There is a lovely moment on a Thailand liveaboard when the day boats head home and your next reef is already close by. The attraction is time: another dive around a granite headland, a relaxed lunch on deck, and less of your holiday spent travelling back to shore. Choosing the right trip starts with its route, then its cabin—not simply the lowest headline fare.
The northern Andaman is the classic choice for the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Southern cruises offer a different journey around Koh Haa, Hin Daeng–Hin Muang and, on selected programmes, the Lipe area. Koh Tao belongs to the Gulf of Thailand and is better considered as a separate island-based diving holiday.
A quick route to the right holiday
| Your priority | Useful starting point | The detail that changes the choice |
|---|---|---|
| First northern Andaman cruise | Four nights linking the Similans with northern pinnacles | Whether Richelieu Rock and Surin are actually included; the name “Similan cruise” is not enough. |
| A shorter break | Bavaria’s three-night Similan programme or Manta Queen 2’s three-night northern-pinnacle trip | These have different routes. Bavaria’s published return uses a day boat; Manta Queen 2 concentrates on Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. |
| More time at sea | Six- or seven-night programmes | More nights can mean more regions or a slower pace. The actual itinerary reveals which. |
| Southern reefs | Phuket-based southern departures | Hin Daeng–Hin Muang, Koh Haa and Lipe are not interchangeable stops, and distant sites depend on conditions. |
| Lower spending | Budget Similan liveaboards | Shared bathrooms and multi-berth cabins can reduce the fare; mandatory extras still count. |
| More cabin comfort | Luxury and comfort choices | The actual room, bathroom, bed arrangement and guest capacity matter more than a luxury label. |
| Beach evenings or a non-diving partner | Phuket, Koh Lanta or Koh Tao day diving | Land-based stays leave more independent choices between dive days. |
Six boats to help narrow the choice
A short northern-pinnacle trip, a traditional wooden boat and a full week with an ensuite cabin suit different holidays. Each profile explains the cabin choices and practical trade-offs.
Manta Queen 2
A short northern-pinnacle trip. Three nights, shared bathrooms and a compact programme. Its route is not a full tour of the Similan island group.
Bavaria
A choice of cabin comfort. Standard bunks and ensuite categories make the room choice meaningful. Short and longer programmes need separate itinerary checks.
The Junk
Wooden-boat character. A distinctive traditional vessel with double and shared cabin options. A four-night cruise and a six-night cruise are separate budget decisions.
Pawara
A sociable northern cruise. A useful option to compare for a four-night northern journey. The confirmed cabin category determines bathroom arrangements.
Deep Andaman Queen
Different Andaman route families. Northern, southern and Hin Daeng–Hin Muang programmes call for different joining and diving plans. The boat name alone does not identify the route.
Thailand Aggressor
A full week with ensuite cabins. A seven-night format with Master and Deluxe categories. Northern and southern itineraries use different piers.
Boat images supplied through LiveAboard.com. Detailed galleries and cabin photographs are in each boat profile.
More northern and mixed-route profiles
Southern and charter possibilities
Historical or availability-sensitive profiles
DiveRACE Class E was lost after a fire in April 2025. Its historical profile does not describe the new Class X vessel.
These pages preserve earlier accounts, uncertain availability or former vessel names. They are not a list of boats with confirmed Thailand departures. Panunee’s current programme is in Indonesia; Scuba Explorer became Sawasdee Fasai; June Hong Chian Lee is The Junk. Duplicate historical reviews do not represent additional boats.
Routes: north, south and the time between them
The classic northern journey mixes the Similans’ granite scenery with the offshore pinnacles farther north. Richelieu Rock belongs to the Surin park area; a departure advertised only as “Similan” may or may not reach it. Some short programmes concentrate entirely on the northern pinnacles.
Southern cruises trade that sequence for limestone islands, Koh Haa’s reef scenery and the exposed Hin Daeng–Hin Muang pinnacles. A longer southern itinerary may continue towards Koh Lipe. Distances and sea conditions make the route more than a collection of famous names. A programme combining north and south needs enough time for the passage as well as the diving.
