Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is part of the Surin national park just North of the Similan Islands it is quite arguably one of the best dive site in the world and with no doubt the best dive site in Thailand!
The “croissant-shaped reef” was discovered (with the help of local fishermen) and named by Jacques-Yves Cousteau with the inspiration of Cardinal Richelieu. The reason for this was the amazing purple and white soft coral that reminded him of the robe that the cardinal wore.
Richelieu Rock is one main pinnacle with some smaller rocks and out cropping surrounding it. The dive site is incredibly diverse in the marine life that you can find; from frog fish and seahorses to whale sharks and barracuda this site has something for everyone.
Richelieu Rock Key Points
Depth
0 – 35 Metres
Visibility
15 – 30 Meters
Difficulty
Suitable for all levels of divers
Koh Bon
Koh Bon is located 20 kilometers north of the Similan island and is a limestone island which contrasts to the numerous granite islands at the Similan Islands and also Koh Tachai.
This distinction in the rock of the dive site gives it a very different feel to the other sites around this around. This site gives many small cracks for excellent macro life to live; blue dragon nudibranchs, peacock mantis shrimps, coral banded cleaner shrimp and many more.
Koh Bon is famous as a manta ray cleaning station. Manta rays can be found here all season long but are most commonly seen between December and March.
Koh Bon Key Points
Depth
0 – 35 Metres
Visibility
15 – 30 Meters
Difficulty
Can have currents do check tides with the shop
Koh Tachai Pinnacle
Koh Tachai is a small island located North of the Similan Islands however it still belongs to the Similan National park.
Koh Tachai is infamous for big currents at certain times of the month. These big current do invariably bring the big life with it.
Diving Koh Tachai is never dull you will find big schools of travelly, rainbow runners and fusiliers give movement to the site. Often you can see passing manta rays and whale sharks that are welcome visitors to the site.
Along with all of these fish you can also find giant morays, many different type of lion fish, oceanic trigger fish and lots of macro life.
Koh Tachai Pinnacle Key Points
Depth
0 – 35 Metres
Visibility
20 – 30 Meters
Difficulty
Can have strong currents so can be a difficult dive
Anita's Reef
Anita’s reef is situated on the east side of the Similans islands numbers five and six. This dive site consists of sloping sands from approximately 5 – 30 meters with amazing bombies sporadically placed throughout to icy white sands.
On this gentle slope you can see some Lionfish, some beautiful Clown Triggerfish or some illusive long-nosed hawkfish.
The deeper areas of the dive site and you will find some wonderful soft tree corals or huge sea fans covered by glassfish and juvenile fish.
Out in the blue you will see may blue fin travelly coming in to hunt on the site.
Anita's Reef Key Points
Depth
0 – 30 Metres
Visibility
20 – 30 Meters
Difficulty
Easy
Elephant Head Rock
Elephant Head Rock gets its name from the unusual granite rock formations that protrude from the water giving the look of an elephants head (some say!).
This dive site contrasts with other dive sites around the area as it is further away from the protection of any island. You can therefore see different marine life that you wouldn’t so easily find in other sites around the Similan Islands.
The massive granite boulders form some very interesting swim throughs and channels that add some excitement to the dive. In amongst all of the cracks, under hangings and dark spaces you can find purple fire gobies, ornate ghost pipefish, Andaman sweetlips and perhaps a sheltering hawksbill turtle.
Deeper on the dive site you can go searching for the Similan Jawfish, McCosker’s dwarf wrasse and if you are lucky you may come across a black tip or leopard shark.
Elephant Head Rock Key Points
Depth
12 – 40 Metres
Visibility
15 – 30 Meters
Difficulty
Medium (swim throughs need good buoyancy and there can be currents)
Three Trees/Breakfast Bend
This is a very easy dive site for all levels as if there is any current present you can simply spend your dive ‘going with the flow’!
Located on the East side of island number nine this dive site offers something for everyone and is a great relaxing early morning dive. The name Breakfast bend comes from the light that emerges across the dive site early in the morning and the name three trees comes from the distinctive three trees that can be seen on the side of the island!!
The dive site starts close to the island with coral reef where turtles and black tip sharks are frequently sighted. From the reef the site turns into a sandy bottom with sporadic coral patches.
The coral patches are covered in glass fish, a plethora of different shrimps and crustaceans, eels, lion fish and much more macro life to be found.
Three Trees Key Points
Depth
5 – 35 Metres
Visibility
20 – 35 Meters
Difficulty
Easy
Boonsung Wreck
Boonsung wreck is a located only a few kilometers from Tap Lamu Pier so is a great dive site for day trips.
Originally a tin dredging vessel that sank over 30 years ago and was broken up by the tsunami it is a great nursery for a plethora of life.
The dive lies at a maximum depth of 20 meters so is a fantastic option for divers of any level. Huge schools of fusiliers, juvenile barracuda and snapper surround the dive site, and life covers ever crack and post; stone fish, lion fish, nudibranchs and honey comb morays are easy find around the site.
Boonsung Wreck Key Points
Depth
15 – 20 Metres
Visibility
5 – 20 Meters
Difficulty
Easy