Best of North Andaman Aboard MV Smiling Seahorse (18–24 February 2025)
Departing from Phuket, our international group of divers from the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, France, Sweden, Canada, and Austria embarked on an exciting journey through the northern Andaman Sea. Our itinerary took us through the spectacular dive sites of Similan National Park and Surin National Park, with the highlight dives at Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
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Day 1: Similan National Park
Check dive at Shark Fin Reef (Similan#3): Our adventure began with a relaxed check dive, where we encountered giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, large families of Clownfish and a striking yellow adult boxfish. Hidden among the sand were blind partner gobies and their shrimp companions, while a curious hawksbill turtle made a brief appearance.
Dive 2 at West of Eden (Similan#7): This site delighted us with a mix of macro and pelagic encounters. We spotted Moyer’s dragonet, a juvenile white-blotch razor wrasse, and an adult rockmover wrasse darting between the corals. Devil scorpionfish lay camouflaged near giant clams, while McCosker’s dwarf wrasse shimmered in the shallows. Schools of blue-lined fusiliers and bluefin trevally kept the dive lively.
Dive 3 at Elephant Head Rock: Dramatic swim-throughs and rocky outcrops set the stage for sightings of porcelain crabs, ribbon eels, and a juvenile white-spotted boxfish. Giant trevally and bluefin trevally patrolled the deeper waters, while a stunning blue dragon nudibranch was spotted gliding over a sponge-covered boulder.
Dive 4 - Night Dive at Turtle Rock: Our first night dive introduced us to an active nocturnal scene. Moray eels emerged to hunt, bigfin reef squid hovered in the dark, and black-spotted egg cowries nestled among the soft corals. Crabs and shrimps scuttled about, while a sleepy sealface pufferfish rested near a coral head.
Dive 2 at West of Eden (Similan#7): This site delighted us with a mix of macro and pelagic encounters. We spotted Moyer’s dragonet, a juvenile white-blotch razor wrasse, and an adult rockmover wrasse darting between the corals. Devil scorpionfish lay camouflaged near giant clams, while McCosker’s dwarf wrasse shimmered in the shallows. Schools of blue-lined fusiliers and bluefin trevally kept the dive lively.
Dive 3 at Elephant Head Rock: Dramatic swim-throughs and rocky outcrops set the stage for sightings of porcelain crabs, ribbon eels, and a juvenile white-spotted boxfish. Giant trevally and bluefin trevally patrolled the deeper waters, while a stunning blue dragon nudibranch was spotted gliding over a sponge-covered boulder.
Dive 4 - Night Dive at Turtle Rock: Our first night dive introduced us to an active nocturnal scene. Moray eels emerged to hunt, bigfin reef squid hovered in the dark, and black-spotted egg cowries nestled among the soft corals. Crabs and shrimps scuttled about, while a sleepy sealface pufferfish rested near a coral head.
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Day 2: Similan National Park to Koh Bon
Dive 1 at Christmas Point (#9): A stunning start to the day, with sightings of a juvenile emperor angelfish, Napoleon wrasse, and a black-blotched porcupinefish. A vibrant mix of clown triggerfish, humpback unicornfish, and spotted boxfish kept us entertained.
Dive 2 at Three Trees (#9): Green and hawksbill turtles glided past us, while a massive school of bluestripe and twospot snapper swirled over the reef. A Napoleon wrasse made a brief appearance, and a blue-spotted stingray rested on the sandy bottom.
Dive 3 at Koh Bon Ridge: We encountered an array of groupers, including camouflage groupers and blue-lined groupers, alongside curious porcupinefish and a school of needlefish.
Dive 4 at Koh Bon Bay (Optional Blackwater Dive): One group explored the bay, where baby blacktip sharks, barracudas, and octopuses were spotted. The blackwater dive team encountered mesmerizing larval creatures, including sea elephants, mantis shrimp, anemone larvae, and tiny squid drifting in the darkness.
Dive 2 at Three Trees (#9): Green and hawksbill turtles glided past us, while a massive school of bluestripe and twospot snapper swirled over the reef. A Napoleon wrasse made a brief appearance, and a blue-spotted stingray rested on the sandy bottom.
Dive 3 at Koh Bon Ridge: We encountered an array of groupers, including camouflage groupers and blue-lined groupers, alongside curious porcupinefish and a school of needlefish.
Dive 4 at Koh Bon Bay (Optional Blackwater Dive): One group explored the bay, where baby blacktip sharks, barracudas, and octopuses were spotted. The blackwater dive team encountered mesmerizing larval creatures, including sea elephants, mantis shrimp, anemone larvae, and tiny squid drifting in the darkness.
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Day 3: Koh Bon to Koh Tachai
Dive 1 at Koh Bon Pinnacle: This deep pinnacle delivered thrilling encounters with longfin and dusky batfish, a school of barracuda, and a massive marble grouper.
