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Dive Sites of Surin Islands, Koh Tahai and Richelieu Rock
Koh Bon & Koh Tahai
Ko Bon is located 20km north of the Similan islands and has a spectacular vertical drop down to 40 meters. At the sandy bottom you can normally see leopard sharks resting and also lots of different stingrays. This is a favorite place of the Manta rays and Whales sharks visit here regularly.
Ko Tachai is located 25km north of Ko Bon There are lots of big fish around here such as leopard sharks, nurse sharks and turtles. The currents are very strong here and there are amazing varieties of schooling fish such as barracudas, tuna and bat fish. The giant sea fans or gorgonian fans and also whip corals are in abundance here along with a lot of
Surin Islands
The Surin islands, consist of two large densely forested islands and are home to a wide variety of fauna including pythons, flying lemurs, rare mouse deer and sea eagles. Surin is also home to a number of Sea Gypsies or Chao Lay, an indigenous seafaring people who live in two small settlements near the waters edge.Underwater, Surin offers some challenging diving on pinnacles to the west and south and vigorous currents through 'Swift Passage' make for exhilarating shallow drift diving, allowing one to 'fly' over this densely populated, colorful reef. Surin provides an idyllic, protected anchorage with excellent access to the world famous 'Richelieu Rock,' which lies only 10 miles away to the south east.
Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is a horse shoe shaped pinnacle of rock rising from the sand at 33 meters to just break the surface at low tide. Constantly bathed in nutrient rich tidal currents, 'Richelieu Rock' supports an in incredible diversity of marine life. A photographers dream from macro to wide angle, nudibranches and cuttlefish to mantas and whalesharks (50% of dives at Richelieu Rock include whaleshark sightings).
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Trip of the Month > Red
Sea | Tubbatha reefs
Westcoast Divers in The Similan Islands
 We took a 4 Days / 4 Nights trip to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock aboard the Dive Boat M/V West Coast Explorer. This very comfortable boat belongs to West Coast Divers, a dive shop owned by Milton And Doo, a husband and wife team who have made Phuket their home, and diving their passion. And it shows! The liveaboard is run meticulously and Milton is always there to guide the dives and entertain the guests.
Arrive at their dive center at Paton Beach in Phuket for the transfer to the M/V West Coast Explorer at around 19:00. Then set out for the Similan Islands enjoying the late afternoon sun and hopefully a spectacular tropical sunset. Arrival in the Similan Islands is due at midnight, so after a good night's sleep in a comfortable cabin, you can expect to wake up to some truly spectacular scenery and the smell of a hearty breakfast cooking. During your Similan Adventure, the friendly staff will take great pleasure in showing you their famous Thai hospitality!
 Your first dive is traditionally in a relatively shallow and easy spot, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out. The aptly named Breakfast Bend is a gently sloping hard coral reef ideal for your first taste of the Similan Islands. Clouds of glass fish, bright red blue spotted grouper, big eyes and squirrel fish are waiting for you on your first dive. Watch out for garden eels on the white sandy bottom, and the occasional turtle or two. Then, during your four dives a day, including a night dive, be ready to experience a phenomenal range of aquatic creatures.
Visit their excellent website at Westcoast Divers...
The Similans lie at about 90 kilometers Northwest of Phuket, and are known in Malay as simbilan, meaning nine. They are in fact nine dramatic islands made up of granite with huge mounds of boulders both above and below the water. Topside some appear precariously balanced, ready to tumble down with the next strong gust of wind. Underwater they often form a network of dramatic "swim throughs" and attract superb coral growth and an amazing variety of tropical fish. The water in the Similans is usually crystal clear, and is also well known for attracting manta rays and even whale sharks. Here in the Andaman Sea, you will not only find giant rock formations but also hard coral reefs and brilliant white sand.
The Similan Islands are justly famous for its enormous range of fish species. From the smallest creatures such as shrimps and nudibranchs, right through to the larger pelagics, it’s fascinating to watch the natural cycle of who’s eating who unfold. But don’t worry, you won't be included, for the sharks you will see are passive reef dwellers like White Tip sharks, Tawny Nurse sharks and our personal favorites the Leopard Shark
You'll find more information on our Thailand page...
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