
Similan Islands diving day trip
Join a Similan Islands diving day trip on the MV Stingray. The Similan Islands, an archipelago located off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, are a diver’s paradise. Known for their crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking coral reefs, the Similan Islands offer some of the best diving experiences in the world. One of the most popular ways to explore these underwater wonders is through a diving day trip on the MV Stingray, a spacious dive deck boat designed for comfort and convenience.
Why Choose the MV Stingray for Your Similan Islands Diving Adventure?
The MV Stingray is renowned for its spacious dive deck and excellent facilities, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced divers. Here’s why the MV Stingray stands out:
- Spacious Dive Deck: The MV Stingray features a large dive deck that provides ample space for divers to prepare and gear up comfortably. The deck is well-organized with designated areas for equipment, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
- Comfortable Amenities: Onboard the MV Stingray, you’ll find comfortable seating areas, shaded spots, and a sundeck where you can relax between dives. The boat is equipped with modern amenities to ensure a pleasant journey.
- Experienced Crew: The MV Stingray’s crew consists of professional dive guides and instructors who are passionate about diving. They have extensive knowledge of the Similan Islands’ dive sites and marine life, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Top-Notch Equipment: The boat is equipped with high-quality diving gear, including tanks, weights, and wetsuits. Whether you bring your own equipment or rent from the boat, you can be assured of excellent quality.
- Delicious Meals: Diving can be energy-intensive, and the MV Stingray ensures you stay fueled with delicious meals and snacks. Enjoy a variety of Thai and Western cuisine prepared fresh onboard.
Dive Sites You’ll Explore on the MV Stingray
A diving day trip on the MV Stingray typically includes visits to some of the most famous dive sites in the Similan Islands and National park and Richelieu rock. Here are a few highlights:
- Elephant Head Rock: Known for its unique rock formations that resemble an elephant’s head, this dive site offers thrilling swim-throughs and tunnels. Divers can spot an array of marine life, including reef sharks, moray eels, and vibrant coral gardens.
- North Point: This site features stunning underwater topography with large boulders and coral-covered pinnacles. It’s a great spot to see schools of fusiliers, barracudas, and occasional sightings of manta rays.
- Koh Bon: A diver’s paradise, is renowned for its dramatic underwater cliffs and vibrant coral reefs. This stunning site offers the thrilling experience of swimming alongside majestic manta rays, making it an essential stop for any diving enthusiast.
- Koh Tachai: a diver’s gem, features pristine coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life. This spectacular site is famous for its encounters with whale sharks and manta rays, offering an unforgettable underwater adventure for diving enthusiasts of all levels. But there can be currents.
- Richelieu rock: A world-famous dive site in Thailand, boasts vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life, and frequent sightings of whale sharks. This underwater pinnacle is a must-visit for divers seeking an unforgettable and rich marine experience.
The Diving Experience on the MV Stingray
A typical Similan Islands diving day trip starts early in the morning. You’ll be pick up from your accommodation in Khao Lak and travel to the Tab Lamub Pier.
After a safety briefing the fast speedboat will bring you to the MV Stingray. and equipment check, the boat sets sail towards the Similan Islands. The journey offers stunning views of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding islands.
First Dive: The first dive of the day is usually around 10.30 AM. The dive guides provide detailed briefings, ensuring everyone knows what to expect and highlighting points of interest.
Surface Interval and lunch: Between dives, divers can relax on the boat, enjoy the lunch, and take in the beautiful scenery. The crew is always on hand to answer questions and share interesting facts about the Similan Islands and surrounding dive sites and their marine ecosystems.
Second Dive: The second dive is usally around 13.00 PM. The dive guides lead the group, pointing out interesting creatures and ensuring everyone stays safe. It’s a chance to capture those last memorable moments and make the most of the diving experience.
Return Journey: As the speedboat heads back to the mainland, divers can relax, review their dive logs, and enjoy the sunset over the Andaman Sea. The crew ensures everyone has had a fantastic day and provides assistance with equipment disassembly and packing.
Planning Your Diving Day Trip on the MV Stingray
When planning your Similan Islands diving day trip on the MV Stingray, there are a few key points to consider:
- Booking in Advance: The Similan Islands are a popular diving destination and the daily amount of park entrance tickets are limited, and trips on the MV Stingray can fill up quickly. It’s advisable to book your trip well in advance to secure your spot.
