Liveaboard Knowledge
Dive in Style: Full Review of Vanora Liveaboard
By Sorrasek Phiboonthammasak Date 07 Feb 2025
Hello everyone! If you’ve found your way to this review of Vanora Liveaboard, chances are you’re looking for a luxury liveaboard experience in Thailand and wondering whether Vanora is worth the upgrade. You’ve come to the right place!
In this Vanora Liveaboard review, we will go beyond just describing what the boat looks like. We’ll cover the entire operation, from the moment they pick you up to the time they drop you off at your hotel after the trip. I’ve personally been on Vanora Liveaboard and have also experienced multiple liveaboards in Thailand. I’ll do my best to provide an objective review so that you can make the best decision when choosing your liveaboard in Thailand.
This article will review the boat based on various aspects, including transportation, the boat’s facilities, food, dive itinerary, diving gear, diving operations, and the service and staff. But before diving into those details, let me address some of the most common questions divers have about Vanora Liveaboard.
Frequently asked questions about Vanora Liveaboard
Does the boat crew speak English?
Yes, the boat crew speaks English. The service team in the dining area, saloon, and bar can communicate effectively in English. The dive guides also speak English and conduct both the boat and dive briefings in English.
What itineraries does Vanora cover?
Vanora operates in the Andaman Sea and offers two main itineraries:
- North Andaman itinerary – Covers the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands, and Richelieu Rock.
- South Andaman itinerary – Covers Phi Phi Islands and Racha Islands.
The most popular itinerary is the North Andaman route.
What is the minimum certification required to dive on Vanora?
For the best experience, I recommend that divers have an Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Most dive sites exceed 18 meters in depth, and night dives are a highlight of the trip.
However, if you only have an Open Water Diver certification, you can still join the trip, but you’ll be restricted to depths of 18 meters. The best option for Open Water Divers is to complete an Advanced Diver course during the trip. This allows you to explore deeper sites and earn your certification at the same time. You can ask the boat or your booking agent about this option.
Do I have to tip at the end of the trip?
Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand. However, to show appreciation for the crew’s hard work, it’s common for divers to tip 10% of the trip cost or around 1,000 THB per diving day. Tips are collected at the end of the trip and shared among the boat crew, including waitstaff, housekeeping, chefs, and mechanical staff. While not required, tipping is highly encouraged as a token of gratitude.
Are food and beverages included in the trip?
Yes, all meals, snacks, soft drinks, fruits, and sweets are included. Alcohol is available for purchase at an additional charge.
Is diving gear included in the service?
No, diving gear is not included in the trip cost. However, rental gear is available for approximately 500 THB per diving day.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into a detailed review of each aspect of the trip.
Transportation
Pick-up
Vanora Liveaboard provides free transportation from land to the boat. The shared van picks up guests from the airport or hotels in Khao Lak and Phuket. The van is comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate large luggage.
Once you arrive at the pier, the boat crew and a small dinghy will be waiting to transport you to Vanora. Upon arrival, the crew will check you in and place your luggage in front of your cabin. A light dinner is served on the first night.
Drop-off
Before the trip, you’ll be asked for your drop-off location. The dinghy will take you back to the pier, and the van will transport you to your final destination.
I was picked up from the airport, and the journey took around two hours due to traffic and additional passenger pickups. I recommend using the restroom before joining the ride.
The Boat and its facilities
In reality, the Vanora liveaboard boat lives up to expectations. In all the pictures you see online, the boat looks exactly as advertised. It is not just a liveaboard boat; it's a hotel/yacht designed for scuba diving and liveaboard activities.
The boat has three decks accessible to scuba divers. The first deck features the diving deck, dining area, and cabin rooms. The second deck includes an outdoor sitting area, saloon, game room, additional cabin rooms, and the captain's room. The third deck, or sun deck, offers a sun tanning area, stereo system, and jacuzzi for relaxation after each dive.
Diving Deck
The diving deck on Vanora is the most comfortable I have ever experienced. It is divided into two areas.
The first area is the diving platform, where you can perform a giant stride entry or board the dinghy for your dive. This spacious area includes four hot water showers, allowing you to rinse off immediately after your dive.
The second area is the gear setup zone. Each diver has their own gear station, approximately 60 centimeters wide, ensuring ample space to gear up without touching others. Above each station, there is a dedicated storage space for your equipment, complete with four hooks for your mask, dive computer, or other accessories, as well as a place to hang your wetsuit. Below, there is additional space for your boots and diving fins, making the setup highly convenient for any dive.
