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NORTH ANDAMAN - KHAOLAK, SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS
North Andaman Season is open between 15 October - 15 May every single year and most of the boats depart from Khaolak (Phang-nga province, which is away from Phuket for about 2 hours). The pier has been using Tab Lamu as a primary and takes 60-90 minutes or about 70 km. arrive in Similan islands or Surin islands.
There are many dive sites available for divers/non-diver, as we offer almost 20 dive spots where you can dive in both Similan and Surin national parks following Similan (means no.9) islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Surin islands where is Richelieu rock apart of them. There are many local dive sites close to Khaolak beaches and take just 30 mins from Tab Lamu pier such as Khao Na Yak, Artificial reef, Underwater museum, Boonsung wreck, etc.
West of Eden – Similan Island #7
When East of Eden became too crowded divers started to look for other dive sites in the area, they went to the west side of Koh Pa-Yu (Island 7) and discovered that the Garden of Eden does not only face east.
Like other western dive sites in the Similan Islands, West of Eden comprises giant granite boulders that create nice canyons, with walls covered with colourful soft corals and giant sea fans.
Some areas are characterised by rubble and sand slope falling to a depth of 30 to 35 metres. The shallow is a fringing reef and is home to many reef fish, and has stacked granite boulders covered with hard corals, soft corals, gorgonians and feather stars.
This is a favourite site for local guides as it has both types of Similan sites in one place. It´s a great place to see Ribbon Eels, Frogfish, Ghost Pipefish, Seamoths and many other colourful critters.
Type of Dive: Boulder/WallDepth: 12 - 35 metres
Visibility: 15 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Like other western dive sites in the Similan Islands, West of Eden comprises giant granite boulders that create nice canyons, with walls covered with colourful soft corals and giant sea fans.
Some areas are characterised by rubble and sand slope falling to a depth of 30 to 35 metres. The shallow is a fringing reef and is home to many reef fish, and has stacked granite boulders covered with hard corals, soft corals, gorgonians and feather stars.
This is a favourite site for local guides as it has both types of Similan sites in one place. It´s a great place to see Ribbon Eels, Frogfish, Ghost Pipefish, Seamoths and many other colourful critters.
Type of Dive: Boulder/WallDepth: 12 - 35 metres
Visibility: 15 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Anita's Reef
Similan Island liveaboard diving Anita's Reef (Hin Muan Deaw) spreads between two islands, Similan #5 and Similan #6 which are two of the smaller islands adjacent to one another. The reef slopes from 5 to 10 metres to the sandy bottom at a maximum of 26m to 28 metres. Shallow coral gardens comprise huge pores and staghorn corals with small pinnacles.
Colourful corals are scattered along white powdery sand, creating beautiful natural scenery. Resident families of Clownfish, Garden Eels, psychedelic Nudibranchs and Robust ghost Pipefish are almost always around.
A big outcrop located in the southeast makes this dive site unique and attracts many photographers to the liveaboard Thailand dive sites. From the sandy bottom base at 20 metres to the top of the rock at 12 metres, this fantastic rock is surrounded by various colourful soft corals, gigantic sea fans, and many species of hard corals. The Thai name for this spectacular rock is "Hin Muan Deaw" meaning "Roll of film rock".
This is usually the first dive on our liveaboards, there is usually very little current, great visibility, and tonnes of fish - always a good way to start the day!
Type of Dive: Boulder/Wall
Depth: 12 - 35 metres
Visibility: 15 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Colourful corals are scattered along white powdery sand, creating beautiful natural scenery. Resident families of Clownfish, Garden Eels, psychedelic Nudibranchs and Robust ghost Pipefish are almost always around.
A big outcrop located in the southeast makes this dive site unique and attracts many photographers to the liveaboard Thailand dive sites. From the sandy bottom base at 20 metres to the top of the rock at 12 metres, this fantastic rock is surrounded by various colourful soft corals, gigantic sea fans, and many species of hard corals. The Thai name for this spectacular rock is "Hin Muan Deaw" meaning "Roll of film rock".
This is usually the first dive on our liveaboards, there is usually very little current, great visibility, and tonnes of fish - always a good way to start the day!
