Gentle Giant Liveaboard, Thailand

Name: Similan - Bon - Tachai - Richelieu Rock (Thap Lamu - Thap Lamu)
Start: 2026-12-08
End: 2026-12-12
Location: Thailand

8.6 Fabulous

Nitrox available
Free Internet
En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers

from $ 164 / day Check dates

“Delicious food was served 4 to 5 times a day, and freshly cooked with a sense of Thai.Crews were very helpful when putting on and …”
Toshihiko K, Japan

Highlights

World-famous dive sites like the Similan Islands
Limited availability, only 12 times yearly
A mix of international and Thai cuisine

The M/V Gentle Giant offers unique dive trips in the Andaman Sea. Covering both the north and south Andaman Sea, divers will cover the world-famous Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock, located in the north, and the southern area of Hin Daeng Hin Muang, Koh Haa, King Cruiser, Shark Point and Phi Phi. This special 6-night dive trip is only offered 12 times yearly between November and April. It is a fantastic opportunity for divers to explore the Andaman Sea, completing 22 dives over 7 days.

Topside, MV Gentle Giant caters to up to 20 guests in 10 cabins. Each cabin is en-suite with AC, sea views, and a safety deposit box. There are 1 master cabin, 1 deluxe cabin, and 8 twin standard cabins. Social areas include the fully air-conditioned indoor salon with a 55-inch TV and entertainment area, outdoor covered dining area, or large roof-top sundeck. Meals are a mix of international and Thai cuisine and are prepared fresh.

The experienced and passionate crew of the MV Gentle Giant are waiting to share the beauty of the Andaman sea. Places fill up fast, so book online today to reserve your space.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

30 Sep

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 657

FULL

04 Oct

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 657

Select Cabin available

09 Oct

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 657

FULL

14 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

19 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

24 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

29 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

03 Nov

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

08 Nov

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

14 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,315

Select Cabin available

23 Nov

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

FULL

28 Nov

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 866

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Soft Drinks at Meal Times, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (฿0-3,200 / trip), National Park Fees (฿2,300-3,500 / trip).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Alcoholic Drinks at Dinner, Nitrox (฿2,800-4,400 / trip), Nitrox Course (฿7,000 / trip), Private Dive Guide (฿2,500 / day), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (฿2,000-10,000 / trip).

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
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Audio & video entertainment
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Outside Showers

Food & Drinks

Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Full-board Option
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
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
Dive deck

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, Thai, and Chinese.

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

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Length: 27 meters

Engines: 2 x Hino

Max guests: 20

Number of cabins: 10

Number of bathrooms: 10

Water capacity: 14000 liters

Fuel capacity: 9000 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

Gentle Giant Reviews

8.6 Fabulous

Vessel

7.5
Crew

8.7
Food

9.4
Diving

8.9
Value

8.7

9.6 Exceptional
Zheng Z
United States

Much better than I expected
This is the cheapest but the best liveaboard I’ve ever had. The crew members are friendly and professional, having the right attitude to serve the customers. They love what they are doing which I can tell from their smiles. My guide TK is smart and well paced. She’s quite familiar the underwater environment and even knows when the Trevallies start hunting. I think she had shown us the best of that part of ocean. Food was of good quality and really suits my taste. The room is a little bit small but clean. We saw GTs, barracuda tornado, snappers, crocodile fish and a variety of marine lives. The corals at the Tachai reef are gorgeous! The trip is excellent!
Recommended for
My guide TK. Excellent crew member services. Beautiful boulders and marine life underneath.
22 Jul, 2026

10 Exceptional
Alicia F
United States

Best liveaboard experience!
We did 10 dives in 3 days to the surrounding islands of Phuket, and it was excellent! We saw 3 shipwrecks, lots of coral, sharks, eels, rays, other animals and millions of fish.. very satisfying! The accommodations were nice and the food was beyond excellent. All the guides were very nice and the boat boys were amazing in helping us get ready, and on/off the boat for every dive. An incredible deal for the price!
Recommended for
Friendly Service, Great Sites, Great Food
04 Jul, 2018

10 Exceptional
Christopher Q
United Kingdom

Best week ever!
This was my first liveaboard experience and I can honestly now say that I am a convert. It is THE best way to dive - 4 dives in one day?! Yes please! Everything about the week was wonderful, from the dives and seeing things from turtles to sharks, and swimming through incredible caves, to the attentiveness of the dive support team and the briefings with our guides, to the wonderful food. So glad I was able to make it over to Thailand to enjoy this incredible experience.
Recommended for
Superb customer service - everyone was so friendly and wanting to make the trip special.. The food was excellent! Yum yum yum!. The diving was great. Wonderful experience from start to finish..
27 Apr, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Cristian P
Spain

