MV Dolphin Queen dive boat review
Vessel photos supplied through LiveAboard.com; capture dates are not supplied.
Dolphin Queen puts the diving, food and friendly communal spaces ahead of private-cabin luxury. Her current Thailand programme offers three nights with ten planned dives, or five nights with eighteen. For someone happy with shared bathrooms, this remains an appealing way to spend several days around the Similans and Richelieu Rock without paying for an ensuite.
Dolphin Queen dates and cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.
Twenty guests and a choice of shared cabins
The 24 m by 5.5 m wooden boat accommodates 20 guests in eight air-conditioned cabins. There are two doubles, two twins and two four-berth cabins on the main deck, plus two upper-deck doubles. Three communal shower/toilet rooms serve the accommodation; an upper-deck double is not an ensuite upgrade. The booking specification lists a 1999 build and a 2008 renovation, while the operator describes annual maintenance rather than a newer dated refit.
Privacy curtains help in the twin and four-share cabins. The upper-deck doubles have the attraction of stepping out to an ocean view, but the choice is still about location and bed type rather than apartment-sized space. The previous 22-diver description has been replaced by the current 20-guest capacity.
Breakfast, fish books and the next briefing
The shaded dining area does several jobs: a place to eat, identify yesterday’s mysterious fish and gather for a briefing. Up above, hammocks and loungers offer the slower side of the trip. The original review’s description of a relaxed sundeck still captures the attraction nicely: between a full morning of diving and another meal, an hour in the shade can feel like a very good plan.
Breakfast is ordered before the first dive and served afterwards. Thai dishes, familiar Western choices and fresh fruit keep meals varied; dietary arrangements need advance agreement. The kitchen and helpful crew feature repeatedly in guest feedback, including accounts from returning customers. These are the details that give a straightforward budget boat its personality.
Two Thai routes, with extra time for Surin
The three-night programme covers Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu. The five-night version adds more time in the Similans, a Surin island-group visit and a possible Boonsung Wreck finale. Both involve evening boarding, followed by full diving days; booking platforms therefore describe them as four or six calendar days.
Route descriptions below.
Short route: Thap Lamu harbour area (1) → Similan Islands (2) → Koh Bon (3) → Koh Tachai (4) → Richelieu Rock (6) → mainland (1). Long route: the same northern corridor, adding Surin Islands (5), then Richelieu (6), Boonsung Wreck area (7) and mainland (1).
Check-in is at the Khao Lak dive centre by 16:30, with an approximately 20:00 sailing. The sample return reaches the pier around 16:00 and the centre by 17:00. Map points are regional planning references, not exact boarding positions or navigation tracks. Conditions can alter the order, shore visits and dive count. This guide covers Thailand; other-country departures require their own route and entry arrangements.
Cabin fares and the cost of equipment
Per-person THB prices checked on 9 November 2026 include VAT. The totals below add the listed diver park charges: THB 1,600 for three nights and THB 2,000 for five nights.
| Cabin | 3 nights | 5 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Four-share | 23,600 | 29,500 |
| Main-deck twin | 25,100 | 31,000 |
| Main-deck double | 26,100 | 32,500 |
| Upper-deck double | 27,100 | 33,500 |
The package includes mask, fins, boots, wetsuit and a torch for night/dusk dives. BCD and regulator rental together add THB 1,800 / 3,000; a computer adds THB 750 / 1,250. A four-share example with parks and these rentals is therefore THB 26,150 for three nights or THB 33,750 for five. Nitrox packages add THB 1,700 / 3,060. Full equipment is not free, despite the older description.
Meals and local Khao Lak/Bang Niang pickup are included; flights, hotels, airport transfers and personal spending are separate. Park fees are payable in Thai cash. The operator includes accident insurance, but that should not be assumed to replace a diver’s own suitable medical and evacuation cover.
Dolphin Queen dates and cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.
Diving and non-diving companions
Groups are advertised at four divers per guide. The gearing-up area has dedicated storage, with boat or dinghy pickups according to the site. Nitrox and larger tanks are available at extra cost. Training and suitable sites depend on qualification, recent experience and conditions; a positive beginner review is not a promise that every offshore dive suits a new diver.
Snorkellers are welcomed with a 15% reduction on the cabin fare and THB 1,000 listed park entrance fees. For example, a THB 22,000 four-share fare becomes THB 18,700, or THB 19,700 with those fees. The longer itinerary offers more island time, but specific snorkelling sites, supervision and shore access need confirmation. Shared bathrooms and a diving-led timetable remain part of the experience.
Guest impressions and the comfort trade-off
Recent positives
Agathe L’s March 2026 review praised patient instruction, cleanliness, meals and help boarding with equipment. Aileen B, in January 2025, enjoyed the guides, Thai cooking and selection of less crowded sites. Both are useful accounts of how the trip felt, rather than guarantees about a future crew or sailing.
What to weigh up
Susan R’s February 2024 review liked the value but described the rooms as small. Susanne S, in December 2024, enjoyed the space while sharing a four-berth cabin with only one other guest; that is not the same experience as a full cabin. Her hoped-for manta and whale shark sightings did not happen. Wildlife remains a bonus, and shared facilities remain the main comfort compromise.
An earlier Dolphin Queen trip on film
Xennial Traveller’s April 2019 trip, published June 2019. Historical footage; the current three- and five-night programmes are described above. Watch on YouTube.