Type of Dive: Boulder/Wall
Depth: 12 - 35 metres
Visibility: 15 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
North Point – Similan Island #9
North Point (also known as Rocky Point) located to the northeast of Similan Island 9 is a dive site comprising submerged rocks mixed with fringing reefs as you get closer to the island itself, which makes it a great spot for all levels of divers.
The formations of the rocks create holes and swim-throughs. There is a little pinnacle out in the depths where if you are lucky you can see sharks swimming in the sand channel on your way out there, the deep rocks are covered in gigantic sea fans, and very few divers make it out to see the "North Point Pinnacle".In the southern area, near the island, are two channels made by boulders standing side-by-side. Next to the channels, is the shallow fringing reef that consists of staghorn and hard corals.
Look out on the boulder walls for hiding Ghost Pipefish and Pygmy Pipehorses, the sand has gardens of eels and stingrays, and in the coral garden 8 times out of 10 you will see a turtle munching through the staghorn corals, or mating Octopus and Cuttlefish! There really is something for everyone.
About 300 metres to the northwest of the liveaboarrd diving site lies another pinnacle. This fantastic similan island pinnacle is totally covered with soft Thailand corals and giant sea fans. However the top of the Thailand divesite pinnacle is at about 30 metres and falls steeply to betwen 40 and 45 metres, which is in excess of the limits for PADI Thailand recreational liveaboard diving. Divers should note that there is no shelter between this pinnacle and the shallower site, so heading back from the Liveaboard Thailand pinnacle requires care in case of currents, however you may be rewarded with the sight of leopard sharks resting in the sand
Type of Dive: Boulder/Reef
Depth: 10 - 35 metres
Visibility: 20 - 25 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate
The formations of the rocks create holes and swim-throughs. There is a little pinnacle out in the depths where if you are lucky you can see sharks swimming in the sand channel on your way out there, the deep rocks are covered in gigantic sea fans, and very few divers make it out to see the "North Point Pinnacle".In the southern area, near the island, are two channels made by boulders standing side-by-side. Next to the channels, is the shallow fringing reef that consists of staghorn and hard corals.
Look out on the boulder walls for hiding Ghost Pipefish and Pygmy Pipehorses, the sand has gardens of eels and stingrays, and in the coral garden 8 times out of 10 you will see a turtle munching through the staghorn corals, or mating Octopus and Cuttlefish! There really is something for everyone.
About 300 metres to the northwest of the liveaboarrd diving site lies another pinnacle. This fantastic similan island pinnacle is totally covered with soft Thailand corals and giant sea fans. However the top of the Thailand divesite pinnacle is at about 30 metres and falls steeply to betwen 40 and 45 metres, which is in excess of the limits for PADI Thailand recreational liveaboard diving. Divers should note that there is no shelter between this pinnacle and the shallower site, so heading back from the Liveaboard Thailand pinnacle requires care in case of currents, however you may be rewarded with the sight of leopard sharks resting in the sand
Type of Dive: Boulder/Reef
Depth: 10 - 35 metres
Visibility: 20 - 25 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate
Christmas Point – Similan Island 9
Christmas Point is a wonderful dive site at the far north of the Similans group of nine main islands. It is located just to the west of Koh Bangu, which is Island 9. Like most Similan Islands diving sites, it consists of large granite rocks and boulders on a relatively flat sandy seabed. It is best known for its swimthrough, which is at a depth of 24 metres, but there are other swimthroughs and lots of other things to get excited about here, just south of North Point.
This is definitely a dive site to bring your camera! With a maze of granite boulders and swim-throughs photos really capture the beauty of this site. Ribbon eels and Orange-spotted Pipefish can be seen around the edge of this dive site as well as Napoleon Wrasse and the occasional Eagle Ray. Anemones with Porcelain Crabs inhabit the crevasses and Nudibranches galore can be seen crawling over the boulders.
The most popular is located at a depth of 24 metres, so it should be found and swum through during the first half of the dive. There are others, though, some of which are more challenging than others. As the rocks and boulders become further from the island, they also become more scattered and in deeper water. Here is a good place to look out for resting sharks and rays, such as the Leopard/Zebra Shark and Whitetip Reef Shark
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 8 – 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 – 30 metres
Temperature: 27 – 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced PADI
This is definitely a dive site to bring your camera! With a maze of granite boulders and swim-throughs photos really capture the beauty of this site. Ribbon eels and Orange-spotted Pipefish can be seen around the edge of this dive site as well as Napoleon Wrasse and the occasional Eagle Ray. Anemones with Porcelain Crabs inhabit the crevasses and Nudibranches galore can be seen crawling over the boulders.
