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Liveaboard Diving in Richelieu Rock
What to expect on a Richelieu Rock Liveaboard
Liveaboard diving in Richelieu Rock ensures a trip to one of Thailand's best dive sites and a firm favourite amongst Thailand liveaboard itineraries. Approximately 45km off the Andaman coast, to the south east of the Surin Islands, this site somewhat resembles the form of a horse-shoe with a central limestone pinnacle and several smaller rock outcrops on either side. The topography of this site matched with its geographical remoteness attracts a great variety of marine life. Shifting tidal currents in this part of the Andaman Sea create upwellings of plankton, providing a feeding ground for small to large. Richelieu's remote location is not sheltered from the open water and recommended for the more advanced diver due to changing currents which can be mild to strong, but also mean that the best way to experience Richelieu Rock is via dive liveaboard.
Aboard a Richelieu Rock liveaboard divers can expect around 3 dives per day, with a choice of liveaboards ranging from simple low budget to luxury liveaboard. Most Richelieu Rock itineraries depart from Khao Lak and include a trip to the Similan Islands.
What You Can See
Sailing in Richelieu Rock offers divers the best chance to experience this iconic dive area. Richelieu was named by Jacques Cousteau after Cardinal Richelieu, of the Three Musketeers whose scarlet cape reminded him of the purple soft corals adorning the limestone rocks. Rising from the sandy bottom, the pinnacles are decorated with shelves and ledges, cracks, crevices and caves. The shallows are covered in sea anenomes and not far below an abundance of soft coral fields adorn the edges, surrounded by thousands of shimmering glassfish. The black coral bushes and gorgonians are found slightly deeper all providing shelter to the diverse marine life. This continuum of colour can be seen throughout the excellent multi-level diving that goes down to a maximum depth of 35m.
The biodiversity of the marine life and topography at Richelieu Rock is astounding. As you descend you can sometimes see the swirling blue masses of jacks, barracuda and fusiliers in a funnel like formation. Big schools of trevally, funneling barracuda and dogtooth tuna maraud the area in search of their next meal. The winter months of February to April bring with it more opportunity for whale shark sightings and other pelagics like the Manta Ray, feasting on plankton. Seeing these creatures gliding around you seemingly effortlessly is considered the ultimate experience for most divers and why most visit Richelieu. Although sightings can be rare, once they are spotted, they tend not to disappear quickly as it is their feeding ground. It is an exhilarating honour to share the waters with these gentle giants.
Do not be detracted by the larger marine life alone, as Richelieu is also home to a plethora of critters such as porcelain crabs, tiger tail sea horses, pipefish, robust ghost pipefish, mantis shrimps, harlequin shrimp, frogfish, leaf fish, nudibranch…the list goes on! Seahorses and harlequin shrimps can be found in the small caverns at the bottom of the rock. The larger marine life such as the cuttlefish, octopi and groupers can also be spotted going about their mating business, unaware of the peering scuba divers. For the photography inclined, it is worth having an interchangeable lens here as there is so much to capture or simply dive it a multitude of times, we can assure you it will never get boring.
Getting There
The best way to get to Richelieu Rock is on a Thailand liveaboard trip 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. Please check your itinerary before purchasing flight tickets. There are international flights into Phuket and / or domestic flights from Bangkok to Phuket. Khao Lak is about 100km north of Phuket and can be reached overland.
Dive cruises may vary but you can expect at least a 4 night cruise to the Surin Islands which will undoubtedly include Richelieu Rock on the itinerary. Please note that it is prohibited to dive in this area outside of the high season that runs from October to May due to rough seas.
Richelieu Rock Diving Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 142 Verified Reviews
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Peter V
Netherlands
Richelieu Rock is absolutely the highlight of the trip. The coral is still in fabulous condition and because of the current there is so much life. Unfortunately the nurse sharks that where there in the past are all gone, fished out the water for the restaurants in Phuket....
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Sawasdee Fasai Liveaboard
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Valentina P
Latvia
The best spot with the millions of fishes and corals. It was a firework of marine life! We loved it!
