Thailand
Manta Queen 8 is a recently-renovated scuba diving liveaboard boat offering affordable-luxury scuba diving liveaboard trips to the best of the Andaman area. There are 3 cabin types, which are twin & double cabins on the main & upper decks. These have private bathrooms and lots of space inside. There are also two twin cabins on the lower deck which share a bathroom.
The boat is already well established in Thailand, and a favourite among the dive staff. Its size, design, facilities and cabins enable everyone to feel comfortable. Added to that is great food, service and value, and this boat is an instant success. Many MQ8 trips are fully booked, mainly due to the luxury and space available for the low prices. Now, MQ8 also has free Wi-Fi, when in range.
This liveaboard now sails from Khao Lak. It leaves in the evening of departure day, and you wake up the following morning already at the dive sites. Manta Queen 8 trips are now 6D/5N in length. The trips start at an easy dive site, and get more exciting as the trips progresses.
In addition to the comfortable guest cabins, Manta Queen 8 has plenty of communal areas where you can relax alone or socialise. These include the large partially-shaded sundeck and a dining area which has plenty of seating and tables. Most guests spend a lot of non-diving time here. There is also an air-conditioned lounge saloon.
For diving, the boat has a dive platform easily large enough for every diver to store equipment and to take the ‘giant stride’ from. Tender dinghies can collect divers who surface away from the boat or near the reef, as well as transport anyone to the beaches during the trip.
Prices & Schedule
| MV Manta Queen 8 Diver Prices Overview 2026 / 2027 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | Twin | Twin En Suite | Double En Suite |
| , , , , ( 18 Dives ) | 6D / 5N | Twin950 USD | Twin En Suite1,009 USD | Double En Suite1,009 USD |
Itinerary
Manta Queen 8 high-season trips depart from Khao Lak. The trips are 6D/5N to Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock, with up to 19 dives.
You arrive at the boat in the evening for check-in. A light evening meal is served on board, and the diving starts early the next morning. Please click below for a detailed itinerary.
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 8 Layout |
 |
| MV Manta Queen 8 Specifications | |
| Type: | Wooden. |
| Length: | 27 Metres. |
| Width: | 7.0 Metres. |
| Engines: | 2x Cummins 315 hp 10 cylinder. |
| Generators: | 2x 50 KW, 1 x 20 KW. |
| Crusining speed: | 9 - 10 Knots. |
| Instrumentation: | PS Sat. Navigation, Sonar, Compass. |
| Safety: | VHF/FM Mobile Marine, Emergency 02, Liferaft, Lifejakets. |
Courses
SSI courses are available on Manta Queen 8. You can decide on your course when you arrive, but it's much better to let us know before you come because pre-booking your SSI course ensures that the staff and material will be perpared for you in advance.
| 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
Manta Queen 8 guests are transferred for free at set times from around Phuket & Khao Lak.
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 8 Reviews
I had a room in the cellar, which was catastrophic: A strong smell from gasoline all the time.
This room cannot bei rented to tourists from my point of view.
Chelsy as Guide wanted to send me a Foto of the group to my e-mail-Address, which I gave her, becaus I have no Whats app. So far I did not receive the Foto. Please ask her kindly to send it to me
Nous venons de vivre une croisière plongée exceptionnelle dans les îles Similan à bord du Manta Queen 8 avec Khaolak Scuba Adventures, et tout était simplement merveilleux !
Un énorme merci à Steven, notre guide, pour sa gentillesse, sa patience et son attention constante envers nous. Grâce à lui, chaque plongée était un moment de pur bonheur !
Un grand bravo aussi à Maxime pour son professionnalisme irréprochable et ses briefings ultra-clairs et détaillés avant chaque plongée. Ses explications nous ont permis de profiter pleinement des sites et de découvrir la richesse des fonds marins en toute sérénité.
L’équipage entier a été aux petits soins du début à la fin, toujours souriant et disponible, veillant à notre confort et à notre sécurité. La cuisine à bord était excellente, variée et généreuse : un vrai régal après les plongées !
Le bateau est spacieux, bien organisé et très propre. Les cabines sont confortables, et l’ambiance à bord est chaleureuse et conviviale. Les sites de plongée dans les Similan sont magnifiques, et l’organisation de Kaolak Scuba Adventures est sans faille.
Merci pour cette aventure mémorable ! Nous reviendrons sans hésiter et recommandons vivement cette expérience à tous les amateurs de plongée.
Un grand merci à toute l’équipe ! 🤿💙
Nadine et Philippe
FRANCE
