Oktavia - Diving & Snorkelling Cruises At Similan Islands

MV Oktavia

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Liveaboard Oktavia
Thailand Thailand
Type: Liveaboard
No. of guests: 20
Boat rating: 9/10 Based on 25 divers
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MV Oktavia is a very special boat which offers 2, 3, 4* & 5 night liveaboard cruises to the best diving sites of Thailand. At a length of nearly 30m, just twenty guests have more room to move around, relax, sleep and socialize. The boat’s cruises visit all of the best dive sites in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, including Richelieu Rock, and does so while offering a unique choice of trip length. 

Sitting between budget and mid-range price levels, liveaboard trips on MV Oktavia are excellent value for money, especially considering the service and organization. Oktavia guests are treated better than possibly all others who decide to go on a Similan diving safari. The whole process, starting when you book and finishing when you're dropped off at your hotel at the end of the trip, is a wonderful experience. Unlike most other Similan liveaboard boats, Oktavia’s dive centre run just this boat, so they are able to focus properly on just a few guests. Many other dive centres run two or more boats, which results in a less-personal service and is more prone to errors.

The boat has twin and double-bed standard cabins on the main deck, with hot-water shared bathrooms. There are also two large master cabins on the upper deck, which have private bathrooms, armchairs and televisions. Although there are enough beds on Oktavia to accommodate thirty guests, each trip is limited to no more than twenty. And those who stay in standard cabins can choose between double and twin beds because there’s nearly always spare. On top of this, Oktavia offers something else that other Similan liveaboard boats do not. Regardless of how many guests book on trips during the high season, the boat is guaranteed to set sail. Sometimes guests book to join a liveaboard safari only to find that not enough others have done so, and the trip is cancelled. Not only is this unfair, it can ruin plans for a diving holiday in Thailand. Unless specified, your Oktavia trip is confirmed to sail, even if you're the only guest! This is very useful and important for divers who plan flights and hotels months in advance.

In addition to great management and guaranteed trips at low prices, Oktavia still has a couple more aces up its sleeve. The first is that each cruise sets sail earlier in the day than most other Similan liveaboards. This has several advantages which include less hanging around, less activity at the pier by other dive teams, and reaching the dive sites before bedtime, which allows a better night’s sleep. The second 'ace' is that Oktavia’s rental diving equipment is stored on the boat and not back at the dive centre. Therefore, spares and alternative sizes are always available, even when out at sea.

sun-deck-on-boat-scuba-tour-to-similans-and-surinAt the beginning and end of each diving season Oktavia’s trips are 4D/4N with 15 dives. However, for the most of the time diving on Oktavia is done over 2D/2N (7 dives), 3D/2N (10 dives) or 5D/5N (19 dives). This is achieved by the main boat sailing out for 5 days & nights but guests who join shorter trips are brought out (or back) by speedboat. Guests wanting a 2D/2N trip return on a speedboat at the end of the second day’s third dive. The same speedboat brings guests out to join Oktavia for the second part of the five day cruise, for 3D/2N at the more challenging but more rewarding northern dive sites. The luckiest guests stay aboard Oktavia for the full cruise.

Nitrox fills and a selection of courses are available on Oktavia. Divers who aren’t certified to 30 metres (99ft.) can take a quick ‘deep dive certification’ or do the Advanced course on board. For those who have families or don’t dive, there’s plenty to do during a trip, including snorkelling or visiting beaches. Unlike most other Similan diving liveaboards, if there are snorkellers on Oktavia, there will be an official snorkel guide and snorkelling itinerary. Other boats usually leave non-divers to do their own thing.

Delicious food is served buffet style throughout the cruise. This is a wonderful blend of western and Asian cuisine, but not spicy. Vegetarians are always taken good care of, and those who have special dietary needs can eat well, too. Just let us know in advance.

Prices & Schedule

MV Oktavia Diver Prices Overview 2024 / 2025
DestinationsDuration Twin Cabin Double Cabin Master Cabin
Boat Schedule and prices coming soon
Included In The Price
Transfers to and from local hotels
Meals
Snacks
Tea / coffee
Drinking water
VAT
Weights & weightbelts
Standard tanks
Dive master services
Mask and Snorkel
Full-foot fins
Towels
Soap & Shampoo
Luggage storage
Not Included In The Price
Transfers to & from the airport
Dive equipment
National park fees
Dive computer
Soft drinks
Alcoholic drinks
Dive insurance
Night diving torch
Larger tanks
Nitrox
Tips / Gratuities
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View More Available Months

Itinerary

Booking / Enquiry

There are several itineraries on MV Oktavia, so please check carefully for your preffered trip.

In summary, most trips depart in the early evening for 5 days & nights, returning mid-late afternoon on the final day.

Most divers stay on board for the full 5 days & nights.

However, guests who choose 2D/2N trips, will depart at the start like everyone else, but then be brought back to Khao Lak by speedboat at the end of the second day.

Guests who choose 3D/2N trips are transferred in the morning to join Oktavia. These guests need to stay in Khao Lak (not Phuket) the night before their trip.

