Set your sights on the turquoise expanse of Thailand’s Andaman Sea, where the legendary reefs of the Similan and Surin national parks await. The Bavaria liveaboard is a capable dive platform and a comfortable home to explore these waters with seasoned assurance. This 28-metre steel-hulled vessel, purpose-built for scuba safaris, carries a maximum of 24 divers, ensuring groups never feel crowded and the rhythm of the day remains relaxed. From the moment you step aboard, the layout speaks to a practical understanding of diver needs, balancing spaces for camaraderie with quiet corners for personal reflection.
Your days will revolve around the functional, spacious dive deck on the main level. Here, a dedicated kit-up area leads to the platform that simplifies gearing up and entries, sometimes with a giant stride into the blue or board the tender for more distant sites. Post-dive, convenient freshwater showers and rinse tanks are steps away. For those looking to maximise time underwater, the Bavaria liveaboard supports enriched air nitrox divers and offers 15-litre tanks. This operational setup, refined over countless trips, lets you focus entirely on the diving, confident that the logistics are expertly handled.
Between dives, retreat to your air-conditioned cabin. Accommodations are spread across 3 decks, with 10 of the 12 cabins featuring private ensuite bathrooms. The design prioritises practical comfort over unnecessary luxury, providing a quiet, cool haven for rest and recharging. Whether you select a lower deck cabin or one higher up, you’ll find it a reliable place to unwind after a day beneath the waves.
The social heart of the vessel is found above. The upper deck hosts a large, open-air dining and lounge area, a favoured spot where buffet-style meals are served against a panoramic seascape. It’s a natural gathering point for sharing stories over coffee or enjoying a sunset drink from the bar. For pure relaxation, the sundeck offers both sun and shade, with loungers perfect for drying off and soaking in the vistas. An indoor saloon provides a cooler alternative with its entertainment system, ideal for evening film viewing.
Sailing from Khao Lak, the Bavaria liveaboard navigates towards the submerged pinnacles and granite boulders that define the Similan Islands, before often venturing north to the pristine reefs of the Surin Islands. These routes access a world of soft coral gardens, swim-throughs adorned with marine life, and the chance encounters with manta rays or whale sharks that make the region famous. The experienced Thai crew and dive guides know these sites intimately, steering you towards the best conditions and marine life interactions available.
Choosing a liveaboard is as much about the operator’s reputation as the vessel itself. The team behind the Bavaria liveaboard brings years of regional expertise to every departure. Their focus on reliable service, safe diving protocols, and strong local knowledge transforms a simple trip into a smoothly run underwater expedition. For scuba divers seeking to immerse themselves in Thailand’s premier marine parks without complication, this vessel represents a trusted and capable choice. It’s a straightforward promise: exceptional diving, handled well, from a boat that knows its purpose.
There are 12 cabins in total. The lower deck of the liveaboard has 2 Comfort double bed cabins. The main deck has 6 Comfort twin bed cabins. Also on the main deck are 2 Deluxe double bed cabins, and on the upper deck are 2 Standard twin bed cabins. All cabins on Bavaria have ensuite bathrooms except the upper deck cabins which share a bathroom.
All the cabins have:
- Individual control air conditioning
- Bathroom with toilet and hot shower
- Windows
- Shower gel and towels
- Reading lights
- Bedding
- Cabinet, mirror and shelves
- Mains outlet 220 Volts AC
- Fire extinguishers, fire/smoke alarm, life jackets
- Housekeeping on request
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water
Similan Islands (4 Days / 3 Nights - 10 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Similan islands
Day 1
Your Similan liveaboard adventure begins at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak. After check-in, you'll be transferred to Tab Lamu pier to board the MV Bavaria in the evening. Your tour leader will welcome you aboard, assign your cabin, and provide a full briefing on the liveaboard and the dive schedule. As you set sail for the Similans, enjoy a welcome dinner. You'll spend the night cruising, waking up refreshed and ready for your first day of diving in the stunning Similan Islands.
