Extended liveaboard trips to Similans, Richelieu Rock
Economy, multi-lingual dive cruises
Max. 5 divers per guide
Cabins with en-suite bathrooms
Highly experienced dive operator
For many divers, the Andaman Sea represents the pinnacle of Southeast Asian diving. The names alone - Richelieu Rock, the Similan Islands, Koh Tachai - conjure images of manta rays gliding through blue water and whale sharks materialising from the depths. The Manta Queen 3 liveaboard offers a highly affordable route to these iconic sites, combining a proven itinerary with the comfort and expertise that come from over 20 years of operating in these waters.
The Manta Queen 3 liveaboard is one of the larger vessels in the Khao Lak Scuba Adventures fleet, measuring 32 metres in length. This extra space translates directly into guest comfort. The air-conditioned cabins range from twin and double ensuites to shared quad rooms, all with storage and private or shared bathroom facilities. Above deck, the large sundeck provides a perfect spot for surface intervals, night-time stargazing, or simply watching the islands drift past. Free wi-fi is available, though signal is limited in more remote areas - a small price to pay for being this far from shore.
What truly sets the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard apart, however, is the calibre of its crew. As an established SSI Training Center, the operator employs over 50 highly experienced dive professionals. These guides speak multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Chinese. More importantly, they know these dive sites intimately. Dives are conducted in small groups of 4 to 5 guests per guide, ensuring personalised attention, briefings that cover local conditions in detail, and a safety-first approach that has earned the operator over 20,000 divers served.
The 5-night itinerary is a masterclass in Andaman Sea diving, offering up to 18 dives. Starting with the granite boulders and swim-throughs of the Similan Islands, the Manta Queen 3 moves north to the limestone ridges of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, both prime locations for manta ray encounters. The centrepiece is Richelieu Rock, a horseshoe-shaped reef in the Surin Islands that is covered in soft corals and attracts whale sharks between February and April. The trip concludes with a dive on the Boonsung Wreck, a purpose-sunk navy vessel that has become a thriving artificial reef. While marine life is never guaranteed, the route is designed to maximise your chances at every turn.
Beyond the diving, the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard delivers genuine value. The very reasonable cruise price includes full board with freshly cooked meals, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and snacks throughout the day. Transfers from Khao Lak and Phuket are included, as are 12-litre tanks, weights, and a towel for showering. Optional extras like nitrox, large tanks, and equipment rental are available, and the mandatory marine park fee is payable onboard. It is a straightforward, transparent approach that lets you focus on the diving.
For certified divers holding Advanced Open Water or equivalent, the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard is ready to welcome you. Open Water divers can join by completing an Advanced or Deep course during the trip, and underwater photographers must hold Advanced certification or have 40 logged dives. A valid dive insurance policy covering medical evacuation is mandatory for all guests. With a proven track record, excellent reviews, and a fleet that has become a home-away-from-home for returning guests, the Manta Queen 3 is a liveaboard that inspires confidence. The question is not whether to go, but when.
There are 12 cabins in total on the Manta Queen 3: On the upper deck there are 2 twin bunk bed cabins (3 sqm). On the main deck there are 2 double bed ensuite cabins (6 sqm), 6 twin bunk bed ensuite cabins (5 sqm), and 2 quad-share bunk bed cabins (4 sqm). The 2 upper twin cabins and 2 main deck quad-share cabins share 4 bathrooms on the main deck.
Cabins have:
Individual controlled air-conditioning and small fan
Bathrooms with toilet and hot water shower (ensuites only)
Towels, toiletries, hairdryer
Windows on the main deck
Daily housekeeping
Reading lights
Mirror and shelves
Life jackets and fire extinguisher
Mains outlet 220 volts - 24 hours per da
EUR/US-style sockets
Bedding and space for luggage
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water
Similan, Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock (6 Days / 5 Nights - 18 Dives)
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands and Boonsung wreck
Day 1
Board at Thaplamu Pier in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin, set up your dive gear, and join the crew for a full safety and itinerary briefing. A light Thai supper is served as the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard gets underway, cruising north toward the Similan Islands under a canopy of stars.
Core Days
Over the next 5 days, the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard delivers up to 18 dives across the Andaman Sea's most celebrated sites. The trip is structured to maximise your time in the water while allowing for relaxed surface intervals, proper meals, and rest between dives.
The Similan Islands provide a dramatic opening. Granite boulders the size of houses tumble into clear blue water, creating swim-throughs, caverns, and overhangs that host schools of fusiliers and trevally. Look for resident Napoleon wrasse patrolling the reefs, hawksbill turtles grazing on sponges, and leopard sharks dozing on sandy patches below the boulders. A night dive here reveals a different cast: hunting octopus, sleeping parrotfish cocooned in mucus, and the faint sparkle of bioluminescence as you move through the water.
Moving north, Koh Bon is all about the deep blue. This limestone ridge drops sharply to 40 metres, and the west ridge functions as a reliable manta ray cleaning station. Divers spend long bottom times hovering in mid-water as mantas soar in to be serviced by cleaner wrasse. Grey reef sharks often circle the ridge, and giant trevally attack bait balls with explosive speed. Koh Tachai offers a steeper profile, with a pinnacle that rises from 40 metres to within 12 metres of the surface. Strong currents sweep nutrients across the site, feeding dense thickets of gorgonian fans and sea whips. This is a place to park yourself in the blue and watch barracuda spiral overhead or wait for a manta to materialise from the haze.
