Explorer Liveaboard, Thailand

Name: North: Surin Islands, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock (Khuraburi - Khuraburi)
Start: 2026-12-07
End: 2026-12-10
Location: Thailand

8.9 Fabulous

Nitrox available
Free Internet
En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 148 / day Check dates

“The boat crew and dive guides on the entire trip were amazing and friendly. ”
Shan P, New Zealand

Highlights

A/C and sea view windows on all cabins
Trips can be extended to 8 or 13 days

The 25m MV Explorer is a great option to explore the underwater beauty of the Similan Islands, Thailand. Dive with manta rays at Koh Bon, whale sharks at Richelieu Rock, and beautiful reefs at the Surin Islands. Walk on pristine beaches and trek into the jungle as the M/V Explorer takes you on 3-day and 5-day trips to the Similan Islands of the Andaman Sea. The experienced dive guides are more than happy to take requests to find special critters such as seahorses, pipefish, and nudibranchs.

Topside, the MV Explorer dive liveaboard has 8 cabins catering to 16 guests. There are 6 ensuite cabins on the lower deck: 2 are double cabins, and 4 can be configured as double or twins, depending on guest requirements. There are 2 double cabins on the middle deck. All cabins aboard the Explorer are air-conditioned, have sea view windows, and feature personal reading lights, 220v plug sockets, and ample storage space. Hungry divers will be taken care of as freshly prepared food is served throughout the day, meals vary between local Thai cuisine and international dishes, and vegetarians can be catered to on request. For relaxation, guests can choose the lounge & dining or the sun deck, which is also a great place to take in the stunning views and keep an eye out for playful dolphins.

The M/V Explorer is a great way to explore the Similan Islands and up to the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock. Book online today to reserve your space.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

02 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 981

FULL

02 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,338

FULL

02 Nov

14 Days / 13 Nights

$ 2,081

FULL

07 Nov

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 743

FULL

07 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,338

FULL

10 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 981

FULL

17 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

Last space for men only.

$ 981

Select Cabin only 1 space left

17 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,338

FULL

17 Nov

14 Days / 13 Nights

$ 2,081

FULL

22 Nov

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 743

FULL

22 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,338

FULL

25 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 981

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

Included: VAT, Port Fees, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Night Dives, Rental Gear, Land Excursions, Snorkel Gear, Snorkeling Guide, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: National Park Fees (฿1,800-6,600).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer (฿1,400-2,800 / trip), Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox (฿1,200-5,100 / trip), Nitrox Course (฿3,500 / item), Private Dive Guide (฿2,000 / day), Scuba Diving Courses (฿1,800-10,500).

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Free Internet
En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Observation Deck
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Outside Showers
Leisure Deck
Bar

Food & Drinks

Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Buffet style
Local Food

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Tech diving
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, German, Thai, and French.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2001

Year renovated: 2024

Length: 25 meters

Beam: 7 meters

Top speed: 10 knots

Cruising speed: 8 knots

Engines: 1

Max guests: 16

Number of cabins: 8

Number of bathrooms: 9

Tenders: 1

Water capacity: 10000 liters

Fuel capacity: 5000 liters

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Fishfinder
Satellite & mobile phones
Bilge pump alarm
Crew trained in first aid
Emergency flares

Explorer Reviews

8.9 Fabulous

Vessel

7.5
Crew

9.1
Food

9.6
Diving

9.1
Value

9.1

9.6 Exceptional
Rachel A
Switzerland

Amazing experience
We had a great experience, the staff was amazing and the places we visited were beautiful. It was relaxed on the boat. Some dive sites were a bit crowded, others were more chilled.
Recommended for
Dive sites. Food. Natural loving dive guides.
26 Jan, 2026

10 Exceptional
Kurt Z
Germany

Everything fits all around
Very good atmosphere on the boat 👍
Recommended for
Ghostpipefish, Seahorse, a Lot of food
13 Jan, 2020

Translated from German

8.8 Fabulous
Sean B
United Kingdom

A great week diving beautiful islands
I enjoyed a 8 night trip aboard the Explorer, the diving was fantastic, the Similan islands are beautiful, white soft sandy beaches, the crew and dive guides were really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, the food on board was lovely, i love Thai food, my only moan was the mattress on the bed was really hard.
Recommended for
Superb diving. The helpful crew. Shade on top deck.
12 May, 2026

