The Junk, Thailand

Name: 20% Off: Similan & Surin Islands (Thap Lamu - Thap Lamu)
Start: 2026-12-05
End: 2026-12-09
Location: Thailand

9.2 Superb

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

from $ 154 / day Check dates

“I can’t recommend enough this liveaboard: everything was greatly organized, crew extremely kind and professional, dive sites stunn…”
Martina M, Italy

Highlights

Authentic Chinese junk-style vessel
Featured in “007-The Man With the Golden Gun”

The Junk is a historic liveaboard that offers a unique experience, combining the charm of a traditional wooden ship with modern comforts, while taking divers on adventures around the Similan and Surin Islands. The Junk accommodates 18 divers in 6 fully air-conditioned cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower. Choose from private, three-berth, or four-berth cabins to suit your preferences. The boat has a shaded dive deck, personal set-up areas, and the option for Nitrox diving.

This 33-meter authentic wooden sailing vessel has its claim to fame: It has been used in several films, including James Bond’s “The Man With The Golden Gun” and "Swiss Family Robinson."

Enjoy buffet-style meals with fresh local ingredients and warm Thai hospitality. When not diving, unwind in the air-conditioned salon, watch a movie, or explore nearby islands on a kayak. Encounter majestic mantas, playful reef sharks, and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, making each dive an unforgettable experience. The Junk promises a journey filled with unforgettable moments above and below the waterline.

Book your next diving adventure aboard The Junk today.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

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06 Aug

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 620

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14 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

Valid for a limited time only! T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,670~~ $ 1,336 Save 20% -20%

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20 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

Valid for a limited time only! T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,670~~ $ 1,336 Save 20% -20%

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27 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

Valid for a limited time only! T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,115~~ $ 892 Save 20% -20%

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31 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

Valid for a limited time only! T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,670~~ $ 1,336 Save 20% -20%

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07 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,670

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13 Nov

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 1,115

Select Cabin available

18 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,670

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24 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,670

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01 Dec

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 1,115

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05 Dec

5 Days / 4 Nights

Valid for a limited time only.

~~$ 1,115~~ $ 892 Save 20% -20%

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09 Dec

5 Days / 4 Nights

Valid for a limited time only.

~~$ 1,115~~ $ 892 Save 20% -20%

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.

Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (10 USD / night), National Park Fees (35-115 USD).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox (25 USD / day), Nitrox Course (100 USD), Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (50-250 USD), Snorkel Gear.

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.

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Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Kayaks On-Board
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Indoor Saloon
Library
Outdoor Dining
Audio & video entertainment
Available for Charter
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping

Food & Drinks

Al Fresco Dining
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Beer available
Wine Available
Full-board Option
Fine Wines Selection
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
DIN Adaptors
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English.

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: 1962

Year renovated: 1997

Length: 33m

Beam: 8.5m

Top speed: 10 knots

Cruising speed: 8 knots

Engines: 1 x Hino 380Hp

Max guests: 18

Number of cabins: 6

Number of bathrooms: 7

Tenders: 1 x 40 hp 4.20 meters 1 x 115 hp 5.80 meters

Water capacity: 8000 ltr

Fuel capacity: 10000 ltr

Freshwater maker: 6000 ltr/per day

Boat navigation and safety

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

The Junk Reviews

9.2 Superb

Vessel

8.4
Crew

9.7
Food

9.7
Diving

9.1
Value

9.0

10 Exceptional
Gaia S
Italy

Definitely would do it again
Great experience, the staff is upper kind and always available for you to help you in any way, food is amazing, and the dives are always different and special.
Recommended for
Friendliness of the staff. Diving. Good.
17 Mar, 2026

10 Exceptional
Philip W
Sweden

Best diving trip yet.
Great liveaboard, can't recommend it enough.
Recommended for
Friendliness. Food. Company.
29 Mar, 2026

10 Exceptional
Justin G
Italy

Great first dive experience in Thailand
Relaxing week to ring in the New Year. First time diving in Thailand. The guitar shark encounters topped the underwater experiences. Really great divers with similar values and interests.
Recommended for
Guitar shark sightings. Fellow divers. Thai food.
06 Jan, 2025

10 Exceptional
Martina M
Italy

Wonderful experience in the Similan islands
I can’t recommend enough this liveaboard: everything was greatly organized, crew extremely kind and professional, dive sites stunning and mouth watering Thai food also for vegetarian and vegans. The cruise director Brian did an excellent job in coordinating the adventure making sure we were having the best dives while ensuring the safety and fun for everyone.
Recommended for
Incredibly organized in everything. Amazing Thai food for vegetarian. Beautiful dive sites.
20 Dec, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Sabri Z
France

