The Junk

Location: Thailand

Rating: 4.8/5 (69 reviews)

The Junk

About The Junk

Step aboard The Junk, a historic vessel that blends traditional charm with modern comforts for an unforgettable diving expedition to Thailand's spectacular Similan and Surin Islands.

Thailand's Andaman Sea is a diver's paradise, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an incredible diversity of marine life, including majestic manta rays, graceful whale sharks, and a myriad of colorful reef fish. Exploring this aquatic wonderland aboard The Junk, a truly unique liveaboard, offers an unparalleled experience, combining the allure of a bygone era with access to some of the world's most pristine dive sites. Diving from The Junk is designed for both convenience and immersion. The vessel features a dedicated, shaded dive deck with individual setup areas, ensuring ample space and comfort for all divers. Two tenders are on hand to ferry divers to and from the best spots, allowing access to remote reefs and pinnacles. Nitrox is available for extended bottom times, and the experienced dive guides lead small groups, ensuring personalized attention and maximizing marine encounters. Night dives are a regular highlight, offering a chance to witness the nocturnal wonders of the Andaman Sea. Life aboard The Junk is a delightful blend of rustic charm and essential modern amenities. Guests can retreat to one of six air-conditioned cabins, each equipped with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower, providing a comfortable sanctuary after a day of diving. Beyond the cabins, the air-conditioned indoor saloon offers a cozy space to relax, read from the onboard library, or enjoy audio and video entertainment. For those who prefer the open air, the sundeck provides ample space for sunbathing, while outdoor dining areas allow guests to savor meals under the tropical sky. Kayaks are also available for exploring the serene coves and beaches of the islands. Culinary delights are a cornerstone of the experience on The Junk. Meals are served buffet-style, featuring a delicious array of fresh local Thai dishes alongside Western favorites. The emphasis is on fresh, high-quality ingredients, ensuring satisfying and energizing meals throughout the trip. Snacks are available all day, and special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian and vegan options, can be accommodated with advance notice. The warm hospitality of the crew complements the excellent food, making every dining experience a pleasure. Built in 1962 and renovated in 1997, The Junk is a 33-meter authentic Chinese junk-style vessel with a rich history, having even featured in films like "007 - The Man With The Golden Gun." She boasts a beam of 8.5 meters, providing generous space for her maximum of 18 guests across 6 cabins. Powered by a Hino 380Hp engine, she cruises at 8 knots with a top speed of 10 knots, ensuring smooth transitions between dive sites. Her substantial water capacity of 8000 liters and a freshwater maker producing 6000 liters per day ensure comfort throughout the journey. Embarkation for The Junk typically takes place from Thap Lamu, with convenient airport and hotel transfers included in the package. The prime diving season in the Similan and Surin Islands generally runs from October to May, offering optimal conditions for exploring these vibrant underwater ecosystems. This liveaboard is ideal for divers seeking a unique, character-filled adventure, couples, and small groups who appreciate a blend of historical charm and excellent diving opportunities.

Vessel Specifications

  • Length: 33m
  • Guest capacity: 18
  • Year built: 1962
  • Nitrox: Available

Cabins

  • Double/Twin Cabins (sleeps 2) — Double or Twin — These two private cabins feature double beds that can be effortlessly reconfigured into twin beds, offering flexible sleeping arrangements. Each cabin is equipped with full air-conditioning for your c
  • Quad Cabins (sleeps 3) — Twin — These two four-berth cabins are equipped with bunk beds, which can also be booked as shared twin accommodations. Each cabin offers complete air-conditioning for your comfort. Guests will appreciate th
  • Classic Quad (sleeps 4) — Bunk-Style Beds — The mixed quad share cabins can sleep up to four divers in bunk style single beds. These cabins are air conditioned and offer their own en-suite facilities. PLEASE NOTE - These cabins are mixed male

Itineraries

Best of Thailand

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Your Thai diving adventure unfolds over seven days, culminating in 26 thrilling dives across a tapestry of marine environments. Each morning, you awaken to a new aquatic spectacle, starting with the vibrant Racha Islands, where pristine hard corals teem with reef fish and the intriguing Marla's Mystery Wreck offers a captivating exploration. As the journey progresses north, you'll encounter the dramatic soft coral gardens and teeming reef life of Shark Point and Anemone Reef, known for their kal

Southern Explorer

Duration: 4D/3N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Your underwater journey in Thailand begins with evening embarkation, setting the stage for detailed briefings before dinner. Each day unfolds with an exciting rhythm, offering up to four dives, with three daylight explorations followed by a captivating sunset or night dive. You'll descend into vibrant coral gardens, exploring the majestic rock formations and diverse topography characteristic of this region. Expect encounters with a rich tapestry of marine life, from schools of shimmering fish to

Southern Thailand

Duration: 5D/4N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Your journey through Thailand's underwater marvels begins with an evening embarkation, setting the stage for an immersive diving experience. Expert dive briefings and a welcoming dinner prepare you for the adventures ahead. Throughout this expedition, you'll typically plunge into the azure depths for up to four dives each day, including three daytime explorations and a captivating sunset or nocturnal dive. This rhythm allows for a total of 14 dives, immersing you deeply into the vibrant marine e

Custom Charter

Duration: 2D/1N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Your diving expedition through Thailand promises an immersive exploration of its vibrant underwater realms. Each day unfolds with dives across captivating locations, presenting diverse topography and thrilling marine life encounters. You'll navigate dramatic walls, encounter towering pinnacles, and drift along reef channels teeming with activity. Look forward to observing leopard sharks gracefully patrolling the depths, while the elusive kuhl's stingray might dart past during your dives. Giant t