Core Days
Renowned as Thailand's premier dive destination, the Similan Islands are an archipelago of nine granite islands, crowned with lush jungle and lapped by azure waters. Beneath the surface lies a breathtaking seascape, where vibrant hard and soft coral gardens adorn the seabed. Massive granite boulders form a dramatic underwater playground of swim-throughs, canyons, and towering formations. These rich reefs are swept by currents, making exhilarating drift dives common as you explore an environment teeming with marine biodiversity.
The unique character of each island is revealed beneath the waves. For instance, a dive at Elephant Head Rock is a quintessential Similan adventure. This submerged pinnacle is famous for its thrilling maze of swim-throughs, arches, and chimneys. As you navigate this granite labyrinth, you might find yourself in the company of a majestic hawksbill turtle grazing on sponges or watch schools of trevally and batfish patrolling the blue. The playful dance of light and shadow through the rock formations creates a truly magical atmosphere.
Island #8 (Koh Similan), the largest island, has a massive boulder field that creates a spectacular network of canyons and alleys. As you weave through the giant granite blocks, you'll be surrounded by clouds of colourful anthias and inquisitive bannerfish. The numerous overhangs and crevices provide shelter for lobsters, moray eels, and octopus, making every nook a potential discovery.
Meanwhile, Island #7 offers the beautiful West of Eden, a site that lives up to its name. It's an extensive coral garden dotted with granite boulders, where you can find everything from jawfish and blennies hiding in the soft corals to larger unicornfish and trevally cruising the perimeter. Not far away, Island #4 provides a fascinating contrast with sites like Anita's Reef, a shallower, sloping reef perfect for macro life. Here, you can spend your dive hunting for elusive harlequin shrimp, various species of nudibranch, and clownfish nestled among the anemones.
Day 4
On the final day of the Bavaria dive trip, you will complete 2 dives around Island 9, the northernmost island in the Similan archipelago. Following the dives, you will transfer to a day-trip boat for your return journey to Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak.
Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon & Richelieu Rock (4 Days / 3 Nights - 13 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: Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Island
Day 0 (day before the cruise)
Guests check in at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak at any time during the day before the cruise to deal with pre-trip formalities.
Day 1
Your day begins with a morning transfer from the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak, taking you to Tab Lamu Pier. From there, you will board a day-trip boat for the journey to the Similan Islands. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the liveaboard vessel, MV Bavaria. After a short briefing, you will complete a check dive at Island 9. The day concludes with 2 further dives at Koh Bon, a site famous for frequent manta ray encounters as they visit its cleaning stations.
Core Days
This adventure-packed liveaboard itinerary features up to 4 dives daily, immersing you in the breathtaking wonders of the Andaman Sea. You will explore legendary sites, including Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Surin, and the world-renowned Richelieu Rock.
Prepare for the thrilling currents at Koh Tachai, which attract massive schools of predators like trevally, barracuda, and reef sharks hunting vast clouds of shimmering glassfish. The trip's pinnacle is often Richelieu Rock, where the dive guides excel at spotting exquisite macro-life like seahorses and ghost pipefish. Yet, you won't need help spotting the giants; the majestic silhouette of a passing whale shark or manta ray is an unforgettable sight you can't miss.
Meanwhile, the reefs of the Surin Islands promise encounters with turtles, sharks, and bumphead parrotfish. This liveaboard tour is designed to leave you with not just a deeper understanding of the marine world, but with a treasure trove of unforgettable memories
Day 4
Your final day of diving features 2 last dives at the renowned sites of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. Following these dives, the MV Bavaria will begin its cruise back to Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak.
