Chinese Wall
Similan Islands dive site
Location: Southern point of Koh Miang (Similan Island #4)
Depth: 5-30 m
Type: Granite boulders
Level: Easy to intermediate
Description:
Chinese wall is called Bird Rock by some divers. Granite boulders above the surface continue underwater down to a depth of 30 m. These rocks form swim-throughs, valleys, caverns and caves that can make this site a divers playground.
It is a good idea to carry a flashlight on this dive to see the true colours on the rocks at depth. There are also some coral gardens in the shallower areas of the dive site.
Currents are usually not a problem at Chinese Wall, although sometimes can be strong. Visibility is usually above 20 metres and often as good as 40 metres. Many boats don’t dive this site, which is a bonus for the ones that do.
In the deeper areas look out for white tip reef sharks. Small white tips can also be seen hiding in some of the rock crevices. Giant moray eels also like the gaps in the rocks as do fimbriated moray, yellow margined morey and smaller white eyed moray. Cleaner shrimps can often be seen feeding off the moray skin, one of many symbiotic relationships to be observed in the Similan Islands.
In the coral gardens you’ll see parrotfish, fusilier, surgeonfish and soldierfish. Trumpet fish and cornetfish are also numerous. Also look out for harlequin sweetlips and oriental sweetlips.
While moored near island number 4 many boats send customers ashore to see the beach. There is a small national park rangers station here that has a trail leading to another beach and a small holiday home belonging to the Thai princess.
How to dive the Similan Islands
You can dive the Similan Islands by day trip from Phuket or Khao Lak, or by liveaboard. Liveaboards are ideal given the size of the area, the variety of dive sites, and the distance from the mainland.
A typical Similan liveaboard itinerary is 4 days 4 nights and also includes Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Shorter 2d1n or 3d2n trips are also available.
If you don’t mind longish transfers then Similan diving day trips with 2 dives run five days per week from Phuket.
The Similan Islands diving season is from 15 October to 15 May.
Reference: http://thailandliveaboards.com/thailand-dive-sites/similan-islands/chinese-wall/
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