Dolphin Queen questions, answered
Is all diving equipment included?
No. Some personal equipment and the night/dusk torch are included, but the BCD, regulator and computer are charged separately.
Are any cabins ensuite?
The current boat has three shared bathroom/shower rooms. The upper-deck double category does not include a private bathroom.
How many dives are planned?
Ten on the three-night Thailand trip and eighteen on the five-night trip, subject to conditions.
Does the short route include Surin Islands?
Its detailed schedule lists Similan, Bon, Tachai and Richelieu. The five-night programme adds the Surin island group.
Can snorkellers join?
Yes, with an advertised 15% reduction on the cabin fare. Park fees and the activity plan remain separate.
Is the older guest review still available?
Yes. Jeffrey’s original account is retained below as a historical contribution; it is not a review of the 2026–2027 programme.
Historical guest account: Jeffrey
Retained from the earlier Divezone review; travel date not supplied. Facilities, trip length and personal impressions refer to that earlier visit.
“After 4 incredible days on the MV Dolphin Queen, I must say that the diving around the Similans is nothing like you could ever imagine… It’s 10X better! It has nothing to see with all the diving one must have done in Thailand or the Caribbeans or anything. It’s very pristine and vibrant. Go see for yourself.
The Dolphin Queen is a comfortable vessel, stable on the sea and spacious enough. It was kept clean at all times and everything was functional. The equipment on board has good quality standard and is newer and well cared for.
The boat crew was always willing to go out of their ways to help. They do a tremendous job on keeping the boat functional and clean. The dive masters and dive guides are simply fantastic. All have the same enthusiasm about diving and they enjoy sharing their experience with the customer. The food was always great and the kitchen staff was very accommodating.
Many of the fellow divers on board were returning customers. In a near future, that returning customer will be me. Will you be the newcomer ?”
–Jeffrey
Updated 9 November 2026 from current operator details, booking specifications and dated guest accounts. A researched guide, not a firsthand inspection.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
Similan Islands
Great Biodiversity and fauna. Excellent chances to spot the giants Manta rays and Whale Sharks. Superb Scenery of tropical islands! Good spot for underwater photography.
Phuket
Access to the best diving areas of the Andaman Sea and starting point of many liveaboards to Similans and Surin Islands! Good place for cheap diving courses.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Phuket & Similan Islands, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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I took a liking to diving a few years back. I have visited a lot of great spots around the world but I can honestly say that Similan islands is one of my favourites. A few months back I got to dive around similan again aboard the MV Dolphin Queen, a low priced liveaboard that offered 4 days and 4 nights diving cruise that did not hurt my pocket.
The boat was mostly made of wood and about 33 meters long. The main deck holds 6 cabins. The room I was assigned to had a double bed, it had no en-suite bathroom but had air conditioning, though it was a bit on the smaller side, it was clean and the a/c worked well.
The food on board is served on the main deck. Meals were served buffet style and consisted of a European breakfast and a fusion of both western and Asian especially thai food for lunch and dinner. If you hate spicy food then just give the cook and the staff a holler to slow down on the chillie and they will accommodate you.
The diving was the best part, I loved the fact that the MV Dolphin Queen included a full diving equipment set in your package price, so you don’t really have to bring your own equipment. The guides and the boat boys were very attentive and professional, always smiling and asking if I needed anything else. Overall, my 2nd trip around Similan might have beaten the first time I went there. Thanks to the crew and staff of the MV Dolphin Queen and the value for money that it offered, I will definitely comeback for a 3rd trip.
Is diving a passion for you ? Ready to invest some money in an incredible adventure ? I am absolutely recommending this trip! I could only afford a 5 days trip cause otherwise I would have stayed on the Dolphin Queen much longer. The cabins, the food, the crew, the dive masters and the organization, everything was great. Diving around the Similan islands is beautifully stunning. The instructors – DM I was with were highly skilled, super competent, experienced but also very friendly and nice to talk with. It’s a trip that’s worth every penny, an experience like nothing else!
Hi Can you please inform me of the total cost to vist on your live aboard for 5 nights. We will be flying from OR Tambo in south africa.The price must include all cost from flight tickets to taxes & cost on the live aboard. We have our own gear and will only use your weight belts. I guess that the nitrox is included in the price.
We want to visit in and around 5 months time.
We are advanced divers.
Best diving safari ever on the Dolphin Queen. We were only 8 divers on board and the crew was taking our requests and opinion seriously. It resulted in a great week during which we visited many different dive sites and a few pristine sand beaches. 18 dives total for me, night dives included. Every single one was rich in sea life and lively reefs. We were not lucky with whale sharks or manta rays but we saw many schools of fishes and stunning wrecks as well as mpressive corals that we had never seen before and crystal clear waters. The Thai food served on board was amazing, among the best I have had after touring Thailand for 2 months! I will have to come back and dive the Similan Islands again, hopefully next time the Sharks and Rays will come say hi!
This boat is the best one Price value !
But please take a other boat, not this one, so there is a place for me next time I go again with this boat
I go in 2 weeks for the 2e time with this boat, this time to Burma / Myanmar.
I did on the Similans more than one liveaboard, but this boat is the best.
Friendly staff, good food and all stuff works onboard.