Incredible
The dives are amazing, the team is awesome, the boat is beautiful and comfortable. Everything was perfect
Recommended for
Dives, food, teams
09 Feb, 2024

Translated from French

8.8 Fabulous
Graham P
Australia

Fantastic diving, amazing crew, and great atmosphere!
Our trip on The Junk was unforgettable. From the moment we stepped aboard, the crew made us feel welcome and cared for. The boat was comfortable and full of character, the diving was world-class, and the team’s attention to detail made everything smooth and enjoyable. Between the great food, relaxed atmosphere, and stunning dive sites, it was the perfect mix of adventure and comfort.
Recommended for
The incredible crew — friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate about making every dive special.. Delicious food and drinks — every meal was fresh, beautifully presented, and plentiful.. The dive experience — excellent sites, clear briefings, and guides who made every dive feel effortless and safe..
12 Nov, 2025

10 Exceptional
Lukas Franz C
Italy

Great diving trip with great staff
We had such a wonderful diving experience on The Junk. Thanks to all the lovely staff and Tour Director Marco everything was just perfect. Would go again tomorrow :-) Absolutely recommendable !!
Recommended for
Staff - Location - Boat
19 Dec, 2019

10 Exceptional
Christian H
Germany

Wonderful diving experiences
The group of fellow travelers harmonized great, the accommodation was good and the selection of diving spots was well chosen according to the weather, so that safety was always guaranteed.
Recommended for
Fantastic dive guide. Very pleasant atmosphere. Wonderful food.
08 May, 2025

Translated from German

9.6 Exceptional
Miguel M
Spain

Very rewarding trip
It has been a short but very rewarding life on board. Everything is very well organized, from pick-up and drop-off to the boat and the transfer after the trip is over to the airport or another hotel. The organization is very good, well-structured tempos, snacks and drinks between dives.Spectacular food.All the staff on the boat are super friendly and help at any time.The boat is old but has a lot of charm.The dive sites are well chosen depending on the weather and waves. The dive guides accompany you without pressure. Dives are 60 minutes.We are very happy to have been able to enjoy a few days on this boat and with this crew.
Recommended for
food. personnel. dive.
09 Jul, 2025

Translated from Spanish

9.2 Superb
Chris S
United Kingdom

Superb 👌
Superb diving in the Andaman Sea on this traditional Chinese junk boat, enjoy fantastic food too
Recommended for
Superb diving. Excellent food. Safety culture.
18 Feb, 2026

179 reviews

9.2 Superb
179 Verified Reviews

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10 Exceptional
nolan B
United States

Excellent Liveaboard with Great Diving
Had a great time this past week aboard the Junk, they have a fantastic crew that makes your life easy! You really don’t have to worry about anything besides staying hydrated and enjoying your dives. Crew helps you from the moment you step on the dock, taking all luggage, helping you on and off the boat, refilling tanks between dives, helping you out of wetsuits, getting you in and out of the dingys, they truly make everything easy for you which helps enjoy the diving and the trip even more. The dives themselves are at beautiful sites, with great coral and interesting things to see. We didn’t get the luckiest on seeing “big stuff” on my trip, but macro lovers were thrilled on every dive. None of the dives were difficult, any diver could enjoy them. Highly recommend anyone visiting Phuket dives with the Junk!
Recommended for
Great staff, interesting dive sites, fun times
20 Jan, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Pierre B
France

Great diving experience!
We saw mantas, different kinds of beautiful corals and plenty of fishes. It’s great to be able to dive among all these fauna.
Recommended for
Everything is made to ease the life, quality of food and too many divers to keep a great mood
05 Mar, 2020

8.8 Fabulous
Lene T
Norway

Well organized trip with friendly staff
The diving at Richelieu Rock was amazing. Have been there twice before but the guide and the dive planning were this time at a more professional level. All services were excellent from all staff members. They remembered how you wanted your coffee, what you needed of help for gearing up, all small thing that made life on the boat easier.
Recommended for
The food was excellent and plenty, the boat was spacious, the staff was very professional.
14 Jan, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
Yann B
France

A very friendly first liveaboard experience on a characterful boat + great dives
- Great boat crew, from Jonathan's briefings (detailed and funny), to attentive instructors (Brian and Jerome), to the boat captain + dinghy drivers + boat hands + Nitrox engineer + cook & cleaning crew - Great dive team and divers on board - Good balance of organisation pre & post dive + guiding us during dives (if wanted) and letting us enjoy the scenery / schools etc - Dives: Best were the 4 dives on Richelieu Rock - all with a different blend of ingredients - New things: watching gobies and shrimps working together; being "absorbed" by a school of yellow baracudas / fusiliers / etc; being a spectator to various amorous behaviours among fish, especially the large baracudas. - Nice hike up to rocks on Similan 9
Recommended for
1) great people 2) great dives 3) Professionally run with humour
08 Mar, 2017

