Diving in Thailand for 5 days and 4 nights

5 days 4 nights to the best North Andaman dive sites from Khao Lak to Ranong

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!
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  • Day 1: ​Appointment at Khao Lak, Tap Lamu Pier from 12pm to 2pm
​We will leave from Khao Lak around 4pm.
​After everybody is onboard, we will leave to Surin Island.
  • Day 2: The first day will be concentrated around Surin Island.
  • Surin Island is not dived by many other boats but it is a very good spot for macro life such as ghost pipe fish, frog fish and nudibranchs and the first place where we can see Whale Sharks and Mantas. There are also many Jenkins Stingray, sweetlips and Barracudas around and the regular sighting of Humphead Parrotfish, Eagle Ray and Reef Sharks.
  • We will start out at Koh Chi in the north of Surin Island and go down to the southern part of Surin Island where we will make 4 quite enjoyable drift dives… We sometimes go visit the Sea Gypsies on Surin Island. The night dive will be around 19.00.
There is an opportunity to see Jenkins Stingray, Napoleon fish, a lot of sweetlips, Barracudas, Humphead Parrotfish, Manta Ray, Eagle Ray, zebra sharks etc..
After dinner onboard, we will leave to Koh Bon.
Picture
Zebra shark
Koh Bon Pinnacle
Koh Bon Pinnacle
  • Day 3: At Koh Bon we will make 2 dives, one at the ridge and one at 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.
  • At Koh Bon we will make 2 dives, one at the ridge and one at Koh Bon Pinnacle. Koh bon is a well known cleaning site for Manta Rays and the site most frequented by them in Thailand. There is also a very good chance to spot a Zebra Shark on the pinnacle. For the afternoon dive, 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 and we will keep in touch with other boat if Mantas or Whale sharks have been sighted in the last few days. ​
Similan Islands
Similan Islands
  • ​You will love the view from the boat on some idyllic islands with lush green forest surrounded by white sand beaches, the visibility is usually very nice on Similan islands and we hope to spot leopard sharks, blue spotted stingray, school of snappers and fusiliers, emperor fish, clown trigger fish and more tropical colorful fish as well as some Moray eels, turtles and mantis shrimps living in the rocky areas.​  Whale sharks are also commonly spotted there so keep an eye being your head for a gentle giant passing above!
Hawkbill turtle over reef
Hawkbill turtle over reef
Picture
School of Barracudas
Koh Tachai...One of the smaller islands of the Similans archipelago
Koh Tachai...One of the smaller islands of the Similans archipelago
Ko Bon
Whale shark in the blue
  • Day 4: we are going further south to the Similan islands with the famous dives sites Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep six, west of Eden, Rocky Point and Anita's reef. Good chances there to spot whale shark, turtles, Manta, reef sharks, Napoleons... 
  • Then dive Koh Tachai Pinnacle where we usually have a very fishy dive: barracudas, trevalis, sweetlips, batfish a very nice dive spot. Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock are the best places to see whale sharks so keep your eyes opened!
  • On Koh Tachai you will have the choice between a sunset dive or Black Water dive (+500thb option)
  • And then enjoy a fantastic Barbecue :)

  • Day 5: ​Richelieu Rock, is always listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world! And you will quickly understand why! Not only is it a great place to see Whale Sharks, but it can also be described as a big aquarium with more or less everything … ​
  • ​From seahorses to jack fish and plenty of kinky cuttlefish action.
    ​We will make 2 dives, and we will go back to Ranong around 7pm.

​The last dive for this cruise ends no later than 1 p.m.
Best of Thailand 5 days: Surin & Similan Islands (Koh Tachai, Koh Bon) and Richelieu Rock
5 days/4 nights, 14 Dives
​From Khao Lak at 4pm
to Ranong at 7pm


Price for divers 2023-2024:
THB 31,000​ in Standard Cabin
THB 36,000 in Deluxe Cabin
THB 38,500 in Master Cabin
​
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 14 Dives
•  Towels, reef-friendly amenities
•  Sea kayak and hammock 
NOT INCLUDED
. Marine Park Fee * 2,200 THB / diver *subject to government's change​
. COMPULSORY IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN:
- PERSONAL INSURANCE 
(General Travel insurance is highly recommended)
-  Computer rental 300 THB/day
​​- Equipment rental 600 THB/ day​
. OPTIONS:
- 15L Tank 250 THB / day or 1,000 THB for the whole cruise
-  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 2,900 THB for the whole cruise
-  Private guide 3,000 THB/day ​​
-  Optional Blackwater dive 500 THB/ dive
. COURSES:
-  PADI Courses
-  Photographer private coaching

​. Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices)
​. Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes 
. Gratuity/ tips (1000 THB / day /pers is common practice)
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. ​
Are you tempted by a Burma cruise? ​it's this way!
*Burma diving cruise for 6 days 5 nights : Explore the Mergui islands
*Burma diving cruise of 7 days and 6 nights : up to Black Rock
*8 days diving around the undiscovered Mergui Archipelago
*9 days Burma exploration cruise: one step further
*​2024 Manta Rays Expedition in MYANMAR
From Ranong on the 20th of April to Ranong on the 28th of April 2024

One of the latest reviews from TripAdvisor...

The Smiling Seahorse Andaman Dive cruises
Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Please don't go there : there might be no room for my next trip !" by , written on March 28, 2023
A wonderful cocktail that brings together the best ingredients for an exceptional diving holiday : STAFF of both crew and diving teams (which are actually one team) is great, always extremely helpful in making sure you get the most of your trip. They do ensure your safety (no compromise) and pleasure with fun and with the right level of discretion. The BOAT is great, recent and very well thought to ensure a great LOGISTICS : rotations' management is extremely efficient, you are never in a rush and never waiting, planning is extremely smart and makes each day a succession of calm and active sessions to the rhythm of the dive. FOOD is outstanding and offers a constant mix of both Thai and international meals (we never had the same dish twice). Not but not least DIVES are wonderful with a great selection of fantastic spots and unique experiences (don't miss the BLACK WATER dive experience which is simply outstanding).. Our diving guide JULIAN WIDMER - special shout-out - is a highly skilled diving professional (he ensured our Nitrox training) and a great expert of species who loves sharing his passion, and so easy going !. Great atmosphere, super experience. NB : If you are not trained in Nitrox, taking the training is a must
★★★★★ by Emmannuel February 28, 2023
reviewed at Tripadvisor