4-night tours from Similan Islands to Richelieu Rock
Most cabins have private bathrooms
Master suites have TV and video player
Large boat with steel hull
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The MV Sawasdee Fasai provides a spacious and stable vessel from which to discover the premier dive sites of the Thai Andaman Sea. This near-37-metre steel-hulled liveaboard offers a substantial presence on the water, designed to comfortably host groups while maintaining areas for personal relaxation. A voyage on the Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard typically follows a 4-night itinerary, connecting the vibrant reefs of the Similan Islands with the renowned pinnacle of Richelieu Rock, offering a solid overview of the region's underwater landscapes.
Onboard, the layout capitalises on the Sawasdee Fasai's scale across 4 decks. Accommodation ranges from Master suites with commanding views to well-appointed standard cabins, nearly all situated for an ocean outlook. The social heart is a large, air-conditioned saloon equipped with entertainment systems and a well-stocked library, catering to post-dive relaxation. Additional outdoor spaces across the decks provide options for sun or shade, allowing guests to find their preferred spot to unwind between dive sessions.
The expansive dive deck is the primary launch point for most excursions, though 2 tenders are available for site access when needed. Sawasdee Fasai offers complimentary enriched air nitrox for qualified divers, a practical feature that enhances safety and extends bottom time on repetitive profiles. The itinerary is a classic Andaman circuit, designed to sample the area's diversity. The schedule moves from the Similan Islands' granite boulders and coral slopes to the pelagic-rich waters around Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, often culminating at the nutrient-dense Richelieu Rock. Days are structured around multiple dives, balancing active adventure with adequate surface intervals, all within the protected boundaries of a national marine park.
This Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard is operated by a Phuket-based company with a long operational history in the region. Their decades of experience contribute to the trip's framework, with crew familiarity translating into smooth logistics and informed site briefings. This background supports a dive schedule that adapts to conditions while maintaining a focus on safety and guest experience.
The MV Sawasdee Fasai is the right choice for divers who value space and stability on a well-equipped vessel. It is well-suited for those seeking a comprehensive, short-duration liveaboard trip that covers the essential highlights of the Similan and Surin marine parks. For certified divers looking for a capable, large-format boat to access Thailand's iconic Andaman sites, this liveaboard presents a reliable and comfortable option.
The lower deck has 4 Standard cabins with twin beds that can be converted to a queen size bed. There are also 4 Budget cabins with twin bunk beds (2 cabins on lower deck with portholes and 2 cabins on upper deck). The main deck has 5 Deluxe cabins with twin bunk beds and bay windows. Finally, there are 2 double bed Master Suites with front and bay windows on the main deck. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms, except the Budget cabins which share a bathroom.
The Master Suites have a private toilet, hot water shower, and an additional TV and video player, refrigerator and minibar.
All the cabins have:
Air conditioning (plus additional fan in Master Suites)
Toilet and shower with hand basin, towels and toiletries (except Budget cabins)
Reading lights
Mirror, shelves and cabinet
Bedding, towels and toiletries
Hair dryer
Safe box
International socket 220V mains outlet - 24 hours per day
Life jackets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water
Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Khao Lak
Day 1
Upon arrival at Tab Lamu pier in Khao Lak,you will be welcomed onboard MV Sawasdee Fasai. The liveaboard tour leader will greet you, show you to your cabin, and provide a detailed explanation of the boat's features and the dive cruise itinerary for the coming days. A welcome dinner will be served as the liveaboard sets sail towards the Similans with an expected arrival around midnight. After a restful night's sleep in your comfortable cabin, your diving adventures will begin the following day.
Core Days
Dive into the most spectacular destination in all of Thailand: the Similan Islands. Beneath the surface of these granite islands the scenery is breathtaking, from beautiful coral gardens and dramatic soft corals to huge granite boulders and rock formations that create thrilling swim-throughs and canyons. Around the sites you can encounter a huge range of species, from large pelagic fish to small, intricate macro life. Divers often spot marine life like leopard sharks, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, and impressive schools of barracuda and trevallies. The reefs are alive with colourful fish, such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. You'll also see moray eels, pufferfish, and triggerfish. In the sandy areas, it's common to find stingrays, including the blue-spotted stingray, and spotted garden eels.
