Similan Islands Liveaboard: Prices, Boats and Season

MV Marco Polo liveaboard at anchor near the Similan Islands — MV Marco Polo at anchor — photo courtesy of MV Marco Polo.

A Similan Islands liveaboard costs from about THB 16,500 (around US$500) for a 1 to 2 night trip to about USD 3,490 for a 7-night cruise. The season runs roughly mid-October to mid-May, when Similan National Park is open. Four boats are listed on Be Underwater, leaving from Khao Lak, Ranong and Phuket.

Prices are per person as listed on Be Underwater and vary by date and cabin. National park fees and other mandatory extras may apply, so check the trip page. THB amounts are converted at about 33 THB per US dollar for reference only.

Similan Liveaboards Compared (by Trip Length)

Boat	Departs from	Nights	Dives	From price	Level
MC Stingray	Khao Lak	1–2	6–10	THB 16,500–24,500 (about US$500–745)	Open Water
MV Marco Polo	Khao Lak	4–5	15–19	THB 46,000–56,000 (about US$1,395–1,695)	Open Water
Thailand Aggressor	Phuket	7	21	USD 3,490	No minimum listed
MV Smiling Seahorse	Ranong	7–8	See listing	THB 60,000–82,500 (about US$1,820–2,500)	Open Water, 10 logged dives

Note: the Smiling Seahorse listing shows a North Andaman itinerary from Ranong, and the Thailand Aggressor shows a South Andaman itinerary from Phuket. Open the trip page to see which sites are visited on each departure.

Season and What You Can See

MV Smiling Seahorse liveaboard anchored in the Andaman Sea — MV Smiling Seahorse at anchor — photo courtesy of MV Smiling Seahorse.

Similan National Park is open for diving roughly from mid-October to mid-May. It closes during the southwest monsoon, when seas are rough. The departures currently listed on Be Underwater run from October to March, depending on the boat.

The Similan itineraries combine the granite-boulder reefs of the Similan Islands with Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Richelieu Rock and the Koh Bon and Koh Tachai pinnacles are the places where manta rays and whale sharks are sometimes seen. These are seasonal and never guaranteed.

For a wider picture of Thailand, see best dive spots in Thailand and where to dive in December.

Similan Liveaboard from Phuket vs Khao Lak

Khao Lak is the closest mainland base to the Similan Islands, so short trips from there spend more of their time in the water. MC Stingray (1 to 2 nights) and MV Marco Polo (4 to 5 nights) both leave from Khao Lak.

Phuket is farther away, which is why departures from there are normally longer. Thailand Aggressor leaves Phuket on a 7-night trip priced at USD 3,490. Phuket is also the place most international flights arrive, with a transfer to Khao Lak taking a couple of hours by road.

If you are staying near Krabi or Phi Phi, see diving in Krabi and scuba diving in Thailand for day trips to combine with a liveaboard.

Is a 2-Night Trip Enough?

A 2-night trip like MC Stingray's Similans, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock itinerary fits a tight schedule and a smaller budget, with 6 to 10 dives. It is a good introduction, but you will cover fewer sites and spend more of your time travelling.

A 4 to 5 night trip such as MV Marco Polo (15 to 19 dives) adds time for the northern sites, including Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, with more dives per day of travel. Longer 7-night cruises suit divers who want an extended itinerary. Other short options for a similar timeframe exist in Indonesia, see our Komodo 3 or 4 day liveaboard guide.

Do You Need to Be Certified?

Yes. All four boats list Open Water as the minimum certification. MV Smiling Seahorse also lists a minimum of 10 logged dives. The others show no minimum number of logged dives.

Open Water is enough on paper, but Richelieu Rock and the northern pinnacles can have current, so a few dives of recent experience will make the trip more comfortable. Not certified yet? Learn in Thailand first, for example around Krabi.

FAQ: Similan Islands Liveaboard

How much is a Similan Islands liveaboard?

On Be Underwater, prices start at THB 16,500 per person (about US$500) for a 1 to 2 night trip on MC Stingray from Khao Lak, THB 46,000 to 56,000 for 4 to 5 nights on MV Marco Polo, and USD 3,490 for 7 nights on Thailand Aggressor from Phuket. Prices vary by date and cabin, and park fees may apply.

When is the Similan Islands liveaboard season?

Similan National Park is open roughly from mid-October to mid-May. It closes during the southwest monsoon, so liveaboards do not operate to the Similans in the rainy months.

Can I do a Similan Islands liveaboard from Phuket?

Yes. Thailand Aggressor departs from Phuket on 7-night trips, and its listed itinerary is South Andaman. Shorter Similan trips mostly leave from Khao Lak, which is closer to the islands, so more of the time goes to diving.

Is a 2-night Similan liveaboard enough?

A 2-night trip such as the MC Stingray Similans, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock itinerary gives a taste of the area with up to 10 dives. For the full range of sites, a 4 to 5 night trip is a better fit.

Do I need to be certified for a Similan liveaboard?

Yes. The boats listed on Be Underwater ask for at least Open Water certification, and MV Smiling Seahorse also asks for 10 logged dives. Richelieu Rock can have current, so more experience makes dives easier.