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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 in Thailand. 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. Backpackers, solo travelers and families can stay in the 6-bunk cabins, and couples can take advantage of the double bed cabins, with or without private. 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 any waves.
MV Andaman has 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. Finally, 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.
No other Similan diving boat has this selection of trips, or a better-run team of staff and crew. Add in the great value of the cruises, and extremely competitive equipment rental rates, which include the use of a diving computer, and for some there is no need to look at any other boat.
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 which includes 3 local dives before or after the trip. 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 is a PADI certification dive.
MV Andaman Prices & Schedule
| MV Andaman Diver Prices Overview 2018 / 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | 6 Bed Cabin | Double Cabin | Double En Suite Cabin | |||
| Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Koh Surin, ( 9 Dives) | 3D / 3N | 6 Bed Cabin429 USD | Double Cabin480 USD | Double En Suite Cabin491 USD | |||
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, ( 13 Dives) | 4D / 4N | 6 Bed Cabin539 USD | Double Cabin594 USD | Double En Suite Cabin622 USD | |||
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Koh Surin, ( 22 Dives) | 7D / 7N | 6 Bed Cabin823 USD | Double Cabin919 USD | Double En Suite Cabin967 USD | |||
MV Andaman Itinerary
MV Andaman is one of the best-known Similan liveaboard diving boats, and has an itinerary which is slightly different from most others. As well as a later departure in the evening of the first day, there is barbecue party on board each cruise.
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.
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.
| Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) | Days / Nights | Number of dives |
|---|---|---|
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock | 4 Days / 4 Nights | 13 Dives |
| Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Koh Surin | 3 Days / 3 Nights | 9 Dives |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Koh Surin | 7 Days / 7 Nights | 22 Dives |
MV Andaman Facilites, Layout and Specifications
| MV Andaman Layout | ||
| 1. Dive Platform. | Upper Deck.
Middle Deck.
Lower Deck.
| |
| 2. Stairs Lower / Middle Deck. | ||
| 3. Dive Station & Tank Racks. | ||
| 4. Double-bed en Suite Cabins. | ||
| 5. Engine Room Entrance. | ||
| 6. Toilets / Hot-water Showers. | ||
| 7. 6-bed Bunk Cabins. | ||
| 8. Double-bed Cabins. | ||
| 9. Stairs Middle / Upper Deck & Middle / Star Deck. | ||
| 10. Dining & Relaxing Area. | ||
| 11. Service Counter. | ||
| 12. Divemasters' Cabin. | ||
| 13. Crew Cabin. | ||
| 14. Galley. | ||
| 15. Wheelhouse & Captain's Cabin. | ||
| 16. Open Air Star Deck” Beanbags & Low Tables. | ||
| 17. Covered Sundeck Hammocks & Sunbeds. | ||
| 18. Open Air Sundeck Sun Mattresses. | ||
| MV Andaman Specifications | |
| Length: | 26 Metres (87ft). |
| Width: | 5.5 Metres (18ft). |
| Hull: | Steel. |
| Engines: | 2x 6 Cylinder 315 HP Hino. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 8,000 Litres. |
| Speed: | 10 Knots. |
| Navigation: | GPS Satellite navigation, Compass. |
| Water: | 12,000 Litres. |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC; 24 / 12 V DC ( 2 X 25 KVA And 1 X 20 KVA Generators ). |
| Compressors: | 2x Electrically-driven Bauer Mariner (230 Litres Per Minute). |
| Boat Crew: | 1 Captain, 1 Engineer, 1 Cook, 1 Assistant Cook, 2 Boat Boys. |
| Dive Staff: | 5 Divemasters / Instructors. |
| Safety Features: | CB Radio, Life Jackets, Life Rings, Fully Stocked Medical Kits, 100% Oxygen Kit ( Demand Valve, DAN System ). |
| Tender: | Rubber Dinghy With 15HP Outboard Motor. |
MV Andaman 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.
The AOW course and its price involve a day trip prior to departure (or after the trip), diving from a daytrip boat and enjoying three dives, then completing the course on board MV Andaman. Prices for this package vary, depending on the cabin and cruise chosen by each guest, but the typical prices are 7,000 THB on top of the cruise price. Not only is this extremely competitive, each participating diver gets an extra day and dives, compared to most other boats, on which the 5 AOW dives are just part of the liveaboard cruise. PADI certification fees and the PADI manual are included in the prices. Please contact us for a more accurate quote. Other PADI courses are available upon request at excellent rates. Please ask for details.
| Courses | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Prices |
N/A Contact us | |
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 8pm to be driven to Tab Lamu Pier, to meet the awaiting MV Andaman. At the end of the cruise, guests are brought back to the dive centre, then offered free-of-charge transfers to local hotels and resorts in the Khao Lak area.
MV Andaman Scheduled Transfers 3D / 2N Trips | |
|---|---|
| 07:00 - 15:00 | MOD_TRANSFERS_ARRIVAL ( Dive centre ) |
| 20:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 21:00 - 22:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 14:00 - 16:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 15:00 - 17:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 18:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
Genuine MV Andaman Reviews
MV Andaman Reviews
