Description
Boat
Dolphin Queen has a wooden monohull, it has 3 decks in total, it is one of the most competitive budget liveaboards in Thailand. It offers cheap but enjoyable liveaboard trip with the super friendly crew.
The dinning area has 3 tables on the side and 1 extra table in the center for cameras, etc. The sides are open so you can enjoy the good weather to the maximum.
There is a large collection of fish identification books in several languages, your dive guide will enjoy explaining about the fish you have seen together, the dining area is a great place to relax and read a book.
Dolphin Queen also provide a TV and DVD player so any videos made on the trip can be reviewed, or relax and watch a movie. There is also a stereo so you can relax with some of your favourite CDs. Don't forget your MP3 player you can connect it to the stereo.
The food is very popular with our guests. Every morning there is breakfast European style: we serve Brown Bread, Omelettes, Fried eggs, Sausages, Corn Flakes, Muesli, fruits, and fresh ground coffee or Nescafe. Lunch and Dinner are served with traditional Thai food. Dolphin Queen also cater for vegetarians and any other special dietary needs according to guests' require.
The sundeck offering lots of room here for getting your tan, there are also couple of hammocks & sundeck chairs under our shade at the back of the sun deck. This is a nice place for spotting Dolphins, Manta rays and Whale sharks while travelling to new dive sites and up here you're always the one to spot the Dolphins first.
On the main deck at the stern is the Dive Platform and gearing up area for your diving equipment which has more than ample room to put on and store your dive gear. There are 3 spacious toilets with showers and 2 showers on the dive deck.
Cabin
Dolphin Queen offer basic but comfortable accommodations, it can host up to 18 guests :
All cabins are air conditioned, sea view window, 220v plugs.
All cabins use shared bathrooms.
2 Double Bed Cabins：
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with one double bed, sea view window.
2 Double Bed Cabins：
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with one double bed, sea view window.
3 Twin Cabins：
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with two single beds (bunk style), sea view window.
1 Quad Cabin：
Located on the main deck, comes with four single beds (bunk style).
These cabins are fitted with curtains on each bunk bed for your privacy.
3 Shared Bathrooms :
Located on the main deck, with closet, wash-hand basin, shower, toilet. Ocean friendly bio-degradable soap and shampoo are available. Two more showers are located on the dive platform.
Diving
- 6D/5N Similan trip will offer up to 18 dives (include night dive)
- No dive will be provided on the embarkation day
- 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the departure day.
- All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Other Information
- Nitrox：Available with additional charge
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional charge
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Technical Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional charge
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment yet
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment yet
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment yet
- Payment on board：Cash only (THB)
- Crew Number：Unknow, include 4 dive guides
Itineraries
Itinerary M/V Dolphin Queen
All Live-aboard guests must arrive at the dive center for equipment fitting no later than 18:00 on the day of departure.
Depending on the trip, our liveaboard departure and arrival will be either at Thaplamu pier directly opposite the Similan Islands (15 - 20 minutes drive from our dive center) or Kuraburi pier directly opposite from the Surin Islands (1,5 hours drive from our dive center in air conditioned mini vans)
Once onboard MV Dolphin Queen you will be introduced to our dive staff and boat crew. After, you will be shown to your cabin and once all guests have settled in, we will gather everyone for a full boat briefing about the running of the boat along with the rules and safety procedures aboard our liveaboard.
After our boat briefing you will be shown to your tank position to set up your dive gear. Once everything is done and prepared you will have your time to enjoy the nice and relaxing cruise out to the Similan Islands.
MV Dolphin Queen will depart from the pier around 20:30 sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. Travelling at night is our preferred option, this is so you can enjoy the night sky and wake up to crystal clear water and cool breeze first thing in the morning.
6D/5N Similan Trip
After your Wake up call, you receive a light breakfast, fresh coffee & some toast. After your 1st dive a full western and Thai breakfast buffet will be served, menus will differ throughout the trip, but it will generally be fried potatoes, baked beans, fried eggs, or scrambled eggs or omelette, rice soup and tropical fruits. We also serve German brown bread, muesli, cornflakes, oats, and lots of fresh fruits always available in the dining area: water melon, banana’s, pineapple, oranges. Electrolyte sachets are free for you to use, at any time during the safari, these help to prevent dehydration.
You will receive a Dive site and Dive Safety briefing before every dive. All dives are Multi level dives and each diver must dive with a buddy.
All of our dive guides have computers and are experienced with all the dive sites so if you have any special requests e.g. Sea Horse, Ghost pipe fish, Nudibranchs, this is the team who can find them for you. Our guides speak all major European languages.
Day 1 – Similan Islands (4 Dives)
Day 2 – Similan Islands & Bon Island (4 Dives)
Day 3 – Bon & Tachai Islands (4 Dives)
Day 4 – Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock (4 Dives)
Day 5 – Richelieu Rock, Boonsung Wreck (2 Dives)
What to bring with you aboard for your Similan Dive Safari:
Some clothing like shorts and long sleeve T- shirt
Sun glasses, a hat and sun cream (environmentally friendly)
Bathroom kit
Dive Card
Some money for beer and drinks. Beer is only served after your last dive
For your convenience you should bring only a small bag you don’t need much clothing on your Safari, you may leave any excess baggage or valuables at our Dive Center or at your hotel.
More
| Destinations | Similan Islands |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Sidemount Friendly, Camera Station |
| Languages spoken | English, German |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- VAT and local taxes
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive courses on board
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Similan Islands
Best time for diving
Mid-October - May is the optimum diving season on the Andaman coast (west coast). From early December until late April you can usually expect clear skies nearly every day. On average, you can expect 20 meters of visibility at The Similan Islands throughout the diving season.
Due to the likelihood of extreme weather during the monsoon months, the local authorities close the marine parks from May 16th until October 14th every year. Therefore the Similan diving season is from October 15th to May 15th.
About temperatures
Air: throughout the year, temperatures range from 25°C to 34°C with April through May being the hottest month and January the coldest
Sea: between 27°C - 29°C all year round, there are times when it drops to the mid or even low 20s, but in general these are rare or temporary occasions.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm wetsuit year-round.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels. You can find out more information about diving in Similan Islands here : Similan Islands
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation and disembarkation are in Khao Lak, or Phuket, guests can fly in/out of Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Transfer between Phuket Airport and Tap Lamu Pier (Khao Lak) is approximately 1 ½ - 2hr, depending on traffic.
Transfer between Phuket Airport and Chalong Pier is approximately 1 ½hrs, depending on traffic.
A few liveaboards set their embarkation and disembarkation in Ranong (UNN).
Visa Requirements
Many nationalities can visit Thailand without a visa under the Visa on Arrival rule or Visa Exemption scheme. These options allow visitors to stay for up to 30 or 45 days.
To find out more information, please visit the Thai Visa on Arrival, or Visa Exemption and Bilateral Agreement or contact your nearest embassy/consulate.
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas. Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from the following 14 countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Angola, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, and Zaire.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Thai Baht (THB). The majority of established hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards.
However, smaller, family-run places probably will not. There are money changers and ATMs located at the airport and the ports.
Drones
Tourists can bring their drones into Thailand. However, they are not allowed to fly their drones here until they have registered their devices with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Diver's reviews (2)
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