MV Marco Polo

Vessel photographs supplied through LiveAboard.com; capture dates are not supplied.

Marco Polo dates and cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.

Six ensuite cabins, twelve guests

The current accommodation is a substantial change from the older shared-bathroom layout described on this page. All six cabins now have their own bathroom and air conditioning. The booking category is described as a bunk-bed cabin; bed arrangements need confirmation for couples expecting a conventional double. Cabins open onto the outside deck, and individual reading lights and power sockets make the space practical for a diving holiday.

The published build year is 1998, with renovation listed in 2021. Marco Polo remains a compact boat rather than a floating resort. Its 24 m² dive deck, two boarding ladders and freshwater showers are useful details when the day involves repeated entries, wet equipment and a camera that needs careful rinsing.

Life between dives

The indoor lounge and dining space give everyone somewhere to gather over a meal or look through underwater footage. Outside seating offers a breezier alternative, while the partially shaded upper deck is the natural place for a quiet interval watching the islands slide past. These social spaces were already highlights of the original review and remain central to the boat’s character.

Thai and international dishes are served buffet-style, with snacks between meals. Dietary needs are best agreed before provisioning. With a small guest list, the same faces soon become familiar around the table; that intimacy is a good part of the attraction for someone who enjoys a sociable boat without a large crowd.

Four nights, five nights, or a shorter northern trip

The current 2026–2027 booking calendar lists four- and five-night departures from the Khao Lak area. Sea Bees describes these by the number of diving days; booking platforms may count the evening boarding date as an additional calendar day. Nights provide the clearest comparison. Departure dates now vary, so older fixed weekday schedules are not a dependable basis for flights.

Route descriptions below.

Four nights: Thap Lamu harbour area (1) → Similan Islands (2) → Koh Bon (3) → Koh Tachai (4) → Richelieu Rock (5) → Bon (3) → Boonsung Wreck area (6) → mainland (1). The sample plan contains 15 dives.

Five nights: the same northern corridor, with an extra day around the Similans and 19 planned dives. This programme was introduced for departures from October 2026. A whole day around Richelieu allows several looks at one reef instead of a single hurried visit.

Short and combined programmes: the operator also retains a two-night northern trip through Bon, Tachai, Richelieu and Boonsung, and a six-night combination with a mainland stop between its two parts. Their dates require reconfirmation. Some descriptions mention Surin, but the detailed schedules do not consistently include the island group itself; Richelieu belongs to the Surin marine park.

The map shows regional route relationships, not navigation tracks, exact boarding positions or underwater entry points. Overlapping lines reflect shared stops. Weather, park access and the captain’s decisions can change sites and dive counts.

A realistic starting budget

These per-person THB examples use operator fares checked on 9 November 2026. The booking partner additionally lists a mandatory THB 2,000 fuel surcharge per trip, which is included in the planning column below rather than hidden in the small print.

Meals, guiding, standard tanks, weights and nitrox are included. Equipment rental, flights, hotels, insurance, training and personal spending remain additional. Transfer and drink inclusions differ between published offers, so the written quotation needs to settle those details. The six-night combination is advertised from THB 70,000, but its park-fee wording is inconsistent; a reliable inclusive total needs a confirmed quote.

Marco Polo dates and cabin pricesAffiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.

Diving rhythm and suitability

The sample four-night trip begins with the Similans before heading north, while the five-night version leaves more time around the islands. Early starts are part of the rhythm. Repeated dives at Richelieu can be particularly rewarding for someone interested in small subjects as well as schooling fish; manta rays and whale sharks remain possibilities rather than itinerary promises.

Nitrox requires the appropriate qualification, and courses are advertised onboard. Certification, recent experience and comfort in current should be discussed for the selected sailing. The original review’s broad safety superlatives are not a substitute for the crew’s assessment of conditions or an individual diver’s limits.

Non-diving companions

Sea Bees welcomes non-divers and advertises a 10% reduction on the cabin fare. That reduction does not imply a discount on every supplementary charge. The two- and four-night offers list THB 1,500 non-diver park fees; other programmes require their own quote. Deck time and possible shore visits provide a gentler rhythm, but suitable snorkelling, supervision and access depend on the specific trip.

What guests enjoyed—and what to weigh up

Marco Polo on film

▶ Marco Polo

Sea Bees’ 2025/26 season review. The current programme and accommodation are described above. Watch on YouTube.

Marco Polo questions, answered

Updated 9 November 2026. Researched from operator information, booking specifications and dated guest accounts; not a firsthand inspection.