Similan and Surin
The classic Thai liveaboard — 4 nights from Khao Lak covering Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock. The backbone of Thai dive tourism.
Highlights
- Richelieu Rock — Thailand's best macro site, whale shark in March
- Koh Bon — frequent manta visits, wall with blue water
- Similan #9 (East of Eden) — granite formations, swim-throughs
- Koh Tachai Pinnacle — large schools, occasional hammerhead
About this route
This is the Thai liveaboard route. 4–5 nights from the Khao Lak marina: out to the Similan islands (first night), north to Koh Bon and Koh Tachai (second), Surin islands and Richelieu (third), then back. Operators run their own variants, but the backbone is the same.
Season
Mid-November to mid-April. The park officially opens November 15 and closes May 15. Whale sharks are most common March–April when the plankton moves in.
What to know
- Boat tier ranges from backpacker (15,000 SEK / 4 nights) to premium (45,000+). The middle tier around 24–30,000 SEK is the best price/performance.
- Nitrox is essentially required for 3–4 dives a day and is often included in better packages.
- Richelieu Rock sits 3 hours north of Surin — not every route reaches it. Ask specifically whether it’s included.
- Plan for 4 dives a day, usually with a night dive. You sleep, eat, and dive — little room for anything else.
Good fit if you
Have 25+ logged dives, want Thailand’s best dive sites in a single trip, traveling Dec–April.
Skip if you
Are doing your first liveaboard and don’t handle boat motion well, have fewer than 20 dives, or are traveling outside the season.
What’s typically included
Full board, 3–4 dives a day, national park fee, transfer from Khao Lak. Nitrox is often an add-on (around 500 SEK) unless you’re on a premium package. Equipment is always extra.
What you can see
- Whale shark (March–April)
- Manta ray
- Leopard shark
- Ghost pipefish
Sound interesting?
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