At 26 metres in length and 5.5 metres wide, MV Andaman is well equipped to accommodate up to twenty guests in air-conditioned comfort and withstand any sea conditions during the diving season. The boat is well-respected and extremely popular. The European team and German management ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely. This is complemented by Thai hospitality & friendliness, and of course great food on board.
Based in Khao Lak, and running Similan diving safaris for many years, MV Andaman’s team offers enjoyable cruises of 3 days, 4 days & 7 days to the best diving spots in Thailand. There are three cabin types, with something to suit almost every need and budget. Divers on a budget and families & friends normally stay in the 6-bunk cabins, and couples can stay in the double bed cabins, with or without private bathroom. All cabins have air conditioning and sea-view windows. There is also storage space for some luggage. There is a well-designed diving platform, which ensures every diver has space to sit, stand, and walk to the rear of the boat. There are also comfortable social areas, with lots of places to relax alone or in small groups on one of decks. Unlike most other diving liveaboards at this budget and size, MV Andaman has a steel hull, enabling it to sail more smoothly through waves.
There is a good choice of itinerary, too. There are the most-common 4-night trips, which visit the 'regular' Similan Islands as well as Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock & the Surin Islands. In addition, there are 3-night trips which only go to the northern areas, missing out the 'regular' Similans & Koh Bon. Quite a few of our Andaman guests choose to combine two trips and enjoy a whole week on board, getting a large discount for 7 days & nights and 22 dives. And now new for 2022-2023, there's the option of combining three trips to make an 11-day super cruise, with a discount on the price.
No other Similan diving boat has this selection of trips, or a better-run team of staff and crew. To ensure that everyone on MV Andaman enjoys the best diving possible in Thailand, each diver needs to be certified to dive to 30m. If you are Open Water (18m.) you can take part in a great-value PADI AOW course. For those who don’t have the time or budget to complete this Advanced (AOW) course, you can take part in the Adventure Deep dive at price of about $65, enabling you to enjoy the rest of the trip properly. This deep dive is done on the trip, and it is a PADI certification dive.
Do you have a large group and want to charter the whole boat?
click below to find out more
MV Andaman Charter information
Possibly the best-value Similan liveaboard available for full charter is MV Andaman. The boat has a steel hull, and was purpose built for scuba diving in 1997. Sailing from Khao Lak from October to May, the trips visit The Similan Islands, Koh bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock & The Surin Islands. Trips are available in different lengths, from 3 days & nights to one week. The team are extremely experienced, being among the first to offer diving liveaboards to The Similan & Surin Islands.
MV Andaman is among the most-popular Similan liveaboards, mainly due to its reputation and great value. From October to May every season, the boat offers scheduled trips of 3D/3N, 4D/4N and 7D/7N. However, for groups of up to twenty guests, the whole boat can be booked for a private charter. The rates are very competitive, but the standard of service, food, equipment or diving does not suffer at all.
On the upper deck of MV Andaman there is a partially-shaded sun deck that
Included In The Price
Dive computer
Meals
Snacks
Tea / coffee
Drinking water
Soft drinks
Dive insurance
Night diving torch
Weights & weightbelts
Standard tanks
Dive master services
Towels
Soap & Shampoo
Luggage storage
Not Included In The Price
Transfers to & from the airport
Dive equipment
National park fees
Alcoholic drinks
Larger tanks
Tips / Gratuities
View More Available Months
Itinerary
Booking / Enquiry
At the beginning of each trip, there is a full boat and safety briefing. The first dive of each trip is a ‘check dive’ to enable the cruise leader to judge the ability of each guest underwater, then put divers into groups accordingly. Before each dive, a dive briefing prepares guests for what they are likely to experience underwater. This is a good time to make requests for particular fish or other species.
The boat comes back to port in Khao Lak in the late afternoon on the final day, and everyone is brought back to the dive centre. Most Andaman guests can then get a free lift back to a Khao Lak hotel or guesthouse.
Click below to read more-detailed information about Andman's trips.
On one evening of each trip, (twice on 7D/7N, and three times on 11D/11N trips) there are three day dives, and a BBQ party is held on board instead of the night dive.
The itineraries below are the most-common for each trip, but these can sometimes be changed for a number of reasons. Small changes are made due to weather & sea conditions, special marine life sightings, overcrowded dive sites, local-authorities' instructions, and the needs & requests of the paying guests. The safety & comfort of all guests is most important at all times.
CB radio, life jackets, life rings, fully stocked medical kits, 100% oxygen kit ( demand valve, DAN system ).
Tender:
Rubber dinghy with 15HP outboard motor.
Courses
Taking part in a PADI diving course not only increases a diver's enjoyment, certification level and experience, it also enables them to get more value out of every fun dive they do from that date on. This usually refers to increased time in the water, as well as their knowledge and understanding of the reef & its marine life. Those joining a Similan & Richelieu Rock diving safari aboard MV Andaman have several options regarding their PADI diving course.
Firstly, the management of MV Andaman insist that all diving guests are certified to dive to 30m. Therefore, those who aren't need to choose between taking part in an Adventure Deep Dive (1,800 THB) on board, or the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW) course.
Contact us for more information about courses on MV Andaman
Transfer details
Guests are requested to arrive at the dive centre in central Khao Lak during the afternoon of departure day (or before) to complete final paperwork, pay the trip balance, and fit any equipment. You are then free to roam around the seaside town and return before 6pm to be driven to the pier and board the boat.
At the end of the cruise, everyone is brought back to the dive centre, then offered free-of-charge transfers to local hotels and resorts in the Khao Lak area.
Guests who are unable to meet the scheduled pick ups or would like private transportation are welcome to contact us to arrange a private taxi at the most competitive rates.
