The Phinisi: Thailand and Myanmar Liveaboard

Routes

Similan and Surin Islands: 5 days / 4 nights, up to 14 dives; 7 days / 6 nights, up to 19 dives. Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock, up to 4 dives a day. On the 4-night trip, two morning dives are normally scheduled on the final day. On the 6-night trip, the last dives take place the day before disembarkation; guests disembark between 09:00 and 10:00.

Similan and Surin Islands and the southern Andaman Sea, 9 days / 8 nights, up to 26 dives. North to south: Surin and Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, the Similans, then Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang and the Phi Phi Islands, ending at Chalong. The same route in the opposite direction ends at Thap Lamu. Disembarkation in the morning between 9:30 and 10:00.

Similan and Surin Islands, the southern Andaman Sea and Koh Lipe, 11 days / 10 nights, up to 33 dives. The 9-day route plus a day at Koh Lipe and another day at Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Koh Haa. Visits to Koh Lipe are subject to weather and sea conditions.

Myanmar, Mergui Archipelago, 8 days / 7 nights or 11 days / 10 nights, up to 22 or 34 dives. Meet at Ranong Immigration at 10:00. After Thai exit formalities, board The Phinisi at B.C. Badin Resort at 12:00, then cross to Kawthaung. Remote reefs and pinnacles such as Black Rock, North Twin, Shark Cave, Sea Fan Forest and the Burma Banks, with sea fans, mantas, leopard sharks and barracuda. Two morning dives and a beach visit are normally scheduled on the day before disembarkation. There is no diving on disembarkation day; guests disembark in Ranong between 08:30 and 09:00.

This is a sample itinerary: dive sites are chosen according to the weather and currents.

The boat and cabins

The Phinisi (Cheng I Sao) is a wooden sailing schooner built in Indonesia in the traditional phinisi style, for up to 18 guests. 7 cabins, each with its own bathroom with a hot shower and individually controlled air conditioning.

• Double at the bow, 1 cabin: a double bed and plenty of storage space.
• Twin or double, 2 cabins: the beds can be set up separately or together.
• Twin, 2 cabins: two separate beds.
• Four-berth, 2 cabins: two beds and bunk berths, shared by men and women.

On board

A fan-cooled saloon with a TV, a library of books, films and games, and paid Wi-Fi. Covered outdoor and indoor dining with buffet meals: Thai and Western dishes, vegetarian meals on request. A sun deck with loungers, a shaded dive deck with a set-up area and storage crate for every guest, and 2 tenders.

Prices for the 2026-2027 season

Prices are per person for the full trip, based on shared occupancy, in THB. Mandatory fees and optional extras are charged separately.

October-December 2026, Thailand

January-May 2027, Thailand

2027, Myanmar

Single occupancy and non-diver rates are available on request. The price of a specific departure may differ; we confirm the exact price for your date when you book.

Included

• Thailand: shared transfers from Phuket Airport and Phuket hotels; Khao Lak hotel transfers are also available for embarkation or disembarkation at Thap Lamu. Myanmar: shared Phuket-Ranong transfers from the designated pick-up points. Guests arrange their own transport to the pick-up point
• a cabin with its own bathroom and air conditioning, full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and fruit
• unlimited tea, coffee, juice and soft drinks
• up to 4 guided dives a day
• aluminium tank with air, weights and belt, a surface marker buoy for the trip
• cabin and deck towels

Not included

• Thai national park fees: 5 days / 4 nights 65 USD (45 USD for non-divers); 7 days / 6 nights 80 USD (45 USD for non-divers); 9 days / 8 nights 125 USD (75 USD for non-divers); 11 days / 10 nights 145 USD (90 USD for non-divers)
• Myanmar: fees of 280 USD for 8 days / 7 nights and 350 USD for 11 days / 10 nights, Myanmar visa 50 USD
• fuel surcharge: 15 USD per night of the trip
• equipment rental and Nitrox, prices in the table; BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, torch and a 15-litre cylinder are also available separately
• beer and wine on board after the day’s diving, laundry
• flights and crew tips

Dive computer: 30 USD for 4 nights, 50 USD for 6 nights, 60 USD for 7 nights, 70 USD for 8 nights, 90 USD for 10 nights.

Equipment rental and Nitrox prices cover the full trip, in USD. These charges are the same for 10-night itineraries in Thailand and Myanmar. The equipment package excludes a dive computer and torch. On-board extras are settled before disembarkation in cash (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, THB) or by Visa and Mastercard with a 3.5% fee. Fees may change.

Transfers

Thap Lamu and Chalong trips: a shared transfer from Phuket Airport and Phuket hotels, and from Khao Lak hotels for Thap Lamu, is included on boarding and disembarkation days. The airport pickup is usually at around 17:00 at Terminal 2 (domestic), exit 3. We confirm the exact time at least 48 hours in advance.

Myanmar trips: on boarding day a shared transfer runs from Phuket to Ranong, about 5 hours. Pickup at 5:00 at the PTT petrol station on Bypass Road (Kathu) or at 5:30 at the PTT petrol station on Highway 402 north of the airport. Guests staying in Ranong are collected from their hotel. The return transfer to Ranong or Phuket runs after border formalities. Myanmar requires a passport and a visa, we will tell you what to send and when after booking.

Diver requirements

• Thailand: PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent and at least 10 logged dives. PADI Advanced Open Water is recommended
• Myanmar: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, at least 30 logged dives and experience in strong currents. Nitrox certification is recommended
• travel and diving insurance are mandatory. Cover must include diving, emergency evacuation and recompression treatment
• every diver uses their own dive computer, which can be rented
• maximum depth is 30 metres, within each diver’s certification limits
• underwater photography in the Thai national parks requires Advanced Open Water or 40 logged dives
• children aged 8 and over may join with their parents; diving participation depends on age and certification. Junior Open Water divers make no more than two dives a day
• if you answer “yes” to any question on the medical form, bring a doctor’s certificate issued within the last year
• do not fly within 24 hours after your last dive

Schedule for the 2026-2027 season

Thailand: boarding at Thap Lamu (Khao Lak) and Chalong (Phuket) at 19:00. Myanmar: meet at Ranong Immigration at 10:00, boarding at B.C. Badin Resort at 12:00.

Ask us about available berths on your trip.