Dive Site: Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge

About Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge

Turtle Ledge is a beautiful and shallow reef dive site located within Thailand's Surin Islands National Park. This site is particularly celebrated for its healthy hard coral gardens and a high probability of encountering both green and hawksbill turtles, from which it derives its name. The gentle slope and bright, shallow sections make it an ideal location for divers to observe marine life in comfortable conditions. The topography features a reef flat extending into a gentle slope, offering a comfortable working depth range. Divers can explore extensive coral gardens, vibrant anemones, and interspersed sandy pockets. These varied habitats support a rich biodiversity, making it a rewarding site for close observation of smaller reef inhabitants as well as larger marine species. While the national park is closed during the monsoon season from mid-May to mid-October, the prime diving season from November to April ensures excellent conditions. During these months, the site is teeming with triggerfish, snappers, sweetlips, parrotfish, octopus, and nudibranchs. The clear, warm waters enhance the visibility, allowing for an immersive experience with the thriving ecosystem. Access to Turtle Ledge is exclusively by boat, typically as part of a liveaboard itinerary originating from Khao Lak or Ranong. The dive offers a relaxed profile suitable for various skill levels, focusing on marine observation rather than challenging currents or depths. It stands out as a quintessential Surin Islands dive, embodying the region's natural beauty and rich marine heritage.

Dive site facts: Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge

Depth

3–25 m

Current

Light current, occasional drift

Water temperature

28–29°C

Entry

Boat access

Level

Beginner

Dive type

Reef, Macro, Coral gardens

Region / port

Surin Islands, Andaman Sea

Coordinates

9.4234, 97.8567

Conditions & Currents

Turtle Ledge generally experiences light currents, making it an accessible site for divers of varying experience levels. However, occasional light drift can occur, requiring divers to maintain good buoyancy control, especially around the delicate coral gardens. Entry is typically a simple boat entry, followed by a descent onto the shallow reef flat. Visibility is usually good to excellent, often exceeding 20 meters, though local conditions can vary. Water temperatures remain comfortably warm, typically between 28-29°C, even at depth, ensuring a pleasant dive experience. The gentle conditions allow for extended bottom times and detailed exploration of the reef's rich macro and micro life.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green Turtle

common

Hawksbill Turtle

common

Octopus

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Triggerfish

common

Snapper

common

Sweetlips

common

Parrotfish

common

Anemonefish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving Turtle Ledge typically begins with a descent onto a shallow reef flat, rich with hard coral gardens and anemones, where you can immediately encounter turtles. The dive then follows a gentle slope, allowing for a gradual depth progression down to around 25 meters, though the most vibrant reef life is often found in the shallower zones. Divers can explore sandy patches and observe various reef fish, nudibranchs, and octopus. The typical route involves a leisurely drift along the reef, often circling back towards the shallower areas as the dive progresses. Safety stops are comfortably performed in the extensive shallow reef sections, offering continued opportunities for marine life viewing before ascending to the boat.

Underwater photography

Turtle Ledge provides excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially in its vibrant shallow sections. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the extensive hard coral gardens and the full figures of green and hawksbill turtles, which are frequent visitors. For macro enthusiasts, there are plenty of nudibranchs, small reef fish, and anemone residents to capture; a macro lens or close-up filters will be highly effective. Natural light is often sufficient in the shallower areas due to the excellent visibility, but strobes can enhance colors and reduce backscatter, particularly for deeper shots or cloudy days. Maintain impeccable buoyancy to avoid disturbing the pristine corals and to get clear shots of shy subjects. Patience is key for capturing the natural behavior of the resident turtles.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Richelieu Rock

  Famous for whale sharks, typically combined in Surin liveaboard trips.

• Koh Bon

  Known for manta ray sightings and diverse marine life.

• Koh Tachai

  Pinnacle dive with strong currents, offering pelagic encounters.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Turtle Ledge is primarily via liveaboard trips departing from Khao Lak or Ranong. These multi-day excursions typically combine dives at the Surin Islands with other sites in the Similan Islands. The closest major airport is Phuket International Airport (HKT), from which transfers to Khao Lak are arranged. Typical trip lengths range from 3 to 7 nights, with varying itineraries that include multiple dives per day. National park fees are applicable and usually included in liveaboard packages. It is important to book well in advance, especially during peak season (November to April), as the Surin Islands National Park is closed from mid-May to mid-October.

Safety & environment

Diving at Turtle Ledge, while generally considered beginner-friendly due to mild currents, still requires adherence to standard safety protocols. All divers should ensure they have adequate dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and recompression chamber treatments, as the nearest recompression chambers are in Phuket, requiring significant travel time. Buoyancy control is paramount to protect the delicate coral formations and to avoid accidental contact with marine life. Divers should always follow their dive guide's instructions and maintain a safe distance from all marine creatures, especially turtles. The site is part of a national park, so specific conduct rules regarding marine protection must be observed.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge FAQ

Liveaboards diving Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge

These liveaboards may visit Surin Islands — Turtle Ledge on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Mandarin Queen 9

Thailand

26 guests37.5 m

Manta Queen 8

Thailand

24 guests

$127/day

The Junk

Thailand

18 guests33 m

$163/day

Deep Andaman Queen

Thailand

23 guests30.5 m

$194/day

Explorer

Thailand

16 guests25 m

$150/day

Andaman

Thailand

20 guests26 m

$108/day

Stingray

Thailand

8 guests24 m

$245/day

Seatopia

Thailand

24 guests24 m