Itinerary M/V Similan Explorer

A warm welcome to our Similan Liveaboard guests, who should arrive for an equipment check at our PADI 5 star Dive Center no later than 3pm. Our Minibus departs from Similan Diving Safaris Dive Center in Khao Lak to Taplamu pier (14km) at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Arrival around 4:30pm once on board the M/V Similan Explorer you will be introduced to our dive staff & boat crew. After you have been shown to your cabin you will be fully briefed with the running of the boat along with the rules and safety procedures on board the M/V Similan Explorer.
Before dinner is a good time to assemble and check your equipment with your Similan dive guide. Ready for your first dive in the Similan Islands the next morning.
After dinner we depart at around 6:30pm, so sit back and enjoy the cruise with a star filled night sky, arriving around midnight at the Similans. Traveling by night is the best so you can sleep and wake up fresh in the morning for the first of your amazing dives.
We do 2 days diving in the Similan Islands before we head north to Koh Bon famous for Manta Rays. Then we head north west to one of the best dive sites Thailand has to offer, Koh Tachai, after a fantastic dive at Tachai, we sail onto the Surin Islands where do some dives and we visit a Moken village (see footer) then onto the famous Richelieu Rock. (check our Dive Sites page).






The daily Schedule aboard the Similan Explorer is as follows:
1st Day : wake up call @ 6am. You receive a light breakfast, fresh coffee & some toast and fresh fruits. For after your dive you can order, boiled eggs, fried eggs, omelet, pancakes, French toast, sausages and ham.
We also serve German brown bread, muesli, corn flakes, oats, and lots of fresh fruits always on the table: water melon, banana’s, pineapples, oranges. Electrolyte drinks are free for you to drink at any time during the safari this helps to prevent dehydration.
You will receive a Dive site and Dive Safety briefing before every dive. All dives are Multi level dives. and each diver must dive with a buddy.
All of our dive guides have computers and are experienced with all the dive sites so if you have any special requests e.g. Sea Horse, Ghost pipe fish, nudibranchs, this is the team who can find them for you. Our guides speak all major European languages.

1st dive 7am The first dive is what we call a check dive, we can check how the air consumption is of the divers and put them in the groups of the same air consumption if they wish. Dive time is 55 min, then we do a 5 min safety stop. With most of the dives you are picked up by the liveaboard or our dingy this makes for easy stress free diving. Small dive group size: 1 guide to 4 divers.

After breakfast you have 3hrs in-between dives. You can go to the beach with our dinghy and take a walk on deserted beaches or trek some of the jungle trails, snorkel the reefs, cool off in your A/C cabin or just relax on the boat with the new friends you made on this fantastic diving safari. Fish books are on board for you to read.

2nd Dive 11am. After your second dive lunch is served at 1pm. The afternoon can be spend visiting the islands or just relaxing on board the M/V Similan Explorer.

3rd Dive 3pm. After your dive snacks, fruits & drinks are available until your night dive. Snorkeling, swimming, or visit the beach.
Dinner is around 6pm.

4th Dive 7pm. The night dive or a dusk dive.

For Bookings and Schedule



Our on board photographer is always available for help and will assist you should you wish to view your own photographs on our DVD player.
We do 4 days diving and on the 5th day we do 2 dives before heading back to Khaolak. Arrival at the Taplamu pier is between 2-4pm., allowing you ample time for any your onward travel if necessary.

What to bring with you aboard the Similan Explorer for your Similan Dive Safari:

  • Some clothing like shorts and long sleeve T- shirt
  • Sun glasses, a hat and sun cream for the day time as the temperature can be around 30°C to 35°C during the day
  • Bathroom kit  *Free bio-degradable shampoo & shower soap*
  • Dive Card
  • Some money for beer and drinks. Beer is only served after your last dive

For your convenience you should bring only a small bag you don’t need much clothing on your Safari, you may leave any excess baggage or valuables at our Dive Center or at your hotel.
If you are a PADI diver and don't have your card for some reason we can check with PADI online in minutes. We have log books for sale and digital cameras and dive computers for rent onboard m/v Similan Explorer. We have a full Medic First Aid kit onboard so you don't need worry about sea sickness, upset stomach, blisters, and other minor ailments.



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