The Ultimate Similan Islands Liveaboard Guide | Richelieu Rock Fish Explosions, All-You-Can-Eat Mala Hot Pot on Deck — A Diver's Dream Come True!

Think Thailand diving begins and ends with Koh Tao and the Gulf islands? Then you might have missed the one place that sends divers straight to their personal ceiling — the Similan Islands. The Editor jumped aboard a Similan Islands liveaboard firsthand, from the very first tank entry to the final step back on shore, and came away with exactly one thought: this place is an underwater kingdom that was sealed away from the rest of the world. Fish packed in beyond bursting, on-board meals so good they made us question reality, and a safety stop nobody wanted to end. Best of all, the cost of a Similan Islands liveaboard is nowhere near as intimidating as the "luxury" experience it delivers — budget-conscious divers can absolutely make it happen. Ready? Follow the Editor straight into this blue paradise!

What Is a Similan Islands Liveaboard — and Why Are Divers Fighting Over Spots?

The Similan Islands are located in Thailand's Andaman Sea and are designated as a national park protected area by the Thai government. Here's the key point: the islands are open for only about five months each year (roughly mid-October to mid-May the following year), and are completely closed for the remainder. This gives the marine ecosystem ample time to rest and recover. It is precisely because of this "limited-opening" policy that fish populations and coral conditions in the Similan Islands remain exceptionally strong — every season when the islands reopen, divers from around the world flock in like migratory birds right on schedule.

A liveaboard is the classic and most satisfying way to experience the Similan Islands. There's no daily back-and-forth slog by boat from the mainland — you live on board, eat on board, and jump in the moment you reach a dive site. This concept of a "mobile underwater expedition base" lets you cover the maximum number of top dive sites within a limited number of days, which is exactly why liveaboard recommendations for the Similan Islands remain consistently sky-high throughout the diving community.

Unpacking the Similan Islands Liveaboard: The Editor's First Time on Board

Our Similan Islands Liveaboard Pick: From the Dock to the Deck, Excitement Off the Charts

This time the Editor departed from within Thailand, reaching the pier after about an hour's drive. Even from a distance you could see an entire row of liveaboard vessels moored at the harbour. The boat we were boarding, the Raka, is reportedly the largest liveaboard currently operating on the Similan Islands route. Just the sheer presence of the hull was enough to get the heart racing!

The moment we stepped on board, the Editor and dive buddy immediately spotted a detail that was genuinely moving — a free instant-noodle station. That's right: the boat stocks instant noodles for you to eat whenever you like. They don't cost much on their own, but the gesture is all about the feeling (キモチ)! After a late-night dive when you're cold and starving, a steaming bowl of noodles is pure salvation. On top of that, cola and soft drinks are unlimited throughout the trip (beer is the exception and charged separately) — for divers, this is basically paradise in liquid form.

Departure Ceremony: The Firecrackers Go Off, the Adventure Officially Begins

One interesting thing the Editor noticed: every liveaboard vessel conducts a deity-blessing-and-firecracker ceremony before departing or setting off on a new leg. The moment those firecrackers went off, the Editor was blasted wide awake, covered in a layer of ash. But honestly, that ceremony-laden send-off made it feel less like heading out for a dive trip and more like sailing off to conquer the open sea!

Safety Briefing and Dive Site Introduction

The very first order of business on Day 1 was sitting through the on-board safety briefing and dive site introduction. The crew went through the characteristics, points to note, and underwater routes for every site on the Similan Islands liveaboard itinerary in detail — all of it essential for the dives ahead. Briefing done, staring out at that expanse of Andaman blue beyond the window, the Editor had only one thought: please, just let me get in the water already!

On-Board Food: This Isn't Boat Catering — It's a Feast!

If you're imagining that food on a Similan Islands liveaboard is a bare-minimum affair, think again. The catering on this particular trip can only be described in two words: outrageous.

Main Meals: Hitting Every Spot for Asian Palates

The culinary team on this vessel seemed to have been tailor-made for Asian appetites. Curry rice, deep-fried pork cutlets, dry-ice-plated sashimi… yes, you read that right — sashimi presented on dry ice, the swirling clouds of fog making the Editor momentarily think they were sitting in some upscale Japanese restaurant. Braised pork rice accompanied by an absurd number of side dishes; surface from a tank and immediately tuck in. This is the correct way to live a diver's life.

The Main Event: Mala Hot Pot on Board and Deck BBQ

Think the main meals were already impressive enough? That evening the crew brought out a mala hot pot — one pot per table, no less! The Editor counted roughly six pots set up across the entire boat, heaped with meat slices, vegetables, and hot pot ingredients. The most critical detail: there were blocks of tallow. Those who know, know — that is the soul of any authentic mala hot pot. The Editor ate and thought: tomorrow is probably going to hurt, but forget it, keep eating now and deal with it later!

Think the hot pot was the finale? Too naive. The crew then set up a BBQ grill on the deck — shrimp, beef, king oyster mushrooms, crab, chicken legs… the sizzling sounds, the sea breeze, the Editor can honestly say there was zero performance effect here, it was genuinely impossible to stop eating. Every day on the liveaboard was essentially a "fattening programme" — eat, dive, dive, eat, eat again. But did the Editor regret any of it? Not one bit, because every single mouthful was worth it. This catering standard alone explains why Similan Islands liveaboard recommendation posts go viral the moment the season opens.

Visiting the Similan National Park Island: Towering Boulders and Breathtaking Scenery

Between dives, the Similan Islands liveaboard itinerary also includes time ashore on one of the protected islands within Similan National Park. We landed on an island home to an iconic, enormous boulder — from a distance you wonder how on earth it hasn't toppled over; up close, the sheer irrationality of nature becomes even more apparent.

