For a dive traveller, the Andaman Sea represents the gold standard of Asian diving. The Manta Queen 8 liveaboard does not just visit these legendary sites, it offers a way to experience them with a level of comfort and operational polish that belies its price point. This is a vessel that knows its business, and it shows in every detail, from the moment you step aboard.
The itinerary is the heart of the appeal. Over 5 nights, the Manta Queen 8 delivers 18 dives at some of Thailand's most iconic locations. You will explore the granite boulders and diverse marine life of the Similan Islands, drift over the cleaning stations of Koh Bon, and search for whale sharks at the famous Richelieu Rock. The schedule also includes a night dive at the Similans, giving you a glimpse of the reef's nocturnal inhabitants, and a final dive on the Boonsung Wreck. The cruise is carefully paced to maximise your time in the water while allowing for proper rest between dives.
The Manta Queen 8 liveaboard itself is a 30-metre vessel that feels spacious and well-organised. After a day of diving, the sun deck is an ideal spot to relax and review your underwater photos, while the indoor saloon and open dining area provide comfortable spaces for meals and socialising. The accommodation consists of 10 air-conditioned cabins. Options range from twin bunk cabins to double ensuite cabins on the main deck. All cabins provide comfortable, functional living quarters for the duration of the trip.
The team running the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard is a major part of the experience. Khao Lak Scuba Adventures has been operating several liveaboards in this region since 2003, building a reputation for safety and excellent service. Their in-house technicians maintain all equipment, and the multi-lingual crew is praised for its professionalism and warmth. With a dive guide to guest ratio of 1 to 5 divers, the diving itself feels safe, well-managed, and personal. The fact that the boat attracts many repeat guests is perhaps the strongest endorsement of the overall experience.
What you get for your money is also a key consideration of the Manta Queen 8. The cruise price includes all your dives, accommodation, freshly cooked Thai and Western meals, soft drinks, snacks, and free wi-fi. Round-trip transfers from Khao Lak and Phuket are also included. Beyond the base price, you will need to budget for the marine park fee. Extras like nitrox, 15-litre tanks, and full equipment rental are available at reasonable rates, and dive insurance policy can be purchased onboard if you do not already have cover.
The Manta Queen 8 liveaboard offers a well-balanced package: an extended 5-night diving cruise, a comfortable and spacious vessel, and an experienced crew that consistently delivers a high standard of service. For divers seeking a reliable and rewarding way to explore the marine riches of the Andaman Sea, the Manta Queen 8 represents an attractive and affordable choice. It is a trip designed to let you focus on the diving, comfortable in the knowledge that the logistics are in expert hands.
There are 12 cabins in total on the Manta Queen 8: On the upper deck there are 2 double bed ensuite cabins (7 sqm). On the main deck there are 2 double bed ensuite cabins (7 sqm) and 6 twin bed ensuite cabins (6 sqm). The lower deck has 2 twin bed cabins (6 sqm) which share 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 - 10 / 10 - hot water
Similan, Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock (6 Days / 5 Nights - 18 Dives)
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: Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands and Boonsung wreck
Day 1
Your adventure begins with an evening check-in at the Khao Lak Scuba Adventures dive centre. A short transfer takes you to Thaplamu Pier, where you will board the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard. After settling into your cabin and setting up your dive gear, the crew will welcome you with a safety and boat briefing. A light dinner is served as the boat departs, heading north towards the Similan Islands.
Core Days
The Manta Queen 8 dive trip is built around the Andaman Sea's greatest hits, offering up to 18 dives over 5 days. The diving begins in the Similan Islands, a marine park of granite boulders and coral gardens. These sites are known for their resident Napoleon wrasse, hawksbill turtles, and the chance to spot leopard sharks resting on sandy patches. The topography is dramatic, with swim-throughs, caverns, and arches that create interesting light and shelter for schools of batfish and trevally. Night diving here reveals a different world, with hunting octopus, sleeping parrotfish, and bioluminescent plankton in the water column.
