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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 favorite amongst Thailand liveaboard itineraries. Approximately 45km off the Andaman coast, to the southeast 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 anemones 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 color 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 honor 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
- 9.0 Superb
- 376 Verified Reviews
Although, crowded with other divers, it was a great dive site
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Genesis I
Unusually poor visibility, but such is life. Still an incredible series of dives.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the DiveRACE Class E
Fantastic! We saw a manta, loads of colorful fish, an octopus.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Oktavia
The most variety in marine life I’ve seen in one place
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 8
Great, tho I wish I stead of doing five of our dives here, we would have spread them out a bit more
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
Viz was not the best but meant lot of Sea Life
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the DiveRACE Class E
incredible amount of life, beautiful coral
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Sawasdee Fasai
Hampered by poor visibility
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Thailand Aggressor
Poor viz, strong currents. Did spot a whale shark on the third and final dive. Lots of smaller fish and 3 barracuda
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Camic
Amazing - simply amazing. I've never seen a place so full of action
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the DiveRACE Class E
Spectacular, one of my favorite sites - great schools of fix and large things around.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the The Phinisi
Exceptional almost spiritual
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Camic
Favorite dive site of the trip. Whale shark, cuddle fish, lobsters, shrimp, etc.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Bavaria
Two many other dive boats moored at the same time, but The Junk worked hard to minimize being in the water at the same time as other boats. Currents are expected, but guides managed timing well to minimize impact. Lots of interesting critters.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the The Junk
A dive sight I could stay at all day. We did several dives there and I always enjoyed finding something new.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the The Junk
Best diving in the region. Great visibility, lots of reef fish, the density was amazing.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the The Junk
Visibility okay, beautiful soft coral, blankets of glass fish, crazy activity of various fish saw cuttlefish, seahorse, small currents, lots of people
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Peterpan
Amazing! More fish than I have ever seen on one dive. Truly magical.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Pawara
Really busy. Boats overhead the whole time.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Sawasdee Fasai
Incredible. Diving Richelieu Rock is like diving into an aquarium, and the variety and quantity of sea life was amazing. Additionally, the reefs here seemed to be much less damaged and thus more colorful than anywhere else we dived.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Andaman
Wonderful dive site with multitudes of large schools of many varieties of fish and other marine life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Sawasdee Fasai
The busiest site by far for good reason - smaller site but tons of life and larger format species. Schools of barracuda and massive eels were not uncommon
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Blue Dolphin
Best location of the trip. Large underwater boulders with gorgeous cascading purple coral and large schools of fish.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Dolphin Queen
There is a lot do here. Unfortunately, our visibility that morning wasn't great. But, we did do 2 dives here spotting stingrays! Also faced a bit strong opposite current limiting my dive time on one dive.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Bavaria
We were unlucky with the visible but other than that, good.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Sawasdee Fasai
Viz at the Rock was bad... really bad but yet the site was fantastic! Healthy coral, tons of fish and so much to see! A highlight
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Deep Andaman Queen
Obviously a great site from the reviews, but the day we were there, the conditions weren't great and vis was low. No mantas :(
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Thailand Aggressor
Unfortunately we had very poor visibility when we dived at Richeleu. This was a shame, as we could see how beautiful it would have been if it had been better.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Similan Explorer
In spite of poor visible at the time we dived there, it was a great dive site teeming with life. The best of the whole trip.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Gentle Giant
Great abundance of fish and species
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 1
very cool,long nose emperor schools!
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 2
다양한 생물들이 살아서 좋지만 시야가 그리 좋지 않다 물 속에 다이버들이 너무 많아서 사람반 물고기반
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Sawasdee Fasai
Amazing dive site, vis not great due to the cold current, great for the corals. Huge amount of life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Thailand Aggressor
Best dive site for the whole trip. Extreme qualities of marine life! Must visit
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Dolphin Queen
The weierdest experience because in the early hours full of schools, butterfly fish, angel fish, dory all depending on where you would swim around. Then afternoon came trevelies, batfish then swim around angel fish and suddenly surround by jelly fish and a mayhem attack by jelly fish eating fish. And yes, stinging you everywhere your rash suite didn't cover. It was a very cool snorkeling experience in such tiny area.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 3
Most diverse dive spot of the trip, incredible amounts of life and something for everyone in recreational diving.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Hallelujah
Visibility was bad this day but from what I could see it was the highlight of the diving.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the DiveRACE Class E
For sure the best diving spot in Thailand! Unfortunately we haven't seen any whale sharks on this trip, but nevertheless, this diving spot is just fenomenal.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the The Junk
In one word, fish soup. There was so many schools of fishes it was amazing. Also a nice spot for macro photography.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Dolphin Queen
Amazing This vis was no great though. I do love the varity of corals.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 5
Great marin life but not good visibility And cold water
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Sawasdee Fasai
Fantastic, definite highlight of the trip.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
Great. Recommend AOW as a minimum.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 7
Plentiful, great barracuda
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 8
The marine life here was extremely plentiful, everywhere you looked it was something new, something going on, something else to try and remember. It is a great spot with hopefully not too strong currents for anyone else going there.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Oktavia
Unfortunately, visibilty is bad. But still many creatures
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Oktavia
Very nice place to dive but it’s a bit crowded. Some mild current.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 5
A beautiful dive site with lots of pelagic fish
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Oktavia
Very poor visibility, some currents and some problems with large groups of other divers
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Thailand Aggressor
Amazing! Saw some great marine life! Visibility was ok
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 3
Really cool site but murky water for the 3 dives we did there.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
Great site but very poor visibility
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Oktavia
Visibility is very very bad this time.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 7
Extremely poor visibility not more then 3m and strong currents due to New moon phase. Completely out of expectations.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 8
Marine life and corals outstanding, shame about the low viz and no Whale Sharks, but that's nature
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 6
Unfortunately we didn’t experience good visibility
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 2
Challenging currents. Plenty of life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Hallelujah
Absolutely best dives on this trip.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Hallelujah
lot of marine life : whale sharks, sea horse, shrimps, jacks, barracudas, ....
