Trip Overview
Embark on the ultimate 7-day, 6-night liveaboard adventure aboard the luxurious MV DiveRACE Class E, cruising North to South through Thailand’s most iconic dive sites. From Richelieu Rock’s macro marvels to Hin Daeng’s pelagic action, this itinerary offers 22 dives across Thailand’s top underwater locations, showcasing both big fish thrills and intricate reef beauty.
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Dives
Up to 22 Dives
Departure
Visit Panwa Pier, Phuket
Requirements
Minimum Open Water certification (Advanced strongly recommended)
️Dive sites and schedule are subject to change due to sea conditions, weather, tides, or at the discretion of the Cruise Director and Captain for the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
itinerary route
1
Surin Islands
Clear waters with extensive coral reefs in the shallows — a great place to dive and see reef sharks or the occasional Napoleon wrasse.
2
Richelieu Rock
Thailand’s most famous dive site — a horseshoe-shaped limestone pinnacle bursting with soft corals, seahorses, and schooling fish, sometimes visited by whale sharks.
3
Koh Tachai
A vibrant granite dome known as The Pinnacle with tornadoes of barracuda and swirling trevally schools. A hotspot for oceanic manta rays or the occasional whale shark.
4
Koh Bon
Renowned as an oceanic manta ray cleaning station, Koh Bon features steep limestone walls covered in soft corals and a ridge that attracts pelagic visitors.
5
Christmas Point
A spectacular maze of granite boulders and archways in the Similan Islands. Strong currents bring schools of trevally, fusiliers, and anemonefish in every color.
6
Donald Duck Bay
Famous for its white sand beach and “Sail Rock” viewpoint, this shallow bay offers relaxing dives with an array of reef fish.
7
Elephant Head Rock
Named for its unique rock formation, this iconic pinnacle offers swim-throughs, overhangs and channels filled with schooling fish, ribbon eels, and the occasional leopard shark.
8
West of Eden
A colorful reef blending soft corals and hard coral gardens with granite outcrops. Ribbon eels, ornate ghost pipefish, and reef fish thrive in this biodiverse site.
9
Shark Fin Reef
Long granite ridges shaped like shark fins stretch into the blue, surrounded by schools of snappers and sweetlips. A great spot for wide-angle views and occasional reef sharks.
10
Hin Daeng
A dramatic crimson pinnacle dropping into the deep, blanketed in red soft corals. Known for manta ray encounters and pelagic visitors cruising along the reef edge.
11
Hin Muang
Thailand’s deepest dive site, famous for its purple soft coral walls that disappear into the blue. Whale sharks and mantas often glide by in open water.
12
Koh Haa Lagoon
A serene lagoon surrounded by limestone peaks, offering shallow coral gardens and crystal-clear visibility. Perfect for relaxed dives among schooling fish and colourful reefs.
13
Koh Haa Cathedral
A breathtaking cavern system where sunlight filters through the rock, illuminating schools of fish and soft coral-covered walls. Ideal for adventurous divers who love dramatic light play.
14
Koh Haa Neua
The northernmost site of the Koh Haa group, featuring steep walls, swim-throughs, and rich coral growth. A favorite for spotting nudibranchs, shrimps, and reef fish in calm conditions.
15
Bida Nok
A limestone island near Phi Phi with steep walls, hard corals, and sandy slopes. Blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and cuttlefish are often seen cruising the reef.
16
Shark Point
A vibrant multi-pinnacle site near Phuket, covered in soft corals and sea fans. Leopard sharks frequently rest on the sandy bottom while schools of tropical fish swirl above.
17
Koh Doc Mai
A vertical limestone wall draped in sponges, corals, and macro life. Seahorses, nudibranchs, and ornate ghost pipefish make this a photographer’s dream site.
Day 1
Arrival & Embarkation – Welcome Aboard
- Scheduled pick-up from Phuket hotels or airport
- Embarkation at Visit Panwa Pier (boarding from 6:00 PM)
- Welcome briefing, boat orientation & safety procedures
- Dive gear setup and cabin check-in
- Dinner served onboard
- Overnight cruise north to Richelieu Rock area
No diving on embarkation day
Day 2
Richelieu Rock – Thailand’s Crown Jewel
1 dive at Surin Island
3 dives at Richelieu Rock, subject to tides and visibility:
- Dive all day at Richelieu Rock (subject to tide & visibility)
- Macro treasures: seahorses, harlequin shrimp, frogfish, pipefish
- Schooling barracuda, snapper, trevally
- Possible sightings of whale sharks (seasonal)
Overnight cruise to Koh Tachai
Day 3
Koh Tachai & Koh Bon – Pelagic Encounters
Planned Dive Sites (4 dives):
- Koh Tachai Dome – Schooling fish, mantas, strong currents
- Koh Tachai Reef – Soft corals, leopard sharks, sweetlips
- Koh Bon Ridge or Pinnacle (if conditions allow) – Deeper, advanced site
- Koh Bon Ridge – Mantas, napoleon wrasse, hunting jacks
Overnight cruise to the Similan Islands
Day 4
Similan Islands – Boulder Sites & Reef Gardens
Planned Dive Sites (4 dives):
- Three Trees – Garden eels, schooling fusiliers, reef sharks
- Elephant Head Rock – Swim-throughs, sharks, massive boulders
- Hideaway Bay – Crustaceans, Spanish dancers, and octopus
- SharkFin Reef (Sunset Dive) – Octopus, crabs, nocturnal reef life
Overnight anchorage in a sheltered Similan bay
Day 5
Phi Phi & Koh Haa – Scenic Reefs & Caverns
Planned Dive Sites (4 dives):
- Bida Nok or Bida Nai (Phi Phi) – Blacktip reef sharks, healthy reef slopes
- Koh Haa Cathedral – Stunning caverns and swim-throughs
- Koh Haa Lagoon or Chimney – Turtles, pinnacles, scorpionfish
- Palong Wall (Night Dive) – Night critters and hunting predators
Overnight cruise to Richelieu Rock
Day 6
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang – Southern Showstoppers
Planned Dive Sites (4 dives):
- Hin Muang – Thailand’s deepest pinnacle, covered in purple soft corals, manta & whale shark potential
- Hin Daeng – Vertical walls, schooling fish, pelagic action
- Hin Muang (2nd dive) – Macro-focused dive, hawkfish, nudibranchs
- Hin Daeng (Sunset Dive) – Larger pelagics, deep reef life
BBQ dinner on the final night
Overnight cruise back toward Phuket
Day 7
Racha Islands – Reef Finale Before Return
Planned Dive Sites (2 dives):
- Racha Noi – Sloping reefs, coral bommies, stingrays, and reef fish
- Racha Yai – Artificial reef structures, moray eels, schooling snapper
Lunch served onboard after last dive
Disembarkation at Visit Panwa Pier and transfer to hotels/airport by approximately 1:30 PM