Additionally, this area includes a freshwater camera box, where you can safely rinse your camera after every dive.
Dining Area
The dining area is simple yet well-equipped, featuring six tables that can accommodate up to 24 people. It has three food bars: one for main dishes such as rice, meat, and vegetables; another for soup; and a separate bar for desserts and fresh fruit.
At the end of the dining area, there is a drink bar where you can request beverages throughout the day. Additionally, a snack bar is available at all times for you to grab a quick bite whenever you like.
The dining area also includes an 80-inch TV screen, which can be used to watch movies during surface intervals. It is also utilized for boat briefings and dive briefings.
For added comfort, the dining area is air-conditioned. If you tend to get cold easily, be sure to bring a sweater or blanket for the trip.
Cabin
I stayed in a Vinka cabin, which was very comfortable. While the room isn't large, it has two single beds with ample space in the middle. The beds are as comfortable as those in a five-star hotel. The cabin also includes a large TV, allowing you to enjoy entertainment whenever there's a signal during the trip.
The room comes with towels, a complimentary water tumbler, and a Vanora-branded cap. There are more than six charging ports available, providing more than enough space to charge your camera, batteries, phone, and other devices.
The bathroom is well-equipped with a pleasant-smelling shampoo and soap. It features a rain shower head—perfect for rinsing off after a long day of diving. A Dyson hair dryer is also provided, which was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, the cabin offers exceptional comfort for a liveaboard experience. It’s absolutely worth it!
Saloon/ Game Room/ Open air sitting area
At the far end of the second deck, you'll find a relaxing space that combines an outdoor seating area, an air-conditioned saloon, and a bar. This section is packed with a variety of amenities.
The saloon features a PlayStation 5, a Nintendo Switch, a large TV screen, board games, and a couple of guitars. It’s the perfect place to unwind with friends during surface intervals or to gather for a fun party at night.
Adjacent to the saloon is a bar where the staff serves alcoholic drinks in the evening, available at an additional charge. The bar is conveniently located next to the outdoor seating area and is equipped with a built-in stereo system, allowing you to connect and play your favorite music.
The only downside is that the saloon is a bit small, accommodating only five to six people comfortably.
If you're traveling with a large group or have chartered the entire boat, this area truly shines as a social hub.
Sun Deck
The sundeck is simple yet elegant. As you climb up the stairs, you'll find a spacious dining area with a sofa, a large coffee table, and chairs—perfect for a night of drinks or a small party.
In the middle of the deck, there are reclining lounge beds ideal for sunbathing. At the front of the boat, there’s a large shaded seating area equipped with a high-quality sound system and a jacuzzi pool, creating the perfect spot to relax.
Personally, I used the sunbathing beds to take naps between dives. The cool breeze on the sundeck makes it an ideal retreat, especially in Thailand’s warm weather.
Dive itinerary and Marine Animal
I chose the Vanora - North Andaman itinerary, which included 14 dives across Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Koh Surin, and Richelieu Rock. This is widely considered the best diving route in Thailand and is a popular choice for those experiencing a liveaboard in Thailand for the first time.
Day 1 – Similan Islands
The first diving day consisted of four dives around the Similan Islands. The first dive was at Honeymoon Bay, an easy check dive with a sandy bottom and coral reefs. The next two dives explored the Similans' signature rock boulders and coral formations, offering a mix of marine life and underwater landscapes. The day ended with a night dive at Donald Duck Bay. Visibility was excellent, reaching up to 20 meters, which made for a great diving experience.
Day 2 – Koh Tachai, Koh Bon & Surin Islands
The original plan was to dive at Tachai Pinnacle and Koh Bon, but due to strong currents and high winds, we were only able to complete one dive at Tachai Pinnacle before adjusting the itinerary to Surin Islands.
Tachai Pinnacle was breathtaking, with massive sea fans and large pelagic fish, including Giant Trevally and Barracuda. In contrast, Surin Islands offered pristine coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. The night dive was also at Surin Islands, adding a relaxing end to the day.
Day 3 – Richelieu Rock & Koh Bon
We spent the morning with three dives at Richelieu Rock, followed by a night dive at Koh Bon.
Richelieu Rock was beyond amazing. During my dives, I watched Giant Trevally hunting in packs, surrounded by thousands of glassfish and vibrant soft corals. The rock formations reflected sunlight beautifully, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene. The highlight of the day came during our safety stop when a manta ray gracefully glided past one of our dive groups, making it the perfect way to end the morning.
