Similan Dive Center | Khao Lak | Thailand | Divers
Similan Dive Center | Khao Lak | Thailand | Collection of divers at work
Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia 2018
Similan Islands Diving Liveaboard
The New Year has arrived, which means it is the perfect time to book your Spring Break Diving Vacation on-board MV Oktavia.
From January through to May you can enjoy our amazing 5 Day/5 Night Similan Islands Liveaboard Cruise. Bringing you the best Diving in Thailand as we explore the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock.
As well as discovering the magical marine life that lives around these waters, take time out from the diving schedule to visit the white sand beaches of Koh Miang & Koh Similan, enjoy plenty of freshly prepared Thai cuisine on-board, and of course, make lifetime friendships with your new Dive Buddies.
Booking is simple and personal by visiting our Contact Us page on our Website: oktaviadivecenter.com
Whitetip Shark on Similan Islands. Live-aboard M/V OKTAVIA, Khao Lak, Thailand.
Dive site: Christmas point, Similan Islands, Thailand.
Camera: Canon S100
Live-aboard M/V OKTAVIA:
Similan Islands Diving Season | MV Oktavia
MV Oktavia's season has come to close for yet another year. This movie features some of the wonderful guests we have been lucky enough have come and join us this season, our incredible staff, and of course the amazing views we see above and below the water line. Filmed on-board MV Oktavia and through the Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock, we hope to give you a taste of how a Similan Islands Diving Liveaboard should and always will be run by Oktavia Dive Center. :-)
oktaviadivecenter.com
THE SIMILAN ISLANDS
The name of the Similan Islands, located in the Andaman Sea, comes from the Malayan ‘Yawi’ language of Southern Thailand word ‘Sembilan’ meaning nine (9), and refers to the original nine islands of the Mu Ko Similan National Park. The national park is now made up of two more islands: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, which are located due northeast of Island 9 and are home to some of the best dive and snorkel sites in The Kingdom of Thailand.
The Similans has by far the best dive sites in Thailand and is often mentioned in journals and online polls as ranking among the top 10 dives sites in Southeast Asia as well as the rest of the world. The area offers something for every kind of diver from beginners taking their first open water dives along gentle slopping reefs to the more experienced who want to navigate their way around the stunning Richelieu Rock site. Visibility here can reach up to 40 meters, although normally it hovers around 25-30 meters, and your diving in Thailand trip can make you feel as if you’re in a giant aquarium.
During the dive season in the Similans (15 October – 15 May) the water is generally a barmy 28-29’C meaning that thin, shortie wetsuits can be worn giving you more flexibility when diving. Around the Similans and Richelieu Rock you will be treated to a variety of tropical fish and corals in an eclectic mix of colors, shapes and sizes, formidable rock formations, tunnels and intriguing crevices. Different types of rays, including mantas, turtles and sharks are regular visitors to the area offering our guests sometimes a great opportunity to view these magnificent creatures.
The Similan Islands are not only for diving and snorkeling they are a must see just for their pure beauty. Marveling at the large rainforests, taking a jungle trek and viewing the stunning rock formations (like at Donald Duck Bay) are just some of the active things you can do when visiting the island group. All the beaches are made from glorious powder-white sand that are gently lapped by crustal clear turquoise waters for you to dip in when it gets too hot.
Similan Islands Diving - MV Oktavia - Liveaboard
Koh Bon Aerial View | Similan Islands Diving | Oktavia Dive Center
On day 3 of our 5 Day/5 Night Dive and Snorkel Cruise around the Similans Islands we visit Koh Bon.
This stunning footage was captured by our guest Maria as she took some time out between dives to fly her drone.
KOH BON ISLAND
Steaming ahead northeast from the Similans, you will reach Koh Bon after an hour and a half. This island is a fascinating rocky island with a scenic ridge stretching from the middle of the island down into the ocean. It offers no beaches or places to go ashore but compared to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon offers slightly more exotic and wild diving and snorkeling. This is also one of the best places to see the huge, placid and plankton-eating manta rays - beautiful and curious creatures that generally swim around for a long time. The manta’s often come close to the surface, providing snorkelers with the great opportunity to swim with them as well.
Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia | Similan Diving Buddies
Tour leader Chris makes a new buddy while diving Similan Islands
The New Diving Season Begins Soon!
Join us on-board Khao Lak's best loved Diving Liveaboard vessel MV Oktavia as we welcome in the new Similan Islands diving season.
With a choice of 4 Days/4 Nights and 5 Days/5 Night Cruises, you can join the limited daily allowance of divers who are lucky enough to explore these amazing waters.
Cuttlefish of Koh Bon | Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia
A another short film from Koh Bon, this time from under the water.
Filmed whilst snorkelling in Koh Bon Bay during our MV Oktavia Similan Islands Diving and Snorkelling Liveaboard with Oktavia Dive Center.
There are many great things to discover whilst diving or snorkelling during our 5 day/5 night diving liveaboard - cuttlefish being one of the stranger and more fascinating.
As you probably know, Cuttlefish possess an internal structure called the cuttlebone which helps to give it the buoyancy it needs by regulating the amount of air and water held within the chambers within the bone. For many years jewelers used cuttlefish bones as material for molds when casting small objects, but we know them better for washing up on the shore or hanging in a parrot cage.
Cuttlefish are not actually fish, they belong to the mollusc family (just like snails!). They have strange ‘W’-shaped pupils, eight arms, and two tentacles to catch their prey. Although one of the most intelligent invertebrates the cuttlefish only lives for one or two years – but during that time they are able to show us their amazing colour changing abilities here at Koh Bon.
Similan Islands Diving Liveaboard | Life on-board MV Oktavia
Diving Liveaboard Cruise
with MV Oktavia
Join us on-board MV Oktavia for our Diving Liveaboard Cruise as we travel through the Similan National Marine Park on our 5 Days/5 Nights Similan Islands Liveaboard.
Filmed on location during one of our February trips, this video shows you the magic of life on-board MV Oktavia and the wonders waiting for you under water.
Our 5 Days/5 Nights Similan Islands Liveaboard take you to the best dive sites in Thailand, including the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock.
Life on-board is a wonderful mix of socializing with our Crew and guests from all over the world, delicious food, magical sunsets and stunning vistas. We even break up the time on board with beach excursions where you can explore the nature trails and climb the breathtaking View Points for those all important holiday photos.
Oktavia Dive Center is a registered Scuba Schools International (SSI) Dive Center. As such, we also offer a wide range of Dive Courses that you can complete during your trip with us. Whether you are a beginner and wish to obtain your Open Water certification, already certified and would like to take the next step by completing your Advanced Open Water Course, our expert Instructors will see you through every step of the way. Specialty Courses are also available for those who want to gain extra experience in a particular skill or discipline - such as Nitrox Diving or Navigation.
To book you Dream Diving Liveaboard Holiday simple visit us at: oktaviadivecenter.com
Similan Islands Snorkeling | MV Oktavia
This was not the first time on MV Oktavia for Martin. Many of our guests enjoy their Similan Islands Liveaboard so much they just have to come back and join us time-and-time again!
Although unable to dive this time, that certainly wasn't going to put Martin off enjoying himself. On-board with his diving friends, Martin was ready for 5 Days & 5 Nights of great snorkelling with our amazing Team around the Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock :-)
Martin was kind enough to share this short video he made with us - Thank you Martin!
Snorkelling on a 5 Day/5 Night Similan Islands Liveaboard
If you fancy touring the Similan Islands but you are not a diver - you’ve come to the right place! Here on MV Oktavia we look after our snorkelers just as well as our divers and offer you the best liveaboard experience possible.
While the divers go diving, snorkelers will be taken off in the dingy with their very own guide to some of the best snorkel sites in the Similan islands. Here you will find visibility in the sea up to 30 meters, which gives you the awesome impression that you are in a gigantic aquarium with Nemo and all his friends.
Indeed it is often the case that snorkelers see as much, if not more than the divers below them, with many trips that report underwater adventurers missing the reef sharks while those floating up top have seen them happily swimming about. Manta rays will often come to the surface as do turtles and huge whale sharks.
