M.V. Colona VI Scuba Live-Aboard

Last Trip: October 2008

I first visited the Similans on board the Colona VI. The ship is among the better boats cruising the Andaman on a regular basis. The Colona was built in 2001 specifically for dive use, and was refurbished just before my 2008 trip. The boat accommodates up to 14 divers per trip. There are six bunk-bed cabins and one double-bed "master" cabin on the upper deck behind the wheel-house. All of the cabins have en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers. The air conditioning is somewhat centralized, with one unit serving three twin cabins. The air is only turned on in the evening, and on my trip there were many complaints about rooms being too hot or too cold.

The upper deck has a covered dining area, where all meals are served buffet style. Dive briefings are also held here. There's a self-service system for soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer and wine. At the stern-end of the upper deck was a large padded area for lounging, also covered. The top of the wheel house was accessible for sun-bathing.

The Thai chef serves mostly Thai food, which she does very well. The few attempts made at western meals, while delicious, weren't quite on the mark.

The Dive Deck

The dive deck is reasonably roomy, although with 14 divers plus two dive masters getting their gear on, it can get just a little crowded. The boat has its own compressors and full nitrox blending capabilities. The stairs down to the dive platform are easy to navigate, and it is possible for all divers to make a quick entry when needed. Two showers on either side of the dive deck allowed you to wash off after your dive. A large rinse tank was placed at the center of the dive deck for rinsing computers and cameras.

The Colona VI has full equipment for rental, but you should arrange this ahead of time to ensure you get the proper equipment.

Colona VI Arrivals and Departures

Most trips leave from Patong Bay on Phuket. The boat operator can arrange for complementary pick-up from just about anywhere on Phuket. Cruises last two to six nights.

Quick Summary

Pluses: Very comfortable boat, with cabins that have most of the amenities. Good dive deck.

Minuses: Cabin air conditioning may not suit all.

The Colona is operated by the Colona Group. You can book it through their web site, or compare boats and prices at Sunrise Divers.