For scuba divers seeking authenticity with a touch of swashbuckling spirit, the Thailand Master liveaboard presents an unmistakable character. Her true name, Cheng I Sao, evokes the legend of a famed 19th-century pirate queen who commanded these very waters. Today, this 34-meter phinisi, a traditional Indonesian sailing yacht crafted from teak and ironwood, channels that adventurous heritage into a distinctive liveaboard experience. Purpose-built for divers in 2007, the Thailand Master combines timeless nautical charm with a practical, diver-focused layout, accommodating up to 18 guests on diving cruises that span the Similan and Surin islands, or venture south to the Phi Phi archipelago and the dramatic pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Life onboard the Thailand Master revolves around a spacious, shaded dive deck on the main level. Here, each diver is assigned a personal kit-up station and storage crate, a system that brings order and ease to the diving day. The vessel’s elegant profile is more than aesthetic; the sails can be employed to aid passage, offering a welcome alternative to engine noise. When you reach a site, dedicated dinghies provide direct transport to the entry point, effectively eliminating taxing surface swims and conserving your energy for the depths below. Each guest is provided with a surface marker buoy for added safety during ascents.
The culinary programme on the Thailand Master liveaboard has earned a notable reputation among returning guests. The kitchen takes genuine pride in its output, presenting a varied menu that celebrates both Thai and international flavours. Expect double breakfasts for early and late risers, substantial lunches, and multi-course dinners, supplemented by fresh fruit and snacks throughout the day. Meals are often enjoyed in a covered alfresco area, allowing you to dine with the sea breeze, though an air-conditioned saloon is always available for comfort.
Accommodation options cater to different preferences, with ensuite cabins configured as twins or more economical quad shares, all finished in warm wood. Between dives, social spaces invite relaxation. An indoor saloon offers a library, films, and a place to escape the sun, while the expansive sun deck is perfect for soaking in the scenery. A small onboard boutique carries essential dive items and souvenirs.
The Thailand Master dive guiding team have extensive regional experience, they provide informed briefings and in-water leadership, helping you interpret the complex ecosystems you’ll explore. Their knowledge extends beyond dive sites to include terrestrial excursions, as island visits to pristine beaches are a cherished part of the liveaboard itinerary, offering a welcome contrast to the underwater world.
The Thailand Master liveaboard delivers an experience defined by its unique vessel personality and a strong, service-oriented crew culture. It appeals to those who appreciate the romance of a traditional sailing craft without forgoing the serious infrastructure a dedicated diver requires. This blend of adventurous spirit, culinary emphasis, and operational competence makes it a top choice for exploring the diverse wonders of Thailand’s Andaman coast.
There are 5 double/twin bed cabins and 2 quad bed cabins on the lower deck. All have en-suite private bathrooms.
All the cabins have:
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Wall fan
- Toilet and hot water shower - unlimited showering
- Towels and toiletries
- Bedding
- EU-style mains outlet 220 volts AC 24 hours
- Reading lamps
- Life jackets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 7 / 7 - hot water
Phi Phi islands, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Ha, Phi Phi Islands, Shark Point, King Cruiser Wreck, Anemone Reef, Koh Dok Mai, Racha Noi, Racha Yai
Day 1
Upon boarding the traditional phinisi liveaboard, Thailand Master, you will be welcomed by the tour leader, shown to your cabin, and invited to settle in. An introductory briefing will provide a detailed overview of the yacht's amenities and the exciting itinerary for the days ahead. The adventure commences as the liveaboard sets sail, with the schedule featuring up to 4 dives per day to fully explore the premier sites of southern Thailand's Andaman Sea.
Core Days
The liveaboard route showcases a spectacular range of world-class dive sites, each with its own unique character. To the south, the submerged pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are legendary for their vibrant carpets of red and purple soft corals. These sites are renowned for pelagic action, where strong currents often attract majestic manta rays and even the occasional whale shark. Further north, the limestone caverns of Koh Ha offer ethereal diving experiences, while the myriad sites of the Koh Phi Phi National Park feature mini-walls and shallow coral gardens teeming with life, including blacktip reef sharks, tigertail seahorses, turtles, and cuttlefish.
The Thailand Master's planned dive circuit also includes iconic Phuket locations like Shark Point and Anemone Reef, which are blanketed in colourful anemones and soft corals and are a known habitat for the elusive leopard shark. Nearby, the sunken ferry, the King Cruiser, provides an artificial reef encrusted with life and patrolled by schools of snapper. The vertical wall of Koh Dok Mai is a macro-haven, famous for critters like frogfish and bamboo sharks. In contrast to the limestone, the granite boulder topography of Racha Noi offers a different seascape, often with exceptional visibility. Its southern pinnacle, though sometimes challenging due to currents, offers a year-round chance to encounter manta rays.
Above the surface, the journey is equally stunning, with breathtaking views of Phi Phi Island's famous beaches and towering karsts. Guests of the Thailand Master have opportunities for sightseeing trips via dinghy to fully appreciate the landscape.
