Similan Islands Liveaboards began operating from Phuket in the 1990s with diving tours heading to the main Similan Islands, with Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock further to the north. Over the years some boats changed their departure port to Khao Lak (120km north of Phuket), though most of these will still pick up all guests in Phuket. Some boats still have departures directly from Phuket, with trips departing from Chalong Bay or Patong Bay. Only a few of the liveaboards we offer that depart from Khao Lak don’t offer free transfers from Phuket. All boats shown below, whether they depart from Phuket or Khao Lak will offer free hotel transfers from just about anywhere in Phuket.
The Similan Diving season runs from around October 15th to May 15th. During this time of year you can expect mostly calm seas with winds from northeast. Now is also the time to dive at the remote southern dive sites of Hin Dang and Hin Muang. The water temperature is about 29 Degrees Celsius or 84 Fahrenheit year round. The visibility at the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands is about 15 – 30 meter or 48 – 98 feet. If you are looking for a day trip, overnight or longer liveaboard tour, we have the right boat for you.
The pick up time from your hotel in Phuket or Khao Lak is for most liveaboards in the afternoon. Pick up from the Phuket airport is also possible. For the shorter liveaboard tours, like the Similan Overnight or 3 day and 2 night tour is the pick up time early in the morning.
For liveaboard trips with late departures is dinner served on board before the boat is heading to the Similan Islands or Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. For the early morning departures you are getting a light breakfast at the Thap Lamu pier before taking off by speedboat to the liveaboard at the Similan Islands. Most Similan liveaboards departure these days from Thap Lamu, close to Khao Lak. Some liveaboards are leaving from Phuket, offering diving at Hin Daeng, Hin Munag and the Phi Phi Islands before cruising to the Similan Islands. During our green season from June to September we offer shorter trips to the Phi Phi Islands and Racha Islands. After your liveaboard trip you will be returned to your hotel in the afternoon.
Please do contact us if you need more information. We can advise you where it’s best to stay based on what trip you choose. We hope to see you here!
If you have fixed holiday dates, we suggest you make a LIVEABOARD SEARCH
If you have some questions about liveaboards departing from Phuket, please do send a quick enquiry, or email [email protected], or call us + 66 8 4626 4646. Tell us your holiday dates, give us an idea of your budget / what standard of liveaboard you want and Sunrise Divers will find the best Phuket liveaboard for you! You can pay for Phuket liveaboards online by credit card with zero card fees and if you are interested in a trip, but not quite ready to pay, we can hold a no-obligation reservation for you with no deposit. Contact us today and see you here in Phuket!
The Mandarin Queen 9 "Jovanna" is a newly built liveaboard, launched in OCT 2023. This is a state of the art Similan Liveaboard with the highest standards and comfort. She is running trips through the high season to the Similan islands, Koh Bon, [...] Prices starting from 8375 / day
Cruises to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock plus Hin Daneg, Hin Muang, Racha Islands and Phi Phi as well as Koh Lipe with the liveaboard "Deep Andaman Queen". This stylish and comfortable liveaboard started operating in [...] Prices starting from 8400 / day
One of the best Thailand Liveaboards coming soon! MV DiveRACE Class X is a brand new Thailand liveaboard which will launch in January 2026 Enjoy 5,000 Baht discount until 15 November 2025 and be one of the first on board! This state-of-the [...] Prices starting from 13000 / day
The steel-built Aqua is a comfortable liveaboard. The yacht was refitted in 2025 with private bathrooms in all cabins. The standard cabins on the lower deck are large and feature a small partition between the twin beds, making them ideal for solo [...] Prices starting from 6250 / day
The Vanora Liveaboard - is a newly built liveaboard, launched in OCT 2023. This is the most luxurious liveaboard Phuket Thailand has ever seen. With great details, luxury standards and comfort this is a truly luxurious scuba diving motor yacht. [...] Prices starting from 23500 / day
South Siam 4 runs twice weekly 3 day / 2 night diving trips including Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin islands and also diving at Richelieu Rock. You can also make a longer trip by starting on the right day (ask us for details - see p [...] Prices starting from 6950 / day
