Thailand liveaboard trips to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock

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When is the best time to dive Thailand?

The best time to dive Thailand depends on what you want to see.

• Whale sharks and manta rays: February to April.
• Leopard and reef sharks: across the season, November to May.

Overall best: February to April. The Similan and Surin parks are open only from about 15 October to 15 May. This is a realistic chance, never a guarantee.

The Similan and Surin national parks are open from about 15 October to 15 May and closed for the rest of the year, so the liveaboard season runs across those months. The best time for whale sharks and mantas is usually February to April. Water is warm all season at around 28 to 30 C.

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Weather right now in Thailand

Live air, sea, UV and local time at Khao Lak, the main departure port. Actual diving conditions vary by site and season.

What marine life will I see on Thailand liveaboards?

Expect whale sharks, manta rays, leopard sharks, reef sharks, barracuda, seahorses, frogfish and colourful reefs across the North Andaman sites. Richelieu Rock is one of the best single dive sites in Asia for both big animals and macro life.

What are the top Thailand liveaboard routes and dive sites?

Richelieu Rock is a soft coral pinnacle famous for whale sharks and macro. Koh Bon is a reef manta cleaning station. Koh Tachai is a current swept pinnacle with big fish. The Similan Islands themselves offer granite boulders, swim throughs and easy reefs in the Andaman Sea.

Who do Thailand liveaboards suit?

Thailand suits newer divers and those building experience, with plenty of gentle reef dives, though Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock can have current. A good choice for a first liveaboard.

How do I get to a Thailand liveaboard?

Most Thailand liveaboards depart from Khao Lak, north of Phuket, boarding at Tap Lamu pier. Fly into Phuket International Airport, which has direct flights from across Asia and some long haul routes, then transfer to Khao Lak in about an hour. Some boats also leave from Phuket.

Travel warnings and airspace for Thailand diving

Flights to Thailand can cross Middle East airspace. When a real airspace restriction or an airline route suspension affects this route, the live status here shows it with the official source.

Current status: checked continuously against the official airspace source. Open this page with scripts on to see the live result.

See every destination on the travel warnings and airspace page. If a warning could change your plans, read do you need travel insurance for a liveaboard. This is a summary for divers, always check the official advisory and your airline before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for Thailand diving

Check whether your nationality needs a visa or eVisa before arriving for Similan, Surin or Richelieu Rock departures.

Start with the Thailand eVisa, then check the full liveaboard visa requirements checklist for passport validity, transit and operator forms. The exact rule always depends on your own passport and route.

Thailand liveaboard FAQs

Plan your Thailand trip

Compare more destinations and read the season guide: liveaboard deals, Maldives liveaboards, Raja Ampat liveaboards, the Thailand seasonal diving guide. Compare Thailand liveaboards, cheapest first.

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