MV Similan Explorer Overview
MV Similan Explorer is a highly-recommended and great-value Similan Islands liveaboard diving boat. The staff and crew have been running these cruises long enough to know how to take the very best care of guests, only visiting the best dive sites, and making sure safety, convenience & enjoyment are absolute priorities. With a selection of different air-conditioned cabins on two of her three decks, there is something to suit everyone. Guests spending five days and nights at sea, however fun and exciting, require a certain amount of privacy and comfort, which is available on Similan Explorer. There are two and four berth bunk cabins as well as those with double beds. No more than twenty guests go on each diving cruise, so there’s a good balance of friendly fun and space to chill out, eat, and deal with diving equipment.
Best known for her 5D/5N trips, there are also several 3D/3N trips throughout the season. Similan Explorer may not be the newest or most-luxurious liveaboard boat, but its qualities a found deeper, and are well worth noting. These qualities include being run by a very-experienced multi-lingual team of PADI professionals, who know exactly how to run trips properly and keep everyone happy. Little touches like the use of open-heel booty fins for free as part of the rental equipment are also included. Unlike some other boats and dive centres who have posh offices and staff uniforms, Similan Explorer 'does its talking' out at sea.
Sailing from Khao Lak, each trip is planned to maximize the enjoyment of diving at the Similan Islands. Depending on sea conditions and how many other diving cruise boats are at each location, the crew and staff of MV Similan Explorer choose the best diving sites up to four times per day. Every MV Similan Explorer trip visits Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and the world-famous Similan Islands. They visit the beaches whenever possible, and make sure that guests' needs are met whenever possible.
Please note that to properly enjoy diving at The Similan Islands' best dive sites and Surin's Richelieu Rock, divers on Similan Explorer are required to be certified to 30m. Those who are not, can take the deep-diving certificate for just 1,800 THB or join the PADI Advanced Open Water course (for unbeatable value with the use of a dive computer and all dives with your instructor).
MV Similan Explorer Pictures
MV Similan Explorer Facilities, Layout & Specifications
| MV Similan Explorer Layout | |
|
Main Deck
Upper Deck
Sun Deck
|
|
| 1. Diving platform. | 15. Self service counter. |
| 2. Deck showers. | 16. Double-bed guest cabin. |
| 3. Gearing up area. | 17. Wheelhouse. |
| 4. Compressors. | 18. Sundeck. |
| 5. Main stairs to upper deck. | 19. Oxygen station. |
| 6. Toilet / Shower. | 20. Depth sounder and GPS. |
| 7. Galley. | 21. Life raft with survival equipment. |
| 8. Crew cabins. | 22. Nitrox blending station. |
| 9. 4 -bunk guest cabin. | 23. Fire extinguisher. |
| 10. Anchor. | 24. Sundeck shaded area. |
| 11. Dinghy. | 25. Satellite phone. |
| 12. Bench. | 26. Twin-bed guest cabin. |
| 13. Dining area tables. | 27. Benches. |
| 14. Stairs from upper deck to sun deck. | |
MV Similan Explorer Courses
There are several options for PADI diving courses aboard MV Similan Explorer. The two most popular courses are Advanced Open Water & Nitrox Enriched Air, but these are not the only courses available.
Advanced courses are extremely popular aboard scuba diving safaris. On Similan Explorer, you get use of a dive computer for the whole of the cruise. Materials and certifications are included. This course is not as focussed on theory as the Open Water course is, and it allows divers to choose certain specialities and dive to depths of 30 metres. As part of the liveaboard trip, it is fantastic value.
Nitrox (Enriched Air) diving is one of the most popular courses to take on diving safaris, mainly because of the opportunities to stay deeper for longer periods in The Similan Islands. In fact, this PADI course is only theory, which doesn’t really make sense, because anyone wanting to learn Nitrox diving wants, and needs, to learn to dive on Nitrox with practice, not just a book of tables. On Similan Explorer divers get four free tanks of Nitrox to practise what they have learned, plus there are several options for further tank fills. The manual, certification and a Nitrox computer are all included in the great-value price.
