MV Giamani dive boat review
The MV Giamani is owned by Colona Liveaboards and tours from Southern Thailand to Myanmar at the more northern reaches of the Andaman Sea.
Built in 1988, the MV Giamani is steel-hulled – something less common in the usually wooden-hulled Thailand liveaboard market. She is 24m in length and 6.5m wide. Smaller than The Junk, but very different in style.
You can check the availability and prices for this Boat here.
Liveaboard layout
The MV Giamani features 2 decks for customers.
On the Upper Deck are the standard cabins (twin beds with a shared bathroom), saloon and dining area.
On the Main Deck there is Master Cabin with a double bed and two bunk beds that may be converted into a sofa for relaxing during the day, the galley and the dive deck.
Cabins
All cabins are air-conditioned for your comfort should you wish to escape the warm temperatures of Thailand and have a 220v electricity supply 24hours a day.
Other facilities include hot/cold water showers, daily housekeeping service, audio and visual entertainment centre and camera tables and associated fresh water tanks.
The Giamani liveaboard aims for a smaller, more intimate atmosphere onboard with the number of guests normally limited to 12 – despite the maximum capacity being 16 divers onboard.
Scuba Diving
Included in the price is tank and weights, torches (for night diving where appropriate), guide, tea, coffee, water and, of course, all meals onboard. You won’t go hungry onboard at there is a selection of Thai and western food available onboard.
Should you wish to make the most of your time in the water there are two Bauer compressors which for a small charge of THB250 per fill can provide you with Nitrox – when qualified. Additional fees to be aware of are the national park fees for entering the Similans/Surin national parks.
Sensibly, diving computers are mandatory on this vessel. So, if you do not have one please budget THB300 per day for computer rental and THB800 per day for equipment hire.
However, what really sets apart MV Giamani diving boat is the sheer diversity of itineraries available – with the following schedules on usually offer to suit all tastes.
• 6 days/6 nights – Diving Myanmar (Burma) Safari
• 2 Day/1 Night – Phi Phi Island Overnight (Mid May to Mid October)
• 2 Day/2 Night – Southern Island Liveaboard Cruise
• 2 Day/3 Night – Koh Raya Noi & Phi Phi Islands (Mid May – Mid October)
• 4 Day/4 Night – Similan Island & Richelieu Rock Cruise
• 6 Day/6 Night – Northern & Southern Cruise Combo
• 6 Day/6 Night – Similans & Richelieu Rock Cruise
Prices for the different MV Giamani itineraries and options vary hugely from THB22,000-THB77,000 dependent on cruise.
Our tour of choice would be the 4 Day/4 Night Similan and Richelieu Rock tour taking in some of the best the Andaman Sea has to offer.
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.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Khao Lak & Phuket & Similan Islands & Surin 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 have been on the Giamani multiple times diving most of the itineraries and am excited to be diving on the Burma trip with them for the first time! The crew and especially dive director are first-rate and are obviously very experienced with the highest regard for safety of any liveaboard I have been on. The food is always varied and delicious and the layout of the boat and the fact that the number of divers is limited just always makes for a great and memorable, enjoyable trip. I really cannot recommend it more highly.