The Smiling Seahorse

The Smiling Seahorse is a 25 m steel-hulled motor vessel operating trips from the port of Ranong. A maximum of 16 divers can be accommodated on board, meaning small dive groups of up to 4 divers as you explore the remote and pristine waters of Burma and some of the best dives sites in Thailand's Andaman Sea. The liveaboard offers unique blackwater diving cruises and onboard underwater photography classes.

The Smiling Seahorse aims to provide personalised service and, with 8 attentive crew members, there is always a friendly atmosphere and someone on hand to assist you. The liveaboard operator takes its commitment to conservation of the marine environment seriously. You can expect reusable aluminum drink bottles, reef-friendly soap, shampoo and hair conditioner, and support pf various local marine conservation projects.

The upper deck open-air saloon is the social centre of the boat. Here there are a number of comfortable couches, tables and chairs where you can enjoy mealtimes, read up on the local marine life and chat to your fellow guests over a sundowner from the bar. There is a huge half-shaded sundeck with sun loungers where you can work on your tan or relax in the shade. There are also a couple of hammocks for maximum chill factor. Other facilities include TV, DVD music system and computer. So you can watch movies, or enjoy some of the marine and general interest books and magazines. Photographers will appreciate the dedicated camera room, and the nitrox and 15 litre scuba tanks for extended bottom time.

Accommodation consists of twin or double share air-conditioned cabins, all on the middle or upper decks. Master and Deluxe cabins have ensuite bathrooms, while Standard cabins share bathrooms. The Smiling Seahorse is the ideal choice for those on a budget who are not seeking a luxurious experience, but rather a pioneering sense of discovery in the remote Burmese waters of the Andaman Sea. Normally this means you can expect your fellow guests to be young, enthusiastic divers with a sense of adventure!

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Notes: Please note that for Myanmar trips the bookings will be closed 3 weeks before the trip departure date to allow time for immigration procedures.

Dive experience: The Smiling Seahorse itineraries include dives deeper than 18m. If you want to do these dives and are not yet certified for it, you must take a diving course onboard. We recommend taking the Advanced Open Water course but you must, at a minimum, take the Adventure Deep Dive training and Adventure Night Dive.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster (1 guide for every 4 divers), tanks, weights and weightbelts, towels, sea kayak, hammock, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 18 per day), dive computer US$ 9 per day, dive insurance, Similan & Surin park fees at US$ 6 per day, with an entry fee of US$ 15 per park. Burma entry and diving fees in crisp US dollar notes (5 Nights - US$ 200, 7 Nights Burma South - US$ 250. 7 nights Burma Mergui Archipelago - US$ 280). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Transfers to and from the boat, alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 7 per tank), camera rental (US$ 9 per day), 15 litre scuba tank (US$ 7 per day), private dive guide (US$ 89 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

How to get there: Thailand trips: The Smiling Seahorse departs 4 pm on its cruises. It uses various ports in Khao Lak (Thap Lamu), Ranong and Phuket (Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town). Guests meet from 12-2 pm. Transfers to and from any of these locations can be arranged if required. Disembarkation time is at 6 pm for Phuket and Khao Lak, 7 pm for Ranong. For more information see our Thailand travel information section. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
The last dive of the trips is usually in the morning or early afternoon of the last day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Diving Environment:

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 80% of the published price for a single-occupancy cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 14 guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise in a Standard cabin free of charge (total 16 guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): US$ 3,423 (charter duration - 3 to 8 days).

Similan, Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock

Day 1
Meet The Smiling Seahorse crew at the dive centre in Ranong where you will be asked to fill in cruise paperwork and try any rental gear that you need. A short ride to the harbour and you are finally on board the 25m liveaboard that will be your home for the duration of the trip. A little good luck ceremony at the stern of the boat before starting the cruise. A sunset dinner is the perfect chance to get to know the other guests. You will wake up and dive at Surin Island on the next day.

Days 2-4
After a good night's rest, grab a coffee and cookies while listening to the first dive briefing. There will be 3 more throughout the day, for a total of 4 dives: 2 morning dives, 1 in the afternoon and 1 night dive. Breakfast will follow the 1st dive, lunch the 2nd dive, and dinner will take place after the divers return from the night dive. Main meals are buffet-style in the open-air dining area. 4 main dishes that feature a mixture of international and Thai cuisine: Tom Yam Khung, Tom Kha Kai, Pad Thai, are just few examples of the dishes that you can try and become familiar with. Snacks and fresh fruits are provided throughout the day. A barbecue night is also on the schedule and it is usually a great night of fun, with the crew involved in singing and dancing.
The first diving day of the safari is focused on diving around Surin Island, while on the next day the dive guides will lead you to Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. There are several sites to choose from, with only Koh Tachai been really exposed to currents. Gorgonian sea fans and coral bommies are present everywhere, scuba divers can expect to see unusual critters and reef fish. Manta rays and whale sharks are often visitors, usually during the high season which is when the waters are rich in nutrients. Green turtles eating corals, sea snakes hunting across the reef, schools of snapper and barracuda add lots of colours and movement around you. Napoleon wrasse or resting leopard sharks are 2 more subjects that leave every diver in awe.
The Similan Islands are by far the most spectacular dive destination in Thailand, consisting of 9 granite islands covered in tropical jungle and surrounded by sparkling clear blue waters. The underwater scenery features beautiful hard and soft coral gardens, as well as huge granite boulders and dramatic rock formations that form swim-throughs and canyons. Drift diving is common here as the currents run over rich reefs teeming with unusual and interesting marine life.

