MV Pawara 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
MV Pawara liveaboard boat at anchor, marked West Coast Divers on the hull
Operated by West Coast Divers, the Pawara's twin open-air decks give divers plenty of space to spread out gear between dives.
The MV Pawara liveaboard cruising open water, its West Coast Divers livery visible on the hull
Three stacked decks and clear West Coast Divers signage make the Pawara easy to pick out at a crowded liveaboard mooring.
Covered outdoor dining deck aboard the MV Pawara with cushioned bench seating and a small galley bar
Shaded bench seating wraps the dining deck, so meals and briefings happen out of direct sun between dives.
Cabin aboard the MV Pawara with a dark brown double bed, folded towel art and carved wood decor
Dark wood trim and a proper double bed mark this out as one of the Pawara's private cabins rather than the shared bunk rooms.
The MV Pawara liveaboard at anchor near a rocky island with West Coast Divers branding on its hull
Anchoring this close to the rocks cuts down on tender rides between the boat and the dive site entry point.
Wood-paneled bunk cabin on the MV Pawara with a mounted fan, ladder and a carved wall ornament
A dedicated wall fan for each bunk keeps things cool without relying on air-con alone, and the ladder makes the top berth easy to reach.
Cushioned window seating nook aboard the MV Pawara with a wall fan and patterned Thai cushions
A quiet corner like this doubles as extra seating when the saloon fills up after a dive.
Sun deck aboard the MV Pawara lined with padded loungers under a fading evening sky
The open sun deck up top gives divers a spot to dry off and catch the sunset between dives.
Close view of a bunk bed aboard the MV Pawara with crisp white linen and a metal safety rail
The metal rail on the top bunk is a small but welcome safety touch that not every liveaboard bothers with.
Indoor lounge aboard the MV Pawara with cream sofas, a bookshelf and a flat-screen TV
A proper lounge with books and a TV gives guests somewhere to unwind that isn't the dive deck or their cabin.
Folded white towels with fresh flowers arranged on a cabin bed aboard the MV Pawara
A small touch like these flowers in the towels signals a liveaboard that cares about first impressions.
Another view of the MV Pawara's lounge with cream sofas, bookshelves and a wall-mounted TV
Two facing sofa banks turn the lounge into a spot for group debriefs after the day's dives.
MV Pawara liveaboard anchored bow-on near a rocky, jungle-covered Thai island
A tucked-in anchorage like this means calmer water for kitting up, no long tender ride to the reef.
Twin bunk cabin on MV Pawara with life jackets stored under the desk
Life jackets stowed in plain sight under the desk, a small but reassuring detail on a liveaboard bunk room.
Made up bunk bed on MV Pawara with swan-shaped towel art and fresh orchids
The swan-folded towels are a nice touch, though what matters more on a liveaboard bed is the in-room safe tucked beside the pillows.
MV Pawara liveaboard's rear dive deck with tanks and entry ladders at anchor
The open dive deck at the stern, ladders either side of the gear racks, is built for getting divers in and out fast between sites.
Twin bunk cabin aboard the Oktavia liveaboard with blue bedding and a curtained window
Stacked bunks make efficient use of a narrow cabin, and the curtain across the top berth is a nice privacy touch not every liveaboard bothers with.

One of the best parts of a vacation is sharing the pictures, and taking a tour of the Andaman sea aboard the Pawara liveaboard will allow you to share your memories as they happen with their free onboard Wi-Fi access. The Pawara can house twenty divers comfortably. Depart Tablamu Pier in Khao Lak for your four days, four-night dive safari touring the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock & Surin national park.

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 divers commended Bento for his 10 years on board Pawara and because he ran everything smoothly and well planned.
  • Some people noted that the liveaboard was in excellent condition with full amenities for a awesome diving experience.
  • Some people said in the evening they would hold board game night to pass the time.

Things we don't like:

  • Some divers were taken back because their trip was hampered due to a monsoon.
  • Many people noted that they served fish on a daily basis and a little variety would not hurt.
  • A problem...

Diving on the MV Pawara liveaboard in Thailand

The MV Pawara, a 36-meter/118 feet long Thailand liveaboard, custom-made for diving was refurbished in 2016. It accommodates 22 guests. The MV Pawara takes you to Thailand’s best diving sites which includes the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock. Explicitly refitted for scuba divers, the liveaboard goes on a cruise for four days and four nights and is fitted with large hull stabilizers, which have improved the comfort levels in the boat as rolling in livelier waters are significantly reduced.

This luxury liveaboard which goes on a cruise from October to May is fitted with first-class amenities that accommodate all its 22 guests. The boat has 12 cabins that comprise budget cabins on the lower deck and shared bathrooms. There are two master cabins located on the main deck. There are 4 Deluxe cabins on the same deck equipped with bunk style beds, same as budget cabins that are on the lower deck. Other cabins are en-suite and are fully air-conditioned. The MV Pawara also has a big lounge area with TV, DVD, karaoke, and where guests can play games. There are an outdoor dining area and a shaded sun deck, perfect for relaxing after diving.

The MV Pawara has a large dive deck along with facilities that make diving comfortable for divers. For EANx certified divers, the MV Pawara makes Nitrox available.

Guests are served buffet style three delicious main meals daily. The meals include a pre-breakfast of toast and coffee and tea while snacks are served in the afternoon to keep the divers strengthened throughout the day. The meals are a combination of western and local cuisine and guests with special dietary requests are catered to as well.

With the safety of divers and other guests a priority, the MV Pawara has fire extinguishers, life jackets, first aid station, oxygen tanks, life rafts, and vests.

While diving can be done all year long, the best time to go is between January and March, when the average air temperature is between 27C/80F and 34C/93F.

The diving trip on the MV Pawara is four days and four nights with guests departing from Tablamu Pier in Khao Lak. The guests depart for the MV Pawara by 5 pm on the departure date and arrive by 7:30 pm, where they are briefed, checked into their rooms with light dinner provided.

There are four dives on the first day, which takes place at the Similan Islands. On the second day, a total of four dives occurs at Similan Islands and Koh Bon. A total of four dives on the third day takes place at Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock while on the final day, there are two dives in the Boon Soong Wreck before guests are brought back to Phuket via Tablamu Pier.

Things we like:

  • Many divers commended Bento for his 10 years on board Pawara and because he ran everything smoothly and well planned.
  • Some people noted that the liveaboard was in excellent condition with full amenities for a awesome diving experience.
  • Some people said in the evening they would hold board game night to pass the time.

Things we don't like:

  • Some divers were taken back because their trip was hampered due to a monsoon.
  • Many people noted that they served fish on a daily basis and a little variety would not hurt.
  • A problem…
Key facts
Year built: 2016
Max divers: 24
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: No
Internet: Yes (free)
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: < 5 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
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