Liveaboard tours to Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock
Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
Economy, multi-lingual dive cruises
Max. 5 diver per guide
Operator with over 20 years experience
The Andaman Sea has long held a near-legendary status among scuba divers, and for good reason. Its waters host some of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world, from the granite boulder gardens of the Similan Islands to the coral-encrusted pinnacle of Richelieu Rock. The Manta Queen 7 liveaboard offers a low cost, comfortable, and expertly guided route to these celebrated sites, packed into a 4-night trip that balances dive time with relaxation.
The Manta Queen 7 liveaboard is a 23-metre vessel built for the specific demands of liveaboard diving in Thailand. It accommodates up to 22 guests in a mix of air-conditioned cabins, ranging from twin and double ensuites to shared quad rooms. The boat's design prioritises functionality, with a spacious dive platform that makes entries and exits straightforward, even in moderate conditions. On the top deck, a shaded lounge area provides a comfortable space to review the day's diving with fellow guests or simply watch the islands pass by. Free wi-fi is available, though coverage can be limited as the boat moves between sites - a small trade-off for being in such remote waters.
What truly distinguishes the Manta Queen 7 is the experience of its crew. The vessel is operated by Khao Lak Scuba Adventures, an SSI Training Centre with over 20 years of history in these waters. The dive guides are a multilingual team, speaking English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Chinese. They know the sites intimately: where the manta rays clean, where the whale sharks tend to pass, and where the ghost pipefish hide among the crinoids. Groups are kept small, with 4 to 5 divers per guide, ensuring that briefings are detailed, safety checks are thorough, and each diver receives the attention they need.
The 4-night Andaman dive tour is designed to cover the region's greatest hits while allowing for a relaxed pace. With up to 15 dives, the trip starts in the Similan Islands, where granite boulders create a labyrinth of swim-throughs and overhangs. Moving north, Koh Bon offers the chance to hover in the blue and watch manta rays glide past cleaning stations. Koh Tachai, with its steep pinnacle and strong currents, attracts large schools of barracuda and trevally. Richelieu Rock is the undisputed highlight. A horseshoe-shaped reef covered in soft corals and a magnet for whale sharks between February and April. The tour also includes a dive on the Boonsung Wreck, a retired navy vessel that has become a thriving artificial reef. While encounters are never guaranteed, the route is chosen to maximise opportunities at every turn.
The Manta Queen 7 liveaboard package offers genuine value for divers. The cruise price includes full board, soft drinks, snacks, and transfers from Khao Lak and Phuket. Tanks, weights, and a towel are also provided. Optional extras include nitrox, 15-litre tanks, and a range of affordable rental equipment. The mandatory marine park fee is payable onboard.
For certified divers, the requirements are straightforward. Guests must hold a certification to at least 30 metres, though Open Water divers can join by completing further training during the trip. A valid dive insurance policy covering medical evacuation is mandatory for all guests. With a proven operator, a comfortable boat, and a scuba tour that takes in the best of the Andaman Sea, the Manta Queen 7 liveaboard is an attractive choice for divers wanting a liveaboard experience in Thailand.
The Manta Queen 7 liveaboard has 10 guest cabins. On the main deck there are 2 double bed cabins (7 sqm) and 6 twin bunk bed cabins (6 sqm). All these cabins have private bathrooms. On the upper deck there is 1 quad-share bunk bed cabin (4 sqm) and 1 twin bunk bed cabin (6 sqm) that share 2 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
Reading lights
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)
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 10 - hot water
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
Check in at Thap Lamu Pier during the late afternoon. The crew will show you to your cabin and run through the safety and tour briefing. Take time to assemble your dive gear before a welcome dinner of fragrant Thai green curry and steamed jasmine rice. As the plates are cleared, the Manta Queen 7 liveaboard slips its moorings and heads north, arriving off the Similan Islands after midnight so you can wake fully rested.
