Join CIDA for this exciting adventure in Thailand, where we will spend 8 days aboard the MV Smiling Seahorse, diving in the North Andaman Sea.  The trip will run from January 15-22, 2026. and will be an excellent way to start the new year.

Check out the Smiling Seahorse YouTube channel for more info and Walter Marti's YouTube channel for some excellent videos on diving the Andaman Sea.

 Trip Details

• Diver cost depends on the cabin chosen
• Two Master cabins, the cost is $2275.00-double occupancy
• Three Deluxe cabins, the cost is $2175.00-double occupancy
• Two Standard cabins, the cost is $1995.00-double occupancy
• Deposits of $500.00 are due to book your spot
• Final balance due October 15, 2026
• The Channel Islands Dive Adventures trip applications will be required upon booking.
• All deposits and payments are non-refundable. See our Policies Page HERE
• Trip insurance is HIGHLY recommended!

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Ken at

info@channelislandsdiveadventures.com or call (805) 469-7288

 Thailand is known for its beauty above and below the water. For years, you have probably seen Thailand's beautiful temples and countryside, and now is your chance to experience its underwater world, or you can do it all with an add-on land tour. 

Thailand has some excellent diving due to its warm water temperatures, good visibility, diverse marine life, including whale sharks and manta rays, and varied dive sites suitable for all level divers. With our itinerary taking us to both the South and North Andaman Sea, you will get to experience the best diving Thailand has to offer, including an extra stay at Richelieu Rock. 

The other fantastic part of this trip is that we get to do it all from the Smiling Seahorse, the best dive liveaboard in the area. The Smiling Seahorse is well-equipped, has an excellent safety record, and specializes in the small group experience with their one guide to four diver ratio. Evan all the big-name professional photographers use the Smiling Seahorse for their photo workshops.

Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime trip enjoying Thailand the best way we know how-diving. 

 All level divers and above with good buoyancy control.  Dive sites are determined by “BEST CONDITIONS” based on water visibility, tides, currents, surge, swell, and wind. Surface signal tubes are always recommended. 

 The trip is 8 days and 7 nights, from January 15-22, 2026.  Transfers between the airport, hotels, and the boat are not included but can be arranged with the Smiling Seahorse staff. The trip starts from Phuket and ends in Ranong. The least costly and easiest would be to fly round trip to Phuket and take a shuttle between Ranong and Phuket. Any touring and sightseeing before or after the trip can be arranged in advance with the Smiling Seahorse staff unless you are joining Ken for the add-on land tour. Whatever you plan, it would be best to arrive in Phuket a couple of days before the trip in case of flight delays. You are responsible for being on time at the appointment location in Phuket.

Itinerary of Our Dive Cruise:

• Day 1: Appointment in Phuket from 2 PM to 4 PM (we can arrange to pick you up in Phuket). MV Smiling Seahorse will depart the pier at 5 PM; dinner will be served onboard, and we will wake up at the dive site the next morning.
• Day 2: Koh Lanta National Park, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang
• Day 3: Tarutao National Park, Koh Lipe
• Day 4: Koh Lanta National Park, Koh Haa
• Day 5: Similan National Park
• Day 6: Similan National Park, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai
• Day 7: Surin Islands
• Day 8: Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock

We will conduct 2 dives on the final day and return to Ranong by 8 PM. A drop-off at Koh Phayam is possible at 6 PM. The last dive concludes no later than 11:30 AM.

Diving in Thailand is considered excellent due to its warm water temperatures, good visibility, diverse marine life, including whale sharks and manta rays, and varied dive sites with options for all level divers, primarily split between the Andaman Sea on the west coast with dramatic landscapes and the Gulf of Thailand on the east with calmer conditions.

