Koh Bon or also known as Island #11 and Talu Island among the locals, is one of the latest additions to the Similan Islands along with the other island being Koh Tachai. It is located on the northwest side and can be reached within an hour from the main island, Koh Similan. Although it is known as one of the smaller islands among the Similan Archipelago, it is well known for its beautiful stretches of clean beaches and impressive diving spots. The underwater stone pinnacles in these diving spots are what seasoned divers are looking for when traveling to Koh Bon. The depth of the diving spots can go down around 40-45 meters. The island is pretty remote as not many people have visited it, thus, preserving its natural beauty and beautiful beaches. Day trips are the most common with visitors opting to travel to Koh Bon to dive, snorkel, or unwind on the beach. Hiking is possible on the island, which takes about an hour, but the conditions might prove to be quite challenging. There is no accommodation on the island, making day trips to be the most viable option.
As mentioned before, Koh Bon is famous for its various diving spots where some of them are unique to the country and referred to as the top diving spots in Thailand. The best diving spot is near the wall of the southern part of the island, where divers can go as low as 45 meters. This spot is where you can find manta rays feeding in the rich waters, but visitors are advised to be mindful of them. The best time to spot this creature is between April and May, although it is possible to see mantas all year round. Various species of sharks can also be seen, including leopard shark and whitetip reef shark. Another beautiful diving spot near Koh Bon is Pinnacle City. The average water depth is around 40 meters and lies northwest of Koh Bon. However, the currents are quite strong here, so extreme caution must be taken. As always, be on the lookout for the manta rays and reef sharks as these are widely spotted here.
