Diving in Thailand's North Andaman sites for 5 days and 4 nights
Similan, Koh Bon, Tachai and Richelieu Rock
Itinerary of our dive cruise: - Day 1: Appointment at Khao Lak from 2pm to 4pm. We will leave from Khao Lak around 5pm. - Day 2: Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock - Day 3: Similan National Park, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai - Day 4: South Similan, sites like Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep six, west of Eden, Rocky Point and Anita's reef. - Day 5: Similan National Park, West of Eden, Shark Fin Reef. We will make 2 dives, and we will be back to Khao Lak around 4pm. The last dive for this cruise ends no later than 1 p.m. |
What will you see on the dive sites we will visit...- Richelieu Rock, is always listed in the top 10 dive sites of the world! And you will quickly understand why! 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. Richelieu Rock are the best places to see whale sharks so keep your eyes opened! But Richelieu Rock is also paradise for underwater photographers focusing on macro life; look well in the soft coral and sea fans for a spectacular array of small critters like seahorse, Pipefish, Ghost Pipefish, Harlequin Shrimp, Frog fish and Nudibranch of all shapes and colours. - At Koh Tachai Pinnacle where we usually have a very fishy dive: barracudas, trevalis, sweetlips, batfish a very nice dive spot. Koh Tachai... Good chances there to spot whale shark, turtles, Manta, reef sharks, Napoleons...
- Koh Bon & 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. After playing with Manta’s we will go south to another dive site in Similan National Park. You will love the view from the boat on some idyllic islands with lush green forest surrounded by white sand beaches. Here we dive for the usually great viz and 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. - In the South Similan Islands we may visit sites like Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep six, West of Eden, Rocky Point, Shark Fin Reef and Anita's reef
Good chances there to spot whale shark, turtles, mantas, reef sharks, Napoleons... A delicious and hearty barbecue will of course be on the program around the Surin Islands, as well as an optional Blackwater dive (500THB/diver) around the Similan Islands.
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Best of Thailand: Surin & Similan Islands (Koh Tachai, Koh Bon) and Richelieu Rock
5 days/4 nights, 14 Dives
From Khao Lak Tap Lamu 5pm to Khao Lak Tap Lamu 3-4pm Price per Diver 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.
Black water dives are unguided and only suitable to experienced divers.
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*Burma diving cruise for 6 days 5 nights : Explore the Mergui islands
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Latest reviews on TripAdvisor...
The Smiling Seahorse Andaman dive cruises.!
★★★★★
by GA C
March 07, 2023
Review:
5, based on
176 reviews
"Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by
GA C, written on
March 07, 2023
They completely delivered and I loved every minute of the experience, I'm a recreational diver with ~50 dives over 20 years, PADI AOW + NOx; and this was my first live aboard (LAB) experience; a bucket list item for me. I wish I had done this sooner. My experience with Similing Seahorse excellent.
BOOKING
Their website provides a lot of good fundamental detail that very representative of the reality. I picked a date and tour that worked for me and sent my inquiry. One of the owner's, Camille, responded and answered many of my questions. She also helped me book things around the tour itself, including a Phuket activity, transportation from my hotel in Patong, Phuket to the pier, and after to Ranong, one of their suggested hotels (Sook), and a private car I used the day after the end of tour. She or one of her staff is usually responsive within a day (keep in mid time zone differences), with a few reasonable delays due to things like monsoon season floods, being on the one of the tours, or whatever.
I had one logistics issue where I had been told that my ride from Patong would pick up at 3pm, and the driver came at 2pm and wondered where I was, thinking I was a no show. SS contacted me and I pointed out the 3pm time I was told and asked if the driver could wait as I was 20 minutes away and could not leave immedately. They rectified the situation by arranging with the driver to wait until 3. I really appreciated the live responsiveness. All the other arrangements worked out without any issues.
THE CABINS
As so many people have mentioned, the boat is really nicely arranged. I had a Main Deck Deluxe cabin (with bathroom). The rooms are expectedly efficient in size with a double bed that can be converted into a bunk. The matress is asian stiff with a light comforter. I ended up just using the sheets because Thailand is warm. There are two large shelves for each person in the room, air conditioner, and a window. There's a latch on the door only to keep it from swinging. Our group quickly reached a point where we'd just leave our doors wide open for circulation.
The bathroom has a full western flush toilet that cannot accept non-organics so toilet paper must be thrown in the garbage. But since you're wet over half the time, I ended up exclusively using the bidet sprayer to get clean. The shower head is adjustable and on a hose with an instant hot water unit, with the entire bathroom doubling as the shower room (asian style). I loved how after each dive I could pull off my gear and head straight to my cabin's bathroom to release.
In the end, other than sleeping at night or using the bathroom, I was rarely in my cabin, choosing instead to take advantage of the many common areas of the boat the hang out or relax. Some of my fellow passengers and crew would spend their downtime in the cabin for privacy, but I personally found it to be more valuable to either go to the sundeck or the upper deck tables or lounge area.
THE BOAT
There is a bottom deck in the hull which most of the boat crew stay in, and if not working, they seemed to disappear into this area. This had the effect of them seemingly fading away when not activity working. Ths made the boat feel less crowded, but I felt bad that they kept having to disappear like that.