10 Exceptional
Natalie R
New Zealand

An incredible 5 days 5 night liveaboard
Would highly recommend this liveaboard! For what you pay, you get so much. The boat isnt the flashest boat in the sea but it works, and is comfortable and has everything you need. Both the thai staff and the diving staff were incredibly friendly and helpful and efficient. You would finish a dive and boat boys would be there to help you out of your gear, full up tanks, and then would have an amazing feed after every dive. On our boat we had about 3-4 divers per guide which was awesome. I went as a single traveler which I was highly nervous about, but everyone on board was so friendly and never had time to get bored. Great 5 days!
Recommended for
Diving was great - ratios of divers to guides was incredible, friendly and accommodating staff, really efficient
04 Apr, 2017

9.6 Exceptional
jennifer L
United States

I would go again!!!
Richlieu rock was fantastic The other guests were really fun The crew was amazing
Recommended for
Dive masters. Meals were delicious. Nice clean cabins.
25 Nov, 2024

10 Exceptional
Joerg H
Germany

It was the most beautiful, exciting, and also most relaxing holiday my husband and I have experienced so far!
Skills improvement, incredible wildlife, our one-bed cabin, food!!
Recommended for
We were able to experience manta rays up close, the food was excellent (good mix, for all tastes), and great care, the teachers were demanding but very competent!
08 Mar, 2017

Translated from German

9.6 Exceptional
Nico W
Germany

A great experience and worth every penny.
The landscapes of the islands were awesome and of course not to forget the dives were terrific, diving with whale sharks and manatas was just great.
Recommended for
Great atmosphere on the boat, well planned dives and very competent and experienced guides.
29 Jan, 2020

Translated from German

9.6 Exceptional
Simona D
Slovenia

Awesome
Meeting tiger shark was something special, night dive on Surin was one of the best I had, Richelieue rock is awesome, Moken people were nice to meet... really top experience
Recommended for
Dive sides were perfect, visits of the coast were super, Dive guides &crew very very good
07 Nov, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Jon B
United Kingdom

Excellent crew and guides
The Sea Dragon dive centre was well organised and very professional. Although we didn’t have the best weather the crew accommodated this well with last minute changes to ensure we had the best experience possible
Recommended for
Crew. Food. Value.
25 Nov, 2025

9.2 Superb
Janina K
United States

Wonderful trip!
- Considerate, patient and knowledgeable Divemasters - Fantastic food! - Impeccably clean boat - Friendly and accommodating boat crew - Small group sizes
Recommended for
Divemasters, Group Size, Food
17 Mar, 2018

96 reviews

8.9 Fabulous
96 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.6 Exceptional
Steven W
United States

Great experience for first liveaboard.
This was my first liveaboard experience, but well worth it. Felt comfortable even though I feel like I'm still a newer diver. Jess, the dive crew supervisor and my group dive guide, worked hard keeping us seeing fascinating things. The food was great and the crew helped with everything. Great experience, I'll be back.
Recommended for
Diving and guides. Food. Friendliness.
14 Dec, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Jean Pierre L
France

Other than that, good
Nice trip but in terms of organization the diving manager took the equipped divers up to the first floor where we take the meals for the briefing of course the wetsuits were wet so water on the benches and on the ground They bring forward the briefing time and everyone will have time to equip themselves afterwards
Recommended for
The welcome. Availability. Very attentive.
04 Apr, 2025

Translated from French

9.6 Exceptional
Monja S
Germany

Great liveaboard
Diving at Richilieu Rock, we had several dives at this site and it was breathtaking every time.
Recommended for
It was all super well organized, food was delicious. Crew and guides were very friendly and helpful. Dive guidance was really good.
11 Apr, 2024

