For scuba divers seeking the ultimate Andaman Sea adventure, the MV Aqua liveaboard represents a perfect blend of Thai hospitality, serious dive capability, and genuine value. Operated by the Smile Dolphin family, this 32-metre steel-hulled vessel offers a stable, spacious platform from which to explore legendary sites including the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, and the southern pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
The vessel's recent renovation has elevated the onboard experience considerably. All cabins feature private en-suite bathrooms and individually controlled air conditioning, with Master and Deluxe options on the main deck offering sea views that make waking up for that first morning dive a genuine pleasure. Topside, the expansive sundeck provides an ideal space for surface intervals, while the saloon's large media system offers entertainment during longer crossings. The steel hull and substantial 198-tonne displacement ensure a remarkably steady ride, a feature that becomes invaluable during overnight passages and in the occasional Andaman squall.
Operational excellence defines the MV Aqua experience. The vessel includes complimentary nitrox fills and standard wi-fi in the cruise price, removing 2 common surcharges that can inflate a diving holiday budget. Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated rinse tanks and charging stations, while the dive deck layout allows for easy entry and exit, even with twin sets or stages. The 2 Coltri Sub compressors and Volkair Nitrox membrane system ensure a reliable supply of breathing gas, giving you peace of mine to focus entirely on the diving.
Where this liveaboard truly distinguishes itself is in the calibre of its permanent crew. The captain brings over 2 decades of experience navigating these waters, while the chef has honed his culinary skills in luxury hotels and on 6-star vessels in Indonesia. The result is a dining experience that comfortably exceeds typical liveaboard expectations, with Asian and Western dishes prepared fresh throughout the day. The butler, with an astonishing 20 years of service on this very boat, anticipates needs before they arise, and the dinghy drivers ensure safe and efficient pick-ups even in challenging conditions.
Whether you are a seasoned underwater photographer or a diver working towards their next certification, the MV Aqua has been thoughtfully arranged to prioritise your comfort both above and below the waterline. Aqua liveaboard cruises range from 4 to 7 nights, with dive packages that include up to 22 dives. The pricing structure for a 4-night lower deck standard cabin, represents significant value given the level of service, price point, and the expertise of the crew.
Ultimately, the MV Aqua is more than a dive boat; it is a well-run operation staffed by professionals who take genuine pride in their work. Guest feedback repeatedly highlights the kindness and attentiveness of the crew, the quality of the food, and the superb condition of the dive gear. For divers looking to experience Thailand's world-class marine life without the compromise of a budget operation or the pretension of a luxury vessel, this liveaboard hits a sweet spot that is increasingly rare. To secure your place on this exceptional vessel, contact the Dive The World team today and let us arrange your next unforgettable underwater adventure onboard the MV Aqua.
There are 2 VIP/Master King size double bed cabins (with mini fridge), 3 Deluxe twin bed cabins, and 4 Standard twin bed cabins on the main deck, as well as 3 Standard twin bed cabins on the lower deck.
All the cabins have:
- Air-conditioning
- Ensuite bathrooms with toilet and hot water shower
- Sea-view windows on main deck, portholes on lower deck
- Towels and toiletries
- Bedding
- Fire warning system, life jackets
- Mains outlet 220 volts - 24 hours per day
- European/US-style 2-pin sockets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water
Phi Phi islands, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang (4 Days / 3 Nights - 11 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Phi Phi Islands: Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Garang Heng, Kled Kaew Wreck; King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, Koh Dok Mai
Day 1
Early evening boarding of the MV Aqua takes place at Chalong Pier. Once aboard, the crew welcomes you, helps you get comfortable in your cabin, and runs through the safety briefing and dive itinerary. Dinner is served while the vessel leaves Phuket behind and motors south toward the Phi Phi Islands and surrounding marine parks.
Core Days
Over the next 2 days onboard the MV Aqua, you'll explore submerged pinnacles, wreck sites, and limestone walls. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang lie just beneath the surface and attract abundant pelagic life. Look for dogtooth tuna hunting bait balls, chevron barracuda schooling in the current, and manta rays visiting cleaning stations. Whale sharks are occasional visitors as well, though sightings aren't guaranteed. What is certain, however, is the coral: deep red and purple soft corals blanket nearly every surface.
Wreck lovers will appreciate the Aqua liveaboard's visits to two notable wrecks. The King Cruiser, a car ferry that went down in 1997, sits on its side at 30 metres. Pink soft corals cover its decks, yellow snapper school in the wheelhouse, and lionfish and moray eels hide among the debris. The Kled Kaew wreck, at approximately 20 metres, offers a shallower second dive with batfish, pufferfish, and frequently a resident turtle or two.
Koh Haa means '5 islands' in Thai, and the diving here centres on a series of caverns and swim-throughs. The Cathedral is the best known: a large air-filled chamber where you can surface briefly to see stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The Chimney requires good buoyancy control, a vertical crack in the rock that opens into a second chamber. Outside the caves, the hard coral gardens hold ghost pipefish, seahorses, and nudibranchs in bright colours.
The dive sites around Phi Phi pack plenty of variety into a compact area. Bida Nok and Bida Nai are 2 limestone islets with steep walls draped in whip corals and gorgonian sea fans. Leopard sharks can be seen resting on sandy bottoms at 15 metres, and blacktip reef sharks cruise the shallower waters. During surface intervals, keep an eye out for hornbill birds in the island trees. At Garang Heng, a submerged reef nearby, strong currents draw in large schools of bluefin trevally. The site is also known for frequent octopus and cuttlefish sightings, particularly on night dives.
