The Similan Islands liveaboard holds a special place in my heart — it was my very first job as a newly certified dive instructor, and those days living aboard a boat left a lasting impression. There's already a wealth of information about the Similan Islands online — the origin of the name, dive site descriptions, and so on — so I won't rehash all that here. Instead, this article is meant to help fellow divers who are interested in a Similan Islands liveaboard choose the right vessel and figure out the logistics of getting there.
*All photos below were provided by fellow divers or official sources, because instructors are not allowed to bring cameras underwater 😭 — keeping an eye on guests at all times comes first.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1278" class="snax-figure"]
Photo by 中國潛友梧桐[/caption]
1) What Qualifications Do You Need?
A basic Open Water scuba certification is required as a minimum; otherwise you can join as a snorkeler. The company I worked for, KSA, used to offer Open Water courses onboard, but that option has since been discontinued — anyone wishing to scuba dive must hold a valid certification before boarding. Bear in mind that Open Water Divers are limited to a maximum depth of 18m, yet some of the Similan Islands' most spectacular attractions — the giant boulder formations in the south, the enormous gorgonians / sea fans, and the most beautiful dive sites in the north — all sit at average depths of 25m or more. Going all the way to the Similans with just an OW cert really is a shame! That said, most liveaboards can pair you up with an Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert) course during the trip.
An enriched air nitrox (EANx) certification isn't mandatory, but if you enjoy underwater photography, nitrox lets you stay down longer and is well worth considering. Whether or not you want to dive on nitrox can usually be confirmed with the dive guide on check-in day.
2) Choosing a Boat
The most important factors are your budget and whether the departure dates fit your holiday schedule. The Similan Islands are open from mid-October to mid-May each year; from May to October the area is closed to allow the environment to recover and regenerate — which is exactly why marine life there is so abundant! (Truly something to marvel at.)
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960" class="snax-figure"]
KSA official website[/caption]
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960" class="snax-figure"]
Photo by 中國潛友梧桐[/caption]
My personal top recommendation for timing is March and April, when the chances of spotting wild Whale Sharks and wild manta rays are at their highest. Also worth noting: although the national park stays open until mid-May, May marks the tail end of the season (from late April 2018 onward, nearly every boat was seeing Whale Sharks on almost every trip). Diver numbers during May are relatively low compared to October–April, and trips with too few bookings risk being cancelled — divers may be asked to reschedule. This is worth keeping in mind, since getting time off work isn't always easy!
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="959" class="snax-figure"]
Megafauna alert[/caption]
Regardless of which operator you choose, the final decision on which dive sites to visit rests with the captain and dive guide — but in practice, most boats follow a very similar route and visit essentially the same sites. One thing to watch out for: some ultra-budget boats have a track record of safety incidents. Diving really is a case of you get what you pay for. The most common itinerary is the four-night, four-day trip, which typically runs as follows:
Day 1 – Similan Islands: check dive + night diving (4 dives)
Day 2 – 1st or 2nd dive at a Similan Islands site; remaining 2–3 dives heading north toward Koh Bon (4 dives)
Day 3 – Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock (4 dives)
Day 4 – 1st dive at Koh Bon or Hin Daeng; begin return journey to Boonsung Wreck (3 dives)
So the route isn't really something you need to agonise over when choosing a boat. Just think about the level of comfort you want onboard, the departure dates, and the operator's reputation.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="875" class="snax-figure"]
KSA official website[/caption]
Local insider picks — no secrets held back: here are three operators I recommend!
-Budget-
Khao Lak Scuba Adventures (KSA) — Manta Queen Fleet:
KSA is the dive shop where I worked in the Similan Islands — self-proclaimed the largest liveaboard operator in the Similans (though the instructor pay is... let's not go there). The fleet consists of seven vessels: two run three-night itineraries; boats 1, 3, 5, and 6 run four nights; and boats 7 and 8 run five nights.