10 Exceptional
Michelle Z
Hong Kong

Can’t expect more from this trip
Special thanks to John, the boat supervisor and my dive guide of the first 5 day trip. His thorough intro to the boat, crew members, safety measures and the trip made it easy for me to get along with trip quickly. He also coached me with my diving skills. Not mention that he brought us to the leopard shark, guitar shark, mating cuttlefish, etc. Get ready early, think more underwater and move slowly on the boat - the three things in my mind throughout the trip~ Highlight of the trip: PI Yaa and PI Wee’s amazing cook! I could feel my wetsuit getting tighter and tighter 😂 PI Oi, PI Yaa, PI Wee, Khao, Bat, Nat, John, Tracy, Jong, Pang, Karlos and Sea Dragon Dive Centre - THANK YOU ALL!
Recommended for
Boat in pretty good conditions - cozy cabin, nice bedding, clean; professional team - crew staff were always around with smiles and helping us, supervisors and dive guides did fantastic jobs; food is amazing!
08 Feb, 2024

8.0 Very good
Jacoba C
Australia

Awesome liveaboard
Crew were friendly and professional. The food was way above average. Managed to see whale sharks numerous times. The captain’s skills were impressive. Can highly recommend this boat and its crew to anyone looking for a hassle free and memorable diving experience on a liveaboard from Khao Lak
Recommended for
The staff and the food and the captains skills
11 May, 2024

10 Exceptional
Bastien M
France

Amazing diving vacation with a great team!
We booked a 6 days / 5 nights trip from Surin island to Similan Islands. We had 18 dives in a beautiful and preserved submarine environment. We had the chance to stop by a wonderful beach and a gipsy community. On board, the team was amazing, the diving instructors and the boat crew were professional, competent and funny. The thaï food was delicious and the boat was comfortable.
Recommended for
dives in paradise, food, team
03 Jan, 2018

7.6 Good
Albert B
Spain

Good quality - price liveaboard
The food quality was fantastic
Recommended for
Food, price, accessability
06 Dec, 2017

10 Exceptional
beibei L
China

It's beautiful and memorable, and I look forward to seeing you next time
Everyone in the dive shop has a very good attitude, because of some special reasons and wrote an email with Stephen for more than a month, he is still very patient, thank you to every staff member of Sea Dragon~ In view of the few Chinese reviews in the past reviews, I will share a little bit with the wild buddy of Chinese who is hesitant in the follow-up. The boat is mainly in English, DM and other buddy mainly communicate in English, please determine your English level before choosing a liveaboard, otherwise there may be a relatively large communication barrier. The DMs are very enthusiastic and very technical, PPANG took a lot of beautiful photos for me, and every time they would happily ask me how I was doing and how I was sleeping. Love her so much!! pang，love u！ The other two young lady DM, Enia and Jess are also super cute, Jess is really beautiful, Maruci although he rarely communicates, but it can be seen that he is very responsible, and every night he shares communication techniques with his group members. The four members of the DM group are all amazing! We also saw sharks many times. The ship is new, and the room looks small, but it's actually enough to fit even a 28-inch box. The food eaten is mainly European and American food and Thai food, Thai food is very, very delicious! The young lady who works in the kitchen is very nice, she will secretly feed me every time I get on the boat, and the room will be tidied up between dives, and she will also help fold clothes. The other buddy on the boat are also very good, although everyone speaks different languages and comes from different countries, but every night there will be technology sharing, photo sharing, small talk, the atmosphere is very good, and on the day it ended, everyone was still hugging in the dive shop, pang also sent me to the car, pang love u again!! thx all the sea dragon DM and team！！
Recommended for
The staff are very friendly. The DM is very professional and friendly. The hull facilities are very new.
02 Mar, 2026

Translated from Chinese

8.0 Very good
Christian S
Sweden

Fantastic well organized experience with alot of activity and rest.
Everything was very well organized, including equipment, food and living. I only hsd to focus on enjoying every dive and relax between them. Richelieu rock was the highligt with much to see.
Recommended for
Staff. Dive sites. Comfort.
23 Mar, 2026

8.4 Very good
Wing Kwan L
China

Very nice trip
I enjoy the trip very much. Everything are good except the cabin is a bit small. It is ok for me as I only have one backpack. Don't take suitcase.
Recommended for
Food is delicious, dive master is kind and helpful, the crew also very helpful.
23 Apr, 2018

