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Dive Sites |
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Koh
Bon - Koh Tachai
 Koh
Bon Island lies approximately 17 miles north east
of Similan Island number 9 and provides not only
a scenic protected anchorage but is also regularly
frequented by manta rays. The dive extends along
a sharp ridge of rock covered in hard and soft corals
and huge gorgonian fans to a depth of 40 meters.
Large pelagic including mackerel and tuna are also
commonly encountered hunting in the blue water along
the ridge.20 miles or so north of Koh Bon lies the
island of Koh Tachai where the prime dive site is
known as 'Twin Peaks.' It consists of a long boulder
strewn ridge rising to pinnacles at either end.As
the reef lies perpendicular to prevailing currents
and is constantly bathed by plankton rich nutrients,
the variety of hard and soft corals and reef and
schooling fish here is awesome. On the deeper reef
edges can be found leopard and nurse sharks as well
as stingrays foraging in and resting on the sand.
From January to May, manta rays and whale sharks
are also frequently sighted here.
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Koh
Surin
 The
Surin islands, which are included in Thailands National
Park System, 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
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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). This 'world class' dive site is perfect
for repetitive multi-level diving to allow one maximum
time to experience its wonders.
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Koh
Similan
 Just
sixty miles northwest of the bustling crowds of
holiday makers on Phuket lie the Similan Islands.
The Similan Marine National Park includes nine islands
running from south to north and are numbered accordingly.
The Islands are low lying granite boulder formations,
densely covered with tropical vegetation and are
home to crab-eating monkeys, dusky lingers, squirrels,
bats and a large variety of birds.
The
picturesque and often deserted white coral sandy
beaches and huge boulder formations are not the
only attractions however as some of the most interesting
sights are to be found beneath the waves. The
most spectacular coral growths in the world can
be found here and the same boulders that scatter
the shores have turned the azure blue waters around
the Similans into an adventure playground for
divers.
On
the western side of the islands huge granite boulders,
some as big as houses, spill in jumbled piles
beneath the surface of the sea to 35 meters and
beyond. Submarine peaks, canyons, caves and passageways
provide scuba divers with some of the most interesting
prospects in the world.
Dives on 'Fantasy reef', 'Christmas tree point'
and 'Bird rock' provide some exhilarating deep
and drift diving where manta rays, reef sharks,
napoleon wrasses and other large pelagic are frequently
encountered. On the eastern side of the islands
the boulders have been largely buried by coral
and sand and you will find a wide variety of hard
and soft corals. Most reefs consist of sloping
drop-offs to approximately 35 meters and a highlight
of any east coast dive are sightings of rare bow
mouth guitar sharks and hawksbill turtles.
Between the islands, tidal currents of up to 2
knots make for some exciting drift diving down
'Snapper Alley' to 'Hamburger Hill' and no trip
to the Similans is complete without a dive on
'Elephant Head' which offers the best of both
east and west coasts at one spectacular location.
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Koh
Payam
 Photographers, grab your macro lenses ! The green waters
of Koh Payam will give you the perfect way to practice
your "muck diving" skills Numerous kinds of nudibranchs,
flat worms, ascidians, sponges and colorful soft
corals, hips of juvenile fishes and even several
species of sea horses are guaranteed here if you
possess sharp eyes.
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Myanmar
(Burma)Mergui Archipelago & Burma Banks
The
Mergui Archipelago, comprising over 800 islands
and covering an area of 16,000 square km has been
closed to all foreign tourists for the last 50 years.
Due to change in political climate, these pristine
islands are now open for Scuba Diving and exploration.
You can explore an area totally untouched by modern
development, with a rich history of maritime trade,
mysticism and piracy.
he Burma Banks are a series of sea mounts located
some 234 km / 130 NM north west of Phuket. The Banks
do not offer much in the form of pretty coral reefs
but are one of the world’s best shark dives thanks
to a thriving population of Silvertip Sharks.
The Burma Banks are well offshore in international
waters but they are still within the 200-mile Mynamar
Exclusive Economic Zone. At the present time, the
Burmese consider diving there a commercial venture
and they feel that nobody should dive there without
their official permission. In the mean time, if
it is exciting shark action you are looking for
then you'll find it at Western Rocky Island in the
Mergui Archipelago
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