MV Lapat Overview
MV Lapat is a Similan liveaboard diving boat launched in 2016. Designed by divers, for divers, the boat is specifically built for diving cruises in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, including Richelieu Rock. Lapat used to offer flexible trips, where you join on any day of the season, and stay as long as you choose. But for the 2025-2026 season Lapat has changed to fixed scheduled trips or 3 or 4 nights, always to the best dive sites.
Starting with the accommodation, Lapat has 8 cabins on its main deck, each accommodating 2 guests. All the cabins are air-conditioned and designed to be comfortable and practical. The air-conditioners are independently controlled in each cabin, so you can get your chosen temperature. There are six twin cabins which have bunk beds, and two double-bed cabins. The double cabins have private bathrooms. Each cabin has its own window, with privacy glass. Also on the boat’s main deck are the shared bathrooms and the well-designed diving deck. This is where everyone’s diving equipment is stored and where divers take a giant stride entry into the crystal-clear water of the Andaman Sea. Divers who are unable to return directly to the rear of the boat at the end of their dive can be picked up by Lapat’s dinghy.
The upper deck of MV Lapat has a small indoor and covered outdoor area. The design is modern, but designed to be easily cleaned & durable. Guests can relax in the saloon to escape the heat of the daytime or watch a video in the evening. At the rear of the upper deck is the communal area that is covered from sunshine and rain. Here you spend most of the time socialising in small groups or enjoying the sumptuous food that is served buffet-style throughout each day. Diving is hungry work, and the kitchen staff on MV Lapat pride themselves on preparing the tastiest dishes of local and western food, always with a vegetarian option.
The top deck of Lapat is for sun worshippers and star gazers. Here the exposed sundeck is where the best views of the surrounding sea are enjoyed. Sometimes guests even choose to sleep under the stars.
Each diver on MV Lapat is placed into a group of no more than 5 with a Divemaster guide. The groups are chosen by the experience and certification level of each diver, but special requests are always taken into account. There is a selection of courses available on Lapat as well as equipment for hire.
MV Lapat Pictures
MV Lapat Facilities, Layout & Specifications
MV Lapat Courses
There is a range of PADI diving courses available on MV Lapat and all at very reasonable prices.
Normally, we require guests to pre-book a PADI diving course so that we can prepare the equipment, materials and staff in the preferred language.
MV Lapat Itinerary
New for 2025-2026 Lapat's itineraries are fixed 3-night and 4-night trips.
The boat sets sail in the evening as you set up gear, enjoy a boat briefing and dinner on board.
If sea and weather conditions allow, all trips visit the three best diving locations in Thailand, which are Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon.
The longer (4-night) trips also spend a full day at the world-famous Similan Islands, before sailing north to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and then Richelieu Rock.
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 Lapat Transfer Details
Ideally you should arrive or stay in Khao Lak before your trip, and the team can collect from local hotels.
However, it's also possible to come from Phuket in the afternoon of the first day of the trip.
The Lapat team normally has a free transfer van surface from Phuket airport.
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MV Lapat Scheduled Transfers 2D / 1N Trips
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|---|---|
| Time | Details |
| 08:00 |
Departure
(Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak)
Free
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| 16:45 |
Return
(Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak)
Free
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MV Lapat Scheduled Transfers 3D / 2N Trips
|
|
|---|---|
| Time | Details |
| 08:00 |
Departure
(Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak)
Free
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| 16:45 |
Return
(Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak)
Free
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MV Lapat Schedule & Prices
| Destinations | Duration | Twin | Double En Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, local wrecks ( 11 dives) | 4D / 3N | Twin22,900 THB | Double En Suite24,900 THB |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, local wrecks ( 15 dives) | 5D / 4N | Twin25,900 THB | Double En Suite27,900 THB |
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Do you have a large group and want to charter the whole boat?
click below to find out more
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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 Lapat 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 30% of the cruise price as a deposit. This payment is most-commonly made via a direct domestic bank transfer in many currencies, or through PayPal using your credit card.
The 70% balance is due one month before departure. And extras such as park fees, insurance 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.
We have bank accounts in many currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, SGD, AUD, HKD, CHF, SEK, DKK, JPY, CZK, PLN, MYR, CNY, NOK & NZD. Other currencies are becoming available to us, so please ask if you can't see which currency is ideal for you.
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation fees depend on the time and reason for cancelling. Please contact us for details. The management of MV Lapat are both considerate & flexible whenever possible regarding customer cancellations.
Late cancellations usually cause the customer to forfeit their paid deposit, which Similan Diving Tours pass on to the boat's owners. However, we try to avoid having to do this and always refund as much as we can to customers who have to cancel. MV Lapat is owned and run by a small, local and experienced team, so the policies are more friendly and flexible than many others.
Most travel insurance policies can protect you from unforeseen cancellation penalties.
Call us: (+66 89 136 3121)
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