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Pawara
Many big stuffs and also macro things can be found here
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Camic
Amazing Divespot, to see seahorses was one of my highlights
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
Splendid site. It’s spectacular. A must see!
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the The Junk
Likely my favorite dive site after Hin Luang.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 7
That's the place you can dive many times and see something different every time. It's a pity the trip is coming to an end
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 1
Fantastic dive site, well worth it’s reputation
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 2
Was personally a little disappointed at Richelieu visibility wasn’t great. Steve manages a great boat and is passionate about preserving the dive sites, unfortunately it appears other operators don’t have the same passion. We saw people crawling over structure because of current, and the way other boats interacted when a whale shark turned was shameful with people touching and hanging on to the animal.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Deep Andaman Queen
Three dives that just blew me away. I have never seen such fabulous soft & hard corals and in such great condition. Maybe hackneyed but it is a true underwater garden. And the marine life, oh mon dieu, here in one place you see everything you’ve slowly seen during the preceding four days. Every knock and cranny is bursting with life and not in singles but 7/8 lion fish, 3/4 Jenkins whiprays, 4 mating cattle fish at a time. Sea horse, mantis & harlequin shrimps, you just drift passed them one after another almost as if it’s a shop window.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the The Junk
The abundance of sea life was amazing
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Marco Polo
Also incredible, felt like I was diving in a fish tank
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Manta Queen 5
Easily one of the best dives Iv done. Even though we didn’t see anything big like a whale shark the dive was still brilliant.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Manta Queen 2
Really good diving but a lot tof other divers at some times.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the The Junk
Low visibility on our trip unfortunately but still really beautiful.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 1
Good, but limited visibility
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 1
A tremendous amount of marine life on one pinnacle. Shame about the number of boats that congregate there but thats not the operators fault and they did well to get us in the water when other boats were on surface intervals
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Sawasdee Fasai
Amazing! Very beautiful and colorful with all the softcorals and seafans. So many species of marinelife.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Sawasdee Fasai
Unbelievable quantity of fish, schools of barracuda, tunas and trevallies, soft corals everywhere, a unique dive site indeed.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Manta Queen 1
Richilieu rock is stunning, even with reduced visibility.
Diving Richelieu Rock in March on the Sawasdee Fasai
Great place, a lot of schools of different fish
Diving Richelieu Rock in April on the Camic
Beautiful walls covered by soft corals, great for macro stuff. Schools of trevallies ,barracudas, snappers and whatnot
Diving Richelieu Rock in May on the Manta Queen 2
Just Ok. Vis was ~15m and doing 4 dives there was too repetitive.
Diving Richelieu Rock in October on the Sawasdee Fasai
Very bad visibility spoiled potentially great dive
Diving Richelieu Rock in October on the Sawasdee Fasai
Absolutely awesome. Somewhat adventurous because of the current, stunning but cause of the abundance of marine life
Diving Richelieu Rock in October on the Camic
Best dives I’ve done so far, so much fish!
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Camic
Amazing….teeming with marine life and corals.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Andaman
The diving was good but the currents were a little strong. There were tons of things to see.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Sawasdee Fasai
great spot even though the weather did deteriorate a bit, still remain a magical site; bring a torch.
Diving Richelieu Rock in November on the Camic
Low visibility and strong current due to the phase of the moon. Ghost pipefish and seahorses
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Smiling Seahorse
Absolutely stunning! I've never seen so many fish in one place and the coral was excellent.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Dolphin Queen
Not our highlight, visibility wasn't great and sea conditions were the roughest of the whole trip. Abundant fish life though.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Pawara
Incredible. Despite the choppiness of the sea when we went there were so many fish and soft corals.
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Manta Queen 2
Vis was average, last dive was good
Diving Richelieu Rock in December on the Manta Queen 7
Definitely one of my favourite dive sites of the trip. The amount of life on this one rock is spectacular.
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 7
As beautiful as 6 years ago, loads of fish, no big encouters, but seahorse, ghostpipe..
Diving Richelieu Rock in January on the Manta Queen 7
best diving of trip. reefs had good coral and sea life, no pelagics some currents
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Bavaria
Beautiful dive site but way overcrowded - especially the late morning dive was ridiculous and only to be compared to standing in line at Disneyland during a school holiday.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Andaman
Best dive site of the trip for schools of Barracuda and Trevally. Lots of colourful soft corals and a magnet for fish life.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Sawasdee Fasai
Amazing visibility and marine life. Best dive site of the week
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Manta Queen 7
Ok. There were too many people and reduced vision.
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Gentle Giant
Incredibly beautiful soft corrals, too many divers though
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Gentle Giant
Fantastic dive site "fish soup"!
Diving Richelieu Rock in February on the Bavaria