MV Tapana - has anyone been on or heard about it?

[iforu330]

My friend and I are planning a trip in the Similans around Christmas time, we were originally thinkking of going to indonesia, but decided to go to Thailand instead.

We are looking for live-aboard departing 23-27ish and have come across MV Tapana.
The website looks amazing, and picture from other people's album also look great too.

However, there seem to be a lack of review pertaining to this live-aboard. Has anyone been on it? or heard of it? PLEASE give us some review, since we're considering booking with them :)

Thank you.

[Vie]

I've been on the Tapana a few times (it's the boat I use most often in Thailand) - it's a well run boat, clean, good crew, good price. I've never used the boat's DMs so cannot comment. Food is usually plentiful but only so so to moderately good - in Thailand, only the "bad" Thai dive boats (i.e. old and cheap) have great food! Most of the rooms are small but quite comfortable and not noisy (no en-suite bathrooms though). I would try and avoid the lowest deck rooms (stuffy, far from public restroom - there is a crew shower/toilet on that level). There are four shared shower/toilets that were very recently renovated - usually four is enough but it can get crowded from time to time. Nitrox not available, unfortunately.

I can also recommend the White Manta and Panunee but these two would be more expensive than the Tapana.