SIMILAN ISLANDS LIVEABOARD – TOP10 DIVING DESTINATION
Experience the Similan Islands liveaboard on a 4-day, 4-night scuba diving safari from Khao Lak. Enjoy up to 15 dives at the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boonsung Wreck, with accommodation, meals, tanks, weights and dive guides included. With a maximum of 12 guests on board, this liveaboard offers a comfortable way to explore some of Thailand’s best dive sites.
Similan Islands National Park (since 1982) is an archipelago consisting of nine islands named Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. Recently, the park was expanded to include two remote islands named Ko Bon and Ko Tachai.
It has typically two different kinds of diving. East side diving consists of gently sloping coral reefs with sandy patches with the occasional boulder in-between. The west side is known for its huge underwater granite boulders with numerous swim-throughs.
The most important of all dive sites in the Similans is Richelieu Rock, famous for its incomparable variety and abundance of marine life. Whale shark sightings are common here. The Similans have the greatest diversity of marine life in Thailand.
CONDITIONS FOR DIVING
Conditions for diving are great year-round – with 20-30 meter visibility standard. According to the official website, the park is closed in the rainy season from 16 May-31 October yearly. These dates are subject to change.
BEST TIME FOR SIMILAN ISLANDS LIVEABOARD
Getting to Similan Islands and back is pretty dangerous during monsoons. Monsoons usually occur between May and October. Each year is a little different, but dive trips are available daily from November until Mid-May. The boat departs from Tap Lamu pier.
MV MARCO POLO DESCRIPTION
The Marco Polo is a 23m long liveaboard
The “MV Marco Polo” is equipped with 6 AC ensuite cabins, a large diving deck, a comfortable saloon deck and a roofed sun deck with bean bags so that you can enjoy the sundowners to the fullest.
Dive deck
The dive deck offers spacious 24m2 for all your equipment. Two ladders guarantee easy access in and out of the water.
The Salon & Party deck
Upstairs are covered areas with plenty of seating, an indoor salon with TV and music station, where all meals are served.
The Cabins
There are 6 double cabins, with plenty of space for your personal belongings. All rooms open to the outer deck to give you the full benefit of the cool sea breeze when the sun beats down.
All cabins have their own bathroom with toilet, sink, LED mirror, rain shower and hand shower. They all have individual A/C units with a remote control so you can adjust the temperature to your own comfort level. Each bed has a reading light and 220 V outlets with a constant electric supply.