Day 4 – Koh Bon & Departure
On the final day, we had two dives at Koh Bon. The currents were slightly strong, and unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see mantas that day. After the last dive, the boat returned to port, where we disembarked and headed back to our hotels.
Final Thoughts on Itinerary
The Vanora itinerary delivers exactly what you’d expect from a North Andaman liveaboard. There’s nothing particularly different from other boats in terms of the route, but the dive sites themselves are spectacular.
If I had to nitpick, I’d suggest adding an extra night at the end so divers could fly back the next day without worrying about surface interval restrictions. However, as it stands, this itinerary is perfect if you plan to explore Phuket after your liveaboard trip.
The Most Important Part—The Food!
For me, the highlight of the Vanora Liveaboard experience was the food! The boat serves five meals a day, along with soft drinks, fruits, and snacks available 24/7.
Pre-Dive Morning Meal
Before the first dive, a light breakfast is available, including tea, coffee, fruits, yogurt, and cereal—perfect for a quick energy boost.
Breakfast
After the first dive, you get a full breakfast with both international and Asian options. The menu includes
- Asian breakfast: Congee
- Western breakfast: Fried eggs, scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, salad, bread, etc.
Lunch
Lunch is a hearty meal, primarily featuring Thai cuisine. A typical setup includes:
- Rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Three meat-based dishes
- A soup
- Desserts (ice cream, cupcakes, and fresh fruits)
- All meals are served buffet-style, so you can go back for seconds.
Afternoon Snacks
After the third dive, a substantial snack is served to keep you energized. The menu rotates but includes items like:
- Spring rolls
- Banh mi
- Fried chicken
- French fries
- Sandwiches
Dinner
Following the night dive, dinner is served, and it follows a similar format to lunch—mostly Thai cuisine with a variety of dishes.
The food on Vanora is clean, well-prepared, and well-balanced—flavorful enough for Thai divers while still enjoyable for international guests. While it may not be spectacular, you will leave every meal feeling satisfied and well-fed, just like in a quality hotel restaurant.
Exceptional Service Aboard Vanora Liveaboard
The best words to describe the Vanora Liveaboard staff are professional, polite, and incredibly helpful. To break down the service experience, I’ll categorize it into three areas: dining staff, dive deck staff, and dive guides.
Dining Area Staff
Unlike typical liveaboard service, the dining staff on Vanora provide an experience that feels more like a luxury hotel. They pour your water, ask what you’d like to drink, clear your plates promptly, and engage with guests in a warm and professional manner. They are always attentive and willing to help whenever needed.
Dive Deck Staff
Diving on Vanora is beyond comfortable, thanks to the exceptional dive deck staff. They assist with:
Putting on your gear
- Carrying your camera to the dive entry point
- Setting up and refilling tanks efficiently
- Beyond technical assistance, they go the extra mile to ensure comfort:
- Before the dive: They offer a small cup of water to keep you hydrated.
- After the dive: They serve warm tea to help you warm up after being underwater.
- Between dives: A warm, fluffy towel is placed at your dive station so you can dry off before the next dive.
- Dive Guides
Diving Staff
The dive guides are highly knowledgeable and professional. They carefully plan dives based on site conditions to minimize swimming against the current, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dive. Additionally:
- They assist divers onto the dinghy after the dive.
- For senior divers, they help remove gear before boarding the boat.
- After each dive, they (along with the staff) carry gear back to the dive station.
Overall Service Experience
The service on Vanora exceeds expectations. If you've been on multiple liveaboards, you'll immediately notice the difference in quality and attention to detail.
Room for Improvement
One area for improvement would be better synchronization of dive times and meal schedules, so divers can plan their activities more precisely.
Final verdict - Is Vanora Liveaboard worth it ?
The answer is yes, yes, and yes. The Vanora liveaboard is certainly worth the upgrade. The rooms are much nicer, the service is on point, and the diving experience is very comfortable. The price point will be 30-40% higher, but you will definitely have a great time. If you're diving as a couple or with a family with small children, I believe it's a no-brainer, as there are other amenities to enjoy on the boat and games to keep the kids entertained.
If you're planning to book or research liveaboards in Thailand, you can check out our link for many liveaboard options. Or, if you're still uncertain about your choice, feel free to send me a message on this website. I will personally help you plan your trip, using all my knowledge from the seven years I've spent diving in Thailand. Let us help you find the perfect liveaboard, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.
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