Welcome aboard the journey of a lifetime, where the azure waters of the Andaman Sea beckon and vibrant marine life dances beneath the surface. Join us as we recount the exhilarating adventure that unfolded during our expedition from 9 to 16 February 2024, travelling from the pristine Surin Islands all the way south to captivating Koh Lipe in Tarutao National Park.

For this week filled with adventure, we were delighted to welcome aboard a lovely team of divers from the USA, Ukraine, France, England, Russia and Thailand. With such an international group on board the M/V Smiling Seahorse, there was plenty of enthusiasm for exploring the remarkable dive sites of Thailand’s Andaman Sea.

Our voyage commenced with a customary check dive at Ao Pragaad, nestled within the picturesque Surin National Park. After making sure everyone was comfortable and ready for the week ahead, we wasted no time in setting our course for Richelieu Rock.

Richelieu Rock offered a fantastic first taste of the marine life that awaited us during the week. Our dives brought encounters with Harlequin Shrimp and Ghost Pipefish, while enormous schools of Bigeye Trevally and Chevron Barracuda moved through the surrounding water. Sea fans and coral formations completed the scene, creating plenty to explore in every direction.

The Harlequin Shrimp were particularly fascinating subjects for underwater photographers. With their striking colours and specialised diet, these small crustaceans are known for feeding mainly on starfish. They can turn their prey over to reach the softer underside, making their behaviour just as interesting to watch as their appearance is to photograph.

Around us, schools of fish moved continuously through the water column while majestic sea fans and coral formations provided a colourful backdrop. It was an excellent introduction to a week that would take us through a remarkable variety of Andaman Sea underwater environments.

Our expedition then led us to Tachai Pinnacle in the Similan National Park, a spectacular dive site surrounded by granite boulders and rich marine life. The underwater landscape was covered with sea fans and hard corals, creating a maze of habitats for the many species living around the pinnacle.

Among the highlights were Black Tip Sharks gliding through the deeper water. The pinnacle was also alive with groupers, parrotfish and countless smaller reef inhabitants. Every part of the site seemed to offer something different, from broad coral-covered boulders to tiny creatures hiding among the reef.

We also made time for our famous blackwater dives around the Similan Islands. Venturing into the open water after dark, we were met by a mesmerising display of mysterious marine life. In the inky darkness, intricate worms and delicate juvenile fishes appeared in the beams of our torches and around our bright line.

Blackwater diving offers a completely different perspective on the ocean. Instead of exploring a reef, divers hover over deep water at night, watching tiny pelagic creatures rise towards the surface as part of the largest vertical migration on Earth.

Did you know that we pioneered blackwater diving in Thailand’s Andaman Sea and continue to offer blackwater dives on every trip? Come and try it!

Continuing our odyssey, we ventured into the crystal-clear waters of the Similan Islands, where a tapestry of marine life awaited us. The variety of subjects made every dive different, with encounters ranging from the graceful Ribbon Eel and elusive octopus to beautifully coloured nudibranchs.

The Similan Islands offered plenty to keep our divers and underwater photographers interested. The granite formations and coral-covered reefs provided opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. One moment we could be looking across a colourful reef, and the next we might be concentrating on a tiny nudibranch hidden among the corals.

Ribbon Eels are another fascinating encounter. These striking eels are known for changing colour as they mature, transitioning through different stages during their life cycle. Spotting one among the reef made for another memorable Similan Islands encounter.