Explorer Liveaboard, Thailand

Name: Surin, Tachai and Richelieu (Khuraburi - Khuraburi)
Start: 2026-11-07
End: 2026-11-10
Location: Thailand

8.9 Fabulous

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

from $ 149 / 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

17 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 988

Select Cabin available

17 Oct

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,347

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

17 Oct

14 Days / 13 Nights

$ 2,095

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

22 Oct

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 748

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

22 Oct

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,347

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

25 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 988

Select Cabin available

02 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

Last space for men only.

$ 988

Select Cabin only 1 space left

02 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,347

FULL

02 Nov

14 Days / 13 Nights

$ 2,095

FULL

07 Nov

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 748

FULL

07 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,347

FULL

10 Nov

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 988

FULL

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

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

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

Translated from German

9.6 Exceptional
DEBAJYOTI C
India

Incredible 5 nights 6 days liveaboard experience!
Incredible liveaboard diving experience with Sea Dragon Khao Lak (on MV Explorer)! Our dive masters were true professionals, ensuring safety while guiding us to breathtaking underwater wonders Especially to name dive master Ton, fantastic handholding. The boat crew went above and beyond. Their attentiveness and warmth made it feel like a home on the sea, The food? Simply exquisite! A delicious and diverse culinary journey that added another layer of enjoyment to our trip. Highly recommend !
Recommended for
Food, dive guides, crew
08 Dec, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Taco V
Netherlands

Wonderful trip value for money
The atmosphere on the boat is very good. The guests are well taken care of and you will not be bored for a moment
Recommended for
Dive. Staff. Eat.
02 May, 2025

Translated from Dutch

8.0 Very good
Christine S
Germany

Beginning of a passion liveaboard
We enjoyed the time on board very much, even though only 8 nights and not 13 nights were possible due to the weather conditions. We were also lucky enough to have been the only boat at Richelieu Rock for a whole day and thus 4 unforgettable dives. A great diving area, for us the first liveaboard and not the last!
Recommended for
Richelieu Rock. Super Essen. Team an Board.
11 Aug, 2025

Translated from German

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

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

8.8 Fabulous
Hui Ling H
Taiwan

Not bad
The crew is kind, the food is delicious and the environment is acceptable
Recommended for
Crew services. The food is delicious. Comfortable weather.
27 Mar, 2025

Translated from Chinese

8.0 Very good
Miroslaw G
Poland

There is a reason to come back.
Good value for money. Nice extra trip to beach / islands.
Recommended for
food. guide dive. richelie rock.
06 Apr, 2025

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

96 reviews

8.9 Fabulous
96 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

10 Exceptional
Shan P
New Zealand

Eat, sleep, dive and repeat...
The boat crew and dive guides on the entire trip were amazing and friendly. The food was really delicious and plentiful. The diving was well organised and you are taken to all the best dive sites within the national park. I especially liked how the dive groups are organised and extra care and attention is given to each diver before and after the dive. I would highly recommend this liveaboard and I look forward to coming back soon.
Recommended for
The boat crew. The food. Good diving.
01 Jan, 2025

9.2 Superb
Michaela S
Germany

Great diving trip
Wonderful. Very highly recommended. I did it twice. Richelieu rock is amazing
Recommended for
Great dive spots. Very friendly crew and guides. Excellent food and drinks.
20 Mar, 2026

9.2 Superb
Caroline C
France

A must-do!
Spend New Year's Eve on this boat.
Recommended for
Team, multicolored backgrounds, kitchen
12 Jan, 2018

Translated from French

9.6 Exceptional
Yannick M
France

diving with a great boat and marvellous people
thanks for this trip
Recommended for
diving was marvellous,. trip on beach, we" saw lemurs, monkeys, squirrels, lizards abd the beach was so great. the crew, and diving guides was great. they always have fun and caring with all of us. thanks so much;.
10 Apr, 2025

7.6 Good
Albert B
Spain

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

8.0 Very good
聪刘
China

Comfortable cruise ship and cabin
The whole trip was comfortable
Recommended for
The diving guide is responsible, the cabin is comfortable and the food is delicious
03 Jan, 2020

