Thailand
Anyone searching for a good value and availability, along with a new, large, stable & comfortable diving ship should check out Manta Queen 3. This large (35m x 7m) boat was built in 2011, yet still receives annual renovations, keeping it like new.
Its steel hull and purpose-built design ensure that trips are both safe and comfortable, as well as a lot of friendly fun. Pickup and drop off transfers from local hotels are included in the prices, and the great value doesn’t stop there. SSI dive courses can be taken on board and all meals, snacks, fruits, sodas, drinking water, tea & coffee are free, too. MQ3 also has free Wi-Fi when it's in range of a cellular signal.
Choosing to dive at Thailand's North Andaman Islands aboard Manta Queen 3 is a great idea for solo divers, couples, families and even large groups of friends. There are double bed, twin bed and 4 bed shared cabins, all of which have air conditioning and parquet wood paneling. The best-value cabins have shared bathroom facilities, but en suites are available for those who want more privacy.
The communal areas of Manta Queen 3 are spacious and well thought out. During and after the local and western food is served (buffet style) guests can relax together in a large air-conditioned saloon or on the open-air shaded dining area. There’s plenty of space to socialize and share stories or get away from the crowd and gaze at the stars, read a good book, or just top up your holiday suntan.
Manta Queen 3 offers trips from Khao Lak to the North Andaman dive sites including Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boonsung Wreck.
The large size of Manta Queen 3 means that it is easily capable of accommodating up to 28 guests and absorbing anything the Andaman Sea can throw at it. Also the number of guests means that you are more likely to be diving in a group of others at your level and experience. diving professionals organise & lead each dive, and can point out or find particular species of marine life. With such great prices and free Phuket transfers, a great selection of air-conditioned cabins and a new, sturdy, steel-hulled, purpose-built boat, what are you waiting for?
The trip length for MQ3 is five nights and 19 dives at the Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock.
Prices & Schedule
| MV Manta Queen 3 Diver Prices Overview 2026 / 2027 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | 4 Bed Shared | Twin | Twin En Suite | Double En Suite |
| , , , , ( 18 Dives ) | 6D / 5N | 4 Bed Shared920 USD | Twin979 USD | Twin En Suite1,068 USD | Double En Suite1,068 USD |
Itinerary
A typicla Manta Queen 3 diving cruise itinerary is as follows.
Manta Queen 3 sets sail from Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak in the evening, normally after 7pm.
After a boat briefing and a light evening meal, MQ3 sails towards the Similan Islands during the night. Diving starts early the following morning.
The ship returns to Tab Lamu Pier mid to late afternoon on the final day and guests are transferred to local hotels.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) | Days / Nights | Number of dives |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Boonsung Wreck | 6D / 5N | 18 Dives |
Facilites, Layout and Specifications
| MV Manta Queen 3 | |
 |
|
| 1: | Double Bed En-Suite Cabin |
| 2: | Double Bed / Twin Bed En-suite Cabin |
| 3: | Twin-bed En-suite Cabin |
| 4: | Four-bed shared cabin |
| 5: | Twin Bed Non-En-suite Cabin |
| MV Manta Queen 3 Specifications | |
| Length. | 36 metres. |
| Width. | 7 metres. |
| Hull. | Steel. |
| Engines. | 2 x Hino 450 HP 10 Cylinder. |
| Generators. | 2 x 68 KW 1x 50 KW. |
| Speed. | 9-11 knots. |
| Navigation. | GPS Sat. Navigation, Sonar, Compass. |
| Boat Crew. | 10, including captain. |
| Dive Crew. | 12, including tour leader. |
| Safety. | VHF Radio, Emergency Oxygen Unit, Life-raft, Life-jackets/rings, First Aid Kit, Satelite Phones. |
| Amenities. | Large air-conditioned saloon, sun deck. |
Courses
There is a selection of SSI scuba diving courses available on Manta Queen 3, including Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN), and Advanced Open Water Diver course. While most can be arranged on board and without notice, it is always best to let us know in advance. Taking part in a diving course while aboard a liveaboard diving cruise is a very popular choice.
| Courses | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Prices |
|
Adventure Deep (30m.)
|
59
USD |
|
Pool refresher
|
74
USD |
|
Deep Specialty
|
208
USD |
|
SSI Advanced Adventurer
Including: Use of computer
|
237
USD |
|
Nitrox
Including: Use of computer & all Nitrox fills
|
252
USD |
Transfer details
Guests are collected for free from around Phuket (airport and hotels) and Khao Lak at set times during the afternoon, and then they are taken to the boat.
At the end of the trip, the same service is offered for free, in shared minivans.
Booking / Enquiry – It’s Easy!
Send enquiry
Tell us the trip and cabin you’re interested in.
We check
We’ll check availability and usually reply within 2 hours.
We hold space
We can often hold space commitment-free.
Book when ready
Only book when you are happy to go ahead.
MV Manta Queen 3 Reviews
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- The boat is spacious, comfortable and well organised
- The food was varied and excellent, snacks and free drinks were always availale too. No alcohol on board but they informed us of the fact and let us buy beer or other drinks and use the fridges, which eventually was probably cheaper.
- The boat (thai) staff was very helpful, efficient and always smiling.
- Course director Joe is very efficient, he gives extensive and detailed briefings and keeps the schedule on time, a very neat and efficient organisation.
- The dive guides were nice and most of the time efficient in the way dives took place.
- : things that could have been better / can be improved :
- it was a pity that the fourth dive of the day was limited to 40 minutes, as it was the shallowest staying a bit longer would have been appreciated
- I would have loved to have another night dive (only one in the trip), 2 night + 2 sunset dives instead of 3 sunset dive + 1 night dive
- we missed the last dive due to mistakes from the guides (one group was very slow to enter the water, the other two wanted to wait for them and we all passively let us get drifted away from the wreck) and no compensation was offered to us (It was impossible to repeat the dive as it was the last one, but a free T-shirt or goodie as a compensation would have been apreciated)
- It was a bit surprising that course director Joe never bothered once in 6 days to ask us how we were doing, if things were OK for us, etc, as a course director a few words to each guest / customer / diver would be appreciated.
All in all it was a good experience, good organisaion (except the last dive ), I would definitely recommand this trip on this boat.
The staff & crew where wonderfully inviting it was always a happy environment to be around
Lots of positive vibes & laughs
Everything went very smooth the boat was beautiful to be on
The weather was beautiful every day the water was warm and always inviting to go in
The sea was bountiful with abundance of life u could easily live under the sea
Thanks to all that make it possible
Only downside is that the cabin sizes are very small.
Strongly recommend this boat, crew and the whole trip!
