Similan (Ranong - Thap Lamu)

Deep Andaman Queen · Thailand · 4 nights

Duration
4 nights
Embarkation
Ranong, Thailand
Disembarkation
Thap Lamu, Thailand
Dives
Approximately 14 dives in total

About this route

Embark on an unforgettable liveaboard journey from Ranong into Thailand's Andaman Sea, exploring some of the region's most iconic dive destinations. This route unveils the pristine waters of the Similan Islands, showcasing rich marine biodiversity at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and the legendary Richelieu Rock. Encounter vibrant reefs of the Surin Islands, culminating in a world-class diving experience before returning to Thap Lamu.

Regions on this route

Koh BonSurin IslandsRichelieu RockSimilan IslandsKoh Tachai

Highlights

Koh Bon

Koh Bon is a popular dive site known for its vibrant reef and the chance to spot large pelagics. The island features diverse coral formations and is a prominent location for manta ray sightings, especially during certain seasons. Expect clear waters and a rich variety of marine life.

  • Vibrant reef
  • Manta ray sightings
  • Diverse coral formations
  • Clear waters

Koh Tachai

Koh Tachai is known for its exhilarating drift dives and a submerged plateau that attracts large pelagic species. This site offers opportunities to encounter barracuda, trevally, and leopard sharks, alongside vibrant soft corals. The currents can be strong, providing an exciting diving experience for advanced divers.

  • Exciting drift dives
  • Large pelagic encounters
  • Leopard shark sightings
  • Vibrant soft corals

Richelieu Rock

Richelieu Rock is a legendary dive site renowned for its horse-shoe shaped pinnacle emerging from the deep, attracting a wide array of marine life. It is particularly famous for its pelagic encounters, including whale sharks and manta rays, and is also a macro photographer's paradise with numerous nudibranchs, shrimp, and seahorses. Strong currents can sometimes be present, enhancing the density of marine life.

  • Iconic pinnacle dive
  • Whale shark encounters
  • Manta ray sightings
  • Exceptional macro life

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are celebrated for their crystal-clear waters, impressive granite boulder formations, and pristine white sandy beaches. Underwater, the sites offer a mix of vibrant coral gardens and dramatic swim-throughs, supporting a rich variety of reef fish and pelagic species. It's a prime location for both wide-angle and macro photography.

  • Crystal-clear waters
  • Granite boulder formations
  • Vibrant coral gardens
  • Rich reef fish diversity

Surin Islands

The Surin Islands boast healthy hard and soft corals, forming an extensive reef system that supports abundant marine biodiversity. This area is ideal for exploring diverse ecosystems, with many tropical fish species, sea fans, and various macro life forms. It offers a pristine and less crowded diving experience.

  • Healthy hard and soft corals
  • Abundant marine biodiversity
  • Diverse ecosystems
  • Pristine diving

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced Open Water
  • Minimum logged dives5
  • ExperienceDivers require an Advanced Open Water certification with a minimum of 5 logged dives.

Good to know

  • A 24-hour waiting period is recommended before flying after the last dive.
  • The exact itinerary and sites visited are subject to local regulations, guest experience, weather, and the captain's discretion.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Ranong Pier

    Day one focuses on arrival and settling into life aboard the MV Deep Andaman Queen. Guests will be picked up from Ranong Airport or their hotel in the Ranong area and transferred to the pier for boarding. After a warm welcome, cabin allocation, and an essential boat briefing, the evening concludes with a welcome dinner as the vessel departs.

  2. Day 2: Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock – Diverse Reefs

    Today's diving centers around the Surin Islands and the renowned Richelieu Rock. Surin Islands offer vibrant reef ecosystems with healthy hard and soft corals, providing a habitat for diverse tropical fish. Richelieu Rock is celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity, often featuring pelagic species and excellent macro life, making it a favorite for both wide-angle and macro photography.

    Dive sites: Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock

  3. Day 3: Similan Islands – Pristine Waters

    The day is dedicated to exploring the pristine waters of the Similan Islands, a globally recognized dive destination. These islands are known for their crystal-clear visibility and diverse reef topography, including impressive rock formations and coral gardens. Divers can expect to see a variety of tropical fish, alongside opportunities for encounters with larger marine species.

    Dive sites: Similan Islands

  4. Day 4: Similan Islands – Andaman Sea Gems

    Continuing the exploration of the Similan Islands, divers will experience more of this region's underwater gems. The area often features healthy hard and soft corals, sea fans, and diverse reef ecosystems, creating a vibrant environment for marine life. Encounters with reef sharks, leopard sharks, and occasional whale sharks or manta rays are possible, especially at more remote sites.

    Dive sites: Similan Islands

  5. Day 5: Disembarkation – Thap Lamu Pier

    The final day includes two wreck dives before arriving at Thap Lamu Pier. Guests will then transfer back to their hotels in the Phuket/Khaolak area. Divers are advised to observe a 24-hour no-fly period after their last dive for safety.

Upcoming departures

  • 2026-11-17 – 2026-11-21Book
  • 2027-04-14 – 2027-04-18from 1,020.89 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Deep Andaman QueenDeep Andaman QueenThailand
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