Shark Point certainly earns its reputation. This pinnacle near Phi Phi, blanketed in anemones and soft corals, hosts leopard sharks and bamboo sharks that often rest motionless on the reef—easy to see with a keen eye. Lastly, Koh Dok Mai rises as a solitary vertical rock face from 25 metres. A large cavern at its base provides shelter for frogfish and ornate ghost pipefish, while the wall above is densely covered in crinoids and vibrant nudibranchs.
Day 4
The final day commences with a morning dive at either Shark Point or Koh Dok Mai. Breakfast follows the dive activity. The Aqua then proceeds back to Chalong Pier, with lunch provided during the return voyage. Late afternoon arrival at the pier precedes transfers to hotels or the airport, concluding the trip.
Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Bunsoong Wreck
Day 1
Once all guests are comfortably onboard, MV Aqua departs from Thap Lamu pier in Khao Lak. Following a warm welcome and cabin allocation, the tour leader provides a brief orientation covering the liveaboard's features and the upcoming trip. Guests are invited to unwind in the air-conditioned saloon, where entertainment is available, before a welcome dinner is served as the vessel sets course for the Similan Islands. After a night at sea, diving commences the next morning.
Days 2-4
The Similan Islands comprise 9 granite outcrops blanketed in dense tropical rainforest and encircled by dazzling azure waters. Beneath the surface lies some of Thailand's most remarkable diving, with vibrant gardens of hard and soft coral intertwined with massive granite formations that create natural tunnels, swim-throughs, and canyon-like passages. Nutrient-rich currents make drift diving a common practice here, drawing an impressive array of marine life to the area. With up to 4 dives scheduled per day with the Aqua liveaboard, divers have ample opportunity to fully absorb the park's underwater splendour.
Koh Bon is a small island located north of the Similan Islands, renowned for its exhilarating drift dives and frequent pelagic encounters. The main attraction is the underwater ridge that slopes down from the island's southwest corner, featuring a dramatic wall that drops to depths beyond 40 metres. This site is famous for manta rays, which are regularly seen gliding along the ridge and visiting the cleaning stations near the top of the reef at around 15 to 20 metres. Eagle rays, whale sharks, and large schools of trevally and barracuda are also frequent visitors, drawn by the nutrient-rich currents that sweep across the site.
Koh Tachai offers diverse diving experiences, from relaxed reef slopes to adrenaline-filled pinnacle dives. The most famous site, known as West Reef or The Pinnacle, features massive granite boulders and depths ranging from 12 to 40 metres. This site is a prime location for manta rays and whale sharks, with large schools of barracuda, trevally, and tuna drawn in by moderate to strong currents, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers. For a gentler experience, the eastern and northern reefs offer a relaxed slope from 5 to 30 metres, where leopard sharks are frequently seen resting on sandy patches among schools of barracuda and trevally.
Richelieu Rock emerges just above the surface at low tide and provides the prime chance to see whale sharks. Manta rays and eagle rays also appear regularly in season, and your dive guides will probably schedule multiple dives here. Massive shoals of trevally and barracuda move with the currents, while harder-to-spot species like frogfish, ghost pipefish, and seahorses take cover among the rocks and corals.
Day 5
Your final day of diving brings the trip to a memorable close with 2 morning dives near Khao Lak. Afterward, the MV Aqua liveaboard makes its way back to port, where you'll disembark in the afternoon and be transferred to your hotel.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
A day on the MV Aqua liveaboard follows the easy rhythm that divers love: eat, sleep, dive, repeat. But the experience is anything but monotonous. Life onboard is carefully structured around the dive schedule, ensuring you get the most out of Thailand’s fabled Andaman Sea, whether you’re exploring the granite boulders of the Similan Islands or the famed pinnacle of Richelieu Rock.
Your day begins early, as it should when the ocean is at its calmest. A gentle wake-up call comes at 7 am, followed by a light coffee or tea to prepare for the first dive briefing of the day. You’ll be in the water for the first dive of the day shortly after. The gearing-up process is straightforward, with the spacious dive deck providing individual stations to keep your kit organised throughout the trip.
After the dive, it’s time for breakfast. The spread is a mix of Western and Asian favourites. You can expect American-style breakfasts with eggs cooked to your liking, alongside Chinese Dim Sum, offering a taste of the region. The dining area, located on the upper deck, is the social hub of the vessel, where divers gather to review their underwater sightings over a hot meal.
The rest of the day is a seamless loop of diving and relaxation. A second dive usually occurs around 11 am, with lunch served at 12:30 pm. Lunch is a hearty affair, often highlighting Thai north-eastern specialities alongside familiar international dishes. Expect flavoursome curries like Massaman, or perhaps a fresh Thai salad to refuel your energy reserves. Afternoons feature a third dive, followed by snacks available throughout the day. For those seeking a bit of rest, the sun deck offers lounge seating and shaded areas, perfect for reading a book or simply watching the Andaman Sea drift by.
The MV Aqua also offers a night dive or a sunset dive depending on the day's schedule, a fantastic opportunity to witness the reef’s nocturnal inhabitants. Dinner is served at 8 pm, and it’s an occasion. The onboard chef brings over 20 years of experience, including time spent in luxury hotels and on high-end liveaboards. He specialises in sushi and sashimi, meaning the fresh seafood is elevated to another level. Guests can look forward to other generous dishes like hearty steaks, spaghetti, and even barbecues, ensuring there is variety to satisfy any appetite. The team are noted for their intuitive and attentive service, ensuring you want for nothing.
Throughout the day, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and fruit juices are readily available. Should you wish for a cold beer to accompany your sunset, these are available at the bar. The air-conditioned saloon provides a cosy retreat with a large TV for movies and board games for laid-back evenings, making the MV Aqua liveaboard feel like a true home away from home on the water.