The Giamani is a higher class Thailand liveaboard offering 4 night Similan and Surin Island tours including dives at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Trips starting near Khao Lak - Thap Lamu Pier. Hotel transfer is here not included. You c [...] Prices starting from 16000 / day
Sawasdee Fasai was launched in 2016 running trips through the high season to the Similan islands and Richelieu Rock. This is a very large (37 meter long) liveaboard with plenty of space for relaxation. There is a big aircon indoor saloon area on [...] Prices starting from 6900 / day
Enjoy the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock aboard the liveaboard Pawara. She is a one of a kind, custom built diving vessel that combines the modern amenities of today's living and Thai craftsmanship. Pawara is extremely spacious. With her 35 m [...] Prices starting from 6450 / day
Experience a totally unique Similan Islands liveaboard diving cruise onboard a Chinese sailing Junk. The Junk "SY June Hong Chian Lee" is one of the best known Phuket liveaboards, and carries a maximum of 18 customers to the Similan and Surin Isl [...] Prices starting from 250 / day
A great Thailand and Burma Liveaboard since 2018. The Phinisi (also called Cheng I Sao) is an Indonesia Phinisi style sailing boat, built in 2007. The Phinisi has been operating in Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand, and now has a full schedule [...] Prices starting from 295 / day
South Siam 3 runs twice weekly 3 day / 2 night trips to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin islands and Richelieu Rock. Divers can make a longer trip by starting on the right day (ask us for details - see more information and prices [...] Prices starting from 6950 / day
We hope to see you here in Phuket soon! We suggest that you make a Liveaboard Trip Search to make it easier to find liveaboard departures from Phuket to suit your travel dates. If you'd like more personal help, please contact Sunrise Divers and tell us what you need. Sunrise Divers has been based here in Phuket for 20 years - for any trips departing from Phuket, contact us .. we will help you!
We also have local day trip diving tours from Phuket to many dive sites around Phuket and Phi Phi and we offer PADI courses at our Karon beach PADI 5 star dive shop. Contact us today!!
Sunrise Divers is not just a website. We are right here to help you with a SSI Training Center dive shop, helpful and experienced staff, quality rental equipment and plenty of local knowledge. We hope to meet you in person!
Sunrise Divers has been operating in Phuket, Thailand since 1999 logging thousands of dives all over the region. We know the area, we know the dive sites, we know the boats. Let us help you find the right trip!
We advertise all trips at the official rates agreed with the boat operators. If you are offered the same trip on the same liveaboard at a lower price, tell us! We promise to get you the best trip at the best possible price!
With our many years of experience, booking with Sunrise Divers is quick and easy. Got a question? We'll answer! Need to talk? Call us! Online credit card payment with no fees is possible for most trips. We know the boats and the area better than anyone. See you here!
The Thailand diving high season is from October to May. Many Thailand liveaboard schedules are online for the season 2025 - 2026. Our Phuket dive center is also open during low season for day trips and Diving Courses. Start planning your dive trip now! Liveaboard Diving in Thailand is as popular as ever - early booking is highly recommended, especially for the more popular boats, though you can sometimes find last minute trips. There are also several boats with trips into the remote Mergui Archipelago in Burma (Myanmar).
Indonesia (Komodo and Raja Ampat) liveaboard schedules are also online right through 2025-2026-2027. Komodo is the best place to dive during the summer May - October. Raja Ampat is the best Indonesia option from November - April. If you are looking for a liveaboard in Thailand, Burma or Indonesia, we hope to hear from you soon!
The famous Similan Islands National Park and Richelieu Rock (part of the Surin Islands National Park) are the most popular destinations for Thailand liveaboards with some trips also covering Hin Daeng and the Phi Phi Islands.
Liveaboards
Liveaboards visit 2 main areas among the many islands of Indonesia - Komodo, famous for it's dragons and Raja Ampat which is called the 'Cradle of Biodiversity'. Diving is spectacular, marine life anything from pygmy seahorses to manta rays!
Liveaboards
The Mergui Archipelago is largely uninhabited, with hundreds of islands stretching 400km up the West coast of Myanmar. You might not even see another dive boat during your trip - dive Myanmar now before it really opens up to mass tourism!
Liveaboards