Perfect boat
Great experience and great people!
Recommended for
Crew. Dives. Ammenities.
20 Jan, 2026

9.2 Superb
Chien-wen S
Taiwan

Make a wish to go again.
I had an excellent experience on Gentle Giant.
Recommended for
very good service. friendly crews. nice vegan food.
11 Apr, 2026

8.8 Fabulous
Lauren E
United Kingdom

Fabulous people, incredible diving and just a wonderful week!
My partner and I had an incredible week onboard the Gentle Giant. Firstly, everything was very well organised so we were kept well informed of the daily plans. All the crew were excellent - the guides, the chef, stewardess, the boat guys and captain. Everyone was helpful, friendly and really made our stay fun, enjoyable and just really easy. The itinerary was well balanced and we felt that we really made the most of our time on the trip. Our guide, Gai, was very knowledgable and knew the sites well, he made sure we were kept away from larger groups underwater and pointed things out that we wanted to see. Overall, an excellent time - would recommend!
Recommended for
It's too hard to think of just three! I would say; the itinerary, the people and the ease of the whole week.
17 Feb, 2024

9.2 Superb
Marc B
Switzerland

Moray Eel vs.Triggerfish
I booked a tour with Gentle Giant and MV Raga to the Similan Islands. Both tours were fantastic. Great staff and lots of sea life to see. The dive sites are varied and, for me, among the most beautiful ever. Special thanks to the guides, Sasha, Spice, and Freshy. Thanks to them, I got to see lots of cool things that I would otherwise have missed. The whole staff does a great job, and on every tour, the friendly owner stops by to ask if everyone is satisfied.
Recommended for
Dive Sites. Dive Guide Freshy. Staff on Boat.
22 Nov, 2025

8.0 Very good
Peter S
Switzerland

Super trip
Helpful staff, great dive sights
Recommended for
Whale shark, lovebirds and always delicious food
16 Jul, 2019

Translated from German

8.0 Very good
MARIO G
Italy

Great experience
Boat without frills, with everything you need to enjoy diving to the fullest
Recommended for
courtesy and attention. Great food (always fresh cuisine). prepared guides.
06 Apr, 2025

Translated from Italian

8.8 Fabulous
Mike B
Germany

Great diving in northwestern Thailand.
Highlights were the 3 days of diving in the north, from Surin 1 - Richelieu Rock.Delicious Thai food, and nice staff on the ship.
Recommended for
Diving at Richelieu Rock and the Surins. Good food.
29 Mar, 2024

Translated from German

62 reviews

8.6 Fabulous
62 Verified Reviews

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9.2 Superb
Charles L
United States

first liveaboard exceeded expectations
as a new diver on my first liveaboard I must say that for the price, the Gentle Giant has set a high bar for quality of service and hospitality.
Recommended for
quality of staff. coherent schedule and communication. meal variety.
24 Dec, 2024

10 Exceptional
Lisa B
United Kingdom

Amazing…couldn’t of asked for a better trip
Cannot thank our crew and the staff members on board enough. They made our short stay unforgettable. Everyone so friendly, professional and made us feel like part of the family. Every meal was incredible! And there was plenty of! Our dive guide was amazing and we were lucky enough to see elusive guitar sharks…truly incredible. The rooms were simple but comfortable. Each day we had a dive briefing, a very clear plan of action so we knew what to expect. Truly cannot recommend enough and we rave about the Gentle Giant to everyone who asks about our Thailand honeymoon.
Recommended for
Each and every staff member on board. The diving. The food.
03 Nov, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Toshihiko K
Japan

Much more values than I Expected
It was very relaxing to see scenery from the top of the deck. Delicious food was served 4 to 5 times a day, and freshly cooked with a sense of Thai.Crews were very helpful when putting on and taking off the equipment.Guests and crew landed on the Phi Phi Island and watched a fire show after diving at night, which was unexpected. Two whales showed up to the boat.
Recommended for
A large school of fish, zebra shark at Hin Bida, several kinds of exotic fish unseen before.
11 Feb, 2024

Translated from Japanese

9.6 Exceptional
Michael B
Germany

Amazing trip with lovely people
The staff and guides welcome you warmly to the liveaboard and do an amazing job in providing a lovely tour.The food is amazing and the dives are very well choosen and guided.For nearly one week we not only had a great trip but also a home.Not to forget the best: Similan and South Andaman are cruised, so the best divesites of both areas are explored!
Recommended for
Guides and Staff, Dives, Food
15 Dec, 2023

8.4 Very good
Sergio S
Brazil

Please have more beer on board next time! :-)
Tiger shark, white tip reef sharks and much more!!! Great crew and great diving buddies!!!
Recommended for
Good dive, safety and great ambience!
14 Jan, 2020