Richelieu Rock remains the crown jewel. This horseshoe-shaped reef in the Surin Islands is smothered in soft corals of pink, purple, and orange that cluster so thickly they obscure the rock itself. Between February and April, whale sharks pass through with some regularity, though the currents determine what arrives and when. For macro enthusiasts, Richelieu is equally rewarding: ghost pipefish sway in the current, seahorses grip coral branches, and harlequin shrimp hide among sea anemones. The nearby Surin Islands offer similar coral cover but with fewer boats, giving you a sense of discovery even on a well-travelled route.
Day 6
The last morning opens with an early dive at Koh Bon Pinnacle, a smaller rock formation that often attracts mantas for cleaning. After breakfast, the Manta Queen 3 heads for a final dive on the Boonsung Wreck, a retired navy vessel resting upright in 32 metres. Corals encrust the hull, while schools of trevally, batfish, and groupers patrol the deck and railings. This wreck is accessible to recreational divers and provides a fitting contrast to the reefscapes of the previous days. Lunch is served as the boat cruises back to Thap Lamu Pier, arriving mid-afternoon. Transfers return you to Khao Lak or Phuket with time to make onward connections.
[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].
Meals are served on the upper deck of the Manta Queen 3 liveaboard, where the open-air dining area becomes the social hub of the boat. Breakfast runs from 8 am to 9 am, lunch is served around 12:15 pm, and dinner is ready from 7:30 pm. Snacks and fresh fruit appear mid-afternoon to keep energy levels up, and there is always ice cream on hand for a cold treat between dives.
Mornings begin early, with the first dive often timed to catch the Andaman Sea at its calmest. Back on board, a hearty breakfast sets you up for the briefings and the next descent. Alongside the usual eggs, sausages, and bacon, you might find 'Khao Man Gai', a Thai-style Hainanese chicken rice with a garlic chilli sauce. For a lighter start, there is 'Jok', a rice porridge that is a breakfast staple, or 'Khao Tom', a rice soup with pork or shrimp. Fresh seasonal fruit, yoghurt, and cereals are always available, alongside coffee, tea, Ovaltine, and fruit juice. Toast with butter, jam, or peanut butter rounds out the spread.
Lunch and dinner bring a different selection each day, with the kitchen crew drawing on a wide repertoire of regional Thai cooking. You might encounter 'Tom Yum Goong', the classic spicy-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and lime, or 'Pad Kra Pao', a holy basil stir-fry with rice, topped with a fried egg. For noodle lovers, 'Khao Soi', a Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup with crispy toppings, makes a satisfying appearance, while 'Pad Thai' offers the familiar comfort of stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind sauce, shrimp, tofu, and peanuts. Curries feature regularly: 'Gaeng Keow Wan' (green curry) with chicken and eggplant, 'Massaman' with potatoes and peanuts, or 'Gaeng Paneng', a milder curry with coconut cream. Salads like 'Som Tam' (green papaya) and 'Laab Moo' (spicy minced pork salad) provide fresh, tangy contrast to the richer dishes.
The barbecue night remains a highlight. When the weather permits, the Manta Queen 3 crew sets up the grill on the sun deck, serving a meal of grilled prawns, marinated chicken, pork skewers, and fresh seafood under the stars. If the wind picks up, the barbecue moves under cover to the dining area, but the lively atmosphere stays the same.
Desserts are taken seriously too. 'Khao Niaow Ma Muang' (mango with sticky rice) is an iconic finish, alongside 'Tub Tim Grob' (water chestnuts in coconut milk) and 'Khanom Thuay', steamed coconut custard in small cups. Between meals, you can help yourself to crackers, local biscuits, and fresh fruit like mango, papaya, and dragon fruit. Soft drinks, fruit juice, tea, and coffee are included throughout the day.
The Manta Queen 3 crew takes pride in their cooking, and guests consistently praise the standard of the food. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and the use of MSG is banned on all trips. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, simply notify the staff during check-in.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Child Policy: for a non-diving child, the minimum age to join a trip is 8 years old. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, including during dives. Children are full price on the Manta Queen 3.
Dive experience: Divers must be certified to dive to 30 meters to join these trips. Open Water divers must complete an Advanced, Deep Adventure Diver, or Deep Diver course during the trip. Underwater photographers are required to have 40+ logged dives or advanced license.
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: USD60 per trip), dive computer (USD30 per trip), dive insurance USD30 (can be purchased onboard), park fees USD75. 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 (USD75 per trip), 15 litre tank (USD75 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: Your time aboard the Manta Queen 3 starts with a late afternoon departure from Khao Lak. Check-in at the dive centre is scheduled between 3 pm and 5 pm, after which a transfer takes you to the pier for boarding at 6 pm. On the return leg, the boat arrives back at the pier around 2:30 pm on the final day. Transfers then take you back to your original pickup point in Khao Lak or Phuket. The last dive of the trip takes place on the final morning, typically starting at about 10:15 am. As a standard safety measure, we advise waiting at least 18 hours before flying after your final dive. For more detailed travel advice, including airline options and regional logistics, please see ourThailand travel information section.
Non-diver rate: USD30 discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - solo travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the regular price, or pay a supplement of 80% for their own private cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise free of charge.
