MV Manta Queen 1

MV Manta Queen 1 offers some of the best-value Similan Island diving safaris available. There are three different cabin options, all of which are air-conditioned. The twin-bed cabins with shared bathrooms are the best value. There are also eight more twin and double-bed cabins which have private bathrooms. The boat is nearly 30 metres long, making it larger than most for its guest capacity, and ensures safety & stability at sea. MQ1 takes a maximum of 20 guests on each trip, and these divers are separated into groups of no more than five per Divemaster. Usually this is done to group together divers of similar levels and experience, but can often end up being groups of friends or couples. Budget travellers and backpackers find diving on Manta Queen 1 ideal, especially considering that pick up from hotels and guest houses in the local area is included in the price. She is a comfortable vessel and offers very sociable trips at almost unbeatable prices. There are large sundeck & saloon areas for relaxing between dives and in the evenings. But due to the boat’s size, there’s always somewhere to find some privacy, although most guests enjoy each others’ company until it’s time for bed. There is a dinghy to retrieve divers who have surfaced too near the reef and to transport any passengers to beaches or snorkelling areas.

Although not the newest boat in the Manta Queen fleet, MQ1 is still very much a favourite among the staff and guests. This is mainly down to the large size of the boat, designed more for comfort than to cram in as many people as possible. Also, the experienced crew and captain ensure that every trip runs smoothly, safely and with lots of fun.

Many divers choose to take part in a PADI diving course aboard Manta Queen 1, and these are extremely-good value. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and Nitrox (Enriched Air) are the most popular. Of course, there are Nitrox filling facilities aboard Manta Queen 1, as well as other amenities to maximize guests’ safety, comfort and convenience. All meals, tea & coffee, snacks and drinking water are all free, as well as pick up and drop off in Khao Lak areas on the days of departure and return. Now MQ1 has free Wi-Fi when it is in cellular range.

In recent years MQ1 has changed between 4-night and 5-night trip lengths. Now, for 2022-2023 the boat goes out for four days & four nights, offering up to 15 dives. Some other websites might still show its trips as 5D/5N and 19 dives. These are out of date. Also, there are some websites that show the trips to be 5D/4N, which is misleading. Departure is in the evening of the first day, and there's no diving until the following morning. The trips are less than 96 hours long, so we show them as 4D/4N.