Thailand is now firmly established as one of the world's top tourist destinations. Why? Diverse ethnic tribes, idyllic beaches, beautiful diving and warm welcoming people all combine to make Thailand truly The Land of Smiles. As well as the colourful tropical marine life and spectacular island scenery, whale sharks and manta ray encounters are the chief drawcard here, but often at locations uncomfortably far from the mainland departure locations of Khao Lak and Phuket, making liveaboard cruises the best choice in Thailand.
Thailand is not known for ripping currents that only the very experienced and physically strong can deal with. Instead, the type of scuba diving you can expect on a Thailand liveaboard is suitable to people of all ages and experience levels, from open water students to experienced, well-travelled, expert divers. 4 dives per day is the norm here, but you don't have to make them all if you prefer to do less! The diving tours here can be as short or as long as you wish. You can choose liveaboard safaris ranging from 2 to 12 days. The low charges for rental gear also mean visitors can travel without the need to bring heavy dive bags with them.
The flexibility and affordability of these charters mean they are popular with those who want to do some diving as part of a travel plan that includes other activities. Non-divers are welcome to join their diving friends on short liveaboards from Phuket to the Similan Islands and they will still have plenty of time for all the amazing overland activities that Thailand offers.
And this too is what makes Thailand a great choice - there are simply so many fun things to do here - explore scenic islands and fabulous beaches, explore the national parks, mountains, jungle and waterfalls, visit fascinating temples and palaces, or sample its wonderful cuisine and lively nightlife. Thailand is the 'Gateway to Asia' for many airlines so, although these beautiful islands and beaches seem like a remote tropical paradise, they are still easy to get to.
We recommend liveaboards that operate in the Andaman Sea on Thailand's west coast where the country's best diving is located. Most trips depart from or near Phuket - Thailand's most popular tourist destination and an ideal base for fun-loving scuba divers. Check out your Thai liveaboard options:
The Similans are a collection of islands that promise great diving with varied topography and plentiful fish life. The area is a protected national park and is generally considered to be Thailand's premier dive destination. Similan liveaboards usually also visit Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, where encounters with larger creatures such as sharks, manta rays and whale sharks are more frequent. Some boats may also visit the more remote Surin Islands, which are a welcome escape from the busier mainstream sites, or even venture further north into Burmese waters. [More details on these dive sites: Richelieu Rock/Koh Tachai/Koh Bon, Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Myanmar].
The Similans route is covered by a variety of liveaboards catering to all budget levels, from deluxe to backpacker standard. The more expensive boats provide high levels of comfort and service and these are recommended for divers with international liveaboard experience. The low priced options attract younger and less-experienced divers. At this end of the market you can also find boats that are permanently stationed at the Similans and guests are transferred on and off the boat by speedboat shuttle on a daily basis.
Divers are expected to have a moderate experience level as some of the sites are deep and strong current may be present.
> [More details: Similan, Richelieu Rock & Surin Trips]These liveaboard trips to the south of Phuket feature beautiful topside scenery and dive sites considered the best in Thailand outside of the Similans. Breath-taking caves, submerged pinnacles, healthy reefs, macro life, sharks and manta rays are all elements of diving in this region. [More details on these dive sites: Hin Daeng-Hin Muang, Koh Ha].
If you are short of time, the tour route provides a great short alternative to the Similan Islands. But if you want to see all the best scuba diving that Thailand has to offer, you should add on a liveaboard safari to Hin Daeng-Hin Muang to your Similan charter. Divers should have a moderate level of experience to visit this destination due to depth and occasional strong currents.
> [More details: Hin Daeng-Hin Muang & Koh Ha Trips]Pinnacles and walls carpeted in colourful anemones and soft corals, a passenger ferry wreck, docile leopard sharks, stingrays, octopus, triggerfish, blacktip reef sharks, angelfish and clownfish are just some of the liveaboard diving attractions at the picturesque islands of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. [More details on these dive sites: Phuket, Phi Phi Islands].
These cruises are for those visiting Thailand in the green/low season. They run for either 1 or 4 nights and are suitable for scuba divers of any experience level.
> [More details: Phuket & Phi Phi Islands Trips]
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Thailand is hot and tropical (27-29°C) throughout the year, with the hottest months being March to May and the monsoon winds dictating the rain patterns. In the Andaman Sea, the dry season runs from November to the end of April. This is the time when the seas are calmest and corresponds with the season for Thailand liveaboards. February to April is a particularly popular period since this is the prime time to see whale sharks and mantas in the area. Water temperature is usually 27-30°C through the year.
The Green season runs from May to October and this time sees the most rain, with the wettest month often being October. During this period (June to September) there are a number of liveaboard boats that run tours to the best of the Phuket and Phi Phi Island dive sites.
You can find more details on our Thailand diving destinations page.
Most visitors arrive in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and connect onwards on a domestic flight to Phuket but there are also a few international airlines that fly direct to the island. Flights to Phuket from Bangkok are frequent, take just over 1 hour, and are inexpensive. You can book with Air Asia, Thai Airways, Nok Air or Bangkok Airways among others. Other frequent and reliable flight options to consider include connections from Malaysia, Singapore and Bali.
Bangkok is one of the major travel hubs of South East Asia. There are flights there from most countries in Asia, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Australia. You can also get to Phuket (or Khao Lak) by bus or train from Bangkok. Fares are very cheap but the journey can be a long one (up to 12 hours).
We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive price:
When planning accommodations for your Thailand liveaboard diving cruise, our trusted partner HotelsCombined.com offers the ideal solution with their comprehensive selection of hotels and resorts nationwide. Their platform makes trip planning effortless. Simply browse their extensive options, get real-time answers through their convenient online chat, and complete your secure booking with a credit card:
What's more, every reservation comes with their valuable 'Low Price Guarantee', protecting your budget by ensuring you always receive the most competitive rates available. Whether you need a convenient pre-departure hotel or a relaxing post-safari resort, HotelsCombined provides reliable booking with guaranteed value for your Thai diving holiday.
Get expert answers about diving conditions, visas, and trip planning on our Thailand FAQ page.
Excellent follow up in responding to preliminary enquiry. Very responsive in proposing viable alternatives to my needs, especially given that it was short notice (less than a week). Excellent choice of venue/dive operator, good quality equipment and value for money
