The Junk - Thailand
- Destination: Similan Islands, Surin, and Richelieu Rock
- Trip Duration: 5 Day Safaris
- Total Dives: 19
- Total Guests: 18
- Prices: from $1249.00 U.S. per person
- Nitrox: No
- Schedule and Prices
Who needs "Pirates of the Caribbean" when the SY June Hong Chian Lee is cruising the Andaman Sea. Live the adventure of sailing and diving the Similan Islands onboard a historic and authentic teak wood merchant sailing vessel. The Junk as she is called by the local diving community is one of the most recognized and loved liveaboards in all of Southeast Asia. Her interior has been redesigned and upgraded to accommodate a maximum of 18 guests on unforgettable 5 D / 6 N diving cruises to the Similan and more remote Surin Islands. The Junk's unique itinerary which includes one extra day of diving allows the time to visit the less explored dive sites of the Surin islands which offer incredible macro life and marine species like bump head parrot fish and black tip reef sharks that you will not see in the Similan Islands. Experience the best of Thailand diving on one of the most unique and fascinating liveaboard diving vessels anywhere on the planet.
Gallery | Prices and Cabin Selection | Schedule 2009 - 2010 | Itinerary | Boat Layout
Beautiful Rustic Character and Charm
Constructed mainly of a hard teak wood called Takien Tong, the SY June Hong Chian Lee is 30 meters long, weighs in at 140 tons, has three masts, and an incredible 330 square meters of sails. The huge masts, which support her massive sails, rise 23 meters above the deck and were cut from enormous hard wood trees that date back over 300 years.
On the lower deck there are 6 large and rustically comfortable en-suite cabins to accommodate her guests. There are two private double cabins, two shared triple (can be booked as double or twin), and two shared quads. All cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning, reading lamps, and towels provided.
For relaxing between dives or in the evening the interior air-conditioned saloon is as charming as the guest cabins. Most everything in the saloon area is constructed of or finished in asian hard woods giving it a warm and rustic feeling. There is a video and entertainment system for your use, and a library of marine and general interest books. Her 150 square meter topside deck is great for enjoying a morning sea breeze, and a cup of coffee before diving. The dive deck is one of the largest and most comfortable of any liveaboard in Thailand.
Pirates and Movies
Built in 1962 for charcoal transportation, the June Hong Chian Lee was part of a small merchant fleet that traded goods up and down the coastline from Burma to Malaysia. She was used to transport mango wood charcoal until 1985 when she was restored and redesigned for the first time to serve as a classic sailing yacht. In 1997 she changed ownership and was again completely restored as an exotic liveaboard diving vessel.
According to historical accounts, The Junk has a murky past with stories of pirate cargo hidden beneath her black and dirty cargo. Secret compartments were often built deep inside the bulkheads of a junk, which were used to transport contraband and black market goods. As the story goes The Junk became infamous for dropping anchor beside coastal caves rich with gold ore which the pirates blasted out and confiscated as their booty. The gold was then hidden below deck, transported, and later sold on the black market.
The present day June Hong Chian Lee is as intriguing as her sordid past. She has been featured in many of Hollywood films including James Bond's "The Man with the Golden Gun", "Swiss Family Robinson", and most recently on the set of "Shanghai" starring John Cusack. The Junk offers a strange mix of past, present, and adventure that will please even the most seasoned divers.
Service and Experience
The crew and dive masters aboard The Junk are some of the most experienced and professional in the diving industry. They have been sailing and diving in the Similan Islands for several years now and their enormous passion for scuba diving and the underwater world adds further to the special dive adventure the June Hong Chian Lee offers. The crew attempts to pass their enthusiasm along to their guests with detailed dive briefings and a knowledge of marine life that is unsurpassed in Thailand. The commitment of this liveaboard is to an outstanding and unique diving experience combined with the highest level of customer service and comfort.
Top of PageThe Junk Gallery
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Luxury Saloon and Dining |
Main Deck Area |
Expansive Dive Deck |
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Double Cabin En-Suite |
Quad Cabin En-Suite |
Triple Cabin En-Suite |
The Junk Prices and Cabin Selection 2009 - 2010
Destination |
Double Cabin |
Shared Cabin |
Total Dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similan, Surin, Richelieu Rock 5D / 6N | $1,749.00 U.S. |
$1,249.00 U.S. |
19 |
Liveaboard Trip Prices Include: all prices are per person and include accommodation on board, all meals, most drinks (drinking water, coffee, tea, etc.), professional dive master services, scuba tanks, weights, weight belt, air, and 3-4 dives per day. We also include hotel transfers from Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach.
