Diving in Thailand for 4D/3N morning to morning

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

We designed this itinerary as the ultimate long weekend diving gateway in Thailand! 
Either from Thursday morning to Sunday morning (with possible flight back to ranong on sunday evening)
or from Friday morning to Monday morning (and you can work remotely on monday before heading back)
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Join us for some amazing dives in Surin and Similan national parks!
  • 2 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)
  • 4 dives at RICHELIEU ROCK (thailand's best dive sites and one of the world's best!)
Departure day: meeting time in our Dive Shop before 10 am.
​We will leave from Ranong around 10 am.
​You can take the early Nok Air flight at 6 am from Bangkok landing in Ranong at 7h35am. We can then pick you up from Ranong airport and bring you straight onboard for departure. We will cruise nicely and have breakfast and lunch onboard before the first dive in Surin islands national park in the afternoon followed by a night dive at 7pm before dinner.

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)
or by night buses for around 700thb (21h-7am) and we pick you up from the bus station.
  • 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.
There is an opportunity to see Jenkins Stingray, Napoleon fish, a lot of sweetlips, Barracudas, Humphead Parrotfish, Manta Ray, Eagle Ray, Reef Sharks etc...
After dinner onboard, we will leave to Koh Bon.
Picture
Zebra shark
Hawkbill turtle over reef
Hawkbill turtle over reef
  • Day 2: 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 so keep your eyelids peeled!
  • After the night dive, it's time for our infamous BBQ...
  • Day 3: 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 4 dives here starting very early before we are heading back to Ranong.
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Day 4: Desaturation day on the beach or in Ranong.
We can drop you off at Koh Phayam early morning for a day unwinding on a stunning beach or bring you back straight to Ranong. 
We can drop you off at Koh Phayam early in the morning for a relaxing day on a beautiful beach or take you straight back to Ranong.
If you decide to stay on Koh Phayam, there are plenty of speedboats that can get you back to Ranong in 45 minutes to be on time for an evening flight back to Ranong. And for the lucky ones who can spend an extra day, you can also spend the night in one of its charming beach bungalows.
If you prefer to come back to Ranong, you can go discover the hot springs or taste its delicious southern cuisine or its great massages!​
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Ko Bon
Whale shark in the blue
Flights back to Bangkok 3 choices:
NokAir:  17:30- 19:00 or 08:05 -09:30
AirAsia: 13h40- 14h55
​(don't forget your 18-24h no flight time after the last dive...)

Buses: you can also go back to Bangkok by bus in one of the VIP buses with fully reclining seats for about 700thb arriving in Bangkok around 5am.
Best of Thailand 4 days: Surin,Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock
4 days/3 nights, 10 Dives
Price Diver 2022-2023:
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, filter coffee & tea
•  Fresh fruits, yoghurt & snacks 
•  12 Liter Alum. Cylinders, Weights & Weight Belt 
•  PADI Professional Dive Guide 
•  up to 10 Dives including 2 Night dives
•  Towel, shower gel
•  Sea kayak and hammock 
                            NOT INCLUDED:

•  Marine Park Fee*         2000-THB / diver
        *subject to change without prior notice
•  PERSONAL INSURANCE COMPULSORY 
•  Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes 
•  Equipment rental (600 THB/ day) 
•  Computer rental (300 THB/day) 
•  PADI Courses
•  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or ฿2,000 for the whole cruise
•  Transfers to and from Ranong 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.
If you prefer to leave in the evening and come back in the evening it is also an alternative itinerary for full charters or some departures (ask away).
​Or we could do a departure in the evening and come back in the morning for a little supplement.

Latest reviews on TripAdvisor...

Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!
Review: 5, based on 139 reviews "Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!" by , 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!
★★★★★ by Oria R April 19, 2021
reviewed at Tripadvisor