The most popular is located at a depth of 24 metres, so it should be found and swum through during the first half of the dive. There are others, though, some of which are more challenging than others. As the rocks and boulders become further from the island, they also become more scattered and in deeper water. Here is a good place to look out for resting sharks and rays, such as the Leopard/Zebra Shark and Whitetip Reef Shark
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 8 – 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 – 30 metres
Temperature: 27 – 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced PADI
Elephant Head Rock-Similan no.8
Located between Islands 7 and 8, this first thing you will notice before you dive is one massive boulder rising above the surface, and next to it are another three boulders. The site is named for the largest and tallest boulder, which is said to resemble the head of an elephant. You may need to use your imagination as you look.
Elephant head dive site is the most famous spot of the Similan Islands. The name comes from the shape of the rock at the surface which looks like an Elephant’s head. There are many small caves, arches and swim-throughs which makes it an amazing playground for scuba divers. You can encounter many species of sharks like whitetip, blacktip and leopard sharks. The fish life is really varied and you will be amazed by the huge schools of pelagics like giant trevallies and barracudas hunting around the large granite boulders. This dive spot in the Similan Islands is better suited to experienced divers as the sea bottom is deep at around 70 m! The current can be also very strong there.
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 16 – 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 20 – 30 metres
Temperature: 27 – 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Elephant head dive site is the most famous spot of the Similan Islands. The name comes from the shape of the rock at the surface which looks like an Elephant’s head. There are many small caves, arches and swim-throughs which makes it an amazing playground for scuba divers. You can encounter many species of sharks like whitetip, blacktip and leopard sharks. The fish life is really varied and you will be amazed by the huge schools of pelagics like giant trevallies and barracudas hunting around the large granite boulders. This dive spot in the Similan Islands is better suited to experienced divers as the sea bottom is deep at around 70 m! The current can be also very strong there.
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 16 – 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 20 – 30 metres
Temperature: 27 – 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Three Trees – Koh Ba-Ngu island no.9
A favorite afternoon dive on our Similan Cruise, Threes Trees gets its name from the ‘three trees’ that seem to stand out from all the others on the rocky east coastline of Similan Island nine.
The reef starts at 5m and a gentle slope take you down to the mix of healthy hard corals at around 20 meters. There’s lots of marine life to find here such as Moray, Octopus, Mantis shrimp and Lobster. Hawksbill Turtles are common and often found seen hunting for snacks among the staghorn coral.
Leaving the reef and heading to the boulders on the outer fringe you’ll find Khul’s stingrays and Jaw fish in the sand. Leopard sharks can sometimes been seen near the rocks starting at 22m.
Beautiful fan corals and thousands of glass fish live at the deeper boulders and it has been known to spot the occasional guitar shark down in the depths!
Leopard sharks can occasionally be spotted among the boulders starting at 22m. The deep boulders are covered in amazing fan corals and thousands of glass fish, it´s an amazing macro point with pygmy pipehorses around, and take look over the top of the deepest boulder where it drops off at 26m to about 35m - the occassional Guitar Shark has been seen here too!
Type of Dive: Reef
Depth: 5 - 40 metres
Visibility: 5 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate
The reef starts at 5m and a gentle slope take you down to the mix of healthy hard corals at around 20 meters. There’s lots of marine life to find here such as Moray, Octopus, Mantis shrimp and Lobster. Hawksbill Turtles are common and often found seen hunting for snacks among the staghorn coral.
Leaving the reef and heading to the boulders on the outer fringe you’ll find Khul’s stingrays and Jaw fish in the sand. Leopard sharks can sometimes been seen near the rocks starting at 22m.
Beautiful fan corals and thousands of glass fish live at the deeper boulders and it has been known to spot the occasional guitar shark down in the depths!
