Thailand 
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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | Upper Deck Double | En suite Twin | En Suite Double |
| , , ( 9 Dives) | 3D / 3N | Upper Deck Double584 USD | En suite Twin610 USD | En Suite Double610 USD |
| , , , , ( 16 Dives) | 5D / 5N | Upper Deck Double765 USD | En suite Twin790 USD | En Suite Double790 USD |
| , , , , ( 16 Dives) | 5D / 5N | Upper Deck Double765 USD | En suite Twin790 USD | En Suite Double790 USD |
| , , , , ( 25 Dives) | 8D / 8N | Upper Deck Double1,049 USD | En suite Twin1,100 USD | En Suite Double1,100 USD |
| , , , , ( 41 Dives) | 13D / 13N | Upper Deck Double1,720 USD | En suite Twin1,824 USD | En Suite Double1,824 USD |
Itinerary
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
| MV Explorer Layout |
|
Upper Deck
Middle 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.
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
MV Explorer Reviews
