Marine life in Thailand's Andaman islands
Marine Life guide to Surin and Similan islands in 2020 - 2021
The Andaman Sea is a roughly 1,200 km long x 650 km wide waterway toward the southeast of the Bay of Bengal. It is limited by the Gulf of Mataban in the north, the Malay Peninsula in the east, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the west and the northern tip of Sumatra in the south. At its southeastern corner, the Andaman Sea river to shape the Strait of Malacca, which separatesthe Malay Peninsula from the island of Sumatra. Being a peripheral ocean isolated from the principle Indian Ocean by the Andaman-Nicobar island bends, it has been exposed to a significant impact of ocean level bringing down, particularly during significant glaciations when it turned into an isolated, encased bowl. Such separation measures are accepted to have advanced speciation or potentially endemism of the fish fauna in the Andaman Sea...
Thailand is borded on its West coast by the Andaman Sea, a tropical sea very rich in Marine life especially in its two National Parks of Surin and Similan islands where fishes are protected from fisheries.
We have been diving in Thailand since 2012 and we wrote quite a few blogposts about the critters we encountered here.
I wanted to share on this page the Ultimate Marine Life guide to Surin and Similan islands linking to the articles we wrote about all these wonderful critters!
Thailand is borded on its West coast by the Andaman Sea, a tropical sea very rich in Marine life especially in its two National Parks of Surin and Similan islands where fishes are protected from fisheries.
We have been diving in Thailand since 2012 and we wrote quite a few blogposts about the critters we encountered here.
I wanted to share on this page the Ultimate Marine Life guide to Surin and Similan islands linking to the articles we wrote about all these wonderful critters!
SharksWe have quite a few kind of sharks in Thailand:
Whale shark (mostly spotted at Richelieu and Koh Tachai) White and black tip reef sharks Leopard / zebra sharks (often sighted at Koh Bon pinnacle) |
RaysGiant Manta rays are not the only rays present in Surin and Similan islands.
We also have: Blue spotted sting rays Marble blotched sting rays Eagle Rays Long nose, Bowmouth guitare fish, giant guitar ray spotted at Surin islands) |
CephalopodsSeveral kind of cephalopods can be seen in Thai water:
common reef octopus, Pharaoh Cuttlefish Schooling squids are the most commonly spotted in Surin and Similan islands |
Schooling FishesSurin and Similan national parks have many kinds of fish schools:
the most famous ones are barracudas, batfish (orbicular and shaded) hunting big eye trevallies yellowtail and yellowback fusiliers Sergeant major, goat fish Rainbow runners, moorish idols Crocodile needle fish, Rabbitfish, Surgeonfish, Butterflyfish, triggerfish (including the beautiful clown triggerfish), hundred of kinds of snappers, emperors, squirelfish, and parrotfishes |
Moray and other EelsMoray eels are very common in the Andaman sea and you will mostly see:
white eyed moray, fimbriated morays giant morays (some really huge) Banded snake eels Ribbon eels Garden eels |
Other territorial reef fishDamselfishes inhabit every anemone: tomato clownfish, false clownfish, clarks anemonefish.
Golden, Humburg and blue Damsel, Rounded and fine-spotted Porcupinefish, Giant pufferfish. Hawkfish, Trumpetfish, Razorfish, groupers, wrasses, boxfish Emperor/ regal/ Andaman Angelfish Lizardfish and Crocodile fish, cardinal fish, sweetlip many types of gobies and fairy basslet. |
Crustaceans in Thailand There are many kinds of shrimps in Surin and Similan dive sites: Lobsters, Durban shrimp, Mantis shrimp, boxer shrimp, (anemone and crinoid) commensal shrimp, imperator shrimp (on Spanish dancers), squat shrimp, serpentine shrimp.
The Harlequin shrimp (regularly spotted at Richelieu Rock) is on the wish list of all underwater photographers. Surin NP and similan's crab collection: Porcelain crabs, spider crabs, sponge crabs, hermit crabs, orangutan crabs and many other crustaceans are found in the Mergui Archipelago. |
Thailand's nudibranch molluscs & sea slugsWe have a very large array of nudibranches, flat worms, sea slugs, cowries and snails in Thailand such as the Spanish dancer above but also the popular Bornella Anguilla.
Many halgerda and grossodoris slugs as well as the piccachu nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica).
You'll see giant clams, Oysters, conch, tiger cowries, soft coral cowrie, cone shells and much more... |
Coral species, sea stars and moreYou will be amazed by the coral reef of Richelieu Rock with limestone covered by a rainbow of tree, cauliflower and broccoli soft corals.
Dive sites in Similan islands have more hard coral formations, pale staghorn or solid table coral as well as the very photogenic giant seafans, knotted fan coral, whip and spiral black corals. You will also find in the landscape many types of sponges, anemone, Sea stars, basket stars, bushy feather stars crinoid, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. |
Scorpion fishScorpion fishes are very common in Thailand. You will see several kinds of
lion fishes (black and red) as well as plenty of bearded and devil scorpion fish. 
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ReptilesHawkbill turtles are the most commonly sighted around Thailand's Andaman islands.
But you can also spot green turtles and banded sea crait (sea snakes) on a regular basis. 
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Seahorses and pipefishesAs you may guess from our name, we are seahorses and related pipefish families.
Tiger tail seahorses, spiny seahorses ornate ghost pipefish, Orange spotted pipefish , Bend stick pipe fish, Cleaner pipefish and more... 
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Marine life in the Andaman Sea is very rich, especially when diving in Thailand's national parks where marine life is protected and abundant.
Covid-19 has stopped tourism activities in March 2020 and brought some respite for the Marine life in Thailand for many months. This season 2020-2021 will probably be better than previous year because underwater life has been left alone to regenerate.
Thailand is so popular as a diving destination its main draw back is the number of people diving the area every year. Thailand being closed to Tourism so far, dive sites should be fairly quiet and there has never been a better time than this year to explore Thailand's underwater treasures!
Covid-19 has stopped tourism activities in March 2020 and brought some respite for the Marine life in Thailand for many months. This season 2020-2021 will probably be better than previous year because underwater life has been left alone to regenerate.
Thailand is so popular as a diving destination its main draw back is the number of people diving the area every year. Thailand being closed to Tourism so far, dive sites should be fairly quiet and there has never been a better time than this year to explore Thailand's underwater treasures!
It's the best moment to book your dream diving holiday! Check our disponibilities today!