9.6 Exceptional
Anthony D
France

First cruise, an unforgettable experience.
The dives and sharing the experiences in the evening with the other divers around one, as well as enjoying the boat between each dive.
Recommended for
The boat, the meals, the manta rays!
28 Dec, 2018

10 Exceptional
Nuno Ricardo G
Portugal

Great time on the Junk Liveaboard
Great Liveaboard on the Junk. The boat is amazing and the staff also. The diving was well planned. The best thing i think was the food. Congrats to the Cook Lady because her food was Michelin Star quality. I had a great time.
Recommended for
Great staff. Great food. Safety first always.
24 Jul, 2025

10 Exceptional
Le Z
China

Great experience
First time liveaboard. Has to say it was even better than I expected. Everyone on the boat was very friendly, the staff were helpful and had prepared everything. They claimed that they had the best food among all the boats in Thailand, which can be true. Thanks to the cute chef we had tons of yummy food in between all the dives. Dive masters are very professional and made dives quite smooth. Basically they did all the things for us so all we had to do is enjoying the trip. I do recommend the boat even though the submarine world was not so colorful due to the warm water during the low season. I believe there would be a much more beautiful world waiting to be explored during the high season.
Recommended for
Food. Friendly staff. Boat.
18 Aug, 2025

8.4 Very good
Mariano S
Argentina

Beautiful diving experience!
Very good service on board, the crew has an excellent predisposition to help in whatever is necessary throughout the trip. Diving instructors are also very willing to make good investments. The service on board is very good. And the beautiful boat
Recommended for
The crew, the food, the dives
15 Nov, 2022

10 Exceptional
Nguk Chiu N
Singapore

A Fantastic First Liveaboard Journey to the Similan and Surin Islands
This was my very first liveaboard trip and also my first time exploring the Andaman Sea, including the breathtaking Similan and Surin Islands. The entire experience was truly fantastic, thanks to the amazing crew who made everything smooth and enjoyable. The crew were incredibly attentive and helpful, assisting with every dive—from setting up equipment to guiding the descent and ascent, and doing it all over again with patience and care. All equipment was organized neatly in properly allocated spaces, which made everything feel safe and well-managed, something I really appreciated. The food on board was delicious and perfect for refueling after each dive. It truly felt like the classic “dive, eat, sleep, repeat” lifestyle—simple, fulfilling, and unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this liveaboard to others, and I sincerely hope to return again for more diving adventures!
Recommended for
Crew. Diving. Food.
24 Nov, 2025

8.0 Very good
Marco C
United Kingdom

Amazing boat and Crew
Let me start by saying that the Crew are absolutely amazing, very helpful with the equipment, helping me without being asked and always smiling and happy. The food was superb and varied and plentiful and a great touch was a different drink handed to you with a smile as soon as you got back into the boat from your dive.. I had the pleasure to have Chock as my dive guide and he was great !! - professional, very personable, very helpful and knowledgeable and an all round a really nice guy who clearly loves what he does. Thankyou Chock for helping me with my fins every dive and for all the videos. The cabins perhaps are not 5* luxury but it’s a dive boat with a lot of character and history and all you do is sleep in the room, so it’s still perfect.. Boat has 2 ribs that are used to pick is divers up from where we surface and take us back to the boat so minimal effort form end of dive to being back on the boat. . So I think to summarise, with such an amazing crew, you can’t go wrong and would 100% recommend a liveaboard on the Junk! 10/10.
Recommended for
The Crew, The food, the beautiful dive sites.. Did I mention the Crew..
02 Mar, 2024

9.2 Superb
Antonio L
Spain

A fabulous trip!!
How friendly the whole crew was
Recommended for
The crew, the organization and the treatment they gave me.
03 Apr, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
John M
United Kingdom

Amazing diving, on an amazing boat with an amazing crew
The in-depth knowledge and wonderful dive briefings and dive leadership of Jonathan, the Boatmaster, made the whole trip much more enjoyable than it than it would otherwise have been. Even without that though the trip would have been incredible visiting some great dive sites across the Andeman Sea, but the absolute highlight was the four dives at Richelieu Rock, and the frequent sightings of Whale Sharks there. Another highlight of the diving for me was seeing and photographing a seahorse at 30m. I think Jonathan knew where he lived and led us straight to him! The Junk itself is a unique vessel with a fascinating history, and just being on board was a huge privilege. The kitchen team were fantastic, and kept producing a never ending variety of amazing food with great flavours from authentic Thai and European recipes. I can't complete this review without complimenting the whole crew on their friendliness, efficiency and professionalism. from the boat crews helping us in and out of the ribs, to the super reliable engineer in charge of managing and refilling the cylinders, and the lovely smiling lady offering refreshing juices after each dive. All of this made for a diving holiday that will be hard to beat.
Recommended for
The boat itself, the whole crew, the dive locations.
30 Apr, 2018

