The Phinisi, Thailand
- from US$ 170 / day
- 9.0 Superb
- 39 Verified Reviews 39 Verified Reviews
- Nitrox available Flexible Booking
The Phinisi, officially known as ‘Cheng I Sao’ is the sister boat to The Junk and offers fantastic dive itineraries in Thailand and Myanmar from November - May each year. Four different itineraries are on offer, varying from 4 to 10-nights in length. The Phinisi was custom built for divers, and the facilities reflect that. There is a shaded diving deck, personal set-up and storage area, as well as nitrox and quality Aqualung equipment available to rent. An SMB is also offered for use during the trip free of charge. Various itineraries are available in Thailand which explores the clear blue waters of the Similan Islands. Dive sites visited include Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. The Phinisi also visits some of the best dive areas in Myanmar, including Black Rock, High Rock, Tower Rock and Torres Island.
Topside the Phinisi liveaboard caters to 18 guests in a choice of cabins to suit different budgets. Each cabin features individually controlled AC, ensuite bathrooms with hot water, bath towels, storage space and lockable safety box. Social areas include a sundeck with loungers, indoor and outdoor dining, 42" flat screen TV and a library of books, movies and games. All meals are served buffet style and self-service drinks and snacks are available at an additional charge.
The experienced captain, crew and dive guides of The Phinisi are on hand to help make it a memorable trip. Call us or book online today to reserve your space.
Choose your departure date
Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.
Required Extras: National Park Fees (50-350 USD per trip), Port Fees (50-350 USD per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages (2.50-3.75 USD), Nitrox (25 USD per day), Nitrox Course (100 USD), Rental Gear (25 USD per day), Scuba Diving Courses (200-250 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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Boat features
Food & Drinks
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
The crew speaks English.
Gear Rental
There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.
Boat Specifications
- Year built 2007
- Length 34 m
- Cruising speed 8 knots
- Engines 1x 380 hP
- Max guests 18
- Number of cabins 7
- Number of bathrooms 7
- Tenders 2
Boat Navigation and Safety
The Phinisi Reviews
- 9.0 Superb
- 39 Verified Reviews
- Vessel 8.5
- Crew 9.2
- Food 9.6
- Diving 8.9
- Value 9.0
- 10 Exceptional
- Ian F
United Kingdom
A wonderful way to spend Xmas and New Year
We were made to feel at home right away. Super experienced and friendly dive director and DM's made diving a relaxed and fun experience. Crew were amazing - every need catered for with a smile. Some truly world-class dive sites.
- Recommended for
- Brilliant Dive Crew and boat staff,Comfortable Boat,Great dive sites
- 8.4 Very good
- dawn M
- United Kingdom
Brilliant
Great boat,Great food you never went Hungary and all the staff went above and beyond to help with any problems we had. Gòd hob will highly recommend.
- Recommended for
- Variety food staff
- 9.2 Superb
- Christine J
United States
Easiest to spot at every site!
The entire boat, crew and guests were super friendly and made the trip better. It was easy to sit and talk to anyone/everyone. The islands and sunsets were very photogenic. The only bummers were visibility (lots of plankton) and some strong currents but that means big pelagics, so it wasn't much of a bummer. I would definitely recommend The Phinisi (or Siren fleet) based on this trip.
- Recommended for
- 1. The crew, both dive and boat were so helpful. When I had equipment problems they fixed them very quickly or swapped in rental gear. 2. The food! Si (the chef) made sure the vegetarians and celiacs had special food without compromising on quality or diversity. 3. The variety of underwater life! Mantas, whalesharks, turtles, sting rays, octopuses, reef sharks, all the triggerfish and so much more.
- 9.2 Superb
- Chris W
- United States
A fantastic week aboard a great boat
The crew, dive guides and other divers are what made this trip enjoyable. The Andaman sea is not abundant with macro life, so the diving was not my favorite but that being said, we had a fantastic trip. The boat and crew made it very fun.
- Recommended for
- We saw mantas and a whale shark. The crew was very friendly and helpful. The boat was very comfortable and the food was delicious!!
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Adam B
- United States
Trip of a lifetime!
Manta rays! The crew was fantastic and bent over backwards to help out in any way they could. The food was plentiful and amazing. Beautiful boat!
