Spearfishing Phuket and the Similans: what to expect

Phuket shows up on every “where to spearfish in Thailand” list, and everyone looks at the Similans and imagines clear blue water and fat pelagics. The reality is different. A lot of what you want to spear is inside marine park boundaries you cannot legally touch. Here is what actually works on the Andaman coast, and what to stop asking me about.

The hard truth: the Similans are closed

Let me get this out of the way.

The Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan) are a national marine park. Spearfishing inside the Similan park boundary is illegal year round. It does not matter who you are, how careful you are, or how far from the dive-boat zones you drop. The whole island chain and surrounding water is protected.

Not only is spearfishing illegal, the park is physically closed to all tourism mid-May through mid-October every year during monsoon. You cannot even transit in.

I get asked every month about “guided Similan spearfishing trips.” They do not legally exist. Anyone advertising one is either running illegal trips (gear confiscation, fines, possible prosecution) or taking you somewhere else and calling it “Similan-adjacent” because it sounds better on marketing material.

Same story for the Surin Islands (Mu Ko Surin), just north. Closed.

Same story for Ao Phang Nga, Phi Phi core zones (Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi park), and Hat Chao Mai. All closed.

For the full map of protected zones, see the legality page.

Where you CAN spearfish on the Andaman coast

Phuket, non-park water

The Phuket coast outside Sirinat National Park (which covers the northwest coast from roughly Nai Yang to Mai Khao) is legally open to spearfishing. That leaves:

• West coast south of Sirinat: Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Nai Harn. Most of this is heavily touristed, jet-ski-congested, and a bad idea socially. You can legally spear offshore of these beaches, but you should not spear inshore.
• South coast: Nai Harn to Rawai to Promthep Cape headlands. Some legitimate reef work here, especially on the Cape and the islands just offshore (Ko Bon, Ko Kaeo). Check whether specific islets are inside smaller marine reserves before diving.
• East coast: Chalong, Ao Po, and the northeast coast out to Ao Yon and Cape Panwa. Less touristed water, some decent structure, better for a morning session without crowds.

Krabi, outside Phi Phi and Lanta parks

The Krabi mainland coast outside the Phi Phi park and Mu Ko Lanta park has open water. It is not the spectacular diving people picture when they think of the Andaman (that stuff is all inside parks), but it is fishable.

Phang Nga mainland coast

Outside the Ao Phang Nga park boundary, the Phang Nga coast has limited but legal options, mostly small bays and headland work.

Trang and Satun

The far southern Andaman coast, outside Hat Chao Mai and Mu Ko Phetra parks, has some legitimate diveable water. Less visited, fewer operators, more DIY logistics.

What conditions look like

Visibility

Andaman visibility in the open season (roughly November through April) typically runs 10 to 25 metres on good days, much better than anything the Gulf offers. That is the attraction. It is also why the reefs here got protected, because they are spectacular.

In the legal-to-dive water outside park boundaries, visibility is still better than the Gulf, typically 8 to 15 metres on solid days. Just not Similan-level clear.

Swell and current

Andaman has real swell. When weather systems in the Bay of Bengal pulse in, surf conditions at exposed sites become unworkable fast. Check forecasts before committing. Current around the Cape Panwa and Promthep headlands can be stronger than most new spearos expect.

Season

Spearfishing season on the Andaman is November through April. Full monsoon closure of parks and extreme weather mid-May through October make most Andaman diving a non-starter. If you are planning an Andaman trip, plan it in the December to March window. Ideal months are late February through early April.

Target species on legal Andaman water

• Trevally (several species, better sizes than Gulf side)
• Spanish mackerel (better and more consistent than Gulf)
• Wahoo (seasonal, real possibility on deeper drop off zones)
• Grouper (structure-associated, be mindful of breeding season)
• Barracuda
• Red snapper and emperor species

Dogtooth tuna are mostly inside park waters. Not a target on legal Andaman dives.

Local operators

A few spearfishing-aware operators exist in the Phuket and broader Andaman region. I am not going to list them by name here because specifics change fast. Ask in the Thailand Spearfishing or Phuket Spearfishing Facebook groups and you will get current recommendations.

What to look for in an operator:

• They know the park boundaries cold and refuse to take you inside them.
• They know the legal reefs well enough to adjust when your primary spot is blown out.
• They provide boat, fuel, and local knowledge. Not gear. Bring your own.
• They charge a fair Thai-tourism rate, not a European-tourism rate.

Red flags: anyone offering “Similan spearfishing,” anyone offering to take you on scuba with a gun, anyone being cagey about where they are taking you.

What I recommend for Andaman diving

The Andaman calls for a slightly bigger gun than Samui. Visibility supports longer shots, and the pelagic chances are better.

• Speargun: Rob Allen Snapper 110 (RGSNP11) or Tuna 110 (RGTUN11). If you expect any real pelagic work, the Tuna. If you lean reef, the Snapper.
• For dedicated bluewater on the legal offshore structure: GT Carbon 110 or 120 if you have the experience. Full carbon roller breakdown here.
• Float line: 20 to 25 metre poly line, or a reel setup if you prefer.
• Float: inflatable hardfloat with enough buoyancy for a legal-size Spanish mackerel.
• Wetsuit: 1.5 to 2mm. Water is warm but you will be in it for longer sessions.
• Knife: real knife. Andaman boat traffic means line-entanglement risk.

Full gear range on the shop. I ship Phuket in 3 business days from Lamai.

Realistic expectations

The Andaman is better than the Gulf for spearfishing. No question. When the weather, the visibility, and the tides all line up, you get some of the best spearing in Southeast Asia.

You will also spend more days than you want to listening to wind forecasts, shifting plans, and diving second-choice reefs because your first choice got blown out. That is the tradeoff for the better peak days.

And you are doing all of this in non-park water, because the Similans, Surin, Phi Phi, Ao Phang Nga, and the other dramatic Andaman zones are off-limits. Some spearos accept this and enjoy what the legal water offers. Some visit once, realise the legal water is more limited than they expected, and do not come back.

Plan accordingly.

The bottom line

If you are planning an Andaman trip, plan it for February through April, expect to dive legal non-park water only, bring a Snapper 110 or Tuna 110, and work with an operator who respects the park boundaries. Do that and you will have some of the best spearfishing days of your life. Expect otherwise and you will be disappointed.

Questions on specific reefs, operators, or gear for an Andaman trip? WhatsApp me directly. +66 (0) 80 535 2528.