Phinisi Liveaboard Thailand
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock diving from Khao Lak
Phinisi Liveaboard Diving in Thailand
Phinisi liveaboard offers classic liveaboard diving in Thailand, exploring the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock from Khao Lak. With experienced crew, well-planned itineraries, and access to some of the Andaman Sea’s best dive sites, Phinisi is a solid choice for certified divers seeking a relaxed, dive-focused liveaboard experience. With its historical connection to The Junk, Phinisi also delivers a friendly, social atmosphere while visiting some of Thailand’s most iconic dive locations.
Why Dive with Phinisi Liveaboard?
Phinisi has been part of Thailand’s liveaboard industry for many years and shares operational roots with The Junk, making it a familiar name among repeat Similan divers.
- Suitable for recreational and advanced divers
- Proven liveaboard with long experience in Thailand
- Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock itineraries
- Good balance of comfort, diving, and value
- Social, friendly onboard atmosphere
- Experienced Thai and international dive crew
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock Itinerary
Phinisi liveaboard trips typically explore the best dive sites of the Andaman Sea, including:
Similan Islands National Park
Famous for granite boulders, swim-throughs, white sand beaches, and healthy reefs. Expect reef sharks, turtles, schooling fish, and excellent visibility during the season.
Richelieu Rock
One of Thailand’s top dive sites, known for its rich marine life and macro diversity. Seahorses, ghost pipefish, cuttlefish, and occasional whale shark sightings make this a highlight of the trip.
Diving Experience Onboard
Phinisi is set up for straightforward, enjoyable liveaboard diving:
- Multiple dives per day depending on conditions
- Spacious dive deck and easy water access
- Dive briefings focused on safety and marine life
- Nitrox available on selected trips
- Suitable for photographers and recreational divers
The relaxed schedule allows plenty of time for surface intervals, meals, and socializing onboard.
Cabins & Onboard Facilities
Phinisi offers comfortable accommodation designed for relaxing after full days of diving:
- Shared cabins with air conditioning
- Practical layout and storage space
- Indoor dining area and outdoor relaxation spaces
- Sun deck for surface intervals and evening relaxation
Meals are freshly prepared onboard and typically include Thai and international dishes.
Who Is Phinisi Liveaboard Best For?
- Certified divers wanting classic Similan liveaboard diving
- Divers looking for Richelieu Rock without large luxury boats
- Social travelers who enjoy a relaxed group atmosphere
- Divers who value experience and dive-focused trips over luxury
Best Time to Dive the Similan Islands
- Season: October to May
- Best conditions: December to April
- Water temperatures typically range from 27–29°C
- Visibility is generally excellent during peak season
Trips are weather dependent, and conditions may vary throughout the season.
Phinisi Liveaboard with YU Dive Khao Lak
At YU Dive Khao Lak, we recommend Phinisi for divers looking for a classic Thai liveaboard experience with access to Thailand’s most famous dive sites.
We help you with:
- Trip selection and timing
- Certification and experience requirements
- Honest advice on whether Phinisi or another vessel suits you better
Our focus is always on matching divers with the right boat, not just filling spaces.
Prices & What’s Included
Liveaboard Prices:
From approx. 38,000 – 48,000 THB (depending on trip length & season)
Included:
- Accommodation onboard Phinisi
- Full-board meals, snacks & drinking water
- Guided dives (tanks & weights)
- Transfers from Khao Lak / Phuket
- Professional dive guides
Not Included:
- National park fees
- Dive equipment rental
- Nitrox (if applicable)
- Crew gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions – Phinisi Liveaboard
Phinisi liveaboard operates in the Andaman Sea, visiting the Similan Islands National Park and Richelieu Rock, departing from Khao Lak during the Similan diving season.Water divers. Some sites are more suitable for Advanced divers, and your guide will adapt dives accordingly.
Phinisi liveaboard trips are designed for certified divers. Advanced certification is recommended for certain dive sites due to currents, but experienced Open Water divers are welcome depending on conditions.
tory. Some deep sites may require AOW or experience.
