Turtle Rock lies on the western side of Similan Island 8 and takes its name from a rock shaped like a turtle. Below the surface, boulders and coral provide plenty to explore even when the living namesake does not appear.
Dive dates appear when the writer supplied them. Earlier stories keep their original words and have no newly assigned ratings.
Rocks, coral and a sandy edge
ME Diving describes stacked rocks, staghorn coral and a sandy bottom at about 25 metres, with a shallower northern area around 8–10 metres. These contrasting areas make the actual dive profile more informative than one maximum-depth number.
Its site account records sweetlips, snappers, groupers, angelfish and morays around the rocks, with garden eels and rays over sand. Nudibranchs and squat lobsters add smaller subjects. Turtles are reported, but the name itself is no guarantee of a sighting.
Shallow reef or deeper rocks?
Indepth describes shallow diving in the 10–15-metre range as well as deeper areas extending towards 30 metres. A gentle reef visit should not be confused with a deeper exploration of rock formations.
The operator’s briefing and the diver’s training determine which sections are appropriate. Small passages and overhead spaces are not an automatic part of a recreational reef dive.
Night diving
Indepth also describes Turtle Rock as a night-dive option, with crustaceans among its attractions. Its advice explicitly excludes the swim-throughs, caves and caverns at night. An evening dive needs to be part of the boat’s actual programme and suitable for the group.
The different light can make a familiar reef feel new, but it does not change the need for a clear plan with the guide and buddy.
Boat access and companions
ME Diving’s Koon 9 schedule lists Turtle Rock as a fourth dive on one Similan day. That is an example of a liveaboard stop, not a promise that a day-trip passenger joining another departure will make the same dives.
A non-diver’s supervised activities and fare must be specified separately. The Similan diving guide and travel guide help distinguish boat styles and the wider journey.
Questions about Turtle Rock
Are turtles guaranteed?
No. They are reported at the site, but Turtle Rock is named after the shape of a rock.
Is the whole site shallow?
No. There are shallow reef areas and deeper sections. The briefing determines the appropriate profile for the group.
Can it be dived at night?
Some operators offer night dives here. The programme, conditions and experience of the group must suit; overhead passages are not part of that night dive.
Does a day trip include the late dive?
Not necessarily. Day-trip and overnight guests can have different dive schedules, even when using the same boat.
Updated 13 November 2026. Sources: Terrain and wildlife; Shallow areas and night-diving advice; Example timetable.
Best time to dive: the ideal period to plan holidays here is October to November. Access: Boat. See the map of Turtle Rock on the right for the exact location.
Fishes you may spot while diving Turtle Rock
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Giant Trevally
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Leopard Shark
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Manta Ray
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Surgeonfish
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Triggerfish
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Whitetip Shark
... and more fishes & sea life, Nurse Shark, Stingray, Unicornfish
Photos
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Clown fishes waiting in front of their blue anemone housePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Blacktip Shark patrolling the crystal clear water... EPIC photo!Photo by Yann Hubert -
Huge Hammerhead Shark patrolling the reef in French PolynesiaPhoto by Yann Hubert -
Beautiful & Colorful Mandarin FishPhoto by Rich Guest -
Yellow Seahorse in Lembeh StraitPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Flying Ray Manta in Bali!Photo by Jihye Lee -
Lion Fish swimming in crystal clear waterPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Surreal LifePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Closeup NudibranchPhoto by Jihye Lee -
BusyPhoto by Matthieu Billaud
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