Khao Lak Similan Turtle Conservation Liveaboard Expedition

This four-day liveaboard leaves Tap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak the night before diving and runs the classic Similan and Surin route in 14 dives, with a marine biologist from Andaman Turtle Watch on board. Dive sites mix North Andaman favourites, including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and three dives on Richelieu Rock, with research-priority spots chosen for their turtle encounters.

When a turtle glides past, you hold back, settle at a respectful distance and photograph it for identification, adding a record that helps track the Andaman Sea's turtle populations and how they use these reefs. Between dives the biologist walks you through what the photos show and why each sighting matters. Then it is back in at Richelieu Rock to search the soft corals and watch the blue. Sightings are likely but never guaranteed, and that is the honest nature of fieldwork you join rather than a show put on for you.

Trip Highlights & Key Regional Features

• Citizen science: take part in sea turtle photo-identification research with Andaman Turtle Watch. Big Blue was the top contributor to its turtle database in the 2024 to 2025 season.
• Expert on board: marine biologist Eve Pilmore, BSc, runs educational sessions and hands-on research activities.
• Turtle-focused site choice: research-priority locations and known turtle habitats alongside the classic route.
• Richelieu Rock: three dives in one day on Thailand's best-known pinnacle, with the chance of whale sharks and giant oceanic manta rays.
• Koh Bon and Koh Tachai: the route's manta spots, with a sunset dive on the Koh Tachai pinnacle.
• Small groups: a maximum of four divers per guide, and no surface swims.