Diving in Thailand's South & North Andaman: 8 days/ 7 nights
Dive the best of The Andaman South and North from Phuket to Ranong
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Itinerary of our dive cruise:
Thailand still counts some of the best dive sites in the world and this trip offers just the best Thailand has to offer in both the North and South Andaman Day 1: Appointment at Phuket Tian Sin Pier from 12am to 2pm Embark on The Smiling Seahorse at 4pm in Tian Sin Pier (Phuket) and wake up on the dive site the next morning! Day 2 to 7th: 3 to 4 dives per day in Thailand's best national parks: Tarutao, Lanta, Surin, Similan... 8th day: 2 dives and back in Ranong at 7 pm. (last dive on the last day at 11 am) |
We will start the cruise with the South Andaman
We will visit Koh Lanta National park with dive sites like Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Koh Haa (number 5 in Thai language) is a group of 5 islands sitting together between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and is part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. We may dive Ko Haa Lagoon, Ko Haa Neua, and Ko Haa Yai where we may pass through more swim-throughs and encounter plenty of marine life from small to big: Seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish will make macro maniacs happy, morays eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays will entertain everyone and if you are lucky you might meet a leopard sharks or an Oceanic Manta ray!
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are two pinnacles in the open ocean, surrounded by deep waters. The visibility on these two sites is usually excellent and the dramatic underwater landscape makes a perfect setting for the many creatures we come to encounter here.
The main attraction here are pelagic sightings such as manta ray and whale shark. The site still have plenty of things to see beside the gentle giants such as schools of barracudas, millions of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefins trevallies, snappers and more.
And spend some time as well in Tarutao National Marine Park: of which Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island surrounded by white sand beaches and beautiful dive sites.
Koh Haa (number 5 in Thai language) is a group of 5 islands sitting together between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and is part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. We may dive Ko Haa Lagoon, Ko Haa Neua, and Ko Haa Yai where we may pass through more swim-throughs and encounter plenty of marine life from small to big: Seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish will make macro maniacs happy, morays eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays will entertain everyone and if you are lucky you might meet a leopard sharks or an Oceanic Manta ray!
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are two pinnacles in the open ocean, surrounded by deep waters. The visibility on these two sites is usually excellent and the dramatic underwater landscape makes a perfect setting for the many creatures we come to encounter here.
The main attraction here are pelagic sightings such as manta ray and whale shark. The site still have plenty of things to see beside the gentle giants such as schools of barracudas, millions of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefins trevallies, snappers and more.
And spend some time as well in Tarutao National Marine Park: of which Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island surrounded by white sand beaches and beautiful dive sites.
We will end with the North of the Andaman Sea
Hawkbill turtle over reef
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Richelieu Rock, is always listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world! It can be described as a big aquarium. Here we find more or less everything … Richelieu Rock is one of the places in Thailand to see Whale Shark but also seahorses and plenty of kinky cuttlefish action.
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Butterfly fish in Thailand
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In Similan islands we may visit:
Koh Bon & Koh Bon Pinnacle: The main attraction here are Manta Rays but when they are not around, there is plenty of tropical fish to look at. There is also a very good chance for Whale Shark and Zebra Sharks. After playing with Manta’s we will go south to another dive site in Similan National Park. Your cruise director will choose from various dive sites in the Northern part of the Similan Islands. You will love the view from the boat on some idyllic islands with lush green forest surrounded by white sand beaches. Here we dive for the usually great viz and hope to spot leopard sharks, blue spotted stingray, school of snappers and fusiliers, emperor fish, clown trigger fish and more tropical colourful fish as well as some Moray eels, turtles and mantis shrimps living in the rocky areas. |
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In the South Similan Islands sites like Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep six, west of Eden, Rocky Point and Anita's reef
Good chances there to spot whale shark, turtles, mantas, reef sharks, Napoleons... After the night dive, it's time for our infamous BBQ night...! |
School of Barracudas
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Whale shark in the blue
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Koh Tachai Pinnacle where we usually have a very fishy dive with massive schools of barracudas, bluefin and giant trevally, sweetlips, batfish a very nice dive spot. This is also a good place to see whale sharks so keep your eyelids peeled!
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Best of Thailand: Surin & Similan Islands (Koh Tachai, Koh Bon) and Richelieu Rock
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South & North: 8 days/7 night, 25 Dives
Departure: Phuket Tian Sin Pier 4pm Return: Ranong 7pm Price/ Diver: THB 63,000 in Standard Cabin THB 65,000 in Deluxe Cabin THB 68,000 in Master Cabin |
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INCLUDED
• Full accommodation and board (Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon bites, Dinner) • All soft drinks, drinking water, fresh coffee & tea • Fresh fruits, yogurt & snacks all-day • 12 L scuba tank, Weights & Weight Belt • PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers) • up to 25 Dives • Towels, reef-friendly amenities • Sea kayak and hammock |
NOT INCLUDED
• Marine Park Fee * 3,800 THB / diver *subject to government's change • PERSONAL INSURANCE COMPULSORY • Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes • Equipment rental (600 THB/ day) • Computer rental (300 THB/day) • PADI Courses • Private guide 3,000 THB/day • Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 4,800 THB for the whole cruise • Optional Black water dive (500thb/ diver) • Photographer private coaching • Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices) |
Note: This itinerary is provided as sample itinerary and can be modified by The Smiling Seahorse based on weather forecast or other unforeseen circumstances.
Black water dives are unguided and only suitable to experienced divers.
Black water dives are unguided and only suitable to experienced divers.
Latest reviews on TripAdvisor...
Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!
Review:
5, based on
139 reviews
"Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!" by
Oria R, written on
April 19, 2021
As a dive instructor myself, I can reccomend The Smiling Seahorse with confidence. Everything was exceptional from beginning to the end.
The boat is spacious and well maintained, rooms are equipped with a comfy bed and an AC that works great, they provide the costumers with everything needed.
The crew, both Thai boat crew and diving guides, were friendly and smiley all the time. It felt as if they were genuinely happy to have us there :) which obviously makes the entire experience much much better!
The food was delicious and different each day, beyond my expectations! We were served either meat or vegan and vegetarian options so each one could find something to satisfy themselves. Snacks were always available, my belly was happy all the time.
I loved in particular their commitment to keep our seas safe by providing soap, shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen, all 100% reef safe! That's great guys!!!
The guides were professional and knowledgeable, practiced safe diving and were willing to answer every question. Diving gear was in good condition.
Franck, the owner, a cheerful guy with big heart and big smile was there to for every question, any help needed, I could really feel his dedication to his business and the love he has for what he does. He's also a great photographer! and super knowledgeable about marine life.
The diving were spectacular, we were lucky to have great visibility. I read some comments here complaining about the diving conditions, which are beyond the crew's control obviously, so I must say sea conditions are always changing :) but yeah we were very lucky to have great conditions!
Overall I highly recommend the Smiling Seahorse! go have fun and never stop making bubbles:)
Thank you to all the staff, I enjoyed every moment! see you soon!
