MV Similan Explorer Liveaboard Review

Check prices
Have you dived on this boat? Rate it!
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(34 votes, 2.97/5)
Loading...
Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3/5
Cost
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
You will not find cheaper!


The MV Similan Explorer has been running 4-5 nights tours around the captivating Similan islands and Richelieu Rock for 13 years now.

MV Similan Explorer dive boat review

MV Similan Explorer offers a basic yet comfortable living space, which can accommodate up to 20 divers within 8 comfortable cabins. If you are looking for a cheaper option, this boat still offers a wonderful experience.

You can check the availability and prices for this Boat here.

Guests can choose to socialize in the open-air dining area or on the sundeck while taking in the stunning thai scenery. Various diving books written in various languages are available, along with music to listen to or movies to relax post-dives. Snacks and drinks are available 24 hours a day. Satellite phone & cellphones are also available for use.

Craving bread, omelettes, ham, sausages or maybe corn flakes for breakfast? When on board the MV Similan Explorer, this liveaboard also takes its food seriously. The talented chef serves a delectable menu of Thai and other international dishes, served up in a delicious buffet. Diets are catered for and guests can take advantage of the free drinking water, coffee, tea, electrolyte drinks and biscuits.

MV Similan Explorer on board facilities and services:

  • Enriched air nitrox
  • Motorised dive dinghy
  • 13m² dive deck with hot water showers & toilets
  • 9m² dive platform with ladders and rinse tanks

Budget Range/Rate: Starts at US$ 722 for a 5 night tour

Customer Review

“The first contact I had with the Similan Explorer team was through e-mail. Ever since, they have been prompt, friendly and professional. I knew I was in good hands. All the details and instructions they provided were clearly understandable, with no grey zones, hidden fee to anything unpleasant.

My stay on the Similan Explorer was amazing. I shared a cabin with other girls, it was roomy enough, comfortable and clean. The service from the boat crew was always excellent and we had much fun with them. Everybody was extremely knowledgable and competent. The tour manager, also a dive master, was leading the briefings and making sure everybody got everything alright and was fully ready for the dives.

The diving was so incredible. I am still new at diving and I have learned so much during this dive safari around these majestic Similan Islands. I have already booked my next trip with them and I am looking forward to be back on this great vessel.”

Violetta 

“I just came back from my second adventure on the Similan Explorer. I cannot say enough how amazing it was, the first AND the second time.

First, the destination : the Similan Islands. Such a beautiful area of the world with crystal clear waters and the finest sand my feet have ever walked on. You can discover the inside of those beautiful islands between the dives and get to some stunning viewpoints.

Second, the DIVING : absolutely A-MA-ZING!!! The Richelieu Rock is well preceded by it’s reputation and sure honours it. All the dive sites are different, unique and every single one has something to offer. I was lucky enough to see many whale sharks, some I could even swim along with them. Manta Rays so large I could not believe my eyes.

Third, the boat : top notch!!! Crew is friendly, professional and efficient. The food is amazing, I even asked for some recipes to be written down for me to take home. I cannot praise the boat and it’s crew enough, it was wonderful and I sure will come back for a third time.”

Clayton

Read more about the best Liveaboards in the Similan Islands here.

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.

Similan Islands Diving Review

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.

