MV Bavaria is a 28 metre steel-hulled liveaboard cruising the best sites of Thailand and Myanmar. A maximum of 24 divers are accommodated in a range of cabins across 3 decks.
There are a number of places for guests to socialise in or find a quiet spot. There is an air conditioned saloon where you can enjoy the entertainment system: TV, music and DVD player. The most popular chill-out spot is the large open-air dining area and lounge on the upper deck. This is where buffet-style meals are served against the backdrop of the ever-changing views of the Andaman Sea. Here you will also find the bar for some apres-dive beers or a sunset cocktail. There is also a large partially shaded sundeck with sun loungers and mats where you can stretch out and work on your tan.
Air-conditioned cabins are situated on 3 decks with 10 of the 12 cabins having ensuite bathrooms.
On the main deck of the Bavaria liveaboard there is a large kit-up area where you can put on your gear before stepping down to the generous dive platform. You either step onto the dive tender, or where appropriate, giant stride directly off the platform. There is even space on the platform for some sets of gear for those with physical limitations. Nitrox and 15 litre tanks are available for those who wish to prolong their bottom times, and there are 2 toilets and 2 showers beside the dive deck for your post-diving comfort.
Similan Islands (4 Days / 3 Nights - 10 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similan islands
Day 1
Your Similan liveaboard adventure begins at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak. After check-in, you'll be transferred to Tab Lamu pier to board the MV Bavaria in the evening. Your tour leader will welcome you aboard, assign your cabin, and provide a full briefing on the liveaboard and the dive schedule. As you set sail for the Similans, enjoy a welcome dinner. You'll spend the night cruising, waking up refreshed and ready for your first day of diving in the stunning Similan Islands.
Core Days
Renowned as Thailand's premier dive destination, the Similan Islands are an archipelago of nine granite islands, crowned with lush jungle and lapped by azure waters. Beneath the surface lies a breathtaking seascape, where vibrant hard and soft coral gardens adorn the seabed. Massive granite boulders form a dramatic underwater playground of swim-throughs, canyons, and towering formations. These rich reefs are swept by currents, making exhilarating drift dives common as you explore an environment teeming with marine biodiversity.
The unique character of each island is revealed beneath the waves. For instance, a dive at Elephant Head Rock is a quintessential Similan adventure. This submerged pinnacle is famous for its thrilling maze of swim-throughs, arches, and chimneys. As you navigate this granite labyrinth, you might find yourself in the company of a majestic hawksbill turtle grazing on sponges or watch schools of trevally and batfish patrolling the blue. The playful dance of light and shadow through the rock formations creates a truly magical atmosphere.
Island #8 (Koh Similan), the largest island, has a massive boulder field that creates a spectacular network of canyons and alleys. As you weave through the giant granite blocks, you'll be surrounded by clouds of colourful anthias and inquisitive bannerfish. The numerous overhangs and crevices provide shelter for lobsters, moray eels, and octopus, making every nook a potential discovery.
Meanwhile, Island #7 offers the beautiful West of Eden, a site that lives up to its name. It's an extensive coral garden dotted with granite boulders, where you can find everything from jawfish and blennies hiding in the soft corals to larger unicornfish and trevally cruising the perimeter. Not far away, Island #4 provides a fascinating contrast with sites like Anita's Reef, a shallower, sloping reef perfect for macro life. Here, you can spend your dive hunting for elusive harlequin shrimp, various species of nudibranch, and clownfish nestled among the anemones.
Day 4
On the final day of the Bavaria dive trip, you will complete 2 dives around Island 9, the northernmost island in the Similan archipelago. Following the dives, you will transfer to a day-trip boat for your return journey to Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak.
Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon & Richelieu Rock (4 Days / 3 Nights - 13 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: Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Island
Day 0 (day before the cruise)
Guests check in at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak at any time during the day before the cruise to deal with pre-trip formalities.
Day 1
Your day begins with a morning transfer from the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak, taking you to Tab Lamu Pier. From there, you will board a day-trip boat for the journey to the Similan Islands. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the liveaboard vessel, MV Bavaria. After a short briefing, you will complete a check dive at Island 9. The day concludes with 2 further dives at Koh Bon, a site famous for frequent manta ray encounters as they visit its cleaning stations.
Core Days
This adventure-packed liveaboard itinerary features up to 4 dives daily, immersing you in the breathtaking wonders of the Andaman Sea. You will explore legendary sites, including Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Surin, and the world-renowned Richelieu Rock.