Day 5
The final day of your great diving safari, but still plenty of fun as you will make 2 dives at Richelieu Rock (listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world!), where you are likely to encounter all the marine life that the Andaman Sea is famous for, in just one spot! Disembark at Ranong.
Note: this itinerary sometimes uses the port in Khao Lak. Please check the port details above.

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Thai Andaman Sea (Whale Shark Special) (9 Days / 8 Nights - 29 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, onboard experts on sharks and manta rays

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Ha, Koh Tarutao, Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock

Day 1
Meet The Smiling Seahorse crew in Thap Lamu, Khao Lak, where you will be asked to fill in cruise paperwork and try any rental gear that you need. A short ride to the harbour and you are finally on board the 25m liveaboard that will be your home for the duration of the trip, then a little good luck ceremony at the stern of the boat before starting the cruise. A sunset dinner is the perfect chance to get to know the other guests. You will wake up and dive on the next day.

Days 2-8
This is a special cruise to focus on whale sharks. Marine Biologist and Conservationist Kirsty Magson from Thai Whale Sharks will be your host. The itinerary has been designed to maximise your chances to see whale sharks in the Thai Andaman Sea. Kirsty will share her intimate knowledge of these gentle giants in Thailand and the threats which they face. You can contribute to conservation efforts by recording sightings in the global database of whaleshark.org, and learning more about these rare pelagics.
The first diving day of the safari is focused on diving around Richelieu Rock (listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world!), where you are likely to encounter all the marine life that the Andaman Sea is famous for, in just one spot! The next days you will dive at Surin Island, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. There are several sites to choose from, with only Koh Tachai been really exposed to currents. Gorgonian sea fans and coral bommies are present everywhere, scuba divers can expect to see unusual critters and reef fish. Manta rays and whale sharks are often visitors, usually during the high season which is when the waters are rich in nutrients. Green turtles, sea snakes, schools of snapper and barracuda add lots of colours and movement around you. Napoleon wrasse or resting leopard sharks are 2 more subjects that leave every diver in awe.
The Similan Islands are by far the most spectacular dive destination in Thailand, consisting of 9 granite islands covered in tropical jungle and surrounded by sparkling clear blue waters. The underwater scenery features beautiful hard and soft coral gardens, as well as huge granite boulders and dramatic rock formations that form swim-throughs and canyons. Drift diving is common here as the currents run over rich reefs teeming with unusual and interesting marine life. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are submerged boulder pinnacles covered with healthy soft corals in various shades of red and purple. A lot of fish action takes place here, especially when there is a current, including manta rays and even whale sharks. Koh Ha is famous for its cavern systems.
Meals are buffet-style in the open-air dining area. 4 main dishes that feature a mixture of international and Thai cuisine: Tom Yam Kung, Tom Kha Kai, Pad Thai, are just few examples of the dishes that you can try and become familiar with. Snacks and fresh fruit are provided throughout the day. A barbecue night is also on the schedule and it is usually a great night of fun, with the crew involved in singing and dancing.

Day 9
There will be 2 more dives on the final day of your great diving safari, before the boat makes its way back to port. You will disembark in Phuket.
Note: this itinerary sometimes runs in reverse. Please check the port details above.

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Burma South (Manta Special) (9 Days / 8 Nights - 29 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, onboard experts on sharks and manta rays

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: High Rock, Shark Cave, Black Rock, South Twin, North Twin, Burma Banks, Western Rocky, Rocky Peaks, Volcano, aka Seahorse City

Day 1
Meeting time in the dive shop at 10 am - 12 noon where you can try any rental equipment and finalise the paperwork before we go to the boat. Thai immigration officers will come to the pier to stamp your passport out and then we will cruise to the other side of the border. We will stop in Kawthaung where officers will come on-board to check the paperwork and as soon as they give us clearance, we will cruise toward our first dive site.

