Top Ten Southeast Asia Classic Adventures

Okinawa in Photos

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Rich coral reefs, clear waters, and pristine beaches: Thailand's isolated and uninhabited Similan Islands are truly a diver's paradise. Underwater vision is particularly sharp, with great visibility at depths down to 30 meters or more. But these islands, 56 miles from Phuket and surrounded by the unpolluted Andaman Sea, will appeal to all naturalists. You can see more than 30 species of resident birds such as the white-breasted waterhen and Brahminy kite, as well as thousands of fish and coral species, sharks, rays, and bottle-nosed dolphins. You'll find excellent snorkeling close by Miang Island, and first-class scuba diving further out. Boats run to the Similans between November and May only (the remainder of the year the seas are too rough).