A liveaboard is not essential for every offshore site. Khao Lak day boats reach parts of the northern Andaman, and Koh Lanta boats visit Koh Haa and, when conditions allow, Hin Daeng–Hin Muang. Sleeping aboard mainly changes the travel rhythm and time available. Island landings, night dives and the total number of dives remain programme-specific.
Two Andaman liveaboard journeys
Northern and southern cruises are separate route families. These operator examples connect regional stops in travel order; they are not navigation tracks, dive-entry coordinates or a promise of access. The southern Phuket pin indicates a gateway area, not a confirmed boarding pier.
Full descriptions remain available below if the map cannot load.
Northern Andaman · four-night example
The Junk’s Thap Lamu programme reaches the Similans and the northern pinnacles. Some departures use another joining port; the confirmed instructions determine the transfer.
- 1 · Thap Lamu, boarding.
- 2 · Similan island group.
- 3 · Koh Bon and 4 · Koh Tachai.
- 5 · Surin Islands and 6 · Richelieu Rock.
- 7 · Khao Lak coastal wreck area, then 1 · Thap Lamu.
The Junk operator programme · checked 12 November 2026. The wreck pin represents an area, not a guaranteed wreck stop.
Southern Andaman · four-night regional example
Deep Andaman Queen’s published Southern–Lipe example links the Phuket gateway with Koh Haa, the Lipe area and the southern pinnacles. The map groups nearby sites into regions. The operator’s page has inconsistent dive totals, so the number of dives and actual port need confirmation for the selected departure.
- 8 · Southern Phuket gateway area: airport pickup and boarding arrangements.
- 9 · Koh Haa, continuing towards 10 · the Lipe-area sites.
- 10 · Koh Lipe and surrounding diving.
- 11 · Hin Daeng–Hin Muang region, returning via 9 · Koh Haa.
- 12 · Bida islands / Phi Phi, with other final dives selected by the operator, then 8 · the Phuket gateway.
Deep Andaman Queen southern programme · checked 12 November 2026. Actual sites and order depend on conditions.
Location references include PADI Koh Haa · PADI Bida Nok. These are planning references, not underwater guidance.
The separate Thailand diving guide includes the principal dive-site map and a Gulf day-trip alternative. The Similan guide and Surin guide explain the islands and individual diving areas in more detail.
Individual dive sites: where they sit along the coast
This separate map locates selected dive sites rather than tracing a cruise. The northern and southern itineraries above provide the regional journey; the site links explain individual dives and their conditions.
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
6 · Koh Haa Lagoon
A southern Andaman island-group stop; calm-looking surface conditions do not determine the dive plan.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
7 · Koh Bida Nok
A limestone island at the southern end of the Phi Phi group.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
8 · Shark Island
A surface-breaking pinnacle off southern Koh Tao, in the Gulf of Thailand.
Location reference · checked 12 November 2026
When to go, and what the sea may bring
Northern Andaman liveaboards follow the marine parks’ opening season rather than a year-round timetable. The Similan and Surin parks reopened on 15 October 2026. Seasonal closure dates and any site-specific restrictions should be checked against the actual departure; a calendar on an old review is not a park-access guarantee.
The dry-season Andaman is the usual planning window for these cruises, but even then wind, swell, current and visibility can change the day. Thermoclines can make one dive feel markedly cooler than the previous one. A flexible route is often a sign of sensible operation rather than a lost opportunity.
Whale sharks and mantas are possible visitors, not inclusions in the fare. The quieter pleasures are more dependable reasons to come: reef fish around granite, morays in crevices, colourful invertebrates and busy schools around offshore rocks. A boat that spends more time at a suitable site creates more opportunities; it cannot schedule an animal.
Diving level: boat rules come before general advice
There is no single experience requirement covering every Thai liveaboard. Manta Queen’s published requirements include certification to 30 metres, or an appropriate course during the trip for an Open Water diver; insurance and a dive computer are required. The Junk’s Thailand minimum is Open Water certification with at least 10 logged dives, alongside its own insurance and operating requirements. Those are different operator policies, not universal national thresholds.
