Similan - Richelieu (Andaman Pier | Phang-nga - Andaman Pier | Phang-nga)
Seatopia · Thailand · 3 nights
About this route
Embark on an immersive 3-night liveaboard adventure exploring the breathtaking dive sites of the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock in Thailand. This journey combines comfort and exploration, offering world-class locations that feature diverse underwater environments. Divers can expect to encounter vibrant shallow reefs, deep walls ideal for macro life, and wide-angle photography opportunities, with potential sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, and leopard sharks.
Regions on this route
Highlights
Koh Bon
Koh Bon is a popular dive site known for its impressive limestone wall and a pinnacle that often attracts manta rays, especially during the peak season. The site features beautiful soft corals, sea fans, and a wide variety of reef fish. Divers can experience exhilarating drift dives along its contours, increasing the chances of encountering pelagic species.
- Limestone wall
- Manta ray cleaning station
- Soft coral gardens
- Drift diving opportunities
Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is an iconic horseshoe-shaped pinnacle regarded as one of Thailand's best dive sites. Located in the Surin National Park, it acts as a magnet for a wide array of marine life, from tiny seahorses and ghost pipefish to large pelagics like whale sharks and manta rays. Its vibrant soft corals and anemones create a colourful backdrop, making it a hotspot for underwater photography.
- Horseshoe-shaped pinnacle
- Whale shark magnet
- Manta ray sightings
- Exceptional macro life
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a renowned diving destination in Thailand, celebrated for their crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life. This archipelago features stunning granite boulder formations, vibrant coral gardens, and a mix of shallow reefs and deeper walls. The area is known for excellent visibility and a rich ecosystem that supports both pelagic and macro species.
- Granite boulder formations
- Vibrant coral gardens
- High visibility
- Diverse marine life
Surin Islands
The Surin Islands, located north of the Similans, offer a more pristine and remote diving experience. This region is famous for its healthy coral reefs and is often visited for its abundant fish life and potential for larger pelagic encounters. It is a quieter alternative with equally spectacular underwater landscapes.
- Pristine coral reefs
- Abundant fish life
- Remote diving experience
- Pelagic encounters
Requirements
- CertificationOpen Water
- Minimum logged dives10
- ExperienceDivers should have a minimum of 10 logged dives.
Shore excursions
- Visit Similan Island No. 8 (Sail Rock)
Good to know
- Diving is generally at depths of 18-30 meters.
- Advanced Open Water or Deep Adventure Diver certification is recommended for deeper sites.
- Onboard courses are available for an extra fee; book in advance.
- Junior Open Water and Junior Advanced Open Water Divers cannot join standard group dives; private dive guide is mandatory.
- Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Embarkation – Andaman Pier (Phang-nga)
Today marks the start of your liveaboard adventure. After a van pick-up from Khao Lak area, guests will arrive at the Andaman Pier (Phang-nga) for welcome drinks, dinner, and a safety briefing. Cabins will be assigned, and equipment will be set up before the vessel departs for the Similan Islands later in the morning.
Day 2: Similan Island – Underwater Wonders
The day begins with a wake-up call and a dive safety briefing, leading into four spectacular dives around Similan Island. Dive sites like Anita Reef, West of Eden, and Elephant Head Rock are known for their vibrant coral formations and diverse marine life. The area often features stunning rock formations, swim-throughs, and a mix of hard and soft corals, providing excellent opportunities for both macro and wide-angle photography. The day concludes with a visit to Similan Island No.
Dive sites: Anita Reef, West of Eden, Elephant Head Rock, Donald Duck Bay
Day 3: Similan Island & Koh Bon – Pinnacle and Ridge Diving
Another exciting day of diving in the Similan Islands and surrounding areas. Four dives are planned, including sites like North Point and Christmas Point, known for their abundant soft corals and schooling fish. Koh Bon, West Ridge, and Tachai Pinnacle offer diverse topography, from stunning walls to submerged pinnacles, often attracting pelagic species. The currents here can be moderate, providing thrilling drift opportunities and increasing the chances of encountering larger marine life.
Dive sites: North Point, Christmas Point, Koh Bon, West Ridge, Koh Tachai, Tachai Pinnacle
Day 4: Richelieu Rock – World-Class Site
Today is dedicated to diving at Richelieu Rock, an isolated pinnacle known as one of Thailand's premier dive sites. Three dives are scheduled around this horseshoe-shaped rock, famous for its incredible biodiversity. The site is a magnet for pelagic species like whale sharks and manta rays, while also boasting an abundance of macro life, including various crustaceans and mollusks. The soft corals and anemones create a colourful backdrop, and schools of barracuda and jacks are often seen circling the pinnacle.
Dive sites: Richelieu Rock
Upcoming departures
- 2027-01-08 – 2027-01-11from 779 USDBook
All routes of this liveaboard
About the vessel
SeatopiaThailand