Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock: Diving Thailand in February 2014

These photos were taken by Franck from 19 to 22 February 2014 during a cruise exploring some of the most famous dive sites in the Andaman Sea: the Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.

It was a fantastic itinerary combining the beautiful reefs of the Surin Islands with some of Thailand’s most exciting pelagic dive sites. From colourful coral reefs and tropical fish to the possibility of manta rays at Koh Bon and Koh Tachai and the extraordinary marine life of Richelieu Rock, this part of the Andaman Sea offers plenty for divers to discover.

See the YouTube videos of this trip and take a look at some of the underwater moments captured during this February cruise.

Underwater Highlights from the Surin Islands and Andaman Sea

The Surin Islands are particularly well known for their clear tropical waters, coral reefs and rich marine life. Further south, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai offer different underwater environments, while Richelieu Rock is famous for its exceptional variety of marine life and encounters with larger pelagic species.

Surin Islands National Park

The Surin Islands form an archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea, around 60 km from the Thai mainland. The islands are part of Phang Nga Province and are protected as Mu Ko Surin National Park, which encompasses both the islands and their surrounding waters.

The remote location and protected status of the archipelago contribute to its appeal for divers. The surrounding waters offer a variety of reef environments and a rich tropical marine ecosystem, making the Surin Islands an excellent destination to explore by liveaboard.

For divers travelling through the northern Andaman Sea, the Surin Islands also make a natural starting point for an itinerary continuing towards Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.

Koh Bon and Koh Tachai

Continuing south, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai are two of the Andaman Sea’s best-known dive destinations. Both sites can offer encounters with larger marine life, while their reef structures provide plenty to explore between pelagic sightings.

Koh Bon is particularly famous for its manta ray encounters. When conditions are right and the mantas are around, a dive can quickly become an unforgettable experience as these enormous rays glide through the blue around the reef.

Koh Tachai is another highlight of the northern Andaman Sea, with its pinnacles and surrounding reef attracting schools of fish and larger predators. Conditions can vary, which is part of the excitement of diving these exposed sites.

Richelieu Rock: A World-Class Dive Site

Further north, Richelieu Rock is one of the most famous dive sites in Thailand. The horseshoe-shaped pinnacle rises from deeper water and is covered with an extraordinary variety of marine life.

Small reef creatures, schools of fish and larger pelagic visitors can all contribute to the experience. The site is particularly well known for the possibility of whale shark encounters, although, as with all wild marine life, sightings can never be guaranteed.

This variety is what makes a cruise combining the Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock so appealing. Each location has its own character, and every dive brings a different underwater landscape to explore.

Video to Illustrate the Surin and Similan Cruise

The Surin Islands are part of the Andaman Sea’s northern island groups, while the Similan Islands lie further south-west off the coast of Phang Nga Province. The Similan Islands form the Mu Ko Similan National Park, established in 1982 following an assessment by Thailand’s forestry department.

Together, these island groups form part of one of Thailand’s most important diving regions, with coral reefs, rocky pinnacles and a wide variety of marine habitats attracting divers from around the world.

Video by Magalie of a cruise onboard MV Thai Sea from 19 to 22 February.

Thank you, Magalie!

Discover More

• Diving the Surin Islands – Explore the reefs and marine life of this beautiful national park.
• Koh Bon – Discover one of Thailand’s famous manta ray destinations.
• Koh Tachai – Explore the pinnacles and reefs of this northern Andaman Sea dive site.
• Richelieu Rock – Discover one of Thailand’s most famous dive sites.
• Diving the Similan Islands – Explore another spectacular national park in the Andaman Sea.
• Diving in Thailand – Discover the different destinations and dive sites available on a Thailand liveaboard.