Comfortable buoyancy, controlled descents and the ability to follow a group in current make offshore diving more enjoyable. A recent easy dive or refresher can be more useful than a card acquired years ago. Exposed pinnacles and deep walls are poor places to discover that familiar skills have become rusty. The operator needs an honest account of certification, logged dives and the date of the last dive.
Thailand’s protected-area camera rule should not be confused with a blanket requirement for 40 dives: the published rule allows advanced certification or at least 40 logged dives for underwater photographers. A boat can impose additional restrictions. Nitrox also requires the relevant certification and is neither available nor included on every vessel.
Prices: a cabin fare is only the starting point
The examples below were checked on 12 November 2026. They show different products and currencies, so they are not a cheapest-to-most-expensive league table. No selected cabin or departure is held.
| Example | Published basis | Known additions and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Manta Queen 2 · three nights | Operator headline from THB 20,000 per person; the headline does not identify a selected cabin or date. | Foreign-diver park charge THB 2,300. Known components from THB 22,300 if that fare is available; equipment, computer, insurance and optional Nitrox remain extra. |
| Thailand Aggressor · seven nights | 2026 and 2027 annual tariff: USD 3,490 per person for Master or Deluxe; not a selected-departure promotion. | Published park fee USD 95 plus 7% VAT on that fee = USD 101.65. Known components USD 3,591.65 before rentals, Nitrox, travel and other applicable extras. Occupancy and any single-use supplement need the actual booking quote. |
| The Junk · four-night cruise extras | Added to the selected cabin fare; no cabin-price assumption. | USD 65 diver park fee plus USD 40 fuel through 17 November 2026, or USD 60 fuel from 18 November. These known mandatory extras are USD 105 or USD 125 respectively. |
For a four-night Junk trip, the published optional charges include USD 90 for equipment excluding computer and torch, USD 30 for a computer, USD 15 for a torch and USD 105 for Nitrox. A traveller bringing equipment and diving on air has a different bill from one renting everything. Fuel supplements can change independently of a discounted cabin fare.
Airports, piers and a sensible arrival buffer
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the main gateway for many northern and southern Andaman departures. It does not follow that every boat leaves from Phuket itself. Thap Lamu, near Khao Lak, is a key northern departure area; southern programmes commonly join around Phuket. Ranong-based trips and one-way cruises need their own transfer plan.
Thailand Aggressor currently distinguishes Andaman Sea Sun Travel Pier at Thap Lamu for northern routes from Visit Panwa Pier for southern routes. Its transfer arrangements require advance notice. The Junk includes specified airport or hotel transfers on joining and leaving days, with coverage depending on the embarkation port. Confirmed joining instructions settle the pier, pickup area and boarding time.
An arrival night on land leaves room for delayed flights and missing bags. After diving, flight timing is measured from the last dive, not from when the boat reaches port. DAN advises at least 18 hours after repetitive or multiday no-decompression diving for divers without symptoms; operators may require longer, and The Junk specifies 24 hours. Decompression diving and travel to altitude need additional consideration.
The Thailand travel guide covers island connections and entry planning. Current passport and visa eligibility depend on nationality and circumstances; official consular advice and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card instructions are the appropriate references.
Non-diving companions: the itinerary matters as much as the cabin
Some boats accept non-divers, but a lower park charge does not establish a discounted cabin fare. The Junk publishes separate non-diver park fees—USD 45 on a four-night trip—while Manta Queen 2 lists THB 1,500 for foreign non-divers on its three-night programme. The actual passenger fare, available space and accepted activities still need confirmation for the selected departure.
An exposed pinnacle is not a sheltered snorkelling bay. Snorkelling supervision, tender availability, safe access and permitted island landings determine how enjoyable a cruise will be for someone staying above the surface. A quiet deck and shared meals may be exactly the attraction; independent beach days and town evenings are much easier with a Phuket or Koh Lanta hotel base. A diving-led cruise should not be sold as a guaranteed daily snorkelling or beach programme.
