The MV Giamani offers liveaboard dive holidays to the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, as well as Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The Giamani was built to international (IMO) standards, and although a large and spacious boat, guest numbers are limited to sixteen people to ensure guests comfort. Giamani has four deluxe cabins as well as a further two standard cabins. All the deluxe cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning, or if you don't like air-con there are also fans. The deluxe cabins also have ensuite bathrooms and fantastic sea views. Standard cabins on the Giamani also have air-con and fans, large windows, but share one bathroom.
MV Giamani features an air-conditioned saloon with a home entertainment system for the guests use, should they wish to relax with some music or watch a DVD. There is also an extensive library of marine books. Additionally, there is a relaxing area comfortably decked out with cushions where guests can relax between dives. The dining area is at the back of the upper deck, the food is plentiful, tasty, and a mixture of Thai and international cuisine. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. All meals are served buffet style. The dive deck is well designed and spacious. There are also rinse tanks and camera tables for underwater photographers or videographers.
Twin Cabin
MV Giamani is a great boat, with great service from the crew to match. She has a full complement of safety equipment and is a spacious, diver friendly boat with attractive prices.
Schedules, Prices & Itineraries
The MV Giamani offers four different liveaboard itineraries to choose from covering the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock, and also the Mergui Archipelago in Burma / Myanmar. Please see below for full details, itineraries and prices.
The Similan & Surin Islands Itinerary (4 Days & 4 Nights / 14 Dives)
Departure Day: The MV Giamani leaves from Patong Bay at around 9pm and cruises overnight to the Similan Islands. Day 1: Three day dives around the Similan Islands. Guests are encouraged to visit island number four for an hour or two between dives for some sightseeing. The fourth dive could be a night dive in Donald Duck Bay. Stay onboard overnight in one of the secluded bays. Relax and watch a film or read a book. Day 2: After an early morning dive in the Similans the Giamani will head off to Koh Bon for a couple of dives where there's a great chance to see Manta Rays. The fourth dive could be a sunset or night dive at Koh Tachai. Day 3: After a morning dive at Koh Tachai head north for a couple of dives at the world famous Richelieu Rock. This is where Whale Sharks are often spotted! Cruise south for an evening dive at Koh Tachai or Koh Bon. Day 4: The last two dives will be conducted at a couple of fantastic dive sites in the Similan Islands after which the MV Giamani will cruise back to Patong Beach. Guests will disembark at around 6pm
Note
For the four-day liveaboard cruise that follows or precedes the Thailand and Burma trip, the boat will depart and return to Tap Lamu port just north of Phuket, not Patong Beach. Transfers to and from Phuket are included.
Prices for The Similan & Surin Islands Itinerary (4 Days & 4 Nights / 14 Dives)
Similan Marine Park Fees are B1600 per person payable onboard.
The Similan & Surin Islands Itinerary (6 Days & 6 Nights / 22 Dives)
Departure Day: The MV Giamani leaves from Patong Bay at around 9pm and cruises overnight to the Similan Islands. Day 1: Three day dives around the Similan Islands. Guests are encouraged to visit island number four for an hour or two between dives for some sightseeing. The fourth dive could be a night dive in Donald Duck Bay. Stay onboard overnight in one of the secluded bays. Relax and watch a film or read a book. Day 2: After an early morning dive in the Similans the Giamani will head off to Koh Bon for a couple of dives where there's a great chance to see Manta Rays. The fourth dive could be a sunset or night dive at Koh Tachai. Day 3: Three dives around the Surin Islands. In the afternoon guests can choose to visit the local Sea Gypsy village followed by an evening dive. Stay overnight on the boat moored at the Surin Islands. Day 4: Before guests awake the Giamani will start a gentle cruise to Richelieu Rock for a couple of dives. Fingers crossed for Whale Sharks here! Cruise south for two more dives at Koh Tachai and Koh Bon. Day 5: Four dives in the Similans and maybe a trek to the view point in the afternoon, if you feel like it. Day 6: Two final dives will be conducted in the awesome Similan Islands, before the Giamani heads south to Patong Beach. Guests will disembark at around 6pm.
Prices for The Similan & Surin Islands Itinerary (6 Days & 6 Nights / 22 Dives)
Departure Day: Guests are picked up from their Phuket hotels or Phuket airport at around 5pm and transferred to Tap Lamu port just north of Phuket Island. The MV Giamani departs at around 9pm and cruises overnight to Koh Bon. Day 1: The first two dives could be at Koh Bon, which is one of the best sites in Thailand for spotting Manta Rays. A further two dives at Koh Tachai, home of a great variety of marine life. Watch the sunset and enjoy a relaxing evening onboard. Day 2: One dive at the world famous Richelieu Rock, then cruise to Kaw Thung in Myanmar. Clear immigration formalities before cruising out towards the islands of Myanmar. Day 3: The first dive at Rocky Island followed by two day dives and one night dive at Shark Cave. Day 4: Two dives at South Twin and two more exhilarating dives at North Twin. Day 5: The location for this day of diving will be Black Rock. This is the most northern point of our trip. There will be four dives in total at Black Rock. Day 6: Four fast and exciting dives at the Burma Banks. Please note Burma Banks is a long way out to sea in open water, so visiting this location is weather dependent. If the sea conditions do not allow there are many other outstanding dive sites we can visit close by. Day 7: The first dive at Far Away Banks, followed by Western Rocky and Cupola Island. Three dives in total before returning to Kaw Thung to check out of Myanmar and back into Thailand. Day 8: Another chance to dive at Richelieu Rock, have your cameras ready. After two dives at this site we will cruise further south for two dives at Koh Tachai. Day 9: An early morning dive at Koh Bon followed by the final dive at the Boonsong Wreck before heading back to Tap Lamu where guests will disembark and transfer back to their hotels by around 6pm.
Prices for The Thailand & Burma Itinerary (9 Days & 9 Nights / 31 Dives)
Similan Marine Park Fees are B1600 per person payable onboard. Myanmar entrance fee is US$200 per person.
Prices Include Hotel transfers to and from Phuket, all accommodation and meals on the boat, snacks, tea, coffee, drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts, torches for night dives, dive guides.
Notes All PADI courses are available on the boat. Nitrox fills are B250 each. A full set of equipment is available for B800 per day. Dive computer use is mandatory for all divers. Rentals are available at B300 per day.Guests are advised to take out dive insurance as well as trip cancellation insurance.All itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions or at the cruise directors discretion.
Cabins & Comforts
- Four deluxe cabins with ensuite bathrooms and two single beds. - Two standard cabins with twin beds and shared bathroom. - All cabins have large windows and sea views. - All cabins air-conditioned. - Hot showers with fresh water. - Rooms serviced and cleaned daily. - Comfortable outside area decked with cushions. - Indoor air-conditioned saloon with TV, DVD player and sound system. - Free tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. - A mixture of Thai and Western food. - Special dietary requirements catered for. - Spacious dive deck. - Library.
Technical & Safety Specification
- Steel Hull. - Launched in 1998. - Length 24 metres, beam 6.5 metres. - Maximum speed 12 knots, cruising speed 09 knots. - Five boat crew, one tour leader and three dive staff. - 2 x 230hp Nissan engines. - 220v electrical outlets. - Radar. - GPS. - Depth finders. - Radios and satellite phone. - 10000 litre fresh water tank. - Two life rafts. - Life jackets in all cabins and also on deck. - First aid facilities. - Two air compressors to fill scuba tanks. - One large dinghy. - Nitrox facilities.
