Southern Explorer
Southern liveaboard route focused on Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa and the deeper sites south of Phi Phi. Less known than Similan — usually less traffic at the sites.
Highlights
- Hin Daeng and Hin Muang — Thailand's deeper pinnacles
- Koh Haa — cave diving, cathedral dive
- Stonehenge — rare site, soft coral in current
- Fewer boats per site than north of Phuket
About this route
The southern counterpart to the Similan route. Departs from the Phuket marina, runs south through Phi Phi to the Hin Daeng region and the Koh Haa group. 4 dives a day, 4–5 nights.
You’ll see fewer other boats out here. North of Phuket the routes are so standardized that several boats often sit on the same site. South of Phuket the market is smaller and the sites less crowded.
Season
December to April. Outside that window the open-water stretches between sites get too rough.
What to know
- Hin Daeng calls for drift experience — current is often moderate to strong.
- Koh Haa works better for newer divers — the cave systems are shallow and sheltered.
- Pricing is usually 15–20% below the equivalent Similan route at the same boat tier.
- Departing from Phuket makes the route easier to reach by air than Khao Lak.
Good fit if you
Want Thai diving with less traffic, have drift experience, traveling January–March.
Skip if you
Are after whale shark above all (Richelieu in the north is the safer bet).
What you can see
- Manta ray
- Whale shark (early season)
- Devil ray
- Leopard shark
Sound interesting?
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