Explore Ranong
Ranong Province, nestled along Thailand's Andaman coast, offers a unique diving experience, characterized by its pristine reefs and vibrant marine life. This region is renowned for its diverse underwater landscapes, from colorful coral gardens to impressive walls teeming with life. A standout feature is the Surin Islands, a marine sanctuary where divers can explore shallow reefs perfect for beginners, as well as deeper sites that challenge more experienced adventurers. The waters here are known for their exceptional visibility, allowing a glimpse into a world where vibrant fish dart among the coral, and elusive creatures like seahorses and nudibranchs hide in plain sight.
Diving in Ranong often involves boat trips to reach the best sites, making liveaboard adventures a popular choice for those eager to explore beyond the shore. The seasonal monsoon cycle dictates the best times to visit, with the prime diving months stretching from November to April. During this period, divers might encounter gentle giants like whale sharks or playful dolphins that frequent these waters. An interesting fact about diving in this area is the opportunity to explore the lesser-known wrecks scattered along the seabed, offering a hauntingly beautiful dive amongst history-laden structures. Whether you're seeking tranquil dives or thrilling encounters, Ranong delivers a captivating underwater journey.
Top Ranong Dive Sites
1. Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is famous for its vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life, including whale sharks, barracudas, and seahorses. It's considered advanced for scuba diving due to strong currents. Part of the Surin Marine National Park, it offers stunning underwater formations.
2. Koh Tachai
Koh Tachai features rich biodiversity with leopard sharks, manta rays, and colorful reef fish. Suitable for both advanced scuba divers and freedivers, its highlight is the submerged pinnacle with surrounding coral reefs. The area is protected under the Similan Islands Marine Park.
3. Koh Bon
Koh Bon is renowned for frequent sightings of manta rays and diverse nudibranch species. Scuba diving here ranges from intermediate to advanced due to varying conditions. The site is part of the Similan Islands Marine Park, featuring unique underwater topography.
4. Koh Surin
Koh Surin offers diverse marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, and vibrant coral species. It's an easy to intermediate scuba diving site, also suitable for freediving. Known for its ecological importance, it is within the boundaries of the Surin Marine National Park.
5. Hin Phae
Hin Phae is a hidden gem with flourishing coral gardens and macro life like pipefish and shrimps. Mainly for scuba divers, it's an easy to intermediate level site with minimal currents. The site is less frequented, providing a serene diving experience.