- Dive Certification: Ensure you have the appropriate dive certification for the sites you wish to explore.
- Travel Insurance: It’s important to have travel insurance that covers diving activities. This ensures you’re protected in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
- Health and Fitness: Diving can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to be in good health and fitness. Ensure you’re well-rested and hydrated before your trip.
- Packing Essentials: Bring along essentials such as reef friendly sunscreen, a hat, a swimsuit, and a towel. If you have your own dive gear, ensure it’s in good condition and packed securely.
Conclusion
A Similan Islands diving day trip on the MV Stingray offers an unforgettable adventure filled with spectacular underwater sights and incredible marine life. The spacious dive deck, experienced crew, and top-notch amenities make the MV Stingray an excellent choice for exploring this world-renowned diving destination. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, the Similan Islands national park and Richelieu rock promise an experience like no other. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore vibrant coral reefs, and create memories that will last a lifetime on your MV Stingray diving day trip.`
- Diving day trip from Khao Lak
- 2 Dives
- Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu rock
- Max 4 divers with 1 professional guide
- Nitrox available
- Best price guarantee
- Book with local diving experts
ITINERARY
Itinerary
Pick up from your accommodation in Khao Lak.
At 9.00 AM the fast speedboat Orca 2 leaves to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak jetty. The travel time is around 2 hours.
The friendly and experienced crew welcome you onboard on the comfortable dive boat. The boat master gives a short boat briefing before you enjoy a nice coffee and a European breakfast.
Dive groups
Dive groups are based on certification level and dive experience. In this way everybody will feel themselves comfortable: from novice open water diver to the more experienced diver. The ratio is 4 divers to 1 Dive Master. Each Dive Master gives a detailed dive briefing to his group and helps you with setting up your diving gear.
Plunge into the crystal clear water and enjoy the incredible marine wildlife. Dive time 45-60 minutes.
Surface interval
Back onboard a fresh made delicious Thai and Western style lunch is served. In the meantime, the boat heads to the next dive site. During the surface interval there is plenty of time to relax or to sunbathe on the spacious sundeck.
Arriving at the second dive side, your Dive Master gives a detailed dive briefing and will help you with gearing up.
Plunge back into the water and get the experience of world-class diving.
Relaxing after the dives
After the last dive snacks and fresh fruit are served. Orca 2 starts returning back to Khao Lak. This will give you enough time to fill in your logbook, exchange experiences, enjoy the scenery and have a drink The arrival time is around 17.00 PM . A taxi is waiting to bring you back to your accommodation in Khao Lak.
Schedule can be changed due weather, sea conditions, instructions by the national park authorities.
SCHEDULE OCTOBER 2025 - MAY 2026
| Day | Dive 1 | Dive 2 |
| Monday | Koh Bon | Koh Bon |
| Tuesday | Richelieu rock | Richelieu rock |
| Wednesday | Koh Tachai | Koh Tachai |
| Thursday | Similan Island 7 | Similan Island 8 |
| Friday | Similan Island 8 Elephant head rock | Similan Island 9 |
| Saturday | Similan Island 5 | Similan Island 6 |
| Sunday | Similan Island 8 | Similan Island 9 |
PRICES
Divers
Similan islands day trip 2 dives : 5.600.- Baht
Koh Bon or Koh Tachai day trip 2 dives : 5.800.- Baht
Richelieu rock day trip 2 dives : 6.000.- Baht
Snorkelers ( Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday ): 3.600.- Baht
Excluded from the price are :
- National park entrance fees divers: 700.- Baht
- Natinal park fees snorkelers: 500.- Baht
- Full set of diving equipment : 500.- Baht per day
- 15 Liter tank : 150.- Baht per dive
- Nitrox 32 % : 250.- Baht per dive
- Dive computer : 400.- Baht per day
Included in the price are :
- Experienced dive guides and instructors
- Small dive groups of 4 divers to 1 dive guide
- Breakfast, lunch, fruits and snacks
- Drinking water, tea and coffee
- Towels
- Transfers for the Khao Lak area