The North Andaman (on the West coast of Thailand) is home to the Similan Islands and Surin National Parks, both popular for diving in Thailand. The most famous one is, for sure, the Similan Islands National Park. Many divers don't know that a little bit further north lie the Surin Islands, which are less known and less traveled than the Similan but also offer excellent diving and snorkeling. One world-famous site in this area is Richelieu Rock listed as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Richelieu Rock (part of Surin National Park) and Koh Tachai (in  Similan NP) offer good chances to spot Whale Sharks, amongst other treasures! The best dive sites in Thailand in 2024-2025 are Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai. Thailand is also a great diving destination to dive with giant Oceanic Manta Ray, and Koh Bon is the diving spot in Thailand where these gentle giants are most often sighted. 

For our trip, I have requested that we arrive at Richelieu Rock a day early to spend more time at this famous site. 

All the diving is done in small groups of four divers to one guide, and they are all from the boat. No traveling to dive sites by inflatables, making this trip easy for everyone. If you are a photographer, you will be in good hands. The crew is well-versed with photographers and their equipment. If you wish​ to learn more about photography on the trip, the boat offers classes at an additional cost. If you have ever thought about blackwater diving, they do offer one free blackwater dive while on the trip and more blackwater diving at an extra cost.

The MV Smiling Seahorse took its maiden voyage in November 2018. Franck and Camille Fogarolo broke the mold by building a specialized boat designed by and for divers instead of converting a fishing vessel, which is very common in Thailand. It has a steel hull, is 82’ x  21’ and has 8 cabins that cater to a maximum of 16 guests. Safety and security are paramount on the MV Smiling Seahorse. The boat is equipped with radar, sonar, GPS, VHF/DSC/SSB radio, and a location beacon for precision navigation. Safety features include a lifeboat, life vests, GSM and CDMA phones, fire alarm, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency oxygen, and trained oxygen and first aid providers. They even have video surveillance in the engine room to ensure the proper functioning of the ship's underbelly. The crew consists of 4 dive guides, the captain, two mechanics, two chefs, and two crew members who help wherever needed.

The boat had four levels, and the upper three were for the customers. The main deck has the deluxe and master cabins, the kitchen, the dive deck, and the photo room. The two master cabins are located at the front of the boat, with windows facing forward and the door to each open to the outside. Each has a single bed for two. These cabins are all air-conditioned with ensuite private bathrooms. The four deluxe cabins are in the middle of the main deck and feature their smart-bedding system. Each room can be configured to have a double bed and an upper shelf to store luggage, or it can be switched to have two single bunk beds more suited for solo travelers or friends sharing a room. Next, you have the photo room, which was purposely built with a wash tank for your electronics and numerous charging ports, shelving, and counter space for maintenance and storage of your gear between dives.

Last but not least is the dive deck, which was well-planned and organized to maximize space and provide specialized areas for every diver’s needs. They keep dive groups small and organized, staggering their gear-up and entry times to ensure that the dive deck never has too many bodies moving around at once. The dive deck also features two shared bathrooms for the guests staying in standard cabins. 

The upper deck is divided into two areas. Towards the back of the boat is a multipurpose common area used as the main assembly point. Here, you find four big tables to enjoy your meals and play games and two bars with stools on either side of the boat. The dining area has plenty of counter space for snacks and the buffet, a full-sized fridge stocked with goodies, and a compartmentalized eco-friendly trash/recycling disposal system. At the back is an enormous couch area with cushions perfect for a cozy nap between dives. Also, towards the front of the boat on this deck are the standard cabins and the living quarters for the dive staff.

The top level of the boat is the ultimate lounge area. It has a shaded area with an outdoor living room and hammocks to relax and take a nap in the shade during your surface interval. 

Ken (owner of CIDA) and his wife, Tessie, will be planning an optional land tour before and after the dive trip. Please let him know if you wish to join them, especially if you have somewhere you would like to visit. The boat staff will be helping with this.  

Ranong, where the boat is located, is a perfect area to start and end the trip with a FUN land tour. Check out the 10 things to do around Ranong on this page.