The Manta Queen (MQ) vessels have smaller cabins and are not especially large overall (the biggest, No. 3, is 35m long). That said, if all you need is a bunk to sleep in, or if you love sleeping out on the open deck under the stars (a surprisingly popular choice — many divers grab a blanket, head up to the sundeck, chat with fellow divers, and drift off to sleep beneath the night sky), an MQ boat will suit you perfectly.
The interiors are fairly basic, but in my opinion KSA's dive guides are genuinely excellent (ahem, myself included — ha!). Depth limits, decompression stops, and emergency procedures are all enforced rigorously. Solo travellers needn't worry either: on check-in day, the dive guide will sort you into buddy groups based on experience level and estimated air consumption (guide-to-diver ratio: maximum 1
). After the first dive of the trip, all instructors gather for a debrief and dive buddy pairings are reshuffled accordingly. Nitrox groups dive separately from air groups.As for the dive platform, MQ boats 1, 2, and 3 have the widest entry decks — a personal favourite of mine.
Below is the KSA official website for reference:
https://www.khaolakscubaadventures.com/
For those less comfortable in English, you can also check my website:
https://islandvibesstudio.weebly.com/similan-national-park.html
-Mid-Range-
West Coast Divers — MV Parawa and MV Sawasdee Fasai:
WCD's prices run a little higher than KSA's, but the interiors are more spacious — and at night, the edges of the boat are lit up with fluorescent lights, which honestly looks pretty amazing!
The amenities are also more comprehensive, with shower gel and hairdryers provided. By comparison, MQ boats only supply shower gel and have no hairdryers.
Nitrox is included in the boat fare at WCD, so if you hold a nitrox certification, you can dive on enriched air at no extra charge!
West Coast Divers
https://www.westcoastdivers.com/
-High-End-
Tapana Liveaboard — MV Tapana and MV Tapana Catamaran:
The fleet has two vessels, both with incredibly spacious, elegantly appointed cabins. The Tapana Catamaran even markets itself as the only five-star lift-access liveaboard in the Similans — and it comes with a jacuzzi! Absolutely perfect if you want to dive in style.
Of course, the luxury price tag is enough to make a budget-strapped instructor weep — the cost of one trip on this boat could fund an entire Red Sea liveaboard...
Tapana Liveaboard: http://tapanaliveaboard.com/
3) Visas
Taiwanese divers:
- Single-entry tourist visa (valid for three months from issue; maximum stay of 60 days)
Required documents:
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months
- Photocopy of both sides of your national ID card
- One 2-inch colour passport photo with white background (taken within the last 6 months)
- Visa fee: NT$1,200
- Thai re-entry permit
- Completed TM-8 form
- Single-entry: 1,000 THB
- One 2-inch passport photo
- Photocopy of passport (ID page and the page showing your most recent Thai entry stamp)
- Visa on Arrival:
Application location: 2nd Floor of Passenger Terminal
Required documents:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Confirmed outbound ticket departing within 15 days of arrival in Thailand
- Completed immigration card (T.M.6)
- One 4×6 cm passport photo taken within the last 6 months
- Visa fee of 2,000 THB (Thai baht only; foreign currency exchange counters are available near the counter)
- Sufficient funds for your stay — at least 10,000 THB cash per person, or at least 20,000 THB per family
Hong Kong divers:
Single-entry tourist visa exemption — visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
Chinese divers:
- Thai single-entry tourist visa — how to apply
- Via a Taobao agent or travel agency
- Prepare your own documents and apply in person at the embassy
Required documents for a Thai visa:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Visa application form (available for download from the Royal Thai Embassy website)
- A letter of guarantee from the applicant's employer or relevant authority (in English or Thai), stating the applicant's name and purpose of travel (Chinese citizens only)
- Fixed-deposit certificate of at least RMB 10,000 valid for 6 months or more, or a current-account bank statement showing a balance of at least RMB 30,000
- Copy of round-trip air tickets or confirmed booking
- 2 white-background passport-size photos
- Visa fee: RMB 230
* Travel agencies handling Thai visas generally only require your passport, a photocopy of your national ID, and 2-inch white-background photos. The fee is approximately RMB 250–280 and processing takes around 5 working days.