4D/4N trips are just for the beginning and end of the diving season. For these trips there are no speedboat transfers, and everyone stays on board for the whole cruise.

Facilites, Layout and Specifications

Facilities Available with MV Oktavia
Nitrox Available
En Suite Available
Air con
TV in Cabin
Dinghy
Courses Available
Free Pickup
Speedboat Transfers
Suitable for Children
AV Entertainment
Vegetarian Food Available
Double Beds Available
Sundeck
Shaded Sundeck
Available to Charter
Beach Transfers
MV Oktavia Layout

MV-Oktavia-Deck-Plan
MV Oktavia Specifications
Built year: 2003, modified and refurbished in 2018.
Material: Wooden monohull.
Length: 29.5 metres.
Beam: 6.5 metres.
Draft: 2,85 metres.
Cruising speed: 7-10 knots.
Weight: 149 tons.
Fresh water: 20,000 litres.
Diesel capacity: 7,500 litres.
Engines: 2 x Nissan Diesel 420 hp, 10 cylinders.
Generators: 2 x 50 kva.
Electricity: 220 volts, 24 hours.
Compressors: 2 x Bauer Mariner 250 - Electric with air cooling system and air filters. Coltri-Sub continuous flow enriched air (nitrox) system.
Dinghy: 4.7m with Yamaha 40hp and foldable ladder.
Safety: Life rafts (40 pax), dinghy, emergency oxygen, first-aid kit, life rings, fire extinguishers, high water alarm, CCTV-monitored dive deck, crew equipped with radio, first-aid trained staff, partner of SSS Recompression Chamber Network. All cabins have sliding doors for easy evacuation. Life vests (sizes XXXS - XXXL) are handed out at cruise beginning to ensure guests have the correct size and are aware of its location in the cabin.
Communication: Satellite telephone, mobile phones and radio.
Navigation: GPS, compass & depth sounder.
Guests: Max 22 (on full charters max. 24).
Cabins: 12 Blue Ocean Cabins: 6 double bed cabins, 4 cabins with 2 bunk beds, 2 family cabins with double bed plus bunk bed. 2 Master Suites ( 25 m2 with one double bed and option for 2 spare beds ).
Facilities: 4 shared bathrooms with hot water showers. 3 showers on the dive platform. 2 bathrooms en-suite / master cabins.
Cabincomfort: All Blue Ocean Cabins have central air-conditioning and are equipped with fan, reading lights, shelf unit, two large panorama windows, electrical outlets, sheets & towels. On fully-booked cruises, single travelers may have to share a 2-bed cabin with a guest of the same gender. The master cabins have individual air-conditioning, fan, double bed, desk / dressing table, two arm chairs, private bathroom, flat-screen TV DVD & mini-fridge. They span over the width of the boat and have panorama windows both port and starboard. The suites are ideal for families.
Crew: Captain, engineer, three deckhands, cook & assistant cook.
Diving and snorkeling: Max 6 instructors / guides (max 4 divers per guide or instructor). 12-litre aluminum tanks, 2 lbs weights, weight belts. 15-litre tanks and Nitrox 32% fills available.
Miscellaneous: Lots of comfortable seating, large sun deck, media-PC and LCD-TV, DVD/CD-player, bar. Three main meals & snacks are served as buffets and always include a vegetarian dish.

Courses

PADI & SSI dive courses are easily taught on Oktavia liveaboard trips. In fact, it's the ideal place to take part in one. There are plenty of options available, from a one or two dive mini-course, such as Deep Adventure Dive, to an Open Water Diver course for those who have never dived before. Prices start at just 1,500THB. The most popular diving course on an Oktavia liveaboard trip is the Advanced course. Please note, that the dives of a course do not add to the total number of dives on the cruise.

Courses
Courses Prices
SSI: Adventure Dive (ex. Deep)
44 USD
SSI: Try Dive
44 USD
SSI: Scube Refresher
44 USD
PADI: Adventure Diver
Including: teaching materials, equipment and certification
44 USD
SSI: Try Dive x2
74 USD
PADI: Emergency First Response
Including: teaching materials, equipment and certification
134 USD
SSI: Speciality Course
177 USD
PADI: Speciality Course
Including: teaching materials, equipment and certification
192 USD
SSI: Advanced Adventurer
207 USD
PADI: Enriched Air Diver Course
Including: 5 tanks of Nitrox to use in course & all teaching materials, equipment and certification
221 USD
PADI: Advanced Open Water Course
Including: teaching materials, equipment and certification
251 USD
PADI: Rescue Diver Course
Including: teaching materials, equipment and certification
295 USD
PADI: Divemaster Internship
2,362 USD

Transfer details

Oktavia guests who are staying in Khao Lak get free transfers on departure day for all trips.

Also, at the end of trip, there are free transfers back to Khao Lak hotels.

Guests who are staying in Phuket or landing at Phuket Airport on departure day can get Oktavia transfers for a reasonable fee. This is only possible for 2D/2N, 4D/4N and 5D/5N departures.

For 3D/2N trips, guests have to be in Khao Lak for the early-morning pick up.

