About this tour
When Charlie from our team booked this 2-day, 1-night live-aboard with MV Koon, we were after proper dive time in the Similan Islands without the day-trip rush. You get four dives across stellar sites — East of Eden, Deep Six, Christmas Point, and others — plus a night dive to see nocturnal reef action. The boat's comfortable enough, meals are solid (seafood lunch, Thai BBQ dinner, fresh fruit between dives), and the crew speaks English. It's north of Phuket, closed May to mid-October, and suits certified divers from beginners up. Solo travellers, couples, and groups all mix well on the boat.
Highlights
- Four quality dives plus a night dive across Similan's best reefs
- Night dive reveals creatures you won't see in daylight
- Sleep and eat aboard MV Koon — no commuting from shore
- Thai BBQ dinner on deck under stars
- Morning snorkel before afternoon diving starts
- Sail Rock viewpoint for landscape photos
- English-speaking dive leader and guide included
- Insurance up to 1 million baht built into the fee
What to expect
The first morning is snorkel-only with other guests, which lets you ease into the rhythm before dives start in the afternoon. Once underwater, the reefs are genuinely healthy — you'll spot coral formations and fish schools that justify the trip's reputation. The night dive is genuinely eerie and brilliant; the torch picks out nocturnal critters behaving differently than daytime. Between dives, the boat is your base: crew brings out fresh fruit, drinks, and banter with other divers. Meals are hearty Thai fare rather than fancy, which works fine when you're tired and hungry.
Weather dictates everything here. The itinerary can shift depending on sea state and wind, so flexibility is essential. The boat rocks a bit overnight — not everyone sleeps deeply — and the heads (toilets) are compact. The Similan Islands close for conservation May 16 to mid-October, so plan accordingly. Most dives are intermediate level, though the crew caters to newer Open Water cert holders if you're honest about your experience.
What travellers say
- Four dives plus night dive in one trip — real immersion
- All-inclusive meals and transfers from Phuket eliminate logistics
- Live-aboard beats commuting; better for dive quality and rest
- Crew English-speaking and safety-conscious
- Similan reefs genuinely healthy and biodiverse
- Insurance up to 1 million baht included
- Boat rocks overnight — not ideal for poor sleepers
- National Park fees and dive computer rental extra
- Weather can reshuffle itinerary without notice
- Strict health exclusions; not for pregnant or spinal injury sufferers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Four solid dives plus night experience, all meals and transfers included, boat feels less crowded than shore-based ops, and crew professionalism is solid. Couples and solo divers both have a good time. It's worth the outlay if you have at least Open Water certification and can handle a moderate swell.
The boat rocks overnight — seasickness is real, so bring tablets if prone. National Park fees (400 baht per adult) aren't included, nor are alcoholic drinks. Dive computer rental costs extra (500 baht). Single cabins are pricey (1,500 baht surcharge per night). You can't fly for 18 hours after diving, so plan your departure carefully. Health exclusions are strict: no spinal injuries, pregnancy, poor cardiovascular fitness, breathing issues, or bone surgery in the past six months. Minimum age is 15 for diving, and you need Open Water cert.
Bring seasickness tablets, sunscreen, and a wetsuit (water's warm but sun exposure is intense). Round-trip Phuket transfers are included. Groups are mixed nationalities. Peak season is November to April; book ahead.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.