Koh Tachai
Koh Tachai is considered one of the finest dive sites for Phuket liveaboard cruises and is famous as a place to see larger animals such as manta rays, leopard sharks, nurse sharks and hawksbill turtles. Whale sharks also make appearances on a regular basis. It lies about halfway between Surin and Similan Islands.
Southeast of the island, one kilometre offshore lies this submerged crowned reef of hard sheet corals, and scattered boulders that provide great swim-throughs and cut-throughs. It also provides refuge for tired divers caught unawares by the sometimes hectic currents!
The south side of Koh Tachai is the deeper side, and a logical place to start your dive. The north side features a huge abandoned fish cage. Common fish you'll see here are blue-dash and yellow-backed fusiliers, red-tooth triggerfish, bigeye trevally and unicornfish. At the edge of the coral crown is a cleaning station, popular with tiera batfish.
Koh Tachai Reef Basics: Manta rays and whale sharks
Depth: 14 - 36m
Visibility: 15 - 40m
Currents: Can be very strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Diving Season: October to May
PADI Course Suitability: Great for drift diving
Distance: ~165 km north of Phuket (9 hours), 65 km northwest of Khao Lak (4 hours)
Access: Burma liveaboards from Phuket, Thailand
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