The Upper Deck has the eating area where food is served and water and beverages are always available, and snacks were "endless" (both fresh fruit and less healthy snacks). 4 tables of capacity 6 were very comfortable areas for eating meals, socializing, or working on your dive logs. At the back of the deck was a mattressed lounge area where it was easy to hang out or take a nap. The whole deck is open air allowing a breeze to flow while still being protected from the sun. The "cockpit" room is also on this deck, and at any time guests could pop in and see the navigation in action.
The Main Deck has the kitchen, a "camera/equipment" dry room where you can charge electronic devices and batteries and do camera stuff, and a fresh water dunk tank for camera/computers/lights to soak in. I recommend bringing a surge protector as at one point the boat's electricity briefly went out. After that my USB brick was dead; ah life on a boat. The rear is where all the scuba gear resides with everyone having an assigned station. Cubbies are available for holding onto random items between dives. Hangers are there for hanging wetsuits between dives. This is also where the nice-wide launch deck is. Two fresh water showers are on this launch deck, and there are two fin-friendly ladders, plus a large lattice for a place to remove your fins and/or wait your turn before going up the ladder, yet out of the way from divers falling backwards from the ladder.
The sundeck at the top has wicker lounge "chairs" and a canvas roof to protect the people from sun. The other half is an open deck with bench seating. Hidden in the bench are padded mats for lying in comfort. This deck was the most cool and breezy because of it's fully open design. It was my quiet serenity place to go to during breaks. Others also used it for naps and yoga.
The boat is small enough to never feel lost, yet big enough I never felt confined on the boat; there was always some place I could go to suit my mood. I was surprised at how quickly and easily either crew or guests could melt away and disappear. Launched about 4 years ago, the boat feels fresh still and I loved it. The cushions and lounge mattress and pillows did not smell everything felt reasonably clean. Considering how everyone tends to walk around in beach attire and can't help but be sweaty, I was a little concerned.
THE FOOD
The cook is Thai so he would create meals that were Thai, or Thai-inspired using available ingredients, or Western style. While not Michelin star, it tastes like Uncle was cooking you good everyday food. It exceeded my expectations as I was unsure what to expect, and was just hoping it would be better than just sustinance.
They fed you breakfast, lunch, hearty snack, and dinner and honestly it was easy to over eat. Endless stacks were available, and alcoholic beverages were available for purchase with a policy that if you drink you are done diving for the day.
THE DIVE DAY
The day would generally start at 630am with a "wakey wakey dive briefing!" and by 7 people were up and guides were briefing on the dive site. Jump in the water about 7, come back for breakfast. Jump in the water about 1030am, come back for lunch. Jump in the water about 2, come back for snacks. Jump in the water for a subset dive or a black water dive, come back for dinner. Each dive had about 2-230 hours so plenty of time for off gassing, eating, filling out dive logs, relaxing, and napping.
With 4 dive guides, we were all split into 4 dive groups. These groups would brief/gearup/launch in a pipeline so at no point were their too many people getting in the way with each other. It worked out well and seemlessly, yet at a relaxed pace. The crew was helpful if you wanted it, and the dinghy drivers were always there to pick you up when you surfaced.
Our guides James, Julian, Jun, and Mint were excellent, attentive, friendly, and seemed to enjoy their job. They clearly tried to accommodate the interests of the divers. The hardest part was deciding to stay with a particular guide/group, and try a different one. Each guide has their own styles, focus, and pace. But all were great.
Some people did certifications for Advanced Open Water or Nitrox, which seemed to go well. I had done these prior to the trip in anticipation and I'm glad I did, as it allowed me to chill during the down time.
BLACKWATER DIVE
I had never done a blackwater dive before and was apprehensive about bounyancy with no references, but it turns this was a lot easier than I had thought. The floating bouy with lights is the beacon of reference and it's clear to see how deep you are relative to the 10m/15m/20m light markers, and how far away. We were all blown away by the difference and density of sea life you see at night. If you get the opportunity, do it. Seahorse staff executed it flawlessly and really made the experience that much better.
GEAR and SAFETY
All the important gear is available so that divers who don't own a lot of equipment are well taken care of. I brought my own mask/fins/snorkle/wetsuit/computer, and rented the rest of the gear. The BCD was in good shape and performed well; although not "new". On their website it loos like they sell equipment as it begins to age, insuring their standard of rental equipment.
They utilized good safety protocols, including requiring everyone have a computer or rent one (which they have). The dive guides carried a spare computer so that if yours failed (and you stayed at or above their depth) they could hand the spare to you and you continue to dive. Otherwise, a failed computer meant you were not diving for the rest of the day. They required delayed SMB's (and provided you with one if you didn't have one) and made everyone practice deploying it on the check dive. They were attentive to track everyone in their group and at no point were we at risk of losing someone. At the same time, they evaluated everyone's dive experience so if part of the group needed to go up, the rest could split off and stay together longer. With the deployed SMB's the dinghy drivers seemed to always be ready to get us (unless they were dealing with a different group).
The next time I can do a LAB in Thailand I'll join Smiling Seahorse again for one of their other itineraries.