- Recommended for
- The crew, the food, the diving
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Stuart O
- United States
Amazing and tons of diving. The food was spectacular!
The staff and people were amazing and the food far exceeded my expectations.
- Recommended for
- People, diving, food
- 7.6 Good
- Huseyin A
Turkey
Myanmar diving on Phinisi
Myanmar or Thailand is not a prime dive destination, in my opinion. Most often visibility is poor, reefs are not great. However, sightings of quitar and bamboo sharks were good. This trip with land-based excursions complemented is worthwhile.
- Recommended for
- Crew, food, dive preparetions
- 9.2 Superb
- Robert W
- United Kingdom
Awesome
Amazing boat crew with faultless service and great diving.
- Recommended for
- Dive crew, Dive sites, The boat
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Karly S
- United States
Once in a lifetime experience
Highlights included: • New certifications • Beautiful scenery • Fun crew • Very knowledgeable divemasters • New friendships • Felt taken care of and safe • Amazing and abundant food
- Recommended for
- The entire crew was amazing, the dive sites were spectacular, and we had a fantastic group of divers!
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Gustaaf B
Netherlands
My first liveaboard trip. I had a wonderful experience.
Richelieu diving site.
- Recommended for
- The crew. The ship. Richelieu diving site.
- 8.0 Very good
- Eli R
- United States
Great diving, good to have nitrox!
Great sites but skip Phuket area.
- Recommended for
- Diving, variety of dive sites, trip leader
- 8.0 Very good
- Steven T
Australia
Great diving and good information given from all on board particularly cruise director.
Unexpected manta sightings out of season.
- Recommended for
- Diving, boat crew and boat.
- 9.6 Exceptional
- David R
Canada
Excellent Dive Experience In The Andaman Sea
I had a great experience during my 7 day liveaboard on the Phinisi. The dive sites were fantastic, if a bit crowded with divers from other boats. The Phinisi carries a relatively small number of divers, but some of the competing companies bring a lot of divers so it can get crowded. Our cruise director was good at avoiding the worst of the crowds. The reef life was fantastic. We had bad luck and didn't see any big pelagics, but that's uncontrollable. The dive instructors and dive masters were excellent. I enjoyed the food, a mix of Thai and western, it was tasty and there was more than enough. Overall the Phinishi made a good dive boat with all the necessary facilities. My one minor complaint - sharing 4 to a cabin wasn't the most comfortable, but we made it work.
- Recommended for
- Coral Reef Life
- 8.4 Very good
- Angela W
China
Enjoyed A Happy Week in The Phinisi
It was a happy and safe trip with this beautiful boat. We had total 5 DMs for 15 divers, each group being small and efficient.
- Recommended for
- Helpful crew members, well-organized daily activities, and efficient dive groups.
- 8.0 Very good
- jenny V
Norway
Perfect holiday
Everything
- Recommended for
- The crew, boat and the food
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Zbigniew L
Poland
I am diver for many years.
I can't distinguish antything on this journey.
- Recommended for
- Food, Crew, manager of boat - Darren King
- 10 Exceptional
- Irina O
- Norway
Best experiences
This is one of my best experiences in my life. The boat was amazing. Cabins clean and very comfortable. Food was amazing, good mix between western and Thai food. Although we didn’t see any big fishes the diving was amazing. To do my AOW here was the best choice I’ve ever made. And all honor to my dive instructor, Ping. He made it so easy to complete my course, thank you. I’ll definitely come back sometime and will recommend this to all my dive buddy’s!
- Recommended for
- Food, dive sites, Ping
- 10 Exceptional
- Adrian H
- United Kingdom
Look no further! This was one of the best diving experiences i've had to date.
Apart from the lucky visit by a 5m Manta Ray. Everything about this trip was perfect. I had planned to lose a bit of weight, However the food laid on was too good not to have seconds :). Super friendly crew and a very chilled and relaxed atmosphere all over the very spacious boat. Can't wait to return again to the Phinisi.
- Recommended for
- The dive sites were incredible, Pre dive briefings full of content. Boat comfort and crew was brilliant.
- 8.0 Very good
- Petter Kvinge T
- Norway
Great boat and staff.
Turtles and sharks
- Recommended for
- Boat, staff and diving
- 8.0 Very good
- Petter Kvinge T
- Norway
Great boat, good diving
Schools of baracuda!