The Editor climbed up to the vantage point at the top of the boulder formation — about a five-minute hike (yes, the Editor does exercise, thank you very much) — and the view at the summit was simply speechless-inducing: vivid blue water, white sand beaches, lush green jungle. Every angle looked like a postcard. The island itself was immaculately maintained, a clear sign that the national park management genuinely cares. It felt like stepping into a theme park, except more awe-inspiring than any man-made attraction could ever be.

Richelieu Rock: The Similan Liveaboard's Trump-Card Dive Site — If You Haven't Been Down, You Haven't Really Been Here!

There's a saying in the diving community: "If you do a Similan Islands liveaboard without diving Richelieu Rock, it's as though you never went at all." The Editor was sceptical at first — but after surfacing from the dive, the only response was: every word of that saying is completely accurate.

Richelieu Rock's Glassfish Wall: A Silver Blizzard Underwater

The moment you enter the water, you are met by a school of glassfish so dense it defies logic. These tiny fish congregate into great sweeping "fish walls," shifting and darting through the water at speed. The Editor's immediate thought: "Wait, this is too much — this place has fish literally spilling out of it." The scene looked as if someone had emptied an entire aquarium into the ocean. Absolutely staggering.

The Big Stuff Arrives: Giant Trevally Hunting Show and the Barracuda Tornado

When the glassfish wall starts going haywire, it means only one thing — the heavyweights are incoming! Large Giant Trevally charged into the baitball in a pack, launching a jaw-dropping hunting display. Watching them burst through the small fish at explosive speed was nothing short of a sensory storm. Beyond the Giant Trevally, the Editor also witnessed a barracuda tornado — a "Jack Storm" formed by massing barracuda — along with a school of Emperor fish whose colours shift after feeding. The species richness was simply too much to take in all at once.

Richelieu Rock: One Tank, Everything Covered — Too Good to Want to Surface

What makes Richelieu Rock absolutely insane is that within a single dive site, you can witness all of these fish spectacles happening simultaneously. The glassfish wall, Giant Trevally hunting, the barracuda tornado, the Emperor fish colour show… all of it unfolds within a single tank's worth of time. No wonder people say that doing a Similan Islands liveaboard without diving Richelieu Rock is like never having gone at all. The Editor now understands completely — and deeply.

Is a Similan Islands Liveaboard Worth the Cost? The Editor's Honest Take

Straight to the verdict: worth it — and the kind of worth it that makes you want to go back as soon as possible.

Similan Islands Liveaboard Cost: Approachable Pricing, Outstanding Value

Compared to liveaboards in the Maldives or Palau and other marquee destinations, the cost of a Similan Islands liveaboard is genuinely very reasonable. Current market pricing commonly falls in the range of approximately NT$37,000 to NT$40,000-plus, depending on cabin class and number of days. You don't need to burn through your entire year-end bonus to enjoy a top-tier diving experience paired with outstanding on-board catering. For divers on a budget who still want to experience a liveaboard, the Similan Islands are the absolute first-choice entry point.

Crew Service: Warmth That Goes Above and Beyond

Thai friendliness is legendary, and the crew and service staff on board took that warmth to an entirely new level. From gear preparation to the care poured into every single meal, you genuinely feel their heartfelt enthusiasm. That feeling of being looked after so thoroughly added enormous value to the entire Similan Islands liveaboard experience.

Dive Site Quality: Ceiling-Level Excellence

From the first check dive through to the grand finale at Richelieu Rock, the dive site lineup in the Similan Islands is structured like a carefully crafted film — the earlier sites are the appetisers, warming you up; the middle section interweaves island exploration and food overload; and the ending delivers the climactic fish-explosion payoff at Richelieu Rock. This gradual build in pacing stretches every memorable moment of the trip to its absolute fullest.

Practical Information for Your Similan Islands Liveaboard

Similan Islands Liveaboard Open Season

Approximately mid-October to mid-May each year (exact dates subject to official announcement by Thailand's National Parks department). The most recommended months are March and April, when sea conditions are at their most stable, visibility is at its highest, and the chances of encountering Whale Sharks and manta rays are greatest.

Trip Length and Itinerary Options

Common Similan Islands liveaboard itineraries range from 3 days / 2 nights to 5 days / 4 nights. The Editor strongly recommends choosing at minimum a package that includes Richelieu Rock — this dive site is the soul of the entire liveaboard, and without it, something essential is missing.

Who Is It For?

Any certified diver holding an Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) certification or above is welcome. For certain more advanced sites such as Richelieu Rock, an Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert) rating and a reasonable amount of diving experience are recommended so you can fully and comfortably savour everything unfolding underwater.

Southern Extension: Koh Lipe

The Editor has heard that after the Similan Islands liveaboard season closes, some vessels shift to a southern route heading to Koh Lipe. By all accounts the coral and marine life richness there is equally impressive, and the Editor is already looking forward to going and writing it up for you next time!

Final Thoughts

A Similan Islands liveaboard is the kind of diving trip that's addictive from the first go. The fish-overflowing spectacle of Richelieu Rock, on-board meals so lavish you'll need a wall to lean on, the impossibly beautiful national park islands — add to all that an approachable Similan Islands liveaboard price tag and warm Thai hospitality, and the combination is nothing short of a diver's ultimate dream.

If you'd like to keep exploring more underwater secrets alongside the Editor, stay tuned to BlueTrend's channel. Where would you like to see the Editor unbox next? Leave a comment and let us know!