MV Oktavia is the ideal boat for couples or groups that are a mix of divers and snorkelers to visit the Similan Islands. For further information, prices, and scheduling, please visit our website: oktaviadivecenter.com.
Richelieu Rock Whaleshark | Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia
- Wonderful footage filmed by our snorkel guide of this Whale Shark who decided to pay us a visit at Richelieu Rock during our 5 Day & 5 Night Similan Island Diving Liveaboard with Oktavia Dive Center.
Both our divers and snorkelers were incredibly lucky to be able to get such a fantastic view of this magnificent create as she slowly cruised by.
Whale sharks are slow-moving filter feeders and are the largest known fish species. The largest recorded being 12.65 m (41.5 ft) in length and weighed around 21.5 t (47,000 lb)!!
The whale shark is found in open waters of the tropical oceans and has a suggested lifespan of about 70 years, but this has been ahrd to prove. Their huge mouths allow them to filter feed almost exclusively on plankton and, therefore, are completely harmless to humans.
If you wish to experience this for yourself then please contact us at oktaviadivecenter.com or mvoktavia@gmail.com
Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia | The Liveaboard Life
MV Oktavia - Dive the Similan Islands with us.
Irada's Richelieu Rock Trip
Irada's first trip to Richelieu Rock and she loved it!!! So many fish around its amazing. A must do if you come diving in Thailand :) #richelieurock #thailand #thailanddiving #similanscuba #similanscubakhaolak
Similan Islands Diving - MV Oktavia - Giant Manta Ray
Madison's Manta
Filmed at Koh Bon Ridge in the Similan Islands National Marine Park. Our already very happy diving guests were enjoying a nice relaxing dive with their guide Linda, when out of no where this gentle giant of the seas flew in to say hi :-)
Manta birostris, the giant oceanic manta ray is the largest type of ray in our seas and belongs to the Mobulidae family. They are frequent visitors to the Andaman Sea and can be seen during our MV Oktavia Liveaboard Cruises around the Similan Islands National Marine Park most seasons. Typically favouring sites such as Koh Bon, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu rock, they are a huge draw for our diving and well as snorkeling guests on-board MV Oktavia. Although they can appear anytime during the season, the months February, March, and April have historically been the best time to encounter these gentle giants.
Capable of growing to 7 m with a weight of about 1,350 kg (more commonly 4.5 m) these magnificent animals ‘fly’ gracefully through the water by way of the triangular pectoral fins attached to their flattened disc like bodies. A pair of cephalic fins are extended pectoral fins and can been seen curled up during swimming or flared out assisting water to be channeled into the mouth during feeding.
It’s no wonder that our Khao Lak Diving Liveaboard Cruise is rated as one of the best dive experiences in Thailand as meeting up with a Manta Ray during your trip on-board MV Oktavia truly does make for an unforgettable and exciting Scuba Diving memory!
MV Oktavia Liveaboard Promotional Video
MV Oktavia dives in Thailand.
Diving Similan Islands | Khao Lak or Phuket | in 4k Ultra HD
Some impressions from my last dive trip on similan islands in Thailand. Most of them are from Stone Hence, a dive spot next to Island 4.
The Similan Islands is a group of islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast, about 1 1/2 hours with speed boat from Khao Lak.
Trip was booked on place with It was a very well organized trip with an excellent instructor (Fernando).
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Similan Islands Diving | MV Oktavia | Similan Islands Liveaboard
MV Oktavia
Similan Islands #1 Diving Liveaboard Vessel.
2017-2018 Season begins on 23rd October 2017.
Mv oktavia jan 2015 night diving
Sea Turtles Similan Islands Thailand - by Khao Lak Explorer
Swimming with Turtles at the Similan Islands National Park.
Turtles are important part of the marine life of the Similan islands, you can scuba dive with turtles, snorkel or swim with them.
The Similan island national park protect the turtles around the islands, so they can reproduce freely on the beach of the islands.
Scuba diver and snorkelers enjoy seeing a wide variety of sea turtles of Thailand.
Learn more about the Similan islands at:
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