Life aboard and packing
Cabin choice changes the week: bunks versus a double, shared versus private bathrooms, stairs, ventilation and proximity to machinery all deserve attention. A small soft bag is easier to stow than a rigid suitcase. Certification and Nitrox cards, logbook, insurance details and any operator medical form belong in the travel plan, alongside the equipment.
A familiar mask and properly fitting thermal protection often matter more than another gadget. The rental list should identify the computer, torch, surface marker buoy and any required signalling equipment separately. A dry pouch, sun protection and a warm layer for a breezy deck are useful between dives. Dietary needs, rental sizes and charging requirements are best settled while the crew can still provision ashore.
Wi-Fi may depend on coastal coverage; a promise of internet aboard is not a promise of continuous offshore service. Cash, card acceptance and transaction fees vary. Charging arrangements, freshwater use and safe storage follow the crew’s briefing. Keeping fins, cameras and hands clear of the reef protects both the animals and the next diver’s view.
Thailand liveaboard questions
Which Thailand liveaboard is best for me?
The route and cabin are the best first filters. A short northern-pinnacle cruise, a longer Similan–Surin trip and a southern Andaman voyage solve different holiday needs. The boat profiles above explain the compromises rather than treating one vessel as best for everyone.
Does every Similan cruise visit Richelieu Rock?
No. Richelieu Rock is farther north in the Surin park area. Some shorter cruises stay in the Similan island group; others concentrate on Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu. The named itinerary and daily plan are more useful than a broad destination label.
Can I visit these sites by day boat?
Some are accessible from Khao Lak, Phuket or Koh Lanta, depending on the site and season. A liveaboard reduces repeated shore transfers and allows a different rhythm; it does not make every stop exclusive to overnight boats.
Is three nights enough?
It can be enough for a focused route. Bavaria’s three-night Similan programme and Manta Queen 2’s northern-pinnacle programme are examples of different short trips. A longer cruise may cover more regions, repeat favourite areas or spend more time at sea.
Can an Open Water diver join?
Sometimes, under the chosen operator’s rules. The Junk and Manta Queen publish different prerequisites. Certification depth, logged dives, recency, required courses and the actual itinerary all affect acceptance; an Open Water card alone does not settle suitability.
Do all divers need 40 logged dives?
No. The protected-area camera rule concerns underwater photography and permits advanced certification or at least 40 logged dives. It is not a universal 40-dive requirement for all passengers. Operator-specific minimum experience still applies.
Is Nitrox included?
Not universally. Availability, certification requirements, tank sizes and package charges differ. A fare comparison should specify whether Nitrox is included, optional or unavailable rather than assuming it is free across a fleet.
When is the northern Andaman season?
Cruises follow the Similan and Surin marine parks’ opening period. Their 2026 reopening was 15 October. The current official access calendar and the operator’s dated departure determine whether a particular trip can run.
Will I see whale sharks or mantas?
Possibly, but neither species is guaranteed. Site conditions and animal movements vary. A varied reef and pinnacle itinerary remains worthwhile even when the large visitors do not appear.
What wetsuit should I bring?
Personal comfort, repetitive dives and thermoclines matter as well as the surface temperature. The operator’s recent conditions report and available rental sizes are better guides than assuming every tropical dive feels warm throughout.
Are night dives part of the trip?
Only where the specific programme and conditions allow them. Scheduled dive totals and night-dive opportunities differ between boats and routes. A night on board does not imply a night dive.
What is a realistic price comparison?
The same dates, duration, cabin type and occupancy basis, with mandatory fees added. The examples above deliberately distinguish headline fares, annual tariffs and extra charges. A discounted berth can still carry the full park and fuel bill.
Are park fees and fuel included?
Sometimes, but not consistently. The Junk publishes separate park and temporary fuel charges; other operators use different structures. An itemized quote should show compulsory supplements and the currency in which they will be paid.
