The Best Dive Site in Thailand; Visiting a Condominium of Marine Life

Mu Ko Surin

The Surin Islands comprise five main islands, including 2 large islands consisting of Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai which are located very adjacent like twin islands. They are separated by the 200 m width shallow sea where “Richelieu Rock” – one of the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks and a vast array of spectacular marine life; is located. With a depth of 5 – 37 m towards the south of the dive site, as well as colourful soft corals bejewel the intricate peppering of granite pinnacles, it deserves at least three dives where you still keep discovering new stuff. Tigertail Seahorses, Ghostpipe fish, Frogfish, Octopus, Cuttlefish, many different varieties of Scorpionfish, Lionfish, Pipefish, Cleaner shrimps, Moray eels including White Mouth Morays, Rays, Nudibranchs, Barracuda, Trivially, Jacks, Tuna, Groupers, Harlequin shrimps and more all make Richelieu Rock their home – looks like a condominium for marine animals.

The other three islands (Ko Mangkon, Ko Klang and Ko Torinla) are small rock islands with some dwarf trees and rainforest plants. They are one source of the big and best fertile shallow coral reef of Thailand, as many places the reefs have grown right up to just 1 m or so below the water’s surface, bringing the marine life that much closer to the snorkeller. This is particularly so at Ko Torinla in the south and Ko Mangkon in the west. Here, you will be amazed with very healthy coral reefs in different colours. Other snorkelling sites that are worth to visit include Mai Ngam Bay and Suthep Bay.