Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

30 ❯❯ Top 10 Phuket Highlights

Similan Islands
National Park

Soft white-sand beaches and emerald-colored waters are the foun-
dations of this island paradise. Renowned as one of the world’s top
scuba diving destinations, the underwater world here is stunningly
beautiful, with magnificent corals, colorful fish, and dramatic rock
formations. The nine Similan islands also offer remarkable
snorkeling. Plan your trip with a tour operator based on the
mainland – diving equipment is not available on the islands.
Anita’s Reef
1
This colorful reef
(below) spreads across
two Similan Islands, and
is punctuated by large,
dramatic boulders.
Offering a rela tively easy
dive, Anita’s Reef is often
one of the first stops for
live-aboard trips.

Ko Similan
2
Home to Donald Duck Bay (above), named
for the rock formation that resembles the cartoon
chara cter, Ko Similan is a perfect spot for you to pitch
your tent. The island also has scenic walking trails,
so carry sturdy shoes and a camera.
Christmas
Live-Aboard
NEED TO KNOW 3 4
Point
Boats
Visitor Center: MAP D2; One of the best ways to Deep shelves, which are
93 Moo 5, Tambon Lam experience the dive sites populated by white-tip
Kaen; 07645 3272; open around the Similans is to reef sharks as well as
9am–5pm daily; adm join a multiday trip on a ribbon eels, make
B500 (kids B300; plus live-aboard boat (below) this site very popular
B200 per person for offering guests several with divers and under-
drivers); park.dnp.go.th dives each day. water photographers.
• The park is closed
May through October.
• Food options are
limited, so if you have
special dietary needs,
you should pack enough
food to last your trip.

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