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Camic
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Christina S
Germany
It's certainly justified that it is so popular. Keep in mind there will be a lot of divers.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Marco Polo
- 9.2 Superb
- PHILIPPE M
Poland
The place to see! When you see it you love it! We met a whale shark there so the place is remembered with emotions for us !
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 3
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Pieter S
South Africa
The best dives were at Richelieu Rock. The diversity were great and the baracudas, cuttlefishes, nudibranchs etc were just amazing. Definitely the best diving spot in Thailand.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Bavaria
- 8.8 Fabulous
- JIAE J
South Korea
It's wonderful, amazing. I can't explain just one word.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Sawasdee Fasai
- 8.4 Very good
- Martin H
Austria
There is a lot going on, a lot of „fish traffic“. You can observe a lot
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the DiveRACE Class E
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Jill B
United Kingdom
Full of variety, everything was there and my neck ached from looking up, down and sideways all the time.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Manta Queen 2
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Guadalupe F
Argentina
Fantastic. So much life and diversity.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Bavaria
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Sharon P
United States
The diving was gorgeous. Many fish.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Similan Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- yaqoub Y
United Arab Emirates
as the say one of the best dive site in the world .never saw and thing like it . the dive site is Pulsing with strange new creatures.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Hallelujah
- 6.0 Review score
- Martin Z
Switzerland
Diving at the Richelieu Rock was good despite the very strong current
Diving Richelieu Rock in May on the Manta Queen 2
- 8.0 Very good
- Adam H
- United Kingdom
Fantastic. Amazing soft corals, loads of fish life. This is still a great site.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 1
- 8.0 Very good
- Adrian L
Hong Kong
Best as that’s where we saw the whale sharks
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Sawasdee Fasai
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Cheng hao Y
Taiwan
Lots of fish and beautiful coral
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 6
- 9.2 Superb
- Charles D
France
Fantastic place, a must dive one
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 9.6 Exceptional
- John M
- United Kingdom
Richelieu Rock was the highlight of my diving holiday. Even four dives on this site was not too many. There was an enormous variety of life at all depths, right down to 30m and our twilight dive was spectacular as we watched trevallies hunting in packs. As an added bonus we encountered Whale Sharks on three of the dives.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the The Junk
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Matthew S
Australia
Absolutely fantastic. It was so beautiful, there was so much to see. We saw eels, heaps of lion fish, huge schools of yellow snapper, it was incredible.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 2
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Vasilios G
- Austria
One of the best spots but big risk to dive in crowd
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Giamani
- 9.6 Exceptional
- ILGUK J
- South Korea
One of the richest point I have ever been. From bottom to the safety stop, I could enjoyed. Corals, fishes.. it was like I was in huge aquarium.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 7
- 10.0 Exceptional
- amir M
Israel
Outstanding by any scale. We would love to stay there the entire safari.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Similan Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Melih Cevdet O
Turkey
Whaleshark, very alive marine life, beautiful landscape.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Pawara
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Michael G
- United States
AMAZING!!! The absolute best!
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Similan Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- WAI KWAN L
- Hong Kong
School of fishes for photo shooting, good place for underwater photography
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 7
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Martin C
- Hong Kong
Amazing, no wonder why it's top 10 dive site of the world. We were disappointed not to see pelagic animals though, but that is just nature, and in no way the fault of the boat.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 2
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Krystian T
- Poland
extraordinary, great visibility, saw: Blackfin Barracuda,Pickhandle Barracuda,Pharoah Cuttlefish,Big Potato Grouper,Big eye jacks, Cleaner Pipefish
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Pawara
- 9.6 Exceptional
- HUIJEA L
- South Korea
very awesome place. If I have a chance to diving only one in liveaboard, it is richeliue rock!
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Oktavia
- 8.4 Very good
- Filip S
- Switzerland
Absolutely stunning. Recommended 10/10
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 6
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Janine D
- United States
Exciting, big current, but loads to look at. Fun. Good team work.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Diva Andaman
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Bastien M
- France
Amazing! The preservation of the area is exceptional, so many fishes and organisms. Nemo's world, but better.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Similan Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Hyeunjun P
- South Korea
visuality was not good, but there are so many fishes.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Hallelujah
- 9.2 Superb
- Martin R
- Germany
Despite not seeing a whaleshark, Richelieu Rock is a great dive site
Diving Richelieu Rock in October on the Pawara
- 8.0 Very good
- Nicolas M
- France
Really nice, incredible to see this amount of fish, with some really beautiful ones.
