Liveaboard trips to the Similans, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi Islands
Affordable, multi-lingual dive cruises
Max. 5 diver per guide
Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
Highly experienced dive operator
The Andaman Sea has a reputation that precedes it. For divers, the names alone - Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, the Similan Islands - signal some of the best diving in Southeast Asia. The Manta Queen 1 liveaboard operates right at the heart of this action, running affordable 5-day / 4-night cruises that takes in 15 dives across these legendary sites. From the granite boulders of the Similans to the pinnacles of Koh Tachai and the famous cleaning stations at Richelieu Rock, this is a trip designed for scuba divers who want to cover serious ground.
The Manta Queen 1 liveaboard keeps things personal. With a maximum of 20 guests and a dive guide ratio of 1 to 4 or 5 divers, you are not just another number on a crowded deck. The crew know your name, your dive style, and where you left your fins. Briefings are thorough, safety is taken seriously, and the atmosphere on board leans more towards a group of friends rather than a commercial operation. It is the kind of setup that suits both the seasoned diver and the newer one looking to build experience.
The boat itself is a classic wooden hull, purpose-built for the Andaman conditions. At 27 metres long, it has space to spread out, with a large dive platform that makes entries and exits straightforward. Cabins are air-conditioned, with options ranging from twin bunks to double ensuite rooms. Meals are served fresh, and the galley keeps a steady supply of drinking water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Wifi is available, though signals can be patchy out at sea, which is part of the appeal.
What sets the Manta Queen 1 apart is the operator behind it. Khao Lak Scuba Adventures has been running liveaboards since 2003. They are an SSI training centre with over 40 multilingual professionals on staff, speaking English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese and more. This depth of experience shows in the small details: equipment is Mares and ScubaPro, maintained on site by in-house technicians; dive courses can be taken aboard; and the pre-trip check-in process is organised and efficient.
The cruise has a rhythm to it. Days start early, with dive briefings before breakfast, and the schedule allows for up to 4 dives per day, including a night dive. The route covers the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Boonsung Wreck, with flexibility to adjust based on conditions. Surface intervals are spent on the sun deck, swapping stories over snacks or taking the dinghy to explore a beach. The vibe is relaxed, but the diving is serious. Low season trips focus on the dive sites of the Phi Phi Islands.
For anyone considering a liveaboard in Thailand, the Manta Queen 1 offers a solid, dependable choice. It is not about frills; it is about good diving, good food, and good company. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense liveaboard that has earned a loyal following. Divers keep coming back, and once you have spent a week on board, you will understand why.
The Manta Queen 1 liveaboard has 12 guest cabins. There are 2 double bed ensuite cabins (6 sqm) and 6 twin bunk bed ensuite cabins (6 sqm) on the main deck, and 4 twin bunk bed cabins (4 sqm) - 2 on the lower deck and 2 on the upper deck - that share 2 bathrooms on the main deck.
All the cabins have:
Individual controlled air-conditioning and small fan
Ensuite bathrooms with toilet and hot water shower
Towels, toiletries, hairdryer
Windows on the main deck
Reading lights
Daily housekeeping
Daily housekeeping
Mirror and shelves
Life jackets and fire extinguisher
Bedding and space for luggage
Mains outlet 220 volts - 24 hours per day (EUR/US-style sockets)
Diving environment: beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Phi Phi Islands, Kled Kaew wreck, Phuket: Shark Point, King Cruiser Wreck
Day 1
Check-in is at Coco Pier, Phuket, where you will board the Manta Queen 1 and be shown to your cabin. After a full safety and itinerary briefing, you will set up your dive gear before a welcome Thai buffet dinner is served. The boat departs in the evening, arriving at the Phi Phi Islands overnight so you are ready for your first full day of diving.
Core Days
The Phi Phi Islands form the backbone of this trip, and the Manta Queen 1 liveaboard explores their limestone cliffs and underwater topography. The sites here offer genuine variety: gentle sloping reefs for newer divers, steep walls for those seeking deeper profiles, and swim-throughs that cut through the rock formations. The marine life is consistently good, with schools of snapper and fusiliers that hang around the pinnacles, while turtles and blacktip reef sharks are regular visitors. The shallows are rich with macro life, including ghost pipefish and nudibranchs, making it a destination that rewards both wide-angle and macro photographers.
