Deep 6
Similan Islands dive site
Location: Just to the north of Koh Pabu (Similan Island #7)
Depth: 5-40 m
Type: Granite boulder formations
Level: Suitable for all levels of diver. Currents can be strong at times.
Description:
Deep 6 is, as the name suggests, a deep dive site. Gigantic granite boulders form a rocky ridge that start just 5 metres below the surface and plunge down beyond 40 metres.
Currents can be strong at Deep Six so this is a dive site for intermediate to advanced divers. Dives typically involve descending deep then working your way up along the ridges. In the deeper areas of whitetip reef sharks can be seen circling, and leopard sharks rest in the sand. Blue spotted Khuls rays are also in abundance.
The boulder ridges are home to gorgonian sea fans, table corals and featherstars, with sea cucumbers and blue sea stars also hanging on. Moray eels are numerous. Emperor angelfish are present as well as parrotfish, and triggers. Fusiliers are many in number.
Rainbow runners make an impressive sight as they move together in large schools. Bluefin trevally can be seen hunting smaller prey, so can the odd giant trevally and dogtooth tuna. In the shallower hard coral reef section all the usual Similan Island reef fish are present including bannerfish, butterfly fish, dog faced puffer fish, trumpet fish, snapper and sweetlips. Turtles are sometimes seen feeding on the reef.
Lucky divers may see a passing pelagic like a whale sharks or a manta. Barracuda also circle out in the blue.
Deep 6 was badly damaged by the Asian Tsunami that hit Thailand on 26 December 2004. Most dive sites escaped unscathed but Deep 6 was not so lucky, broken corals and sea fans can still be seen.
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/deep-six/
Comments