Diving Richelieu Rock in May on the Manta Queen 2
- 9.2 Superb
- Daniel N
Sweden
Absolutely fantastic diving.
Diving Richelieu Rock in May on the Manta Queen 1
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Ana M
Portugal
Amazing! So many fish and sea life! I felt I was inside a large aquarium! I would repeat divings there without ever getting tired.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Manta Queen 3
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Guillaume L
- France
A spectacular underwater rock. Dived it 4 times and so much to see each time. From amazing pink and purple soft corals, great big fan corals, nudibranches, boxing mantis shrimp, giant moray eels, wide eyed moral eels, cuttlefish, a yellow seahorse, shoals of yellow snappers, blue fusiliers, trevalis, and some barracudas. Night dive is forbidden since a Barracuda attack a couple of years ago. Some current but generally gentle drifts.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Thailand Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Lisa M
- United States
One of the best dives sites we have been to. Dove here three times on our trip and would have gladly done a few more!
Diving Richelieu Rock in October on the Hallelujah
- 8.4 Very good
- Michael S
- United States
Fantastic. More to see than you can look at.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Similan Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Norbert D
- Germany
the dive site is really nice. the amount of fish is baffling and you are sure to see sea snakes and octopi. the current is an interesting challenge, but very manageable. go around the corners. there are forests down there!!
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 2
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Evan R
New Zealand
Loved the diving at Richelieu rock and this was one of my favourites. Loved to see the big fans and the small nudibranches.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Sawasdee Fasai
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Sangwoo H
- South Korea
Amazing - definitely one of the best dive sites I dove.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Giamani
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Christopher T
- United States
The best! The number and variety of fish takes your breath away.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Similan Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Yalck E
- Netherlands
So much to see! One of the best sites of the trip
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 3
- 9.2 Superb
- Eric W
Singapore
Richelieu Rock got fantastic marine life and coral garden. After going to Richelieu Rock, the other dive sites seems to pale in comparison!
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 6
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Thomas E
- Sweden
this is how all reef dives should be, exceptional
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Thailand Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Natalie R
- New Zealand
Best dive site on the liveaboard. Thousands of fish. Beautiful purple coral. Sea anenames with blue bases. Minimal current
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Similan Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- James C
- United Kingdom
Fab dive site, loads of marine life
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Pawara
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Andreas F
- Germany
the absolute highlight of the trip, Richilieu is fantastic
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Similan Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Mark L
Canada
This was the highlight of the 11 dives. A great location with a lot of marine life. Visibility was good for the first two dives, but unfortunately the seas were choppy the next morning so it was down to 8-10 meters. Mother nature.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 2
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Rebecca H
- United States
Beautiful dive site with incredible diversity. The purple coral was awesome. We saw a Napolean wrasse, lion fish, scorpion fish. Others on our boat saw a leopard shark, but we were not in the right place at the right time for that.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 1
- 9.2 Superb
- Eugene S
- Canada
Best dive I think I ever did was to this dive site.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Dolphin Queen
- 6.8 Review score
- Jeffrey T
- Canada
excellent in March, but crowded
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Similan Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Garry D
- United Kingdom
One of the best Dive Sites I have been too
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Sawasdee Fasai Liveaboard
- 9.6 Exceptional
- JAYEON C
- South Korea
Fantastic! we can see various species with beautiful undersea-landscape.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Yann B
- France
Exceptional. Great to do 4 dives on one smallish site. And not too many people / boats.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Pablo E
Chile
Best spot i ve dived so far incredibleamount of life and corals
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Similan Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- THIERRY L
- France
Excellent! 1 full day on this dive site with 4 dives incluning a sunset dive
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
- 8.0 Very good
- Maria Tereza C
Brazil
Very good. Fantastic place for diving.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Hallelujah Liveaboard
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Maillard J
- France
Excellent dives with wonderful submarine landscape
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Dolphin Queen
- 7.2 Good
- Felipe C
- Brazil
Very good dive site but with strong current
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 9.2 Superb
- Franco L
Italy
Really interesting, lot of life
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 6
- 9.2 Superb
- Jun C
China
Awesome! One of my favourite dive sites on the trip
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Diva Andaman
- 8.4 Very good
- Noel H
- United States
Amazing! I'm very happy we got to do 3 dives there.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Hallelujah
- 7.6 Good
- Christian S
- Germany
The best diving spot of the trip. Not so many divers and really many fishes.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the MV Pawara
- 8.4 Very good
- Chris G
- Singapore
Good, no large fishes, but plenty of marine life
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Similan Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Ian T
- United Kingdom
One of the best places I've ever dive! Beats Maldives, Australia....
