Shark Fin Reef is not only a wonderful title for a Similan Islands dive site; it is also a fantastic and exciting dive site and a dive site that is usually the first on a Thailand liveaboard trip. It really does introduce divers to the Similan’s and just what to expect, particularly those that have never dived the Similan’s before –it’s deep its fast and it’s full of fish.
This cracking dive site only just breaks the surface; and this is where the spectacular site derives its name from, there is a long thin edge of granite.
This huge slab of granite which barely breaks looks like a shark fin from a distance, then from the surface drops down to reveal a jumble of a dive site.
Beneath the surface this slim strip of sandstone really explodes into an enormous rock stretching down to forty metres and more. Many Liveaboard dive boats use this site as their first dive of the trip while others use it as their last of their Similan safari.
Shark Fin Reef – Dive Fabio’s logbook
After cruising through the darkness, we awoke to the sounds of the azure Similan Islands seas gently lapping against the side of our boat and to the glorious aroma of early morning coffee.
Everyone was getting very excited and ready for the first dive of our trip. We shall be diving around these waters for the next four days and sailing as far north as Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and the amazing Koh Tachai.
Shark Fin Reef visibility is twenty metres plus today, the current was very slight (sometimes it can be ripping so be aware) and running north to south as the tide slips out. There are two sides to this site both of which are exceptional; depending on the current will dictate the side you dive.
The Similan dive site is made up of huge granite rocks which are larger than a very large house; it is a magnificent, energizing and dramatic dive site and is home to many species of singular marine life including: Unicorn fish, one huge Bump-Head Parrot Fish and several Napoleon Wrasse, Picasso and Clown as well as Titan and Red Tooth Triggerfish.
Also Kuhl’s Stingray, Emperor Fish, Butterfly fish, Rainbow Runners, Spanish Mackerel, lots of Blue Fin Trevallies and a couple of Giant Trevallies out stalking productively.
As we dived further along the reef the current started to pick up, which prompted us to slowly come up to about 12 metres so that we could make it over to the other side of the reef.
As when there is a current here you can occasionally find refuge on the opposite of the reef for a respite, this turned out to be a masterstroke of luck, even if I say so myself, and as the we concluded the dive by taking countless photos of a couple of Hawksbill Turtles as they were out for their breakfast. Then on our safety stop and from nowhere she came in like a space ship hovering just above us and long enough for even more photos, a 4 metre Manta Ray, oh how lucky, we all feel blessed, what a excellent first dive.
A wonderful first dive of the trip next stop West of Eden sees you there.
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