Day 2
After a good night's rest, grab a coffee and cookies while listening to the first dive briefing. There will be 3 more throughout the day, for a total of 4 dives: 2 morning dives, 1 in the afternoon and 1 night dive. Breakfast will follow the 1st dive, lunch the 2nd dive, and dinner will take place after the divers return from the night dive. Main meals are buffet-style in the open-air dining area. 4 main dishes that feature a mixture of international and Thai cuisine: Tom Yam Khung, Tom Kha Kai, Pad Thai, are just few examples of the dishes that you can try and become familiar with. Snacks and fresh fruit are provided throughout the day. A barbecue night is also on the schedule and it is usually a great night of fun, with the crew involved in singing and dancing.



Days 3-8
This is a special cruise to focus on manta rays. Jamie Piyada Monmaneerat from Manta Project will be your host. The itinerary has been designed to maximise your chances to see giant oceanic mantas in the Andaman Sea. Jamie will give daily presentations and share her intimate knowledge of mantas and the threats which they face. You can contribute to the manta and conservation efforts by recording any sightings in their database.
The first dive will be at High Rock, with plenty of macro life and also some nice sharks and rays to surprise you. Here we can find all the special things like pipefish, ghost pipefish, pineapplefish, frogfish, seahorses and many different species of nudibranch. In the afternoon you will visit a recently discovered dive site where we often see nurse sharks (and they are big!) sleeping in a swim-through. Corals abound and are vibrant and take on all colours. It is also a great spot for the night dive and we named it Spanish Garden because we often spot Spanish Dancers there. You will also spend a full day at the very special Shark Cave, with 3 dive sites to explore. One afternoon we explore a paradise beach or a small fishermen settlement. In Shark Cave you can expect to see nurse sharks or big blotched sting rays, mantis shrimps and crustaceans of all types.
After a night of crossing, we reach Black Rock, a small rock in open sea. Here we are going for big stuff, like sharks and rays and whatever is passing. When you see mantas here, they come by the dozen. If they are not around, you'll get more of a chance to look in the coral covering this rock and will find many wonders. Probably the best dive site in Myanmar but so far from civilization that very few divers have been there. We will take it one step further to the west toward the Burma Banks for some exploration. We hope to have some exceptional dives and you may be the first divers to explore some of these sites.
We stay offshore one more day at North Twin and its pinnacle where there is another good chance to cross manta rays and sometimes eagle rays or even mobulas. Because there are many patches of sand between the boulders, this is the site with the best chance of leopard sharks. At Western Rocky, beautiful scenery and coral life is the setting for some fantastic dives. Here you can encounter every Indian Ocean creature, big and small, from the nonchalant whale shark to pretty harlequin shrimps.

Day 9
We will make one dive at Volcano, rich in soft coral and seahorses, and visit a lovely beach. After the last dive we will head back toward Kawthaung where you can visit the local market or enjoy The Smiling Seahorse's hospitality with a fresh beer at the local pub. Once we have our passports back by the Burmese authorities, we will head back to Thailand where we get a new visa.

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[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

There are 8 guest cabins - 6 on the main deck and 2 on the upper deck. The main deck has 2 Master cabins with double beds, plus 4 Deluxe cabins which can be twin bunk or double bed configuration. All main deck cabins have ensuite bathrooms. The Master cabins have a giant panoramic window. On the upper deck are 2 Standard cabins which can be twin bunk or double bed configuration. Guests in Standard cabins use the 2 extra bathrooms on the main deck. All cabins have windows and doors that open to the outside that allow sea view, plenty of natural lighting and a lovely breeze.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 10

The crew of 12 comprises Nitrox - Motorised dive dinghy - Dive deck and platform with rinse tank, camera table, camera room, fresh hot water showers & toilets - Shaded area for relaxation & dining with bar, TV, DVD player, music system, movies, fish ID books, diving magazines & general reading library - Computer for image editing - Large sundeck with mattresses - Sea canoe - Water dispenser

PADI scuba certification courses available including Nitrox, Advanced Open Water and Divemaster.

The diving experience on The Smiling Seahorse starts with dinner on the day of check in. As with all meals, it is served buffet-style in the open-air dining area on the upper deck. Prior notice should be given of dietary requirements but generally you can expect a mixture of international and Thai cuisine with each trip normally including a barbecue.

• Thai and international main meal dishes.
• Buffet-style service on the upper deck open-air area - choose from 4 different main dishes per sitting.
• Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner.
• Dining service begins on the first evening of the cruise.
• Soft drinks, fresh coffee, tea, drinking water, biscuits, ice cream, candy bars, toast and fruit are provided free of charge.
• Beer, wine and liquors are also available at extra charge after the last dive of the day.
• Most dietary requirements can be catered for - please send us your requirements.
• No fixed menu.

Some sample dishes: Tom yum or tom kha soup, pineapple rice, spare ribs, BBQ ...

Customer reviews:

"The diving instructor was excellent. The itinerary was arranged very well. " - CHEN YU CHENG, Taiwan, 1 May 2024 ...