Leopard sharks can occasionally be spotted among the boulders starting at 22m. The deep boulders are covered in amazing fan corals and thousands of glass fish, it´s an amazing macro point with pygmy pipehorses around, and take look over the top of the deepest boulder where it drops off at 26m to about 35m - the occassional Guitar Shark has been seen here too!
Type of Dive: Reef
Depth: 5 - 40 metres
Visibility: 5 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate
Breakfast Bend - Similan island no.9
Breakfast Bend is one of the most popular dive sites in the Similans, with boulders dotted around the sea bed it hosts a wealth of marine life and a huge variety of coral. Located just east of island 8, this is an excellent dive site and many say that it has some of the best reefs in the area. Scattered with colourful hard corals, staghorn coral and sea whips, Breakfast Bend is home to leopard sharks and Turtles.
There is so much to see here, that it is difficult to know where to start, and impossible to stop. The biggest fish divers are likely to come across are Leopard/Zebra Sharks (Stegpstoma fasciatum) or Blue-Spotted Stingrays (Neotrygon kuhlii), both of which spend most of their days resting on the sand. Large Potato Groupers/Cod (Epinephelus tukula) and Napoleon/Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) are also big and easy to spot. Down on the sandy seabed is a wonderful sight for calm and patient divers. Spotted Garden Eels (Heteroconger hassi) live in huge groups in holes in the sand.
Lucky divers might come across whitetip reef sharks on the sea bed or catch sight of a passing khul’s ray or find a ghost pipefish swimming by. Breakfast Bend ranges in depth from 0 metres to 35 metres, the visibility here is usually very good ranging from 10 to 30 metres. Currents here are medium so the dive site is suitable for everyone including beginners.
Type of Dive:Boulder
Depth: 5 - 30 metres
Visibility: 20 - 40 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate/easy to all diver certifications
There is so much to see here, that it is difficult to know where to start, and impossible to stop. The biggest fish divers are likely to come across are Leopard/Zebra Sharks (Stegpstoma fasciatum) or Blue-Spotted Stingrays (Neotrygon kuhlii), both of which spend most of their days resting on the sand. Large Potato Groupers/Cod (Epinephelus tukula) and Napoleon/Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) are also big and easy to spot. Down on the sandy seabed is a wonderful sight for calm and patient divers. Spotted Garden Eels (Heteroconger hassi) live in huge groups in holes in the sand.
Lucky divers might come across whitetip reef sharks on the sea bed or catch sight of a passing khul’s ray or find a ghost pipefish swimming by. Breakfast Bend ranges in depth from 0 metres to 35 metres, the visibility here is usually very good ranging from 10 to 30 metres. Currents here are medium so the dive site is suitable for everyone including beginners.
Type of Dive:Boulder
Depth: 5 - 30 metres
Visibility: 20 - 40 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate/easy to all diver certifications
Koh Bon - Northern Similan (next island no.9)
Koh Bon is well known for his Manta encounters on the famous Koh Bon West Ridge. Between February and April you can spot here 9 out of 10 times this magnificent creatures. The West Ridge is covered with tiny yellow soft corals and hosts a large amount of fish. It is also common to see leopard sharks, eagle rays or sometimes the rare Guitar Shark.
A favourite dive site is the western ridge of the islet, which falls steeply away to the deep. The reef slopes from a depth of 10 metres down to sandy bottom at 25 to 30 metres. The majority of corals here are hard corals including staghorn coral and brain coral that are interspersed with a few big coral heads. The ridge is covered in tiny yellow soft corals and has an abundance of life due to the usually medium/strong currents but this is what brings in the big fish. This is the number 1 place in Thailand to see Manta Rays, they love to hang out on the ridge with us and get cleaned by the butterflyfish and play with our bubbles; all you do is sit back and enjoy the show.
Type of Dive: Wall, Slope, Reef, Drift
Depth: 10 - 40 metres
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
A favourite dive site is the western ridge of the islet, which falls steeply away to the deep. The reef slopes from a depth of 10 metres down to sandy bottom at 25 to 30 metres. The majority of corals here are hard corals including staghorn coral and brain coral that are interspersed with a few big coral heads. The ridge is covered in tiny yellow soft corals and has an abundance of life due to the usually medium/strong currents but this is what brings in the big fish. This is the number 1 place in Thailand to see Manta Rays, they love to hang out on the ridge with us and get cleaned by the butterflyfish and play with our bubbles; all you do is sit back and enjoy the show.
