Top 10 dive sites: Richelieu Rock

There are several stories about how the best diving spot in Thailand, and one of the best in the world, was discovered.

Perhaps the most popular one is the tale involving famous marine explorer Jacques Cousteau. It is said that when he arrived in Thailand, he asked a local fisherman for the spot with the most amount of fish and marine life. He was taken to Richelieu Rock. After his first dive, Cousteau, amazed by the abundance and purple color of its soft coral, claimed that the rock looked like "covered by a Cardinal´s scarlet robe", referencing Cardinal Richelieu. Even though this is the most popular story, it is not the most accepted of all.

Albeit not being able to pinpoint the true origin of the site´s name, what we can do is assert that the diving is nothing less than exceptional.

Richelieu Rock, part of the Surin Island´s National Park, is a submerged pinnacle, with the tip protruding above the surface a mere meter when the tide is low. The rock fully disappears when the tide is high. The deepest parts of the site are about 30 meters.

At Richelieu Rock, you can find a wide array of biodiversity that ranges from the smallest marine animals to the big pelagic such as mantas, whale sharks, barracudas and Napoleon fish.

The best, and most common, way to dive this site is by doing 2 dives to be able to cover the pinnacle completely and enjoy it´s biodiversity to the fullest.

I still remember my first dive at Richelieu Rock and the feeling of being in a Disney movie with the most perfect and amazing surrounding. Just phenomenal!

See you in the blue