MV Andaman Overview
MV Andaman is one of the best-value Similan Islands liveaboard diving boats visiting the Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock, and can accommodate up to twenty guests. There are three different cabin options, which are 6-bed dorm, regular doubles, and doubles with en suite bathrooms. The owner operators of MV Andaman have been running Similan liveaboard diving trips longer than all others. This experience is shown in the safety, comfort, and value of the trips, as well as them knowing what most divers at this price range want. The boat's steel hull and design ensure stabilty & comfort throughout the cruise. The rates with and without rental equipment are easily the best value, and therefore very popular. Divers who rent Andaman's equipment are also supplied with a diving computer included in the price. The trips go to all of the best dive sites in Thailand, including as far north as the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock. There are 3-day and 4-day trips, and guests can combine two or three trips at a discounted rate to make a 7-day or 11-day supercruise. Divers of all levels of certification and experience are welcome on MV Andaman, but Open Water divers need to take the PADI Adventure Deep Dive on board to become certified to 30m (99ft.), or they can join the PADI Advanced course for an unbeatable price of just 5,500 THB.
In addition, non-diving guests are more than welcome to join each cruise for snorkelling, sunbathing or just enjoying the fresh air, good food and fine company. Non-diving guests receive more discount than on most other Similan liveaboard cruises.
MV Andaman cruises are very popular, and this is not surprising. The professional, experienced and friendly team make sure that everything is taken care of before, during and after each cruise. The range of cabins makes for comfortable and sociable trips. There are two 6-bunk cabins for divers on a budget. These air-conditioned cabins have sea-view windows, and each bed has a privacy curtain. At the front of the boat there are two double bed cabins, which are possibly the best-value double cabins on any Similan liveaboard diving boat. At the rear of the same deck are two more double-bed cabins, but these have their own private en suite bathrooms. Again, the value of these cabins is almost unbeatable, and they are often sold out long in advance. But it's still always worth asking us if one's available, even at the last minute.
On the boat's main deck there are several large covered outdoor areas, where guests enjoy delicious food & dive briefings, or just chill out on bean bags. Here, the guests can look at the beautiful scenery of the Similan & Surin Islands without getting too much sun. You can fill out your logbook in and after-diving enjoy a drink.
Andaman's top deck is for sun worshippers and those wanting to chill and socialise. It's easy to get a better view of your surroundings from up here, and guests spend a lot of time relaxing, chatting, sunbathing or gazing at the clear star-filled skies at night.
MV Andaman Pictures
MV Andaman Facilities, Layout & Specifications
| MV Andaman Layout | ||
| 1. Dive platform. |
Upper Deck.
Middle Deck.
Lower Deck.
|
|
| 2. Stairs lower / middle deck. | ||
| 3. Dive station & tank racks. | ||
| 4. En-suite air-conditioned sea-view double cabins. | ||
| 5. Engine room entrance. | ||
| 6. Toilets / hot-water showers. | ||
| 7. A/C 6-berth sea-view cabins - private single bunks. | ||
| 8. Air-conditioned sea-view double 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: | 26m. (87ft). |
| Width: | 5.5m. (18ft). |
| Hull: | Steel. |
| Engines: | 2x 6 cylinder 315 HP Hino. |
| Fuel capacity: | 8,000 litres. |
| Cruising speed: | 10 knots. |
| Navigation: | GPS satellite navigation, compass. |
| Water: | 12,000 litres. |
| Electricity: | 220V AC; 24 / 12 V DC (2x 25 KVA and 1x 20 KVA Generators). |
| Compressors: | 2x electrically driven Bauer Mariner (230 l/min ). |
| 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 engine. |
MV Andaman Courses
Taking part in a PADI diving course increases a diver's enjoyment, certification level and experience. Guests joining a Similan & Richelieu Rock diving safari aboard MV Andaman have several options regarding their PADI diving course.
Firstly, to abide by the best insurance companies' regulations and to maximize safety, the management of MV Andaman insist that all diving guests are certified to 30m. Therefore, if you aren't cerrtified to 30m., you can choose between taking part in an Adventure Deep Dive (1,800 THB) on board, or doing the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW) course. Doing the PADI AOWC starts with online theory before you arrive, and costs just 5,500 THB.
Please let us know your holiday plans for the days immediately before and after your proposed MV Andaman liveaboard trip & PADI course, so that we can help you plan.
MV Andaman Itinerary
There are four itineraries, which are 3 days, 4-days, 7 days & 11 days. The 7-day trip is back-to-back 3 & 4-day trips. The 11-day trip is 2x 4-day with 1x 3-day in between.
The 4D4N trips visit the Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands.
The 3D/3N trips visit Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock & The Surin Islands.
New for 2022-2023 we offer 11 days & nights on board! This is three regular trips back to back: 4D/4N + 3D/3N + 4D/4N.
