Gentle Giant · Thailand · 7D6N
This comprehensive 7-day itinerary offers a grand tour of the Andaman Sea's most celebrated dive sites, from the north to the south. The journey begins in the world-renowned Similan Islands and progresses to the pelagic-rich waters of Richelieu Rock, a prime spot for whale shark encounters. After exploring the northern highlights, the vessel travels south to the dramatic deep-water pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, famous for their vibrant soft corals and regular manta ray sightings. The trip concludes with dives around the iconic Phi Phi Islands and near Phuket, showcasing an incredible diversity of underwater landscapes and marine life across a total of 22 dives.
Thap Lamu Pier, Khao Lak
Guests are transferred from local hotels or the airport in the afternoon to board the vessel at Thap Lamu Pier. After settling into your cabin and setting up dive gear, a comprehensive boat briefing is provided. Dinner is served as the boat begins its overnight cruise towards the Similan Islands.
Good to know: Afternoon transfer | Welcome briefing and dinner | Overnight cruise to Similan Islands
Similan Islands, Andaman Sea
The first day of diving is spent exploring the famous Similan Islands. The underwater scenery is characterized by huge granite boulders creating exciting swim-throughs, channels, and canyons. These sites host healthy coral gardens teeming with reef fish, and it's a great place to spot leopard sharks resting on sandy patches, as well as whitetip reef sharks cruising the reefs.
Dive sites: Elephant Head Rock, Donald Duck Bay
Similan Islands National Park
The voyage continues north to Koh Bon, a site renowned for its manta ray cleaning station where divers can often witness these graceful giants in close proximity. The diving day continues at Koh Tachai's submerged pinnacle, an advanced dive site with strong currents that attract large schools of chevron barracuda, giant trevally, and batfish.
Dive sites: Koh Bon, Koh Tachai Pinnacle
Surin Islands National Park, Andaman Sea
An entire day is dedicated to what is often called Thailand’s best dive site, Richelieu Rock. This isolated, horseshoe-shaped pinnacle is famous as a magnet for whale sharks, especially between February and April. The rock itself is covered in vibrant purple soft corals and is a treasure trove for macro photographers, with chances to find tiger tail seahorses, harlequin shrimp, and ornate ghost pipefish.
Dive sites: Richelieu Rock
Koh Lanta National Park, Andaman Sea
Following a long overnight transit south, the adventure continues at the world-class pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Meaning 'Red Rock' and 'Purple Rock' respectively, these deep-water sites feature dramatic vertical walls blanketed in colourful soft corals. The area is renowned for consistent sightings of manta rays and occasional whale sharks, drawn in by the nutrient-rich currents.
Dive sites: Hin Daeng, Hin Muang
Good to know: Overnight southerly transit to the dive sites
Andaman Sea
The day begins at Koh Haa, a limestone archipelago famous for its crystal-clear lagoon and an impressive cavern known as 'The Cathedral' which divers can enter. The itinerary then moves to the iconic Phi Phi Islands. Dives at Bida Nok and Bida Nai offer beautiful coral slopes and walls, with common sightings of blacktip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, and schools of fusiliers.
Dive sites: Koh Haa, Bida Nok, Bida Nai
Phuket
The final two dives of the trip explore sites near Phuket. This often includes the King Cruiser Wreck, a large passenger ferry that has become an artificial reef teeming with fish, and Shark Point, a nearby pinnacle known for its leopard sharks and vibrant anemone fields. After the dives, the boat cruises to Asia Marina in Phuket for disembarkation.
Dive sites: King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, Koh Dok Mai
Good to know: Two morning dives | Breakfast onboard | Cruise to port | Disembarkation