Six days and five unforgettable nights aboard the MV Smiling Sea Hors
The Andaman Sea is home to some of the most stunning underwater landscapes, and our journey into its heart took us to the renowned Similan and Surin National Parks. With their vibrant marine ecosystems and world-class dive sites, these destinations are a true diver's paradise.
Our guests this week was an energetic mix of adventurers from Germany, France, the UK, Australia, and Luxembourg. United by a shared passion for the ocean, we ventured into two Marine National Parks in the North Andaman, renowned for their vibrant marine life and spectacular underwater landscapes.
The Similan Islands, whose name fittingly means "nine" in Malay, form a cluster of breathtaking isles. Just to the north, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai serve as gateways to Surin National Park, adding even more wonder to the experience. Departing from Khao Lak, this voyage promised a tapestry of unforgettable sights above and below the surface.
Our guests this week was an energetic mix of adventurers from Germany, France, the UK, Australia, and Luxembourg. United by a shared passion for the ocean, we ventured into two Marine National Parks in the North Andaman, renowned for their vibrant marine life and spectacular underwater landscapes.
The Similan Islands, whose name fittingly means "nine" in Malay, form a cluster of breathtaking isles. Just to the north, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai serve as gateways to Surin National Park, adding even more wonder to the experience. Departing from Khao Lak, this voyage promised a tapestry of unforgettable sights above and below the surface.
 |  |  |
Day 1 : Similan National park - Honeymoon bay, West Of Eden, Elephant head and Turtle Rock
We started our adventure with a check dive at Honeymoon Bay (Island Number 4). The coral garden and pristine sandy bottom were teeming with marine life: moray eels, lionfish, peacock groupers, and an octopus made appearances, while Camille spotted a stunning comet longfins. Divers also encountered sealface pufferfish, gobies, butterflyfish, and the graceful humpback unicornfish.
Our second dive took us to West of Eden (Island Number 7), where we marvelled at a vibrant coral garden bustling with life. Juvenile rockmover wrasse danced in the sand, and blue-spotted pufferfish peeked out from coral crevices. Angelfish, snappers, fusiliers, surgeonfish, and tilefish were abundant, making this dive truly delightful.
For our third dive, we explored the iconic Elephant Head Rock, renowned for its massive boulders and swim-throughs. Highlights included a giant trevally, a blue-and-yellow ribbon eel, and colorful nudibranchs adorning the rocks. Divers also spotted parrotfish, triggerfish, and a playful school of bluefin trevally hunting glassfish.
The day concluded with a mesmerizing night dive at Turtle Rock, near Donald Duck Bay. Shrimps and crabs were out in abundance: banded boxer shrimp, marble shrimp, and Durban dancing shrimp stole the show. A giant moray eel stalking a snapper added an element of drama, while a tiger cowrie and an ornate spiny lobster rounded off our enchanting night.
Our second dive took us to West of Eden (Island Number 7), where we marvelled at a vibrant coral garden bustling with life. Juvenile rockmover wrasse danced in the sand, and blue-spotted pufferfish peeked out from coral crevices. Angelfish, snappers, fusiliers, surgeonfish, and tilefish were abundant, making this dive truly delightful.
For our third dive, we explored the iconic Elephant Head Rock, renowned for its massive boulders and swim-throughs. Highlights included a giant trevally, a blue-and-yellow ribbon eel, and colorful nudibranchs adorning the rocks. Divers also spotted parrotfish, triggerfish, and a playful school of bluefin trevally hunting glassfish.
The day concluded with a mesmerizing night dive at Turtle Rock, near Donald Duck Bay. Shrimps and crabs were out in abundance: banded boxer shrimp, marble shrimp, and Durban dancing shrimp stole the show. A giant moray eel stalking a snapper added an element of drama, while a tiger cowrie and an ornate spiny lobster rounded off our enchanting night.
 comet longfins - Calloplesiops altivelis  Day octopus |  sealface pufferfish  Tiger egg cowrie |
Day 2 : Similan islands
We began the morning at Xmas Point, where one group was delighted to discover a pair of baby harlequin shrimps munching on a sea star while another group came across a white-tip shark swimming closeby and a curious octopus. Parrotfish and titan triggerfish also came for a quick glance as we explored this dynamic dive site.
Our second dive took us to Three Trees, where we encountered a playful hawksbill turtle and observed garden eels swaying gently in the sand. The highlights of this dive included potato groupers and Moorish idols, as well as blue-spotted rays gliding elegantly through the water.
Next, we made our way to Koh Bon Bay, where we were greeted by a school of platax (batfish). The spectacle was enhanced by the presence of lionfish, lobsters, and peacock mantis shrimps, along with yellow fusiliers and bluefin trevally darting through the reef.
We concluded the day with a dive at Koh Bon, which featured Andaman sweetlips, tapestry shrimp, and squat shrimps. An octopus made a memorable appearance, and we were particularly thrilled to spot the vibrant halgerda tessellata nudibranch, which was truly a special treat.
Our second dive took us to Three Trees, where we encountered a playful hawksbill turtle and observed garden eels swaying gently in the sand. The highlights of this dive included potato groupers and Moorish idols, as well as blue-spotted rays gliding elegantly through the water.
Next, we made our way to Koh Bon Bay, where we were greeted by a school of platax (batfish). The spectacle was enhanced by the presence of lionfish, lobsters, and peacock mantis shrimps, along with yellow fusiliers and bluefin trevally darting through the reef.
