The Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard is purpose-built to deliver exceptional access to Thailand’s entire Andaman Sea - the Similans, Surin Islands, and the remote pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. This vessel moves you beyond day-trip crowds, placing you on the precipice of vibrant reefs and pelagic highways at the optimum times.
Accommodation onboard the Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard is conceived with the practical needs of divers in mind. All cabins feature private en-suite bathrooms with reliable hot water, and beds long enough to accommodate taller guests. Choices range from efficient below-deck bunk cabins to the notably spacious Master cabins on the upper deck, which offer panoramic windows and extra amenities. The Deep Andaman Queen's design ensures a restorative retreat after a day beneath the surface, whether you prioritise value or prefer more expansive personal space.
Social and functional areas are arranged to support the activities of a dive safari. The air-conditioned saloon provides a cool haven for briefings, film viewing, or sharing stories, while the shaded aft deck serves for alfresco dining and relaxation. The dive deck itself is a model of efficiency: dedicated stations mean your gear is set up once, with tanks refilled by crew. Nitrox is available on the Deep Andaman Queen for extended bottom times, and 2 tenders ensure swift, safe deployment to dive sites.
Cruises aboard this vessel are designed to match seasonal conditions. Classic diving routes explore the renowned granite boulders and coral gardens of the Similan and Surin national parks, while longer trips push south to the thrilling drift dives of Koh Tarutao and the steep walls of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, known for manta ray and whale shark encounters. The crew’s local knowledge is instrumental in selecting sites that promise the best possible conditions, aiming to showcase the region’s celebrated marine life.
The onboard experience is shaped by a seasoned Thai crew and dive team whose service is both attentive and unobtrusive. They manage logistics efficiently, from equipment handling to filling your post-dive snack plate, allowing for a truly holiday-focused mindset. Meals are a highlight of every Deep Andaman Queen cruise, featuring plentiful, flavoursome Thai and international dishes served buffet-style.
Choosing the Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard is a decision for scuba divers who seek a direct, well-operated connection to Thailand’s premier underwater sites. It is a vessel built by divers for divers, emphasising functional comfort and operational excellence over unnecessary luxury. For those looking to experience the full spectrum of the Andaman’s scuba offerings - from iconic anemone gardens to deep-sea pinnacles - this liveaboard provides a trusted, capable, and thoroughly rewarding base for Andaman exploration.
There are 2 large Master double bed (200 x 240 cm) cabins towards the bow on the main deck. Also on the main deck of Deep Andaman Queen are 3 Deluxe double bed (200 x 160 cm) and 2 Deluxe twin bunk bed cabins. On the lower deck are 2 Standard twin bunk bed cabins, 1 Triple bunk cabin and 1 Quad bunk cabin. All cabins are en-suite (private bathrooms).
All the cabins have:
- Air-conditioning
- Sea-view windows (Master and Deluxe cabins only)
- Toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
- TV, DVD, free minibar (Master cabins only)
- Wardrobe and mirror
- Mains outlet 220 Volts - 24 hours per day
- Bedding and towels
- Life jackets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 11 / 11 - hot water
Burma South (7 Days / 6 Nights - 20 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Square Rock, Shark Cave, Black Rock, North Twin, South Twin, Burma Banks, Sea Fan Forest, Western Rocky, Northern Rocky. Snorkel at Cockscombe Island, visit Horseshoe Island.
Day 1
Board the Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard in Ranong after clearing immigration. The crew welcomes you with cold fruit juice while the trip leader runs a boat briefing, introduces the staff, and assigns cabins. Dinner is served as the vessel prepares to depart. You settle in for the overnight crossing toward the southern Mergui Archipelago. Diving starts tomorrow.
Core Days
The Deep Andaman Queen pushes south into Burmese waters. Shark Cave delivers exactly what the name suggests. A large swim-through where whitetip reef sharks rest during daylight hours. You enter quietly, torch on. The sharks hang in the current, fins barely moving. Beyond the cave, the outer reef drops away. Schools of snappers block out the reef behind them. Moray eels peer from crevices. Lionfish hover near the entrance.
Black Rock is the standout site of the southern route. A granite peak that breaks the surface at low tide. The walls drop vertically to over 40 metres. Soft corals in bright shades of purple, pink, and orange cover every surface. The current runs hard here. That brings the big animals. Grey reef sharks in numbers, silvertips. Dogtooth tuna tear through bait balls. You hook into the reef and watch the action unfold. North Twin and South Twin offer sloping reefs with excellent hard coral cover. Turtles are common, so are schools of barracuda and trevally. Leopard sharks rest on the sandy patches between coral heads. Blue-spotted stingrays half-buried in the sand. The current is gentler here. A good change of pace after Black Rock.
