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Koh Surin (Koh Surin National Marine Park), Kon Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu
Rock , Thailand Scuba Diving Guide
Detail map
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All these islands lie in the north of Koh Similan Marine National Park.
These islands offer world class diving that are very different from those in
Similan islands. To know more about diving in Koh Similan National Marine Park,
please visit our Koh Similan's diving
guide.
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Big fish actions are the norm here, in fact sightings of these big fishes are
so common here that some of them are though to be residents of these water.
Islands in Koh Surin National Marine Park are also famous for their beautiful
coves, bays and dense jungle. Most divers would have packed their diving
itinerary to the maximum. So spending some time to enjoy the scenaries of these
island in a boat or yacht would be a most welcome break.
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Dive Sites around Koh Surin
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Wall at Kon Bon
This island is just 20 km north of Koh Similan National Marine Park. The wall
is on the west coast of Koh Bon and offers divers an almost verticle wall dive.
Water depth range from 30 to 45 meters. Leopard sharks can be found in the
sandy flats below the wall and swiming on the ridge. The soft coral here,
though not as dense as those in Similan islands, are radically different. Shade
of blue, yellow and turquoise are on displays. Toward the end of the diving
season (April and May) manta ray will visit this site to feed in its plankton
rich water.
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Reef of Koh Tachai
Koh Tachai is about 25 km north of Koh Bon. Many considered this to be the best
diving site in Thailand. Not only does this site have beautiful corals but that
are many large fish here. There are leopard sharks, nurse sharks and eagle
rays. Hawksbill turtle and whale sharks are regular visitors of these water.
Koh Tachai also has beautiful sandy beach on it norheast shore line for divers
to take a breather from divings.
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Koh Chi (Koh Surin National Marine Park)
Koh Chi island sits on the northeast Koh Surin National Marine Park. This is
one of the better place to observe large visiting pelagics such as Great
Barracuda, Dogtooth Tuna and Threadfin Trevally. This is also a good place to
observe turtles on their way to and from Koh Surin Nau.
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Turtle Ledge(Koh Surin National Marine Park)
This diving site is found in the south of Koh Surin Tai it is named for
frequent sighting of Hawksbill turtles. These beautiful creatures can sometime
be seen feeding on the soft corals here. The site is also visited by many
snappers and sweetlips. There are clusters of Stag and Elkhorn Corals and Giant
clams in some areas.
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Mai Ngam (Koh Surin National Marine Park)
Situated in the west coast of Koh Surin Nua, this is a very interesting site
because Green and Hawksbill turtle passby this site to go ashore to lay eggs.
The highly endangered Leatherback turtle has recently been sighted here and
this could only be good news to all marine lovers.
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Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is situated 14 km on the east of Koh Surin National Marine Park.
These rocks are completely submerged in the water and therefore are a big
hazzard for boats without GPS navigation capabilities. These rocks seems to be
a Whale Sharks magnet. Some have argued the site is a nursery for Whale Sharks
in order to explain the frequent sightings. The site also features many
Gorgonian Sea Fans, Scorpionfish, stonefish, moray eels, shrimps, crabs and
nudibranchs among its many residents. Large palegics visitors also frequent
this site, you can observe Rainbow runners, Barracudas, Tuna and jacks. One of
the more interesting residents here must be the Guitarfish, with a half-shark
and half-ray body, they rest on the seabed. Observant divers will also have
chance to encounter the Tiger Tail Sea Horses, they make great photography
subjects.
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Best Time to Div in Koh Surin
The best time to visit Koh Surin is during the dry season which starts from
October to May, however diving is possible year round.
Where to Stay in Koh Surin
Before the Tsunami hit the shores of Southern Thailand, the best place to stay
for travellers visiting Similan islands is Khao Lak. Currently, most of Khao
Lak hotels and Khao Lak itself are under-going extensive repair and rebuilding
projects. So travellers might want to consider staying in Phuket, where the
damage is much lesser. Divers can stay in Phuket and make liveaboard trips to
Similan islands. Please visit our Phuket's
Scuba Diving Guide for more information in of divings and accomodations in
Phuket. Check back with our website to see if Khao Lak hotels are available
soon.
Khao Lak is one of Thailand newest and fastest growing tourist destination. It
has the advantage of being Surin islands. Divers setting off
from Khao Lak will be able to reach Surin islands within 3 hours of boat
ride. Thus day trips to Surin island are only possible here.
We have more than 5 hotels offering you rooms with great discount.
For Last Minute Reservation (Lowest Rate Guarantee)
See a complete listing of Khao Lak Hotels and Accommodations
How to Get to Koh Surin
The nearest airport to Khao Lak is Phuket International airport. The Khao Lak
is an hour drive from the airport and cabs or taxis are easily available to
bring to your hotels in Khao Lak. The cost of the journey is about 1400 bahts.
There are direct flights to Phuket International Airport from Singapore,
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka. Major airlines offering daily
flights to Phuket include
How to Get to Koh Surin
The nearest airport to Khao Lak is Phuket International airport. The Khao Lak
is an hour drive from the airport and cabs or taxis are easily available to
bring to your hotels in Khao Lak. The cost of the journey is about 1400 bahts.
There are direct flights to Phuket International Airport from Singapore,
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka. Major airlines offering daily
flights to Phuket include
Other Interesting Dive Sites
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