Diving in Thailand for 4 days and 3 nights Ranong - Khao Lak

Best of Thailand Dive Cruise: Surin, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock

EVENING TO EVENING

We designed this itinerary as the ultimate long weekend diving gateway in Thailand!
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Join us for some amazing dives in Surin and Similan national parks!
  • 4 dives at Surin island (some of the best macrolife in Thailand)
  • 2 dives at Koh Bon (manta cleaning stations)
  • 2 dives at Koh Tachai (schools of barracudas, trevalis and a great whale shark spot)
  • 2 dives at RICHELIEU ROCK (thailand's best dive sites and one of the world's best!)
  • Day 1: The appointment point is at our dive center for check in between 12pm and 2pm. 
  • (PS there is an early flight from Bangkok with NOKAIR reaching Ranong on time).
​We will leave from Ranong around 4pm. It’s also possible to get picked up at Koh Phayam around 6pm.
How to reach Ranong:
Daily flights from Don Muang Airport to Ranong
AirAsia: 11:45 -> 13:00
Nok Air : 14:40pm -----> 15:50pm (latest flight you can take on the day prior to departure)
​We can arrange an airport pick up (250thb).
​You can also come by night buses for around 700thb (21h-5am).
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  • ​Day 2: wake up on Surin Island! this national park is usually quiet as it is far for the boats coming from the south but it is a very good spot for macro life such as nudibranchs as well as rays!

  • We will do 4 dives in Surin National park on this day!
There is an opportunity to see Jenkins Stingray, Napoleon fish, a lot of sweetlips, Barracudas, plenty of big groupers, Humphead Parrotfish, Manta Ray, Eagle Ray, Reef Sharks, zebra sharks, etc...
It is also possible to visit the sea gypsies village from time to time.
After dinner onboard, we will leave for the Similan National Park
Picture
Zebra shark
Hawkbill turtle over reef
Hawkbill turtle over reef
  • 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. 
  • Then we will go dive Koh Tachai Pinnacle, a very fishy divesite with schooling barracudas, trevalis, sweetlips and batfishes. This is also a good spot to see whale sharks/ mantas so keep your eyelids peeled!
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  • 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 4: Richelieu Rock, is 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. We will make 2 dives here starting very early before we are heading back to Ranong. ​
  • We will be back in Khao Lak, Tap Lamu around 4pm.​
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Ko Bon
Whale shark in the blue
Best of Thailand 4 days: Surin,Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock
4 days/3 night, 10 Dives
​From Ranong 4pm
To Khao Lak, Tap Lamu 4pm

Price for divers 2023-2024:
THB 22,500 in Standard Cabin
THB 27,000 in Deluxe Cabin
THB 31,500 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 10 Dives
•  Towels, reef-friendly amenities
•  Sea kayak and hammock 
   NOT INCLUDED
. Marine Park Fee * 2,000 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 750 THB for the whole cruise
-  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 2,000 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

Latest reviews on TripAdvisor...

The Smiling Seahorse Andaman diving cruises
Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by , written on April 10, 2023
I have recently returned from a North / South Andaman Sea Manta Ray Expedition with The Smiling Seahorse and I cannot praise the operation highly enough. Everything from the layout of the boat and it’s facilities, the way the dive groups were organised and managed, the attentiveness and professionalism of the crew, the accommodation, the food, the sites we visited …. All top notch! I have been on many day boats and liveaboards in Thailand over the last 10+yrs and The Smiling Seahorse is the best by far. Particular thanks to our dive guide James who’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the sites was fantastic, he always managed to get us into the best spots for fishy action and often away from other divers which was superb… really appreciated. Also thanks to Jamie who’s daily presentations on the the majestic Manta Rays were truly fascinating and added another dimension to the trip…. Best of luck with the Manta Ray Trust of Thailand! If I have any feedback to give would be about the food, it’s plentiful and delicious but a little more variety might be appreciated, it’s a very small improvement that would take my 10/10 to an 11/10! So, thank you Franck and the whole team… you have a very slick, professional, fun and great team around you… so much so, I’ve just booked to join you again next year on the Myanmar Manta trip! See you soon!!!
★★★★★ by Andrew April 10, 2023
Reviewed at Tripadvisor