Day 5
Your last day begins with a hearty breakfast and 2 final opportunities to explore the underwater world. Following lunch, relax on the sun deck as the liveaboard returns to Chalong, where you will disembark during the afternoon.
Similan, Surin, Richelieu Rock & Khao Lak
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, Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands and Khao Lak
Day 1
The adventure begins with an early evening embarkation at Tap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak. Upon boarding the traditional Phinisi liveaboard, guests are welcomed by the tour leader, assigned to their cabins, and invited to settle in. A comprehensive briefing will follow, detailing the Thailand Master's features and the exciting dive itinerary for the days ahead - an exploration of the very best of the northern Thai Andaman Sea.
Core Days
The Similan Islands, an archipelago of 9 granite islands, represent Thailand's most spectacular dive destination. Their underwater seascape is characterised by immense boulders, dramatic rock formations, and winding swim-throughs, set against a backdrop of hard and soft coral gardens. Drift diving is prevalent here, with currents nourishing reefs abundant with marine life.
Nearby, the Surin Islands are renowned for their exceptionally healthy reefs, which host Thailand's greatest variety of hard corals. This biodiversity supports a vibrant population of marine life, including Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, and a significant number of turtles that still nest on the shores.
A pinnacle of any liveaboard diving safari is Richelieu Rock, a world-class site famous as the premier location for encountering the majestic whale shark. During the season, eagle and manta rays are also frequent visitors. The site offers a dramatic contrast, where massive schools of trevally and barracuda patrol the strong currents, while cryptic critters like frogfish and ghost pipefish inhabit the nooks of the pinnacle itself.
For additional pelagic encounters, the submerged plateaus of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai provide further opportunities to witness sharks and manta rays. Closer to the mainland, a series of accessible wrecks near Khao Lak offer captivating subjects for underwater photographers.
The penultimate day of the cruise includes 3 dives, before the liveaboard begins its return journey to port.
Final Day
After a final breakfast onboard the Thailand Master, guests will disembark. The day concludes with a coordinated transfer back to your local hotel.
Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock
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, Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Khao Lak
Day 1
Your diving expedition begins with an early evening embarkation at Tap Lamu Pier. Upon boarding the traditional Thailand Master liveaboard, the tour leader will welcome you, assist with your cabin assignment, and conduct a detailed orientation. This session will cover the boat's amenities and outline the planned itinerary for the upcoming days. The safari is structured with up to 4 dives per day to experience the renowned sites of the northern Thai Andaman Sea.
Core Days
Nestled in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands form Thailand's premier diving archipelago. This stunning national park comprises 9 granite islands, each cloaked in dense tropical jungle and fringed by waters of exceptional clarity. Below the surface, a dramatic seascape unfolds, featuring massive boulders, swim-through passages, and canyons adorned with both hard and soft coral gardens. These nutrient-rich waters facilitate thrilling drift dives, where currents support abundant marine life.
Further north, the submerged pinnacle of Richelieu Rock offers world-class diving. This site presents the highest likelihood of encountering whale sharks in Thai waters, while seasonal visits from eagle and manta rays add to its appeal. The location showcases remarkable biodiversity-from massive schools of trevally and barracuda patrolling the currents to minute critters like frogfish and seahorses concealed in the limestone crevices.
Additional pelagic encounters await at Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, where submerged plateaus attract sharks and rays. For photographic opportunities, several accessible wrecks near Khao Lak provide captivating artificial reefs encrusted with marine life.
Final Day
The final morning includes breakfast and 2 concluding dives before disembarkation from the Thailand Master in Khao Lak.
[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].
Throughout your liveaboard safari, meals are served in the comfortable indoor salon and on the shaded outdoor deck of the Thailand Master, creating a relaxed, communal atmosphere.
Your daily schedule typically begins with a light early breakfast of coffee, tea, toast, and condiments before the first dive, followed by a more substantial 'Full Monty' breakfast afterwards. This main breakfast offers a wide selection, including eggs prepared to order daily, bacon, ham, baked beans, fresh bread, pancakes, warm croissants, yogurt, and fresh tomatoes and cucumber. An Asian option, such as rice soup, is also always available.
Lunch is a focal point of the day, featuring a generous Asian-style buffet with 3 to 4 dishes built around fresh seafood, meat, and vegetarian options, accompanied by a choice of rice, noodles, and plentiful fresh salads and vegetables.
Dinner is a similarly multi-course mixed affair with a full complement of Thai and Asian dishes, as well as some western food which might include pasta, pork steak and fries, Mexican food, or goulash and potatoes, ensuring a satisfying end to your day of exploration.
Complimentary fresh fruit is available throughout the day, along with cookies for a quick energy boost. A special treat, such as doughnuts, banana cake, or a warm custard, awaits after the night dive.
Your liveaboard package includes a selection of soft drinks, juices, coffee, and tea.
For those seeking an extra-special experience, trips often feature a beach BBQ, weather permitting. The Thailand Master culinary team takes great pride in providing a first-class dining experience, with delicious, varied, and plentiful food designed to refuel you after thrilling days underwater.
