It is also one of the best areas in Southeast Asia for water clarity and a tremendous growth of pristine corals and kaleidoscopic fish. This is the most famous area for diving in Thailand because of the beautiful beaches, water clarity averaging 20-30 meters, and the biggest concentration of small tropical fish. Truly world-class diving. The Burma Banks , located 180 kilo-meters northwest of the Similans, are a series of underwater mountains rising up from over 350 meters to within 15 meters from the surface. Located in open ocean far from shore, these banks are famous for large animal action, including free-swimming nurse sharks and large silver tip sharks .
Some operators offer a controlled shark attraction experience using freshly caught tuna for bait.
The Andaman Islands , part of India, have just opened up after more than 50 years of isolation from the outside world. Located another 400 kilometers from the Banks, these islands are just now being explored by several diving operators out of Phuket. Almost no commercial fishing is allowed in the Andamans, thus the size and numbers of fish are frankly amazing. The Surin Islands , located right on the border with Burma, are visited mainly for an underwater rock located just to the east named Richelieu, which is one of the best areas of the world to consistently observe the massive whale shark. Lush growths of soft coral cling to the rock while large schools of pelagic fish circle it feeding on the abundance of food found here.