Surin Islands Dive Sites
Dive site name : Koh Bon
Koh Bon is located about 20 kilometers north of Similan Island #9 and features one of the only vertical walls in Thailand. The island has no beaches and is in the shape of a horseshoe. Only 40 km from Khao Lak, these day trips are shorter - giving a more relaxed pace! The main dive site is on the southwestern point of this limestone Island. The dive site consists of a wall facing the small cove, and a step-down ridge that carries on to depths of over 45 meters. Although the soft corals are not as high-profile as they are in the Similans, the colors of the corals are radically different and include shades of turquoise, yellow and blue, besides the more common pinks and purples. With the angles on the wall, they also offer an ever changing spectrum of colors and make for some great photos around noon.
There is also a pinnacle just to the north of the ridge. It is a deep rock, but if you're an experienced diver it's worth the short bottom times you'll get (especially if you're on a longer trip). Not all boats visit it and if conditions are not good (like the current is too strong), it's not worth it. But, if the water is clear, you're good with your air, and the current is slack, it's a stunning rock. It looks like a temple built by some ancient culture. The bottom is over 50 meters deep, and the top only come up to about 18-20 meters. Leopard sharks are almost a guarantee and you can expect to be the only group on the site. It's possible to make a swim in the blue towards the main divesite, where you can finish the dive in the shallows.
Koh Bon Bay - is an island about 1 hour north of Similans and 1 hour south of the archipel of Surin. The island is made of limestone and the scenery above water is as spectacular as below it. There is a circular opening at the point west of the island, which allows you to look through the cliffs. Its remoteness makes Koh Bon one of the best diving location in Thailand.Whale sharks, manta rays and sharks are common, but even if you don't see them, you will not be disappointed. This local abounds in life like reef fish, soft corals with pastel color, anemones and sponges from the sea.
Koh Bon Pinnacle - is a huge pinnacle that drops to depth exceeding 40 metres deep encircled pelagic species. It is a dive only for advanced and experienced divers, since this peak starts at 18 meters deep and is in an area with frequent strong currents. Due to the location and the depth, these dives normally are short dives. Descending quickly, not to miss the small pinnacle, you see the top of the pinnacle falling dramatically down to its deepest parts. Swimming down you'll see bigger reef fish and at the sandy bottom on the south side you most likely see reef sharks, big rays and sometimes Eagle rays. Coming around the pinnacle whilst ascending, you find a sand ridge, starting at 25 metres going from the pinnacle all the way to the Koh Bon Island more or less at the same depth the whole way
Koh Bon Western Ridge - South of Koh Bom is a small creek and a huge wall that reaches 30 meters deep. If you continue west you will find a little ridge that grows deeper and where many divers wait to try to see mantas. These animals often use this area rich in plankton as a meal, but also to clean. Other animals that you can see are leopard sharks resting on the sand near the mountain. Do not forget that the wall itself is a lot of life, with the Chub-of-fire as one of the most rewarding sightings.
Dive site name : Koh Chi
One of Surin's favourite dive sites is Koh Chi two kilometres off the northeast coast of Surin Nua. This dive is suitable for all levels. With an average of 15 metres visibility where average depth is 18 metres you are likely in for a treat. Several species of turtles, like the turtle hawksbill and green turtles are common. Koh Chi is one of the islands where they will lay their eggs. Other animal life includes crabs, shrimps, mangrove whip rays, white and black tip sharks.
Ko Chi may have a muddy dive with many fish and other creatures hidden among the mountains of granite stones. Some small bumps or mini caves are full of angel fish hidden. The west of Koh Chi is a popular dive spot for a night dive as well.
Dive site name : Koh Tachai
Koh Tachai is a stunning site. A collection of submerged rocks which begins at 12 meters and extends beyond 35 meters to a vast sandy area. To the south of Koh Tachai island this site lies exposed to strong tidal currents which can often make the dive a rather lively if challenging one.
Ko Tachai Plateau or Dome - as is often called, is one of the best dive sites near this small island. It's located less than 1 km to the south and is a huge plateau at 13 meters from the surface and down to depths of 35 meters. It is a submerged crown reef of sheets of corals with many boulders at the base which have created an inspiring swim-through. The Large rock often use as shelter of the strong currents.
There is a wide variety of tropical fish on its healthy corals. Many large fish can be sighted here. Fish-bat, all species of angelfish, the often aggressive trigger fish with red tooth and stone fish so well camouflaged that some divers can not see them.
Dive site name : Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock - in Thailand has become one of the most famous in the world for diving with sharks. The best time to swim with whales is from March to May, when these majestic and gentle but giants creatures pass there. The rock formations of limestone are covered with anemones, sponges and soft corals.
Richelieu Rock is incredibly rich in marine life. Here you can see seahorses, shovel nose rays, moray eels, lion fish and schools of banner fish. Due to its open sea location you may also see pelagics such as tuna, barracudas and trevallies.
Aiming for a depth down of 30-35 meters are optimum for both maximum time and pleasure! Many of the outlying boulders have incredible treats for the intrepid visitors. A slow circle of a site should bring you close to your safety stop by the end.
Dive site name : Koh Torinla
The south of Koh Surin Tai is a small island called Koh Torinla, which offers some of the most healthy hard corals of Thailand. Reef-horn-of-deer, whip corals and gorgogians descend parallel to the coast until the depth reaches 15 meters, when are aimed gradually to the rocks. The coral reef is found on the northern side of the island and is about 500m long and 100m wide before sloping to a depth of 15-20m. In the shallower areas, one of the largest and densest areas of branching corals are found. Marine life is abundant, with fish-bat, shoals of fusilier and many turtles, especially in the more superficial areas.
Dive site name : Turtle ledges
The site was awarded its name from the frequent sightings of turtles. It is also excellent for night-diving.The higher portions of the reef-slope have numerous gardens of carpet anemones, below which are solitary magnificent sea anemones inhabited by a variety of anemonefish.
Clusters of stag and elkhorn corals shelter giant clams and encrusting sponges from the predation of bullethead parrotfish. Green turtles are frequently encountered here. It is a long reef with many Hawksbill turtles and green turtles resting in the middle of the coral or swimming through the reef. Some interesting species and rarely seen are the fish-bat and Andaman-faced fox.
Dive site name : Twin Peaks
The diving point better known in Koh Tachai is called Twin Peaks. It consists of two submerged ridges connected by a large reef. The rocks are embedded into white sand and there is no shortage of marine life here. A friendly pair of rare saddleback clownfish and be found to the western side of the larger of the Twins.
The rich currents feed huge sponges, gorgonians and whips. It's a good place to see schoals of seabreams, barracudas and giant pompano dolphinfish. One of the highlights is the visit of the bat fish. Shark whales and manta rays are frequent visitors between January and May.
Dive site name : The Dome
Ko Tachai Plateau or Dome, as is often called, is one of the best dive sites near this small island. It's located less than 1 km to the south and is a huge plateau at 13 meters from the surface and down to depths of 35 meters. It is a submerged reef boasting of sheets of coral with many pebbles at the base, which creates excellent passages. The big round rocks are often used as shelter of the strong currents. It is a point of diving with the possibility of a very exciting dive.
Many large fish can be sighted here. Fish-bat, all species of angelfish, the often aggressive trigger fish with red tooth and stone fish so well camouflaged that some divers can not see them. There exist a wide variety of tropical fish that live off the coral. You can see leopard sharks, fish-unicorn, turtles.
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