Where does the boat leave from?
Many northern trips join near Khao Lak at Thap Lamu, while southern trips use Phuket-area piers. Individual boats and one-way itineraries can differ. The confirmed joining instructions identify both embarkation and disembarkation.
Can a non-diving partner come?
Acceptance is boat- and departure-specific. A non-diver park tariff is not proof of a reduced cabin fare or guaranteed snorkelling. Safe water access, a guide or tender, possible land visits and independent activities are the practical questions.
Can I book alone without paying for a whole cabin?
Some vessels sell shared berths, while others apply a single-use supplement. Sharing arrangements, berth type and what happens if no roommate books need confirmation in writing. A per-person fare does not automatically buy exclusive cabin use.
What insurance is needed?
The policy needs to match the planned recreational diving, depth and activities, with evacuation and medical cover acceptable to the operator. A park fee or contribution is not an insurance policy. Cancellation and travel disruption are separate cover questions.
How soon can I fly home?
For repetitive or multiday no-decompression diving without symptoms, DAN recommends at least 18 hours; the operator may require longer. The Junk specifies 24 hours. The interval begins at the end of the last dive, and decompression diving or altitude travel may require more.
Is there reliable internet and card payment?
Neither is universal. Offshore coverage may disappear, and card acceptance or surcharges vary by boat. The joining information should identify payment currencies, cash needs, power sockets and the actual connectivity offered.
Are Myanmar trips part of the same holiday?
A departure marketed through a Thailand-based operator may cross into Myanmar, which is a separate destination with its own access, safety and entry considerations. It should not be treated as a routine extension of a domestic Similan cruise.
How should I use old reviews and photographs?
Reader experiences remain valuable in their original context. Former boat names, older cabin layouts and historical prices do not establish today’s operation. The current profile separates those records from documented present-day booking information.
Sources and editorial check
Checked 12 November 2026. Prices are published examples, not live availability or reserved cabins. Sources for individual vessel specifications, galleries and historical status are recorded in the linked boat profiles. Route maps cite their operator programmes alongside the descriptions. Photography is credited where shown; an image does not establish current condition or an inspection date.
- Manta Queen 2: route, requirements and charges
- Bavaria three-night programme
- The Junk: prerequisites, transfers and flight interval
- The Junk onboard extras
- The Junk temporary fuel supplement
- Thailand Aggressor annual tariffs
- Thailand Aggressor joining information and park charge
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: 2026 park reopening
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: protected-area diving rules
- DAN: flying after diving
Dear Team,
We are interested in a scuba diving course for 2 days and 1 night. we do not have any prior diving experience but very interested to explore underwater world.
We will be available in Khao Lak from 25th December to 28th December.
Could you please assist us in program availability, price and tour itinerary.
Thanks,
Puneetha
hated it there was no black big juicy ass
I’m not sure if this is a one-off situation, but trying to book liveaboards from Khao Lak has been incredibly difficult, time consuming, and frustrating. I paid for two live aboard trips, over $4,000.00, but have not been “approved” yet as neither the photo-copied nor the scanned versions of my passport were acceptable. Apparently I must submit a PDF file instead!! I find this ludicrous and unnecessary, but how do i do this, and is it reasonable and safe to do do?
Hi,
I would suggest to address this issue with the company you are booking with in the first place.
Also I would had that if they’re asking a PDF, you simply have to convert your scanned document into a PDF.
Best of luck, and please come back to review your trip once back! Best bubbles!
Hello my name is Christian Nortje. i am an experienced dive instructor from South Africa. i am 22 years of age and i am currently in Malaysia. i would like to know if there are any jobs available for me. i can do 6 months to a year and i am able to pay for my own flight to Thai land. Please let me know. Thank you. LINK REMOVED
Hi Christian, we have a Job Board on Divezone and it seems to me exactly what you need. Just head here https://divezone.net/jobs and browse job offers from companies worldwide. Wishing you all the best!