Think Thailand diving is only about Koh Tao and the Phi Phi Islands? Then you might have missed the place that sends divers straight to the top of the bucket list — the Similan Islands. The Editor jumped aboard a Similan Islands liveaboard firsthand, from the very first tank to the final moment back on shore, and walked away with exactly one thought: this place is an underwater kingdom that's been sealed away from the world. Fish in numbers that overflow the imagination, food on board good enough to make you question reality, and safety stops you genuinely don't want to end. Best of all, the Similan Islands liveaboard cost is nothing like the "premium" experience it delivers — budget-conscious divers can absolutely make it happen. Ready? Let's dive into this blue paradise together!
What Is a Similan Islands Liveaboard — and Why Are Divers Fighting to Get On One?
The Similan Islands are located in Thailand's Andaman Sea and designated as a national park protected area by the Thai government. Here's the key: the islands are only open for roughly five months a year (approximately mid-October to mid-May the following year), and completely closed for the rest — giving the marine ecosystem ample time to recover and thrive. It's precisely this "limited-access" policy that keeps the fish populations and coral conditions in outstanding shape. When the season opens each year, divers from around the world descend like migratory birds, right on schedule.
A liveaboard is the definitive, most rewarding way to experience the Similan Islands. You don't need to commute back and forth from shore every day — you live on the boat, eat on the boat, and jump in the moment you reach a dive site. This concept of a "mobile underwater expedition base" lets you hit the greatest number of top dive sites within a limited number of days. It's exactly why Similan Islands liveaboard recommendations consistently rank at the top of the diving community.
Similan Islands Liveaboard Itinerary Unboxed: The Editor's First Time Aboard
Boarding the Liveaboard: Excitement Levels Off the Charts, from Dock to Deck
The Editor departed from Thailand, arriving at the marina after about an hour on the road. From a distance, a whole row of liveaboard vessels could already be seen moored at the pier. The one we'd be sailing on — the "Raka" — is reportedly the largest liveaboard currently operating on the Similan Islands route. Just the sight of that hull was enough to get the adrenaline going.
The moment we stepped aboard, the Editor and dive buddy immediately spotted a detail that was genuinely touching — a free instant noodle station. That's right: instant noodles available on the boat, anytime you want. They may not be worth much on their own, but it's the feeling that counts. After a night dive, cold and ravenous, a steaming bowl of noodles is nothing short of salvation. On top of that, Coke and soft drinks are unlimited (beer is the exception, priced separately) — for divers, this is basically paradise in beverage form.
The Departure Ceremony: Firecrackers Fire, the Adventure Officially Begins
One fun discovery: every liveaboard vessel performs a blessing ritual complete with firecrackers before departing or setting sail. The moment those firecrackers went off, the Editor was jolted fully awake — and ended up covered in firecracker ash. But honestly? That ceremony-filled send-off gave the whole experience an epic feeling, like we weren't just going diving — we were setting out to conquer the sea.
Safety Briefing and Dive Site Introduction
The very first thing on Day 1 was sitting down for a thorough safety briefing and dive site presentation. The crew walked through the features, points of caution, and underwater routes for each dive site on the Similan Islands liveaboard itinerary — essential knowledge for the days ahead. After the briefing, staring out at that vast expanse of blue Andaman Sea through the window, the Editor had just one thought: please, please let me get in the water.
Food on Board: This Isn't Boat Food — It's a Full-on Feast!
If you think a Similan Islands liveaboard means passable, make-do meals, think again. The food on this trip can only be described in one word: outrageous.
Main Meals: A Love Letter to Asian Palates
The culinary team on this vessel was clearly engineered for Asian stomachs. Curry rice, breaded pork cutlets, dry-ice-plated sashimi… yes, you read that right — sashimi served on dry ice, with swirling clouds of vapor rising from the plate. The Editor briefly wondered whether we'd accidentally been transported to a high-end Japanese restaurant. Braised pork rice with an assortment of sides, ready and waiting the moment you climb back on board after a dive — this is the correct way to live as a diver.
The Main Event: Spicy Hot Pot and Deck BBQ
Think the main meals were already over the top? Wait until the evening, when the crew brings out a mala hot pot — one pot per table. By the Editor's count, there were roughly six pots set up across the entire boat, loaded with meat slices, vegetables, and hot pot ingredients. The critical detail? Tallow blocks. Anyone who knows, knows — that's the soul of a proper mala hot pot. The Editor ate while privately thinking the next morning might be eventful, but honestly: eat now, deal with consequences later.
Think the hot pot was the grand finale? Naive. The crew then set up a BBQ grill out on deck — shrimp, beef, king oyster mushrooms, crab, chicken legs… the sizzling sound of it all, carried on the sea breeze, was not for show. It was genuinely impossible to stop eating. Every single day on the liveaboard was essentially a "feeding program" — dive, eat, eat more, eat again. Any regrets? Not one. Every bite was worth it. The food quality alone explains why Similan Islands liveaboard articles go viral the moment the season opens.
Going Ashore in Similan Islands National Park: Massive Boulders and Breathtaking Views
Between dives, the Similan Islands liveaboard itinerary includes time ashore on the island. We landed on one of the protected islands within Similan Islands National Park, home to a famous and truly massive signature boulder. From a distance you think, "how is that thing not falling over?" Get close, and you're even more convinced that nature simply doesn't play by the rules.
