Khao Lak Scuba Adventures
82220 A. Takuapa, Phang Nga
THA
Khao Lak Scuba Adventures, also known as KSA Liveaboard Thailand, is a highly experienced diving operator based in Khao Lak. Established in 2003, the company has grown to become a leading specialist in liveaboard trips to the Andaman Sea’s most renowned dive destinations. KSA offers incredible multi-day diving safaris aboard its dedicated Manta Queen fleet. These trips primarily focus on exploring the spectacular dive sites within the Similan Islands and Surin Islands National Marine Park, including highlights like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai. As an officially partnered Scuba Schools International (SSI) Dive Center, KSA provides the full range of courses, from introductory dives to Instructor Level training, using modern facilities that include an in-house training pool and up-to-date materials. The company is committed to diver safety and professional service, operating with a large team of multilingual SSI Dive Professionals who cater to guests speaking major Western and Asian languages. All divers are provided with annually maintained, high-quality rental equipment from trusted brands like Mares. KSA has received recognition for its service, notably with award-winning reviews on platforms like Trip Advisor. KSA Liveaboard Thailand serves as a premier platform for experiencing the world-class underwater environment of the Thai Andaman coast.
The Manta Queen Liveaboard Fleet The Manta Queen fleet is KSA’s hallmark, consisting of several custom-designed vessels built to provide comfortable and professional diving experiences. These boats offer varying trip lengths and cabin options to suit different budgets and preferences, with safety and service as core priorities All Manta Queen liveaboards include freshly prepared Thai and Western buffet-style meals with options for special dietary needs. Small dive group sizes, typically 4 divers per Dive Professional, ensure a personalized and safe experience both above and below the water. Manta Queen 1 Offers a mix of cabin types, including en-suite. Manta Queen 2 A shorter option focused on the main Northern sites. Manta Queen 3 Departs from Phuket for a different range of Southern dive sites.
KSA’s primary itineraries focus on the protected areas of the Similan Islands and Surin Islands National Marine Parks, which are renowned globally for their diverse marine life and stunning underwater topography. Richelieu Rock: Often hailed as one of the world’s best dive sites, this horseshoe-shaped pinnacle is famous for its vibrant purple soft corals and as a reliable spot for sighting Whale Sharks and Manta Rays during the season. It’s also a macro photographer’s dream, home to seahorses, ghost pipefish, and harlequin shrimp. Similan Islands: These nine granite islands offer a contrast between the West coast’s dramatic boulder formations (featuring swim-throughs and canyons like at Elephant Head Rock) and the East coast’s sloping, colorful hard coral reefs. Encounters with reef sharks and turtles are common. Koh Bon & Koh Tachai: Located between the Similans and Surins, these sites are known for attracting Manta Rays to their cleaning stations (particularly at Koh Bon’s West Ridge) and are excellent locations for spotting large pelagic fish. Boonsung Wreck: Closer to the mainland, this decommissioned tin dredger has become a thriving artificial reef, famous for its incredible density of schooling fish and a great site for day trips.
As an officially partnered Scuba Schools International (SSI) Dive Center, Khao Lak Scuba Adventures provides a full spectrum of diving education and certification programs, from introductory experiences to professional-level training. KSA follows the SSI training philosophy, which emphasizes “Comfort Through Repetition“ to ensure skills are mastered automatically and confidently. Beginner Courses: Including the SSI Open Water Diver course, which uses an innovative digital e-learning system for theory and confined water training in a dedicated pool facility. Continuing Education: Offering a variety of specialty courses, such as Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Enriched Air Nitrox (recommended for liveaboard trips to increase no-decompression limits). Dive Professionals: KSA runs programs up to Instructor level, employing a large, multilingual team of SSI Dive Professionals to cater to a global clientele. The company’s long history and large fleet have cemented its reputation as one of the most trusted and experienced liveaboard operators servicing the spectacular Andaman Sea dive destinations.
What We Offer
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Affiliated Dive Sites Show on map
★★★★★ Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is one of the most popular dive sites in Surin Islands National Park. It is a limestone reef that rises almost vertically from a depth of 35 meters, and appears only at low tide, about 1 meter above the surface.
