MV Sawasdee Fasai

One of the best Similan liveaboard boats has just had a full refit and been given a new name. This 37m. steel-hull luxury dive boat is now under new management and her name is MV Sawasdee Fasai. This Similan Islands liveaboard was relaunched at Christmas 2016, and has already become as popular as its sister ship, MV Pawara. Most of Sawasdee Fasai’s cabins have private en suite bathrooms, and all air conditioned.

MV Sawasdee Fasai is now owned and run by the same team as MV Pawara. That means each trip is extremely well managed by professionals who know how to take the best care of guests of all ages & diving experience levels. Rental equipment is top quality but available at the lowest rates, and the food is simply delicious. Sawasdee Fasai has joined the fleet because Pawara has simply become so successful & popular, and trips are sold out sometimes a year in advance. Similan Islands diving guests normally want the best safety and comfort that their budgets allow, and Sawasdee Fasai meets the same high standards that Pawara guests have been enjoying for several years. Completely refitting the decks to provided large & luxurious cabins and communal areas that give guests plenty of space to move around or relax in comfort. Sawasdee Fasai has the perfect staff & crew to provide the best food, service, safety & professionalism for diving Similan Islands cruises.

There are four types of cabins on Sawasdee Fasai. The upper deck has two master cabins that have double beds and large sea-view windows, plus there are five twin-bunk deluxe cabins. These also have sea-view windows, and wide single bunk beds. On the lower deck there are four standard cabins that can be configured as twin beds or a large double. All Master, Deluxe, & Standard cabins on Sawasdee Fasai have a private en suite bathroom, a mini safe, and plenty of cupboards and shelves for storing each guest's personal belongings & luggage. Finally, the boat has twin-bed budget cabins that are perfect for divers who want the best value but still enjoy the best diving & the luxury of a larger Similan liveaboard boat. The budget cabins share two large bathrooms on the same deck, that are only used by guests in these cabins, and of course have hot & cold freshwater showers, western toilets and hand basins.

Sawasdee Fasai has lots of space for guests to socialise or relax. There’s a large sundeck on the roof, plus another at the front of the boat. Both of which have all-weather sofas. In addition, there's a large air-conditioned lounge saloon and a dining area at the rear of the main deck. It’s very easy for guests to find somewhere to sit together or to find peace & privacy alone. Finally, the dive deck of Sawasdee Fasai is simply huge. This is perfect for storing everyone’s equipment and enabling guests to gear up and step into the crystal-clear seas around the best dive sites in Thailand. While a large dive deck doesn’t look luxurious, it is vital to the overall enjoyment of guests on a Similan liveaboard cruise. The team of local crew are very service minded and a lot of fun. They help divers into and out of the water. Naturally, Sawasdee Fasai has a motorised tender dinghy for beach visits and to retrieve divers who surface away from the main boat.

The trips depart in the evening and you start diving the following morning at an easy Similan Islands dive site. During the trip the boat moves north to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock. There are up to 14 dives and at least one beach visit. Some websites show the trips to be 5D/4N, but this is incorrect & misleading. With an evening departure and mid-afternoon return four days later, the trips are 4D/4N. Don't trust websites that try to mislead you to appear better value.

They kitchen staff and crew, plus the international dive staff are always on hand to offer help & service, and understand the needs of guests who are on a diving cruise in Thailand. The food is cooked fresh for every meal and served buffet style. It’s a mixture of local and western cuisine, always with a vegetarian option. Tea, proper coffee, drinking water, fruit and snacks are available throughout the day, and local beer, wine, ice cream & soft drinks are available at extremely reasonable rates. 

Dive groups are organised so that everyone dives with others of a similar level, experience, needs & air consumption. Of course, this is flexible if couples, friends or family want to stay together. The timing of divers entering the water is very well organised, to ensure that everyone gets their turn at going in first, and the surface or dive site isn't crowded unnecessarily.

With all these winderful things, plus Early-Bird discounts for bookings made before the end of August, it's easy to see why so many Sawasdee Fasai trips are full a long time before departure.