A key feature of this itinerary is the Kled Kaew Wreck, a 47-metre former Royal Thai Navy vessel sunk in 2014 to create an artificial reef. The wreck sits upright with its top at 14 metres and the bottom at 26 metres, making it accessible to advanced divers with good buoyancy control . It has become a thriving ecosystem, often described as 'fish soup' for the dense schools of yellow snapper, trevally and pick-handle barracuda that crowd around the structure. Lionfish and pufferfish patrol the deck, and the deeper sections attract marble rays and the occasional turtle.
The trip also includes the King Cruiser Wreck, a 85-metre car ferry that sank in 1997 after striking Anemone Reef. It now rests at 20 to 32 metres, and while the structure has collapsed over time, it remains an impressive sight. This is a site for experienced divers as currents can be strong, visibility variable, and the wreck's broken sections demand good buoyancy control. Large schools of barracuda, fusiliers and rabbitfish have made this their home, and on good days, leopard sharks and eagle rays pass through .
Shark Point, a submerged pinnacle near the King Cruiser, rounds out the diving programme. Its shallow top at 5 metres is covered in anemones and soft corals, and the site is known for its leopard sharks resting on the sandy patches. The combination of wreck and reef diving across these 4 days provides a balanced mix of experiences: deeper, more technical dives alongside shallower, more relaxed profiles. Surface intervals are spent exploring the islands by dinghy, kayaking, or simply soaking up the sun on the deck.
Day 4
The last morning includes up to 3 dives. After a final surface interval and brunch, the Manta Queen 1 heads back to Phuket.
Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock (5 Days / 4 Nights - 15 Dives)
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Bunsoong Wreck
Day 1
Once onboard the Manta Queen 1, you will be shown to your cabin and given a full safety and itinerary briefing. After setting up your dive gear, a welcome dinner is served as the boat gets underway, arriving at the Similan Islands by midnight so you can rest before the first day of diving.
Core Days
The Similan Islands are the cornerstone of this trip, and the Manta Queen 1 liveaboard spends several days exploring their granite boulder formations. These submerged rocks create swim-throughs, caverns and walls draped in colourful corals. Schools of barracuda and trevally patrol the blue water, while reef fish and nudibranchs crowd the shallows. The sites offer good variety: sheltered bays for newer divers and more exposed, drift-prone walls for those with experience.
From the Similans, the route pushes north to Koh Bon, a limestone ridge dropping to 40 metres. The west ridge is known for pelagic action - manta rays are regular visitors, and leopard sharks occasionally pass over the sand. The deeper sections attract larger schools of jacks and tuna, with the occasional whitetip reef shark circling the cleaner stations. It is a site that rewards patience and a good eye. Koh Tachai sits further north. The highlight here is the plateau site: a submerged rock top at 12 metres that attracts large schools of snapper, fusiliers and batfish. Manta rays and whale sharks are seen here, particularly during the February to April window.
Then there is Richelieu Rock. This horseshoe-shaped pinnacle sits isolated in open water and is Thailand's most famous dive. Its shallow top at 5 metres is covered in anemones, and the walls descend to 30 metres or more. The rock acts as a cleaning station for manta rays and whale sharks, both of which are regulars from February through April. Beyond the megafauna, the site is rich with macro life: harlequin shrimp, seahorses, and ribbon eels are all common. It is a site that delivers on nearly every level.
The final core diving day also includes a night dive, usually over the sandy patches around the Similans, where sleepers and nocturnal feeders come out. It is a chance to see a different side of the reef and a reminder that these waters are active around the clock.
Day 5
The last morning includes 3 dives, starting with a return to Koh Bon pinnacle or the wreck of the Boonsung. This former tin dredger lies in 20 metres of water off Khao Lak and has become an artificial reef teeming with marine life. Macro subjects like frogfish and ghost pipefish are common among the wreckage. After a final surface interval and lunch, the Manta Queen 1 heads back to Tab Lamu pier by late 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].
