MV Marco Polo Overview
MV Marco Polo is a popular Similan & Richelieu liveaboard that is operated by a professional & experienced European team. Recently having a full refit and changing its itinerary and departure pier, the boat has become even more popular.
The boat now sails from Khao Lak, reducing time at sea and fuel costs. The 4D/4N trips depart in the evening everyone gets to know one another over dinner. This is an excellent way to start any trip. There are also 3D/2N trips that go directly to Thailand's best dive sites, and these depart in the morning. The boat's capacity is now limited to just 12 guests in six cabins, ensuring more space all around the boat, especially on the dive platform. EANx certified divers can get Nitrox fills for free throughout the trip.
The boat now has brand-new twin-bunk cabins. All cabins have air conditioning and private en-suite bathrooms. There is plenty of space for everyone to relax, socialize, or find somewhere to be alone. And there’s a large diving deck for everyone to enter or exit the water safely.
Like most Similan diving boats, MV Marco Polo and her crew make sure that each diving group is small and the levels of divers in each group are similar. This is the best way to ensure that everyone enjoys the best underwater experience possible and can spend up to an hour on each dive. Before, between and after each day’s diving there is delicious food served, which includes both Thai and European cuisine.There are several areas on the boat for you relax alone, in couples or groups. These include the small lounge, the outdoor dining area or the sundeck.
The four-day trips allow plenty of time to make sure that the best Similan diving sites are visited without having to miss any out. The first day is spent at The Similans, often with a beach visit. Then the boat dives at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock. they also usually plan to stop at Koh Bon and/or Koh Tachai on the way back on the final day.
The three-day-two-night trips go directly to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. There's no beach visit, but every dive is exciting! Although sightings of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks are never guaranteed, the northern sites have the best possibilities. But even without 'the big boys' there's plenty to see underwater here. Marco Polo's dive guides are experts at finding and pointing out the best marine life in the area.
MV Marco Polo Pictures
MV Marco Polo Facilities, Layout & Specifications
| MV Marco Polo Layout |
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| MV Marco Polo Layout and Specifications | |
| Length. | 23m. |
| Width. | 6m. |
| Dive Deck . | 24m2. |
| Cabins. | 6 air-conditioned twin-bunk cabins with private bathrooms |
| Electricity. | Every cabin has 220v outlets with electricity 24 hours a day. |
| Oxygen. | 50 litre oxygen tank. |
| Central compressor station. | (400ltr./min) (virtually noise-free tank filling). |
| Compressors. | 2 Bauer Mariner compressors. |
| Generators. | 3 generators 220/12V. |
| Safety. | GPS, Dinghy, Life-raft, Telephone. |
| Entertainment. | TV, Video & HiFi. |
MV Marco Polo Courses
Taking part in a diving course onboard Marco Polo is a very popular choice for many of our guests. Affiliated with PADI and SSI, the instructors on Marco Polo are able to offer great-value courses during the cruise. The most-commonly taken courses are Advanced Open Water Diver and Nitrox (Enriched Air). Some guests even do both courses on one trip!
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Contact us
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MV Marco Polo Itinerary
Marco Polo sails directly from Khao Lak.
Guests are picked up from various locations. After a little paperwork and final checks Marco Polo sails into the ocean.
The first dive of the trip is always at an easier dive site, and known as a ;check dive’. The cruise leader uses this dive to make a better decision of who will dive in which group. Of course, couples and friends often want to dive together, and this can be discussed on that morning.
The 4D/4N trips usually start at The Similans, then move north to Koh Bon on day 2, then Koh Tachai. The third day on board is at Richelieu Rock, then the team plan to stop off at Koh Tachai & Koh Bon on the way back, plus maybe a local wreck for the final dive.
The 3D/2N trips depart in the morning, and sail directly to Koh Bon. The boat then moves on to Koh Tachai, then on the second day you get up to four dives at Richelieu Rock. They plan for 3 dives on the final day, usually Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and then a wreck.
On the final day of the cruise, there are three dives before Marco Polo sets sail back to Khao Lak, arriving around 6.00pm.
Click below for more details.
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 Marco Polo Transfer Details
Guests are collected from Phuket and Khao Lak for free. The pickup time depends on the location of the hotel. Southern Phuket is furthest from the pier, so this is where the first guests are collected.
For 3D/2N trips Phuket guests are collected very early in the morning.
After the trip, there are free transfers back to Khao Lak & Phuket hotels.
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MV Marco Polo Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
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| 16:00 - 18:30 | Pick up from Phuket : Free |
| 19:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
| 20:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 18:00 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
| 18:00 - 19:00 | Drop off to Phuket : Free |
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MV Marco Polo Scheduled Transfers 3D / 2N Trips
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| 5:30 - 6:30 | Pick up from Phuket : Free |
| 07:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
| 07:30 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 17:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 17:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
| 18:30 | Drop off to Phuket : 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 Marco Polo Schedule & Prices
| Destinations | Duration | Twin |
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| Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 11 dives) | 3D / 2N | Twin 28,000 THB |
| Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 15 dives) | 4D / 4N | Twin 42,000 THB |
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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 Marco Polo is very simple & convenient. Firstly, ask us to reserve a space in your chosen cabin on your preferred dates. This is comittment free. When you are ready to confirm, we ask for 20% of the cruise price as a deposit. This payment is most-commonly made via PayPal, and there are no fees. You don't even need a Paypal account, although PayPal do encourage you to open one. The PayPal invoice can be sent to any email address and payment can be made by anyone.
We also have bank accounts in Euro, USD, GBP, AUD, NZD & THB. Direct bank transfers give you the best rate and they are becoming most popular.
The 80% balance is due 45 or 15 days before departure. Again, this payment can be made via PayPal. Balance payments made 15-44 days before departure attract a small bank fee of 2.5%. However, if guests choose to pay the full cruise price 45+ days before departure or at the time of booking, or make a Thai bank direct transfer, there are no fees.
Extras, such as national marine park fees, and maybe equipment hire or other items, can be paid when you arrive on board the boat.
Cancellation policy:
45-60 days before departure = 10% of the cruise price is forfeited
22-44 days before departure = 40% of the cruise price is forfeited
0-21 days before departure = 85% of the cruise price is forfeited
Most travel insurance policies can protect you from unforeseen cancellation penalties.
Call us: (+66 89 136 3121) Fax: (+66 24225259)
or fill out the form below
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