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.

Booking / Enquiry

Booking or enquiring is easy follow these steps
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MV Oktavia Reviews

Read real reviews from people who have dived with MV Oktavia
Manuel MV Oktavia
Manuel
Nationality: German
Dived: 24 February 2020
Boat rating: 8/10
Hello, Thank you for the great dive trip 3D/2N end of February. Great boat, great dives, great guides, great crew and great food. Unfortunately the visibility at Richeleu Rock was not that great, but that's life, and the mantas at Koh Bon made up for it! :) I have 1 big minus point: For a multi-day trip with 10 dives over 3 days, every diver must have their own dive computer! It is an absolute no-go these days that 2 divers made 10 dives within 3 days without their own computer! (And i do not accept the excuse that the guide watched this and took care about it..., because for example I dived always with this same group and I was already with 2 Minutes before deco, and the guide still had more than 10 minutes on her computer ...!) Its a No-Go these days! But overall really a great trip, and hopefully again!
Plaggemeier
Nationality: German
Dived: 22 January 2020
Boat rating: 10/10
Absolutely fantastic trip, in a dreamlike environment. The diving groups are reasonably sized (4 people per guide max) and the dive sites are amazing. Mantas until you stop watching at them and look for trevallies again. The diving instructors are great and the atmosphere aboard super chilly. Planning the trip with Jamie and Dom is more like setting up a trip with two buddies: super easy and relaxed, communication by W hatsApp with instant reply. I needed to reschedule, which was absolutely no trouble at all. The airline I booked gave me 10 times as much trouble... Any time again, guys, stay tuned ????????
Kea
Nationality: American
Dived: 29 November 2019
Boat rating: 9/10
Jamie from no troubles just bubbles was very helpful and patient! Dom in booking was quick to respond and very helpful, the boat crew was friendly and funny, the dive staff was knowledgeable and well balanced, the accommodations were fantastic, the food was delicious and the diving was choice! Thanks Octavia staff!!! I will be back!!!
Joon
Nationality: Canadian
Dived: 07 November 2019
Boat rating: 10/10
Me and my gf loved the trip on Oktavia! Crews are nice and very helpful! Spotted Mantha Rays and dolphins jumping around near the boat while going back to land! Great Experience! definitely recommend here!
Jens MV Oktavia
Jens
Nationality: German
Dived: 04 April 2019
Boat rating: 10/10
Was my first liveaboard tour and one of the most relaxing things I ever did. The booking is super convenient and easy with a direct, very personal contact to Jamie. Questions are answered very quickly and precisely. The crew on board is helpful and friendly, the cabins cosy and the dives were wonderful. Victor was a very relaxed and competent dive master and made the dives really enjoyable. Repetition probability: 10 0%
Stefano Fantoni MV Oktavia
Stefano Fantoni
Nationality: Italian
Dived: 11 March 2019
Boat rating: 9/10
I had a fantastic experience with the MV Oktavia !! I choose the 5D/5N package (March 11-16), and the trip was worth every $. Jamie set a new benchmark in organizing the logistics (super quick answers via email, always detailed and easy to follow), the dive masters on board are very friendly and competent and took excellent care of all of us (thx Fernando !!!). During the dives I saw Mantas, Whale Sharks and plenty more, start ing from the check dive till the end of the trip it is a true pleasure to dive in the Similian. The boat is very comfortable and spacious, with plenty of space for socializing or simply enjoy the wonderful environment. Food is very tasty and abundant and also special dietary requirements are properly taken care of. The Thai crew doesn't speak English but they more than compensate with big smiles, an happy attitude and their willingness to help. Overall a wonderful experience, that I would highly recommend to anybody keen on diving and having a great time. THANKS AGAIN to the full Oktavia team !! :o)
Andy MV Oktavia
Andy
Nationality: British
Dived: 11 March 2019
Boat rating: 8/10
Overall a great liveaboard. Well organized, both before, during and after the boat trip. Locations have great diversity, from Macro to Whale Sharks and Mantas. Accommodation is basic - but good enough for 4-5days. Food is plentiful - with choices, but got a little monotonous.
Pero MV Oktavia
Pero
Nationality: Croatian
Dived: 29 December 2018
Boat rating: 9/10
Loved the whole trip! Excellent instructor and the team on the boat.
Sune
Nationality: Swedish
Dived: 18 November 2018
Boat rating: 7/10
Well organized trip with professional diveguiding, good Thai food and servicemindes deckstaff.
Michael Nekludov MV Oktavia
Michael Nekludov
Nationality: Swedish
Dived: 18 November 2018
Boat rating: 9/10
We had an excellent diving trip with Octavia - a large group of 22 divers was successfully accomodated aboard, and we visited Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock and Surin Islands. We performed four dives daily in seven days, most of us on Nitrox. The crew provided excellent service and were always very friendly. Good Thai food x4 daily. The guides were knowledgable and well organized. We saw lots of marine life - all from tiny odd creatures as Dragonet fish, Porcelaine crab etc. to magnificent Whale shark!
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