Gentle Giant dive boat review
Gentle Giant · Thailand · 2026–2027
Photos: Gentle Giant operator gallery via LiveAboard.com.
Gentle Giant makes room for both halves of Thailand’s Andaman Sea. Her four-night cruises concentrate on the Similans and northern pinnacles; selected six-night journeys continue south to Koh Haa and Hin Daeng–Hin Muang. That longer trip is the interesting one for divers who would otherwise have to choose between the two.
The 27-metre Gentle Giant liveaboard offers scuba diving cruises on the Andaman Sea, in Thailand. This wooden vessel carries 20 guests in ten ensuite cabins, with a refurbishment documented in 2024. Her character is practical and sociable: sea-view rooms, a big open deck and plenty of time organised around the next dive.
Gentle Giant dates & cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.
A sea-view window in every cabin
The Gentle Giant features ten cabins, welcoming a maximum of 20 divers on each trip. All have air conditioning, an ensuite shower and toilet, a sea-view window and a safe. The main decision is the bed arrangement: most rooms have bunks, while the two double-bed categories are different cabins on different decks.
| Category | Number and deck | Bed layout |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 · main and upper decks | Two single bunks |
| Deluxe | 1 · main deck | Double bed |
| Master | 1 · upper deck | Double bed |
A Standard berth is the natural starting point for a solo diver happy to share. Published single-use terms add 85% to the fare, so an empty second bed is a substantial upgrade rather than a small supplement. The current partner listing sells the Master for two guests; any family arrangement needs a specific quote.
The deck is part of the holiday
Outside is where much of Gentle Giant’s appeal lies: a covered dining area and a broad sundeck, with space to enjoy Thailand’s island scenery between dives. Indoors, the air-conditioned saloon and its 55-inch screen offer a cooler retreat. There is room for open-air time when the weather invites it, and somewhere comfortable to escape the heat.
Meals combine Thai and international cooking in buffet service, with snacks, drinking water, tea, coffee and soft drinks included. Vegetarian options are listed; specific dietary needs are best agreed before provisioning. Beer and other alcoholic drinks cost extra. The boat has 4G Wi-Fi, although the availability of a mobile signal offshore shapes how useful it is.
A diving holiday with a steady rhythm
The shaded preparation area, dive platform and separate camera rinse make the deck a practical working space. Air cylinders, weights and guiding are included. Nitrox, larger cylinders and rental equipment are additional charges, with nitrox needing advance arrangement. The crew’s listed languages are English, Thai and Chinese.
The booking description accepts Open Water divers from four logged dives, but deeper sites can require an Adventure Deep dive or Advanced Open Water training. Some sellers apply that training condition to Open Water guests joining the cruise. A beginner’s booking therefore needs the selected departure’s requirements and course costs settled beforehand. Diving insurance is mandatory; current, relevant experience matters alongside the certification card.
North only, or a journey south as well?
The current programme has two principal trips, plus a different embarkation port on selected northern departures. The map keeps that port variation visible: Asia Marina is on Phuket’s east coast, while Thap Lamu is near Khao Lak. Neither means that every cruise returns to the place where it started.
Route descriptions below remain available while the map loads.
Indicative planning routes and selected stops, not navigation tracks or a promised daily schedule. Offshore bends are schematic; weather, park access and the captain’s decision can change the route.
Northern loop · up to 14 dives
1 Thap Lamu → 2 Similan Islands → 3 Koh Bon → 4 Koh Tachai → 6 Richelieu Rock → Khao Lak coastal dives → Thap Lamu. The published final day includes Boonsoong Wreck and the underwater museum; these coastal sites are described here rather than plotted as surveyed positions.
Northern trip from Phuket
7 Asia Marina → offshore passage around Phuket → 2 Similans → 3 Koh Bon → 4 Koh Tachai → 6 Richelieu Rock → Khao Lak coastal sites → 1 Thap Lamu. This four-night variant appears on dated departures, including 24 January 2027.
Best of Andaman · up to 22 dives
1 Thap Lamu → 3 Koh Bon → 4 Koh Tachai → 5 Surin / 6 Richelieu → 2 Similans → 8 Koh Haa → 9 Hin Daeng–Hin Muang → Koh Haa → 10 Phi Phi → 11 King Cruiser / 12 Shark Point → 7 Asia Marina. This six-night trip includes the southbound passage as well as northern diving.
Short southern and green-season programmes appear in older sales material. They are not presented here as confirmed upcoming departures: the current dated booking programme is the basis for these three map layers. A charter or special southern sailing needs its own confirmed itinerary.
A look beneath the surface
“Similan 2018”, by yuttachaik, documents a diving safari aboard MV Gentle Giant. Historical trip footage, not a tour of the boat after her later refurbishment. Poster: illustrative boat photograph. Video on YouTube.
What the 2026–2027 trip actually costs
These published fares are in Thai baht per person sharing a cabin. Park charges and any applicable fuel surcharge are additional; flights, insurance and personal extras are outside the cabin fare.
| Cabin | 4 nights / up to 14 dives | 6 nights / up to 22 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 29,000 | 44,000 |
| Deluxe | 31,000 | 46,000 |
| Master | 34,000 | 50,000 |
| Park fee | 2,300 | 3,500 |
A useful subtotal: Standard cabin plus park fees is THB31,300 for four nights or THB47,500 for six nights. These are not all-in totals: the current partner listing shows a departure-dependent fuel surcharge of THB0–3,200 per trip. The written quote needs the applicable fuel amount before two boats can be compared fairly.