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 & confidence of each guest in the water, then put divers into groups accordingly. Prior to each dive, a 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. Each dive site is different, and home to different species. And each has its own hand-signal identification. Sea conditions vary as well, so paying attention to each dive briefing is important.
On one evening of each trip, (twice on 7D/7N, and three times on 11D/11N trips) there are three day dives, and a BBQ party is held on board instead of the night dive.
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.
MV Andaman Transfer Details
Please arrive at the dive centre in Khao Lak before 4pm on the day the trip begins. After check in, you have time to explore Khao Lak for a short time, and maybe go for dinner.
MV Andaman guests are transferred for free from the dive centre to the boat, waiting at Tab Lamu Pier or Kuraburi pier in the evening at the beginning of the cruise and back at the end. Departure from the dive centre is at 6.00pm, and the arrival time at the boat depends on which pier it departs from. Tab Lamu is about 20 minutes drive, but Kuraburi more than an hour.
After returning to the dive centre, and maybe collecting stored luggage or paying final bills, MV Andaman guests are offered transfers to lotel hotels, resorts & guesthouses.
|
MV Andaman Scheduled Transfers 3D / 3N Trips
|
|
|---|---|
| 14:00 | Arrival ( Dive centre ) |
| 18:30 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 21:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 16:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
|
MV Andaman Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
|
|
|---|---|
| 14:00 | Arrival ( Dive centre ) |
| 18:30 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 21:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 16:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
|
MV Andaman Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
|
|
|---|---|
| 14:00 | Arrival ( Dive centre ) |
| 18:30 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 21:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 16:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
|
MV Andaman Scheduled Transfers 11D / 11N Trips
|
|
|---|---|
| 14:00 | Arrival ( Dive centre ) |
| 18:30 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 21:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak / Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga ) |
| 16:00 | Transfers ( Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
For customers who would like a private taxi please see below for details.
(Click below for a rough guide to the rates you can expect to pay ‘per vehicle,’ not ‘per person’.)
MV Andaman Schedule & Prices
| Destinations | Duration | 6 Bed | Double | Double En Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 9 dives) | 4D / 3N | 6 Bed 16,200 THB | Double 17,550 THB | Double En Suite 18,450 THB |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock ( 13 dives) | 5D / 4N | 6 Bed 19,800 THB | Double 21,600 THB | Double En Suite 22,500 THB |
| Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Similan Islands ( 13 dives) | 5D / 4N | 6 Bed 19,800 THB | Double 21,600 THB | Double En Suite 22,500 THB |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock ( 22 dives) | 8D / 7N | 6 Bed 30,600 THB | Double 33,750 THB | Double En Suite 35,325 THB |
| Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Similan Islands ( 22 dives) | 8D / 7N | 6 Bed 30,600 THB | Double 33,750 THB | Double En Suite 35,325 THB |
| Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Similan Islands ( 35 dives) | 12D / 11N | 6 Bed 47,430 THB | Double 52,380 THB | Double En Suite 54,855 THB |
|
Do you have a large group and want to charter the whole boat?
click below to find out more |
7 Reasons to Book with us:
- Best-price guarantee, AND get FREE gifts.
- We don’t ask for any payment or your card details until you are ready to confirm your booking.
- For safety reasons, it’s impossible to complete a booking instantly online , as some other websites claim to offer. We always check first as each boat has a different criteria regarding diver details & experience .
- We offer each boat’s booking & payment policy (below). Some other websites have standardised terms, asking for full payment but many boats’ payment terms are a 20-30% deposit, and the balance paid on arrival.
- Our Thailand-based staff are experts about logistics, the dive sites & all the boats . Take a look at the reviews on our site & tripadvisor.
- Our team are always online to answer your questions. We always respond the same day , usually within a few minutes
- Customer service is everything!
For example, if a trip is cancelled, we will ensure you can choose between an alternative similar trip or a full & unconditional refund .
The booking process for MV Andaman is very simple & convenient. Firstly, ask us to reserve a space in the cabin of your on the date/trip that you would like to join. We are happy to do this for free, and without any commitment from you. When you are ready to confirm, we ask for 20% of the cruise price as a deposit. This payment can be made in a number of ways, including domestic bank transfers in a selection of currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, SGD, AUD, NZD & THB or via PayPal, without any hidden fees. You don't even need a Paypal account, although PayPal do encourage you to open one.
The 80% balance and extras such as park fees, transfers and any equipment rental and/or courses can be paid when you arrive in Khao Lak. Card payments attract 3% bank fees. There is an ATM near the dive centre, and several banks in Khao Lak.
Cancellation policy:
Guests who cancel their liveaboard trip normally forfeit the deposit paid, which Similan Diving Tours must forward to the dive centre. But since Covid-19, there is more flexibility for guests who can't come due to certain factors.
Most travel insurance policies can protect you from unforeseen cancellation penalties.
Call us: (+66 89 136 3121)
or fill out the form below
Genuine MV Andaman Reviews
