Liveaboard Similan Islands

[m1shm4sh]

Hi... Just wanting advice on getting from BKK to Khao Lak, best/cheapest way. Also reccomendations on which liveaboard is best for 3 day/2 nights... must have individual cabins.

Thanks so much,

[SimilanDiver]

Hi... Just wanting advice on getting from BKK to Khao Lak, best/cheapest way. Also reccomendations on which liveaboard is best for 3 day/2 nights... must have individual cabins.

Thanks so much,

The good news is there are several ways to get to Khao Lak. The cheapest is by bus. There are some horrible tourist buses that will make you take some crappy itinerary, but if you use the government buses - they are cheap and very efficient. The best deal is the government run VIP bus. Larger seats, they recline further, stewardess and good meal. These cost 895 Baht departing from the Southern bus terminal around 7pm and arrive here in Khao Lak about 6:30-7am.

The other way, slightly more expensive, is to get a flight to Phuket airport. The airport is only 1 hour south of Khao Lak. If you plan ahead these can be as cheap as 1200 Baht one way. You will still need to get from the airport to Khao Lak. This can be done via buses or taxis. Bit more cost, but flights will save you a lot of time.

There are only a few operators that offer 3 day/2 night liveaboards. There is no one that offers an "individual" cabin. You should expect to either have a single roommate, or be willing to pay the price for two passengers.

I work for Wicked Diving, here in Khao Lak, which offers 3 day/2 night liveaboards and has ecologically friendly trips. If you call our shop and ask, we can help coordinate your arrival by bus with our morning departures (arrive on bus, get dropped of at the shop, have a breakfast snack and then jump on the liveaboard an hour later).