Diving in Thailand's North & South Andaman for 8 days and 7 nights
Dive Thailand's top 5 Marine National Parks
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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 in both the North and South Andaman Day 1: Appointment at Tap Lamu Pier from 2pm to 4pm Embark on The Smiling Seahorse before 5pm in Khao Lak, Tap Lamu pier (we organise a free transfer from South Khao Lak in the afternoon) and wake up on the dive site the next morning! Day 2 to 7th: We will plan 3 to 4 dives per days around Surin and Similan Islands. 8th day: 2 dives and back in Phuket Rassada Pier at 3-4pm. The last dive for this cruise ends no later than 1 p.m. |
We will start with the North of the Andaman Sea
Hawkbill turtle over reef
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Some of the dive sites we will visit:
In surin national park, the highlight will surely be: 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. |
Butterfly fish in Thailand
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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. |
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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...! |
School of Barracudas
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Whale shark in the blue
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We will end the cruise with the South Andaman
We will visit Koh Lanta National park with dive sites like Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Koh Haa (number 5 in Thai language) is a group of 5 islands sitting together between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and is part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. We may dive Ko Haa Lagoon, Ko Haa Neua, and Ko Haa Yai where we may pass through more swim-throughs and encounter plenty of marine life from small to big: Seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish will make macro maniacs happy, morays eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays will entertain everyone and if you are lucky you might meet a leopard sharks or an Oceanic Manta ray!
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are two pinnacles in the open ocean, surrounded by deep waters. The visibility on these two sites is usually excellent and the dramatic underwater landscape makes a perfect setting for the many creatures we come to encounter here.
The maine attraction here are pelagic sightings such as manta ray and whale shark. The site still have plenty of things to see beside the gentle giants such as schools of barracudas, millions of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefins trevallies, snappers and more.
And spend some time as well in Tarutao National Marine Park: of which Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island surrounded by white sand beaches and beautiful dive sites. 8 miles and Stonehenge are two of the most fantastic dive sites in the area and end in Phi Phi Natioanl Park.
Koh Haa (number 5 in Thai language) is a group of 5 islands sitting together between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and is part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. We may dive Ko Haa Lagoon, Ko Haa Neua, and Ko Haa Yai where we may pass through more swim-throughs and encounter plenty of marine life from small to big: Seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish will make macro maniacs happy, morays eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays will entertain everyone and if you are lucky you might meet a leopard sharks or an Oceanic Manta ray!
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are two pinnacles in the open ocean, surrounded by deep waters. The visibility on these two sites is usually excellent and the dramatic underwater landscape makes a perfect setting for the many creatures we come to encounter here.
The maine attraction here are pelagic sightings such as manta ray and whale shark. The site still have plenty of things to see beside the gentle giants such as schools of barracudas, millions of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefins trevallies, snappers and more.
And spend some time as well in Tarutao National Marine Park: of which Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island surrounded by white sand beaches and beautiful dive sites. 8 miles and Stonehenge are two of the most fantastic dive sites in the area and end in Phi Phi Natioanl Park.
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North & South: 8 days/7 nights, 25 Dives
From Khao Lak, Tap Lamu 5pm to Phuket Rassada Pier 3-4pm Price per Divers 2023-2024: THB 63,000 in Standard Cabin THB 65,000 in Deluxe Cabin THB 68,000 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 25 Dives • Towels, reef-friendly amenities • Sea kayak and hammock |
NOT INCLUDED
. Marine Park Fee * 4,400 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 1,750 THB for the whole cruise - Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 4,800 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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*8 days diving around the undiscovered Mergui Archipelago
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Latest reviews on TripAdvisor...
Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!
Review:
5, based on
176 reviews
"Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by
Andrew, 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!!!
