Shark Fin Reef
Conditions & tides
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About this site
Shark Fin Reef is a dive site located to the south and east of Similan Island No. 3 (Koh Payan), in the Similan Islands, Thailand. The name comes from the granite boulders that break the surface and, viewed from a certain angle, resemble shark fins — in Thai the site is known as "Hin Phae," meaning "surfacing rock." The reef forms a chain of granite rock running roughly south to north, stretching approximately 2 km in length.
The terrain consists of massive granite boulders covered in hard corals, beginning at the surface and sloping down to a sandy bottom. Depths run from about 5 m at the shallowest to 35 m at the base, making it too large to cover fully in a single dive. Green cup corals grow in large amounts along the boulders, anemone gardens are found on the sandy bottom, and the passages between the boulders are decorated with fan coral gardens. A dive typically begins at the southern end of the reef on a sloping wall that meets the sandy bottom at around 25 m, with the route heading north-west along the rock chain and ascending to a plateau at roughly 12 m.
The site is well regarded for large-animal encounters. Leopard sharks are frequently found resting on the sandy bottom between the boulders. Bumphead parrotfish, buffalo head parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, sea turtles (which rest in the anemone gardens), and manta rays have all been recorded here. Tiger shark sightings, though rare, have been reported, along with other sharks, rays, and blue-spotted rays. Moray eels, lionfish, and scorpionfish shelter in the gaps between the granite blocks.
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The site is dived by boat, and the east side of the reef is the recommended diving face. Visibility is generally very good, frequently exceeding 30 m. The north–south orientation of the reef makes it well suited to diving in current, and both down-currents and up-currents can occur alongside stronger current conditions, so awareness of these is important. Despite this, the site is considered suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners upward.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
ParrotfishParrotfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Bumphead parrotfishBumphead parrotfishReported here · unconfirmed
Tiger SharkGaleocerdo cuvierReported here · unconfirmed
Manta rayManta rayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
LionfishLionfishReported here · unconfirmed
TunaTunaReported here · unconfirmed
UnicornfishUnicornfishReported here · unconfirmed
SurgeonfishSurgeonfishReported here · unconfirmed
BarracudaBarracudaConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
TriggerfishTriggerfishReported here · unconfirmed
FusilierFusilierReported here · unconfirmed
Napoleon (humphead) wrasseNapoleon (humphead) wrasseConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
Leopard / zebra sharkLeopard / zebra sharkConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
BatfishBatfishReported here · unconfirmed
Breviturma dentataReported here · unconfirmed
Greenfish Sea CucumberStichopus chloronotusReported here · unconfirmed
Ophiocoma erinaceusReported here · unconfirmed
Neon FusilierPterocaesio tileReported here · unconfirmed
Black-finned TriggerfishMelichthys indicusReported here · unconfirmed
Spotted BoxfishOstracion meleagrisReported here · unconfirmed
Pineapple Sea CucumberThelenota ananasReported here · unconfirmed
Indian DascyllusDascyllus carneusReported here · unconfirmed
Crimson SoldierfishMyripristis murdjanReported here · unconfirmed
ScorpionfishScorpionfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
BannerfishBannerfishReported here · unconfirmed
Powder Blue TangAcanthurus leucosternonObserved near here · iNaturalist
Blue DragonPteraeolidia semperiObserved near here · iNaturalist
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutusObserved near here · iNaturalist
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicusObserved near here · iNaturalist
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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