East of Eden
East of Eden runs north to south along the east coast of Ko Payu (called island 7 by most dive operators). The reef slope goes from about 5 to 40 m, with staghorn and blue coral in the north, and some of the largest sea fans of the Similans where the reef meets the sand. Its highlight is a small pinnacle known as the Orchid Garden, covered in soft corals and fans. Turtles graze the shallow reef top and it is usually dived as a slow drift.
Facts
- Region: Thailand – Similan & Surin
- Area: Similan North (islands 5–9)
- Depth: 5–40 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: reef, drift
- Coordinates: 8.5948, 97.6385
- Highlights: hard coral, soft coral, sea fans, glassfish, frogfish, sea turtle, reef sharks, Orchid Garden pinnacle
- Tips: Gentle current along the reef makes for an easy drift; look inside the sponges for frogfish.