All levels

Reefs & Sharks

Nov-Apr

Thailand

UD Rating – 3 Star

The Junk

The ideal way to dive amazing Thailand.

The Junk is a 33 metre restored historic vessel formerly used to transport mango wood charcoal from Burma to Malaysia. She now offers 7 day/6 night itineraries to the finest diving sites in Thailand.

The Junk is a 33 metre restored historic vessel formerly used to transport mango wood charcoal from Burma to Malaysia. She now offers 7 day/6 night itineraries to the finest diving sites in Thailand where the water is warm year round and the marine life is prolific. The experienced captain, friendly crew and vie masters will lead you through the trip whilst helping with any questions or queries you may have regarding the boat or the itinerary.

The Junk comfortably accommodates 18 guests in 2 private double bed cabins, 2 four berth cabins and 2 three berth cabins located on the lower deck. All cabins come with a shower and toilet en-suite, storage and an air conditioning unit with individual controls. The food aboard is a variety of Asian and western cuisine suiting the needs of most customers. Any dietary requirements must be stated at the time of booking so the chef can adhere to any guest’s needs.

The large dining room is furnished with 2 large tables and benches providing ample space for divers and is where all meals are served throughout the day. The sun deck is equipped with table and chairs making it the perfect place to relax after a long day’s diving. The dive deck is at the bow of the boat with individual gear lockers as the dive operation from the dinghy takes place at the stern on the boat.

Double Cabin with A/C

We have 2 private cabins with double bed, All our cabins are fully air-conditioned and have their own hot water shower and en-suite toilet.

  • Double Bed
  • Air-Conditioned
  • Hot Water Shower
  • En-suite toilet

Quad

2 four berths cabins (which are all bunks but can also be sold as Shared Twin). All our cabins are fully air-conditioned and have their own hot water shower and en-suite toilet.

  • Air-Conditioned
  • 4 Beds
  • Hot water shower
  • En-suite toilet

Triple Cabin

2 three berths cabins (can be sold as so called Shared Twins and can also be turned into a Private Double Bed) All our cabins are fully air-conditioned and have their own hot water shower and en-suite toilet.

  • Triple option
  • Air-Conditioned
  • Hot water shower
  • En-suite toilet

Route Options

Incredible sites and a stunning variety of species to be encountered on this exciting trip.

When on this route you will encounter leopard sharks, blue spotted stingrays and emporer fish, among others. The coral gardens, bommies and wonderful boulder formations make for exciting dives and fabulous photos. Elephant Head Rock, the biggest pinnacle in the Similans, is visited and has some fantastic swim-throughs where you will see white tip reef sharks, barracudas on the perimeter of the boulder while looking closely at cracks in the rubble will reveal moray eels and shrimps. The Khao Lak Wrecks are also visited and being home to nudibranchs and the unusual leopard moray, are a great treat for underwater photographers.

The Junk is completely renovated and has been operating under Worldwide Dive and Sail since 2014. The 30 meter vessel can accommodate 18 divers in air conditioned cabins, all of which have ensuites. Meals are served buffet style and there is the option of indoor or outdoor dining. Food is nourishing and varying, with Asian options as well as the familiar western cuisine.

Vessel Details

Year Built / Refurbished Restored in 1998
Guest Numbers 18
Length & Width 33 metres long and a 8.5 metre beam
Speed 8 Knots
Engines 380 HP engine
Generators 2 x generators 50 KW each
Number of Cabins 6 shared air conditioned cabins
Communication & Navigation Systems Satellite navigation system, 36 mile color radar, compass, video depth sounder, GPS, VHF radio and single side band radio
Salon & Dining Area Spacious dining area with 2 large tables and benches
Entertainment TV/Video/DVD/CD, board games and presentations
Emergency Equipment Oxygen system, Medic First Aid Kit aboard
Air Compressors 2 × bauer air compressors
Equipment Rental Equipment Rental available aboard
Dive Deck Dive deck with individual dive lockers
Equipment Rental The equipment rental prices listed above are per person per day and are payable aboard before your departure
Full Equipment Rental ` THB800
Wetsuits THB200
BCD THB250
Regulator THB250
Torch THB100
Dive Computer THB250
Mask, Fins & Snorkel Mask only: THB100
Mask, Fins & Snorkel THB100

Available Experiences

ITINERARIES AVAILABLE IN THIS DESTINATION

Marcelina

Friday, 06 December 2013

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

Lured by the promise of world-class reefs and adrenaline-fueled shark encounters Marcelina Jesus ventures to the wild islands of Fiji.

