Richelieu Rock Diving — Thailand
Richelieu Rock is a horseshoe-shaped pinnacle in the Andaman Sea that rises from 35m to just below the surface. Blanketed in purple soft corals, it's Thailand's best chance for whale shark encounters while simultaneously being a macro paradise — seahorses, ghost pipefish, and harlequin shrimp hide in every crevice.
- Score
- 61.6 / 100
- Country
- Thailand
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- Area
- Surin Islands
- Nearest airport
- Phuket (HKT)
- Visibility
- 9–30 m
- Water temperature
- 30–35 °C
- Max depth
- 35 m
- Current strength
- moderate
- Dive types
- cave, pelagic
- Best months
- February, March, April, May
- Minimum certification
- Open Water
- Access type
- boat
- Average 2-tank dive cost
- $130 USD
- Budget tier
- mid range
- Key species
- manta ray, whale shark, seahorse, nudibranch, frogfish, whale
- Google rating
- 0 (0 reviews)
- Top operators
- The Junk Liveaboard, MV Giamani
- Nearest hyperbaric chamber
- SSS Hyperbaric Chamber, Phuket (~100 km)
SCORE
9.3619°N
98.0264°E
Richelieu Rock is a horseshoe-shaped pinnacle in the Andaman Sea that rises from 35m to just below the surface. Blanketed in purple soft corals, it's Thailand's best chance for whale shark encounters while simultaneously being a macro paradise — seahorses, ghost pipefish, and harlequin shrimp hide in every crevice.
Thailand's #1 Dive Site
Score Breakdown
Click any score to see a detailed breakdown
Marine Life
82.0Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.
Dive Types
Traveling with Non-Divers?
Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.
Activities for Non-Divers
Non-Diver Partner Score
Dedicated dive destination — not ideal for non-divers.
Safety & Emergency
Dive Insurance
Dive insurance is essential. Standard travel insurance often excludes scuba diving. We recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network) for comprehensive dive accident coverage.
Learn More at DAN.orgLiveaboard-only site; speedboat evacuation to Khao Lak or Phuket (3-4 hrs)
Top Operators
The Junk Liveaboard
PADI
MV Giamani
PADI
What your dive shop won't tell you
The minimum certification printed on a brochure is the legal floor, not the honest recommendation. Here's what we actually think you should bring to this site.
Below this we'd send you somewhere easier first.
“Thailand's single best dive site. A purple pinnacle where whale sharks, barracuda tornadoes, and ghost pipefish share the same postcode.”
What will challenge you
- →Moderate currents. Expect to drift — this is not a skill-builder site for a first trip after certification.
- →Recreational limit of 40 m is reachable here (max depth 35 m). Gas planning and NDL tracking matter.
- →Overhead environment. Standard recreational training does not cover you past the entrance. People die here doing what they'd do on an open reef.
- →Exposed seamount means current can be strong and variable.
What will surprise you
- →Thermoclines can drop water temp by 5°C between the surface and depth. Your wetsuit choice should match the minimum, not the average.
- →Short dive season — only 4 months worth going (February, March, April, May). Book well ahead or miss it.
When to dive it
Every dive shop gives you this briefing at 7am. We just wrote it down. Tidal dependency: strong. Optimal window: Feb-Apr for whale sharks. Nov-May for season. The pinnacle is alive year-round within season..
- Vizhigh
- Currentmoderate
- Crowdlight
- whale sharks
- barracuda schools
- wide angle
A single seamount pinnacle covered in purple soft corals. Whale sharks Feb-Apr. Morning when current is manageable.
- Vizhigh
- Currentmoderate
- Crowdmoderate
- macro on the pinnacle
- seahorses
- ghost pipefish
Switch to macro in the afternoon. Richelieu is world-class for both wide angle and macro on the same dive.
Dive forecast
Realistic conditions by month. Viz ranges are what you should actually expect, not best-case marketing numbers. Confidence % is the share of days that match this profile historically.
| Month | Viz (m) | Temp (°C) | Current | Sea | Rain | Confidence | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14–26 | 32 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 78% | conditions vary |
| Feb | 13–24 | 33 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 88% | conditions vary |
| Mar | 13–24 | 33 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 88% | conditions vary |
| Apr | 14–26 | 34 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 88% | conditions vary |
| May | 15–28 | 34 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 88% | conditions vary |
| Jun | 15–28 | 33 | Mod | Chop | Light | 78% | conditions vary |
| Jul | 14–26 | 32 | Mod | Chop | Light | 65% | conditions vary |
| Aug | 13–24 | 32 | Mod | Chop | Wet | 55% | conditions vary |
| Sep | 13–24 | 32 | Mod | Chop | Wet | 55% | conditions vary |
| Oct | 14–26 | 33 | Mod | Chop | Wet | 55% | conditions vary |
| Nov | 15–28 | 33 | Mod | Calm | Light | 55% | conditions vary |
| Dec | 15–30 | 33 | Mod | Calm | Dry | 65% | conditions vary |
Photography brief
Subjects are only half the shot. A perfect macro site is useless in a three-knot drift, and a wide-angle dream is useless at 35 m with a murky ceiling. These are the conditions, not the hype.