Trip durations vary by schedule, typically ranging from 4 to 6 nights, allowing multiple dives per day at the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
Nitrox is available on selected Phinisi liveaboard trips. Availability should be confirmed in advance when planning your dive package.
Divers can expect reef sharks, turtles, large schools of fish, macro life, and occasional whale shark sightings, particularly at Richelieu Rock.
The Similan Islands season runs from October to May, with the best conditions generally between December and April.
Phinisi liveaboard trips are primarily dive-focused. Non-diver availability depends on the specific departure and should be confirmed in advance.
Trips typically include accommodation onboard, meals, diving, tanks, weights, and professional dive guiding. Equipment rental and marine park fees may be additional.
Book Your Phinisi Liveaboard Adventure
If you’re planning a Similan Islands liveaboard trip and want a vessel with history, experience, and great dive sites, Phinisi liveaboard is a reliable option.
Contact YU Dive to check availability, schedules, and recommendations.
Need assistance with your booking?
We’re here to help you with any questions or concerns regarding your diving experience. Feel free to reach out, and we’ll ensure you have all the information you need to plan your adventure!
What Our Guests Say
We particularly want to highlight the amazing snorkeling experience. It was a joy to see so many different types of colorful fish while observing the vibrant corals. We were even lucky enough to spot some large sea turtles!
The beaches and the sea are truly beautiful – like a paradise. We enjoyed the phenomenal natural scenery, and the overall nature within this national park is stunning. It was a memorable day and we highly recommend their services to anyone visiting the area.
During her first dive she experienced some panic attacks, but Aleks calmly reassured her, gave her time to relax, and returned to the water with her an hour later — and she succeeded. His teaching style is supportive, confidence-building, and truly top-notch.
After the course, we also completed two-tank dives with him in the Similan Islands, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish.
Thank you for teaching Rymma, Aleks — you did a fantastic job! We hope to dive with you again soon.
This is not the first we were diving with Aleks. Every time we get under the water with Aleks the feeling is the same that you will know you are in good hands. He is caring, considerate, patient, familiar with diving area. He took care of everyone not only in the water, but start from the pier, on the boat and after dive. You will feel safe, comfortable and built-up confident to dive with him.
And, this time we were doing the AOW course with him. We enjoy the time spend with him and bring us such a great memories. Thanks for showing us a glimpse of the best of under sea in the area.
It just can’t enough for saying. Simply go & dive with him. A great caring and encouraging Serbian Dive Instructor & Dive Guide.
Hvala puno.
We felt all of that while diving with Yu Dive Khao Lak and Aleksandar, our instructor.
Thank you, Sale, for your patience, experience and knowledge, which made it possible for me to relax completely and enjoy my own “underwater feature film.” I’m grateful to you for helping me push the boundaries of what I thought was possible once again!
See you next year!
We stayed on a liveaboard and were extremely satisfied: the equipment is new, the crew is always ready to help, and the accommodation and food are exceptional.
We also ventured into the jungle, slept in complete wilderness, and enjoyed all the beauty of untouched nature.
I wholeheartedly recommend YU Dive, especially to people from the former Yugoslavia, because sharing the language — and the mentality — makes the whole experience even better.
The preparation for each dive was concise and relevant. During diving he was very attentive, and he monitored us very closely, therefore I felt very safe at each moment. I would definitely recommend Saša as an experienced dive master. I plan to come to Saša’s diving school again and continue this amazing underwater journey.
He pays incredible attention to detail and always makes safety the top priority, which helped me feel completely comfortable throughout the entire course.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely supportive diving instructor, I can’t recommend Saša enough. Truly outstanding!
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Explore
Discover the best liveaboard options.
Begin your journey by exploring the various liveaboard options available for your diving adventure. Each liveaboard offers unique experiences, catering to different preferences and budgets, ensuring an unforgettable underwater exploration.
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Enjoy a seamless and thrilling diving experience.
Experience the thrill of diving in the Andaman Sea with our expertly curated liveaboard trips. Each journey is designed to provide you with the best diving spots, comfortable accommodations, and exceptional service, making your adventure truly memorable.
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Set sail on an unforgettable journey through the stunning waters of Thailand.
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