10 Exceptional
Eric K
United States

Liveaboard heaven!
MV Gentle Giant was simply amazing. This was my first liveaboard dive boat and I couldn't have been happier. Let's start with what is most important, the diving. Anyone looking into diving in Phuket knows Similan Islands to the northwest and Phi Phi Islands to the Southwest. This boat, in one trip, covers it all. We did a 5 day trip and dove 18 times. We went everywhere that Thailand has to offer and saw more fish, coral, reefs, sharks, octopus and other amazing creatures than you could hope for. You set up your gear (or they provide if necessary) on day 1 and it never moves. They refill your tank between each dive so all you have to do is put on your gear and jump in the water. They even have people on deck to defog your mask, help you put on or take off your fins and hand you any gear that you want (pokers, lights, cameras, etc...) Now, the food. My expectations were low and was I ever surprised. The chef was amazing. We have an assortment of Thai and international foods. Hot pots, steaks, seafood, eggs, rice and just about anything you could imagine. Have a request, they can do it. Finally, the crew. Travis was the dive master assigned to my group of 4 and he was amazing. He could help you with your gear, show you some amazing creatures and was just great to hang around with. Overall, there were 5 dive masters for 20 divers, so each dive master had a group of 4 each time. This love diver to dive master ratio was spectacular. Another unexpected treat. As a diver for over 20 years who has been around the world, all I can say is, if you are looking for a live-aboard this is the boat for you.
Recommended for
The crew, the diving and the food
29 Jan, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
Sander V
Netherlands

Great diving and very pleasant stay
Manta, turtle, black tip sharks, seahorse, and the ocean views
Recommended for
Variety in dive sites, relaxed atmosphere, nice food
05 Dec, 2022

9.6 Exceptional
Pieter D
Belgium

Much recommended
Great value for money. Recommended trip if you want to explore Andaman sea diving.
Recommended for
Great guidance on the boat. Great guidance in the water. Great food.
04 Apr, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Steven D
Belgium

Highly recommended, especially the Southern trip!
A wonderful experience! The boat feels spacious and the crew takes really good care of you. It was the first time for me to do the Southern dive sites (most boats go to Similan and Surin islands). Visbility is a little bit less but wth A LOT of sea horses definitely worth visiting. I want to go again :)
Recommended for
Southern dive sites. Free soft drinks. Super friendly staff.
11 Mar, 2026

9.2 Superb
Marlene W
Austria

Simple but beautiful boat
We spent a really nice time on the Gentle Giant. The boat is simple but equipped with everything you need. Each cabin has hot water showers, air conditioning and windows. The crew is very nice and there are 4 at least 4 meals a day. Snacks are available around the clock. We enjoyed the time very much and can recommend the liveaboard to everyone.
Recommended for
Selection of diving spots. Dive guides. Essen.
23 Mar, 2026

10 Exceptional
Russell A
United Kingdom

Five stars are not enough! This was an exceptional trip with a brilliant crew, what a wonderful week.
We were upgraded from Gentle Giant to the Raga; this was an unexpected bonus as the boat was excellent. Well appointed, comfortable cabins etc. The food was restaurant quality, every day the meals and snacks were different, from coconut smoothies to ice cream cones! The crew couldn’t have been more helpful, from the boat drivers to the kitchen staff & guides, they were all friendly , attentive and eager to help. Nothing seemed to faze them and nothing was too much trouble. This is undoubtedly the best liveaboard I have been on - well done Smile Dolphin, we will definitely be using you again.
Recommended for
The staff - friendly, kind & attentive. The boat - excellent facilities. The diving - obviously!.
08 Mar, 2025

9.2 Superb
Helena E
Sweden

Enjoyed the Gentle Giant liveaboard a lot
Manta ray at similian islands The abundance of life under water at Richeliue Rock
Recommended for
genuine and friendly staff that created a great athmosphere onboard, covered a lot of different dive sites both north and south, delicious food
14 Jan, 2020

10 Exceptional
Joanna W
Canada

Great experience! Would 100% do again
My husband and I were on the Gentle Giant during Christmas week. We were a bit apprehensive at first as it was our first liveaboard experience and there were not many reviews for this boat in particular, but we were worried for nothing. We really enjoyed our five days onboard and this was the favorite part of our 2 week vacation in Phuket/Krabi. The diving was super, we did 3-4 dives a day. Dive are 50 min and they feed you lots of delicious authentic Thai food before and after each dive. We saw all sorts of pufferfish, porcupine fish, batfish, huge group of thousands of yellow snappers, tuna, groupers, giant trevally, a huge swarm of barracuda (must have been at least a few hundred, which was the highlight of the trip), lots of giant morays, other morays, sea stars, sea cucumbers, nudibranches, a freaky walking featherstar, and tons more. Our only regret is we did not see mantas or whale sharks even with multiple dives at Richilieu, Koh Bon, and Hin Deang/Hin Muang. Boat crew was super helpful in getting your gear ready, switching tanks, helping you on and off the boat, it was truly full service diving. We will be back and dive again with Gai and his team!
Recommended for
Diving, food, and crew friendliness
18 Jan, 2019