We usually reply within 2 hours (please check your email & spam)
Step 3:
We can reserve your space(s) commitment-free for up to one week
Step 4:
Deposits to book are usually paid using any card, PayPal or bank transfer
MV Andaman Reviews
Read real reviews from people who have dived with
MV Andaman
Sven Edlefsen
Nationality: German
Dived: 08 May 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
Looking back to a 3 day overwhelming 100% positive energy experience with a bunch of great diverse people ,9 challenging dives. Gorgeous food, 10 small beers. A great UK/Thai team organizing the last trip of the season. Loads of fun and widespread communication. Excellent support by #notroublesjustbubbles!
Tanya
Nationality: British
Dived: 14 April 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
Did the 5 day Similan Surin liveaboard on the MV Andaman and it was an amazing experience. The crew and diver masters were all lovely people and so accommodating, the food on the boat was amazing, and I met some kind amazing people on the boat. Job my dive guide was really good and professional, and always trying to spot sea creatures for us. This boat was one of the cheaper options compared to others I looked it but regardles s I absolutely loved it will do again one day!
...read more
Chelsea Smetana
Nationality: Canadian
Dived: 26 March 2023
Boat rating: 9/10
Fantastic trip: despite being branded as a no frills « budget » boat, the boat had an espresso coffee maker onboard, electrolyte packages, reusable water bottles, a wide array of medicine, board games etc. What was most appreciated were the small groups (2-4 people per divemaster) and the thoughtful grouping by experience level. The DM/instructors were professional and safe, the boat crew are great and the food was phenome nal. I would highly recommend this boat. If you need a comfortable bed, bring a mattress pad as the beds are rock hard (you get used to it). Thanks for a great week!
...read more
azotov
Nationality: Russian
Dived: 09 March 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
I definitely recommend Andaman. My wife and I were on a four day trip (13 dives). It was unforgettable. The Similan Islands are a great place to dive and the Andaman team did everything to make the most of this place. The ship was clean and comfortable, nice atmosphere and delicious food. All diving equipment is in excellent condition. A team of professionals who are ready to answer any of your questions. The trip went perfect ly without any disruption to the schedule and any complications.
...read more
Bebu
Nationality: Spanish
Dived: 06 March 2023
Boat rating: 9/10
Super experiencia de principio a fin. Jamie siempre disponible para cualquier cosa (thanks so much Jamie!!!). El equipo de Sea Dragon igualmente, en el barco un ambiente genial, el equipaje y los dive master irreprochables, siempre con la sonrisa. El barco en foto no atrae mucho pero es muy agradable y funcional. Lo único malo es que en las suite hay muchisimo ruido sobre todo cuando los motores están encendidos. Comida riqu ísima y en abundancia, si pensabais perder algún kilo durante el crucero, olvidarlo! Spots de buceo muy variados, no los mejores del mundo pero cada día descubres algo que no habías visto antes.
100% recomendable. Y sobre todo nada comparable a este precio
...read more
Carole
Nationality: French
Dived: 06 March 2023
Boat rating: 9/10
Très bonne ambiance sur le bateau, super équipe d'encadrement, l'équipage aux petits soins, de belles plongées, des briefings au top et plein d'humour, je ne peux que recommander cette croisière.
Maciek
Nationality: Polish
Dived: 17 January 2023
Boat rating: 8/10
The trip was well organized. The best part was extraordinary dive master. Food was delicious and in varieties also for vege. Dive and boat service was above expectations. The MV Andaman was very basic but recommended to people who are focused on diving not on high accommodation standards.
Nicolas
Nationality: German
Dived: 08 January 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
Had a great trip with the MV Andaman. The crew was amazing, taking care of everyone and providing us with delicious food. We had nice dives, felt absolutely safe and had a lot of fun with the other divers and our instructors!
Adam
Nationality: British
Dived: 27 December 2022
Boat rating: 10/10
Couldn’t recommend these highly enough. A fantastic few days out on the ocean. A few pre-trip nerves were settled as soon as we arrived at the dive shop. Stephan (owner) was so supportive from that moment onwards, and really endeavoured to make the trip as comfortable and memorable for everyone, regardless of dive experience.
As for the trip itself, we spent 4 nights out at sea, and after some initial sea sickness settled into a very enjoyable routine of eat, nap, dive repeat!
Tracey was our dive guide - very knowledgeable while ensuring again that we were comfortable with the pace of the dives, as well as the usual (buoyancy, equalising etc).
Some bonus night dives were the highlight - barracudas hunting, a very relaxed guitar shark and interacting with phosphorescence were the highlights.
And finally a big thanks to the boat boys and boat chef. Made our lives so easy while ensuring we never went hungry!
Would definitely want to return!
...read more
Izzi
Nationality: New Zealander
Dived: 21 November 2022
Boat rating: 10/10
Could not recommend this trip more. Beautiful dive sites, super friendly staff on the boat, I felt very safe diving with them and it gave me a lot of confidence after not diving for 4 years. Booking with No Troubles Just Bubbles was seamless too. Jamie was so quick to respond and helped me set up a pool refresher before my trip. Can't wait to come back!
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Thailand 
No other Similan diving boat has this selection of trips, or a better-run team of staff and crew. To ensure that everyone on MV Andaman enjoys the best diving possible in Thailand, each diver needs to be certified to dive to 30m. If you are Open Water (18m.) you can take part in a great-value PADI AOW course. For those who don’t have the time or budget to complete this Advanced (AOW) course, you can take part in the Adventure Deep dive at price of about $65, enabling you to enjoy the rest of the trip properly. This deep dive is done on the trip, and it is a PADI certification dive.
