Blue Dolphin

MV Blue Dolphin is a 27 metre motor vessel that can accommodate up to 16 divers on 4 night liveaboard diving charters to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. Its steel-hull construction makes for a safe and smooth ride throughout the cruise.

The boat has 7 air-conditioned cabins with both ensuite and shared bathrooms, meaning it offers an amazing time onboard to suit all budgets. Safety is the highest priority so diving is conducted in small groups with a maximum of 4 divers per guide, and the liveaboard staff have many years of experience diving in the area (since 1991), as well as up to date first aid and O2 certifications. All scuba equipment receives regular maintenance checks and is serviced by its in-house technicians.

Blue Dolphin’s dive deck gives you plenty of room to set up. Standard and DIN tanks are available. The EANx system allows nitrox certified divers to extend their bottom times. Guest scuba gear is washed and tanks are filled by the highly trained staff. The only thing you have to do on board is to dive and have fun! The liveaboard is well equipped for photographers, with a custom designed camera table and set up area, large fresh water tanks, and a dedicated charging area. All diving is conducted from 2 x 40 HP motorised 5.5m dinghies.

On the main deck there is an indoor saloon with a large screen TV, where guest can relax and watch movies. There is also free wi-fi when available around the islands. The sun deck also features sun bags in which guests can relax, either in the sun or shade. Meals are served in the upper deck open-air dining section, and feature mainly Thai, western and Japanese cuisine.

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Notes: Maximum occupancy: normally 16 guests (occasionally slightly more with family sharing option).
Child policy: Children over 9 years old pay adult rates.

Dive experience: All open water certified divers are welcome onboard.

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 Phuket and Khao Lak areas, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (4 divers per guide), tanks (DIN adaptor if required), weights and weightbelts, snorkelling gear.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment US$ 18 per day, dive computer US$ 7 per day, dive insurance (available onboard), Similan and Surin park & entry fees at approximately US$ 67. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash, or Wise, PayPal or bank transfer).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 82 per 4 night trip), 15 litre tank US$ 6 per day, torch US$ 4 per day, digital underwater camera, private guide. 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: Blue Dolphin liveaboard diving charters depart in the evening from Khao Lak. A pick up service from Phuket (3-5:30 pm) and Khao Lak (5:30-6:30 pm) to and from the boat is provided. For airport pick up, the meeting point is the Cafe Amazon outside of the domestic arrivals terminal at 5:30 pm (your flight must land no later than 4:30 pm). Boarding is at 7 pm and departure from the pier at 9 pm. For more details, including airlines, on how to get to Phuket see our Thailand travel information section. The last dive of the tour will end at around 11:30 am, and the boat should arrive back at the pier around 3:30 pm. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: 10-20% off the published price, depending on cabin type.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay 2,184 for the sole occupancy of the Master or Deluxe cabins.

Dive clubs and group discounts: See whole boat charter rate below.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Please ask us for details.

Similan, Richelieu Rock & Khao Lak (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Khao Lak

Day 1
The Blue Dolphin departs from Tab Lamu pier in Khao Lak after all the guests have been transferred from hotels around Phuket, Khao Lak or Phuket International Airport, and are onboard. The tour leader will welcome you, assign a cabin to you and explain the boat features in detail and the plans for the coming days. A welcome dinner will be served while the liveaboard starts its journey towards the Similans. Arrival at the islands is due at midnight. After a good night's sleep in your comfortable cabin, the diving will commence the next day.

Days 2-4
The Similan Islands are by far the most spectacular dive destination in Thailand, consisting of 9 granite islands covered in tropical jungle and surrounded by sparkling clear blue waters. The underwater scenery features beautiful hard and soft coral gardens, as well as huge granite boulders and rock formations that form swim-throughs and canyons. Drift diving is common here as the currents run over rich reefs teeming with marine life. Up to 4 dives a day will leave you with a better knowledge of the marvels that lie in this marine park.
Just breaking the surface at low tide, Richelieu Rock is your best chance to encounter whale sharks. Eagle and manta rays are also common visitors during the diving season. Your guides will probably plan more than 1 dive at this unforgettable site. Huge schools of trevally and barracuda cruise in the currents, and many small species such as frogfish, ghost pipefish and seahorses hide in the cracks and crevices.
You will very soon get used to the daily routine that includes a light breakfast of cereals, fruit and toast before the 1st dive, a hearty cooked breakfast when you surface, then lunch after the 2nd morning dive. Every day you will find different snacks after the 3rd dive to provide energy for the 4th (night) dive that is scheduled before dinner. The food is delicious and plentiful. Main meals are an exciting mixture of local Thai cuisine, international and Japanese that are served buffet style in the open-air dining area. Massaman curry, spaghetti bolognese, steak and French fries, to to name just a few options that will satisfy your appetite during the safari. The 2 cooks take pride in their work and are more than happy accommodate any food requirements or preferences.

Day 5
Diving is not over yet: 2 dives at Koh Bon and/or the Bunsoong Wreck near Khao Lak before returning to Tab lamu pier. A transfer by minibus will take you back to Phuket or Khao Lak.

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[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 upper deck has a Master cabin with an en-suite bathroom and a king-size double bed. It enjoys luxurious comfort with views of the islands, a small desk area, clothes area and a safe. The main deck has a Deluxe cabin with a choice of a double bed or twin bunks. It too has an en-suite bathroom, a small desk area, clothes storage and 2 safes.

On the lower deck there are 4 Standard cabins with either double bed or twin bunks, a small desk area, clothes storage, and 2 safes. There is also a quad bunk bed cabin; each bunk has a storage area, private shelf, reading light, and safe. These lower deck cabins share 4 bathrooms.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 6 / 8 - hot water