Diving in Thailand's North Andaman sites for 5 days and 4 nights
Similan Koh Bon, Tachai and Richelieu Rock
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Itinerary of our dive cruise:
Thailand still counts some of the best dive sites in the world and this trip offers just the best Thailand has to offer! Day 1: Appointment at Phuket Tian Sin Pier from 12pm to 2pm We will embark The Smiling Seahorse at 4pm on departure day in Phuket Tian Sin Pier and wake up on the dive site the next morning! Day 2: Similans Islands Day 3: Koh bon and Koh Tachai Day 4: Richelieu Rock Day 5: 2 dives at Koh bon and Boonsung Wreck and back in Tap Lamu by 4 pm, free transfer to Khao Lak (up to Big Buddha) |
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In Similan islands we may visit: 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. Your cruise director will choose from various dive sites in the Northern part of the Similan Islands. 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 colourful fish as well as some Moray eels, turtles and mantis shrimps living in the rocky areas. In the South Similan Islands sites like Elephant Head, Donald Duck Bay, Deep six, west of Eden, Rocky Point and Anita's reef Good chances there to spot whale shark, turtles, mantas, reef sharks, Napoleons... After the night dive, it's time for our infamous BBQ night...! 
Hawkbill turtle over reef
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A beautiful tiger tail seahorse
Richelieu Rock, is always 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.
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Moorish Idols on the reef
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Happy divers behind giant seafan
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Boonsung Wreck photographer unknown
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Boonsung Wreck, Franck Fogarolo
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Boonsung Wreck:
The Boonsung Wreck is a 60 meters tin mining vessel that sank in 1984 about 12 nautical miles from Tap Lamu pier. It now sits in 20m of water and is a magnet for an incredible amount of marine life.
Boonsung is on a flat sandy sea bed at a depth of around 20 meters.
Around this wreck, which locals describe as “fish soup,” you will encounter clouds of snappers, fusiliers, batfish, and trevally and if you look for the special things living within the wreck and in the surrounding sand... Crocodile fish, stonefish, scorpionfish, lionfish, ornate ghost pipefish and much more with the cutest inhabitants of this site, the Nudibranchia!
The Boonsung Wreck is a 60 meters tin mining vessel that sank in 1984 about 12 nautical miles from Tap Lamu pier. It now sits in 20m of water and is a magnet for an incredible amount of marine life.
Boonsung is on a flat sandy sea bed at a depth of around 20 meters.
Around this wreck, which locals describe as “fish soup,” you will encounter clouds of snappers, fusiliers, batfish, and trevally and if you look for the special things living within the wreck and in the surrounding sand... Crocodile fish, stonefish, scorpionfish, lionfish, ornate ghost pipefish and much more with the cutest inhabitants of this site, the Nudibranchia!
Best of Thailand: Similan Islands (Koh Tachai, Koh Bon), Richelieu Rock and Boonsung Wreck
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5 days/4 night, 14 Dives
From Phuket 4 pm to Khao Lak, Tap Lamu 4 pm Price per Diver 2023-2024: THB 31,000 in Standard Cabin THB 36,000 in Deluxe Cabin THB 38,500 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 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.
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
*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 Dive cruises
Review:
5, based on
176 reviews
"I hope heaven will have the Smiling Seahorse" by
Josh, written on
April 09, 2023
First off, I don’t usually write reviews because I’m a bit of a knit pick, but in the case of the Smiling Seahorse I feel if I didn’t leave a review it would be an injustice. The owner of the boat, Frank, was on board the whole time and his team looked after everyone from the moment we stepped on board to meals, from before every dive making sure each person had what they needed to return to the boat and having your fins taken off by the crew who also helped keep you stable making sure your tank was properly placed. The rooms had great air-conditioning and stayed at a nice cool temperature at night. The daily schedule was written out for everyone to see so we all knew exactly how the day would proceed and we knew when to be where.
The boat itself was also put together with care. The main deck was set up with tables and a nice place to stretch out in comfort with cushions and pillows that surrounded the back of the boat as you look out at numerous islands, sunrises, and sunsets. The upper deck had a huge awning where you could enjoy the cool breeze while driving to the next location while resting on the hammock, fold-out pads, or the furniture. There was also a nice sunbathing area for serious sun seekers. I loved it here during sunrises, mid-afternoon nap time, sunsets, and watching the stars at night. The lower deck is where all the scuba equipment was stored and we each have cubbies for our things. There was a nice couple of tables for anyone with cameras to dry off and do any adjustments.
The food on the boat was exceptional. There was a fabulous cook who had food waiting for you at all times of the day. Coffee was made before we woke up, breakfast was hot after the first dive, and the next meals were ready to be eaten immediately after we finished the remaining dives. Not only was the food hot and ready in a buffet style, which I loved because I could choose how much I ate, but the food itself was fantastic. We had Thai food, western food, barbecue, and steaks for the final meal. And there were mid-afternoon snacks that hit the spot like fried bananas with ice cream! YUM!
If I were to end here, you may think the cruise sounds pretty good and possibly be interested in giving the Smiling Seahorse a shot, but this is really only half the experience. The dives picked out each day by the crew are to give the divers the best options due to the current, moon, and other conditions. If there are a bunch of people loading up at one site, we may make a change to not be overcrowded. The diving was fantastic! I saw beautiful and vibrant hard and soft corals, rays, turtles, octopus, shrimp, nudibranchs, and countless fish big and small. If you look online at the Similan Islands, they speak for themselves.
The most important part of the experience for me was the crew and Frank the owner. The crew was always greeting people each morning with a smile and were extremely friendly. They were willing to answer any questions whether good or bad. My guide was James, a true professional and enthusiast. He knew the dives like the back of his hand and was always looking out for the divers safety. He also knew exactly where to wait for the big schools of fish!
And last but not least, was Frank. Frank is a tall, French, fish-loving guide, friend, and entertainer. He walks around like a Thai fisherman wearing local clothes and a winter hat to keep the wind out of his ears. He has fantastic communication skills to make the trip very detailed and loves to crack jokes to keep things fun. Frank jumps in the water each day along with the divers purely because he loves diving and taking AMAZING pictures. His setup looks like he taking rigging to video a professional sporting event with strobes, gimbals, and a serious housing kit for his camera. The pictures he has taken are top-notch. But there is still more. Frank sat and talked to me about remedial camera skills, settings, and techniques to take the best pictures even though his level of photography is light years beyond what I’m doing. He is genuine, kind, insightful, and informative. Now if I stopped here, I still would not be giving the whole scoop. You can tell that Frank loves being on the boat with the divers and making friends, and because of that you get treated like his friend from the food he plans like the barbecue night with massive ribs, chicken, and potatoes and opening some rum for everyone to enjoy (at no cost) as the music plays and people let their hair down. Then the final meal was mouth-watering steak, with pasta, and delicious veggies in a cream sauce. When you are treated like the owner's friend on his boat, you get the best of everything. Most times in life when you purchase something you look for the best deal, and even then you may feel like you paid too much. Taking a trip on the Smiling Seahorse to me is like feeling that I should have had to pay more for the trip than I actually did, and I’m a bit of a cheap skate. I love to get the best deal, even if that means having to put up with some not-so-nice things. This trip I feel like I got so much more than what I paid for. I cannot say enough about this trip. I’m sad it had to end and now any other live aboard I go on in the future will have a very, very high bar. Thanks Frank and the team!