★★★★☆ Three Trees
This point is located northeast of the 9th island in the Similan Islands. It is named after the three large trees that are used to mark the entry, from a shallow depth of about 5 meters to a reef slope of about 18 meters, beyond which there is a pure white sandy area dotted with isolated roots. Offshore, there are beautiful rocky areas with schools of soft corals, where you can see large fish. Because the tide splits on the island, the tide is clear and you can enjoy drift dives when the tide is strong.
★★★★☆ Elephant Head Rock
Located in the middle of the sea between islands 7 and 8 in the Similan Islands, this reef dive site stands out in the middle of the sea. It was named after the shape of the rock sticking out of the water, which resembles the head of an elephant. The point is made up of huge layers of granite, dotted with numerous channels and swim-throughs that create a mystical landscape. The tide is good, and you can expect the feeding scene of the crabs, sharks and big fish in the early morning. In the shallow water, you can often find oversized trevally targeting small fish. This is one of the most dynamic dive sites in the Similan Islands.
★★★★☆ Koh Bon Pinnacle
Not for beginners! Koh Bon Pinnacle starts at 22m and ends at 45m or deeper. Beautiful vegetation with lots of yellow soft corals are here. There are no descent ropes available. Doing a negative entry is an advantage!
★★★★☆ Koh Bon, West Ridge
Bon Island, about 50 km west of Khao Lak, is an uplifted limestone island about 20 km north of the Similan Islands. This is a long and narrow ridge point on the west side of the island.
★★★★☆ North Point
As the name suggests, North Point is the northernmost dive site in the Similan Islands, located on the north side of Island 9. The terrain is varied, with massive granite overlaps forming large walls, channels, and swim-throughs.
★★★★☆ Christmas Point
Christmas Point is located on the western corner of Island 9 in the Similan Islands. It is named after the root of the thornbeam (English name: Christmas tree worm) that grows in clusters. Intricate rock formations eroded by tidal currents create channels and swim-throughs that provide dynamic terrain. Be careful out in the deep area along the rocks, as the tide is fast in some conditions.
★★★★☆ Boonsung (Wreck)
Boonsung is a zinc dredge that has been underwater for about 30 years and broke into several pieces after the Tsunami. It is a very fishy dive site perfect for beginners and advanced divers. It is recommended to bring a dive light to see into all of the crevices.
★★★★☆ Deep Six
Located at the north end of the 7th island in the Similan Islands, this dive site is along the northern apex of an elongated island from north to south. Visibility is clear and the granite boulders, eroded by the tidal currents, form several steps from the bottom.
★★★★☆ West of Eden
A topographic dive site on the west side of Island 7 in the Similan Islands. It is centered around three huge rocks that are the highlight of the dive with coral slopes on either side. Soft corals, such as sea fans and sea hawks, are growing in the wall and in the deep area off the rocky coast. These areas are home to hard corals such as Hanaya rhinoceros and a wide variety of other creatures.
★★★★☆ Honeymoon Bay
Totally shallow dive site if you stay on the island. Afterwards it is a steep sloping reef down to 30m depth. There can be a current. The shallow area is good for snorkeling, training courses, and night dives.
★★★★☆ Koh Bon, The Wall/Waterfall
This dive site is actually between Koh Bon Bay and West Ridge. A good place to jump from the boat into the water, as you can dive without currents. Viewing the waterfall from below is a natural spectacle in itself.
★★★★☆ Koh Bon, North Ridge
Nice shallow area for diving with a slightly sloping reef. You can swim from the North Ridge over the West Ridge and into the bay. Currents are usually weak to moderate.
★★★★☆ Aow Pakard/Pakkad
Simple and colorful reef, good for beginners and snorkelers. Slightly sloping reef with many coral blocks and a few sand areas.
★★★★☆ Stonehenge
This dive site is located at the northernmost tip of island 4. Many big rocks (boulders) where you can dive in between. Please note that there is almost always a current running at this dive site.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Sunday | --- |
Opening Hours
| Monday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Sunday | --- |