9.2 Superb
Paul Daniel S
Germany

Unforgettable diving experience – a crew that felt like family!
From the very first moment at Sea Dragon Dive Center, we were greeted with warmth, professionalism, and a sense of joy that set the tone for the entire trip. Boarding the MV Explorer was flawless – every logistical detail had been thought through, and everything worked like clockwork. The crew truly made this trip unforgettable. Each and every member was fantastic – kind, helpful, and deeply committed to our safety and experience. Special greetings to the team member who celebrated his birthday with us – what a moment to share at sea! Cruise Supervisor Ori was simply fabulous – always clear, informative, and full of humor. She created a perfect balance between professionalism and light-hearted atmosphere. Marc, our dive master, was pure magic – his phenomenal patience, empathy, and passion for diving made each briefing and dive a delight. The captain was exceptionally competent and safety-focused. We felt 100% secure under his guidance, even when the sea turned a bit playful. The cook was an absolute gem – warm-hearted and full of charm, her food kept us smiling (and going back for seconds)! And the rest of the crew? Just fabulous. Quiet, helpful, and always one step ahead. As for the diving: despite the end-of-season conditions (some rain, plankton, and a hint of melancholia), the underwater world was stunning – billions of fish, vibrant reefs, and playful surprises like a baby shark! The moody weather was more than made up for by the warmth on board and the energy of the team. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you, Sea Dragon and MV Explorer crew – we left the boat with full hearts, tired smiles, and stories we’ll treasure forever. Highly recommended without hesitation – we’ll be back!
Recommended for
The crew & the dive master(s). The entire atmosphere. The food.
24 May, 2025

10 Exceptional
Andreas F
Germany

Fantastic Trip with Similan Dive Safaris
This was my first live aboard but it's definitely not going to be my last. Crew, Dive instructors and organisation was great. I was very lucky with my instructor Jordi who gave me a lot of confidence and guidance when diving since I am a beginner. I will definitely dive more and liveaboards will be my choice
Recommended for
Instructors, Food and atmosphere
27 Mar, 2017

9.2 Superb
albertus P
Netherlands

Nice trip, beautiful dives and great value for money!
We look back on 11 wonderful days on the Seadragon Explorer, with her friendly crew and delicious food! It is not the most luxurious boat but the price is accordingly, but everything you need is there, the air conditioning worked fine and the shower was warm. The diving was generally very nice and the choice of where to dive was looked at daily. Can confidently recommend this trip :)
Recommended for
Crew. atmosphere on the boat. Richelieu Rock.
06 Mar, 2026

Translated from Dutch

8.4 Very good
John H
United Kingdom

The trip is a lot more than diving lots of places to see en route
Richelieu rock Fantastic diving spot
Recommended for
Like most liver boards the food was fantastic not some beautiful people still in touch with them now friends for life and then the diving enjoyed every minute
01 Jul, 2019

8.0 Very good
Shukin C
Switzerland

Just have a new experience in Liveaboard
( 1 ) Richelieu was wonderful! Unforgettable! ( 2 ) I paid extra nitro package 2’800 Bht by check in, but the dive guide asked for more money at the end in the diving shop, although the Accountant said that it was balancing, I think the It might be another highlight....
Recommended for
I joined end of April trip, the best was Richelieu, the other were so so la la .
10 May, 2018

10 Exceptional
peggy M
Germany

Awesome experience which needs to be repeated
Richelieu Rock which is one of the best divesites I ever dived in and for sure the nice evenings we had together on the boat.
Recommended for
Amazing friendly staff, great organization and food
26 Feb, 2024

8.0 Very good
Hector Humberto K
Argentina

Predispocion de todo el staf de sea dragon
Experiencia, excelente. Lugares de buceo
Recommended for
Servicio a bordo. Guías de buceo. Lugares de buceo.
13 Dec, 2024

9.2 Superb
Yoshinori S
Japan

Best value of liveboard for Similan tour
大物は見れませんでしたが、透明度、魚影の濃さ、料金設定からシミランエキスプローラーはオススメです。
Recommended for
Diving crews, Boat staff and cheff and good value
31 Jan, 2017

10 Exceptional
Roman H
Czech Republic

Everything was perfect!
the marine life
Recommended for
Dive Guides prfesionality/ Diving sites/ Crew service
05 Apr, 2017

9.2 Superb
YOKO K
Japan

Friendly staff and great dive
It was the second live aboard in Similan. The ocean was great as before, and I could see huge amount of creatures. The staff is friendly and very organized. I strongly recommend this trip.
Recommended for
Whale shark, school of fish, beautiful night
08 Apr, 2019