The beautiful Andaman Sea that surrounds
the Similan and Surin Islands is a world-class diving destination near
Phang-nga province.. It’s in the heart of Thailand’s rich tropical ocean that
is teeming with vast volumes of diverse marine life of all sizes. The area
boasts iconic dive sites, including Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, but the one that
towers above all is Richelieu Rock. Having been referred to in the past as a
“whaleshark magnet”, this exciting site is a must for those who are on the hunt
for the ocean’s largest fish.
Deep sea upwellings and currents bring in
nutrient-rich waters, allowing massive plankton blooms which in turn attract an
array of fish, and of course, the much-loved manta ray and whaleshark. This
horseshoe-shaped island has much more on offer, including shoaling fish, a
massive range of reef fish, colorful hard and soft corals, and lots of macro
critter action.
As it’s a large dive site with depths
varying from 5-35 meters, you can dive it multiple times and each will feel
like a different dive. This in addition to its prolific marine life makes it a
favorite location for day trips and liveaboard safaris.
If staying on a boat isn’t your thing,
fear not, for dive centers and resorts, particularly from Khao Lak, also send day trips to this area,
though do be aware of long travel times. You may even be able to dive Richelieu
Rock as part of a dive course, depending on sea conditions.
Entry
is normally on the southwest corner, where you’ll continue along the east side
or simply follow the contours of the pinnacle. It can experience current as
it’s exposed to open ocean, so it may be better suited to experienced divers or
those at an intermediate level. It’s recommended to have a minimum of an open
water certification, and dive operators normally prefer you to have experience
diving in currents. Make sure you pay attention to your dive guide, not only
due to possible currents, but also because the site can be quite busy
throughout the high season, as it beckons divers from all around the world. To
avoid the most crowds, try to dive Richelieu Rock very early in the morning
before the masses arrive, or in the evening when they’ve already departed.