The diving at Koh Bon is known for its mix of wall, slope, reef, and drift dives. The western ridge is a highlight, covered in soft corals and acting as a cleaning station for manta rays and other large pelagic species like leopard sharks and whitetip reef sharks.
Koh Tachai is renowned as one of Thailand's premier dive sites, situated at the northern end of the Similan Islands National Park. It's best known for its main site, a submerged pinnacle often referred to as Tachai Pinnacle. Marine life sightings are a major draw, with regular encounters with manta rays and the occasional whale shark, particularly during peak season. You can also expect to see large schools of barracuda, rainbow runners, and tuna, as well as leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom.
Richelieu Rock is a renowned hotspot for spotting majestic whale sharks, particularly from February to April, as the currents bring in the plankton they feed on. Manta rays are also frequent visitors. Beyond the big stuff, the site is a photographer's dream for its macro life, including seahorses, harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and frogfish.
Day 5
To wrap up your liveaboard adventure, you'll enjoy a final 2 dives at either Koh Bon and/or the Boonsung Wreck near Khao Lak. Following the dives, Sawasdee Fasai will return to Tab Lamu pier, where a minibus will be waiting for your onward travels.
[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 Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard provides a full-board meal plan typically cooked fresh for every meal and served buffet style in the open air dining area. Meals are a delicious and plentiful mixture of local Thai cuisine and International/Western dishes, often including fresh seafood.
Sample dishes: 'Larb Gai' a popular Thai minced meat salad, barbecue dinners, daily made banana/chocolate/ginger breads...
6 - 7 am - Wake up & light pre-breakfast
7:30 am - Early morning dive
8:30 am - Full breakfast
11 am - Mid-morning dive
12 - 12:15 pm - Lunch
2 - 2:30 pm - Afternoon dive
3:30 - 4 pm - Snacks
5 - 5:30 pm - Dive 4 (sunset/night)
8 - 8:30 pm - Dinner
Coffee, tea, drinking water, fruit, biscuits are provided free of charge.
Beer, wine, soft drinks, fruit juice, iced tea and iced coffee are available for purchase.
The kitchen can cater to most dietary requirements, with vegetarian options always available. Please notify the boat operators in advance of any specific needs.
"It was absolutely fabulous, from the food to the hospitality of the crew to the itinerary. Great company and personalities on the boat. My only suggestion is beds that aren't so very hard." - Zach Williams, United States, 5 March 2026 ...
"Overall, organization and logistics from Dive The World were excellent, dive masters and boat crew were very good. The vessel and cabin were good too, Diving can only continue if the sea and its inhabitants are being safeguarded. On our trip, there wasn't much attention towards nature and ecology. I saw several divers kicking and damaging coral and this was not addressed in the briefing by the diver masters." - Warnder Meijer, Hong Kong SAR, 17 February 2023 ...
"Too many things to mention here were bad and some even dangerous." - Camilla Carstens, Denmark, 23 March 2022 ...
"Beto and his staff where awesome!!!! from the time we got on the boat, until we left the boat! Great not only diving but the food and multicultural experience was second to none plus we formed multiple friendship that have been communicating with almost everyday since since completing the dive trip!" - Joel Bachman, USA, 17 January 2019 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: Just an open water license is required to join these Similan liveaboard trips with the Sawasdee Fasai.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, hot drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (it must be ordered in advance), return transfers to/from the boat from Phuket or Khao Lak areas, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (4-5 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts, travel accident insurance, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (USD16 per day), Similan and Surin park fees at USD6 per day, with an entry fee of USD16 per park. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, torch, dive computer, 15 ltr tanks available for rent USD9 per day), dive insurance. 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: The MV Sawasdee Fasai liveaboard departs at 8:30 pm from Khao Lak, after boarding at 7:30 pm. There is a minibus transfer to the boat - from Phuket: 4:30-6:30 pm / from Khao Lak: 7-7:30 pm. The last dive of the trip will be at around 10 am, and the boat arrives back in Khao Lak at 14:00 hrs. The transfer arrives back in Phuket about 4 pm. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. For details, including airlines, on how to get to Phuket, see our Thailand travel information section.
Non-diver rate: Approximately USD94 off the published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - solo travellers may choose to pay the regular fare by agreeing to share a cabin, or pay a supplement of the non diver price for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: See whole boat charter rate below.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): USD7 360.
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