The Burma Banks are the reason you made the trip. Sea Fan Forest lives up to its name. Gorgonian fans the size of small trees cover the slope. Whip corals sway in the current, seahorses hide in the branches, pipefish drift near the base, lobsters peer from crevices. You slow right down. You start seeing more. Western Rocky rounds out the deeper sites. A current-swept pinnacle with healthy soft corals and big fish. Groupers, snapper, and reef sharks on every dive. The remote location means no crowds. You share the water with a handful of other divers. Peace and quiet in the Mergui Archipelago.
Day 6
The last day starts with a morning dive at Northern Rocky. A smaller pinnacle than Western Rocky, but packed with life. Soft corals cover the upper slopes. Schools of fusiliers and snappers crowd the shallows. Reef sharks patrol the base. After the dive, the Deep Andaman Queen visits Cockscombe Island for snorkelling. Its shallow reefs teem with life. Butterflyfish, angelfish, and juvenile reef fish in the protected shallows. Then it is on to Horseshoe Island for a beach stop. White sand, warm water. A chance to stretch your legs, rinse your gear, and take in the scenery.
From Horseshoe Island, the Deep Andaman Queen begins the return journey to Kawthaung for passport stamping and the crossing back into Thailand. Disembarkation follows in Ranong.
Koh Bon, Tachai, Richelieu Rock & Burma South (10 Days / 9 Nights - 29 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Square Rock, Shark Cave, Black Rock, North Twin, South Twin, Burma Banks, Sea Fan Forest, Western Rocky, Northern Rocky. Snorkel at Cockscombe Island, visit Horseshoe Island.
Day 1
Board the Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard at Tab Lamu pier in Khao Lak. The crew welcomes you with cold fruit juice while the trip leader runs a boat briefing, introduces the staff, and assigns cabins. Dinner is served at port. Then the vessel begins its overnight cruise toward Koh Bon. You wake tomorrow ready to dive.
Core Days
The Deep Andaman Queen heads first to Thailand's best. Koh Bon delivers manta rays on its submerged ridge. Koh Tachai offers a sloping reef packed with schooling fish and leopard sharks resting on sandy patches. The Surin Islands follow, with Richelieu Rock as the main event. This horseshoe-shaped pinnacle attracts whale sharks between February and April. Schools of barracuda, trevally, and snapper turn the water silver. Soft corals cover almost every surface. Purple, pink, orange. You spend enough dive time here to do it justice.
Then the liveaboard shifts north into Burmese waters. Border formalities at Ranong and Kawthaung take a morning. But the reward is 4 days of near-empty dive sites. Black Rock is the highlight. A submerged granite peak rising from deep water. Current brings nutrients. Nutrients bring pelagics. Grey reef sharks, silvertips, and occasionally hammerheads patrol the blue. Manta rays visit cleaning stations. Dogtooth tuna tear through bait balls. The topography is dramatic - walls, overhangs, and swim-throughs keep every dive interesting.
Sea Fan Forest delivers on its name. Gorgonian fans the size of small trees cover the slope. Whip corals sway in the current. Macro life hides in the branches. Seahorses, ghost pipefish, and ornate lobsters reward slow divers. Shark Cave offers a different experience. A large swim-through where whitetip reef sharks rest during the day. You enter quietly. They watch you pass. Further north, North Twin and South Twin feature sloping reefs with excellent hard coral cover. Turtles are common. So are schools of barracuda and trevally.
Western Rocky and Northern Rocky round out the Burmese dive sites. Current-swept pinnacles with healthy soft corals and big fish. Groupers, snappers, and reef sharks on every dive. The remote location means no crowds. You share the water with a handful of other scuba divers.
Day 10
On the last full day, only one morning dive happens at Northern Rocky. Then the Deep Andaman Queen visits Cockscombe Island for snorkelling. The limestone karst rises sharply from the water. Shallow reefs teem with life. Horseshoe Island offers a beach stop and a chance to stretch your legs before the return to Kawthaung for passport stamping and the crossing back into Thailand. Disembarkation follows in Ranong. You leave with logbook entries from 2 countries, a camera full of reef sharks and manta rays, and the quiet satisfaction of having dived one of the least crowded corners of the Andaman Sea.
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, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands and Khao Lak
Day 1
Upon boarding the renowned MV Deep Andaman Queen, you'll be greeted with a welcome drink and a briefing from our crew before being shown to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome dinner as you meet your fellow guests, after which we will set sail for the spectacular Similan Islands National Park.
Core Days
By choosing to explore with the MV Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard and its expert guides, you have selected the premier liveaboard route to experience the underwater wonders of the Andaman Sea. Your journey will encompass the world-renowned dive sites of the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and the iconic pinnacles of Richelieu Rock, just east of the Surin Islands.
This region is celebrated for its stunning wall dives and vibrant reefs that burst with an incredible diversity of marine life, making it very popular among both beginner and advanced divers. Prepare for daily encounters with whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, nurse sharks, and green turtles, alongside massive schools of barracuda, trevallies, and sweetlips. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove, home to fascinating creatures like the Similan Islands jawfish and mantis shrimps.
