Similan islands : Beacon reef
About the location and site
Beacon Reef, also known as Beacon Beach, is a fringed coral reef located along the whole eastern side of Island 8 (Koh Similan), the highest and largest island of The Similan Islands. The national marine park office is situated on the north of the island. Some even refer to this reef as Atlantis Wreck, which rests in the middle of the reef. The Atlantis X (Rareung-Chon), a wooden liveaboard, sank in 2002 due to a malfunction of the bilge pump and landed on the reef slope at a depth of 15 meters at the bow and 30 meters at the stern. Luckily there were no casualties under the crew and divers.
Closer to the beach a mainly coral plateau gently ranges from a depth of 5 to 12 meters, which is great for easy-going dives or for night dives. The reef has a steep drop off starting from around 5 meters stretching to 40 meters. Lots of space for training and fish spotting to add to your liveaboard experience.
All about the dive
Beacon Reef is the longest reef of the Similan Islands with moderate current, easy for good drift and sunset dives, even night dives. Begin at the wreck, shallow up in north or south direction, depending on the current.
The Atlantis X is without question the highlight of the site. This still intact wreck slowly becomes a new artificial reef which attracts in turn swarms of batfish, scorpionfish, lionfish and snapper. Especially the batfish come really close to divers. Vvarious species of Moray Eels house in the wreck. Since its corridors are rather narrow, it is advised not to penetrate the wreck.
You will encounter a diverse range of marine life on this beautiful Similan dive site. Due to the lush corals at Beacon Reef, angelfish, pufferfish, porcupinefish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, basslets and moray eels are abundant here.
Large schools of bluefin trevally, fusiliers, goatfish and long nosed emperors roam the open water.
Don’t come to close to the triggerfish, they viciously defend their nests against intruders, including scuba divers and snorkelers. A horizontal swim away from the nest site is best when confronted by an angry triggerfish.
Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles are frequent visitors at Beacon Reef, and even sea snakes as the Banded Sea Krait will occasionally swim around. It is a nocturnal snake, rarely seen during the day. It requires oxygen to breathe, so breaks the surface at least once every six hours. Also during night dives, keep an eye out for shrimps and crabs.
For those who loves the small stuff, spot for nudibranchs crawling around on the shallow reef. They are really remarkable creatures, one of the most colourful on earth.
Beacon Reef is a diverse reef, with plenty of fish and invertebrates. Even snorkelers have plenty to see.
How to get there?
Beacon Reef is very popular with liveaboard cruises.
Beacon Reef, also known as Beacon Beach, is a fringed coral reef located along the whole eastern side of Island 8 (Koh Similan), the highest and largest island of The Similan Islands. The national marine park office is situated on the north of the island. Some even refer to this reef as Atlantis Wreck, which rests in the middle of the reef. The Atlantis X (Rareung-Chon), a wooden liveaboard, sank in 2002 due to a malfunction of the bilge pump and landed on the reef slope at a depth of 15 meters at the bow and 30 meters at the stern. Luckily there were no casualties under the crew and divers.
Closer to the beach a mainly coral plateau gently ranges from a depth of 5 to 12 meters, which is great for easy-going dives or for night dives. The reef has a steep drop off starting from around 5 meters stretching to 40 meters. Lots of space for training and fish spotting to add to your liveaboard experience.
All about the dive
Beacon Reef is the longest reef of the Similan Islands with moderate current, easy for good drift and sunset dives, even night dives. Begin at the wreck, shallow up in north or south direction, depending on the current.
The Atlantis X is without question the highlight of the site. This still intact wreck slowly becomes a new artificial reef which attracts in turn swarms of batfish, scorpionfish, lionfish and snapper. Especially the batfish come really close to divers. Vvarious species of Moray Eels house in the wreck. Since its corridors are rather narrow, it is advised not to penetrate the wreck.
You will encounter a diverse range of marine life on this beautiful Similan dive site. Due to the lush corals at Beacon Reef, angelfish, pufferfish, porcupinefish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, basslets and moray eels are abundant here.
Large schools of bluefin trevally, fusiliers, goatfish and long nosed emperors roam the open water.
Don’t come to close to the triggerfish, they viciously defend their nests against intruders, including scuba divers and snorkelers. A horizontal swim away from the nest site is best when confronted by an angry triggerfish.
Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles are frequent visitors at Beacon Reef, and even sea snakes as the Banded Sea Krait will occasionally swim around. It is a nocturnal snake, rarely seen during the day. It requires oxygen to breathe, so breaks the surface at least once every six hours. Also during night dives, keep an eye out for shrimps and crabs.
For those who loves the small stuff, spot for nudibranchs crawling around on the shallow reef. They are really remarkable creatures, one of the most colourful on earth.
Beacon Reef is a diverse reef, with plenty of fish and invertebrates. Even snorkelers have plenty to see.
How to get there?
Beacon Reef is very popular with liveaboard cruises.
Similan islands dive maps : Beacon reef
