A budget Similan liveaboard can be a wonderfully sociable holiday: a bunk, a shady deck, good food and another reef waiting after breakfast. The saving usually comes from the cabin and shared facilities, not from a different ocean. The useful question is what the complete trip costs for the route you actually want.
Some inexpensive northern Andaman trips visit Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock without touring the Similan island group. Others cover the Similans as well. The Thailand liveaboard guide explains the route families; this page concentrates on spending, cabin compromises and the extras that change a low headline fare.
Four starting points for a smaller budget
MV Andaman
A useful choice when equipment inclusion matters. Six-berth accommodation offers a low starting fare; Standard and Ensuite doubles give couples alternatives.
Manta Queen 2
Three nights focused on the northern pinnacles, with shared bathroom facilities. This is a short-route option rather than a complete Similan island tour.
Manta Queen 5
Four nights, twin bunks and shared bathrooms. The longer northern programme includes the Similans as well as the offshore pinnacles.
Dolphin Queen
A choice of quad, twin and double cabins. Shared facilities keep the layout simple; the published equipment inclusions need careful reading.
Boat photographs supplied through the operator galleries identified in the linked profiles.
A discounted berth on The Junk, Bavaria or Pawara can also be worth comparing. An ensuite is not automatically out of reach, and the cheapest advertised vessel is not necessarily cheapest for someone hiring equipment. The comfort and luxury guide looks at what paying more actually buys.
Published cabin prices, with the basis made clear
Checked 12 November 2026. These are per-person published examples on shared occupancy, not reserved cabins or a ranking of identical trips. The dates and cabin availability still determine the offer.
| Boat and duration | Cabin basis | Fare | Park charge and known subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman · three nights | Single berth in six-berth cabin; 2026–2027 tariff | THB 18,000 | THB 1,800 park fee; THB 19,800 known subtotal |
| Andaman · three nights | Standard double, shared occupancy; same tariff | THB 19,500 | THB 1,800 park fee; THB 21,300 known subtotal |
| Andaman · three nights | Ensuite double, shared occupancy; same tariff | THB 20,500 | THB 1,800 park fee; THB 22,300 known subtotal |
| Dolphin Queen · three nights | Main-deck quad berth; published tariff including VAT | THB 22,000 | THB 1,600 cash park fee; THB 23,600 known subtotal |
| Dolphin Queen · three nights | Main-deck twin, shared occupancy; same tariff | THB 23,500 | THB 1,600 cash park fee; THB 25,100 known subtotal |
| Manta Queen 2 · three nights | Operator headline; no selected cabin or date | From THB 20,000 | Foreign-diver park fee THB 2,300; from THB 22,300 if that fare is available |
Andaman includes full equipment, a computer, surface marker buoy and night-dive torch. That makes its cabin upgrade comparison particularly useful: the three-night ensuite costs THB 2,500 more than a berth in the six-person room, before personal extras. Its published non-diver six-berth fare is THB 14,000 plus THB 1,000 park fees.
Dolphin Queen’s three-night quad example reaches THB 26,150 with the cash park fee, BCD/regulator rental and a computer, before optional Nitrox and other spending. Its published snorkeller fare is 15% below the cabin tariff, with THB 1,000 park fees. The actual date, passenger category and payment method still need confirmation.
Where the extra spending hides
“Equipment included” can mean a full set on one boat and only selected items on another. Manta Queen 2 lists THB 1,500 for its standard equipment set, THB 1,000 for a computer and THB 2,500 for Nitrox. Added to its headline fare and foreign-diver park charge, that is a conditional THB 27,300 subtotal with all three options—not a confirmed departure price.
Manta Queen 5 lists THB 2,500 for foreign-diver park fees, THB 2,000 equipment rental, THB 1,000 computer rental and THB 2,500 Nitrox. The extra night and different route mean that its bill should not be compared directly with a three-night headline.