Prepare for the thrilling currents at Koh Tachai, which attract massive schools of predators like trevally, barracuda, and reef sharks hunting vast clouds of shimmering glassfish. The trip's pinnacle is often Richelieu Rock, where the dive guides excel at spotting exquisite macro-life like seahorses and ghost pipefish. Yet, you won't need help spotting the giants; the majestic silhouette of a passing whale shark or manta ray is an unforgettable sight you can't miss.
Meanwhile, the reefs of the Surin Islands promise encounters with turtles, sharks, and bumphead parrotfish. This liveaboard tour is designed to leave you with not just a deeper understanding of the marine world, but with a treasure trove of unforgettable memories
Day 4
Your final day of diving features 2 last dives at the renowned sites of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. Following these dives, the MV Bavaria will begin its cruise back to Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak.
Similan, Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock (7 Days / 6 Nights - 22 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 Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Island
Day 1
Guests will depart onboard the Bavaria from Tab Lamu pier in the evening. Prior to the minibus transfer to the pier, check-in is required at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak. A welcome dinner will be served during the liveaboard’s transit to the Similan Islands, as you settle into your private cabin. You'll wake up at the islands, ready to start your first day of diving activities.
Core Days
Prepare for an unforgettable diving adventure with MV Bavaria, exploring the world-class sites of the Andaman Sea. Taking you to the most spectacular underwater landscapes Thailand has to offer. the liveaboard will navigate the iconic sites of the Similan Islands, where 9 granite islands rise from azure waters. Here, you'll dive through stunning swim-throughs and canyons formed by massive boulders, exploring reefs blanketed in hard and soft corals. The action continues at the legendary Richelieu Rock, a magnet for marine life and a macro photographer's dream where the guides excel at spotting decorator crabs and frogfish.
You will also test the currents at Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, renowned for thrilling pelagic encounters. This region promises an incredible diversity of life. Be on the lookout for the passing of whale sharks and manta rays, alongside frequent sightings of turtles and reef sharks.
The vibrant macro life At Koh Surin is equally impressive, ensuring every dive is filled with discovery. The variety of sites caters to all experience levels. Beginner divers can enjoy the rich coral gardens, while advanced divers can seek out exhilarating wall diving and strong currents that deliver huge schools of barracuda, trevally, and tuna.
The clear waters and marine diversity make this a very popular liveaboard destination for a reason. From the smallest nudibranch to the largest ocean giants, this trip offers non-stop action and fun. Keep your eyes open in these waters, you won't want to miss a thing.
Day 7
Your final day begins with 2 more dives exploring the vibrant sites around Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, offering a final opportunity to witness the area's magnificent marine life. Afterwards, the MV Bavaria will begin its scenic cruise back to Tab Lamu in Khao Lak, where you are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.
Similan, Richelieu Rock & Hin Daeng (11 Days / 10 Nights - 36 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Koh Ha, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Island
Day 1
Board the MV Bavaria at pier in Chalong, Phuket, before evening departure. Settle in and enjoy a welcome dinner as the liveaboard begins its journey south. After a peaceful night's rest, you'll awake refreshed at the picturesque Koh Ha archipelago, poised for your first day of diving.
Core Days
Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Andaman Sea, beginning with the submerged pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. These sites offer an advanced diving environment characterised by strong currents that attract thrilling pelagic action; here, diving is often an exhilarating drift dive along walls and ridges covered in stunning red and purple soft corals, with the high probability of encountering majestic manta rays and even the occasional whale shark.
Diving at Koh Ha is a destination for both macro enthusiasts and those who love dramatic seascapes. The name, meaning 'Six Islands', hints at the dramatic limestone formations that give rise to stunning swim-throughs, vast caverns, and sheer walls blanketed in vibrant soft corals. The lagoon between the islands is a sanctuary for reef life, while The Cathedral - a series of three interconnected chambers flooded with light - is an iconic dive not to be missed.
This limestone walls of the Phi Phi Islands are adorned with vibrant sea fans and soft corals. The sites are famous for resident leopard sharks, often seen resting on the sandy patches, while the rocky outcrops are a hotspot for hawksbill turtles and elusive blacktip reef sharks.
The liveaboard tour also visits the northern region and the Similans, a group of islands famed for their underwater boulder formations and swim-throughs. At Koh Bon, the main attraction is the chance to encounter manta rays gliding past its steep wall, while Koh Tachai's submerged pinnacle creates an explosive concentration of life, with swirling vortexes of barracuda and trevally.
