Dive sites
North Andaman
North Andaman, Thailand is one of Thailand’s most famous diving regions, known for dramatic granite islands, colorful coral reefs, clear tropical water and encounters with large marine life. The area includes iconic destinations such as the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
Where it is
North Andaman is located off the west coast of southern Thailand and is best explored by liveaboard or multi-day dive trips.
Marine life to see
North Andaman offers a wide variety of marine life, from tiny reef creatures to large pelagic species.
You may encounter:
- Manta rays
- Whale sharks
- Leopard sharks
- Reef sharks
- Barracuda
- Tuna
- Giant trevally
- Eagle rays
- Turtles
- Moray eels
- Nudibranchs
- Ghost pipefish
- Ornate ghost pipefish
- Harlequin shrimp
- Large schools of reef fish
Whale sharks and manta rays are among the most exciting encounters, but sightings are naturally not guaranteed.
Macro or landscape?
Both, but North Andaman is especially strong for wide-angle and big marine life.
Landscape / Wide Angle
Excellent for:
- Granite rock formations
- Coral reefs
- Large schools of fish
- Manta rays
- Whale sharks
- Barracuda
- Dramatic underwater walls
- Clear blue-water scenery
Macro
Macro photographers can also find:
- Nudibranchs
- Ghost pipefish
- Harlequin shrimp
- Ornate ghost pipefish
- Seahorses
- Crabs and shrimp
- Small reef fish
Recommendation: Bring a wide-angle setup for your first North Andaman trip. If you are particularly interested in macro, Richelieu Rock is worth dedicating time to for small and unusual marine life.
How many dives you need
North Andaman has dive sites with currents, deeper sections and changing conditions, so some diving experience is recommended.
Beginner — 10–20 logged dives
Suitable for divers who are comfortable with basic buoyancy, boat diving and descending in open water.
Intermediate — 20–50+ dives
A good level of experience for handling current, deeper dives and multiple dives per day.
Experienced — 50+ dives
Ideal for divers who want to explore the region confidently and focus on photography, marine life encounters and more challenging sites.
Tip: If you have not dived for a long time, complete a refresher or Reactivate dive before joining a North Andaman trip.
On land
North Andaman is mainly about diving, but the scenery above the water is just as impressive.
Similan Islands
Explore dramatic granite boulders, white-sand beaches and turquoise water. Viewpoints and island walks offer some of the best scenery in the region.
Koh Bon
Known for its impressive limestone wall and underwater scenery. It is also one of the key manta ray areas in the region.
Koh Tachai
A beautiful island surrounded by clear water, white beaches and excellent coral reef scenery.
Richelieu Rock
One of Thailand’s most famous dive sites, located near the Surin Islands. The site is known for its rich marine life and potential whale shark encounters.
Why Dive North Andaman?
North Andaman offers some of Thailand’s best all-around diving, combining dramatic underwater landscapes, healthy coral reefs, abundant marine life and the possibility of encounters with manta rays and whale sharks.
Best for: Manta rays, whale sharks, wide-angle photography, coral reefs, macro life, schooling fish and liveaboard diving.
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