The Junk offers another useful example of why promotional fares need an itemized quote. A four-night diver park charge is USD 65. Its temporary fuel supplement changes from USD 10 per night through 17 November 2026 to USD 15 per night from 18 November. A cheaper cabin does not remove those charges.
A cheaper route still needs to be the right route
| Choice | Useful distinction | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Short northern-pinnacle cruise | Manta Queen 2 focuses on Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. | Lower time commitment, but not a full Similan island-group itinerary. |
| Four-night northern cruise | Manta Queen 5 includes the Similans and northern pinnacles, with 15 planned dives. | More time aboard and different park/rental charges. |
| Speedboat-joined overnight boat | The joining day determines which part of the boat’s programme you catch. | A flexible stay can suit a short holiday, but Richelieu Rock must be in the actual plan. |
| Southern Andaman cruise | Koh Haa and Hin Daeng–Hin Muang are a separate region. | A Phuket-based southern fare is not a substitute for a Similan cruise. |
The Thailand route map shows northern and southern cruise examples; the Similan diving guide has a more detailed island and site map. Weather, park restrictions and diving conditions can change the sequence and number of dives. A full day on a booking calendar does not necessarily mean a full day underwater.
Route examples and individual dive sites
The two examples below show why a Similan island-group cruise differs from a longer northern route. Bavaria Trip A and The Junk are reference itineraries; the selected budget or comfort boat may follow a different programme. Regional route stops and individual dive-site locations are shown separately.
Two ways to explore the northern Andaman
These operator examples show the difference between a Similan-focused cruise and a longer northern circuit. Pins represent islands, harbour areas and regional stops, not underwater entry points. Lines show itinerary order, not navigable tracks. Weather, access and the confirmed departure programme govern the actual route.
The route descriptions below remain available if the map cannot load.
Bavaria Trip A · 3 nights, up to 10 dives
The published programme begins at Thap Lamu, concentrates on the Similan island group and returns passengers by day boat. The final transfer is shown as a dashed line.
- 1 · Thap Lamu: evening boarding.
- 2 · Island 4 area, then 3 · Island 7 area: first diving day.
- 4 · Island 8 area: second diving day, with Elephant Head Rock among the possible dives.
- 5 · Island 9 area: final two scheduled dives.
- 1 · Thap Lamu: return by day boat.
Bavaria Trip A programme, checked 12 November 2026. Island-area pins do not promise a particular mooring or beach landing.
The Junk · 4 nights, up to 14 dives
This is the operator’s Thap Lamu example. Its joining instructions also allow Chalong for some departures, so the booked pier must be checked separately. The final coastal wreck choice depends on conditions; the pin marks a region, not a guaranteed named wreck.
- 1 · Thap Lamu: evening boarding.
- 4 · Similan island group: first diving day.
- 6 · Koh Bon and 7 · Koh Tachai.
- 8 · Surin Islands and 9 · Richelieu Rock.
- 10 · Khao Lak coastal wreck area, then 1 · Thap Lamu.
The Junk four-night programme, checked 12 November 2026.
Island-area references checked against geographic listings; exact site selection belongs to the operator’s briefing. Ko Similan · Ko Payu
Sites to put the geography in perspective
This selection is separate from the cruise itineraries above. Locations are surface planning references, not entry points or a guide for use underwater. Access, depth and the route around a site belong to the current local briefing. Koh Bon lies beyond the main Similan island group; Richelieu Rock is in the Surin park.
The linked site descriptions remain available if the map cannot load.
1 · Christmas Point
Granite formations near the north-west of island 9; exposed conditions can change the plan.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
2 · Deep Six
Boulders off the northern end of island 7, with deeper sections and current.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
3 · West of Eden
Reef and boulder scenery on island 7’s western side.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
4 · Koh Bon
A separate northern stop beyond the Similan island group; the pin represents the main ridge area.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
5 · Richelieu Rock
An offshore pinnacle in the Surin park, reached on selected northern programmes.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
Comfort, diving level and companions
A bunk room can be part of the fun when everyone is happy with shared space. Light sleepers, couples wanting privacy and travellers who find ladders difficult may value a different cabin more than a small saving. Bathrooms, bed access, luggage space and the number of roommates are concrete details worth comparing.