We concluded the day with a dive at Koh Bon, which featured Andaman sweetlips, tapestry shrimp, and squat shrimps. An octopus made a memorable appearance, and we were particularly thrilled to spot the vibrant halgerda tessellata nudibranch, which was truly a special treat.
 Halgerda Tesselata  parrot fish |  pair of young harlequin shrimp munching on a seastar  Hawkbill turtle |
Day 3: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai
Some divers began their day at Koh Bon West Ridge, where Maldivian sponge snails, schools of fusiliers, triggerfish, batfish, and anemonefish were abundant. While others explored the deeper Koh Bon Pinnacle, which was equally rich in marine life.
For the second dive, we ventured to Koh Bon North Ridge and North Reef, enjoying remarkable visibility and sunlight streaming through the water. Divers spotted banded sea snakes, barracudas, lionfish, and baby fimbriated moray eels. Shrimp, including Durban dancers and boxing shrimp, added charm to the reef.
Dive three took us to Koh Tachai Pinnacle, where the light and visibility were breathtaking. Schools of fusiliers and snappers swarmed around the reef, while giant potato groupers and pufferfish lingered on the plateau. A school of batfish hovered near the walls, accompanied by octopuses and stunning sea fans.
The sunset dive at Koh Tachai Pinnacle featured no current and an abundance of marine life. Mackerel, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and schools of fusiliers swirled around the site. Potato groupers and a small yellow boxfish provided a perfect ending to the day.
For the second dive, we ventured to Koh Bon North Ridge and North Reef, enjoying remarkable visibility and sunlight streaming through the water. Divers spotted banded sea snakes, barracudas, lionfish, and baby fimbriated moray eels. Shrimp, including Durban dancers and boxing shrimp, added charm to the reef.
Dive three took us to Koh Tachai Pinnacle, where the light and visibility were breathtaking. Schools of fusiliers and snappers swarmed around the reef, while giant potato groupers and pufferfish lingered on the plateau. A school of batfish hovered near the walls, accompanied by octopuses and stunning sea fans.
The sunset dive at Koh Tachai Pinnacle featured no current and an abundance of marine life. Mackerel, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and schools of fusiliers swirled around the site. Potato groupers and a small yellow boxfish provided a perfect ending to the day.
 titan triggerfish  |  clownfish in their anemone  banded sea krait |
Day 4 : Surin National Park
red snappers The wind picked up as we made our way toward Surin National Park, prompting us to adjust our plans for safety. We began our adventure at Yellow Rock, located on the southern tip of South Surin Island. Although the visibility and current posed some challenges, our most determined divers were rewarded with sightings of a school of yellowtail barracuda, a massive school of yellow fusiliers, and a solitary humphead parrotfish.
Our second dive at Bungalow Rock, situated northwest of South Surin Island, offered calmer conditions and clearer waters. The underwater landscape was vibrant, featuring boulders teeming with life, including barracudas, sweetlips, shy potato groupers, and a giant moray eel that made this dive truly memorable.
The final two dives of the day took us to the legendary Richelieu Rock. Although the visibility wasn’t perfect, the site delivered its usual enchantment. Schools of yellowtail barracuda, pickhandle barracuda, trevally, rainbow runners, fusiliers, and snappers painted a mesmerizing underwater scene. The sight of cuttlefish laying eggs added to the excitement, while as the sun began to set, the waters came alive with activity as predators started their hunt.
After the sunset dive, we celebrated with a barbecue in the bay of the Surin Islands—a well-deserved feast for our hardworking divers.
Our second dive at Bungalow Rock, situated northwest of South Surin Island, offered calmer conditions and clearer waters. The underwater landscape was vibrant, featuring boulders teeming with life, including barracudas, sweetlips, shy potato groupers, and a giant moray eel that made this dive truly memorable.
The final two dives of the day took us to the legendary Richelieu Rock. Although the visibility wasn’t perfect, the site delivered its usual enchantment. Schools of yellowtail barracuda, pickhandle barracuda, trevally, rainbow runners, fusiliers, and snappers painted a mesmerizing underwater scene. The sight of cuttlefish laying eggs added to the excitement, while as the sun began to set, the waters came alive with activity as predators started their hunt.
After the sunset dive, we celebrated with a barbecue in the bay of the Surin Islands—a well-deserved feast for our hardworking divers.
 school of Barracudas |  big eye trevallis |
Day 5: Richelieu Rock and return to Koh Phayam and Ranong
The trip concluded with two final dives at Richelieu Rock, which once again showcased its incredible biodiversity. Schools of barracuda mingled with fusiliers and snappers, while longnose emperors prowled near the rock. Boxfish, trumpetfish, and blue-spotted boxfish were just a few of the vibrant reef inhabitants we encountered. Porcelain crabs, peacock mantis shrimps, and Durban dancing shrimps delighted macro enthusiasts.
With smiles on our faces and memories of breathtaking dives, we headed back toward Ranong, making a brief stop at Koh Payam to drop off some guests. This journey was truly unforgettable.
With smiles on our faces and memories of breathtaking dives, we headed back toward Ranong, making a brief stop at Koh Payam to drop off some guests. This journey was truly unforgettable.
 Durban Dancing Shrimp  |  Mantis Shrimp  |
Thank you to all our guests for making this adventure unforgettable! Until next time, happy diving!
RSS Feed
