Duration
10 nights
Skill level
Open Water
Overview
Coral gardens
Stunning natural topography
Abundant marine life
Something for every diver
Rich Culture
Join The Junk and the Manta Trust on this unique itinerary exploring the very best diving that Thailand has to offer. In the south, enjoy Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, and the southern islands. Then head north, taking in the highlights of The Similan Islands plus Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. This itinerary combines the highlights of our Similan and Surin trip and the Southern Explorer.
Dates & Prices
What's included:
-
Return shared transfer between Phuket airport or local hotel and the liveaboard on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Transfers are at set times; transfers outside the set times will incur an extra cost - Full board accommodation (based on shared occupancy)
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks
- Up to 4 dives daily
- 11 litre (80 cuft) cylinder with air fills
- Weights, weight belt and SMB
Obligatory surcharges:
- Marine Park & Port Fees: US$ 115
- Flights
- Private transfers
- Equipment rental
- Nitrox
- On board merchandise
- Alcoholic drinks
- Soda/fizzy drinks
- Crew and dive guide gratuities
Maps & Itinerary
Join the Manta Trust on this unique itinerary exploring the very best diving that Thailand has to offer, taking in the highlights of The Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock as well as Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang to the south.
Similan Islands
Sites on the eastern side of the Similan Islands tend to be sand covered fringing reefs predominantly made up of hard coral. The eastern sides of the islands also tend to have relatively gentle currents, making them ideal for divers of all levels and snorkelers.
On the west side of the islands the sites are a little different. Giant granite boulders tumble to the sea bed easily reaching depths of around 40m. Being more exposed to the open ocean, the dive sites on the islands’ west side can be prone to stronger and more unpredictable currents than on the east side but, the increased chance of seeing larger pelagics makes up for that.
Heading North, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock provide probably the best opportunity for mantas on the whole trip.
Koh Haa
Possibly some of the most underrated diving in the whole of Thailand, Moo Koh Haa (meaning ‘five island group’) sits almost halfway between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and is part of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park. Ko Haa has varied dive sites and marine life, with pinnacles, walls, boulders and caverns hosting ornate ghost pipefish, morays eels, octopus, hawksbill turtles, sea horses, marble rays, and sometimes even leopard sharks.
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang
These two pinnacles (translating directly as Red Rock and Purple Rock) reach down to over 70m in open ocean, and are best known for manta ray and whale shark encounters. Almost perpetual good visibility and dramatic topography combined with huge fish numbers make for excellent liveaboard diving.
Your cruise director will schedule up to four dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset or night. This totals approximately 30 dives over 11 days / 10 nights. The diving day is scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
- Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4, where possible
- Dinner
*The itinerary above is an example only and is subject to change depending on local regulations, guests’ experience, flight schedules, weather and logistics and is at the Captain’s discretion. Adverse weather can affect this route which includes several overnight sailings.
Formed in 2011, the Manta Trust is a UK registered charity that co-ordinates global mobulid research and conservation efforts. Their team is comprised of a diverse group of researchers, scientists, conservationists, educators and media experts; working together to share and promote knowledge and expertise. Their mission: to conserve mobulid rays, their relatives, and their habitats, through a combination of research, education and collaboration.
Accommodation
9.62
Rated excellent
Nitrox
Surcharge
Wifi
No
Equipment
Surcharge
Tech friendly
No
The Junk is a stunning, historical 33m vessel that offers liveaboard diving holidays in Thailand. Originally built in 1962 as a sailing cargo vessel, she was completely overhauled and refitted in 1997 to the vessel she is today. Built from the finest Asian teak wood, known as Takien Tong, she is a three mast junk vessel with 330 square meters of sails that are both functional and beautiful.
The Junk welcomes 18 divers on board. Accommodation is provided in two flexible double/twin cabins, two triple cabins, and two quad cabins that can comfortably sleep up to four divers in 2 single beds and 1 bunk bed. All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, fan and offer en-suite facilities.
