MV Dolphin Queen

MV Dolphin Queen is one of the most-popular liveaboard diving boats. It is run by an experienced, friendly, and professional team, based in the centre of Khao Lak. This is a no-nonsense Thailand liveaboard that has its qualities deep down, instead of some others that have more show than substance. Little details include the professionalism of the experienced team and free use of wetsuits & open-heel booty fins. Four days & nights on a boat, with all meals, air-conditioned accommodation, and up to four dives per day doesn’t need to be expensive. MV Dolphin Queen offers possibly the best-value Similan & Richelieu Rock diving trips. In addition to the Similan trips, Dolphin Queen regularly visits The Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar/Burma, and this team has been doing so for longer than most others.

There are three decks, two of which are where the guests’ cabins can be found. All cabins have air-conditioning and opening sea-view windows. There is a choice of double-bed cabins as well as a twin cabin and three 4-bunk shared cabins. Each bunk-bed guest has his or her own privacy curtains and electrical sockets. The cabins are very comfortable, and have large windows, which is a bonus compared to other boats in this price range. The total number of guests on board any trip is limited to just 22. Underwater, there are never more than four divers per Divemaster guide. On the boat, there are several areas to socialize with other passengers as well as places to chill-out alone or in couples. The dive platform is well laid out and large enough for all the divers. Non-divers, such as friends and partners who want to come along for fun and maybe do some snorkelling, are also very welcome at a (20%) discounted price. Dolphin Queen has a motorised tender dinghy to transport passengers to and from the pristine beaches of The Similan Islands, and to retrieve divers who surface near the reef.

There are two itineraries available, a 4D/4N trip in Thailand and 7D/7N in Myanmar. The trips in Thailand give you 14 dives at the best diving sites of the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock. The trips into Myanmar (Burma) explore the Mergui Archipelago of 800+ of uninhabited islands among undiscovered and crystal-clear waters. 

Please note that to properly enjoy diving at The Similan Islands' best dive sites and Surin's Richelieu Rock, divers on Dolphin Queen are required to be certified to 30m. Those who are not, can join the PADI Advanced Open Water course or Adventure Deep Dive. The course is unbeatable value and you get the use of a dive computer and all remaining dives with your instructor. The Adventure Deep dive is just 1,800 THB, which enables you to dive to 30m.

We follow up every guest that we put on all our boats, and those returning from Dolphin Queen always come back with very positive feedback. It really is one of our favourite boats.