Type of Dive: Wall, Slope, Reef, Drift
Depth: 10 - 40 metres
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Koh Tachai - Northern Similan
KohTachai is a beautiful island to the north of the Similans, approximately 20 kilometers north of Koh Bon. It is an island with white sand beaches and thriving vegetation and is home to a couple of good dive sites, one of which is Tachai Pinnacle. The dive site Tachai Pinnacle is just south of the island and is marked by buoys on the water’s surface. Large boulders sit on a sandy bottom with depths of up to 45 meters.
The Dome is a submerged pinnacle made up of gigantic granite boulders reminiscent of Similan Island site. The top of the pinnacle is at 14 - 12meters and has a buoy for safe descent. The southern pinnacle is bigger, at a diving depth of 12 metres to the top. It is a dome shape surrounded by large boulders. The sand bottom is at a depth of around 30 to 40 metres, with the deepest area on the southern side. To the west you will find large boulders, some of which have formed swim-throughs. In the east, you will find stacks of small rocks, most of which are covered by hard corals and sea whips. Colourful soft corals and sea fans dominate the northern area of the site. The top of the pinnacle is a wide flat plain with bush and mountain coral. This huge pinnacle links to the smaller second pinnacle with sand patch at 24 metres. From the southern pinnacle, it is about a 50 meter swim to the northern pinnacle. The top of the northern pinnacle lies at a depth of 18 meters. This smaller pinnacle comprises a wide range of rock clusters and is home to large sea fans and corals, that are covered in glass fish and often huge schools of barracuda are hanging out in the blue, out in the sand are Bent Stick Pipefish, Leopard sharsk, passing Manta Rays and Whalesharks are also frequent visitors to both pinnacles.
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 12 - 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
The Dome is a submerged pinnacle made up of gigantic granite boulders reminiscent of Similan Island site. The top of the pinnacle is at 14 - 12meters and has a buoy for safe descent. The southern pinnacle is bigger, at a diving depth of 12 metres to the top. It is a dome shape surrounded by large boulders. The sand bottom is at a depth of around 30 to 40 metres, with the deepest area on the southern side. To the west you will find large boulders, some of which have formed swim-throughs. In the east, you will find stacks of small rocks, most of which are covered by hard corals and sea whips. Colourful soft corals and sea fans dominate the northern area of the site. The top of the pinnacle is a wide flat plain with bush and mountain coral. This huge pinnacle links to the smaller second pinnacle with sand patch at 24 metres. From the southern pinnacle, it is about a 50 meter swim to the northern pinnacle. The top of the northern pinnacle lies at a depth of 18 meters. This smaller pinnacle comprises a wide range of rock clusters and is home to large sea fans and corals, that are covered in glass fish and often huge schools of barracuda are hanging out in the blue, out in the sand are Bent Stick Pipefish, Leopard sharsk, passing Manta Rays and Whalesharks are also frequent visitors to both pinnacles.
Type of Dive: Boulder
Depth: 12 - 40 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Surin islands
Koh Surin National Marine Park is rates as one of Thailand's prime island locations.
The two main islands Koh Surin Nua (North Surin Island) and Koh Surin Tai (South Surin Island) form the bulk of the land mass. The other 3 satellite islands both enhance the overground vistas and provide supplementary fringing reef.
The entire Surin archepelago covers a region greater than 320 km² and includes the picturesque island of Koh Tachai and sublime scuba diving at Richelieu Rock where the large pelagic favourites, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, are often sighted.
The Surin Islands host two small communities of the small ethnic Moken minority, known as "chao lay" or "sea gypsies". The Moken population of the Surin Island averages around 150 persons.Moken are actually three distinct tribes living along the Andaman Coast of Burma and Thailand – the Moken of the Mergui archipelago, the Moklen of Phang Nga province, and the Urak Lawoi living from Phuket southward to Satun.
Most dive sites we usually dive to are Torila, Ao Tao, Ao Pakkard, Koh Stock etc.
