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"Over 19 years making dreams come true for divers... just like you"

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Start dateEnd date

The Junk
From USD 140 per day
Length
30m
99 ft
Max 18
Nitrox
PADI
LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE
At a glance...
  • Visits Similans, Surin, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi
  • Scaramanga's boat in the James Bond movie: The Man with the Golden Gun
  • Dive The World Gold Range product
  • All cabins have en-suite bathrooms
  • Winner of our 'Liveaboard of the Year'

Customer reviews
Excellent!531

Click on an image to enlarge


Scuba diving and sailing in the Similan Islands onboard June Hong Chian Lee, winner of our 'Liveaboard of the Year' award in 2009, is a unique, once in a lifetime experience; though often many guests enjoy it so much, they make a date to return again the next year.

An authentic and historical teak wood merchant sailing vessel, this boat definitely has the most character of any Thailand liveaboard and has been used for several films including James Bond's The Man With The Golden Gun and Swiss Family Robinson.

The Junk, as she is known in the local diving industry, has been redesigned interiorly to provide its guests with en-suite cabins, lots of on-deck relaxation space, and a large air-conditioned saloon to cool off in. It was originally built in Malaysia in 1962 as a merchant sailing vessel but was renovated into a classical yacht. Constructed mainly from hard teak wood called Takien Tong she's 30 metres long and has 3 masts with 330 square metres of sails.

The Junk's regular high season itinerary includes 1 extra day's diving so that you can also visit the more remote Surin Islands. Little visited by other tour boats, these uncrowded islands are fantastic for macrolife as well as some marine life you won't see in the Similans, such as bumphead parrotfish and black-tip reef sharks. In low season The Junk operates 4 night dive tours to the southern islands around Phuket and Phi Phi.

The divemasters have been working in the Similan Islands and throughout The Andaman Sea for several years now and their enormous passion for scuba diving and the underwater world adds further to this special liveaboard adventure in Thailand. They pass their enthusiasm on to their guests, and the dive briefings are the most thorough that you'll hear anywhere. If you haven't dived in a while, a free buoyancy workshop can be arranged on board. And as experienced scuba divers, you'll love the freedom to dive for as long as you like, within safe scuba limits of course.

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Scheduled departures, prices, destinations, durations...
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 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

More Trip Details...

Notes: Child policy: Children under 18 years of age must not be left unsupervised while on-board or in the water. Parents and guardians are responsible for the supervision of children under 18 years of age. One parent or guardian must supervise children during dives. This may mean that parents or guardians are unable to dive together. Guests are not advised to bring children under the age of 12 on a liveaboard safari due to the environment and the nature of the holiday.

Dive experience: Open water certification only.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, return transfers from Phuket airport and all hotels in Phuket (Patong, Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai, Kamala) and Khao Lak (Khao Lak transfers excluded for boat departures from Chalong), dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (6 divers per DM), 12 litre tanks, weights and weightbelt, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (4 nights: US$ 109), dive insurance, Similan and Surin park fees (4 nights: US$ 50). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or by credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (4 nights: US$ 109), torch, dive computer, 15 litre tank. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Similan Island & Richelieu Rock: The Junk's liveaboard tour departs at 7 pm from either Thaplamu pier in Khao Lak or Patong Beach in Phuket, depending on the itinerary. 4 night trips begin and end in Khao Lak. 6 night trips may begin either from Khao Lak and end in Phuket, or begin in Phuket and end in Khao Lak. A minibus service from all hotels in Phuket and Khao Lak to and from the boat is provided (approximately 2 hours transfer).
4 night trips disembark at 2 pm, 6 night trips at 10 am. The last dive is on the penultimate day at 11 am (4 night trips) / 2 pm (6 night trips). Please allow 18 hours before flying after diving.
Phuket & Phi Phi Island: These safaris depart from Chalong pier in Phuket. A minibus service from hotels in Phuket (Patong, Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai) to and from the boat is provided.
For more details, including airlines, see our Thailand travel information section.

Non-diver rate: 10% off the published price.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 80% to the published price: for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 8 guests and 1 extra person can join in the lowest price cabin free of charge (9+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 16 guests and 2 extra persons can join free of charge (max. 18 guests).


 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Cabins, Berths, Showers, Bathrooms...
There are 2 double bed, 2 triple (can be used as twin bed) and 2 quad bed en-suite (private bathroom) cabins on the lower deck of this Thai liveaboard.

All the cabins have:
  • Individually controlled air-conditioning
  • Bedding
  • Toilet and hot water shower - unlimited showering
  • Towels
  • Mains outlet 220 volts AC 24 hours (110V adapter available)
  • Individual control reading lamps
  • Life jackets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 8 - hot water

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Crew, Facilities, Dive Courses...
Crew comprises:
  • Tour leader (also a divemaster)
  • Deputy cruise leader (also a divemaster)
  • 1 extra Divemaster
  • Captain
  • Second Helmsman / Chief Engineer
  • Sails Manager
  • 2 x Cooks
  • 1 x Deputy Engineer
  • 2 Deck Hands / Dinghy Drivers
Nitrox - Dive platform at sea level - 2 Motorised dinghies - Free buoyancy workshop - Air-conditioned saloon with video, music system, marine & general interest library - 150m² deck area for relaxation - Water dispenser

PADI certification courses available including Advanced Open Water Diver.