Additional Charges: Equipment rental and national park fees are not included in the above prices and can be paid for upon arrival. Equipment rental is generally $20-$25 U.S. for a full set of equipment, depending on availability. Park fees in Thailand are 800 Thai Baht for entry and 200 Thai Baht per day. PADI diving courses and alcoholic beverages will also be paid for on the boat.
Similan Liveaboard Trips Departing Weekly | Bookings, Enquiries, or Information- Contact Dive Adventures Asia
Reserve Your Space with Only a 30% Deposit and Pay the Balance 30 Days Prior to Departure
Top of PageThe Junk Liveaboard Cruise Schedule Thailand 2009 - 2010
October 2009
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ01 |
31-Oct (Sat) |
06-Oct (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
November 2009
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ02 |
07-Nov (Sat) |
13-Nov (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ03 |
14-Nov (Sat) |
20-Nov (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ04 |
21-Nov (Sat) |
27-Nov (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
 |
TJ05 |
28-Nov (Sat) |
04-Dec (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
December 2009
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ06 |
05-Dec (Sat) |
11-Dec (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ07 |
12-Dec (Sat) |
18-Dec (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ08 |
19-Dec (Sat) |
25-Dec (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ09 |
26-Dec (Sat) |
01-Jan (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
January 2010
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ10 |
02-Jan (Sat) |
08-Jan (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ11 |
09-Jan (Sat) |
15-Jan (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ12 |
16-Jan (Sat) |
22-Jan (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ13 |
23-Jan (Sat) |
29-Jan (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ14 |
30-Jan (Sat) |
05-Feb (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
February 2010
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ15 |
06-Feb (Sat) |
12-Feb (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ16 |
13-Feb (Sat) |
19-Feb (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ17 |
20-Feb (Sat) |
26-Feb (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ18 |
27-Feb (Sat) |
05-Mar (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
March 2010
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ19 |
06-Mar (Sat) |
12-Mar (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ20 |
13-Mar (Sat) |
19-Mar (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ21 |
20-Mar (Sat) |
26-Mar (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ22 |
27-Mar (Sat) |
02-Apr (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
April 2010
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ23 |
03-Apr (Sat) |
09-Apr (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ24 |
10-Apr (Sat) |
16-Apr (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ25 |
17-Apr (Sat) |
23-Apr (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ26 |
24-Apr (Sat) |
30-Apr (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
May 2010
Trip Code |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Destination | Total Dives | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TJ27 |
01-May (Sat) |
07-May (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
TJ28 |
08-May (Sat |
14-May (Fri) |
5 D / 6 N |
Similan - Surin- Richelieu Rock |
19 |
|
Cruises Depart Weekly | Enquiry | Book Now!
Top of PageThe Junk Itinerary
The itinerary of the Junk is meant to deliver the best diving of the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock within the time allotted for the liveaboard cruise. Her schedule will consist primarily of 5 Day and 6 Night cruises to the best dive sites in Thailand(Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, and the mysterious Surin Islands). With five days and the extra night, it's the perfect amount of time to really see the best of Thailand's diving.
Sample Itinerary
Day of Departure (First evening on The Junk)
- 16:30 - 17:00 Hotel and Airport Pickup
- 18:00 Depart from Chalong or Patong Bay
- 20:00 Dinner Cruising to Similan Islands
Diving Days 1 thru 4
- 3 to 4 Dives per Day
Diving Day 5
- 2 to 3 Dives
- 14:30 Depart the Similan Islands and Sail to Patong
- 23:00 Arrival Patong Bay (Possible to Disembark)
Last Morning on The Junk
- 07:00 Breakfast Onboard
- 09:00 Transfer to Hotel or Airport after Breakfast on The Junk
Note: This does not represent an exact itinerary, it is approximate only. Every cruise is different. Itineraries depend on current conditions, time of year, weather, currents, captain, cruise director, and guest preferences. We do our best to put you at the best sites possible on every dive.
We take no responsibility for scheduling or itinerary changes due to changing weather, political situations, natural disasters or other events beyond our control. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for any kind of trip you do anywhere in the world. We also recommend that you have DAN or other diving accident insurance up to date and current in case of an unanticipated evacuation or other treatment that may not be covered by your regular insurance.
Top of PageThe Junk - Boat Layout
Main Deck
Lower Deck
10 Crew Cabin - 11 Double Bed Cabins - 12 Triple Bed Cabins - 13 Quad Share Cabins - 14 Water Tanks
15 Water Maker - 16 Fuel - 17 Generators - 18 Engine - 19/20 Crew Cabins
Similan Liveaboard Trips Departing Weekly | Bookings, Enquiries, or Information- Contact Dive Adventures Asia