MV Gentle Giant

MV Gentle Giant is the perfect Thailand liveaboard diving boat for divers who want to visit all of Thailand’s best dive sites. The boat was totally renovated in 2017 and it has ten clean & comfortable guest cabins, plus air-conditioned & outdoor communal areas. The crew & dive staff are all experienced, knowledgeable, patient & friendly. The food is delicious, and the itineraries are unique. It really is a great choice for liveaboard diving cruises in Thailand.

During the high season, the boat sails from Phuket at night and you wake up at Koh Bon in the beautiful world-famous Similan Islands national marine park. You then sail north to Richelieu Rock, via Koh Tachai. Then, on the third day, after diving at some of The Similans' best dive sites, the boat sails south to Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Phi and Phuket. Then at the end of your trip you sail back to Phuket.

The ten cabins on Gentle Giant all have air conditioning, a private en suite bathroom, mini safe, and windows & doors which open out onto the deck. On the upper deck is the master cabin, which has a large double bed as well as a single bunk, but is only sold to two guests unless there are three who are in the same family. At the front of the main deck is the deluxe double bed cabin that might look small in the photos, but actually is the width of the boat. There are eight standard cabins, which have twin bunk beds. Two standard cabins are on the upper deck and six are on the main deck.

Between dives, most guests spend their time on the upper deck. Here there is a large outdoor dining area, which gives panoramic views of Thailand’s Andaman Sea. There’s also a large indoor air-conditioned lounge saloon. Here, guests can show or view photos or videos of the day’s diving or watch a movie on the huge tv, or just take a break from the sunshine. There is also a large sundeck, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and top up a suntan, or gaze at the stars during the evening.

Delicious meals are served buffet style on the upper deck. The food is a great blend of Asian & western cuisine that’s not too spicy. If you have special dietary needs, this is fine but please let the team know in advance. Fruits, snacks, soft drinks, tea, coffee & water are always available for free. Beer is available for reasonable prices, but only after your final dive each day.

Gentle Giant’s dive platform is large and well organised. At the start of each trip each diver is given a ‘tank slot’ and this is where your gear remains for the trip. Nitrox blending and the compressor work quietly to fill tanks quickly but not disturb guests.

Gentle Giant is large enough to be safe, & comfortable. There’s a full complement of safety & communication equipment, as well as a motorized dinghy.

Prices & Schedule

Gentle Giant’s itinerary starts & ends in Phuket. High-season departures are in the evening, with the first dive the following morning. The high season trips go north to The Similans Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, then south to Koh Haa & Hin Daeng.

Low season trips go to Racha, Phi Phi, & Phuket, with three full diving days and two nights on board.