Koh Tachai Liveaboard Diving
Hallelujah
ThailandUS$1,089 from
Explore the Similan Islands aboard the MV Hallelujah liveaboard. She is one of the most comfortable & largest dive liveaboards cruising the Andaman Sea from November - April. She has 13 en-suite cabins to cater to 25 guests
Sawasdee Fasai
ThailandUS$893 from
- Free Nitrox
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 dfeck and outdoor lounge area
Deep Andaman Queen
ThailandUS$933 from
- Free WiFi
The Deep Andaman Queen offers 9 en-suite, AC cabins, large dive platform with fresh water showers to rinse yourself after diving and camera rinse buckets. Explore the Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Deep Andaman QueenWhat To Expect On A Koh Tachai Liveaboard
Liveaboards to Koh Tachai usually visit this area on a Similan Islands itinerary on theri way to Richelieu Rock. It's only 12 square kilometers in size and located on the northwest of Similan Islands National Park, it actually lies between the Similan and Surin Islands. An idyllic location in the Andaman Sea, this small uninhabited island is formed of lush rainforest, stunning white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Relatively untouched Koh Tachai is still unspoilt and worth the visit on your liveaboard dive cruise. Below the surface, some other visitors include whale sharks, manta rays, leopard sharks and Napoleon wrasse to name just a few. The waters around the island are quite shallow towards the shore then drops off suddenly to depths of 70 metres. Acting like a barrier, these drop offs protect the island and the rich waters around it offer excellent snorkeling.
What You Can See
There are two great dive sites at Koh Tachai, the plateau to the south and the eastern reef. Off the eastern coast, the sheltered shallower waters make for good night dives. Most liveaboards will moor here for the night.
Koh Tachai plateau, about 1km south east of the island, is so named because it is ringed by a ridge like coral plateau crowned with hard corals, gorgonian sea fans line the scattered boulders, sloping from 12 - 35 m to the sandy bottom where leopard and nurse sharks lie peacefully undisturbed. Groups of snapper lurking on the top ledges, octopus hiding amongst the corals, under which red banded cleaner shrimp work tirelessly. It is best to pay close attention to the divemaster's brief as this site can be challenging at times although the swim-throughs provide shelter from the strong currents. There is a descent line from a buoy on the south side, helping the diver to descend in sometimes strong surface currents. This site is for the more experienced diver. Towards the end of the dive, you may see coral eating Hawksbill turtles, groups of batfish or even the banded sea snake lurking near the mooring line upon your ascent. Keep an eye out for the odd Napoleon wrasse patrolling the area.
Koh Tachai pinnacle is usually done as a drift dive and here the currents bring high levels of plankton, during the months of February - April, and in turn the larger pelagics feeding on them such as the Manta Ray and Whale Shark. The strong currents enable the barracudas, trevallies and sharks to hunt easily for smaller prey. Early morning dives can waken you up from your slumber quite quickly as it can sometimes be a feeding frenzy and you may not know where to look there are so many fish. Visibility varies on the month and the amount of plankton in the water, between 10-30m. If the larger pelagics are not on show then be on the lookout for the macro life. Small frogfish and nudibranch are known to grace these waters.
An impressive underwater topography mixed with a diverse marine life make Koh Tachai a must for Surin or Similan cruises.
Getting There
The best way to get to Koh Tachai is on a Thailand liveaboard trip to the Similan or Surin Islands, which will depart from either Phuket or Khao Lak. Further from Phuket than from Khao Lak, (200 km north of Phuket and 80 km northwest of Khao Lak), it is worth checking what port you prefer to depart from. Khao Lak is about 100km north of Phuket and can be reached overland. Please check your itinerary before purchasing flight tickets. There are international flights into Phuket and / or domestic flights from Bangkok to Phuket. Reachable from Khao Lak in one hour you may find other day boats in the area.
Koh Tachai Diving Reviews
Whale shark sighting, what do you want more
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Manta Queen 7Lovely, we saw two whale sharks there.
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Manta Queen 2We saw whale shark at the dome point. Whale shark!
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Manta Queen 7good place for fun diving.
