourists from around the world are coming for a visit!”

Li Lo

Lo served at Republic of China Military Police after he graduated from military school, and despite his military background, Lo became a photo journalist of a television station. During his journalist career, Lo's documentary Destined Families was nominated the Best Documentary of Shanghai Baiyulan Prize. His documentaries include: Green Island, New Horizons (won the First Prize of 2007 Eco Taiwan Contest), The Children of Heaven, and The Secrets of Taiwan's Sky (won the Best Cross-strait Subject Prize). Lo and his beloved wife Li-hua Wang, have made efforts in promoting the conceptions of the marine conservation for many years. For more info, please visit his blog: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/loli1002/22658018

• upper left&upper right: Diving coaches are giving instructions to the divers, a well-thought out coach system is something that Taiwan can consider adopting. /by Yi-de Li
• lower left: All dive sites have several mooring buoys laid by the Thai navy, so that dive boats wouldn't harm the corals and the marine life. /by Li-ling You
• lower right: The marine creatures under the water of Similan Islands are friendly to human beings. (This picture is Gymnothorax kidako ) /by Li Lo