Richelieu Rock is the most spectacular dive site in the Andaman Sea; an isolated giant rock formation located about 18 km east of the Surin Island Archipelago, north of the Similan Islands and part of the Surin National Marine Park, which is home to the most diverse and stunning marine life, unlike anywhere in the country.

Jacques Cousteau

The top of the Richelieu rock pinnacle rises about 1 meter above the sea level during low tide and disappears underwater during high tide. The legend says that the famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau was here and named it Richelieu Rock because the soft purple corals covering the entire pinnacle reminded him of the purple coat of his friend, Cardinal Richelieu.

Diving at Richelieu rock with whale sharks

Besides the stunning hard and soft corals and huge sea fans, you can see large groups of barracudas, trevallies and tuna, which grow big here due to the immense amount of reef fish they are hunting. Their primary targets are the big shoals of snappers and fusiliers feeding in mid-water.

Richelieu Rock is world famous for being one of the best places in Thailand to see big pelagic whale sharks; although the biggest fish on the planet (growing to a length of up to 16 meters!), they feed on the smallest creatures building the plankton and are believed to have a lifespan of over 100 years.

Seahorses and Ghost Pipefish

The horseshoe-shaped rock falls steeply down to the surrounding sand bottom at a maximum depth of 35 meters. It hosts enormous gorgonians and anemones with different kind of ‘clownfish’, some of them you don’t often see like the Tomato Anemonefish. The cracks and crevices of the limestone provide hiding spaces for so many different species that it is not possible to explore the whole site in one dive.

Small and big marine life at Richelieu rock

You get everything from the Yellow Tiger Tail Seahorse, Harlequin Shrimps, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish, Mantis Shrimps, Nudibranches, Moray Eels and Scorpionfish to Giant Groupers, Lionfish and mating Cuttlefish. Go slow to find all the hidden and camouflaged creatures. As a photographer always make sure to bring ample batteries and the big memory cards!

Take a deep breath after the first Richelieu rock dive and enjoy the delicious Thai food for lunch, followed by relaxation, resting and tanning in the front of the boat, or stay in the shaded area if you like it more refreshing.

Just in time for the sundowner

Soon it’s time to plunge back in again and experience the second Richelieu rock dive on this fantastic dive site.

The ride back gives you just enough time to fill in your log book and share your underwater adventures with the other divers while enjoying some fruits or soft drinks; you will return early enough at your Khao Lak accommodation for a sundowner or happy hour drink.

Write to us or call us for more information about a Richelieu Rock diving day trip.