- Thai re-entry permit
- Completed TM-8 form
- Single-entry: 1,000 THB
- One 2-inch passport photo
- Photocopy of passport (ID page and the page showing your most recent Thai entry stamp)
4) Booking Flights
The most convenient way to reach the Similan Islands is to fly into Phuket Airport.
From Taiwan, there are currently no direct flights (EVA Air is scheduled to launch a direct route in April 2020). Most connections route through Malaysia, Bangkok, or Singapore. Cheaper options include AirAsia and Scoot, but I'd particularly recommend Malindo Air — positioned between a full-service and budget carrier, it transits through Kuala Lumpur and includes a meal and 20kg of checked baggage. From Hong Kong, the situation is simpler as direct flights are available.
Before booking your tickets, make sure you have a rough idea of your itinerary. If you plan to arrive in Thailand the day before boarding, there's some flexibility. If you're flying into Phuket on the same day as embarkation, confirm the operator's transfer pick-up time and the boarding time in advance, and build in extra buffer time for flight delays and potentially long queues at the Visa on Arrival counter.
5) Getting to Khao Lak
There are currently only three ways to get to Khao Lak from Phuket Airport. Unlike the journey toward Phuket town — where you can find all sorts of affordable shared minivans — getting to Khao Lak is a different story. A local told me that the Khao Lak airport transfer route has been monopolised by organised interests, so minivans don't operate on it. Your only real options are taxis. Phuket town to Khao Lak takes roughly 1.5–2 hours; from the airport it's about 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.
- Most recommended — operator shuttle transfer
Most liveaboard operators offer airport transfers. Some include the transfer in the trip price; others charge 300–500 THB. These are generally shared minivans holding up to around 10 passengers. If you're using the operator's transfer and arriving on embarkation day, make sure you arrive early — the shuttle isn't just for you, so there are fixed pick-up times.
- Most hassle-free — taxi
You can hail a taxi directly outside arrivals. It's not the cheapest option, but you can negotiate with the driver. Fares generally range from 1,000–2,000 THB per vehicle, so if you're travelling with two or more people and don't want the hassle of coordinating with the operator's shuttle, a taxi is a perfectly good option.
Cheaper than Hotel: This is probably the cheapest taxi service in Khao Lak, with fares starting at 1,000 THB per vehicle. You can book through their Facebook fan page (responses can be a little slow...) — an email address for enquiries is also listed in their page description.
- Cheapest — bus
If you're travelling light and feeling adventurous, you can walk about 10–15 minutes from the airport to the main road and catch a bus. Any bus heading toward Bangkok will stop in Khao Lak. Keep in mind that these coaches originate in Phuket, so by the time they reach you there may be no seats left. A one-way ticket is approximately 150 THB. Also note that the last bus departs at around 5 pm.
6) Other Useful Things to Know
- Water temperature at the Similan Islands and Surin Islands national park dive sites averages 28–29°C; cold current surges can drop it by 2–3°C instantly. Most liveaboard operators supply 3mm shorty wetsuits. Divers who tend to get cold (or who'd prefer a little more coverage) are advised to bring their own rash guard or full-length wetsuit.
- Thai law prohibits bringing reef hooks and gloves into the water. A pointer/tank banger is permitted, but only for communicating with your dive buddy or indicating objects — never for touching marine life. Getting caught by a patrol officer with prohibited items will result in a fine.
- Onboard, unlimited coffee, tea, and basic medications are provided at no charge; beer and soft drinks are available for purchase. Due to value-added tax, onboard prices are higher than on land, so stock up on snacks and drinks you might want during the trip before leaving Khao Lak town.
- In Thailand, operating a drone requires prior approval from the government. Please be aware of this regulation.
7) Very Important!
This point is important enough to warrant its own section: remember to tip the crew and dive guides!