Type of Dive: Reef
Depth: 5-30 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Beginners
The two main islands Koh Surin Nua (North Surin Island) and Koh Surin Tai (South Surin Island) form the bulk of the land mass. The other 3 satellite islands both enhance the overground vistas and provide supplementary fringing reef.
The entire Surin archepelago covers a region greater than 320 km² and includes the picturesque island of Koh Tachai and sublime scuba diving at Richelieu Rock where the large pelagic favourites, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, are often sighted.
The Surin Islands host two small communities of the small ethnic Moken minority, known as "chao lay" or "sea gypsies". The Moken population of the Surin Island averages around 150 persons.Moken are actually three distinct tribes living along the Andaman Coast of Burma and Thailand – the Moken of the Mergui archipelago, the Moklen of Phang Nga province, and the Urak Lawoi living from Phuket southward to Satun.
Most dive sites we usually dive to are Torila, Ao Tao, Ao Pakkard, Koh Stock etc.
Type of Dive: Reef
Depth: 5-30 metres diving depth
Visibility: 10 - 30 metres
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Beginners
Richelieu Rock - Surin islands
is a dive site in Thailand in the Andaman Sea about 200 km northwest of Phuket. It is part of the Mu Koh Surin marine park although being about 18 km east of Surin Island.
The horseshoe-shaped reef discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau is known for its purple corals as well as diverse marine life ranging from small fish and harlequin shrimp to large pelagics like whale shark, manta ray, barracuda, and grouper.
Partly due to its unique geology as a solitary pinnacle standing out from around 30m. depth to just under the surface it is said to attract a variety of different pelagic species of all different sizes. Reports claim regular appearance of Snappers, Bannerfish, Lionfish, Triggerfish and Shovelnose Rays.
Several sources also report sightings of filter feeders like manta rays and whale sharks, and scavengers such as barracudas though fishing is said to have made their appearance less frequent.
Richelieu Rock is also well known for its large variety of small and rare marine critters, such as sea horses, frogfish, harlequin shrimp, pineapplefish, orang utang crab and several other species of crabs and shrimp.
Richelieu Rock is considered by many to be one of Thailand's most iconic dive sites.It is usually accessed by diving boats during several-day cruises, as it is too far off the coast to be reached by usual dive boats. There are speedboats that can go to Richelieu Rock as a day trip or liveaboards. Richelieu Rock is part of the Surin National Marine Park and is closed from 15 May until 15 October each year.
Due to the large scale of Richelieu Rock, it is not possible to explore the whole site in one dive. You should plan at least two dives here to see all it´s glory. Amazement awaits divers in every square meter of Richelieu Rock.
Type of Dive: Boulder/Wall
Depth: 40 meters
Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
The horseshoe-shaped reef discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau is known for its purple corals as well as diverse marine life ranging from small fish and harlequin shrimp to large pelagics like whale shark, manta ray, barracuda, and grouper.
Partly due to its unique geology as a solitary pinnacle standing out from around 30m. depth to just under the surface it is said to attract a variety of different pelagic species of all different sizes. Reports claim regular appearance of Snappers, Bannerfish, Lionfish, Triggerfish and Shovelnose Rays.
Several sources also report sightings of filter feeders like manta rays and whale sharks, and scavengers such as barracudas though fishing is said to have made their appearance less frequent.
Richelieu Rock is also well known for its large variety of small and rare marine critters, such as sea horses, frogfish, harlequin shrimp, pineapplefish, orang utang crab and several other species of crabs and shrimp.
Richelieu Rock is considered by many to be one of Thailand's most iconic dive sites.It is usually accessed by diving boats during several-day cruises, as it is too far off the coast to be reached by usual dive boats. There are speedboats that can go to Richelieu Rock as a day trip or liveaboards. Richelieu Rock is part of the Surin National Marine Park and is closed from 15 May until 15 October each year.
Due to the large scale of Richelieu Rock, it is not possible to explore the whole site in one dive. You should plan at least two dives here to see all it´s glory. Amazement awaits divers in every square meter of Richelieu Rock.
