Richelieu Rock

Richelieu Rock

Thailand · Andaman Sea
OVERVIEW

Why dive in Richelieu Rock?

Richelieu Rock is a world-renowned, horseshoe-shaped pinnacle in the Andaman Sea, famous for its vibrant purple soft corals and exceptional biodiversity. It acts as a natural magnet for marine life, drawing everything from elusive macro critters like seahorses and ghost pipefish to majestic whale sharks and manta rays, making it a dream destination for underwater photographers and big animal enthusiasts alike.

WATER TEMPERATURE -
VISIBILITY -
CURRENT STRENGTHStrong  –  Very strong

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LOCAL MARINE LIFE IN RICHELIEU ROCK

Featured Animals 9

SIGHTING PROBABILITY
  • Unlikely
  • Likely
  • Very likely
Giant TrevallyFrequent sightings

Giant 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
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Great BarracudaFrequent sightings

Great 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
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Grey Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Grey 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
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Harlequin Shrimp

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
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Humphead WrasseFrequent sightings

Humphead 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
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Reef Manta RayFrequent sightings

Reef 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
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Tiger Tail SeahorseFrequent sightings

Tiger 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
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Whale SharkFrequent sightings

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.


BEST SEASON
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Whitetip Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Whitetip 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
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ALSO IN Richelieu Rock

More marine life 48

LOCATION

Where is Richelieu Rock

Andaman Sea · Thailand