Richelieu Rock is a submerged seamount shaped like a horseshoe, that is the undisputed superstar, famous not only for its reliable manta ray sightings but also as an oasis for whale sharks, making it one of the most celebrated dive sites on the planet. Diving at the nearby Surin Islands offers a sense of pristine wilderness and thriving coral health, as their remote location within a national marine park has preserved their ecosystem. The reefs are spectacularly vibrant, with massive gorgonian sea fans, hard coral gardens, and a high density of fish life. It's a haven for encounters with rare Andaman species, where you can often spot schools of majestic eagle rays gliding over the sand, blacktip reef sharks patrolling the reef edges, and the occasional Napoleon wrasse.
Day 11
Your final day begins with 2 exhilarating dives before the liveaboard sets course to Tab Lamu pier in Khao Lak. You can typically expect to arrive at the port mid-afternoon.
Please be aware that this Bavaria itinerary can sometimes run in reverse, so we advise double-checking the listed port details to confirm your departure and arrival location.
Phi Phi islands, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Koh Ha, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Phi Phi Islands
Day 1
Board the MV Bavaria at Chalong Pier, Phuket, for an evening departure. Enjoy a welcome dinner as you cruise south, and after a good night's sleep, awaken at the dive site of Koh Ha to begin your first day of diving.
Core Days
Prepare for an liveaboard diving adventure with up to 4 dives per day, designed to reveal the spectacular marvels of the southern Andaman Sea. The itinerary promises an exhilarating connection with the ocean's most vibrant ecosystems. Your journey will explore iconic sites like the submerged pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. These underwater mountains are draped in vibrant soft corals of red and purple, attracting thrilling pelagic action. Strong currents often bring manta rays and even the majestic whale shark, creating unforgettable scenes.
You will also discover the famous cavern systems of Koh Ha and the varied dive sites of the Koh Phi Phi National Park, renowned for its mini-walls and shallow coral gardens. The wildlife is exceptionally diverse; expect frequent encounters with blacktip reef sharks, elusive tigertail seahorses, boxfish, pipefish, octopus, and hunting schools of bluefin trevally and yellowtail barracuda, as well as crocodile tongtoms and cornetfish.
Day 5
On your last day, you will complete 2 final dives around the stunning Koh Phi Phi islands. Afterwards, the MV Bavaria will begin its cruise back to Chalong, with an estimated mid-afternoon arrival .
[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].
All main meals are served buffet-style in the open-air dining area on the upper deck of the Bavaria liveaboard, allowing you to enjoy the tropical breeze and scenery. The daily dive schedule is seamlessly integrated with meal times. It begins with a light pre-breakfast snack before the first dive, followed by a hearty, full breakfast served after you surface from that initial immersion. Lunch is provided after the completion of the second morning dive. To sustain energy for the ambitious 4-dive daily schedule, different complimentary snacks are offered after the third dive, providing fuel for the scheduled night dive that takes place before the evening dinner.
The cuisine is an exciting and delicious mixture of international and authentic local Thai dishes. A hearty breakfast typically includes both Western and Asian options to satisfy all appetites. For lunch and dinner, the buffet features a diverse rotation of dishes such as classic green Thai coconut curry, phad Thai, spaghetti bolognaise, and freshly caught fish, always accompanied by a selection of fresh salads and vegetables.
A variety of complimentary drinks, including soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea, are available throughout the day.
The itinerary may also feature special extras, such as a beach BBQ on a secluded sandy shore, depending on the specific cruise route and weather conditions.
"
Last week we stayed on a liveaboard for the first time and absolutely enjoyed it! Bavaria was very well organised and have a strong safety first policy. We were diving in small groups (2-4 persons) so our dive master was able to keep a close look on each of us. Besides he had an excellent eye and spotted turtles, sharks, rays and seahorses for us. The food was delicious and special requests (e.g. vegetarian) were no problem. We definitely recommend the Bavaria liveaboard" -
R Bosch, Germany, 7 November 2023 ...
"
Boat was well maintained, staff was organized and informative, and safe diving procedures are enforced. Food was excellent.
Dive the World provided good options for our trip. They also were easy to work with when we had to reschedule the trip due to COVID issues." -
Brad Dyer, United States, 19 February 2023 ...
"
Operated by German owner and German staff. Everything perfect and cleverly organised. Boat of course is not luxury but all in order, clear and well. Very delicious food and good boat staff" -
Alexey Stakanov, Cyprus, 22 April 2022 ...
