Faah Yai is a newly built 85ft dive vessel that accommodates just 10 passengers in 5 cabins, each one with private en suite bathroom and air-conditioning. The cabins vary in the layout of their accommodation to allow the maximum amount of flexibility for guests. Forward on the main deck can be found the Master Cabin, with a large double bed and panoramic windows to the bow. Behind this cabin is a twin cabin with single bunk above and below, and behind this cabin can be found a double/twin cabin with double bed below and single bunk above. Access to all three of these cabins is via their own private doorway off the main deck. At back of the main deck superstructure can be found the galley, and behind this the dive deck with tank racks individual gear bins and rinse areas.

The lower deck has 2 guest cabins, one with double bed and single bunk above, and the other with 2 single bunks above & below. Again, these cabins have large en suite bathrooms. The divemaster's cabin and engine room are also found below decks, but the guest cabins are forward from the engine rooms and any sounds from the engine room are completely muffled by the intervening cabins & bulkheads.

The upper deck houses the main saloon, with TV, video, and a library of book, videos & music. Air-conditioned, the saloon has fabulous views of the surrounding scenery from its high & commanding position. Separate crews quarters are located forward of the saloon, aft of the bridge. Above the saloon is a partially shaded sun deck for relaxation, and there is another similar area at the bow.

Faah Yai is the only vessel based in Thailand that specialises in 7 or 10 night Burma-only trips. Based in Ranong, thus avoiding the long sail from Phuket. With current flights to Ranong by Bangkok Airways suspended, it is only possible to access Ranong by road, a 4 hour journey from Phuket by air-conditioned bus. A morning pick-up from your Phuket hotel, with lunch taken en route, means you get to Ranong at about 3.00pm. Having completed Burmese immigration formalities the boat departs for the Twin Islands and then on deep into the Mergui Archipelago. On the final day of the cruise the boat return to Ranong at about 6.00pm and you will be back at your Phuket hotel by about 11.00pm. Due to the early start and late finish of the cruises it is essential that hotel accommodation is taken in Phuket for the night preceding the cruise and for the night after. When (if!) the Bangkok - Ranong flight is reinstated, and for those who are only interested in the boat cruise, we suggest flying into Bangkok and then down to Ranong, rather than via Phuket, though if you wish to stay at the beach for any length of time before or after the cruise then we would recommend the Phuket route as there is nothing about Ranong that will ingratiate itself upon you!

Faah Yai offers exceptional value for money when you consider the quality of accommodation for the price, and the added bonus of being able to dive just Burma on one cruise. These factors combine to make Faah Yai get our vote!