Dive Koh Tachai
A fantastic site! A collection of submerged rocks which begins at 12 meters and extends beyond 35 meters to a vast sandy area. To the south of Koh Tachai island this site lies exposed to strong tidal currents which can often make the dive a rather lively if challenging one.
It is recommended that the buoy line at the south of the site be used to enable descent, as often the surface current can be stronger than at depth. Use the current to navigate around the site, staying close to the rocks and the sea bed. If necessary swim across the current rather than directly into it. Beware of downward currents. To its advantage the marine life at Tachai Plateau is varied and abundant.
In contrast to the manicured feel Richelieu Rock has to it, Koh Tachai feels ‘wilder’ with teems of schooling fish descending en mass to feed on the rich beds of corals. If the current is too strong stay on the line and watch as the Emperor Fish, Chevron and Great Barracuda, Yellow-tailed Barracuda and a variety of Trevally race around the site, while smaller fish including rainbow runners and Fusiliers zig-zag away from hunting giant Trevally, barracuda and tuna. The navigation of the site depends on the current, but work your way around the edges, and come towards the center to shallow depths.
Groups of Snapper can be found resting on the top of ledges, Octopus can frequently be seen amongst the corals. Various types of Anemone host Clownfish around the site. Red-Banded Cleaner Shrimp work under coral ledges.
Manta sightings are common and Whale Shark sightings are occasional. Frogfish, Ghost Pipefish and Juvenile Angelfish, Trumpetfish and Cube Boxfish can also be found by those with a keen eye. Work back to the mooring line for the safety stop.
Depth is from 12 meters down to beyond 35 meters.
Experience level is intermediate to advanced due to the often ripping currents.
Very rewarding for the divers that dare…
In March and April 2010 the Similan Islands suffered from a naturally occurring event called the Reverse Indian Ocean Dipole. This is very similar the “La Nina” that changes water temperatures and currents in the Pacific ocean. In this case, the water temperatures in the entire Andaman Sea were raised between 2 or 3 degrees above median. This was enough to damage the living corals in shallower sites and those with limited tidal interchange. On the Western facing side of the Similan National Park, the affect on the sites was minimal. On the shallow sloping reefs of the Eastern side , there was a more noticeable impact on the corals. His has caused some bleaching, and on two of this sites a – a noticeable impact. The National Park system shut down several sites throughout the Andaman region to protect the reefs from potential human impact (diving, snorkeling and fishing). These sites are already showing regrowth and at least two of the sites have re-opened at this time.
Plus understand that the bleaching is not the result of direct human impact, or over use. It is the results of vast climactic changes that are happening on our globe. The reefs are accustomed to these temperature changes and can easily adapt and regrow. They can not regrow from the damage done to them physically or chemically by inconsiderate divers and snorkelers.
As with all dive sites in the Similan Isiands, it is strongly recommended that you go with only registered and reputable dive operations, carry suitable travel insurance that covers diving accidents and evacuations as well as trip cancellations insurance due to the potentially erratic weather conditions.
