Whale (Phuket)

Fully renovated in 2018, Whale (Phuket) is one of the latest additions to our fleet of Similan & Hin Daeng liveaboard diving boats. There are so many great things to say about this boat that it’s difficult to know where to start. It has a choice of special itineraries, the prices are possibly the best value available, and the facilities & food are as good as the diving! Whale (Phuket) is 20 metres long and 5 metres wide. It has six air-conditioned twin-bunk cabins, and an air-conditioned lounge saloon. It takes no more than 12 very lucky guests to the best diving locations in Thailand. The food is delicious, and the team are experienced, friendly & service minded.

On the boat’s main deck there are six guest cabins, which all have air-conditioning, a window, a mirror & a chest of drawers for storage. The beds are twin bunks, and they have reading lights & electrical sockets. At the rear of the main deck are the bathrooms. Also there’s the diving platform, which is well designed to ensure that all divers can store & put on their equipment, and safely move around before & after each dive. Also on this deck is the galley/kitchen, where the cooks prepare delicious meals for hungry divers. The food is a blend of Western and local Asian cuisine that is tasty but not too spicy. If you have any special needs (such as vegan) then just let us know in advance.

Whale (Phuket)’s upper deck has the communal areas for relaxing, socialising, dining & dive briefings. Most people stay outside to enjoy the sea breeze and stunning views. Here there is plenty of seating around several tables. It’s an undercover area, so you are protected from the sun or any rain. There is also a small air-conditioned lounge saloon that has a large TV. You can escape from the heat of the day in here, or watch a movie in the evening. But mostly it is used for showing or viewing the diving pictures & videos at the end of each day. Of course, Whale (Phuket) has a sundeck on its roof. You can top up your suntan, or enjoy the clear star-filled night skies, maybe with a drink.

One of the most-special things about Whale (Phuket) is its itineraries. Not only are they already great value, you get an extra night on board and an extra dive! Most four-day Similan Island diving cruises in Thailand are four days & four nights, and you get up to 14 dives. They depart in the evening and return in the afternoon. But on Whale (Phuket) you spend a fifth night on board, and disembark in the morning after breakfast. This also gives everyone time for a 15th dive before cruising back to Phuket through the night. It’s the same for the trips to Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Koh Lipe, & Phi Phi. The trips start in the evening and finish in the morning, giving you five nights on board. During the low season (June – September) Whale (Phuket) offers diving cruises around Phi Phi & Phuket for four nights & three full diving days.

Finally, it's important to note that all departures are guaranteed, even if only one or two guests book! Most other boats require 40% occupancy to confirm departure, otherwise they lose money. But Whale (Phuket) sees customer service, honesty & trust as more important than short-term profits. So, if you book in advance and get the early-bird discount, you can be sure that your trip will sail, even if nobody else joins!