Similan, Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock (7 Days / 6 Nights - 22 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: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Island
Day 1
Guests will depart onboard the Bavaria from Tab Lamu pier in the evening. Prior to the minibus transfer to the pier, check-in is required at the Loma Diving Centre in Khao Lak. A welcome dinner will be served during the liveaboard’s transit to the Similan Islands, as you settle into your private cabin. You'll wake up at the islands, ready to start your first day of diving activities.
Core Days
Prepare for an unforgettable diving adventure with MV Bavaria, exploring the world-class sites of the Andaman Sea. Taking you to the most spectacular underwater landscapes Thailand has to offer. the liveaboard will navigate the iconic sites of the Similan Islands, where 9 granite islands rise from azure waters. Here, you'll dive through stunning swim-throughs and canyons formed by massive boulders, exploring reefs blanketed in hard and soft corals. The action continues at the legendary Richelieu Rock, a magnet for marine life and a macro photographer's dream where the guides excel at spotting decorator crabs and frogfish.
You will also test the currents at Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, renowned for thrilling pelagic encounters. This region promises an incredible diversity of life. Be on the lookout for the passing of whale sharks and manta rays, alongside frequent sightings of turtles and reef sharks.
The vibrant macro life At Koh Surin is equally impressive, ensuring every dive is filled with discovery. The variety of sites caters to all experience levels. Beginner divers can enjoy the rich coral gardens, while advanced divers can seek out exhilarating wall diving and strong currents that deliver huge schools of barracuda, trevally, and tuna.
The clear waters and marine diversity make this a very popular liveaboard destination for a reason. From the smallest nudibranch to the largest ocean giants, this trip offers non-stop action and fun. Keep your eyes open in these waters, you won't want to miss a thing.
Day 7
Your final day begins with 2 more dives exploring the vibrant sites around Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, offering a final opportunity to witness the area's magnificent marine life. Afterwards, the MV Bavaria will begin its scenic cruise back to Tab Lamu in Khao Lak, where you are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.
[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].
All main meals are served buffet-style in the open-air dining area on the upper deck of the Bavaria liveaboard, allowing you to enjoy the tropical breeze and scenery. The daily dive schedule is seamlessly integrated with meal times. It begins with a light pre-breakfast snack before the first dive, followed by a hearty, full breakfast served after you surface from that initial immersion. Lunch is provided after the completion of the second morning dive. To sustain energy for the ambitious 4-dive daily schedule, different complimentary snacks are offered after the third dive, providing fuel for the scheduled night dive that takes place before the evening dinner.
The cuisine is an exciting and delicious mixture of international and authentic local Thai dishes. A hearty breakfast typically includes both Western and Asian options to satisfy all appetites. For lunch and dinner, the buffet features a diverse rotation of dishes such as classic green Thai coconut curry, phad Thai, spaghetti bolognaise, and freshly caught fish, always accompanied by a selection of fresh salads and vegetables.
A variety of complimentary drinks, including soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea, are available throughout the day.
The cruise may also feature special extras, such as a beach BBQ on a secluded sandy shore, depending on the specific cruise route and weather conditions.
"
Last week we stayed on a liveaboard for the first time and absolutely enjoyed it! Bavaria was very well organised and have a strong safety first policy. We were diving in small groups (2-4 persons) so our dive master was able to keep a close look on each of us. Besides he had an excellent eye and spotted turtles, sharks, rays and seahorses for us. The food was delicious and special requests (e.g. vegetarian) were no problem. We definitely recommend the Bavaria liveaboard" -
R Bosch, Germany, 7 November 2023 ...
"
Boat was well maintained, staff was organized and informative, and safe diving procedures are enforced. Food was excellent.
Dive the World provided good options for our trip. They also were easy to work with when we had to reschedule the trip due to COVID issues." -
Brad Dyer, United States, 19 February 2023 ...
"
Operated by German owner and German staff. Everything perfect and cleverly organised. Boat of course is not luxury but all in order, clear and well. Very delicious food and good boat staff" -
Alexey Stakanov, Cyprus, 22 April 2022 ...