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the OktaviaLoved the shadows on the white sand while diving
Diving Koh Tachai in October on the PawaraVery beautiful dive sites as well teeming with marine life and beautiful healthy coral.
Diving Koh Tachai in May on the Manta Queen 1Amazing visibility, diverse dive sites
Diving Koh Tachai in October on the Hallelujahloads and loads and loads and loads of fish. not even in Australia have they been so plentiful. it is a bit of shame that the Thai people didn't properly take care of these miracles under the sea but the site is still brilliant.
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Manta Queen 2Really enjoyed seeing new nudibranches & a magical seahorse. I enjoyed finding some of the smallest critters but also the big Napolean Wrasse & Moray eels.
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Sawasdee FasaiThe rock formations underwater make it special.
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Similan ExplorerKoh Tachai got a nice coral garden as well. Saw a Marble ray there.
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Manta Queen 6Nice reefs,beautiful rock formations, sometimes current is a factor. Not too busy. Great diversity.
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Deep Andaman QueenReally interesting site with lots of different kinds of coral and fish
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the PawaraAnother amazing dive. We saw a fleeting glimpse of a manta ray at the end of our dive. Clown triggerfish, lots of barracuda, crown of thorns, lionfish...
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Manta Queen 1This was a very good dive.
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Dolphin QueenOther group, saw small whale shark. Special thing for us, stone fish. Good visibility, warm water - nothing to complain
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Dolphin QueenEin Strömungstauchgang der uns an unsere Grenzen geführt hat, wichtige Erfahrung und beim 2. Mal mit Mantas, unbeschreibliche Erfahrung!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Similan ExplorerReally good as we saw Manta Rays which was the highlight of our trip
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Deep Andaman QueenInteresting to see unique geography.
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the The JunkGood at Twin Peaks - much action from Pompanos, yellowtail barracudas. Night dive at Avlek.
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the The JunkHere is the place we meet the mantas, incredible experience
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Similan ExplorerStrong current in the First dive. We had to hold the rock during a long time as it was impossible to swim around. Fortunately a big school of barracudas made us company. Second dive was good.
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Hallelujah LiveaboardThe conditions were not so good ( too strong current)
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Dolphin QueenGood dive site good visibility
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Deep Andaman QueenBeside some strong corrent, nice
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Manta Queen 6Good - lots of fish and some fun drift diving.
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the HallelujahGood, no large fishes, but plenty of marine life
Diving Koh Tachai in January on the Similan ExplorerCurrents are tricky but lots of fun!
Diving Koh Tachai in January on the Hallelujah LiveaboardThe world underwater is simply breathtaking! It was an adventure diving with current, waves, and surge
Diving Koh Tachai in January on the Thai SeaBeautiful landscape with huge sea fans and starfish. Teaming with fish and life. Strong current.
Diving Koh Tachai in January on the MV DiveRACE Class EAmazing. So much coral and beautiful marine life
Diving Koh Tachai in December on the Manta Queen 3Amazing, could see so many fish and awesome coral.
Diving Koh Tachai in December on the Dolphin QueenVery very nice. The best with Richelieu Rock
Diving Koh Tachai in November on the Diva Andamannice places with nice coral lots of different fishes
Diving Koh Tachai in November on the Deep Andaman Queenvisibility wasn't great, but we saw choke manta ray....absolutely incredible
Diving Koh Tachai in April on the Deep Andaman QueenUnfortunately no big pelagics but the usual suspects were in abundance Great diving
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Deep Andaman QueenI'm sure it's not the norm, but safety stop in a school of barracdas! Way too awesome!!!!
Diving Koh Tachai in February on the Deep Andaman QueenVisibility was not as good as others but that could just be bad luck on that day
Diving Koh Tachai in January on the Deep Andaman QueenGood, but visibility could have been better.
Diving Koh Tachai in December on the MV DiveRACE Class Ea few great spots but poor visibility & a lot of dead reef
Diving Koh Tachai in December on the Diva AndamanNice barracuda schools and fish life
Diving Koh Tachai in December on the Deep Andaman QueenChallenging ripping current but great dive with Giant Manta and dive guide kept us safe.
Diving Koh Tachai in March on the Deep Andaman Queen