Type of Dive: Boulder/Wall
Depth: 40 meters
Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
Temperature: 27 - 29 degrees C
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Sea Chart Wreck
MV Sea Chart 1 was in the process of transporting 1,200 logs of wood in its 3200 tonnes hold from Burma, heading across the Andaman Sea, down through the Straits of Malacca and then on to to its final destination in Vietnam. However, in August 2009, the bulk-carrier encountered problems not far from Thailand’s coast, where rough seas and severe weather battered the ship, causing multiple leaks in its hull.
Water also leaked into the engine room and began to sink the vessel. All crew on board the Sea Chart 1 managed to escape on inflatable rafts soon to be rescued by a Thai Navy ship. MV Sea Chart, 84 meters long and 12 meters wide, now rests on her starboard side in 40 meters of water.
This facinating ship wreck still with cargo aboard and many other original features makes a jaw dropping dive for wreck divers. A huge amount of marine life has already settled on this wreck. There is lots of Lionfish, a school of huge Batfish, several different unusual nudibranchs, a school of big Rainbow runners, a big old Baraccuda, Octopus, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish and many others.
NOTE: You must be either an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives, or an experienced Adventure Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives including Deep Adventure Dive, or an experienced Open Water Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives plus Deep Adventure Dive
Water also leaked into the engine room and began to sink the vessel. All crew on board the Sea Chart 1 managed to escape on inflatable rafts soon to be rescued by a Thai Navy ship. MV Sea Chart, 84 meters long and 12 meters wide, now rests on her starboard side in 40 meters of water.
This facinating ship wreck still with cargo aboard and many other original features makes a jaw dropping dive for wreck divers. A huge amount of marine life has already settled on this wreck. There is lots of Lionfish, a school of huge Batfish, several different unusual nudibranchs, a school of big Rainbow runners, a big old Baraccuda, Octopus, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish and many others.
NOTE: You must be either an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives, or an experienced Adventure Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives including Deep Adventure Dive, or an experienced Open Water Diver or equivalent with 50+ logged dives plus Deep Adventure Dive
Boonsung Wreck
was formerly one of many vessels that were used in the previously booming tin mining trade along the west coast of Thailand especially around Phuket and Khao lak. Allegedly it sank due to a faulty toilet and came to rest on the sandy bottom in just 18m of water just outside Khao Lak. Originally it was a hazard to shipping and the Thai navy dropped a couple of bombs to level it out a bit, add that to the damage created by the 2004 tsunami and we’re left with something that’s hardly recognisable as a boat but it attracts an incredible amount of life.
Although technically not part of the Similan Islands it’s used as the final two dives of many liveaboard safaris’ due to it’s close proximity to Khao Lak. It’s location on an extensive flat, sandy and featureless underwater plain makes it a haven for fish and attracts wildlife from miles around. The schools of fish are simply huge and consist of many different species – forsters barracuda, snapper, fusilier and batfish to name a few. Even puffer and porcupine fish congregate in large numbers here, something we don’t see on any other Thailand west coast dive site.
It’s location does have one significant disadvantage, visibility is rarely more than 10m so descending on one of the buoy lines is a must, very often you can’t see the wreck from the surface. Once you’ve reached the wreck navigation is easy and you simply move in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction moving from one section of this broken up wreck to the next, ending the dive hopefully on the buoy line that you descended on. Don’t stray away from the wreck and you won’t get lost
Although technically not part of the Similan Islands it’s used as the final two dives of many liveaboard safaris’ due to it’s close proximity to Khao Lak. It’s location on an extensive flat, sandy and featureless underwater plain makes it a haven for fish and attracts wildlife from miles around. The schools of fish are simply huge and consist of many different species – forsters barracuda, snapper, fusilier and batfish to name a few. Even puffer and porcupine fish congregate in large numbers here, something we don’t see on any other Thailand west coast dive site.
It’s location does have one significant disadvantage, visibility is rarely more than 10m so descending on one of the buoy lines is a must, very often you can’t see the wreck from the surface. Once you’ve reached the wreck navigation is easy and you simply move in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction moving from one section of this broken up wreck to the next, ending the dive hopefully on the buoy line that you descended on. Don’t stray away from the wreck and you won’t get lost
Thai-Muang Wreck
The Thai Muang Wreck "Condreco" was built in Sliedrecht in the Netherlands in 1976. She ended her days working for a Tin Mining company off the west side of Phang Nga province. After sinking in September 2000, a few hundred metres off Thai Muang beach, the Condreco now rests on her side at a depth of 20 meters.
