MV Smiling Seahorse is a new diving liveaboard boat launched late in 2018. It was purpose-built to offer safe & comfortable Similan Islands & Myanmar scuba diving liveaboard cruises. The new boat is bigger than its predecessor, but still only takes 16 guests. That means there’s more room and greater comfort. Smiling Seahorse has air-conditioned cabins, most of which have private bathrooms. Also the hull is steel and there's a dedicated photographers' room.
The boat is an ideal size for the number of guests. It’s 25m. in length with a width of 6.5m. This ensures that it’s always possible to find space to chill out away from others, but it also has a friendly atmosphere. The boat was designed from afresh, meaning that everything is in the right place. For example, the well-planned dive deck and cabin layout, and there’s a room just for photographers. From the large sundeck to the crew cabins in the lower deck, it’s a great boat. All guest cabins have air-conditioning and doors which open out to sea views, not into a narrow corridor.
On the upper deck of Smiling Seahorse there are two Standard guest cabins which can be set up as twin or double depending on your needs. Further back is the main socialising & dining area. This is where guests spend most of their time eating, listening to dive briefings, exchanging stories over a drink, browsing photos, reading, or updating logbooks. There are tables with lots of comfy seating, and there’s a large TV.
On the main deck of Smiling Seahorse there are two Master Cabins at the front of the boat and four Deluxe Cabins in the middle. All have private en suite bathrooms. The Master Cabins have large double beds, and the Deluxe Cabins can be twin or double, depending on the guests. Also on the main deck is the galley, where the wonderful cooks prepare plenty of delicious food. It’s a great balance of Thai food made to western taste. Guests who have special dietary needs, including vegetarians & vegans, won’t go hungry, but please inform the team of any special diets in advance.
There is a photography room on the main deck, next to the kitchen and communal bathrooms. This is important on scuba diving liveaboards nowadays. Diving photographers can service, clean & charge lights & cameras. but Smiling Seahorse goes one step further than all other Similan diving liveaboards. The attention to detail for photographers to store, service, charge and clean cameras and equipment is second to none. A pro photographer (and owner of the boat) joins nearly every trip, and there are regular clinics and presentations to help you get as much as possible out of each trip.
On the well-designed dive deck there is easily enough room for all divers to feel comfortable when gearing up. All the tanks, equipment, compressor and other machinery is located here, out of the way.
In its first two seasons Smiling Seahorse offered trips mostly in Myanmar/Burma, but due to local unrest and Covid-19 travel restrictions, it focused more on trips within in Thailand. There is a wide choice of trips, from 3 nights to more than a week long. For 2023-2024 the team will be back in Myanmar, but also having some wonderful trips in Thailand.
The Smiling Sehorse owners and operators are extremely passionate about caring for the environment, customer service and safety for all on board. Whichever of the trips you join, you're guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience.
Prices & Schedule
MV Smiling Seahorse Diver Prices Overview 2024 / 2025 | ||||
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Destinations | Duration | Standard Twin/Double | Deluxe Twin/Double | Master Cabin |
, , , North Andaman - Thailand ( 10 Dives) | 3D / 3N | Standard Twin/Double747 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double896 USD | Master Cabin1,046 USD |
, , North Andaman ( 14 Dives) | 4D / 4N | Standard Twin/Double813 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double956 USD | Master Cabin1,028 USD |
, , , , North Andaman ( 18 Dives) | 5D / 5N | Standard Twin/Double1,494 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,554 USD | Master Cabin1,643 USD |
Burma banks Myanmar ( 21 Dives) | 6D / 6N | Standard Twin/Double2,002 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,091 USD | Master Cabin2,181 USD |
, Black Rock Mergui Archipelago, Black Rock in a week - Myanmar ( 21 Dives) | 6D / 6N | Standard Twin/Double1,882 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,972 USD | Master Cabin2,061 USD |
, , , Thailand ( 22 Dives) | 6D / 6N | Standard Twin/Double1,452 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,613 USD | Master Cabin1,721 USD |
, , , , Elephant Head Rock North Andaman - Thailand ( 22 Dives) | 6D / 6N | Standard Twin/Double1,613 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,793 USD | Master Cabin1,912 USD |
Koh Lanta, , , Koh Lipe, , , , , South & North Andaman ( 25 Dives) | 7D / 7N | Standard Twin/Double2,091 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,151 USD | Master Cabin2,241 USD |
Undiscovered Mergui Archipelago - Myanmar ( 25 Dives) | 7D / 7N | Standard Twin/Double2,091 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,151 USD | Master Cabin2,241 USD |
, , , , , Koh Lanta, , , Koh Lipe, , , Koh Bida Nok North & South Andaman - Thailand ( 25 Dives) | 7D / 7N | Standard Twin/Double2,091 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,151 USD | Master Cabin2,241 USD |
Koh Lanta, , , Koh Lipe, , , Three Trees, West Of Eden, , , , North Andaman Whale Shark Expedition - Thailand ( 29 Dives) | 8D / 8N | Standard Twin/Double2,241 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,360 USD | Master Cabin2,510 USD |
, Burma Banks Myanmar ( 29 Dives) | 8D / 8N | Standard Twin/Double2,241 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,360 USD | Master Cabin2,510 USD |
Itinerary
Some MV Smiling Seahorse trips depart from & return to several piers in three diferent towns of southern Thailand.
