The Andaman Sea is famous for its spectacular dive sites. The marine life and coral reefs around the Similan and Surin Islands have been attracting divers from all over the world for years. But recently, more and more divers are discovering the underwater wonders north and south of these well-known dive sites. To the south lie the Phi Phi National Park and the southern islands of Koh Ha, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang; to the north, the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar.

Now there are two new liveaboard dive boats specializing in these up-and-coming dive destinations. The Phuket-based "Phinisi," a traditionally designed yacht, offers dive trips to the southern islands, the Similan and Surin Islands, as well as further north to Myanmar. The "Smiling Seahorse," based in Ranong on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, offers dive cruises to the Similan and Surin Islands and specializes in the remote Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar.

The South: from Phi Phi to Hin Muang

Phi Phi National Park and the southern islands of Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang offer imposing limestone pinnacles, impressive limestone cliffs covered with healthy soft corals and gorgonians, and caves and passageways teeming with microorganisms. There's a good chance of spotting large schools of barracuda, trevally, and snapper, as well as manta rays, leopard sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and, with a bit of luck, perhaps even a whale shark.

The Similan Islands, the Surin Islands and the Richelieu Rock.

In the marine national parks of the Similan and Surin Islands, over 200 species of stony corals stretch between steep walls, coral gardens, and pinnacles, where turtles, giant trevally, schools of jacks, barracuda, and many tropical fish species thrive. Add to that one of the world's best dive sites, Richelieu Rock – one of the few dive sites worldwide so unique that it has its own website.

Myanmar and the Mergui Archipelago

The relatively undiscovered and little-explored Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar offers marine life to suit every taste. From manta rays, dogtooth tuna, and barracuda to frogfish, squid, and seahorses, it has it all. Macro photographers can look forward to a variety of crabs and shrimp and observe rare encounters between them.

The area is also home to many different species of sharks. Its reefs are among the most impressive, not only because of the beauty of the corals, gorgonians, and table corals, but also because of their size.

The Phinisi

The Phinisi Liveaboard, which will begin operations in November 2018, offers three routes featuring the best dive sites in Thailand and Myanmar: in the south: the islands of Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang; in the north: the Similan and Surin Islands (and the infamous Richelieu Rock); and in Myanmar: the Mergui Archipelago.

The Phinisi is a 34-meter, custom-built dive safari yacht in the traditional Indonesian gaff rig style with seven sails. She accommodates 18 guests in seven en-suite cabins. The main deck features a spacious salon with comfortable sofas and ample storage. Aft, there is a dining area with banquettes and a full bar. Forward of the salon are the dive deck, a shaded relaxation area, and a camera charging station. The upper deck boasts a large, partially covered sun deck with cushioned loungers, perfect for enjoying cocktails after a dive.

40% discount

Celebrate the opening of The Phinisi with a 40% discount on all Thailand tours from November 2018 to January 2019. Choose between a 4-night Southern Thailand tour (Koh Ha, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang) or a 6-night Northern Thailand tour. Or combine both itineraries and experience the highlights of Thailand for 10 nights from just USD 1,620 per person (based on a quadruple room). Find more information HERE.

The smiling seahorse

The new dive safari vessel MV Smiling Seahorse commenced operations in October 2018. With itineraries in Myanmar and Thailand, and an experienced and knowledgeable crew, the MV Smiling Seahorse offers the best opportunity to explore some of the region's least explored dive sites in air-conditioned comfort.

Dive at Richelieu Rock in Thailand, one of the world's top ten dive sites, or visit the Torres Islands or the Burma Banks for exploratory dives in areas that have rarely been explored. The Smiling Seahorse also takes you to Western Rocky in Myanmar, where a particular highlight is a tunnel/cave at a depth of 20 meters that runs across the island. The following day, a dive inside a volcano awaits, where you can discover rare marine life.

Gather the gang together.

To celebrate the launch, every fifth diver travels free on the MV Smiling Seahorse. So grab four friends and you can all sail for free! This offer, which effectively provides a 20% discount for groups of 5 or more, is valid for the first six Thailand trips as well as for trip 3 to the Mergui Archipelago from December 7th to 12th. More information is available HERE.