Recommendations for longer Thailand Liveaboard

[shamfish]

I'm in the initial stages of planning a liveaboard to Thailand and my mind is scrambled with options. I'm looking for at least a week-long liveaboard and up to 10 days. I've been through most websites online, but I'm not sure who to trust since anyone can look good on a website. I read some posts about the Agressor Fleet not being up to par, and some of the previously recommended liveaboards are only 4 days. Can anyone recommend one for a single diver, budget range? I don't need bells and whistles, but I need it to be safe and reputable.

 

[Quero]

Aggressor is only beginning operations in March, and that's nearing the end of the season. Their trip is going to be a week going north to the Similans/Surins and a week going south to Hin Daeng. It's possible to do either or both trips.

There are some boats offering 6-day trips going north or divided between north and south. It might be possible to get a six-day trip north and then a two day trip south, but that would depend on schedules, and it might not be the same boat/operator for both trips.

You've already discovered one thing, though--the budget boats tend to be 4 days. The ones that offer longer trips are more upscale options. My advice would be to look for a mid-priced boat and try to get some dates that allow you to combine a trip north and a trip south.

 

[ayeshacantrell]

Flying Seahorse leave from Koh Lanta and offer a 7 day trip - southern dive sites around Lanta and PP and then up to the Similans and Surins. Its more in the budget range.

 

[Scuba Cat Diving]

Scuba Cta have a 7 day and night trip to in a budget range. Max 12 divers, tour leader been working there for 7 years.
Its 3 days South to Hin Daeng, Muang, Koh Haa and Phi Phi and then 4 days north to Similan, Koh Bon, Tachai and Richelieu.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, I would second the latter suggestion for Scuba Adventure, good value for money this season and on the 7 days trips a nice diversity in divesites.

In addition, longer than the standard 4 days with a 5 day trip but also excellent value, would be Oktavia. That would be to Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, and is more of a budget boat albeit more comfortable than the standard budget boat

 

[stevenhb]

Greetings,
I know a company that offers unlimited days on the liveaboard and they are one of the cheapest if not the cheapest in Phuket and very safe+ reliable too .
send me an email with more details if you are interested.

Regards,
Steve (stevenhb@hotmail.com)

 

[Quero]

Greetings,
I know a company that offers unlimited days on the liveaboard ....<snip>

There are actually several of these, but they are typically what I call "flexible stay" boats, meaning that people can come and go every day. This also allows them to take daytrippers. The result with boats like this is sometimes really a lot of divers using the boat every day when you add the sleep-aboard customers and the daytrippers together. I use these boats, but I generally recommend them for people whose schedule doesn't allow for a standard trip with all customers aboard for the entire trip. I find these standard trips more enjoyable all around.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, agree with Quero.

On top of that, pricewise there are boats that offer better value for money than the 'unlimited days boats'.