The chosen pier depends on the itinerary, so please check carefully on our schedule. Some trips use Ranong, and others use Khao Lak or Phuket. A few trips will depart from one pier but finish at another.
Please check the schedule and consult us before confirming your travel plans.
Check-in is at lunchtime or early afternoon on departure day.
The itineraries below are the most-common for each trip, but these can sometimes be changed for a number of reasons. Small changes are made due to weather & sea conditions, special marine life sightings, overcrowded dive sites, local-authorities' instructions, and the needs & requests of the paying guests. The safety & comfort of all guests is most important at all times.
Itineraries | ||
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Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) | Days / Nights | Number of dives |
Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock | 5 Days / 5 Nights | 18 Dives |
Facilites, Layout and Specifications
MV Smiling Seahorse Layout |
Top deck Upper Deck Main Deck Lower Deck |
MV Smiling Seahorse Specifications | |
Type: | Steel hull. |
Built: | Nov 2018. |
Length: | 25 Metres. |
Beam: | 6.5 Metres. |
Engines: | 2 x 260 HP Hino Marine. |
Generators: | 2 x 20 kw Isuzu. |
Cruising speed: | 7 Knots. |
Max Speed: | 10 Knots. |
Compressors: | Bauer Mariner Compressors. |
Instrumentation: | GPS Plotter, Fishfinder, Depth Sounder, Cellular Phone, VHF / DSC / SSB radio and sonar. |
Fresh Water: | 16,000 Litres. |
Fuel: | 6,000 Litres. |
Guests: | Max. 16 Guests. |
Cabins: | 8 Double or Twin cabins with air-conditioning. |
Bathrooms: | 8 bathrooms (6 privates, 2 shared). |
Sundeck: | Yes sundeck area available. |
Safety: | Life Rafts, life vests, first aid kits, oxygen and trained oxygen providers, Engine room video surveillance, fire extinguishers, Fire alarm and fire extinguishers, Location beacon. |
Dinghy: | Motorised dinghy. |
Courses
PADI Advanced Open Water & Nitrox Enriched Air courses are available on request on MV Smiling Seahorse.
Some other PADI courses are also possible. Please note that it's important to book your PADI course in advance, so that the team can prepare materials and staff.
Transfer details
MV Smiling Seahorse guests need to arrive in the departure town (Ranong/Khao Lak/Phuket) on time. Local pick transfers are possible at reasonable rates.
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 3D / 4N Trips
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13:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
15:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
16:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
10:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
10:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
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15:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
19:30 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
20:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 3D / 2N Trips
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08:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
09:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
10:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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16:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
19:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Transfers ( Phuket ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 15 USD |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Phuket : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 15 USD |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Ranong ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Ranong : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 15 USD |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Phuket : 15 USD |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 8D / 8N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 15 USD |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Ranong ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Ranong : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
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08:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
09:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
10:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 8D / 8N Trips
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16:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
19:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Transfers ( Phuket ) |
Guests who are unable to meet the scheduled pick ups or would like private transportation are welcome to contact us to arrange a private taxi at the most competitive rates.
Booking / Enquiry