5 Best Liveaboard Routes in Thailand by Diver Type

Featured image: mattmangum, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.

Quick answer: which Thailand liveaboard fits you

Start with your certification, then pick the route. Operators set the real minimum for each trip, so treat the table as a shortlist filter rather than a rulebook. Prices and itineraries checked November 2026.

5 Best Liveaboard Routes in Thailand, Ranked by Traveler Type

Each route below suits a different diver. Sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed, so choose by route character rather than by a single animal.

1. Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock: best for first-time liveaboard divers

This is the classic Andaman circuit and the safest default if you want variety on one boat. One reviewed 5-day/5-night itinerary lists the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock in a single trip. Reviewers of that route mention reef manta rays and blacktip reef sharks, though sightings depend on season and luck.

Our guide to a Similan Islands Liveaboard: Routes, Season, Costs and How to Choose covers boats and itineraries in more detail. Skip it if you hold only a basic Open Water card and want to explore every depth, because Richelieu Rock rewards deeper diving. Also skip it if you dislike sharing busy sites with other boats.

2. Surin Islands: best for adding a national park stop

Surin trips are often sold alongside Richelieu Rock, so this route suits divers who want a second set of sites on the same cruise. Access, season and fees for the islands are set by Thailand's national parks authority, which is the source to check for current rules. Our guide to a Surin Islands Liveaboard: Richelieu Rock, Season & Tips explains how these trips are structured.

Choose it if you have already seen the Similans and want a different itinerary. Skip it if you want a single well-known headline site, since the appeal here is the combination.

3. Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and the southern sites: best for Phuket-based divers

Southern itineraries add Hin Daeng and Hin Muang to a route that can also include Koh Haa, Koh Phi Phi and Shark Point. The same 5-day/5-night review lists these southern sites alongside the Similans, so some trips blend both areas. Starting in Phuket keeps airport transfers simple. Our Phuket liveaboard guide lists the departure options.

Choose it if you want a mix of reef and pinnacle diving with a Phuket base. Skip it if Richelieu Rock is your one must-do site, because not every southern itinerary includes it.

4. Burma Banks: best for experienced, long-haul divers

Burma Banks sit far offshore, so trips are longer and more committing than the standard Similan cruise. Operators usually ask for advanced certification and a minimum number of logged dives, so ask before paying a deposit. Open-water conditions mean current and depth are real factors here.

Read our guide to Burma Banks Diving: Sharks, Season, Cost & How to Get There before comparing quotes. Beginners and divers wanting a cheap, short trip should skip this route entirely.

5. Mergui Archipelago: best for remote, expedition-style trips

Mergui trips trade convenience for remoteness, with fewer boats and a more exploratory feel. Longer itineraries are the norm, so build in spare days around the cruise. Border and permit arrangements are handled through operators, so ask which paperwork they arrange.

Our overview of the Mergui Archipelago: Access, Season & Liveaboard Options explains what to expect. Skip it if you want quick logistics, predictable sightings or a first liveaboard.

Phuket or Khao Lak: choosing your departure port

Many boats sail from Khao Lak, and some operators include a Phuket transfer, so ask whether pickup is included, from where and at what time. Divers arriving by air often find Phuket simpler, while those coming overland may prefer Khao Lak.

Certification and experience: what you will actually be able to dive

Open Water divers can join many trips but may be depth-limited at sites like Richelieu Rock. Divers with Advanced Open Water usually get more from the route, and the AOW course can be done on board. Check current depth limits with PADI course standards and your operator. Finish Open Water on land first, so liveaboard days go to fun dives rather than training.

Cost, trip length and what's included

Compare quotes line by line. Ask about park fees, gear rental, Nitrox, transfers, tips and insurance, and whether the route is one-way or round-trip. Longer itineraries and remote routes cost more, and Divers Alert Network is a source for dive insurance.

• Park or marine fees: included or extra?
• Rental gear and Nitrox: priced per trip or per day?
• Transfers: from which hotel or airport, and when?
• Tips and crew gratuities: expected amount?
• Insurance: dive accident cover required?

When to go

Andaman liveaboards run seasonally, and park closures apply, so confirm opening dates with the national parks authority and your operator before choosing a month.

How to choose a boat and operator

Look at safety equipment, guest-to-guide ratio, dive deck layout, group size and cabin type. Reviews usually praise food, itinerary and marine life, so read several for patterns rather than a single score. Ask each operator how many dives the itinerary includes.

Mistakes to avoid

Booking a route above your certification is the most common error. Others include assuming transfers are included, treating animal sightings as promised, and picking the cheapest quote without comparing inclusions. Return to the Thailand liveaboard hub to compare routes again.