A day aboard the Manta Queen 1 liveaboard follows the steady, satisfying rhythm that divers crave: dive, eat, rest, repeat. The structure is built around the marine life, not the clock. Wake-up calls come early, with the first dive often scheduled as the sun rises over the Andaman Sea. Afterwards, a hearty breakfast awaits, setting you up for the mid-morning dive that follows.
Meals are served on the upper deck, where the open-air dining area becomes the social hub of the boat. Breakfast might feature eggs any style, sausages, bacon, and baked potatoes, alongside toast with butter, jam, or peanut butter. For a taste of Thailand, you can start the day with 'Jok', a savoury rice porridge, or 'Khao Tom', a comforting rice soup with pork or shrimp. Fresh seasonal fruits, coffee, tea, Ovaltine, milk, and fruit juice are always available to round things out.
Lunch and dinner showcase the culinary heart of the Manta Queen 1. The kitchen crew turns out an impressive rotation of Thai classics, from 'Pad Krapao' with its fragrant holy basil and crispy fried egg, to the tangy-sweet-spice balance of 'Som Tam' green papaya salad. 'Tom Yum Goong' brings the heat with lemongrass and lime, while 'Massaman curry' offers a milder, richer counterpoint. Noodle lovers will find 'Pad Thai', 'Pad See Ew', and even the northern speciality 'Khao Soi' on the menu. Grilled meats, fish cakes, and vibrant salads ensure variety across the cruise.
Between dives, the crew keeps hunger at bay with free snacks available throughout the day. Expect crisps, cookies, and other crunchy bites, alongside fresh fruit like banana, watermelon, pineapple, passion fruit, and dragon fruit. Ice cream is also on hand for an afternoon treat. Soft drinks, fruit juice, tea, and coffee are included in the price, so you can stay hydrated and energised without reaching for your wallet.
A special highlight of Manta Queen 1 liveaboard cruises is the barbecue night. When the weather allows, the crew fires up the grill on the sun deck, serving a meal under the stars. If conditions are less favourable, the barbecue moves indoors to the dining area, keeping the convivial atmosphere intact. Guests frequently praise the quality of the food, with many describing the chef as phenomenal and the meals as consistently amazing. The operation also invests in further training for the kitchen staff, including low-season cooking classes focused on both flavour and presentation, so you can expect the standard to rise even higher.
The daily schedule is relaxed but purposeful. Days 2 to 4 typically see breakfast from 8 am to 9 am, lunch from 12:15 pm to 1 pm, and dinner around 7:30 pm to 8 pm. A mid-afternoon snack service keeps energy levels up between dives. On the final day, breakfast is at 8 am, with lunch at 12:30 pm and snacks before returning to port. This predictable rhythm lets you focus entirely on the diving, while the crew handles the rest.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Child Policy: Non-diving child, minimum age to join our trips is 8 years old. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, including during the dives. Children are full price.
Dive experience: To join the Manta Queen 1 liveaboard trips, divers must be certified to dive to 30 meters. Open Water divers (18m) must complete an Advanced Open Water, Deep Specialty, or Deep Adventure course during the trip.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, soft drinks, drinking water, hot drinks, roundtrip transfers to the boat from Phuket and Khao Lak airport/hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemasters (max. 5 divers per guide), 12 litre aluminium tanks, weights and weightbelts, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Dive equipment (BCD, reg, mask, snorkel, full foot fins, shortie wetsuit, torch: USD61 per trip), dive computer (USD30 per trip), dive insurance USD30 (can be purchased onboard), park fees USD76. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash THB only).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for certified divers (USD76 per trip), 15 litre tank (USD76 per trip). 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: MV Manta Queen 1 Similan liveaboard trips depart in the evening from Khao Lak. Guests must check in at the dive centre in Khao Lak between 3-5 pm for boarding at 6 pm. A minibus service to and from the boat is available. The final dive will be at around 2 pm on the last full day of the trip, and then the boat returns to the pier at 5:30 pm for transfers back to Khao Lak and Phuket. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. For more information, including airlines, see our Thailand travel information section.
Non-diver rate: USD30 discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the regular retail price, or pay a supplement of 80% of the published price for their own private cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests and 1 extra person can join free of charge.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): USD3 500.
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