MV Oktavia

MV Oktavia is a very special boat which offers 2, 3, 4* & 5 night liveaboard cruises to the best diving sites of Thailand. At a length of nearly 30m, just twenty guests have more room to move around, relax, sleep and socialize. The boat’s cruises visit all of the best dive sites in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, including Richelieu Rock, and does so while offering a unique choice of trip length. 

Sitting between budget and mid-range price levels, liveaboard trips on MV Oktavia are excellent value for money, especially considering the service and organization. Oktavia guests are treated better than possibly all others who decide to go on a Similan diving safari. The whole process, starting when you book and finishing when you're dropped off at your hotel at the end of the trip, is a wonderful experience. Unlike most other Similan liveaboard boats, Oktavia’s dive centre run just this boat, so they are able to focus properly on just a few guests. Many other dive centres run two or more boats, which results in a less-personal service and is more prone to errors.

The boat has twin and double-bed standard cabins on the main deck, with hot-water shared bathrooms. There are also two large master cabins on the upper deck, which have private bathrooms, armchairs and televisions. Although there are enough beds on Oktavia to accommodate thirty guests, each trip is limited to no more than twenty. And those who stay in standard cabins can choose between double and twin beds because there’s nearly always spare. On top of this, Oktavia offers something else that other Similan liveaboard boats do not. Regardless of how many guests book on trips during the high season, the boat is guaranteed to set sail. Sometimes guests book to join a liveaboard safari only to find that not enough others have done so, and the trip is cancelled. Not only is this unfair, it can ruin plans for a diving holiday in Thailand. Unless specified, your Oktavia trip is confirmed to sail, even if you're the only guest! This is very useful and important for divers who plan flights and hotels months in advance.

In addition to great management and guaranteed trips at low prices, Oktavia still has a couple more aces up its sleeve. The first is that each cruise sets sail earlier in the day than most other Similan liveaboards. This has several advantages which include less hanging around, less activity at the pier by other dive teams, and reaching the dive sites before bedtime, which allows a better night’s sleep. The second 'ace' is that Oktavia’s rental diving equipment is stored on the boat and not back at the dive centre. Therefore, spares and alternative sizes are always available, even when out at sea.

At the beginning and end of each diving season Oktavia’s trips are 4D/4N with 15 dives. However, for the most of the time diving on Oktavia is done over 2D/2N (7 dives), 3D/2N (10 dives) or 5D/5N (19 dives). This is achieved by the main boat sailing out for 5 days & nights but guests who join shorter trips are brought out (or back) by speedboat. Guests wanting a 2D/2N trip return on a speedboat at the end of the second day’s third dive. The same speedboat brings guests out to join Oktavia for the second part of the five day cruise, for 3D/2N at the more challenging but more rewarding northern dive sites. The luckiest guests stay aboard Oktavia for the full cruise.

Nitrox fills and a selection of courses are available on Oktavia. Divers who aren’t certified to 30 metres (99ft.) can take a quick ‘deep dive certification’ or do the Advanced course on board. For those who have families or don’t dive, there’s plenty to do during a trip, including snorkelling or visiting beaches. Unlike most other Similan diving liveaboards, if there are snorkellers on Oktavia, there will be an official snorkel guide and snorkelling itinerary. Other boats usually leave non-divers to do their own thing.

Delicious food is served buffet style throughout the cruise. This is a wonderful blend of western and Asian cuisine, but not spicy. Vegetarians are always taken good care of, and those who have special dietary needs can eat well, too. Just let us know in advance.

Prices & Schedule

There are several itineraries on MV Oktavia, so please check carefully for your preffered trip.

In summary, most trips depart in the early evening for 5 days & nights, returning mid-late afternoon on the final day.

Most divers stay on board for the full 5 days & nights.

However, guests who choose 2D/2N trips, will depart at the start like everyone else, but then be brought back to Khao Lak by speedboat at the end of the second day.

Guests who choose 3D/2N trips are transferred in the morning to join Oktavia. These guests need to stay in Khao Lak (not Phuket) the night before their trip.

4D/4N trips are just for the beginning and end of the diving season. For these trips there are no speedboat transfers, and everyone stays on board for the whole cruise.