Ranong, Andaman Sea, Thailand

North Andaman Similan Islands Liveaboard

8 Days • 13-16 November 2026

Dive with The Smiling Seahorse

$2,336.00 AUD

Tax included.

Cabin Type: Standard Cabin

Standard Cabin Deluxe Cabin Master Cabin

This seven-night loop from Ranong works north to south through Thailand's Andaman Sea: the Surin Islands first, then Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, down to the granite boulders of the Similan Islands, and back north for a final morning at Richelieu Rock. Expect up to 25 dives, with up to four a day, including night dives and a blackwater dive.

Richelieu Rock is the dive people come back for. It's a single pinnacle, yet every ledge holds something: seahorses, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, an octopus watching from a crack, with barracuda schooling off the edge and the chance of a whale shark drifting through the blue. Koh Bon trades the macro for big animals, with mantas queuing at its cleaning stations. In the Similans, granite boulders the size of houses stack into swim-throughs and canyons, and at Koh Tachai the night dives bring blacktip reef sharks into your torchlight.

Trip Highlights & Key Regional Features

Spend two days at Richelieu Rock, looking for seahorses, harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish and whale sharks
Watch manta rays at the Koh Bon cleaning stations, with zebra (leopard) sharks and turtles
Dive the quieter Surin Islands for macro life, eagle rays and the chance of whale sharks
Swim through the granite boulders at Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point and West of Eden in the Similans
Night dive Koh Tachai for blacktip reef sharks, with barracuda and trevally by day
One blackwater dive included, weather permitting, to see larval and drifting creatures in open water
Up to 25 dives over 8 days, with groups of no more than 4 divers per guide

What's Included

Free shared transfer from Ranong town centre hotels to the boat on day 1 (not from Ranong Airport)
Pick-up at Koh Phayam on day 1, or drop-off there on day 8, on request
Full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, plus a BBQ night
Soft drinks, electrolytes, drinking water, fresh coffee and tea
Fresh fruit, yogurt and snacks all day
Up to 25 dives, including 1 blackwater dive (weather permitting)
12 L tank, weights and weight belt
PADI professional dive guide, maximum 4 divers per guide
Two towels per guest and reef-friendly toiletries
Use of the photo room, sunbeds and Thai-style seating

Itinerary

Day 1: Ranong
Check in at the dive centre in Ranong (12:00 to 14:00). Free shared transfer to the boat at about 16:00, or pick-up at Koh Phayam at about 19:00. Departure ceremony after sunset, dinner and first night on board.

Day 2: Surin Islands
Four dives, starting at Koh Chi in the north and working south. Macro life, with the chance of manta rays, eagle rays and whale sharks.

Day 3: Richelieu Rock
Four dives on the pinnacle, looking for seahorses, pipefish, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs and whale sharks.

Day 4: Koh Tachai and Koh Bon
A day dive and a night dive at Koh Tachai Pinnacle, plus two dives at Koh Bon (the ridge and the pinnacle), home to manta cleaning stations.

Day 5: Similan Islands
Three Trees, Elephant Head Rock and two dives at West of Eden, with a stop at Donald Duck Beach.

Day 6: Similan Islands and Koh Bon
Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point and Rocky Point, then one dive at Koh Bon.

Day 7: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai
Two dives at Koh Bon and two at Koh Tachai.

Day 8: Richelieu Rock and Ranong
Two final dives at Richelieu Rock, finishing by 12:00. Optional drop-off at Koh Phayam at about 16:00; arrival in Ranong at about 18:00. Allow 24 hours after your last dive before flying.

This is the operator's sample route. Sites can change with weather, sea conditions and the crew's safety calls.

Agencies

Languages

English, French

Meeting Point

Click to view the location.

Important

Requirements

Open Water Diver certification (PADI, SSI or equivalent) with at least 10 logged dives
Advanced Open Water recommended: some dives go deeper than 18 m and night dives are planned daily. Maximum depth is 30 m. Advanced Open Water can be completed on board.
Underwater photography in Thai national parks requires Advanced Open Water and/or at least 40 logged dives
Dive insurance covering diving accidents, evacuation and recompression treatment is mandatory. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
A completed medical questionnaire is required. Any "yes" answer needs a doctor's certificate dated within the last 12 months.
Children under 12 by special arrangement only

Mandatory fees (paid on board)

Thai national park fees: USD 107 (THB 3,600) per diver, subject to government change
Fuel surcharge: USD 83 (THB 2,800) per person

Optional extras

Nitrox: USD 7 per tank, or USD 142 for the cruise
15 L tank: USD 9 per day, or USD 62 for the cruise
Dive computer rental: USD 9 per day
Equipment rental: USD 18 per day
Extra blackwater dive: USD 30 per person
Private guide: USD 118 per day
Advanced Open Water course on board: from USD 252; single Adventure Dives USD 44
Photo coaching: price on request
Beer and wine: sold on board
Crew gratuities: optional, about USD 30 per day is customary

Not included

Flights, hotels, transfers from Ranong Airport, alcohol and cigarettes

On-board extras are paid in Thai baht cash, Wise or PayPal. Cards carry a 5% surcharge. Allow 24 hours after your last dive before flying.

Cancellations

Life happens, so we keep cancellations simple. Enjoy free cancellation for 14 days from the time of booking, or find an equally qualified replacement up to 30 days before your departure.

North Andaman Similan Islands Liveaboard