The South Siam IV serves as a mobile liveaboard dive platform stationed in the Similan and Surin national parks to which guests are transferred daily by speedboat, so you can join and leave whenever you want. No other boat offers you quite as much flexibility.
Strictly speaking, South Siam 4I is not a true liveaboard as it does not make a cruise, and new guests can join on a daily basis. However, it is a good option for low budget travellers who are short of time and do not mind a more crowded boat. The 30 metre long boat is built to handle large numbers of divers.
There is a very big shaded area for relaxing and eating meals on the upper deck, a large sundeck with sun loungers and an air-conditioned saloon with TV/DVD and music system. All cabins have sea views and individually controlled air conditioning, they are pleasantly decorated and each bed has it's own reading lamp.
Finally, if you're a snorkeller or non-diver, the trip accommodates you equally as well as the scuba divers, and excursions onto the islands' white sand beaches are provided if you'd like to do some beachcombing.
Dive experience: Divers need to be at least Advanced Diver certified, or have 50 logged dives with the most recent dive within 1 year. Otherwise, divers must hire a private guide or take the Advanced course on board.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, return transfers to the boat from hotels in Kata, Karon & Patong Beach in Phuket or Khao Lak hotels only, dive insurance, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (5-6 divers per divemaster), torch, tanks, weights and weight belt.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (US$ 14 per day), towel, Similan and Surin park fees at approximately USD6 per day, with an entry fee of USD14 per park entry. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, dive computer (USD11 per day), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD8 per fill), private guide (USD56 per day).
How to get there: The South Siam IV tour to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock starts with an early morning 2 hour minibus transfer (from Phuket at 6-7 am, from Khao Lak at 7:30 am) to Khao Lak. Boarding time is at 8-8:30 am, when a speed boat will take you out to the liveaboard boat (approximately a 1 hour ride).
The last dive of the trip will be at around 2:30 pm, and the speedboat transfer arrives back at the pier at 4:30 pm. The minibus transfer will return you to Phuket at 7 pm / Khao Lak at 5 pm. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
For more information see our Thailand travel information section.
Non-diver rate: approx 22% off the published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 85% of the published price for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: None.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): This boat is not available for whole boat charter.
There are 2 double bed cabins and 6 twin bed cabins on the main deck, and 2 more double bed cabins and 4 twin bed cabins on the lower deck of South Siam IV. There are 6 communal bathrooms.
All the cabins have:
Individual control air-conditioning
Seaview windows
Shared bathrooms with toilet, shower and hand basin
Motorised dinghy - Dive deck - Air-conditioned saloon with DVD video, music system, general and marine libraries - Sundeck with sun loungers and matresses
Dive certification course available including PADI Advanced Open Water.