Other courses on Similan Explorer include Adventure Deep & Divemaster. Please contact us with any questions about taking a course on Similan Explorer.
| Courses | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Prices |
|
Nitrox
(4 Dives)
Including: Includes 4 free Nitrox tank fills, manual, certification, use of Nitrox computer
|
7,300
THB |
|
Advanced Open Water
(18 Dives)
Including: Manual, certification card and use of computer for all of the trip
|
8,560
THB |
MV Similan Explorer Itinerary
Similan Explorer Liveaboard guests should arrive for check in, final payment and equipment check at the PADI 5-star dive centre no later than 2pm on the day of departure, but you are welcome to do so on any day beforehand. Free transfers are available from nearby hotels and guest houses upon request. Departure from the dive centre in Khao Lak to the pier is no later than 4pm. Most Similan Explorer diving safaris are for 5D & 5N (18 dives), leaving in the late afternoon on the first day and returning at about 2pm on the final day. There are also a few trips during the season which are 3D & 3N (10 dives).
Some other websites show Similan Explorer's trips in a misleading way. For example, 5D/5N shown as 6D/5N. And any website which also shows that and a 'per day rate' does not show you an accurate price.
MV Similan Explorer Transfer Details
Guests in Khao Lak and Bang Niang areas can request pick up from hotels and resorts for free, and are dropped off in the area at the end of each cruise.
Transfers are then made from the dive centre in central Khao Lak to the local pier.
For customers who would like a private taxi please see below for details.
(Click below for a rough guide to the rates you can expect to pay ‘per vehicle,’ not ‘per person’.)
MV Similan Explorer Schedule & Prices
| Destinations | Duration | Quad Bunk Cabin | Twin Cabin | Double Bed Cabin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Schedule and prices coming soon | ||||
|
Do you have a large group and want to charter the whole boat?
click below to find out more |
7 Reasons to Book with us:
- Best-price guarantee, AND get FREE gifts.
- We don’t ask for any payment or your card details until you are ready to confirm your booking.
- For safety reasons, it’s impossible to complete a booking instantly online , as some other websites claim to offer. We always check first as each boat has a different criteria regarding diver details & experience .
- We offer each boat’s booking & payment policy (below). Some other websites have standardised terms, asking for full payment but many boats’ payment terms are a 20-30% deposit, and the balance paid on arrival.
- Our Thailand-based staff are experts about logistics, the dive sites & all the boats . Take a look at the reviews on our site & tripadvisor.
- Our team are always online to answer your questions. We always respond the same day , usually within a few minutes
- Customer service is everything!
For example, if a trip is cancelled, we will ensure you can choose between an alternative similar trip or a full & unconditional refund .
The booking process for MV Similan Explorer is very simple & convenient. Firstly, ask us to reserve a space in your chosen cabin on your preferred dates. This is comittment free. When you are ready to confirm, we ask for 30% of the cruise price as a deposit. This payment is most-commonly made via PayPal, with no added or hidden fees. You don't need a Paypal account, although PayPal do encourage you to open one. The PayPal invoice can be sent to any email address and payment can be made by anyone.
The 70% balance, park fees, and any extras can be paid in cash or by card when you arrive. Card payments attract a small fee, and there are many ATMs and several banks in Khao Lak.
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation fees depend on the time of cancelling. Please contact us for details. The management of MV Similan Explorer are both considerate & flexible whenever possible regarding customer cancellations.
The cancellation policy is as follows:
7+ days before departure = possible refund of deposit, minus bank fees
0-7 days before departure = 20% of the cruise price forfeited
Most travel insurance policies can protect you from unforeseen cancellation penalties.
Call us: (+66 89 136 3121)
or fill out the form below
Genuine MV Similan Explorer Reviews