Phuket Diving Review

Other Liveaboard Reviews in Phuket & Similan Islands

MV Oktavia

The 30 meters Oktavia is a liveaboard op

MV Oktavia Liveaboard Review

The Junk

A unique experience, The Junk “June Chia

The Junk Liveaboard Review

South Siam 3

The 30 meters South Siam 3, also called

South Siam 3 Liveaboard Review

South Siam 4

The 28 meters South Siam 4, also called

South Siam 4 Liveaboard Review

Gentle Giant

The 27 meters Gentle Giant liveaboard of

Gentle Giant Liveaboard Review

MV Pawara

MV Pawara is a liveaboard owned by West

MV Pawara Liveaboard Review

Sawasdee Fasai

The Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard offers div

Sawasdee Fasai Liveaboard Review

MV Smiling Seahorse

The MV Smiling Seahorse is a liveaboard

MV Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard Review

The Phinisi

The Phinisi is a 34 meters boat operatin

The Phinisi Liveaboard Review

Andaman Tritan

The 24.5 meters Andaman Tritan is a live

Andaman Tritan Liveaboard Review

Dive spots reviews in Phuket & Similan Islands

Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Beacon point dive site offers the chance to spot many stingrays, reef sharks and also the beautiful leopard shark. It is...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The Hide Away Bay dive site is located a bit further South West of Anita's reef. It is sometimes called Barracuda Point....
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Christmas Point dive site in the Similans consists of large rocks and a nice drop off. It is a good spot to observe whit...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
East of Eden dive site is one of the Top dive spots of the Similan Islands! The coral formations are amazing with a real...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Anita's reef is one of the best dive site of the Similan Islands. The topography at the bottom is outstanding with a hug...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Phuket Shark Point is one of the best scuba diving spots around Phuket Island. The site consists of three pinnacles at d...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Elephant head dive site is the most famous spot of the Similan Islands. The name comes from the shape of the rock at the...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The Fantasea Reef dive site is one of the best spots of the Similan archipelago. It is located a bit offshore off the we...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bird Rock dive site is also called the Chinese Valley. It is a famous spot to observe giant Moray eels, but dont get too...
Dive rating:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Sea life:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Rocky Point dive site is located on the south East of the Similan Island number 1. The site features several submerged r...

2 liveaboard reviews for “MV Similan Explorer”

  1. I booked with the MV Similan as I read 5-star reviews about this boat. I’ve always wanted to dive in Asia and I wouldn’t want anything to go wrong. I wanted an ultimate relaxation doing the thing I am most passionate about for the past 15 years – diving.
    And I made a good choice. The dive masters were approachable and have been on the business for quite some time, prompting local knowledge on the area and with their guidance, the group and I have enjoyed a worthwhile experience in Similan Islands. I have always been fond of having English speaking dive masters as it would be more convenient and safe for us.
    The organization made sure that we had a lot of attention by having only four to five divers per dive master and that also means that we get to all be adults underwater and no drifting off.
    I would want to go again and maybe bring my friends over as they do have this discount if your bring 9 divers and the extra space is for free. Not a bad thing since down payment required is also only 30%. Plus the cost is nothing compared to the wonders of the sea. With the string of islands like the Maldives, Similan islands have been turned into a national park that protects turtles especially during the hatching season. With the local government’s efforts, the richness of the biodiversity is coming back. Coral reef formations, sharks and whale sharks are very common.
    Many thanks to the crew of the Similan Explorer, loved how they run the cruise and I would be seeing Similan Island again next year.

  2. I have to say that my boyfriend and I were not so sure about booking a Liveaboard. The reason being that we are not very experienced divers yet with only 30 dives under our belt and we have not met much adversity yet while visiting the underwater world. When we talked with the Similan Explorer crew about the possibility of going on a trip to the Similan Island and our uncertainties regarding our diving abilities, they were great, told us what we can expect and reassured us on our level on diving. We then decided to take a 5 days trip on board the Similan Explorer vessel. We now are so glad we did because beside adding many dives to the toll, we gained much skills, knowledges and confidence. The dive masters were awesome, helpful and easy going. The dives were all wonderful, we were also very lucky to have the weather on our side. If you are not sure about your skills or something else, feel free to go inquire if you are around or e-mail them, they are great, prompt and friendly. You won’t regret booking such an adventure.

Have you been on this liveaboard cruise? Rate it!
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(34 votes, 2.97/5)
Loading...

Have you been on this liveaboard?

Other divers will appreciate to see your feedback about this cruise!

How was the boat and service on-board, the accommodation, the itinerary, and the diving? Your email address will not be published.