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

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

9.2 Superb
Truls P
Norway

We loved it, and want to do it again!
Our highlights was to be able to upgrade our diving skills to advanced certificate in such a great way: with awesome dives, knowledgeable instructors, whilst visiting great dive sites. We saw a leopard shark, fantastic reefs and corals and tons of beautiful fish, as well as enjoying fun times onboard. We have never tried liveaboard before, and now we definitely want to do it again!
Recommended for
The friendly, professional instructors, the food and the diving
14 Jan, 2020

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
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

9.2 Superb
Amelie H
France

Great experience
This was my first liveaboard and it was amazing. Took me a few days to get used to sleeping on a boat but the team had seasick pills available for everyone to help out. The crew were always available for whatever we needed. Food was very good and lots of the drinks were included which was great. Dive sites were really good and the guides all there to show you what you are interested in as much as possible and then explain to you with the books available on-board what you just saw. They also try and make it that all guests mix together to creat a good energy which is really appreciate as someone travelling alone.
Recommended for
The crew. The space in between each dives was good so can rest well. The dive sites.
18 Feb, 2026

10 Exceptional
Sharon P
United States

Fabulous Trip - Fun & Safe Adventure
I actually like scuba diving. I do not necessarily love it. I was able to choose which dives I went on and stay on the boat and read when I didn't want to go on a dive. The locations we went to were gorgeous. The guides were knowledgable, fun and caring. The food was great! I shared a cabin with my friend and I enjoyed the luxury of just having the two of us in a room. The rooms are quite small so make sure to pack minimally. The dive shop will lock up your extra gear safely for you while you are away. I would do this trip again in a heart beat.
Recommended for
the fun crew, the dive sites, the food
04 Dec, 2018

10 Exceptional
Ian T
United Kingdom

Outstanding
What an amazing experience. We had a bunk and shared bathroom which was perfect. The guides and the diving you couldn't fault! Overall I can't wait to next year to going on the same boat. I've dived on a lot of liveaboards and this was far the best experience.
Recommended for
Guides, diving, food
08 Feb, 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

9.2 Superb
Omar A
Saudi Arabia

Great Experience
This was my first time to visit Thailand and my first time to do a Livaboard there (obviously 😄). Overall, it was a nice experience. Will I be repeating it again? Not sure since I was expecting better water visibility to be honest😇. The staff were nice, the food was excellent and the plan to visit national parks was fantastic.
Recommended for
1- Staff were amazing especially the diving guides Mark, Champ, John and Tracy. 2- Food👍🏻 everyday something new. You don’t get the same thing again. 3- The diving schedule and national park visits
09 Jan, 2024

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

8.4 Very good
Michael S
United States

First Dive Boat Trip
Was my first dive boat, and first dives after OW cert, so I can't compare to other boats. I felt safe and well looked after by the instructor I dove with, and I was nervous going in. Gear was comparable to what I rented during my OW cert. Cabins are small, but the AC works well. I'm 6 feet, and bunk was adequate. Might have cramped a taller guy. Showers and head were basic but clean and plenty of hot water. Food was fine, not fancy, but good, with lots of choice, variety, and quantity. Drinks menu is limited, might want to bring your own drinks if you want more than Cokes and craftless beer. This is not a luxury boat, but well suited for me. I wanted to get max diving in without paying for frills. I would definitely book them again.
Recommended for
The guides, the dive sites, the price.
08 Jun, 2017

8.8 Fabulous
Cat H
Singapore

Very memorable!
It was memorable, especially the second night when the weather turned rough; highly shows the capability of the captain, who manoeuvred and kept us all safe. Everything was very organised and there is always somewhere to laze around. The diving was good. The briefing were always clear and Luca (our leader) sometimes tells us before the dive what he will try to show us (if he can find). Marine life might not have been as good as a decade ago, but still easily top many places. Am I a potential return customer? Yes.
Recommended for
friendly and helpful local crews, powerful captain (!) and no internet ;)
22 Mar, 2018

8.4 Very good
Chris G
Singapore

Good value for money, space on board is OK if full, crew and diving team is great.
Richelieu rock, wrecks were the diving highlights
Recommended for
Crew, Food, People
09 Feb, 2017