Donald Duck Bay Similan Islands

Donald Duck Bay is beautifully photogenic bay located at the Northern end of Similan Island No. 8. It is complete with pristine beach and unique rock formation that is comparatively easy to climb. Donald Duck Bay is named after a huge strange-shaped rock on the western side of the bay that, without doubt, looks like the cartoon character Donald Duck’s Head. It is actually next near to the bizarre boulder that balances at a nearly impossible angle, known as Sail Rock. Actually it is from here that the “Classic Similan” photos of white sand and crystal blue waters are taken.

That pile of rocks must be the most photographed in the Similan Islands and can be climbed if time permits between dives to give a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding islands and turquoise waters below. Donald Duck bay is sometimes referred to as M16 or Cambell’s Shoe Bay.

 

Similan Island No. 8 has an official National Park Camping area and during the daytime there are many boats of all kinds here. These include snorkelers, day trippers as well as scuba divers. As such it is the perfect place to moor up for the afternoon or night, and walk around and to climb the famous viewpoint and it’s stunning views across the bay.

Donald Duck Bay is a good natural shelter and many of the liveaboard boats moor here in the evenings. It is also a popular place to bring day trippers snorkeling. It’s not the best dive site however, at least not for a day dive, more suitable to diver training because of shallow depth and minimal currents. During the day, you will find the all the usual Similan Island marine life, although Divers are unlikely to see anything very large or special. However, with so much dive time and air take, take your time, keep your eyes open, and you never know what you will see here.

 

Donald Duck Bay is an excellent night dive location though. A number of coral bommies separated by patches of sand are homes to a myriad of different shrimp species which can be heard crackling away on the dive. Decorator crabs are numerous as are squid and cuttlefish. Moray eels can be seen swimming at night and green turtles are also common. Painted rock lobster can also be seen.

If you are moored up here over night and then chances are you will be doing a Night Dive here. You can expect to see many species of shrimp, crabs and Spiny Lobsters. Although sadly lobsters are quite a rare find now-a-days. There are many sleeping fish in the Hard Corals, particularly Parrot Fish. Lion Fish and Scorpion Fish are numerous and they are active during the night time. Giant Morays are also active at night. Additionally, you also have the chance to see Cuttlefish and Squid who look even more awesome at night as they change colors.

 

Extremely popular visitors and residents here are the very friendly turtles. This is because the Similan Islands are home to both Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Due to the popularity of both these fantastic marine reptiles and Donald Duck Bay itself as a tourist destination, many people decide to feed them. This is absolutely the WRONG thing to do!

No matter how hungry or happy they may appear, do not feed any turtles! On one hand, turtles stomachs are not made for anything other than their natural diet of jellyfish etc. Especially not rice and bananas. On the other hand, they may become accustomed to relying on and being fed by humans. This in turn, can easily lead to boats or people getting too close to them. Which not surprisingly could harm or kill them. If you do see a turtle try not to disturb it, as if you wake it they can become disorientated and drown. Remember turtles’ breath air like we do, which is why you are very likely to meet one at the surface when you least expect it.

When you are ending the dive be sure to swim away from the rocks, if you are not doing a back to boat dive, so the dinghy can pick you up safely.