The Editor climbed to the high point where the boulder sits — about a five-minute hike (yes, the Editor is a person who exercises, thank you) — and the view from the top left absolutely no words available. Turquoise water, white sand beaches, lush green jungle: no matter how you photograph it, the result looks like a postcard. The island itself is immaculately maintained, a clear sign that the national park is being managed with genuine care. There's a sense of stepping into a theme park — but more breathtaking than any man-made attraction could ever be.
Richelieu Rock: The Crown Jewel of Similan Islands Liveaboards — You Haven't Really Been Until You've Dived It!
There's a saying in the diving community: "Coming to a Similan Islands liveaboard without diving Richelieu Rock is like not coming at all." The Editor was skeptical — until after the dive. The only possible response: not a single word of that is an exaggeration.
The Glassfish Wall at Richelieu Rock: A Silver Blizzard Underwater
The moment you enter the water, you're met by a school of glassfish so dense it defies logic. These tiny fish mass together into wall after wall of silver, shifting and swirling through the water at speed. The Editor's first thought, expressed out loud underwater via hand signals, amounted to: "This is absolutely insane — there are too many fish here." The scene is like someone tipped an entire aquarium into the ocean. Spectacular doesn't even cover it.
The Big Stuff Arrives: Giant Trevally Hunting Show and the Barracuda Tornado
When the glassfish start going into a frenzy, it means the heavy hitters are on their way. Giant trevally move in as a pack and tear into the baitfish in a breathtaking hunting display. Watching them explode into the school of small fish at full speed is nothing short of a sensory storm. Beyond the giant trevally, the Editor also witnessed a barracuda tornado formed by massing barracuda, as well as colour-changing sweetlips — the sheer species diversity was almost too much to take in at once.
Richelieu Rock: One Tank, Everything — Too Good to Surface From
What makes Richelieu Rock truly next-level is that within a single dive site, you can witness all of these species at once. The glassfish wall, the giant trevally hunt, the barracuda tornado, the sweetlips colour show — all of it unfolds within the span of a single tank. No wonder people say a Similan Islands liveaboard without Richelieu Rock is like not going at all. The Editor now understands that completely — and deeply.
Similan Islands Liveaboard Cost and Value: The Editor's Honest Take
Bottom line up front: absolutely worth it — and worth it in the "can't wait to come back" kind of way.
Similan Islands Liveaboard Cost: Accessible Pricing, Outstanding Value
Compared to liveaboards in the Maldives or Palau, Similan Islands liveaboard pricing is genuinely accessible. Current market rates typically fall between NT$37,000 and NT$40,000+, depending on cabin category and trip duration. You don't need to blow your entire year-end bonus to enjoy top-tier diving paired with exceptional food. For divers on a budget who want their first liveaboard experience, the Similan Islands is absolutely the place to start.
Crew Service That Warms the Heart
Thai warmth and hospitality are legendary, and the crew and service staff on board took that "genuine kindness" to another level entirely. From gear handling to every carefully prepared meal, you genuinely feel the sincerity behind everything they do. That sense of being looked after so thoroughly added immeasurable warmth to the entire Similan Islands liveaboard experience.
Dive Site Quality: Ceiling-Level Excellence
From the first check dive to the climactic finale at Richelieu Rock, the Similan Islands dive site lineup is structured like a carefully crafted film. The earlier sites serve as the appetiser, warming you up; island exploration and incredible food are woven through the middle; and Richelieu Rock delivers a fish-explosion finale as the dramatic high point. This progressively building rhythm of experiences keeps the trip's highlights at full intensity all the way through.
Practical Information for Planning Your Similan Islands Liveaboard
Similan Islands Liveaboard Season
Approximately mid-October to mid-May the following year (exact dates are subject to official announcements from Thailand's National Park authority). The most recommended months are March and April, when sea conditions are most stable, visibility is at its peak, and the chances of encountering Whale Sharks and manta rays are highest.
Trip Duration and Itinerary Options
Common Similan Islands liveaboard itineraries range from 3 days / 2 nights to 5 days / 4 nights. The Editor strongly recommends choosing an itinerary that includes Richelieu Rock — it is the soul of the entire trip, and without it, something essential is missing.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Any diver holding an Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) certification or above is welcome to join. For some advanced dive sites such as Richelieu Rock, Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert) certification and a reasonable level of diving experience are recommended, so you can fully enjoy everything unfolding underwater without distraction.
Southern Extension: Koh Lipe
The Editor has heard that after the Similan Islands liveaboard season ends, some vessels shift to a southern route heading towards Koh Lipe. Reports suggest the coral and marine life there are also remarkably rich — and the Editor is already looking forward to going to explore it for you next time!
Final Thoughts
A Similan Islands liveaboard is exactly the kind of dive trip that gets under your skin after just one visit. The overflowing fish spectacle of Richelieu Rock, the boat food that sends you rolling away from the table, the impossibly beautiful national park island, all paired with accessible Similan Islands liveaboard pricing and warm Thai hospitality — put it all together, and you have a diver's ultimate dream destination.
If you want to keep exploring underwater secrets alongside the Editor, stay tuned to BlueTrend for more. Where would you like to see the Editor dive next? Leave a comment and let us know!
