As the wind began to veer around from Southwest to Northeast bringing with it the calmer drier weather of the Phuket high season we saw another welcome return in the Andaman Sea as the Ko Similan National park was officially opened for the 2014/2015 season on October the 15th.

The park was established in 1982 and is a group of 11 islands, covering an area of 20 square nautical miles, situated 35 nautical miles West of the beach resort of Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province. Above water the islands are composed of large granite boulders with white sand beaches but it is the rich marine life and beautiful hard and soft corals and crystal clear waters that are the main attraction and the reason why the islands are considered to be one of the top ten diving sites in the world.

While "mu ko" means "group of islands" in Thai, "Similan" is a Yawi (a Malayan dialect) word, means nine. The park had originally nine islands numbered 1 to 9. Although each island has a name they can be referred with numbers. The park expanded to include two more remote islands back in 1998. The islands are (1) Ko Huyong, (2) Ko Payang, (3) Ko Payan, (4) Ko Miang, (5) Ko Ha, (6) Ko Hok, (7) Ko Hin Pousar, (8) Ko Similan, (9) Ko Bangu, Ko Tachai and Ko Bon.

October 29, 2014
Derani yachts are delighted to confirm their participation in Pimex 2015 with a new position on the 30 metre long hammerhead pontoon at the top…

August 14, 2014
The third 48ft model from Fairline, the sun-appreciating sports cruiser Targa 48 GT makes its debut at this year’s Southampton Boat Show on 12-21 September…

August 5, 2014
Phuket’s paramount yachting celebration is returning once again on 16 – 18 December 2014. Hosted by stunning Kata Rocks, the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous will welcome…