Manta Trust

Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent - minimum of 10 logged dives

itinerary-duration

Duration

10 nights

itinerary-skill

Skill level

Open Water

Manta Trust

Overview

Pristine Corals
Coral gardens
Stunning Topography
Stunning natural topography
Abundant Marinelife
Abundant marine life
Great Visibility
Something for every diver
Wildlife and Culture
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:
Obligatory surcharges:

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. 

A core focus of this expedition is to not only to provide close encounters with manta rays, but to enthuse and educate guests in marine conservation issues and the environment surrounding them. The Manta Trust has ongoing research and conservation projects located all around the world at many of the ocean’s top manta ray dive destinations.
 
Through a series of presentations given by Manta Trust representatives, they also ensure that divers leave with an increased awareness of the threats these graceful creatures are facing and how they can help beyond their holiday. 
 
The Manta Trust presentations will cover topics like local marine species and habitats.
 
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.

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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
Detailed itinerary

*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
Price 4 nights
Price 6 nights:
Price 7 nights
Price per 10 nights
Full set* (excluding Computer & Torch)
US$88
US$125
US$150
US$175
BCD
US$28
US$40
US$48
US$56
Fins (incl. booties)
US$12
US$17.50
US$21
US$24.50
Mask
US$12
US$17.50
US$21
US$24.50
Regulators
US$28
US$40
US$48
US$56
Wetsuit (3mm shorty)
US$24.50
US$35
US$42
US$63
Dive Computer
US$28
US$40
US$48
US$56
UW Torch/Flash light
US$12
US$17.50
US$21
US$24.50
Upgrade to 13ltr (100 cuft) cylinder
US$35
US$50
US$60
US$90

*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
Nitrox per day
US$25
Nitrox – 4 nights
US$88
Nitrox – 6 nights
US$125
Nitrox – 7 nights
US$150
Nitrox – 10 nights
US$175

On-board pricing is liable to change without notice. Though we try to keep documentation as up to date as possible, please be aware that, although it is unlikely, prices may be different on your cruise.

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
PADI Advanced Open Water
$250
Other PADI Speciality Courses
Please enquire*

Courses are subject to availability and must be pre-booked to ensure an instructor is available.

PLEASE NOTE: The course prices listed above DO NOT include the required manual and PADI certification card (PIC). PADI Advanced Open Water Course  manual and PIC is $150 USD, PADI Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) Course manual and PIC is $125 USD. 

*A range of other speciality courses are available on request. Please enquire with our reservations team for more information, prices and to pre-book any course
Master Liveaboards

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

Take a look at what our customers have said about our liveaboards in Thailand

Excellent service on the Junk
Excellent service on the Junk
The Junk, Nov 2019
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Dive sites wonderful. So much life. So many fish. Great photographic opportunities. One of the best dive trips I have done. Best dive site Richelieu Rock. Absolutely fabulous. Dive guide Jerome was excellent. Thank you. All staff gave excellent service. Particularly with assisting me in and out of tender. Food was excellent. Rooms kept spotless. ALL staff so friendly and ameniable. I made some wonderful memories. Thank you..
Wonderful and experienced crew, an amazing boat
Wonderful and experienced crew, an amazing boat
The Junk, Oct 2019
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We all enjoyed the trip very much, my teens kids as well, lovely experience for them to get more familiar with diving and be disconnected from everything. Crew super nice, professional, incredibly helpful, amazing personalized dive experience thanks BJ for all your patience with us! We will be back!!
Excellent Diving on a Marvelous Ship
Excellent Diving on a Marvelous Ship
The Junk, Aug 2019
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The entire experience aboard the Junk is absolutely wonderful. Diving groups are kept small so that the divemasters can focus on everyone's enjoyment. They modified our trip in August so that we had 3 days of excellent dives despite some choppy waves, The crew of the Junk is very attentive to our dive equipment and prepared delicious meals every day.
Great customer service...on the boat
Great customer service...on the boat
The Junk, July 2019
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Johnathan and crew made the best of a stormy week and rough seas. Customer service on the boat was first class and meals were for royalty. Even though the number of available dive sites were limited by the weather, we still saw most of the marine life on the ID slate. Great trip! Front office was tough to get a hold of and their database was malfunctioning.
Best Liveaboard experience ever!
Best Liveaboard experience ever!
The Junk, November 2018
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Great diving, warmest and most helpful crew and cruise director/instructors/MDs/guides EVER and really tasty food served daily with lots of love! Many Thanks to THE JUNK, the fellow divers/friends and all the people who contributed to this wonderful experience! I will be definitelly coming back when in Thailand, hopefully as soon as possible! Kopkunka for everything!
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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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