Ko Usen

Protected Area

Tarutao

Why dive here

With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, whale sharks, clownfish and pufferfish - Ko Usen offers some of Koh Lanta & Phi Phi's richest diving.

Marine lifeBarracuda, Giant Moray Eels, Whale Sharks, Clownfish and Pufferfish · 177+ species recorded

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Ko Usen often gets overlooked for its flashy neighbours, but we’ve always had a soft spot for it. It’s not about huge pelagics here; it's about the small stuff, the details you often swim right past. We love spending time hovering over the coral bommies, spotting juvenile wrasse no bigger than your thumbnail flitting between the polyps. Look for the Adorned Dwarfgoby peeking out from its sandy burrow, or the Finespot Eviota, almost invisible against the rock. The site is pretty sheltered, usually calm, so it’s perfect for new divers getting comfortable or experienced photographers who want to really slow down. We’ve found the best light is usually mid-morning, when the sun isn't too harsh and filters down beautifully onto the reef. Keep an eye out for the singular bannerfish, they often hang out in small groups, their long dorsal fins waving in the gentle current. It’s a site for discovery, not adrenaline.