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

$ 2,096

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

22 Oct

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 749

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

$ 988

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

02 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 1,347

FULL

02 Nov

14 Days / 13 Nights

$ 2,096

FULL

07 Nov

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 749

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

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

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
Michaela S
Germany

Super great liveaboard, I'll do it again
Awesome, great liveaboard, I'll do it again
Recommended for
Super friendly. Boat crew very helpful, good briefing. Beautiful dive sites.
28 Apr, 2025

Translated from German

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

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

9.2 Superb
Allison G
United Kingdom

Red Sea Dragon and The Explorer were awesome ♥️
Loved this trip from the moment we met everyone at the dive centre to getting onboard, everyone was so friendly and felt like one big family. Food was really good. So many meals ! Great having free soft drinks and plenty of water available. The guides were really good and made the briefings fun aswell as informative. The deck crew were really helpful and one big team. One downside, the beds were so hard. We do have a firm bed but they were really firm. Consideration might be given to a few bed toppers (chargeable if required) to hire.
Recommended for
Diving was really good. Crew were fantastic. Friendliness of everyone on board and made to feel welcome.
01 May, 2026

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

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

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

8.4 Very good
franco I
Switzerland

Very nice dives and great team
Very professional staff who allowed us to discover beautiful dive sites.The kitchen team served us a very good meal.Cruise to recommend Bravo and thank you
Recommended for
meal. staff. dive sites.
05 May, 2026

Translated from French

96 reviews

8.9 Fabulous
96 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

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

10 Exceptional
VERONIQUE D
New Caledonia

ONLY HAPPINESS
There were only very good moments.. And then there was an exceptional day at Richelieu Rock.. Share your day dives with a whale shark in a magical setting.. of the happiness that we have all consumed without moderation.
Recommended for
The friendliness and efficiency of the crew, the quality and choice of meals, the good knowledge of the sites by the dive guides
26 Apr, 2024

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

8.0 Very good
Marcel Fernando S
Germany

Everything was really good. I can really recommend that tour, boat and crew.
We had beautiful sights on the trip, even whales (seeing them from board, not while diving). The crew was extremly friendly and everything was very good organized. It was a lot of fun and there was nothing to complain about anything. There was also several tijme the chance to see and visit different beaches. I definatly recommend diving with the Similan Explorer.
Recommended for
Crew; Food; Dives
18 Nov, 2016

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
Robert S
Israel

Enjoyable diving among the Similan islands
Good selection of dive sites, well managed itinerary, caring crew.
Recommended for
Energetic crew, diverse crew, well managed within boat limitations
03 Jan, 2017

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

6.8 Review score
Florence L
France

Good value for money, nice dives but not very varied
Oxford Rock breathtaking for the abundance of wildlife, hunting scenes, diversity of species.Uncomfortable and outdated boat but compensated by a dynamic and well-organized team, helpful crew and top cooks Some sites with beautiful corals
Recommended for
Relaxed atmosphere. Diving on Richelieu Rock. The organization of the dives.
19 May, 2026

9.2 Superb
Kerstin F
Germany

The trip was great
Our guide was just awesome. He talked to us beforehand what we wanted to see, showed us a lot under water while diving and then came up to us on his own and showed us what we saw in the book. We also learned a lot from him about the protection of corals and creatures.
Recommended for
The dive guide, the food and the friendliness of the crew
12 Apr, 2024

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

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

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

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

10 Exceptional
amir M
Israel

The best way to dive in similan and richeliau rock
Every thing works like clock work. Ship leaves on time, very friendly crew, great dive masters and richeliau rock is everything they say about it and more. We saw four whale sharks and many kind of beautiful fish all along the safari. The food always on time and very tasty. We were very sorry it was over. We recommend it with all our heart.
Recommended for
Great crew great food and awesome diving
30 Apr, 2018

10 Exceptional
MINJIE X
China

awesome trip and best crew
We saw manta...
Recommended for
Crew guide food
20 Apr, 2017

7.6 Good
Kevin M
Germany

Review of the 5-Day Dive Safari on the “Explorer” (Nov 10–15, 2024)
Overall, this trip provided fantastic diving and excellent service from the Sea Dragon Dive Center. While the boat accommodations were basic, the quality of the diving and crew made it a worthwhile experience for advanced divers.
Recommended for
The crew was exceptional—attentive, professional, and always prepared. They managed dive equipment efficiently and ensured smooth operations before every dive.. Meals were generally good, with mostly vegan options, though some dishes contained hidden egg.. The dive sites were well-selected, offering something for all levels. The marine life was abundant, with vibrant corals and minimal underwater litter. Highlights included Richelieu Rock for its biodiversity and the Similan Islands for stunning coral landscapes..
13 Dec, 2024

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

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

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