Video dives Maafushi
Sinai Dive Club
Highlights on board the Spaboat Merdeka 3
Thailand
What is a liveaboard spaboat?
A liveaboard spaboat is a unique experience that combines the best of diving and wellness.
Basically, it is a cruise that allows you to explore exclusive dive sites while enjoying authentic Thai massages.
When is it best to do a liveaboard in Thailand?
The best season to visit this part of Thailand is from November to April. The weather is perfect, the sea calm, and the underwater conditions simply spectacular.
Do you want visibility? In those months you can see up to 30 meters underwater with total clarity.
In low season there is more rainfall but also fewer travelers.
Why did we choose Merdeka 3?
The Merdeka 3 is made of teak wood, with only 14 seats. A traditional boat, comfortable, relaxed, without unnecessary luxuries but with the essentials well taken care of.
Our guide, Kikki, was another level: professional, fun and always making sure we were doing well. The atmosphere was so familiar that, by the third day, we felt at home.
How is the diving in Thailand?
For my taste, diving in Thailand is Top World. You won't read it on the internet, but that's how it is.
Each dive is different and full of marine life: tropical fish, black tip sharks, multicolored corals, hopefully whale sharks and everywhere you look there is something to admire.
In addition, the water temperature is around 28-30 degrees Celsius, so you can dive comfortably even without wetsuit to enjoy all the underwater life of Thailand.
A week aboard the Merdeka 3: diving, relaxation and sea in Thailand
Can you imagine spending an entire week living by the sea? Crystal clear waters, exotic marine life, freshly made Thai food and sunsets that look like a lie. Well, that's exactly what we did aboard the Merdeka 3, one of Thailand's most authentic liveaboards.
We wanted something intimate. No boats with 25 people.
This has been a very authentic experience that stands out for its authenticity, human quality and above all chill atmosphere.
It is probably the most relaxed liveaboard we have been, we counted with times for the dives, we were a small group and we marked our times under the watchful eye of Kiki our divemaster and guide.
And here is our experience, told from the inside, with practical advice, personal anecdotes and all the nuances of a trip that, honestly, we would repeat with our eyes closed.
The best dive sites in and around Phi Phi National Park
Turtle Rock
This spot lives up to its name: although our luck left us with no sea turtle encounters! Located on the island of Mai Thon, Turtle Rock is a perfect place to observe these wonderful creatures up close, as well as moray eels, colorful nudibranchs and small clownfish playing in their anemones.
These sites remain relatively untouched and full of vibrant marine life. We leave photos of the Dive Site Turtle rock in Phiphi islands below for you to see for yourself.
Koh Haa: Neua, Lagoon and Lek
Diving in Koh Haa is, without exaggeration, to dive in one of the most spectacular underwater sceneries in Thailand. Koh Haa, which literally means "five islands" in Thai, is a small archipelago located in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park, known for its crystal clear waters, underwater caves and exceptional marine life.
During our trip aboard the Merdeka 3, we explored three specific spots on Koh Haa: Neua, Lagoon and Lek. We especially enjoyed this day, we were surrounded by thousands of silver fish as we climbed the caves, views of moray eels, scorpion fish and even a playful squid came up to us on the night dive we did, a spectacle.
Hin Bida
Honestly, it set the bar very high. Hin Bida is famous for its rich marine life, especially leopard sharks, which you can see resting quietly on the sandy bottom, we were not that lucky (it is the shark that most resists me). We did encounter eagle rays, large sharks that we could not tell what type they were, and the best thing was a group of cuttlefish that stayed with us for most of the dive.
It's not all about diving: food, ambiance and views
Get ready, you're going to freak out!
The homemade Thai food was amazing. Green curry, pad thai, spicy soups, fresh fish, tropical fruit... Every meal was different and delicious. I never thought I would end up eating so much on a ship. And there was always plenty to spare - even chicken nuggets one day!
The atmosphere on board was what made the trip special: no rush, no pressure, just good energy. At night, chats under the stars, soft music, a Singha beer and a giant terrace where you can lie down and watch the sky.
And yes, the views from the bow were, without exaggeration, among the best of the trip. I took several naps there. There was also some reading and some of those conversations that only flow at sea.
A unique and unforgettable experience
No doubt about it. The Merdeka 3 is not just a boat. It is an experience. It is the calm of the sea, the thrill of the reef, the taste of curry, the shared laughter and the real disconnection.
What I took away most was that feeling of absolute freedom, of being out of the world for a few days. Of sleeping with the sea breeze coming through the window, of seeing sharks and then chatting about them with a beer in my hand, of learning from other travelers and the team, and of everything happening without the need to rush.
If you're looking for something to take you out of the routine and reconnect you with the sea (and yourself), this is your sign.
