Thailand's Best Diving
Khao Lak
Khao Lak - on the Andaman Sea coast of Thailands mainland, is located only one
hour drive from Phuket International Airport. 40km long white sandy
beaches as far as the eye can see and without the degrading karoke bars and massage parlors that litter Phuekt.
Bordered in the south by the Khao Lak National Park, and the famous
Khao Sok National park in the north lies this region nestled in a
picturesque landscape at the bottom of a tropical mountain side.
Khao Lak is the ideal starting point for day trips to the Similan
Islands, or a liveaboard trip to Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon.
Many of Thailand's best dive sites lay just offshore of Khao Lak: The Similan Islands (including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai) and; Richelieu Rock, arguably the best dive site in Thailand!
Fly with the Manta Ray's on Koh Bon. Explore
macro heaven with seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimps
etc and the best chance for Whaleshark on Richelieu Rock. Experience the rich and interesting reef and
boulder sites around Similan Islands.
The Similan Islands National Marine Park lies directly west, making
Khao Lak a great starting point for your trip. Each island is surrounded
by thriving coral reef, starting in the shallows just a few metres from
the beach, making snorkeling easy and safe for all. Meanwhile divers
have access to a wide variety of deeper sites, from rocky canyons and
swim through’s to stunning coral gardens. Each island also has view
points and jungle walks for the active and glorious beaches for those
who want to take life easy.
A little north of Similan Islands, but still part of the same marine
park lies Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, stand alone islands with fantastic
diving opportunies. Koh Bon features a long sloping reef with cleaning
stations favored by large Manta Ray's that fly in for their spa
treatments to the joy of us divers. On the south side of Koh Tachai lies
a submerged pinnacle with great coral, resident leopard sharks and
dramatic dive scenery.
Further north, in the Surin Marine Park, lies Richelieu Rock arguably the best dive site in
Thailand. It’s a dramatic series of rocks in a rough horseshoe shape
that features the best chance for whaleshark and stunning macro-life
with ornate ghost pipefish, tigertail seahorse, harlequin shrimp and
many other goodies, the macro photographers "wet" dream. Frequent
schools of barracuda, mating cuttlefish and various other pelagics round
off a site that never ceases to amaze.
These sites are rated amongst the "Top
Ten" dive destinations in the world. In addition trips to the local wrecks are stunning: Boonsung Wreck with it's overwhelming abundance
of marine life, Premchai with it's shallow penetration dives and the new Teak wreck in pristine shape!
