Surin Islands National Park

Well-formed hard coral communities and enforced no-fishing marine reserve makes this archipelago national park a highlight of diving in Thailand. Large (1-2 meter) grouper, bumphead parrot fish schools, sea turtles and many fish species that are absent from other reefs in Thailand are found here in profusion. We visit a variety of dive sites in the park.

• Reef Basics: Hard coral fringing reefs, deeper water rock and fans
• Depth: 5-25+m (15-80')
• Visibility: 10 - 30m (30-100')
• Currents: Mild to medium
• Surface Conditions: Mild
• Water Temperature: 25 - 29 C (80+ F)
• Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Number of dive sites: 20+ including North and South Surin and Torinla Island, Hin Kong, Hin Kop, Hin Pratumba, Koh Chi and more
• Diving Season: November to Mid-April
• Distance: 54km west of Koh Ra Ecolodge (1 hr. 15 min. in our dive boat)

Richelieu Rock

Perhaps the richest and most varied dive site in Thailand. You can see all the reef species plus many pelagics and occasionally whale sharks. A MUST SEE for any diver!!

• Reef Basics: Series of pinnacles and rocks with ledges and coral encrusted walls
• Depth: 5-25m (15-80')
• Visibility: 10 - 30m (30-100')
• Currents: Medium
• Surface Conditions: calm to rough
• Water Temperature: 25 - 29 C (80+ F)
• Experience Level: Intermediate
• Number of dive sites: 1-2 large pinnacles
• Diving Season: November to mid-April
• Distance: 34km west of Koh Ra Ecolodge (just 45 min. in our dive boat)

Koh Bon and Koh Tachai

Another rich off-shore site where it is possible to see whale sharks and manta rays.

• Reef Basics: Rocky pinnacles and coral reef
• Depth: 5 - >25m (15-80+')
• Visibility: 10 - 30m (30-100')
• Currents: Medium
• Surface Conditions: Mild to choppy
• Water Temperature: 25 - 29 C (80+ F)
• Experience Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• Number of dive sites: 5
• Diving Season: November to mid-April
• Distance: 60-75km southwest of Koh Ra Ecolodge (1.5-2 hours in our dive boat)

Local dive sites near Koh Ra

We have done many dives and Reef Check surveys on reefs around the 15 local islands (including Laem Son National Park) and have some fascinating local dive sites, including a house reef just 5 minutes from the Ecolodge that has lionfish, anemone shrimp, scorpionfish, many species of butterfly fish and a lot more. Since the tsunami, we have been happy to see corals regrowing and we monitor a set of reefs in the area where this is happening. Other dive sites we have explored have good examples of stag horn coral beds, soft corals, and many moray eels, stone fish, hawkfish, nudibranchs, pipefish and other wonders. Depths range from 3-25m (10-80') and are between 0.5 and 50km (.25 and 30 miles) away.