9.6 Exceptional
Matina P
Greece

I would definitely do it again!
The great food onboard
Recommended for
The boat, the dive spots, the crew
27 Dec, 2017

10 Exceptional
Kara M
United States

Absolutely perfect
It was a perfect vacation. The cabins are comfortable, the boat was beautiful, the food was authentic and delicious. It was the crew that made the experience perfect. Everyone was kind, professional, enthusiastic. You can tell they enjoy and take pride in their work. They want to share these dive sites and make the trip a positive and enjoyable one. No amount of atmosphere can make up for what a dedicated and invested staff brings to the experience and they are what made my vacation so wonderful. I am so very grateful for them
Recommended for
The crew, the food, the dive sites
28 Mar, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Craig H
United Kingdom

Decent first trip to Similan Islands, though not optimum time of year re visibility and waves
Even though visibility conditions and waves didn't make for best diving, still nice highlights in marine animals seen - banded sea crait, guitar shark, corals etc. Organization and schedule were well managed, food was great. Although giving some limitations accessing dive sites due to waves as not a custom built dive boat and weren't able to have sails up, boat still added character to the trip.
Recommended for
Quality of the food, friendliness of staff and dive crew, still highlights even with limitations in diving
11 Jan, 2022

10 Exceptional
Tomaz J
Slovenia

Exceptional diving trip
When browsing several other reviews of The Junk, it seems it's all about great food on this liveaboard. Don't get me wrong, food on this board is truly exceptional and by far the best in Thailand ever - so hard to resist and impossible to skip seconds!! But nevertheless, this trip is so much more than just the great food. The boat itself is a great wooden junk-boat, with all fixtures and areas needed for a great diving trip - truly built by divers for divers. It has a great charm, with interesting history and every inch is well thought of and put into use. Safety of guests and crew is top priority throughout the trip, which allows for a peacefull and relaxing trip. As said before, this trip is not all about food, but it is about great diving, with knowledgeable and experienced divers, exceptionally friendly crew and most attentive tour guide Marco. Every smallest detail is taken care of, so that divers have the best possible experience. If this means to change the diving itinerary a little bit, then Marco and his crew will not hesitate a bit to go the extra mile in order to deliver the best diving experience under given circumstances. Of course, all other crew members from cooks to housekeeping, dinghy drivers, air-blender and the captain …. are all exceptionally friendly poeple, who truly deliver 10-stars service! I also loved the size of the boat, which can cater only a small group of guests and staff and this assures that you are not diving as a guest but rather a family and crew member! In short: truly unforgettable trip and I'll be diving with the Junk again - for sure!
Recommended for
Most friendly crew ever, great dive guides, unbelievable service and experience
25 Mar, 2020

9.2 Superb
Ha-Na L
South Korea

Valuable experience
The food provided was so delicious, and the scenery viewed from the boat was absolutely enchanting. The crew were all kind, and everything was managed in a well-organized and systematic way, which made it very comfortable.
Recommended for
Scenery. Food and drinks. Crew friendliness.
21 Aug, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Henrik R
Denmark

Great experience
Perfect
Recommended for
Mantas, great crew & excellent diving
16 Jan, 2016

9.6 Exceptional
Sylvie H
France

Magical despite the average conditions, so it's mandatory to do it again during the summer season
Every moment spent in the boat was exceptional. It was my first dive cruise, and I'm glad I chose the Junk.Thank you all
Recommended for
. The exceptional meals, the crew and of course the dives
28 May, 2019

8.4 Very good
Pelle H
Sweden

A great time on a chaming boat
A food trip with diving between meals? Jokes aside, the diving here is fantastic, absolutely world-class. But so is life on board between dives. The Junk is a charming old ship far from a modern luxury hotel but it works and not least the kitchen. You are spoiled from the moment you step aboard, good food, good variety, a bit adapted to us Westerners but they also offer genuine Thai food. The diving is really great, even though the weather this time did not allow us to go everywhere. My dive guide was Jay and he really showed the way, without him I would not have even seen half of everything down there below the surface. It felt safe, secure and professional in every situation. A compliment also to the tour guide Brian who really showed that he had the situation under control. Take a trip with The Junk. You will love it.
Recommended for
Dive dive guides. The food. The charm of the boat.
01 Feb, 2025