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

What Our Customers Have To Say

Reviews from our Clients, Journalists, Photo Pro's and our own Experts

Our reviews and blogs are an additional guide to evaluate of the holiday is exactley what you are looking for or not. Some love an Eco-Resort, some love air-con and a flat screen TV, we aim to ensure you get what you are looking for, at great value for money.

Richelieu Rock

Khao Lak, Thailand

Richelieu Rock is one of the best places in the world to dive with whale sharks and is easily the best site in Thailand diving for this amazing activity. Here divers will encounter the largest fish in the ocean which are rare almost everywhere in the world. With nothing else for miles around, the whale sharks are attracted to the rock to feed on the rich plank tonic blooms that occur here.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Novice Diver - 20 + Dives
  • Max Depth: 40m

Koh Tachai

Khao Lak, Thailand

Koh Tachai is located in Tachai Island and lies about halfway between the Surin and Similan Islands and is rated as one of the best sites for Thailand scuba liveaboards as it's normally visited on the way to Richelieu Rock from the Similans. There are several dive sites around the island but the most famous is Koh Tachai Plateau which lies southeast of the island, about one kilometre offshore. The plateau is a submerged crowned reef of hard sheet corals, and scattered boulders. These boulders provide great swim-throughs and cut-through opportunities.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 35m

Koh Bon

Khao Lak, Thailand

This dive site is one of the best places in Thailand to see manta rays, especially from April to May.
Koh Bon Island lies an hour or so north of the Similan Islands. It has a 33 metre wall on its south side, facing a small cove, with a stepped edge pointing west and down to over 40m.

Here divers will have the opportunity to see leopard sharks, white tip sharks; soft corals the colours of turquoise, yellow and green dominate. If you listen carefully you'll hear the warning clicks of hundreds of nervous damselfish, and the coral crunching of hungry titan triggerfish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Novice Diver - 20 + Dives
  • Max Depth: 40m

Shark Fin Reef - Similans

Khao Lak, Thailand

The Shark Fin Reef will offer diver two different sceneries. The northeast which features a sloping reef and the southeast which is a more dramatic drop-off. A series of parallel rocks resembling fallen logs are the setting for this Similan diving site.

To the southeast is a large swim-through that provides an opening to the other side of this dive site. The marine life here is diverse with clown triggerfish, half-moon triggerfish and schools of batfish, palette surgeonfish, blue-faced angelfish and banner fish. It's also a good place to spot passing sharks and larger rays.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Novice Diver - 20 + Dives
  • Max Depth: 40m

Boulder City - Similans

Khao Lak, Thailand

Boulder city is a submerged site about one kilometre off the east coast of island number 3 and about 400 m south east of Shark Fin Reef. Due to its exposed location, divers will have the opportunity to see almost anything on this Similan dive including whale sharks and manta rays.

There is very little coral growth here except for green branching cup corals and orange sea fans, but the algae growth here is substantial, meaning a prolific amount of nudibranchs, including the twin magnificent sea slug and Spanish dancers. Leopard sharks are frequently seen as well as white-tip and black-tip reef sharks.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 35m

Anita's Reef

Khao Lak, Thailand

The Thai name for this spectacular rock is “Hin Muan Deaw” and is the best way to describe how beautiful this rock really is, as it directly translates to “Whole roll (of film) rock”, as one can use an entire roll film solely on this rock. Shallow coral gardens comprise huge pore and staghorn corals with small pinnacles. A big outcrop located on the southeast makes this dive site unique and attracts many photographers. Colorful soft corals, gigantic sea fans, and many species of hard corals surround this fantastic rock.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Boonsung Wreck

Khao Lak, Thailand

The Boonsung Wreck is often described as ‘Fish Soup’. The density of marine life here is often better than most dive sites in the Similan Islands. An old tin mining vessel, surrounded by sand for miles in every direction, provides the perfect protection for thousands of juvenile fish. The schools of fish are huge and the variety of Macro life is one of the best in Thailand. This is a real divers dive site and part of a fascinating history of Tin mining in the Phuket and Khao Lak area.

