Richelieu Rock
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Why dive in Richelieu Rock?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 9
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreat Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
The Great Barracuda is a large predatory fish known for its fearsome appearance and speed. It has an elongated body, pointed head, and large teeth, making it a proficient hunter in coastal and open waters.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Harlequin Shrimp
Hymenocera picta
The Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) is a vibrantly colored marine crustacean found in the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs. It is renowned for its striking patterns of white with pink, orange, or purple spots. This species is a highly specialized predator, feeding exclusively on starfish, which it often flips over to consume their tube feet and soft tissues. Harlequin shrimp typically live in monogamous pairs and can be found in sheltered areas such as rock crevices and caves within the reef system.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsTiger Tail Seahorse
Hippocampus comes
The Tiger Tail Seahorse is known for its striking banded tail, resembling the pattern of a tiger. It typically inhabits shallow coastal waters and coral reefs, where it uses its prehensile tail to anchor to sea grasses and corals.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWhitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 53
Barred MorayEchidna polyzona
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterus
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Bluespotted Ribbontail RayTaeniura lymma
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Broadclub CuttlefishSepia latimanus
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Coral HindCephalopholis miniata
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Fimbriated MorayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Flamboyant CuttlefishMetasepia pfefferi
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Glider FlyingfishCheilopogon atrisignis
Golden SpadefishPlatax boersii
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Humpback BatfishPlatax batavianus
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
LionfishPterois spp.
Longhorn CowfishLactoria cornuta
Mimic OctopusThaumoctopus mimicus
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Orbicular BatfishPlatax orbicularis
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Ornate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus paradoxus
Painted FrogfishAntennarius pictus
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Peacock Mantis ShrimpOdontodactylus scyllarus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Pharaoh CuttlefishSepia pharaonis
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Stellate PufferArothron stellatus
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
White-spotted PufferfishArothron hispidus
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellow-lipped Sea KraitLaticauda colubrina
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Richelieu Rock
Andaman Sea · Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Richelieu Rock
When is the best time to dive in Richelieu Rock?
The best time to dive in Richelieu Rock is from February to April. In those months the water is between 28°C and 30°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Richelieu Rock?
Divers can encounter 62 species in Richelieu Rock. Highlights include Giant Trevally, Great Barracuda, Grey Reef Shark, Harlequin Shrimp, Humphead Wrasse, and Reef Manta Ray.
When can you see the Giant Trevally in Richelieu Rock?
The Giant Trevally is most often seen in Richelieu Rock from February to May and from October to December.
When can you see the Great Barracuda in Richelieu Rock?
The Great Barracuda is most often seen in Richelieu Rock from February to May and from October to December.
When can you see the Grey Reef Shark in Richelieu Rock?
The Grey Reef Shark is most often seen in Richelieu Rock from February to May and from October to December.
What is the water temperature in Richelieu Rock?
Water temperature in Richelieu Rock ranges from 25°C in November to 30°C in January.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Richelieu Rock?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in November, when the water drops to 25°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in January, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Richelieu Rock?
Visibility in Richelieu Rock ranges from 5 m to 35 m. The water is clearest in February.
What are the currents like in Richelieu Rock?
Divers in Richelieu Rock can expect moderate, strong, or very strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Richelieu Rock?
After dark, Richelieu Rock reveals nocturnal species such as Whitetip Reef Shark, Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Fimbriated Moray, Giant Moray, and Honeycomb Moray.
Where is Richelieu Rock located?
Richelieu Rock is a dive destination in Thailand, in the Andaman Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Richelieu Rock. Spotted something that looks off?
Tell us