Richelieu Rock

This dive site is renowned as Richelieu Rock, a jewel of the Andaman Sea and celebrated by Jacques Cousteau. Located approximately 18 kilometers east of the Surin archipelago, this majestic limestone pinnacle emerges only during low tide, descending to depths exceeding 30 meters. Visibility can vary significantly; on clear days, divers may encounter up to 35 meters, while other times it is reduced to 10-15 meters due primarily to plankton blooms which often attract whale sharks – the largest fish in the world, reaching lengths of up to 16 meters and believed to live over a century. Even without encountering these magnificent creatures, Richelieu Rock offers an incredible array of marine life. The area is teeming with barracuda and trevally, actively hunting schools of snappers and fusiliers. The rock’s numerous crevices provide shelter for diverse species including lionfish, mantis shrimp, lobsters, octopi, pipefish, colourful nudibranchs, mating cuttlefish, and even the elusive yellow tiger tail seahorse. Ghost pipefish also call this place home amongst gorgonian corals and soft coral gardens. Moray eels and scorpion fish inhabit the rock’s interior, utilizing its cracks and crevices for concealment. Richelieu Rock provides a unique dive experience attracting divers worldwide.