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Similan Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- SUZI D
- Canada
a pinnacle in the middle of nowhere was pretty amazing
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the MV Pawara
- 9.2 Superb
- Shiou H
- United States
The water was pretty muddy due to the recent storm. Nonetheless, the reefs were simply gorgeous. Did not get to see manta ray
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Thai Sea
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Todd H
- United States
The highlight of our trip. Could have spent days there and every dive would have been great.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the MV DiveRACE Class E
- 9.2 Superb
- Christopher B
- United States
Best dive site of the trip with endless schools of fish in every direction.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Diva Andaman
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Elena L
- United Kingdom
Of course, those white to lilac to purple soft corals are unforgettable. The family of six squids, with mammy and pappy in Valentine day mood.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Thailand Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- David G
- United States
Amazing, could see so many fish and awesome coral.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Dolphin Queen
- 7.2 Good
- Miranda M
- Netherlands
nice places with nice coral and rock formation visibility was not as good
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 8.4 Very good
- Karen C
- Australia
Amazing! A lot of fish & diversity in both corals & marine life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 8.0 Very good
- Marcel Fernando S
- Germany
This is really a wonderful dive-site.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the MV Similan Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Fredrik E
Norway
Good diving. Strong current.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Daniel L
- Sweden
Nice dives with seahorses. Alot to see and nice taking pictures and filming. Got alot of nice pictures here.
Diving Richelieu Rock in May on the MV Pawara
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Thomas R
- United States
This is where the fish were! Tons of schools of fish! Beautiful corals! Amazing
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the The Junk
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Gabor M
- Germany
Fantastic! Awesome! Incredible! Breathtaking! Marvellous! A Place full of Wonders, and the best Buddies You could ask for. Could have stayed there for Werks. ..
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the The Junk
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Sarah H
- United States
visibility wasn't great, but the diversity and quantity of fish and other wildlife was incredible
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Raymond C
- United Kingdom
The visibility was not so good - bit like a good day a Weymouth. Having said that the fish life was amazing and I have never seen so many giant trevally and barracuda at one spot - definitely fish soup
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 8.4 Very good
- Martin A
Estonia
Visibility was poor, but still teeming with marine life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the MV Similan Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Ursula C
- Germany
No visibility at all - so we didn't see much from the highlight of the trip
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the The Junk
- 10.0 Exceptional
- katrien D
Belgium
Fabulous, though too many other liveaboards were there also.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Diva Andaman
- 9.2 Superb
- Anthony J
- United Kingdom
One dive; high swells and challenging entry and exit, but dive site great
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Diva Andaman
- 9.2 Superb
- Richard C
- United States
Unfortunately it was poor visibility, but enjoyable.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Natalie P
- United States
Low visability, I will have to come back here.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Farhan R
- Australia
One of the best dives I've ever done
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Deep Andaman Queen
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Katherine D
- United Kingdom
The Coral was amazing, the water was very clear, lots of different sea life
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Thai Sea
- 7.2 Good
- Daniela G
- Portugal
Good, but visibility could have been better. Unfortunately, no whale sharks..
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the MV DiveRACE Class E
- 9.2 Superb
- Lars H
- Germany
Strong current but the place looked good
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the MV DiveRACE Class E
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Kal G
- Israel
excellent but very poor visibility
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Diva Andaman
- 8.0 Very good
- Joseph F
- United Kingdom
Stunning coral and fish life - very busy, but to be expected
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Deep Andaman Queen