Moving north, Koh Bon is a pelagic hotspot. This limestone ridge drops into deep water, making it a prime location for manta ray cleaning stations. The west ridge is the most famous, with divers often hanging in the blue as mantas glide past. The site also hosts grey reef sharks, giant trevally, and large schools of snapper. Koh Tachai continues the theme of dramatic underwater ridges, with a pinnacle that rises from 50 metres to within 12 metres of the surface. The currents can be strong here, bringing in nutrient-rich water that sustains gorgonian fans, sea whips, and anemones. It is a place where you can spend entire dives in the blue, waiting for a passing manta or a school of barracuda to circle overhead.
Richelieu Rock is the centrepiece of the trip, a horseshoe-shaped reef in the Surin Islands. This site is legendary for its soft coral gardens, which cover the rock in a tapestry of pinks, purples, and orange. The rock's position attracts whale sharks between February and April, though you never know what the currents will bring. The site is also a haven for macro life, with ghost pipefish, seahorses, and harlequin shrimp hiding among the coral branches. The Surin Islands themselves offer less visited sites with similar coral cover, often with fewer boats and cleaner water.
Day 6
The final day begins with a dawn dive at Koh Bon Pinnacle, a smaller rock formation that often serves as a manta cleaning station. After breakfast, the boat turns south for the second and last dive at the Boonsung Wreck, a deliberately sunken navy vessel that lies upright in 32 metres of water. The wreck is encrusted with corals and hosts schools of trevally, batfish, and the occasional grouper; the exterior and the deck offer plenty for recreational divers. It is a fitting finale to a trip that has covered Thailand's best.
Lunch is served as the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard cruises back to Thaplamu Pier, arriving in the afternoon. Transfers return you to Khao Lak or Phuket, ready to make your onward travel plans.
[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 on the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard follows the rhythm that divers know well: dive, eat, rest, dive again. A typical day sees breakfast from 8 am to 9 am, lunch around 12:15 pm to 1 pm, and dinner from 7:30 pm to 8 pm. Snacks appear mid-afternoon to keep energy levels up. Meals are served on the upper deck, where the open-air dining area becomes the social hub of the boat.
Mornings begin before the sun fully rises, 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 into the blue. Breakfast is a generous affair. Alongside the usual eggs, sausages, and bacon, you might find 'Khao Mun Gai Tod', a Thai-style fried chicken rice with a garlic and ginger kick. For a lighter start, there is 'Kuay Tiew Moo Nam Sai', a clear noodle soup with pork, or 'Patongo' - deep-fried dough sticks often dipped in condensed milk, a local favourite. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, and cereals are always available, alongside coffee, tea, and fruit juice.
Lunch and dinner bring a different spread each day, with the kitchen crew drawing on a wide repertoire of regional Thai cooking. You might encounter 'Gaeng Som', a sour and spicy fish curry with vegetables, or 'Pla Tod Kamin', deep-fried turmeric-marinated fish served with a tangy dipping sauce. 'Moo Hong', slow-braised pork belly in a sweet soy and 5-spice broth, offers a richer, more indulgent option. For noodle lovers, 'Kuay Tiew Reua' (boat noodles), a robust, aromatic broth with beef or pork, makes a satisfying appearance.
Salads and lighter dishes provide balance. 'Yum Hua Plee', a banana flower salad with prawns and shredded coconut, offers a fresh, tangy contrast to the heavier curries. 'Laab Gai', a spiced minced chicken salad with toasted rice powder and herbs, brings the heat of Isaan cuisine. On the grill, you might find 'Ping Moo', marinated pork neck slices served with a spicy dipping sauce, or 'Gai Tod Hat Yai', the famous southern-style fried chicken with crispy shallots.
Desserts are taken seriously too, with treats like 'Bua Loy', glutinous rice balls in warm coconut milk, and 'Khao Tom Mud', a sweet sticky rice and banana parcel wrapped in banana leaves, appearing after dinner.
The barbecue night remains a highlight. 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.
Between dives, the Manta Queen 8 crew keeps snacks available throughout the day. You can help yourself to crackers, local biscuits, and fresh fruit like mango, papaya, and dragon fruit. Ice cream is always on hand for a cold afternoon treat. Soft drinks, fruit juice, tea, and coffee are included, so you can stay hydrated without thinking about the bill. The crew's commitment to quality is evident: they invest in off-season training to refine both flavour and presentation, and guests consistently praise the standard of the food.