The Condreco is in excellent condition with the most amazing soft corals and has attracted large numbers of Honeycomb & White-eyed moray eels, lionfish & all types of scorpion fish. It is also possible to spot Ornate ghost pipe fish here. There has been a lot of discussion as to whether to raise this wreck for salvage, and we don't know how long she will stay in this position off our coast, but for this season at least it is still possible to dive here.
The Condreco is in excellent condition with the most amazing soft corals and has attracted large numbers of Honeycomb & White-eyed moray eels, lionfish & all types of scorpion fish. It is also possible to spot Ornate ghost pipe fish here. There has been a lot of discussion as to whether to raise this wreck for salvage, and we don't know how long she will stay in this position off our coast, but for this season at least it is still possible to dive here.
Bangsak Wreck
named after the village of Bangsak 5km away, is an old tin mining boat that sank in 1984 in unknown circumstances at a depth of 18m. This boat was owned by the Boonsung Tin Mining Company and operated up and down the Andaman coast throughout the tin mining boom, which ended early last decade. At first, due to it's large size, the wreck lay close to the surface making it a safety hazard to local fishing vessels. So the Thai Navy were called in to bomb the boat, reducing its height by collapsing the decks, and creating the wreck that we dive on today.
Over the years many shells and hard and soft corals have attached themselves to the hull, which has become an artificial reef and naturally attracts large schools of fish from the flat, sandy seabed. This dive site has an outstanding abundance of fish life, including resident seahorses, curious batfish, a large family of porcupine fish and several kinds of crustaceans, along with large schools of barracuda and the occasional leopard shark.
Over the years many shells and hard and soft corals have attached themselves to the hull, which has become an artificial reef and naturally attracts large schools of fish from the flat, sandy seabed. This dive site has an outstanding abundance of fish life, including resident seahorses, curious batfish, a large family of porcupine fish and several kinds of crustaceans, along with large schools of barracuda and the occasional leopard shark.
Khaonayak Reef
Closer to home, Khao Na Yak is the house reef for Khao Lak. Only 45 minutes away by local boat, and with a maximum depth of only 9m, this is a most relaxing dive and an excellent site for new divers or for those of you who haven't dived for a while.
Khao Na Yak Reef also appeals to experienced divers who like to spend some time focusing closely on the varied fish life of a tropical reef, with the advantage of a longer bottom time due to the shallow depth.
Many beautiful nudibranchs can be found here - and see if you can find the ghost pipefish! Also visited by many lionfish and the occasional ray and leopard shark, and including a colourful selection of tropical fish, this dive site is the perfect place to concentrate on the small things.
Khao Na Yak Reef also appeals to experienced divers who like to spend some time focusing closely on the varied fish life of a tropical reef, with the advantage of a longer bottom time due to the shallow depth.
Many beautiful nudibranchs can be found here - and see if you can find the ghost pipefish! Also visited by many lionfish and the occasional ray and leopard shark, and including a colourful selection of tropical fish, this dive site is the perfect place to concentrate on the small things.
Artificial reef (Underwater Musuem)
The Artificial Reef project was launched in 2014 in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. With a maximum depth of 15m this is a perfect dive site for new divers and snorkellers, or for those of you who haven't dived for a while.
This intriguing area offers you the chance to dive amongst about twenty sunken army trucks, a sunken navy patrol boat and a statue of a turtle, the first of many statues planned for the coming years that will tell the story of the culture of Phang Nga.
The aim of this marine park is to attract marine life to the area, and this has already begun with artificial seaweed being added in May 2018 to further encourage small fish into safe breeding areas. We’re looking forward to experiencing the development and growth of this new reef as time progresses.
This intriguing area offers you the chance to dive amongst about twenty sunken army trucks, a sunken navy patrol boat and a statue of a turtle, the first of many statues planned for the coming years that will tell the story of the culture of Phang Nga.
The aim of this marine park is to attract marine life to the area, and this has already begun with artificial seaweed being added in May 2018 to further encourage small fish into safe breeding areas. We’re looking forward to experiencing the development and growth of this new reef as time progresses.
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