Core Days
The next 4 days deliver up to 18 dives across the Andaman Sea's most celebrated sites. The Manta Queen 7 liveaboard follows a route designed to give you multiple dives at each location, allowing for relaxed exploration rather than a rushed tick-box approach. The Similan Islands offer a striking introduction to the region. Granite boulders pile upon one another, creating a maze of swim-throughs, overhangs, and sheltered gullies. These formations are draped in colourful soft corals, and the gaps between the rocks attract schools of fusiliers and yellowtail barracuda. Sheltered bays suit those wanting gentler conditions, while the more exposed western sites offer drift diving along walls that drop into deep water. Leopard sharks rest on sandy patches below the boulders, and hawksbill turtles are frequent companions on shallower dives.
Heading north, Koh Bon changes the character of the diving. This limestone ridge drops vertically to 40 metres, and the west ridge functions as a reliable cleaning station for manta rays. Divers often spend entire dives hovering in the blue, watching mantas make repeated passes overhead while cleaner wrasse attend to their gills. Grey reef sharks circle the deeper sections, and giant trevally hunt with explosive speed among the schools of snapper. Koh Tachai continues the theme of steep limestone structures. A submerged pinnacle rises from 40 metres to within 12 metres of the surface, its flanks covered in gorgonian fans and sea whips. Currents are common here, sweeping nutrient-rich water across the site and attracting large schools of batfish, barracuda, and the occasional manta ray.
Richelieu Rock stands apart. This horseshoe-shaped reef close to the Surin Islands sits isolated in open water and is widely regarded as Thailand's finest dive site. Its shallow top, just 5 metres below the surface, is a garden of anemones and soft corals in vivid pinks and purples. The walls descend to 30 metres and beyond, with macro life tucked into every crevice. Whale sharks pass through between February and April, drawn by the density of plankton and the cleaning services on offer. Even when the megafauna are elsewhere, Richelieu rewards careful looking: harlequin ghost pipefish sway among the crinoids, seahorses grip the coral branches, and harlequin shrimp hide among anemone tentacles.
Day 5
The last morning opens with 3 dives. The first is usually a return to Koh Bon Pinnacle, a smaller rock formation that often attracts mantas early in the day. The second and third dives are on the Boonsung Wreck, a former navy vessel resting upright in 32 metres. Corals encrust the hull and superstructure, while schools of trevally and batfish patrol the deck. Frogfish and ghost pipefish are common among the wreckage, making this a satisfying final dive. A full breakfast is served, then lunch as the Manta Queen 7 cruises south to Thap Lamu Pier, arriving late-afternoon for transfers to Khao Lak or Phuket.
[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].
The daily Manta Queen 7 liveaboard schedule is built around the underwater action rather than the clock, though meals anchor the day at familiar times. 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 timed to catch the Andaman Sea at its calmest yet liveliest. 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 Thai-style Hainanese chicken rice with a garlic chili sauce. For a lighter start, savoury rice porridge, or 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 classic spicy-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and lime, or fragrant holy basil stir-fry with rice, topped with a fried egg. For noodle lovers, 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: green curry with chicken and eggplant, 'Massaman' with potatoes and peanuts, or Phanang, a milder curry with coconut cream. Salads like green papaya and spicy minced pork salad provide fresh, tangy contrast to the richer dishes.
Desserts are taken seriously too. Mango sticky rice is an iconic finish, alongside water chestnuts in coconut milk and 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.
When the weather permits, the 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.
The Manta Queen 7 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. The daily routine is relaxed but purposeful, letting 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: 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. All children are charged at full price.
Dive experience: To join a liveaboard trip with the Manta Queen 7, divers must be certified to dive to 30 meters. Open Water divers must complete the Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver Specialty, or Deep Adventure Diver course during the tour in order to dive.
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 (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 liveaboard trip on the MV Manta Queen 7 sets off from Khao Lak in the early evening. Check-in at the local dive centre takes place between 3 pm and 5 pm, with boarding scheduled for 6 pm. A minibus transfer service to and from the vessel is provided for your convenience. The last dive of the cruise is typically scheduled for roughly 2 pm on the penultimate day, after which the boat heads back to the pier, arriving at about 5:30 pm. From there, return transfers will take you back to your pickup points in Khao Lak or Phuket. As a standard safety precaution, we recommend waiting at least 18 hours after your final dive before boarding a flight. For further details, including advice on flight connections and airline options, please refer to 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.