Extras
Master Liveaboards offers a range of services to make your stay on board even more enjoyable. Marine Park & Port fees, Rental equipment, Nitrox and courses can now be pre-booked and pre-paid at the time of booking your liveaboards. For our rebreather and technical diver guests, please send us your gas and equipment requests as early as possible.
Marine Park & Port Fees | Per person |
|---|---|
Southern Thailand – 4 / 5 nights | 50 USD (non-diver $35) |
Similan & Surin Islands – 4 nights | 50 USD (non-diver $35) |
Similan & Surin Islands – 6 nights | 65 USD (non-diver $35) |
Best of Thailand – 10 nights | 115 USD (non-diver $70) |
Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar) – 7 nights | 280 USD |
Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar) – 10 nights | 350 USD |
The applicable marine park fees for your itinerary will be added to your onboard extras to be paid on the boat before disembarkation.
Equipment | 4 nights | 6 nights: | 7 nights | 10 nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full set* (excluding Computer & Torch) | 88 USD | 125 USD | 150 USD | 175 USD |
BCD | 28 USD | 40 USD | 48 USD | 56 USD |
Fins (incl. booties) | 12 USD | 17.50 USD | 21 USD | 24.50 USD |
Mask | 12 USD | 17.50 USD | 21 USD | 24.50 USD |
Regulators | 28 USD | 40 USD | 48 USD | 56 USD |
Wetsuit (3mm shorty) | 24.50 USD | 35 USD | 42 USD | 63 USD |
Dive Computer | 28 USD | 40 USD | 48 USD | 56 USD |
UW Torch/Flash light | 12 USD | 17.50 USD | 21 USD | 24.50 USD |
Upgrade to 13ltr (100 cuft) cylinder | 35 USD | 50 USD | 60 USD | 90 USD |
On-board pricing is subject to change without notice. Although we try to keep documentation as up-to-date as possible, please be aware that prices may be different on your cruise.
PLEASE NOTE: Prices listed above are valid until 31st July 2024. Revised pricing effective from 1st August 2024 can be viewed here.
*Full equipment set includes BCD, Regulators, Wetsuit, Mask, Fins and Snorkel only.
We recommend pre-booking equipment to ensure availability and correct sizes are on board.
Price | |
|---|---|
Per diving day | 25 USD |
4 nights | 88 USD |
6 nights | 125 USD |
7 nights | 150 USD |
10 nights | 175 USD |
On-board pricing is subject to change without notice. Although we try to keep documentation as up-to-date as possible, please be aware that prices may be different on your cruise.
Prices listed above are valid until 31st July 2024. Revised pricing effective from 1st August 2024 can be viewed here.
Beer | US$2.50 |
Wine (per glass) | US$3.75 |
Merchandise: T-Shirt | US$12.50 |
Kayaking (subject to availability) | Free |
PADI Courses | Cost: |
|---|---|
PADI EANx- Nitrox | 100 USD |
PADI Advanced Open Water | 250 USD |
Other PADI Speciality Courses | Please enquire* |
PLEASE NOTE: The course prices listed above are valid until 31st July 2024 and are for completing the practical (diving) elements only. Additional costs apply for course study materials and certification registration.
You can register for online learning for PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI EANx (Nitrox) here.
Sail with us on this amazing liveaboard adventure
Join the 'Manta Trust' aboard The Junk
You could secure your spaces today for as little as 5% deposit*
*our payment terms and standard terms and conditions apply
Customer Reviews
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Do you have questions about Thailand?
We’ve tried to include a lot information on our website. You may find, however, that you have additional questions about our Thailand liveaboards; The Junk & The Phinisi, the diving around Thailand and the Similan Islands or general travel information. Via the following link you can find answers to some commonly asked questions. Should you have other questions or queries, please contact our reservations team who will be pleased to assist you.
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