The Boonsung Wreck is located about 5km West of Bangsak beach, to the North of Khao Lak. Visibility is typically not as good as the Similan islands. However, the huge variety of marine life makes it well worth seeing. It is a regular final stop on many Similan Liveaboards, although it is technically not part of the Similan islands. The Boonsung wreck also makes for an excellent and speedy day trip by longtail. The Boonsung Wreck is the best value dive around Khao Lak.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 19m

Honeymoon Bay

Khao Lak, Thailand

Honeymoon Bay leads off from Haad Lek (small beach) on Island Four. This reef is great for snorkelers and we often use it for the first swim of our 5 day cruise. Typically we’ll hitch a ride on our dedicated taxi (the dinghy) from Anita’s Reef and drop into the water just off the beach. As you swim south from the beach the sandy bottom develops into swathes of staghorn coral.

Pore corals fill-in the open patches along with larger rock formations. Visibility is usually very good here, so you have the opportunity of swimming as swallow or as deep as you like. The gentle sloping reef ensures everyone can stay within their comfort limits as they familiarize themselves with the water and their equipment.

A great place to find many of the smaller reef fish varieties, including everyone’s favourite ‘Nemo’ the Clownfish and his cousins. Moray, octopus, crocodile needle fish and the beautiful angelfish are all common here, and there is even a chance of a turtle every now and then. Honeymoon Bay leads off from Haad Lek (small beach) on Island Four. This reef is great for snorkelers and we often use it for the first swim of our 5 day cruise. Typically we’ll hitch a ride on our dedicated taxi (the dinghy) from Anita’s Reef and drop into the water just off the beach. As you swim south from the beach the sandy bottom develops into swathes of staghorn coral.

Pore corals fill-in the open patches along with larger rock formations. Visibility is usually very good here, so you have the opportunity of swimming as swallow or as deep as you like. The gentle sloping reef ensures everyone can stay within their comfort limits as they familiarize themselves with the water and their equipment.

A great place to find many of the smaller reef fish varieties, including everyone’s favourite ‘Nemo’ the Clownfish and his cousins. Moray, octopus, crocodile needle fish and the beautiful angelfish are all common here, and there is even a chance of a turtle every now and then.

  • Dive Type:
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 26m
Dates Duration Route Room Type Price
30 Apr 2024
4 May 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
4 May 2024
8 May 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
9 May 2024
15 May 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
14 Oct 2024
18 Oct 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
19 Oct 2024
23 Oct 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
23 Oct 2024
27 Oct 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
28 Oct 2024
3 Nov 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
3 Nov 2024
9 Nov 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
10 Nov 2024
14 Nov 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
14 Nov 2024
18 Nov 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
19 Nov 2024
25 Nov 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
25 Nov 2024
1 Dec 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
2 Dec 2024
6 Dec 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
6 Dec 2024
10 Dec 2024
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £992
11 Dec 2024
17 Dec 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
17 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
24 Dec 2024
30 Dec 2024
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
30 Dec 2024
5 Jan 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1488
6 Jan 2025
12 Jan 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
13 Jan 2025
17 Jan 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
17 Jan 2025
21 Jan 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
22 Jan 2025
28 Jan 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
28 Jan 2025
3 Feb 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
4 Feb 2025
8 Feb 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
8 Feb 2025
12 Feb 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
19 Feb 2025
25 Feb 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
26 Feb 2025
2 Mar 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
2 Mar 2025
6 Mar 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
7 Mar 2025
13 Mar 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
13 Mar 2025
19 Mar 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
20 Mar 2025
24 Mar 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
24 Mar 2025
28 Mar 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
29 Mar 2025
4 Apr 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
4 Apr 2025
10 Apr 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
11 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
15 Apr 2025
19 Apr 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
20 Apr 2025
26 Apr 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
26 Apr 2025
2 May 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
3 May 2025
7 May 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
7 May 2025
11 May 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
12 May 2025
18 May 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
14 Oct 2025
20 Oct 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
21 Oct 2025
25 Oct 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
25 Oct 2025
29 Oct 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
30 Oct 2025
5 Nov 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
5 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
12 Nov 2025
16 Nov 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
16 Nov 2025
20 Nov 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
21 Nov 2025
27 Nov 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
27 Nov 2025
3 Dec 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
4 Dec 2025
8 Dec 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
8 Dec 2025
12 Dec 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
13 Dec 2025
17 Dec 2025
4 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1040
17 Dec 2025
23 Dec 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
23 Dec 2025
29 Dec 2025
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560
30 Dec 2025
5 Jan 2026
6 Nights Similan Islands 4 nights Triple Cabin £1560