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Dive Richelieu rock in 2020-2021: Thailand's best dive site

Also rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world

Richelieu Rock is a remote dive site part of Surin national park

Why should you consider diving Richelieu Rock in 2020- 2021?

Picture
A small Rock in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Richelieu Rock made it to the top 10 dive sites in the world, and for a reason: divers here are spoilt between big and small wonders...
​
Because of Covid-19 a lot a diving operators had to close for this season 2020-2021 and there has never been a better time than 2020 to dive Richelieu Rock as this year you will be able to enjoy all its wonder without sharing the dive sites with many divers.


The horseshoe-shaped reef discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau what named by the famous French pioneer diver for its purple soft corals as well as diverse marine life...

Marine life in Richelieu Rock dive site

Leopard shark in similans
Harlequin shrimp
Ghost Pipefish
Whale Shark
Yellow Seahorse
Nudibranch
Look up, or in the blue and you might encounter the biggest fish in the planet, the mysterious Whale Shark and its popular cousin, the giant oceanic Manta Ray, you can also very often sight schools of Barracudas hovering above the reef, Reef Sharks coming out briefly from the deep, Potato Groupers hiding in caves or giant morays sticking out from a rock. 
​

But Richelieu Rock is also paradise for underwater photographers focusing on macro life; look well in the soft coral and sea fans for a spectacular array of small critters like seahorse, Pipefish, Ghost Pipefish, Harlequin Shrimp, Frog fish and Nudibranch of all shapes and colours. 

Of course all the Marine life in between can also be spotted in Richelieu Rock, from the popular clown fish defending fiercely their anemone to mating cuttlefish and all to colourful coral fishes you can expect in the top dive sites of the Indian Ocean. 

Due to the currents sweeping over this pinnacle, there’s not so much hard coral, but plenty of soft coral in vivid colours. The currents can be strong, but it’s easy enough to find shelter on one side of the pinnacle or another. The dive site is too big to be explored in a single dive and most liveaboards will include at least 2 dives here.​ MV Smiling Seahorse is one of the few liveaboard offering 4 dives here on our short cruise (3 days and 4 days trips).

Diving conditions at Richelieu Rock

The pinnacle can easily entertain the most eager explorers for up to 4 dives. With rocks laying on a sandy bottom at up to 35 meters, you should watch closely your no-deco time. The south side is a sheltered bay sloping down gently while the other side is made of walls separated by corridors. Watch out for the current, it might bring you the most exciting visitors but should be taken into account when planning the dive itinerary and exit.

Diving in Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai is only allowed between the 15th of October and the 15th of May, when Surin National park is opened to visitors. The conditions are usually very good throughout this period.
 
It is said that February to April is the best time to encounter whale sharks and Manta rays in this region although there is a pretty good chance of seeing them at any time of the season.

The water temperature is usually around 29°C at the surface and 27°C at depth, but occasionally it can drop down to 25°C due to thermoclines. These are like 'blankets' of cold water and are a natural phenomenon that happen most often in November and December as a result of the transition of wet season into dry season.

February and March are the driest months and, with regular flat seas, are probably the best time to visit Richelieu and the rest of the area.

​From May to early October, the area is closed due to rough sea surface conditions.

Richelieu Rock: dive site map

Getting there: only reachable by boat
Depth: 10 to 40 m (for certified deep divers)
Current: Mild to strong
Marine Life: Rich diversity from pelagic to special Macro life
Level required: better suited to advanced divers 
Water temperature: 26 to 30 °C 
Dive type: Reef dive (boulder or walls)
Visibility: up to 30 m
Diving period: November to April
Location: 10km East of Surin Islands (9.3628° N, 98.0219° E)
Top of the pinnacle: can be visible at low tide and below the water at high tide 
Rating: *****

Richelieu Rock map
Richelieu Rock dive site map - from Pocket divesite similans book

Best liveaboard to dive Richelieu Rock in 2020-21: Mv Smiling Seahorse

See our Schedule

You need more information? Contact us : info@thesmilingseahorse.com
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Phone: +66860110614​
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  • When & Where
    • Schedule and Prices
    • Destinations >
      • North Andaman Thailand >
        • Similan Islands
        • Surin Islands >
          • Richelieu rock
        • The essential Underwater photo Guide to diving Thailand
      • South Andaman Thailand
      • Mergui Archipelago >
        • Marine life in the Andaman Sea
        • Burma's best dive sites
        • The Ultimate Underwater photo Guide to diving Burma
  • ABOUT
    • Our Boat >
      • DELICIOUS FOOD
    • Guest Book
    • Diving in Thailand in 2022-2023 >
      • Ranong Departures >
        • 3D Thailand: Surin National Park
        • 4D Thailand from Ranong 5pm-7pm
        • 5D Thailand: Surin and Similan
        • 6D Thailand: Surin and Similan end to Ranong
        • 7D North Andaman: Surin and Similan from Ranong
        • 8D Thailand: North & South
        • Alternative itineraries for full charter >
          • 4D4N Evening to morning - Surin Similan
      • Khao Lak Departures >
        • 5D North Andaman from Khao Lak to Phuket
        • 5D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 6D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 6D North Andaman: From Khao Lak to Ranong
        • 7D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 7D North Khao Lak to Khao Lak
        • 8D North & South Andaman Thailand
      • Phuket departures >
        • 5D North Andaman from Phuket
        • 5D South Andaman: Lanta and Tarutao National Parks
        • 6D North Andaman: Phuket to Khao Lak
        • 8D Thailand: South & North
    • Blackwater diving in Thailand
    • Marine life in Thailand's Andaman Sea
    • Diving in Myanmar | Burma dive cruises >
      • 6D Burma : South Mergui Archipelago
      • 7D Burma: dive Black Rock
      • 8D Burma: Undiscovered Mergui
      • 9D Burma: Exploration trip
    • Dive Courses >
      • Learn to Dive
      • Continue diving education
      • Rescue diver
      • Professional Dive Courses
      • Hone your dive skills with a PADI specialty course
      • Photo coaching in Thailand on the Smiling Seahorse
    • FAQ
  • Plan your trip
    • Accommodation in Ranong
    • SHA+ hotels in Phuket
    • Bungalows in Koh Phayam
    • Khao Sok National Park
    • Taxi services >
      • Taxi services to and from Ranong
      • Taxi services to and from Phuket
      • Taxi services to Tap Lamu and Khao Lak
    • 10 things to do around Ranong
    • Covid-19 news & infos >
      • COVID-19 update travel to Thailand
      • Covid-19 protection on-board
  • PROMO
    • HOT DEALS
    • Whale shark expedition - 4 Feb 2023 - North and South
    • Manta rays expedition - 19 Mar 2023
    • Photo clinic + Blackwater 23 Jan 2024
    • UW Photo clinic North Andaman 31 Jan 2024
    • Manta rays expedition - 18 Feb 2024
    • Whale Shark Special - 19 Mar 2024 - North and South
  • gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Most popular posts