Accommodation, meals and soft drinks, diving, cylinders and weights, Wi-Fi and scheduled hotel/airport transfers are included. A full rental set is currently listed at THB700 per day, excluding the separately priced computer; nitrox packages range from THB2,800 to THB5,500 by trip. A course, private guide or larger cylinder can add further cost. Exact equipment days and the selected nitrox package belong in the quote.
Gentle Giant dates & cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.
The two port names matter
Most northern cruises use Thap Lamu, near Khao Lak; selected departures start at Asia Marina in Phuket. The six-night north–south programme finishes at Asia Marina. Scheduled Phuket hotel and airport transfers are included, with collection commonly around 16:00–17:30, but the pickup confirmation determines the actual meeting place and time.
The operator’s sample timetable returns around 14:00 on the four-night trip and 17:00 on the six-night trip. It includes diving on the final day. The booking information recommends a 24-hour interval before flying after the last dive, so a night ashore fits the programme better than a tight same-day flight.
Sharing the trip with a non-diver
Non-diving partners are offered a published 10% fare reduction through the current specialist listing: for example, THB26,100 against the THB29,000 four-night Standard fare, before the companion’s applicable fees and extras. Beach visits may be possible when the itinerary and conditions allow. A dedicated snorkelling programme is not confirmed, so the attraction is mainly time aboard and shared island scenery.
What guests loved — and what could be better
What guests loved
Marlene W (March 2026) describes a straightforward boat with the essentials she wanted: hot showers, air conditioning, windows and frequent meals. Her account suits the character of this trip: diving and friendly service take priority over hotel-style luxury.
Steven D (March 2026) particularly enjoyed the southern sites and the attentive crew. He found the visibility lower there on his voyage, yet still valued the small marine life. It is a useful reminder that a longer route brings variety, not identical conditions every day.
What could be better
Zheng Z (July 2026) praises the guiding and service but describes the room as small, though clean. That is one guest’s observation, not a measurement of every cabin. It reinforces the practical distinction between choosing an affordable bunk room and booking primarily for spacious accommodation.
When another boat might suit you better
Gentle Giant suits divers who want an ensuite cabin and the option of combining northern and southern sites. Bunk beds, paid nitrox and a moving six-night itinerary may be less appealing to someone prioritising a double bed, an inclusive equipment package or more time in one region. Bavaria offers a useful comparison for several northern trip lengths; cabin bathrooms and mandatory fees still need comparing on the same basis.
Gentle Giant questions, answered
Are there two Master cabins?
No. The current layout has one Master double on the upper deck, one Deluxe double on the main deck and eight Standard twin-bunk cabins. All ten have private bathrooms.
Is the combined north–south trip five or six nights?
The current Best of Andaman programme is seven days and six nights, with up to 22 dives. Four-night departures focus on the northern sites.
Is nitrox included?
No. Nitrox is an optional extra and needs advance arrangement. The applicable package and certification requirements depend on the booking.
What is the cheapest published cabin-plus-park subtotal?
For 2026–2027, the four-night Standard fare is THB29,000 per person sharing, plus THB2,300 park fees: THB31,300 before any fuel surcharge, equipment, insurance and travel costs.
Can a solo traveller book a Standard berth?
The Standard category is offered for solo sharing. Published private-occupancy terms add 85% to the fare; the actual cabin allocation needs confirmation.
Do all trips return to Phuket?
No. Northern loops start and finish at Thap Lamu, while selected northern trips start at Asia Marina and finish at Thap Lamu. The six-night north–south itinerary finishes at Asia Marina.
Can Open Water divers join?
The partner’s itinerary lists Open Water and four logged dives, but deeper sites may require Adventure Deep or Advanced training. The departure’s training conditions and any extra course fee need agreement before booking.
Share your Gentle Giant experience — travel date, cabin, diving highlights and points that could be better all help future guests.
Updated 9 November 2026 from current operator and booking information, with dated guest feedback. This is a source-based update, not a new firsthand inspection aboard.
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.
Khao Lak
Starting point of many liveaboards to dive the Similan and Surin Islands. Khao Lak has also good local diving sites.
Surin Islands
Large Pelagics, Manta rays and Whale Shark if you are lucky all in a superb remote area!
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.
Koh Phi Phi
Amazing Marine life in a very scenic surrounding. Perfect starting point to explore the world class dive sites of the Andaman Sea!
Koh Lanta
Excellent Marine life with good chances to spot Leopard sharks, Manta Rays and even a Whale Shark!
Koh Tao
Diving hub of Thailand to learn how to dive. Cheap and easy diving on a beautiful island.
Thailand
Thailand is renowned for its beautiful beaches and amazing dive sites. The country offers some of the best diving in the world with the famous Similan Islands and many other amazing spots like Koh Phi Phi and Ko Lanta islands in the Andaman sea.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Similan Islands & Thailand, 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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