Tipping is standard international liveaboard etiquette, and it's especially expected in Thailand, which is very much a tipping culture. Don't let the fact that you've bonded with your dive guide and feel like friends make you awkward about handing over a tip. Only guests from Chinese-speaking cultures tend to feel that way! (If you don't want your instructor to secretly resent you, please tip!! — just kidding 🥺)
A general rule of thumb is 10% of the total trip cost. On some boats, crew and instructor tips are pooled together and split among everyone. On others they're separate. KSA, for example, separates the two: crew tips are collected ship-wide and divided equally among all crew members — captain, cook, first mate, etc. — while instructor tips go directly to your own dive guide (though if you particularly loved another team's instructor, feel free to tip them too — more is always welcome!).
My advice: tip your dive guide even if you weren't 100% satisfied with the service. (Always tip with banknotes — handing over coins is more insulting than not tipping at all.) My standard recommendation to guests and students has always been at least 1,000 THB for the crew and at least 1,000 THB for your instructor.
8) Shore Excursions
Since you've come all the way to Thailand for a holiday, why not extend your trip and spend a few days in Phuket, Krabi, or the surrounding area after your liveaboard — and conveniently sit out your no-fly time at the same time? Personally, I'm quite fond of Phuket Old Town, which has a lovely historic charm (and please, do get a massage!!!). If you want to do some diving in Phuket, staying in Chalong is a good base. Old Phuket Town is also a great choice — convenient transport links without the noise. If you're after a non-stop party vibe every night, then Patong is obviously your destination (I've never actually been to Patong, but my Thai colleagues described it as Patong Beach being purely for partying — accompanied by a very telling eye-roll 😂).
Renting a scooter to explore Phuket costs roughly 250–350 THB per day, excluding fuel. I rented mine through the hostel I was staying at — super convenient.
Book a Bed Poshtel: I highly recommend this place where I stayed. They truly embody the poshtel concept to the fullest — dorm beds for under 400 THB a night, a great location (close to the bus terminal and the Old Town streets), friendly and helpful front desk staff, an Instagram-worthy pool, and a water slide!!
Bonus: 8) A Little Thai
I have to confess — this blogger is no expert, but I did pick up a tiny bit of Thai 😎. Here's a quick, no-frills Thai language mini-lesson with a few phrases beyond the usual Sa Wa Dee Ka (hello) or Kob Khun Ka (thank you):
Ex: How much does it cost to go to __ __?
Baiˋ __ __ tawˋ raiˇ
or Baiˋ __ __ tawˋ raiˇ naˊ
Ex: Is there a way to get to __ __? / Do you go to __ __?
Meeˇ baiˋ __ __ maiˊ?
or baiˋ __ __ maiˊ?
Baiˋ: go
tawˋ raiˇ: how much
Meeˇ: have/there is (Maiˋ meeˇ: don't have / there isn't)
maiˊ: question particle (like "...right?" or "...okay?")
naˊ: a softening particle — adds a cute, coaxing nuance to the end of a sentence
Bathroom: honˋ namˊ
Is that right?: chaiˊ maiˊ
From Taiwan: ma jaiˇ tai wanˊ
You can add ka (for women) or krab (for men — close your mouth on the "b") to the end of any sentence to sound more polite. That said, Thais are generally very forgiving with foreigners on this point!
Related articles:
- Blue Sea Encounters in the Yaeyamas — Manta Ray and Megafauna Diving off Ishigaki
- Cave Diving, Sharks, and Stunning Coral Reefs — Uncovering a Hidden Okinawa Dive Site: Cape Manzamo
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone and Make Your Dream of Travelling the World Through Diving a Reality!
- Okinawa Diving Isn't Just the Blue Cave! 5 Okinawa Diving Secrets You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Complete Guide to Okinawa Diving — Stop Saying Diving in Japan Is Too Difficult!
- Article author: Erica on Pixnet
- Author's fan page: 小島日常-islandvibes studio