Recommended kit
- →Macro lens (60mm or 105mm), focus light, dual strobes positioned for fill
- →Two independent light sources minimum; video lights beat strobes in caverns
What this site will teach you
The dives that made you a better diver are the ones that made you uncomfortable for the right reasons. Here's what this site will quietly train you for.
Pinnacle diving technique
intermediateStaying oriented around a seamount with multi-directional current.
Dual lens mindset
intermediateSwitching between wide-angle and macro opportunities on the same dive.
7-day trip, per person
Rough ranges anchored to existing regional data — not booking quotes. Land-based trip, standard breakdown.
Hostels, shore diving, cheap eats
- Flights (RT from US)
- $1,100–$1,300
- Accommodation / day
- $50–$100
- Diving / day
- $110–$130
- Food / day
- $10–$25
- Transfers + misc
- $50–$150
3-star hotels, standard boat ops, mix of restaurants
- Flights (RT from US)
- $1,550–$1,850
- Accommodation / day
- $120–$220
- Diving / day
- $130–$170
- Food / day
- $30–$60
- Transfers + misc
- $50–$150
Top resorts or liveaboards, premium operators
- Flights (RT from US)
- $2,250–$2,750
- Accommodation / day
- $260–$500
- Diving / day
- $170–$220
- Food / day
- $70–$140
- Transfers + misc
- $50–$150
Flights priced round-trip from a major US hub. Figures are per person on a shared room. Solo travelers add ~30% to accommodation.
Build a trip around it
Most divers fly across the world for one destination and don't realise another worth-it site is 90 minutes away. Here are the honest pairings.
- Koh Tao61.2Thailand
Same country, complementary diving style.
- Similan Islands64.2Thailand
Same country, complementary diving style.
- Hin Daeng & Hin Muang64.3Thailand
Same country, complementary diving style.
- Khao Lak76.2Thailand
Same country, different dive character. Easy to combine in one trip without extra flights.
- Phuket74.9Thailand
Same country, different dive character. Easy to combine in one trip without extra flights.
- Koh Lipe69.7Thailand
Same country, different dive character. Easy to combine in one trip without extra flights.
Liveaboard options
Marco Polo Liveaboard, Thailand
The MV Marco Polo offers dive trips to the Andaman Sea from November-April. The M/V Marco Polo has 6 cabins onboard, accommodating 12 guests. Visit the Similan Islands, Surin & Richelieu Rock.
Budget Liveaboards in Thailand
Dive Thailand on a budget. Find affordable liveaboards, perfect for backpackers and divers looking for a great value dive trips!
Thailand Liveaboards for October, 2027
Discover the best Thailand liveaboard trips for October, all with our Best Price Guarantee. Secure your 2027 dive adventure today, and simply pay later
Diving Similan Islands
Richelieu Rock scuba diving
Raga Liveaboard, Thailand
The Raga is a 37-meter (121-foot) liveaboard for 28 guests exploring the stunning Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock, and more with up to 14 dives in the Andaman Sea.
Camic, Thailand
Join the MV Camic liveaboard for a 4 or 5-night itinerary to the Similan Islands. Dive Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai for the chance to see manta rays, leopard sharks, and turtles.
Thailand Liveaboards for December, 2026
Discover the best Thailand liveaboard trips for December, all with our Best Price Guarantee. Secure your 2026 dive adventure today, and simply pay later
Thailand Liveaboards for November, 2026
Discover the best Thailand liveaboard trips for November, all with our Best Price Guarantee. Secure your 2026 dive adventure today, and simply pay later
Sawasdee Fasai, Thailand
The recently renovated Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard offers dive and snorkel cruises in the Andaman Sea. Explore the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock in comfort with AC cabins, huge sun deck and outdoor lounge area.
Manta Queen 6, Thailand
Explore Thailand’s top dive sites aboard Manta Queen 6 with 15 dives over 4 days, including Similan Islands, Koh Bon, and Richelieu Rock.
Deep Andaman Queen, Thailand
The MV Deep Andaman Queen offers luxury diving in the Andaman Sea, Thailand. Explore the Similan Islands or the Mergui Archipelago in comfort .
Best dive types here