Dive 2 at North Ridge and West Ridge: Giant trevallies and tuna passed by in strong currents. A Maldivian sponge snail was spotted on a rocky ledge, while an octopus put on a stunning display, changing colors as it moved between coral heads.
Dives 3 and 4 at Koh Tachai Pinnacle: This was one of the most breathtaking dive spots of the trip! The site was teeming with life—giant trevally, bluefin trevally, and dogtooth tuna hunted in coordinated bursts. A “spiny lobster city” revealed dozens of lobsters tucked into the rocky crevices, and a group of circular batfish hovered gracefully above the reef.
Dive 2 at North Ridge and West Ridge: Giant trevallies and tuna passed by in strong currents. A Maldivian sponge snail was spotted on a rocky ledge, while an octopus put on a stunning display, changing colors as it moved between coral heads.
Dives 3 and 4 at Koh Tachai Pinnacle: This was one of the most breathtaking dive spots of the trip! The site was teeming with life—giant trevally, bluefin trevally, and dogtooth tuna hunted in coordinated bursts. A “spiny lobster city” revealed dozens of lobsters tucked into the rocky crevices, and a group of circular batfish hovered gracefully above the reef.
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Day 4: Surin National Park
Dive 1 at Yellow Rock (Rainbow Rock): An explosion of color awaited us, with gold-spotted and painted sweetlips, African pompano, and schools of barracuda. Napoleon wrasse and a broadclub cuttlefish added to the excitement.
Dive 2 at Torinla Pinnacle: The legendary Picachu nudibranch made an appearance, alongside big marble groupers, giant moray eels, and triggerfish darting across the coral slopes.
Dive 3 at Ao Pakkard: We drifted among a school of baby blacktail barracudas, garden eels, and blue-spotted stingrays. A Chromodoris nudibranch clung to a sponge, adding a splash of color.
Dive 4 - Night Dive at Ao Pakkard: Our last night dive featured red coral crabs, tiger cowries, and banded boxer shrimp hiding among the anemones. Giant moray eels were actively hunting in the moonlit waters.
Dive 2 at Torinla Pinnacle: The legendary Picachu nudibranch made an appearance, alongside big marble groupers, giant moray eels, and triggerfish darting across the coral slopes.
Dive 3 at Ao Pakkard: We drifted among a school of baby blacktail barracudas, garden eels, and blue-spotted stingrays. A Chromodoris nudibranch clung to a sponge, adding a splash of color.
Dive 4 - Night Dive at Ao Pakkard: Our last night dive featured red coral crabs, tiger cowries, and banded boxer shrimp hiding among the anemones. Giant moray eels were actively hunting in the moonlit waters.
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Day 5: Cathedral-Like Pinnacle Dive
A truly magical site, with towering rock formations creating an awe-inspiring underwater landscape. Highlights included schools of blacktail and pickhandle barracudas, schools of cobias, and hunting big-eye trevallies. We spotted a potato grouper, a ghost pipefish, and a flabellina exoptata nudibranch. Juvenile oriental sweetlips and angelfish danced along the reef, while a tiger cardinalfish was seen guarding its eggs.
A truly magical site, with towering rock formations creating an awe-inspiring underwater landscape. Highlights included schools of blacktail and pickhandle barracudas, schools of cobias, and hunting big-eye trevallies. We spotted a potato grouper, a ghost pipefish, and a flabellina exoptata nudibranch. Juvenile oriental sweetlips and angelfish danced along the reef, while a tiger cardinalfish was seen guarding its eggs.
Day 6: Richelieu Rock – A Spectacular Finale
Our final dives at Richelieu Rock were the perfect ending to an already fantastic trip. The ornate ghost pipefish were back, adding an element of mystery to the site. A massive gang of giant trevally, golden trevally, longnose emperor, and rainbow runners formed a hunting frenzy over the reef. Schools of bigeye trevally created mesmerizing tornado-like formations, while tomato anemonefish hovered protectively over their eggs. A giant marble grouper lingered near a crevice, and a stunning blue dragon nudibranch was spotted among the soft corals.
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Final Thoughts
From the vibrant reefs of Similan National Park to the thrilling currents of Koh Tachai and the marine wonderland of Richelieu Rock, this trip truly showcased the best of North Andaman diving. With breathtaking encounters, stunning marine biodiversity, and an enthusiastic group of divers, this adventure aboard the MV Smiling Seahorse was nothing short of unforgettable.
From the vibrant reefs of Similan National Park to the thrilling currents of Koh Tachai and the marine wonderland of Richelieu Rock, this trip truly showcased the best of North Andaman diving. With breathtaking encounters, stunning marine biodiversity, and an enthusiastic group of divers, this adventure aboard the MV Smiling Seahorse was nothing short of unforgettable.
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