Dolphin Queen Liveaboard Overview

Torben Lonne
By
Torben Lonne
Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
Torben traveled to South East Asia for scuba diving and never really stopped his search for new adventures. His affinity for gear that works and his...
- Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
The Dolphin Queen liveaboard anchored in calm water, flying the Thai flag
Dolphin Queen's blue-and-white livery is classic Thailand liveaboard style, built for multi-day safaris rather than single-day trips.
The Dolphin Queen liveaboard anchored off Thailand with divers cheering from the upper deck
A full boat of grinning divers at the rail says more about a liveaboard's vibe than any brochure copy.
Curtained bunk berths in a shared cabin aboard the Dolphin Queen with a sunset view through the window
Curtains turn a shared bunk into a private nook, handy when your bunkmate keeps different hours to yours.
The Dolphin Queen moored beside limestone cliffs at the Burma Banks with divers cheering on deck
Anchoring tight against the rock for the night is part of the appeal of a small liveaboard like this one.
White sand beach and forested limestone cliffs seen from the water near the Burma Banks
Deserted white sand backed by jungle cliffs is exactly the kind of surface interval view that makes the long boat ride worth it.
Covered dining and lounge area on the Dolphin Queen with fruit baskets set out on the tables
Fresh fruit laid out between dives keeps energy up without the sugar crash of shore side snacks.
Divers gearing up on the Dolphin Queen's rear dive deck as the sun sets over the water
Suiting up as the sun drops low is a familiar rhythm on a liveaboard where every deck doubles as gear space.
Divers stepping off the Dolphin Queen's dive platform into calm water
A sturdy swim platform like this makes giant stride entries easy even with a full rig on.
Bow view of the Dolphin Queen liveaboard cruising under a blue sky
Wooden hulled and blue trimmed, the Dolphin Queen looks every bit the classic Thai liveaboard she is.
Double bed cabin aboard the Dolphin Queen with window views of a tropical island
A private double cabin with an island view is the upgrade worth paying for on a multi day liveaboard trip.
Guests serving themselves from a buffet spread on the Dolphin Queen's dive deck
Buffet style service on deck means no waiting on tables between dives, just refuel and get back in the water.
Guests filling their plates at an outdoor buffet table aboard the Dolphin Queen
A second helping is easy to come by when the crew keeps the buffet trays full between dive briefings.
The Dolphin Queen liveaboard dive boat viewed from the waterline with divers gathered on the upper deck
The Dolphin Queen runs day and overnight trips out of Koh Tao, a classic wooden-hulled Thai dive boat rather than a flashy modern build.
Wetsuits and scuba tanks hanging in the kitting up area aboard the Dolphin Queen
Gear stays racked and ready between dives, so there is no scramble to find your kit before the next site.
Twin cabin aboard the Dolphin Queen with teal walls, a made-up bed and folded towels
Cabins are compact but clean, more budget liveaboard than luxury yacht, which fits the Dolphin Queen's Koh Tao price point.
The Dolphin Queen liveaboard anchored between limestone cliffs with a diver floating nearby
Those limestone outcrops are typical of the granite and rock pinnacles the boat visits on its Koh Tao area itinerary.
Self service dining area aboard the Dolphin Queen with a fruit bowl and welcome sign at the galley bar
Meals run buffet style at the galley counter, easy to graze between dives rather than a fixed sit down schedule.
Onboard toilet and sink in the ensuite bathroom of a Dolphin Queen cabin
Twin bunk cabin aboard the Dolphin Queen with a seahorse print and curtained windows
Bunk style cabins like this one are how the Dolphin Queen fits more divers aboard without pushing up the price.
Sun deck with padded loungers aboard the Dolphin Queen overlooking a forested island bay
The top deck loungers are where surface intervals happen, with the island coastline as the view instead of open ocean.

The Dolphin Queen liveaboard is one of the less expensive liveaboards offering diving at the Similan Islands, but you don’t lose quality with the lower price. At 24m she houses twenty-two divers. This “budget boat” provides a great dive trip and a social experience during its tour of the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands; including Richelieu Rock, and even 7 or 8-night trips to the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Things we like:

  • Some people said the crew was excellent and performed their duties well.
  • Many divers said that the dive master picked the perfect spots to dive.
  • Some people said the liveaboard is in good condition and everything runs smoothly.

Things we don't like:

  • Some people said there was a massive storm that hampered their trip.
  • Divers said that the generator and engine room was a noise factor.
  • Some people were taken back by the small nature of the boat and cabins.

Diving on the Dolphin Queen liveaboard in Thailand

The Andaman Sea is vouched for its clear water, abundant marine life, and beautiful islands. And that’s where our journey with Dolphin Queen begins; we are set to sail to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock plus the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar in Burma where the waters are made for diving.

Thailand is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world and with the diversity of the landscapes, it’s rendered a must-see. You get to discover incredible sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, emerald water, beautiful coral reefs, charming villages and impressive cliffs for a minimum price. You will enjoy a multitude of breathtaking anchorages and multicolored coral reefs! The trip is set for 4 nights, is extremely affordable and suits all adventurous minds with a limited budget.

Dolphin Queen was built in 1999, renovated in 2008 and has been offering low-price cruises since! The 24 meters long yacht holds a maximum of 22 guests. It’s composed of 3 decks and it offers comfortable air-conditioned cabins with sea view. There are three quad cabins, one twin cabin, and four double bed cabins. All shared cabins have curtains for your privacy.

You can enjoy yourself on the sun deck with a relaxing Thai massage or a quiet and natural tanning session. If you opt more for appreciating the scenery, you might gaze at some dolphins or giant whale sharks along the way. You can also grab a drink in the open-air lounge and watch some TV if you just want to feel like home. In addition, the spacious fly-bridge terrace includes sun loungers and mattresses for your comfort.

The dining area in the upper deck is cozy-sized and home-like. You will find a buffet where you can grab anything you want from the menu of our most talented chefs. Any food requests or preferences are attended to if we’re informed in advance. You can choose from the mouth-watering Thai cuisine or from our conventional western meals. Vegetarian options are also available. Apart from the meals, drinks, coffee, tea, and other snacks are provided all day long as well as fresh exotic fruits. The gathering around the dinner table is said to be one of the most enjoyable times aboard our ship.

One of the advantages of diving with the Dolphin Queen is that you do not need to bring your own diving equipment! In fact, high-quality rental equipment is available onboard! The dive bridge is large and well organized. All the necessary equipment is on-site to ensure optimum preparation. Then, the dive is usually done from the motorized outboard. Indeed, it will transport you directly to the most beautiful diving sites in Thailand.

Things we like:

  • Some people said the crew was excellent and performed their duties well.
  • Many divers said that the dive master picked the perfect spots to dive.
  • Some people said the liveaboard is in good condition and everything runs smoothly.

Things we don't like:

  • Some people said there was a massive storm that hampered their trip.
  • Divers said that the generator and engine room was a noise factor.
  • Some people were taken back by the small nature of the boat and cabins.
Key facts
Year built: 2008
Max divers: 22
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: No
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: No
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: < 5 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
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