The immense Richelieu Rock, a site so vast it demands multiple dives, is particularly famous for its stunning corals and is a renowned hotspot where thrilling encounters with majestic whale sharks and manta rays happen quite often during the season.
This liveaboard expedition offers a perfect balance, from the ease of discovering huge schools of reef fish that surround you to the focused discovery of tiny critters with your guide, all set against the spectacular backdrop of Andaman Sea's marine paradise.
Final Day
Enjoy a spectacular early morning dive amidst the underwater landscapes of Koh Bon Island. If time permits, you'll have the chance for a final adventure at the renowned Boonsung Wreck before lunch is served. The Deep Andaman Queen will then cruise back to Tap Lamu pier, where you will disembark during the afternoon.
[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 meals are served buffet-style in the spacious, air-conditioned dining saloon located on the upper deck of the Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard. The daily schedule typically integrates diving and eating seamlessly, beginning with a light breakfast service before the first dive, followed by a full breakfast buffet afterwards. Lunch is served after the second dive, and dinner concludes the day after the final dive.
The culinary experience is a highlight of the journey, featuring a varied and high-quality mix of Thai, Asian, and international dishes. Guests never fail to be impressed with the high quality of food delivered from such a small galley. Breakfast includes both hot and cold Western options like eggs, sausages, and toast alongside continental choices such as fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereal.
Lunch and dinner are substantial affairs, with main meal dishes such as chicken green curry, massaman chicken, pork with cashew nuts, goulash, and fried squid with asparagus.
A dedicated vegetarian option is available at every meal as a standard offering.
Throughout the day, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, bottled water, fresh fruit, and snacks like biscuits are provided free of charge.
For an additional cost, beer and wine are available for purchase.
"
Efficiency meets paradise. The Deep Andaman Queen ran like German engineering: timings perfect, briefings clear, equipment well-maintained. Dive guides knew the sites inside out (Andaman Sea at its best), and the Thai crew’s warmth balanced our own reserve perfectly. Booking via Dive The World was seamless, no hidden surprises. Exactly what we hoped for." -
Klaus S, Germany, 3 November 2025 ...
"
We came for the silence and left with full memory cards. The Deep Andaman Queen liveaboard is understated, clean, and well run. Exactly our style. Cabins are compact but comfortable, and the dive deck works like a well-oiled maskin. Similan Islands were good: giant gorgonians, schools of chevron barracuda, and a manta that glided past us at Richelieu Rock like a silent fly plane. Food was fresh and plentiful (the green curry became a morning thought). Dive guides kept groups small.
Dive The World handled all logistics without any issues. If you value punctuality, respect for nature, and fika-level coffee breaks between dives, this is your boat. Thanks for the trip, we’ll be back for Hin Daeng." -
Erik H, Sweden, 16 February 2023 ...
"
Great diving trip, the operator chose a guide that loves teaching for my girlfriend who is a beginner and she ended up doing nearly all the dives of the trip :) Cabin was good (noises a bit higher than other trips according to me)." -
Adrien Simard, France, 24 March 2020 ...
"
Excellent service: boat, food, staff, dive masters. The only bit that could be improved is that we did 12 dives instead of the expected 15 dives due to the fact that they refuel on the first day after the inmigration of Thailand and Myanmar have cleared up." -
Jordi Castellvi, Spain, 05 February 2020 ...
"
Very nice boat. Clean, good food and excellent crew." -
Alessandro Beati, Italy, 8 January 2019 ...
"
Great staff, very precise briefing, attention to safety." -
Marco Cozzi, Italy, 7 January 2019 ...
"
Excellent service, great crew, delicious food and overall a great experience." -
Fernando Viloria, Mexico, 16 February 2017 ...
"
Perfectly maintained, modern equipment - Highly professional and insightful dive guides and leadership - especially from Steve, who did a great job. Boat was spacious and comfortable (especially as only half full) - Food was good and plentiful and the whole boat crew were friendly, accommodating and made the trip a real pleasure." -
Nigel Goddard, UK, 20 April 2015 ...
"
Deep Andaman Queen is a very professionally run operation, with everything well organised and running on schedule. The diving was great and I could not fault the crew; both the dive guides/instructors and boat crew. The good was just fantastic, and facilities clean and comfortable. I recommend a liveaboard tour to the Similans on this vessel without hesitation." -
Ellie Teague, UK 12 April 2014 ...
"
Diving team and crew very professional in all respects - well maintained and clean liveaboard boat, good food, perfect planning, lots of information, great and safe dives. No detail is left to chance under close supervision by Steve, the dive master." -
Mattieu Roger, France, 18 February 2013 ...
"
Equipment was reliable although more choice of fins would have been useful. Staff were attentive and helpful and did their best to cope with the requirements of all divers. The facilities were acceptable and suitable for the purpose. " -
Dave Hayter, Australia, 14 February 2013 ...
