Manta Queen 8 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
Manta Queen 8 liveaboard boat underway, cutting through waves with a full wake
The largest hull in the fleet lineup here, with an extra deck level for more cabins and space to spread out.
the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard anchored beside a large granite boulder in Thailand
Rocky outcrops like this one are typical of the granite islands along Thailand's liveaboard routes, and the Manta Queen 8 anchors close by.
divers gearing up with scuba tanks on the rear dive deck of the Manta Queen 8
The stern of the Manta Queen 8 doubles as the gear up zone, wide enough for a full group to kit up without crowding each other.
condiments and snacks set out on a table in the Manta Queen 8's dining bar area
Small details like a stocked condiment tray say a lot about how a liveaboard runs day to day, and the Manta Queen 8 keeps its tables ready between dives.
an ensuite cabin on the Manta Queen 8 with a double bed and a folded towel swan
Wood-panelled cabins on the Manta Queen 8 come with their own bathroom, no queueing for a shared head between dives.
the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard underway past a distant Thai coastline
Under way between dive sites, the Manta Queen 8's blue and white hull is easy to pick out on the water.
the covered outdoor dining deck on the Manta Queen 8 with island views on both sides
Meals on the Manta Queen 8 happen under cover on the open deck, with the scenery outside doing most of the work between courses.
the wood-panelled indoor dining lounge aboard the Manta Queen 8
Rough weather sends guests inside to this teak dining lounge, still stocked with the same condiment trays as the deck tables.
a wide angle view of the Manta Queen 8's shaded dining deck facing the open sea
The fisheye lens exaggerates it, but the dining deck genuinely spans the width of the Manta Queen 8's stern.
the teak dining lounge on the Manta Queen 8 with tables and blue bench seating
This indoor lounge sits just behind the galley, the go-to spot for briefings and meals aboard the Manta Queen 8.
Turquoise water framed by a forested granite island off Thailand's Andaman coast
Topside scenery like this is part of daily life aboard the Manta Queen 8, cruising Thailand's granite-studded dive islands between dives.
Peacock mantis shrimp raising its brightly colored claws in a defensive pose underwater
Peacock mantis shrimp pack one of the fastest strikes in the ocean, quick enough to crack aquarium glass, a favorite macro find on Manta Queen 8 dives.
Nitrox scuba tanks lined up along the deck rail of a liveaboard dive boat
Nitrox in the Manta Queen 8 in Thailand
Covered sundeck lounge on the Manta Queen 8 with wooden furniture, a hammock and cushioned benches
Nitrox fills are available onboard the Manta Queen 8, letting divers extend bottom time on Thailand's reef sites.
Dining table set with condiments and drinks on the covered deck of a liveaboard boat
Bottled water, chili sauce and snacks stay laid out on the mess table between dives, the low-key comfort typical of Thailand's liveaboard boats.
Bow view of the liveaboard dive boat Manta Queen 8 anchored at sea with a Thai flag flying
The blue-hulled Manta Queen 8 runs multi-day liveaboard trips from Thailand out to the country's top dive sites.
White sand beach and turquoise water framed by granite boulders in the Similan Islands, Thailand
This beach cove is one of the classic snorkel and surface-interval stops the Manta Queen 8 visits on its Similan Islands routes.
Sun deck with foam mats and a canvas awning on top of a liveaboard dive boat
Between dives, guests stretch out on the shaded sun deck of the Manta Queen 8 to dry off and relax before the next dive briefing.
Twin bed cabin with wood paneling and a towel folded into a swan shape
Cabins on the Manta Queen 8 keep the classic wood paneled liveaboard look, with the crew's towel art a small nightly touch.

Sure, Thailand is a beautiful country, welcoming, charming but it’s way more for the divers. From the Surin Islands to Koh Bon, via the Richelieu site, let yourself be enchanted by the paradisiacal beaches and the clear turquoise waters on board of the magnificent Manta Queen 8 Liveaboard, the latest addition to the fleet. Inspiring a new way to appreciate the art of sea travel, Manta Queen 8 is a true ode to diving; this elegant & affordable ship boasts exceptional facilities to explore the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boon Sung Wreck in the best possible way. It offers 4 days & 4 nights of dive trips in the Andaman Sea. Underwater, rugged topography on grounds of 20 to 40 meters, the quality of the fauna and flora can only amaze divers.

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:

  • Many people were happy with the efficiency of the itinerary and the well executed dives.
  • Divers said naturalist was excellent in spotting fish from far away and knew what she was doing.
  • Some people said that the staff were very engaging and always offered a helping hand.

Things we don't like:

  • People were taken back due to the fact that they were presented with an envelope at the end of the trip to tip the crew.
  • Some people stated that the equipment was not up to scratch as the sizes were wrong and these measurements were given ahead of time.

Diving on the Manta Queen 8 liveaboard in Thailand

Explore the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boon Sung Wreck on board of the beautiful and affordable Manta Queen 8: Our newest addition to the fleet.

The dive site Richelieu is simply one of the best dive sites in the world and undoubtedly the best dive site in Thailand! The spot is very famous for being a whale shark magnet. Belonging to the Similan Island National Park, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, are regularly visited on the way to Richelieu, offering Pelagics, Napoleon Wrasse and Macro-Critters Night Diving.

Manta Queen 8 Liveaboard is 28 meters/ 92 feet long. This marvelous wooden structure manufactured watercraft is kept an eye on thanks to 5 professional dive staff and 6 benevolent and friendly crew members. 24 guests can be welcomed on board the Manta Queen 8 in 10 comfortable double-bed or twin cabins with adequate air-conditioning and private en-suite bathrooms.

There is a lot of room to appreciate the time between dives thanks to all the pleasant common spaces. Manta Queen 8 has a spacious in-door Saloon with HD-TV, an open dining area and an extensive Sundeck perfect for tanning. All suppers onboard are served buffet style freshly prepared by the talented onboard chef. Between dives, tasty snacks are served. Manta Queen 8 also offers you the chance to enjoy some time on the wonderful shorelines.

Rental equipment, Nitrox and Nitrox courses (EAN) are available on board. Dive courses like Untamed Water Course and Deep Speciality are also available.

Thai cuisine is one of the most popular in the world and is a reason to explore Thailand in its own right. Rich and varied, you can enjoy it wherever you go, especially on board of our Manta Queen 8! Always fresh, never frozen or pre-cooked. We serve authentic dishes cooked with an exotic taste that you will not find anywhere else. In any case, we offer an assortment of Western dishes too amid your journey. We only use fresh, natural and carefully selected ingredients and on all our vessels we prohibited the utilization of Monosodium Glutamate. Of course, we also provide delicious meals for Vegetarians and Vegans. If you need any special diet, don’t hesitate to let us know.

The diving conditions are usually good. On most dive sites, the depth varies between 10 and 30 m with a moderate current. The water temperature is around 29 ° C. The visibility is not always perfect because of the plankton but it is what attracts Manta rays and whale sharks! Expect 10 to 30 m visibility. Diving in the Surin Islands is suitable for all levels of divers. However, the best dive sites like Richelieu Rock can be difficult and reserved for experienced divers.

Things we like:

  • Many people were happy with the efficiency of the itinerary and the well executed dives.
  • Divers said naturalist was excellent in spotting fish from far away and knew what she was doing.
  • Some people said that the staff were very engaging and always offered a helping hand.

Things we don't like:

  • People were taken back due to the fact that they were presented with an envelope at the end of the trip to tip the crew.
  • Some people stated that the equipment was not up to scratch as the sizes were wrong and these measurements were given ahead of time.
Key facts
Year built: 2017
Max divers: 24
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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