- Recommended for
- Friendly crew, good diving, nice boat
- 8.8 Fabulous
- BAEKYUN K
South Korea
Friendly crew likes liveaborad
Whale shark feeding and Jack Fish Barracuda's schooling
- Recommended for
- Friendly crew, diving system, diving point
- 9.2 Superb
- eunjin S
- South Korea
what a beautiful trip it is..^^!!!!!!
There were so many baracudas.... fish.. and beautiful creatures...^^!!! poeple on the board were very kind and attractive.. there crews are my good friends now^^
- Recommended for
- people, food, sea
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Thomas S
Germany
If you want to be sure that none of the other boats around you in the Similan Islands looks more spectacular and has a better crew, spend your week's diving on the Phinisi! Simply brilliant and I woul
My personal highlight, which showed the great level of organization and 'caring' of the owning company of the Phinisi, was when my entire dive equipment and luggage, which had been lost by the airline on the flight to Phuket, was handed over to me by the crew of the sister ship 60 offshore in the Andaman Sea. Unparalleled Service!
- Recommended for
- Excellent dive briefings and dive guides. Well-airconditioned cabins. A very versatile itinerary with a huge range of dive sites.
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Alexandre R
Switzerland
A wonderful break
Turtles and wonderful dive sites. The stay onboard was also great with less divers than capacity and therefore made the cruise something special, privileged.
- Recommended for
- Dives, crew, boat
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Petra D
- Germany
Best liveaboard i ever experienced.
Guides who know what they do. Dive with a whaleshark for 35 minutes. Dolphins swimming with the boat.
- Recommended for
- the crew, the boat, the dives
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Bokrye C
- South Korea
Comfortable diving trip
Staffs were very nice and kind. Feel like home. Facilities and systems are convenient. Foods are great.
- Recommended for
- Staffs Foods Diving orgarnization
- 10 Exceptional
- Grant G
- United States
Best decision ever!
Amazing warm water and dives, 3-4 dives/day was amazing, diving on lockdown (totally organized, very little wait time to get in the water) :)
- Recommended for
- Friendly and knowledgeable crew/dive masters, food, atmosphere on the dives/boat
- 9.2 Superb
- Hyein C
- South Korea
I'll try once again!
The first liveaboard in my life. It was not too long and not too short, 5 days and 4 nights. Storm was coming but we didn't worry about that, because of the stable crew and dive masters. I just really recommend this if you are on your first trip. Above all Sai's cooking will block sea sickness, I swear.
- Recommended for
- Friendly crew, fantastic food, safety check
- 10 Exceptional
- Amber G
- United States
The liveaboard of a lifetime.
This boat and its staff brought together a fantastic group of human beings with whom to spend a week diving. The accommodations and the gear were all top notch. During my time on board, I completed my advanced certification with Jonathan, who is an incredible mentor and cruise director. Also important, the staff and crew on The Phinisi are incredibly respectful of marine life and observant of the national park regulations. Highly recommend.
- Recommended for
- Staff, food, diving
- 10 Exceptional
- Alexander T
- United Kingdom
Fantastic Trip
The whole trip was excellent. The crew were very knowledgeable and always happy to help. The food was perfect and the dive equipment and guides were top quality
- Recommended for
- Crew, food, equipment
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Arthur A
- Canada
Awesome diving, on a beautiful boat with a wonderful crew
Just back from an amazing 7D/6N dive trip aboard the Phinisi, visiting the Similan and Surin islands with my dive buddy. The best dive site (by far!!) was Richelieu Rock. We dove there four times, and I would have been happy to have just dived that site over and over. Our dive guide was Amelie, and she made sure to always find something cool and obscure on each dive. The rental gear was brand-spanking new, and so was pretty much everything else on this newly renovated boat. The boat is beautifully appointed, and we lacked for nothing. My buddy and I felt like kings, lavishly attended to do by the entire crew throughout our trip; from delicious and bountiful meals to assistance getting in and out of our dive gear. Deano’s dive briefings were entertaining and amazingly accurate. The whole team oozed experience and I highly recommend this boat, crew, and itinerary to anyone seeking to eat, sleep, dive, repeat :)
- Recommended for
- Richelieu Rock, Fun & Friendly people, impressive boat
