Elephant Head Rock.

     Elephant Head Rock is one of my favorite dive sites because of its many swim throughs and the tunnels. The southern most point of the site has a tiny group of submerged pinnacles in very deep water and it is a great place to observe small reef sharks. There is a possibility of strong surge and current, so stay close to the rock or the bottom if current is present. Visibility is often quite good, with as much as 30 meters+ (100 Feet). Diving is done from 5 to 35 meters. In my opinion, it's one of the most challenging Similan Islands dive sites.

     You will see blue-ringed angelfish, Giant moray, Trigger fish and bi-colour parrotfish. Yellow goat fish and snappers always hang around at the deepest levels, as well as several species of Lion fish. Take a look under the overhanging ledges to find several species of the larger snappers, such as one-spot, mangrove, black and white, as well as giant and Andaman sweetlips. Check the small gaps and caves around the rock, as it is possible to see small white tip reef sharks.  

     I like to hang out in the shallows here to off-gas at the end of the dive and look at Powder blue surgeon fish making their way across the boulder tops, grazing on the algae. Big eye bream and large trains of traveling robust fusiliers arrive on the scene from other nearby feeding stations. Often I see the great barracudas that do some serious hunting here. You will often be surprised by the assaults of the huge Jacks that dive into the passing fish.

     In case of strong current, I prefer to drift with the current at the end of the dive while I'm doing the safety stop. You never know, maybe you will be lucky enough to spot a Manta ray come out of no where in the blue.

     Khao Lak Scuba Adventures organize daytrip and live-aboard to Similan from the 15 October to 16 May.