We will be rolling out a lot more information about dive sites and diving in the Similan Islands over the next months as we prepare you for next season! One of the really exciting dive sites that we will be going to is Boulder City. As part of our ongoing series celebrating the skills of the guys over at Similans.net, here is a piece from their dive sites section….Boulder City.
Boulder City
This dive site is a continuation of the same geological feature that is Shark Fin Reef. This is the easternmost dive site of the Similan Islands, and can have strong currents. For those who step off the beaten track and are prepared for a fast ride, the rewards are huge. Due to the depth of the dive site and its easterly location, it is best to dive here early in the day.
With the boulders starting at 12 meters (36 feet) and heading down until the outer edges at 40 meters (130 feet) you feel as if you are a plane descending into a huge city. The population is chevron barracuda, trevallies, jacks and early in the season massive schools of glassfish make the whole site flex and move. In the sand at the bottom we frequently see leopard sharks, kuhl’s rays with occasional sightings of manta rays! However, do not forget to look in all the cracks and crannies. This is the place to find some beautiful scenes with schools of lionfish hiding in the cracks, and light streaming in from behind, setting the stage for those award winning pictures. Brightly colored surgeonfish grazing on the algae, with damselfish protecting their farms and triggerfish of multiple varieties overseeing it all make this a real underwater zoo.
Diving Depths range from 12-40 meters (36-120 feet) with most time spent at 20-30 meters (70-100 feet). Currents can be strong, as this is open ocean. Especially affected by tidal movement. Perform a current check before entering! Visibility can be phenomenal. Frequently you can see the entire dive site from the surface. Experience level should be Advanced. Currents and depth reserve this site for the truly experienced. Often overlooked for this reason, but it is a great dive!
Of course, you can always arrange to visit this dive site by joining one of our liveaboard trips. Please check back for more information on all the options for that in the coming weeks.
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