Pawara - The Most Popular Luxury Similan Liveaboard Boat

MV Pawara

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Pawara liveaboard diving boat
Thailand Thailand
Type: Liveaboard
Departs from: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak
No. of guests: 24
Boat rating: 9/10 Based on 28 divers
Read all MV Pawara reviews
Prices from: 828 USD
745 USD
Booking / Enquiry
Contents [Show]

MV Pawara is often sold out months in advance. This in itself should be enough to promote this 35m purpose-built diving boat that sails to the Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock. The boat and its team have an excellent reputation for quality & service, and this includes attention to detail and wonderful food. The range of facilities on board are either free of charge or at very reasonable prices. Guests always come back happy, and many book to join again & again. Even fully-booked trips still give you plenty of space to relax or socialise.

There are 12 air-conditioned cabins on Pawara, each accommodating just two guests. On the main deck there are two master cabins at the front of the boat, which have large double beds, panoramic views, and private bathrooms. If you choose, you can configure the beds to be two singles. Also on the main deck are four deluxe twin cabins, which also have sea-view windows and private bathrooms. These cabins have fixed bunk beds. Solo guests will only be combined to share with same-sex others. On the lower deck there are four standard cabins, which can be made to have twin beds, or large doubles. These cabins have private bathrooms and porthole windows. Finally, there are some budget cabins. The upper-deck budget cabins share bathroom facilities and the air-conditioning comes from a central system. In the lower deck are a couple of smaller budget cabins that have their own bathroom and independent air conditioning. Every cabin is cleaned each day and fresh towels supplied. Wi-Fi (when in range), diving insurance and Nitrox fills are available for free, and the high-quality diving equipment is available at ompetitive prices.

Your experience for Pawara diving trips begins at your hotel, resort or Phuket International Airport, where you will be picked up for free and transferred to the ship which is moored at Tab Lamu Pier in Khao Lak. From then you will receive a warm welcome, introduced to your cabin and given a boat & safety briefing, with a welcome drink. Then it’s time to relax as this large, luxurious & comfortable liveaboard boat sails into the night.

on-the-deck-Pawara-dive-boat-similansThe dive deck is large and well designed. There is a dinghy to retrieve divers and transport guests to the pristine beaches of these uninhabited tropical islands. The local crew and western dive staff take great care of everyone, including the diving, sumptuous cuisine and housekeeping services. There are spacious communal areas to enjoy the company of fellow guests, as well as plenty of hideaways to read a book and/or top up a sun tan. The communal areas include a lounge saloon as well as a larger outdoor dining area. And let's not forget the huge sundeck that is partially covered.

Similan liveaboard diving trips don’t come any better than on MV Pawara, and that is why this wonderful boat is so popular.

Prices & Schedule

MV Pawara Diver Prices Overview 2024 / 2025
DestinationsDuration Budget Standard Twin/Double Deluxe Twin Master
, , ,
( 14 Dives)
4D / 4N Budget828 USD Standard Twin/Double1,001 USD Deluxe Twin1,058 USD Master1,145 USD
MV Pawara Special Offers Coming Up
10% discount
We have lots of discounts for this boat. Please see schedule for details
10% discount valid till 31st Aug 2025
We have lots of discounts for this boat. Please see schedule for details
Do you have a large group and want to charter the whole boat?
click below to find out more
Included In The Price
Transfers to & from the airport
Transfers to and from local hotels
Meals
Snacks
Tea / coffee
Drinking water
Dive insurance
VAT
Weights & weightbelts
Standard tanks
Dive master services
Nitrox
Towels
Soap & Shampoo
Luggage storage
Not Included In The Price
Dive equipment
National park fees
Dive computer
Soft drinks
Alcoholic drinks
Night diving torch
Larger tanks
Mask and Snorkel
Open-heel fins
Full-foot fins
Tips / Gratuities
View More Months
View More Available Months

Itinerary

Booking / Enquiry

Pawara normally departs around 10.00pm, and the diving starts early the next morning.

Guests are welcomed on board with a drink & snacks, and after cabin allocation and a boat briefing, dinner is served around 9.00pm.

All the equipment is checked before departure.

On the final day of the trip, Pawara will return to Tam Lamu Pier around 3pm.

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.

Itinerary
Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) Days / Nights Number of dives
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock 4 Days / 4 Nights 14 Dives

Facilites, Layout and Specifications

Facilities Available with MV Pawara
Nitrox Available
En Suite Available
Air con
Dinghy
Courses Available
Free Pickup
Suitable for Children
WIFI
Lounge
AV Entertainment
Vegetarian Food Available
Double Beds Available
Sundeck
Shaded Sundeck
Available to Charter
Beach Transfers
Rinse Tanks
MV Pawara Layout
MV-Pawara-boat-layout
MV Pawara Specifications
Type: Steel Monohull.
Length: 35 Metres.
Beam: 7.0 Metres.
Draft: 3 Metres.
GRT: 240 Tons.
Engines: 2 x 450 HP Hino Marine.
Generators: 2 x 25 kw.
Cruising speed: 8 - 12 Knots.
Max Speed: 15 Knots.
Compressors: 2 x Bauer Mariner Compressors SP Electric with Nitrox unit, 60 Aluminum Alloy Tanks.
Instrumentation: GPS Plotter, Depth Sounder, Cellular Phone and SSB Radio.
Fresh Water: 25,000 Litres.
Fuel: 15,000 Litres.
Guests: Max. 24 Guests.
Cabins: 12 Twin share cabins with full air-conditioning.
Rest Rooms: En-suite bathroom with 1 toilet, wash basin and hot shower.
Showers: Two more showers located on the dive platform.
Sundeck: 6 x 15 meters sundeck area.
Entertainment: 6.5 x 10 meters shaded entertainment area, TV / Video.
Environmental: Waste storage tank.
Dinghy: 1 x 4.8 m with 25 HP outboard.
Safety: 2 x Life Rafts, full complement of life jackets, Fully equipped medic first aid station, Oxygen supply 6,000 liters capacity, Closed circuit video on the dive station and in the engine room, Full complement of fire extinguishers.
Refit: 2012.