A budget fare does not make an exposed pinnacle a beginner site. Manta Queen requires appropriate 30-metre certification or a qualifying course on board, plus insurance and a computer. Sea Dragon also requires suitable depth training and recent diving, with refresher and upgrade options. A required course is a real trip cost, not an optional souvenir.
Non-diver acceptance and a lower passenger fare do not guarantee daily snorkelling. Sheltered sites, permitted landings, supervision and tender availability make the difference. Dolphin Queen and Sea Dragon publish non-diver prices, but a hotel-based holiday may suit a partner who wants independent beach days, restaurants and excursions.
Timing, transfers and useful savings
The northern marine-park season governs these cruises; the Similan and Surin parks reopened on 15 October 2026. Off-season prices do not create access to closed parks. Last-minute discounts can help flexible travellers, while a fixed holiday or particular cabin calls for a more predictable plan.
Khao Lak is a convenient northern base, and Phuket airport is a common gateway. A package may include local hotel transfers but not an airport journey or a distant resort pickup. The actual pier and return arrangements belong in the joining information. An arrival night on land provides a buffer for delayed flights and luggage.
Saving on the final hotel by flying too soon after diving is a poor trade. DAN’s guidance for symptom-free repetitive or multiday no-decompression diving is at least 18 hours; the operator may require longer. The interval starts after the last dive. The Thailand travel guide covers the wider journey.
Budget liveaboard questions
Which boat is cheapest?
There is no useful permanent winner. Cabin availability, duration, equipment needs and compulsory charges change the total. The same three-night fare can cover a different route or a different number of roommates.
Is a shared cabin the same as a shared bathroom?
No. A private twin or double room can still use shared bathroom facilities. Conversely, a multi-berth room may have its own bathroom shared by its occupants. The exact cabin description resolves both questions.
Are the prices above per person?
Yes, on the published shared-occupancy basis. A double cabin price does not buy the whole room. Single-use supplements and roommate arrangements need a specific quote.
Does budget mean unsafe?
Price alone is not a safety assessment. Training requirements, briefings, equipment, emergency arrangements and operation in the actual conditions matter. A lower cabin category should not mean a different standard of diving supervision.
Can I bring all my own equipment?
Usually that changes what you need to rent, but it does not automatically reduce an inclusive fare. Baggage charges and the operator’s actual equipment policy affect whether bringing everything saves money.
Is the rental computer included?
Not always. It is explicitly included in Andaman’s published package, while the Manta Queen and Dolphin Queen examples price it separately. A computer requirement should be resolved before boarding.
Can a non-diver pay less?
Some operators publish a reduction, including Sea Dragon and Dolphin Queen. The passenger fare, park category and actual snorkelling opportunities should all be checked; the lowest diver promotion may have different conditions.
Should I choose three or four nights?
The route matters more than the label. Three nights can suit a focused northern-pinnacle trip; a four-night programme may add the Similan island group or more time at other stops. The extra rental and park costs belong in the comparison.
Are old Similan Explorer and Pawara reviews extra boat choices?
Not necessarily. Historical pages and duplicate reviews can refer to an earlier operation or the same vessel. The updated boat directory separates these records from current planning options.
What should a final quote show?
Departure dates, nights and diving days, cabin and sharing basis, included meals and equipment, all compulsory charges, optional rentals and Nitrox, transfer coverage, payment terms and cancellation conditions. That is the basis for a meaningful budget decision.
Sources and price check
Checked 12 November 2026. Published tariffs are not live availability. Dolphin Queen uses differing day labels on its page; the three-night duration is used consistently here. Selected-departure terms take precedence over general examples. Boat gallery credits and historical context appear in the individual profiles.