Best of Thailand - Shark Education Trip

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Your underwater journey through Thailand commences with evening embarkation, followed by essential briefings and a warm welcome dinner. Over the ensuing days, expect a regular rhythm of aquatic exploration, typically involving up to four dives daily, frequently concluding with a captivating sunset descent. Each morning brings fresh opportunities to discover the vibrant marine ecosystems of the region's top dive sites. The diving experience itself is designed to immerse you fully, with careful co

Similan & Surin Islands

Duration: 7D/6N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Embark on an exhilarating underwater journey through Thailand's vibrant dive sites, beginning with evening briefings and a communal dinner before the first full day of exploration. Your diving director expertly orchestrates up to four dives daily, transitioning from morning descents to a captivating sunset spectacle and even a thrilling night dive. The pace continues with usually two morning dives, followed by another after lunch, before the liveaboard progresses to new locales. This meticulousl

Similan & Surin Islands

Duration: 5D/4N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

اليوم الأول: الصعود على متن السفينة الساعة 19:00، يليه جلسات تعريفية وعشاء. الأيام 2-4: سيقوم Cruise Director بجدولة ما يصل إلى 4 غطسات يومياً؛ 3 غطسات نهارية وغطسة عند الغروب أو غطسة ليلية. جدول يوم الغوص المعتاد يكون كالتالي: ● إفطار خفيف، يليه جلسة تعريفية و Dive 1 ● إفطار كامل، وقت للاسترخاء، يليه جلسة تعريفية و Dive 2 ● غداء، وقت للاسترخاء، يليه جلسة تعريفية و Dive 3 ● وجبة خفيفة ● جلسة تعريفية لـ Dive 4 ● عشاء اليوم الخامس: بعد Dive 2*، تبدأ السفينة رحلة العودة إلى الميناء. النزول من ا

Best of Thailand

Duration: 11D/10N

Embarkation: Chalong Pier

Embark on an exceptional journey through Thailand's aquatic wonders, experiencing up to 33 exhilarating dives. Each day unfolds with new underwater discoveries, guiding you across the vibrant dive sites of the region. Explore the remarkable formations that define these waters, where the currents dictate an exhilarating drift diving style, revealing an abundance of pelagic life. Witness stunning manta rays gliding gracefully through the blue, alongside impressive whale sharks making their majesti

Best of Thailand - Shark Education Trip

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Thap Lamu

Explore Thailand's Andaman Sea on this dedicated shark education itinerary. This liveaboard offers a focused opportunity to encounter a range of shark species, from docile leopard sharks on sandy bottoms to more elusive reef sharks in vibrant coral gardens and around submerged pinnacles. Expect a blend of healthy reef diving and pelagic encounters, with visibility typically excellent during the dry season. This route specifically targets sites known for consistent shark presence, providing an ed

Southern Explorer (Chalong - Chalong)

Embarkation: Chalong Pier, Thailand

Embark on an unforgettable diving cruise through the pristine waters and stunning islands of Thailand. Explore renowned dive sites such as Koh Racha Yai, Racha Noi, and the famous King Cruiser wreck. This itinerary promises vibrant ocean life, including colorful coral gardens, majestic manta rays, graceful reef sharks, and schools of tropical fish thriving in crystal-clear visibility.

Upcoming Departures

  • 2026-07-30 → 2026-08-02 — Southern Explorer · [object Object] → [object Object] · $620/person · 18 spots left
  • 2026-08-06 → 2026-08-09 — Southern Explorer · [object Object] → [object Object] · $620/person · 8 spots left
  • 2026-08-13 → 2026-08-16 — Southern Explorer · [object Object] → [object Object] · $620/person · 18 spots left
  • 2026-08-20 → 2026-08-23 — Southern Explorer · [object Object] → [object Object] · $620/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-27 → 2026-08-30 — Southern Explorer · [object Object] → [object Object] · $620/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-10-14 → 2026-10-20 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1336/person · -20% · 12 spots left
  • 2026-10-20 → 2026-10-26 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1336/person · -20% · 16 spots left
  • 2026-10-27 → 2026-10-31 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $892/person · -20% · 7 spots left
  • 2026-10-31 → 2026-11-06 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1336/person · -20% · 11 spots left
  • 2026-11-07 → 2026-11-13 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 11 spots left
  • 2026-11-13 → 2026-11-17 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 15 spots left
  • 2026-11-18 → 2026-11-24 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 16 spots left
  • 2026-11-24 → 2026-11-30 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 10 spots left
  • 2026-12-01 → 2026-12-05 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 10 spots left
  • 2026-12-05 → 2026-12-09 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $892/person · -20% · 17 spots left
  • 2026-12-09 → 2026-12-13 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $892/person · -20% · 18 spots left
  • 2026-12-14 → 2026-12-18 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 16 spots left
  • 2026-12-18 → 2026-12-22 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 9 spots left
  • 2026-12-23 → 2026-12-29 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-12-29 → 2027-01-04 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 0 spots left
  • 2027-01-05 → 2027-01-09 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 12 spots left
  • 2027-01-09 → 2027-01-15 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 15 spots left
  • 2027-01-16 → 2027-01-22 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 2 spots left
  • 2027-01-22 → 2027-01-26 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 11 spots left
  • 2027-01-27 → 2027-02-02 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 14 spots left
  • 2027-02-02 → 2027-02-08 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 8 spots left
  • 2027-02-09 → 2027-02-13 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 14 spots left
  • 2027-02-13 → 2027-02-19 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 8 spots left
  • 2027-02-20 → 2027-02-26 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1670/person · 13 spots left
  • 2027-02-26 → 2027-03-02 — Similan & Surin Islands · [object Object] → [object Object] · $1115/person · 13 spots left