10 Exceptional
Timothy J
Canada

My first liveaboard experience and expectations were surpassed!
The diving was great, the food was delicious, and it was nice meeting other people from different backgrounds!
Recommended for
Dives; food; comfort!
28 Mar, 2024

10 Exceptional
燕婷黄
China

My first time liveaboard trip , excellent!
People
Recommended for
Food people clean
13 Feb, 2023

9.2 Superb
Paul S
United States

A fantastic dive tour of the Andaman Sea islands and dive sites.
I selected Gentle Giant because of its itinerary. Most boats either dive the northern or the southern Andaman Sea. In the same trip, Gentle Giant visits all the most important and beautiful dive sites on the Indian Ocean coast of Thailand, both in the north and south. From the Richelieu Rocks teeming with life, through the fifty-plus meter visibility of the Similian Islands, to the sharks of Koh Phi Phi, our guides, fluent in both English and Mandarin, put us on all the best spots! The diving was amazing! The staff and crew were super friendly and helpful, and the food was fresh, savory, and abundant, with Thai, Chinese and Western selections. I look forward to diving again with Gentle Giant in the future.
Recommended for
The extensive itinerary, the diving and dive guides, and the crew services and friendliness.
28 Mar, 2023

8.4 Very good
Elaine T
United States

It's about the diving!
I look to reviews to help me make satisfactory choices and avoid disappointment (and thus bad reviews). My review will, therefore, reflect my honest impressions. My only previous liveaboard experience was to the Galapagos on a trip that cost me approximately $3500 per person for the week with a significant special discount. This liveaboard trip cost approximately one third that amount. I knew to expect less upscale accommodations and was not disappointed that the room was more basic. I gave the cabin and boat comfort three stars as compared to a more expensive and upscale choice, but I was not at all unhappy with either. The bunk room I shared with a roommate had its own bathroom with shower and filled all needs. While the bed wasn't terribly comfortable I was knocked out from diving and slept soundly (as did my roommate even though, I am told, I do snore!). The food was very good, but again, I am rating compared to a more upscale choice that would include more options. The staff, crew and dive guides are beyond compare - all were excellent - friendly, professional, knowledgeable. The crew and guides cleaned all equipment and suits for divers after each dive and were always available to help in any way. The dive guides had excellent knowledge of dive sites, marine life and diving. The diving was very good. I was fortunate to see a couple of mantas, but the whale sharks are hiding from me! Beautiful hard and soft corals, rocks and caverns, lots of fish. The views from the boat are also stunning. I am a middle aged-senior citizen American woman who was travelling alone and was on this trip with a large dive group (about 20 divers) from China, most of whom were significantly younger than me. I do not speak Chinese and only a few of the other divers spoke English. For me this was a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and share experiences from our different cultural backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed the other divers and feel that we really enjoyed each other. If a diver will be travelling alone consider your comfort level with being in a similar situation. Great value - wonderful trip! Thanks, Smile Dolphin!
Recommended for
Diving, Dive Guides, Crew including food staff - And Great Value
02 Apr, 2019

7.6 Good
Franz V
Germany

Varied beautiful diving
With great dives in the north and south in the Andaman Sea, this trip offered varied dives from beautiful coral reefs to always beautiful schools of fish and highlights such as leopard sharks and seahorses. Despite some poor visibility, the dives were relaxed and quite beautiful.
Recommended for
lots of schools of fish. Leopard shark. partly beautiful corals.
11 Jan, 2025

10 Exceptional
Eric K
France

Excellent experience
I highly recommend this experience, even for someone traveling alone. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The dives are breathtaking. I was even able to switch to Advanced Open Water on the 2nd day, which was not planned. Safety is a must. Well done!
Recommended for
The staff. The dives. Food.
04 Feb, 2025

Translated from French

8.0 Very good
Chien Hung Jackson H
Canada

Due to the weather, we did not get to go to the famous richelieu rock and hin dang. But we saw the leopard shark. Staff was good and food was good.
Due to the weather, we did not get to go to the famous richelieu rock and hin dang. But we saw the leopard shark. Staff was good and food was good.
Recommended for
Staff. Food. Leopard shark.
13 Dec, 2024