Courses

There is a selection of PADI diving courses available on MV Pawara, including Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN), and the usual selection of advanced & beginner courses. It is always better to let us know in advance. 

Please note that PADI materials & certification (2,800 THB) and diving equipment rental (if required @ 500 THB / day) are not included in the prices of courses which require them.

Courses
Courses Prices
Scuba review
43 USD
Specialty Dives, such as Adventure, Night, Deep
43 USD
/dive
Advanced Open Water (for part-course referrals, please contact us)
173 USD
Nitrox (EAN)
Including: free Nitrox fills for the remainder of the cruise.
173 USD

Transfer details

MV Pawara guests are offered free scheduled transfers at the beginning and end of each trip. The pick-ups begin late afternoon in southern Phuket, passing through the main hotel & resort areas, then Phuket International Airport, and then into Khao Lak in the early evening.

Several minivans are used. in order to make it as convenient as possible for everyone.

MV Pawara Scheduled Transfers
4D / 4N Trips
16:45 - 18:30 Pick up from Phuket : Free
22:00 Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak )
15:30 Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak )
16:00 Drop off to Khao Lak : Free
17:00 - 18:00 Drop off to Phuket : Free

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 Pawara Reviews

Read real reviews from people who have dived with MV Pawara
SN MV Pawara
SN
Nationality: Singaporean
Dived: 06 March 2024
Boat rating: 7/10
Jamie was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire booking process. He even checked in on us before and after the diving trip. The dive/boat/kitchen crew were all amazing. The only thing that I didn't really like was the room. We chose the standard cabin which was located in the basement of the boat. - The engine was pretty loud but it wasn't that bad 'cos we still managed to sleep. - The room was tiny, the to ilet flush wasn't strong, and there's no mirror in the toilet. - The basement was also flooded (5cm?) in the early morning on the last day of our trip. But overall, it was still a pretty good experience thanks to the crew!
Fran MV Pawara
Fran
Nationality: Spanish
Dived: 04 February 2024
Boat rating: 10/10
What an experiece!! Jaime was really helpfull to book on this live aboard and everything into the MV Pawara was great. Dive sites, food, staff... every small detail from the management was clear from the firts briefing and every step was smooth and easy going. I really apreciate that we had Nitrox dives for free, because diving 4 times a day could be exhausting and Nitrox help on the recovery. Groups were designated by lev els, so most divers in every group had similar skills and background, and every divemaster were doing a good job. Plenty of food on every meal (5 a day including snack time and pre-breakfast time),and really delicious. The only thinh that could anoid you is that some of the budget cabins are really close to the engine and it could become really noise when the boat is moving. In general, 10 out of 10. I would repeat the experience with out any doubt.
Kira MV Pawara
Kira
Nationality: German
Dived: 12 January 2024
Boat rating: 9/10
I had an incredible experience on the MV Pawara trip! The crew was exceptionally friendly and supportive. Special thanks to Chef Oi for preparing the best food of my entire Thailand journey. The trip exceeded my expectations.
Barbi
Nationality: Hungarian
Dived: 08 January 2024
Boat rating: 10/10
MV Pawara's crew not only happily accommodated my special requests but also ensured our culinary experience was as satisfying as the dives. I wholeheartedly recommend MV Pawara and, more specifically, Jamie to anyone seeking a scuba diving experience enriched with top-notch customer service. Thank you, Jamie, and thank you for the crew on MV Pawara for making my diving trip an absolute delight.
Dorothy Lim MV Pawara
Dorothy Lim
Nationality: Singaporean
Dived: 11 December 2023
Boat rating: 9/10
Extremely fun and enjoyable liveaboard! Great crew, dive masters, amazing food and dives as well, will definitely recommend!
Kent Hoddle MV Pawara
Kent Hoddle
Nationality: American
Dived: 11 December 2023
Boat rating: 9/10
I have been on the Pawara three times. and the Similan Islands six times. Facilities and food are very good for the price. What separates this boat from the rest are the dive guides and trip leaders. They are well selected. But the jewel of the boat is the master diver Chalee, the best current diver I have ever encountered on my 1800 dives.
John kelly MV Pawara
John kelly
Nationality: British
Dived: 11 November 2023
Boat rating: 7/10
Positives- Pawara has good dive deck. Nitrox mix was good. Good dive leader. Good food. Negatives- Budget twin room is very very small. Plumbing leaked Toilet did not flush in room. No towel for when you finish dive or for sundeck.
Paul MV Pawara
Paul
Nationality: British
Dived: 11 November 2023
Boat rating: 8/10
Great staff, efficient crew with a friendly attitude and nothing seemed too much trouble.
My Vo MV Pawara
My Vo
Nationality: Vietnamese
Dived: 26 October 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
We had a fantastic trip to Similan island with great support and service from the whole crew. Highly recommend to everyone.
Cubi MV Pawara
Cubi
Nationality: Vietnamese
Dived: 26 October 2023
Boat rating: 10/10
All i can say is MV Pawara provided the best services as a liveaboard boat that i'd ever been on. The Dive Guides are the best and friendly. Crew is super duper good, The food is also good and they changed the menu everyday. Top Top for your money
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