Donald Duck Bay (Island 8)
The Similans' iconic anchorage — granite boulders, powder beach, sheltered overnight holding and a short tender to the viewpoint hike.
Similan · World-Class Diving
Similan Islands Yacht Charter
Ninety kilometres north-west of Phuket lies the Similan archipelago — nine granite islands set in the clearest water of the Andaman, consistently ranked among the world's top ten dive destinations.
A Similan Islands yacht charter aboard our 46-metre Astondoa is the most refined way to experience this protected marine park. The islands sit outside the day-trip range from Phuket, so an overnight yacht charter is the only way to dive the famous sites — Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point, Donald Duck Bay — at first light when visibility exceeds thirty metres.
Beyond the diving, the Similans offer extraordinary white-sand beaches, granite boulders piled into improbable sculptures, and the kind of silence found only beyond the horizon. North of the Similans, the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock add manta and whale shark encounters to a longer itinerary.
The Similan Marine National Park is closed from mid-May to mid-October each year for ecological recovery. Charter dates are tight and book well in advance — our concierge team holds dates with the park authority.
Best Season
When to charter
The Similan Marine National Park is open mid-October to mid-May only. February to April delivers the calmest seas and best visibility (often 30m+). Manta and whale shark encounters peak February to April at Richelieu Rock and Koh Bon.
Onboard & Ashore
Signature activities
- Scuba diving with onboard instructor
- Manta encounters at Koh Bon
- Whale shark dives at Richelieu Rock
- Snorkelling Donald Duck Bay
- Granite boulder viewpoint hike
- Free-diving in 30m+ visibility
- Private beach picnic on Island 4
- Bioluminescence at night
The Anchorages
Where the yacht drops anchor
Koh Bon & Koh Tachai
Northern Similan anchorages with frequent manta encounters and exceptional reef diving — quieter than the main island cluster.
Richelieu Rock (Surin)
The Andaman's most celebrated dive site — a horseshoe-shaped pinnacle with whale shark encounters in February–April.
Sample Itinerary
A considered journey
- Day 1
Phuket → Similan
Morning departure, overnight passage north, dawn arrival at Donald Duck Bay for an inaugural dive in glass-clear water.
- Day 2
Diving Day
Three guided dives — Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point, West of Eden — lunch and surface intervals at anchor, sunset at Island 4.
- Day 3
Koh Bon & Koh Tachai
Cruise north for manta encounters at Koh Bon, afternoon dive at Koh Tachai, overnight in a sheltered northern anchorage.
- Day 4
Richelieu Rock & Return
Dawn dive at Richelieu Rock, leisurely return passage south, arrival in Phuket at sunset.
The Similans require an overnight superyacht — our concierge holds the National Park dates and curates each dive itinerary with the onboard instructor.