The must dive sites in the Andaman?

[thirtyaughtsix]

Forgive me if I don't make a lot of sense... literally just got down from Mt. Kinabalu... so very tired...

Looks like my plans to dive Sipadan are not going to pan out. I'm gonna take it as a sign and head to Thailand after finishing some stuff here in Sabah.

What do you all think are the must dive sites in the Andaman?
(I figured the Simlans, Richelieu, Hin Daeng and that other submerged rock nearby)

thanks in advance folks.

k

 

[stevenl]

You're right, best sites are Similans including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, and further south Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
These are best dived from a liveaboard. Daytrips are possible, but not as nice and especially relaxing.

Forgive me if I don't make a lot of sense... literally just got down from Mt. Kinabalu... so very tired...

Looks like my plans to dive Sipadan are not going to pan out. I'm gonna take it as a sign and head to Thailand after finishing some stuff here in Sabah.

What do you all think are the must dive sites in the Andaman?
(I figured the Simlans, Richelieu, Hin Daeng and that other submerged rock nearby)

thanks in advance folks.

k

 

[ssra30]

Depends, if you do live aboard then Similan/Richeliue/Surin should not be missed. My favourite I think would have to be Richeliue but it is getting so crowded now, often 10+ boats for one good size underwater pinnacle is a bit too crowded for my taste, especially when some are basically cattle boats with 30-40 divers on board. Similan has better visibility and since there are several sites among the 9 nine islands, each site is not too congested, usually. I have not been all that impressed about Koh Bonn. Had 5 dives there this year and did not really see anything much. It is supposed to be one of the better site for mantas but I have not seen any there so far.
Tachai is pretty nice.
If you want to do land base diving then you better off heading south to Phi Phi, Koh Ha , Hin Daeng, Hin Maung as they are not as far as the Similans, Richeliue. If you are more interested in macro I think South Andaman is definitely better than the North (except for perhaps Richeliue).

 

[whitehead]

I had a couple of dives on Richelieu last week - same problem, 9 other boats - it was like grand c, the diving was very poor compared to my previous visits to the rock.

It really makes you wonder that if it did not have the attractions of a pinnacle to marine life (i.e. no other rocks in the close vicinity) then the amount of diving going off may be unsustainable to keep its deserved reputation.

 

[Ringo]

Hi K
The Similans, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng (Red Rock)and Hin Muang (Purple Rock) are all lovely dive sites. The only way to really enjoy these dive sites is on a Liveaboard (minimum 4 days/4 nights for The Similans/Richelieu Rock and 2 days/2 nights for Hin Daeng/Hin Muang) - but be selective as there are so many cattle market boats. Look for Liveaboard boats that cater for around 12 to 18 guests per cruise.

Forgive me if I don't make a lot of sense... literally just got down from Mt. Kinabalu... so very tired...

Looks like my plans to dive Sipadan are not going to pan out. I'm gonna take it as a sign and head to Thailand after finishing some stuff here in Sabah.

What do you all think are the must dive sites in the Andaman?
(I figured the Simlans, Richelieu, Hin Daeng and that other submerged rock nearby)

thanks in advance folks.

k

 

[DORSETBOY]

Agree with Richelieu rock, also had probs with overcrowding, should bear in mind for less experienced divers likelehood of strong downwellings and poss of bad viz around the base. Still should be on anyone's list of top 10 dive stes!

 

[Batfish]

Looks like this season is going the way of last season.

Had reports just back from several boats (Colona VI, Le Mahe, Explorer) that they had seen Mantas at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu and Hin Daeng.

A site like Richelieu is really getting crowded - there may be too many boats, but certainly in peak season (around New Year) it's FUUUULL. There are studies being carried out by the National Park Service which may lead to numbers being limited.

The number of Mantas right now may be due to the amount of plankton in the water - vis at Richelieu is not too good right now, but if you see mantas at close range, well that'll do.. Also Le Mahe reported 5 different shark species on the last trip.

Suggest anyone thinking of an impromptu trip tries to book something in advance before getting here. Many liveaboards are quite full for the next month or so. Advance bookings have been very high this year. The Similan Islands and Thailand have been widely covered by dive mags, and also after a couple of years dominated by terrorism, disease and war, people are more happy to get out and travel this year. We have had a lot of bookings from the US, suggesting that the Americans are coming out of their shells and exploring the world a bit!

Liveaboards - Summary of Boats to Similan/Surin and Burma

 

[jbuchow]

The more I read about this, the more exciting it gets. I'll be going on a liveaboard (Viking of the Orient) in just three weeks! I'll try to remember to post how it went when I get back.

 

[thirtyaughtsix]

Well, I just got off the MV Scuba Adventure run by Scuba Cat. Great trip. Mantas by the boat loads at Koh Bon and Koh Tachai!!! Richelieu was as you all warned like a zoo so we only did two dives there and headed back south for a few more dives with the "big, flappy things" as the tour leader liked to put it. The Scuba Adventure boat is well run. It's not too flash, but not uncivilized either. I liked that I could get Nitrox fills as desired.