MV Explorer great-value Similan liveaboard with en suite & Nitrox.

MV Explorer

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MV Explorer Liveaboard Thailand
Thailand Thailand
Type: Liveaboard
Departs from: Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga, Thailand / Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak
No. of guests: 16
Boat rating: 9/10 Based on 3 divers
Read all MV Explorer reviews
Prices from: 603 USD
Booking / Enquiry
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Given a full refurbishment and refit in the summer of 2023, MV Explorer is the newest addition to the fleet of Khao Lak's original dive center, and the first liveaboard operator to the Similan Islands. The boat is run by an extremely professional and friendly team, offering 3-day, 5-day, 8-day and 13-day trips to Thailand's best dive sites.

Taking up to 16 lucky divers in 8 air-conditioned cabins, this 26-metre boat is the ideal size to have space for all, while maintaining fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability. Nitrox is available to certified divers, and most of the cabins have a private bathroom. MV Explorer is the ideal choice for your next Similan Islands liveaboard adventure.

MV Explorer's lower deck has six guest cabins, which can have two separate beds, or one large double bed. Each cabin has a sea-view window and its own en suite bathroom, plus there are three more communal bathrooms at the rear of this deck. The main deck has two double-bed cabins, and the main communal area, where you will spend most of your time on each trip. There's plenty of seating space in this shaded outdoor area for guests to socialise, or find a corner to chat. Here you will enjoy delicious food throughout the day, and an informative briefing before each dive. There's also a large sundeck where you can sunbathe in the day and gaze at the clear star-filled sky at night. Some divers even choose to sleep up here, but every guest is assigned a bed in an air-conditioned cabin.

Diving from MV Explorer is done in small groups, led by professional PADI guides, and from a motorised dinghy. Groups are organised according to their experience, whether they're on air or Nitrox, and how quickly or slowly they get through their supply. Dives are planned to a maximum of 30 metres and 50 minutes. The crew are all experienced and hard working, ensuring that your tank is full, your equipment prepared and to help you in and out of the water safely and smoothly.

Prices & Schedule

MV Explorer Diver Prices Overview 2024 / 2025
DestinationsDuration Upper Deck Double En suite Twin En Suite Double
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( 9 Dives)
3D / 3N Upper Deck Double603 USD En suite Twin629 USD En Suite Double629 USD
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( 16 Dives)
5D / 5N Upper Deck Double789 USD En suite Twin816 USD En Suite Double816 USD
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( 16 Dives)
5D / 5N Upper Deck Double789 USD En suite Twin816 USD En Suite Double816 USD
, , , ,
( 25 Dives)
8D / 8N Upper Deck Double1,083 USD En suite Twin1,136 USD En Suite Double1,136 USD
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( 41 Dives)
13D / 13N Upper Deck Double1,776 USD En suite Twin1,883 USD En Suite Double1,883 USD
Included In The Price
Dive computer
Meals
Snacks
Tea / coffee
Drinking water
Soft drinks
Dive insurance
VAT
Weights & weightbelts
Standard tanks
Dive master services
Towels
Soap & Shampoo
Luggage storage
Not Included In The Price
Transfers to & from the airport
Transfers to and from local hotels
Dive equipment
National park fees
Alcoholic drinks
Enviroment tax
Larger tanks
Nitrox
Mask and Snorkel
Open-heel fins
Full-foot fins
Tips / Gratuities
View More Months
View More Available Months

Itinerary

Booking / Enquiry

MV Explorer runs a selection of itineraries, which are all in the northern Andaman Sea off of Thailand's West Coast.

The 3D/3N trips visit Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and The Surin Islands, and always depart from and return to Kuraburi Pier, north of Khao Lak.

The 5D/5N trips visit Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands. These trips depart from Tab Lamu Pier and return to Kuraburi Pier, or vice versa.

The 8D/8N trips are a combination of a 5D/5N and a 3D/3N trip, and the team try to vary the dive sites as much as possible for guests who are on board for combined trips.

The 13D/13N trips are a combination of two 5D/5N trips and a 3D/3N trip and the team try to vary the dive sites as much as possible for guests who are on board for combined trips .

The itineraries below are the most-common for each trip, but these can sometimes be changed for a number of reasons. Small changes are made due to weather & sea conditions, special marine life sightings, overcrowded dive sites, local-authorities' instructions, and the needs & requests of the paying guests. The safety & comfort of all guests is most important at all times.

Itineraries
Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) Days / Nights Number of dives
Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock 3 Days / 3 Nights 9 Dives
Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Similan Islands 5 Days / 5 Nights 16 Dives
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock 5 Days / 5 Nights 16 Dives
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock 8 Days / 8 Nights 25 Dives
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock 13 Days / 13 Nights 41 Dives

Facilites, Layout and Specifications

Facilities Available with MV Explorer
Nitrox Available
En Suite Available
Air con
Dinghy
Courses Available
WIFI
AV Entertainment
Vegetarian Food Available
Double Beds Available
Sundeck
Shaded Sundeck
Available to Charter
MV Explorer Layout

Upper Deck

upper deck

Middle Deck

Middle deck

Lower Deck

Lower Deck

Courses

A scuba diving liveaboard trip is an ideal time to take part in a course to further advance your diving certification.

For Open Water Divers who are limited to a maximum depth of 18 metres, there are two options on MV Explorer. These are the full PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course at unbeatable value, or just the Adventure Deep dive which enables you to dive to 30 metres (99 ft.).

The Nitrox (EANx) course is also very popular, because diving with Nitrox has many benefits. This is especially when you do multiple dives over a period of days, which is what liveaboard diving is all about.

Contact us for more information about courses on MV Explorer

Transfer details

Guests are asked to arrive for check in at the dive centre in central Khao Lak no later than 4pm on departure day.

After check in, you have time to relax for dinner in Khao Lak and then the team will take everyone to the pier at 6pm.

At the end of the trip, the team offer free transfers to local hotels, or they can help you with a good-value taxi to Phuket or Khao Sok.

Guests who are unable to meet the scheduled pick ups or would like private transportation are welcome to contact us to arrange a private taxi at the most competitive rates.

Booking / Enquiry

Booking or enquiring is easy follow these steps
Step 1:
Complete the form below by entering your details
Step 2:
We usually reply within 2 hours (please check your email & spam)
Step 3:
We can reserve your space(s) commitment-free for up to one week
Step 4:
Deposits to book are usually paid using any card, PayPal or bank transfer

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MV Explorer Reviews

Read real reviews from people who have dived with MV Explorer
Ludovic
Nationality: French
Dived: 03 March 2024
Boat rating: 9/10
Très belle expérience. Première croisière avec mon fils, l’équipage comme les encadrants sont très sympa et disponibles. L’organisation des plongées est réglée parfaitement. Les cuisinières sont au top. Seul hic : nous sommes tombés en panne oxygène et donc pas pu faire toutes les plongées au Nitrox. Mais c’était pas gênant. Je recommande
Robert MV Explorer
Robert
Dived: 02 February 2024
Boat rating: 8/10
Great diving with excellent divemasters/guides. Accommodation was a bit cramped, but a boat is a boat. Food was very good. The only negative is that the beds were very hard. Not enough padding for old bones. I would rate it 9/10 except for the bed.
kibong MV Explorer
kibong
Nationality: South Korean
Dived: 02 January 2024
Boat rating: 9/10
It was so nice experience to me and my wife. Specially, German instructor “Marc” was so amazing person.
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