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Menu, Cuisine Type...
  • Thai and European main meal dishes and continental breakfast.
  • Buffet-style service in saloon on main deck - choose from 5 or 6 main dishes.
  • All dietary requirements can be catered for - please notify us in advance.
  • Dinner is also provided on the first evening and breakfast on the final morning of the cruise.
  • Operator considers dining as a very important part of the tour, and rates the cuisine as top quality.
  • Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, snacks and fruit are provided free of charge.
  • Soft drinks and beer are also available.
  • No fixed menu.

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Technical Specifications...
  • Built in year 1962, restored in 1998
  • Size - 30m x 8.5m
  • Weight - 140 tonnes
  • 330 square metres of sails
  • Top speed - 8 knots
  • Cruising speed - 7 knots
  • 1 x 380 HP engine
  • 2 x 50 KW generators
  • 2 x Bauer Mariner dive tank compressors
  • Enriched air nitrox system
  • 11.2 litre aluminium tanks (15 litre also available for rent in advance) with Int. fittings (DIN adapters free of charge)
  • Electricity 220V; 24 hours per day (110 volts adapter available)
  • Water capacity - 6,000 litres
  • Watermaker - 6,000 litres per day
  • Fuel capacity - 10,000 litres

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Navigation, Safety Features...
  • 1 Life raft (max. 25 pax)
  • 2 x Motorised diving dinghies - 1 x 40 HP 5.8m & 1 x 30 HP 4.2m
  • 3 x VHF and 2 x CB radios
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Radar
  • Video depth sounder
  • Mobile telephone
  • Full-feature medic first aid box
  • Oxygen - 24,000 litres
  • EPIRB signalling device
  • 40 x life jackets in each cabin and throughout
  • Fire extinguishers throughout

 English spoken by divemasters  Deutschsprachige Divemaster  Guide in Italiano  Divemaster puud pasa Thai duay  Divemasters parlant Francais

Customer reviews:

Customer rating - Excellent
"Everything above expectations. The crew was a very, very smooth operating machine and extremely friendly and profesional but also personal! Would have been very cool to experience some sailing on The Junk." - , Sweden, 17 December 2023 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Equipment was new, well-maintained and the service from the support crew was fantastic.The food was fantastic. The sleeping quarters/ bunks were o.k. Nothing glamorous but there was air con and everything we needed." - , Scotland, 25 January 2017 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Equipment worked very well. Was in good condition. Staff was Great. Very impressed. The "fintastic service" and back rubs following a dive were phenomenal. Facilities were good. Nice to have own shower and separate toilet. Nice rooms. Clean. Beds made daily and turndown service." - , Canada, 04 January 2017 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"The welcome briefing very precise. The liveaboard manager was on the boat before we took off to make sure all was good for the guests on board and only upon confirming, took off to start the journey.
Very diligent helpful crew. Always on time with schedule. Was impressed how the pickup time was perfectly on time before boarding the boat and the preciseness continued.
Awesome food. Always was so much, good balance of vegetables, fish, meat, fruit with mix of Thai and western dishes.
" - , Hong Kong, 20 March 2013 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Really professional guys, excellent guides! Boat crew is very good too, additional 'thanks' to cook Na. Rating would be excellent if the the price is lower. " - , Russia, 13 February 2012 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Excellent ambiance, strong emphasis on safety, professional, really tried their best. Not for free but good value for money." - , Sweden, 1 February 2012 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"The crew of The Junk was very helpful, ran a great boat and was very knowledgable. They made the trip just amazing. " - , Israel, 23 January 2012 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Unique well-kept liveaboard boat with friendly staff. Food was excellent. The divemasters were very personable and knowledgeable about the local sealife. Felt like I got very good value for the money. Would go again." - , USA, 4 January 2012 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"The operator was incredible. The boat was a one of a kind vessel which you should never pass up. The crew went out of their way to try and make sure we had everything we needed. Would definitely return to the ship in a heartbeat. I recommended this to all my friends and think some may be coming eventually. " - , USA, 29 December 2011 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"We had an excellent time; best liveaboard we have ever been on. The diving was great; the divemasters were great and the boat staff was great too." - , USA, 16 March 2011 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Wonderful people and a great Thai liveaboard crew. Eager to please and help in any way they could. Very knowledgeable about the dive sites. They had the equipment there and on time. They just didn't have a wetsuit that would fit me. They were helpful." - , USA, 7 March 2011 ...

Customer rating - Good
"The staff were excellent on the Junk. There was plenty of food. The dive guides were excellent. There were some passengers though that had the TV on from 6 am until 10 pm. They never turned the TV off. Maybe this should be mentioned in the initial dive brief that there are other customers onboard and not only them. A few customers did speak to the guides about this but they did not to seem to have any success with a big group of Americans! " - , Saudi Arabia, 20 November 2010 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Dive masters available at any moment and competence. Very good cooking, varied dishes. Kindness and availability of the boat crew." - , France, 14 January 2009 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Great divemasters, very professional and friendly, helpful and cheerful staff, great food. They took excellent care of another diver who had to be evacuated for decompression sickness on Day 2. That emergency medical situation was handled very professionally and calmly. Very nice, relaxed, friendly atmosphere on the boat, great video provided at the end of the tour." - , USA, 1 February 2008 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"The dive boat was well organised with good briefings conducted before each dive explaining what we would expect to see. The food was good too! It was also a unique experience to be able to sail on a junk!!" - , Singapore, 31 December 2007 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"The crew were all very professional, the atmosphere was relaxed and the facilities first class. The food was plentiful and very good, if anything too good as I ate too much. All in all a very good experience." - , USA, 11 July 2007 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"We are talking about making this an annual trip, it was so good!" - , UK, 1 April 2005 ...


Thailand


Middle Budget Options

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