Smiling Seahorse · Thailand · 8D/7N
This 8-day liveaboard journey explores the diverse waters of the Andaman Sea, from Thailand's northern reaches near Ranong down to Phuket. The itinerary encompasses the vibrant reefs of the Surin and Similan Islands, renowned for their pelagic encounters around sites like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai. Further south, the dramatic pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang in Koh Lanta National Park offer opportunities for larger marine life sightings, before cruising through the clear waters around Koh Lipe and the limestone formations of Koh Phi Phi. Expect a rich mix of coral gardens, schooling fish, and potential encounters with manta rays and whale sharks, particularly during peak season.
Free shared transfer to the boat from Ranong around 4pm. It’s also possible to get picked up on Koh Phayam around 6pm.
Two dives occur, and the vessel returns to Phuket in the afternoon at 4 PM. The last dive concludes no later than 11:30 AM. The vessel begins in the North Andaman Sea, visiting Surin and Similan islands. Richelieu Rock is consistently listed among the top 10 dive sites globally. It presents as a large aquarium, offering diverse marine life. Richelieu Rock is a prime location in Thailand for observing Whale Sharks, as well as seahorses and active cuttlefish. In the Similan Islands, potential visits include: Koh Bon & Koh Bon Pinnacle: Manta Rays are the primary attraction here. When Manta Rays are not present, abundant tropical fish are visible. There is also a strong possibility of encountering Whale Sharks and Zebra Sharks. Following Manta Ray encounters, the vessel proceeds south to another dive site within Similan National Park. The cruise director selects from various dive sites in the Northern Similan Islands. Guests enjoy views from the boat of idyllic islands featuring lush green forests and white sand beaches. Diving here typically offers excellent visibility, with hopes of spotting leopard sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, schools of snappers and fusiliers, emperor fish, clown triggerfish, and other colorful tropical fish, along with Moray eels, turtles, and mantis shrimps inhabiting rocky areas. In the South Similan Islands, sites include Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep Six, West of Eden, Rocky Point, and Anita's Reef. Good chances exist to spot whale sharks, turtles, mantas, reef sharks, and Napoleons. After the night dive, a BBQ night occurs. Koh Tachai Pinnacle typically offers a dive rich in fish, with massive schools of barracudas, bluefin and giant trevally, sweetlips, and batfish. This is also a good location to observe whale sharks, so divers remain vigilant. At Koh Tachai, guests choose between a sunset dive or a Black Water dive. A delicious and hearty barbecue is on the program around the Surin Islands, as well as an optional Blackwater dive (free) around the Similan Islands. The vessel continues into the South Andaman, visiting Koh Lanta and Tarutao National Parks. Visits include Koh Lanta National Park with dive sites such as Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang. Koh Haa (meaning 'number 5' in Thai) is a group of five islands situated between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi, forming part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. Dives may occur at Ko Haa Lagoon, Ko Haa Neua, and Ko Haa Yai, where divers may navigate swim-throughs and encounter diverse marine life, from small to large. Seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish delight macro enthusiasts, while moray eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays entertain all. Lucky divers may encounter leopard sharks or Oceanic Manta Rays. Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are two pinnacles in the open ocean, surrounded by deep waters. Visibility at these sites is usually excellent, and the dramatic underwater landscape provides a perfect setting for the numerous creatures encountered here. The main attraction here is pelagic sightings such as manta rays and whale sharks. The site also offers many other sights besides the gentle giants, including schools of barracudas, millions of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefin trevallies, and snappers. A day is also spent in Tarutao National Marine Park, where Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island, surrounded by white sand beaches and beautiful dive sites. Here, special critters such as flounders, Indian walkmen, snake eels, frogfish, and colorful nudibranchs are visible. Notes: This itinerary serves as a sample and is subject to modification by The Smiling Seahorse based on weather forecasts or other unforeseen circumstances. Blackwater dives are unguided and suitable only for experienced divers.