Similan/Richelieu liveaboard for under $500

[23Greg23]

I know "Similan liveaboards" is a well-worn subject, but after loads of searching on this site and the web in general I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for, so maybe you could help.

I had decided to book a 4 day/4 night dive to Similan/Richelieu with Sea Dragon Dive Center in Khao Lak, but they don't have the dates that work best for me. (I would like 2/19-2/23, but they only have available dates on either side of that.)

I am still tempted to go with Sea Dragon even though they do not have my "perfect" dates.

Here is what I like about Sea Dragon in order of importance:
1) I have heard only good reports about them and my personal correspondence with them has been positive. They seem safe and concientious and divers seem to have a good time with them.
2) They are within my budget. I have budgeted about $1,000 for my wife and I to dive the Similans/Richelieu.
3) 4 days/4 nights seems like a good amount of time to do those dives. 3 days/nights seems like too little time. I would certainly love to go longer than 4 days if it was within our budget.
4) They depart from Khao Lak rather than Phuket. I like this because Khao Lak is closer to the Similans and because Khao Lak is more laid back than Phuket.

I have looked at the boats that Sunrise Divers books and the Dolphin Queen looks nice and Sunrise seems to have a good reputation, but again I would rather depart from Khao Lak.

I have also looked at the Jonathan Cruiser out of Khao Lak, but I know nothing about it.

Are there other boats/operations that are comparable to Sea Dragon? Should I just book the alternate dates with Sea Dragon? We are still pretty new to diving and are not looking for a fancy liveaboard (this would be our first liveaboard). We also would be renting equipment.

We are willing to be flexible (i.e. depart from Phuket, spend a little more) if anyone can recommend another good operation.

Thanks, Greg

 

[23Greg23]

I just noticed that the Dolphin Queen leaves from Thap Lamu, near Khao Lak. I just assumed that it departed from Phuket, oops.

So maybe Dolphin Queen is the boat for us. I would still appreciate all feedback and advice, especially anybody elso with experience on budget liveaboards to the Similans.

Greg

 

[hallboy]

For what i know; Seadragon is 18700 baths for the cruise - 5% if you pay cash: 17800 baths.if you have your own equipment it's another discount. Why dont you use that money to arrive one day in advance in khaolak and go diving one day ( 2 tanks ) with them? as you are a beginner, to check a few things ( how much weigts i need? it was too much i will try with only 4 kgs, i will work on my lung-ballast etc etc ) before a cruise would be smart and carefull. Diving is all about taking care and taking pleasure.
Don' dive overweighted, stick to the DM, DO NOT touch anything, sand coral or animals; enjoy the dive.

 

[23Greg23]

Hello Hallboy,

I posted last month about diving Indonesia in February and you suggested going to Thailand instead. You are actually the first person to mention Sea Dragon to me on that thread. Thanks.

Actually, Sea Dragon starts at 17,800 bought per diver with an additional 5% discount if you pay cash.

We are going to dive while in Ko Lanta (Hin Meung, Hin Daeng) before we go to Similans. The only problem with Sea Dragon is they don't have the dates I am looking for. Though we can be flexible and dive later with Sea Dragon, we prefer to do a 4 day liveaboard sometime between Feb. 18 - 24. It works better with our travel plans.

Thanks again for any info.,
Greg

 

[wedivebc]

Just so you know I think if you do the 3 day you will not see Richelieu. That is only part of the Sea Dragon's 4 day cruise. I just got back from there and was very satisfied with the whole experience

 

[stevenl]

There are a couple more options. Basically all cheaper trips leave from Khao Lak, simply because it is cheaper to drive people up than to sail the boat up.

Yes, the 4 day trips go further North, in general the 3 day trip only do Similans and Koh Bon.

There are also trips leaving on the 18th and 20th, 4 days/4 nights, for 19,500 Baht including fees and equipment, so a little under the 500 US$ mark. Basic boats but reuptable company that has been organising trips to the Similans already for years and years. Send me a PM or email and I can give you some more information on these boats.

 

[scubadudee]

There are a couple more options. Basically all cheaper trips leave from Khao Lak, simply because it is cheaper to drive people up than to sail the boat up.

Yes, the 4 day trips go further North, in general the 3 day trip only do Similans and Koh Bon.

There are also trips leaving on the 18th and 20th, 4 days/4 nights, for 19,500 Baht including fees and equipment, so a little under the 500 US$ mark. Basic boats but reuptable company that has been organising trips to the Similans already for years and years. Send me a PM or email and I can give you some more information on these boats.

I wonder if they do cover the transfer together to pick us up from Phuket all the way to the resort or baot.

Anyone with any recommendations? Thinking of doing a solo ...haha

 

[stevenl]

Yes, no problems, transfers are included.

 

[hallboy]

Whatever you decide, do not miss Richelieu Rock

 

[bluetraveler]

The South Siam 4 (Sunrise Divers) does a three day/two night trip to the Similans and Richelieu Rock. Does anyone know anything about them?