The Black Manta liveaboard dive boat based here in Phuket, Thailand, offers four-day and four-night diving trips to all of the best sites in the Andaman Sea from November until April every year. These sites include the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Tachai, and Richelieu Rock, all located northwest of Phuket. The boat departs from the port of Thap Lamu near the resort town of Khao Lak, and we offer free transfers to and from the boat from both areas.
The Clean, Clean, Diving Machine
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Huge master cabin |
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Combo Deluxe Cabin |
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Indoor Saloon |
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Spacious Sundeck |
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Outdoor Saloon/ Dining Area |
The vessel is 32m or 105ft in length, and built of steel making her one of the largest liveaboards plying the western Indian Ocean. Look at the chart below for a full range of features and drawings of the boat. Additional photos are found here. She takes a total of 20 divers in 10 air conditioned cabins on regular departures, but some of her cabins are large enough to accommodate more than this on special request. She has four types of cabins altogether: Her one Master cabin, pictured at the right, has a large king-sized bed, two bunk beds, and a sofa making here one of the larges cabins available anywhere here. This cabin can accommodate a family of four upon request. Four of the cabins have one large queen-sized bed and with a twin bunk above, so we can take couples or singles in these cabins. Two of the cabins have double beds only for couples and two cabins have twin beds only. All of these cabins have private, en suite bathrooms or heads, with shower and toilet facilities. Finally, there is one standard cabin with twin beds for those budget-minded divers. She has shared bathroom facilities, but does have a sink and vanity in the cabin for convenience. Please click here for schedules and prices in detail.
The cabins have hot and cold showers, and are fully air conditioned.
Saloon or Salon, Potato or Tomato
The boat has an huge, well appointed indoor full air conditioned saloon equipped with a large, flat screen TV and entertainment system, and tables and chairs for everyone on board. She also has a large outdoor al fresco saloon and dining area for when the weather is perfect (almost always here). Up on the top deck there is a partially-shaded sundeck for you worshipers who can take the heat. Forward of the wheelhouse are comfortable benches where you can hang out and look for the next beautiful island on the itinerary.
A steel boat has a huge advantage over wooden boats as there is simply more room inside so the boat just feels nice and big. She is very well kept, clean and pretty. The food as on most Thai liveaboards, is fabulous and plentiful. She even offers a traditional Thai massage service on the boat to ease those aches and pains from all that intensive diving you'll be doing.
All The Gas a Growing Diver Needs
Her diving deck is clean, and spacious. She has individual tank racks, gear storage beneath the racks and tanks are filled from whips from the on board compressors. The boat can mix Nitrox and even Trimix if you are so qualified or motivated. She's a good boat for you techies looking to do some special kinds of diving.
The crew is well trained both in diving and customer service. The boat crew is Thai and the divemasters are a mix of foreigners and Thais, and we can cater to just about any language you speak if we know in advance. Special requests are our specialty.
Please visit our Flickr online photo gallery.
A Quick List of Features:
- 4 private Twin/Double bed cabins with en suite bathrooms
- 2 private Twin bed cabins with en suite bathrooms
- 2 private Double bed cabins with en suite bathrooms
- 1 master cabin with Double bed & extra Twin beds with en suite bathroom
- Fresh hot water showers
- Daily housekeeping service
- Spacious dive deck with fresh water showers
- Fresh water tanks for camera rinsing
- Air-conditioned throughout
- Audio and Video entertainment center
- Outdoor and indoor dining
- Delicious Cuisine
- Free flow hot / cold beverages and snacks
- Nitrox and Trimix mixing Capabilities
- Massage Service
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