Whale Shark
(Rhincodon typus)
Koh Bon Liveaboard Diving
It’s impossible to say which one thing (be it a dive site, a car, a cell phone, or anything) is ‘the Best’ because everyone is unique in their needs & tastes. While Richelieu Rock is regarded as the ‘Best Dive Site in Thailand’ it is far from perfect for many divers. Some don’t like its remote location or the fact that is in open sea and there’s nothing above the water’s surface to look at or to absorb wind & waves.
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Others would say that diving Richelieu Rock diving isn’t suitable for divers who have limited experience, and that novice divers feel overwhelmed there. However, Koh Bon diving can claim to be the best dive site in Thailand for all levels of scuba diver. It’s suitable for new divers, but also has plenty of exciting marine life and topography to keep experienced and even professional divers happy. Koh Bon is famous for its common Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) sightings, but even without them it’s a very good dive site for everyone. On any day of the diving season, there are always liveaboard diving boats at Koh Bon. Some visit for two dives and then move on, while others may spend the night moored at Koh Bon.
Koh Bon Diving Map
Koh Bon Diving Information
- Depth: 3-30 metres.
- Water Temperature: 27-30°C
- Novice - Professional
- Famous for: Manta Rays
- Hazards: Currents out of the bay/divers being distracted & forgetting safe diving practice
The Island & Its Topography
Koh Bon is located far away from the mainland or any other islands. Therefore, it is not really affected by pollution but can be prone to some currents. There is no development at all on Koh Bon, and there is no beach. Snorkelling is possible in the bay, but 95% of visitors come to scuba dive at Koh Bon Ridge or Koh Bon Pinnacle. Liveaboard diving boats come to Koh Bon every day, and the only reason for their visits is scuba diving. Due to the remote location, almost all liveaboard boats which visit Koh Bon stay for at least two dives.
Diving At The Ridge
Divers at the vertical wall Koh BonThe Ridge (sometimes referred to as Reef or Bay) is a great place for safe scuba diving for all levels of diver. There is shallow water in a protected bay, and lots of life to see at all depths. There is also a 33m vertical wall that is home to hundreds of species. This area is easy enough for all divers to enjoy, but also exciting & interesting enough for experienced divers. Liveaboard diving boats and even day trip boats can drop divers off and then wait, usually using the island as protection from any wind or waves.
Diving At Koh Bon Pinnacle
Koh Bon Pinnacle is only for experienced divers because its shallowest point is at a depth of 18 metres. There is actually another pinnacle a bit deeper. The sandy bottom around the pinnacles is deeper than most recreational scuba divers can descend to, which means that it’s a big area and there’s plenty to see. However, it’s worth pointing out that a long and boring safety stop is usually necessary unless divers want a long swim across to The Ridge.
Koh Bon Pinnacle Diving Map
Koh Bon Pinnacle Diving Information
- Depth: 18-40 metres.
- Water Temperature: 27-30°C
- Experienced Advanced - Professional
- Famous for: Manta Rays
- Hazards: Currents out of the bay/divers being distracted & forgetting safe diving practice
Conditions at Koh Bon
Depths
5 - 40 metres
16.4 - 131.2 ft
Temperature
27 - 31 °C
80.6 - 87.8 °F
Currents
Can be medium to strong
Visibility
10 - 30 metres
32.8 - 98.4 ft
Surface
The surface conditions vary but are generally calm with occasional choppy waves.
When to dive at Koh Bon
Best Times:
November to April
The best time to dive Koh Bon, Thailand is from November to April. During these months, the seas are calm and visibility is at its peak, offering divers the best chance to explore the vibrant marine life. The weather is also more predictable, providing a safer and more enjoyable diving experience.
What type of dive site is Koh Bon
Wall diving, Drift diving
Koh Bon is renowned for its pinnacle site, offering thrilling drift dives along its steep walls. The site is famous for manta ray sightings, especially at the cleaning stations, and features a diverse range of marine life, making it a must-visit for both novice and experienced divers.
Where is Koh Bon?
Koh Bon is a small island located in the Andaman Sea, part of the Similan Islands National Park in Thailand. It lies to the northwest of Phuket and is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of the main Similan Islands group.
How to get to Koh Bon
Liveaboard boat or day trip boat
Who can dive at Koh Bon
Experienced Advanced - Professional - Novice
What marine life can you see at Koh Bon?
Manta Rays are not the only exciting or special species for scuba divers to see at Koh Bon. Although Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) are seen from time to time, Koh Bon isn’t well known for them. However, there are plenty of bony fish, sharks & rays, invertebrates and reptiles which would be considered special at most other dive sites. The trouble is, so many divers come to Koh Bon in the hope of seeing a Manta Ray that they don’t pay too much attention to something smaller. Also, divers at Koh Bon spend much of their time looking out into the blue hoping to be the first to notice the wingtips of these gentle filter-feeding giants.
A clever diver would do well to focus on the smaller marine life around the reef, and really enjoy the dive site for what it is. Then, when a Manta Ray or something else large and special comes, it’s certain that other divers or the Divemaster guide will make sure everyone knows. This is because most experienced divers and all the staff have notification systems, such as tank bangers. A couple of taps on a tank and everyone underwater will hear it instantly. So, unless you’re so competitive that you want to be the first diver to notice something large, it’s better to spend your time enjoying the reef’s smaller species. And don’t forget that there are many dives at Koh Bon when Manta Rays are nowhere to be seen. Why waste up to an hour each dive floating around looking out for something that’s not there?
Summary of Koh Bon
A couple of things are important when diving at Koh Bon, and these are normally connected to each other. Firstly, it’s quite common for divers to feel that when they see a Manta Ray they need to spend as much time as possible with or near it. Maybe they’re trying to get the perfect photograph, or just want to get the most out of the experience. Like almost all wild animals, Manta Rays don’t want to be followed or hassled, but they can stay around calm humans. Manta Rays are known to enjoy the bubbles of divers and they appear to play in the company of calm divers who aren’t racing around the reef. However, they also have a reputation for ‘leading’ annoying divers out into the deep blue water, and then disappearing; often to return to the group of calm divers. If you’re the type of diver who chases after fish, sharks & rays, you could easily find yourself in deep water, away from your group, and with no Manta Ray to see. Also, when enjoying an exciting dive with something special to watch or photograph, it’s very easy to forget about decompression limits, your depth, or even your air supply. Don’t forget to dive safely at all times.
In addition to the marine life at Koh Bon causing potential problems for divers who aren’t paying attention, the currents can be almost non-existent in the bay or down at the Pinnacle but maybe medium to strong out of these protected areas. It’s important to always stay with, follow, and obey your dive guide, especially at Koh Bon.
