Ranong, Thailand

MV Smiling Seahorse

4.8· Exceptional · · 227 reviews · TripAdvisor
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Only 16 guests in 8 air-conditioned cabinsMergui Archipelago and Burma Banks in Myanmar, Surin, Similan and Richelieu Rock in ThailandOne blackwater dive included on every tripFully equipped camera room with rinse tank, charging and workstationsSmall groups of up to four divers per guideNearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratioThai and international cuisine, four meals a day

About MV Smiling Seahorse

MV Smiling Seahorse is a 25-metre steel-hulled liveaboard built in 2018 by divers, for divers, running cruises from Ranong to the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks in Myanmar and to the Surin and Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock in Thailand. She takes only 16 guests in 8 air-conditioned cabins spread over 4 decks, with an open-air design, a rooftop sun deck, a large common area and a fully equipped camera room. Small groups of up to four divers per guide, a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, Thai and international cuisine and one blackwater dive included on every trip.

Next departure 13 Nov 2026 · 10 spots left

Departures by month

November 2026December 2026January 2027February 2027March 2027April 2027+8 more
Choose your departure

Choose your departure date

  • 7Apr
    07 Apr – 11 Apr5D / 4N
    North Andaman (5 days) · Ranong → Ranong
    Available
    from USD 37.400 /person
  • 13Apr
    13 Apr – 21 Apr9D / 8N
    Burma Mergui Archipelago & Burma Banks · Ranong → Ranong
    Available
    from USD 82.500 /person
  • 23Apr
    23 Apr – 30 Apr8D / 7N
    Burma Undiscovered Mergui Archipelago · Ranong → Ranong
    from USD 77.000 /person
    Full

Included

  • Accommodation in an air-conditioned cabin
  • Four meals a day
  • Unlimited soft drinks and electrolytes
  • Tea and coffee
  • Dive guides (up to four divers per guide)
  • Tanks and weights
  • One blackwater dive
  • Kayak
  • Shared transfers from the pick-up areas

Required extras

  • !Myanmar tourist e-visa (50 USD)
  • !Mergui Archipelago entry fees in new US dollar notes: 6 days 180 USD / 7 days 210 USD / 8 days 230 USD / 9 days 280 USD
  • !Dive insurance (mandatory)
  • !Thai marine park fees from 2000 THB on the shortest cruises up to 4400 THB on the longest
  • !Flights
  • !Hotels
  • !Nitrox
  • !Dive gear rental
  • !Alcoholic drinks
  • !Crew tips

Optional extras

  • +Nitrox (250 THB per tank, or packages from 3600 THB)
  • +Dive gear rental (Mares)
  • +Dive computer rental (300 THB per day)
  • +Extra blackwater dive (1000 THB per dive)
  • +PADI / ISC courses and specialties
  • +Alcoholic drinks
  • +Private transfers
  • +Crew tips

Cabins

  • Deluxe Cabin
    Deluxe Cabin
    Twin · sleeps 2 · Main Deck
    Private bathroom · from 60.000 THB/person
  • Master Cabin
    Master Cabin
    Double · sleeps 2 · Main Deck
    Private bathroom · from 60.000 THB/person
  • Standard Cabin
    Standard Cabin
    Twin · sleeps 2 · Upper Deck
    Shared bathroom · from 60.000 THB/person

Boat specifications

Year built
2018
Length
25 m
Beam
6.4 m
Max guests
16
Cabins
8
Min. certification
Open Water
Minimum logged dives
10
Beam
6.4 m
Hull
Steel
Decks
4
Cabins
8
Length
25 m
Engines
2
Year built
2018
Maximum guests
16

Gear rental: Mares rental gear on board: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins and dive computers (computer 300 THB per day). Reserve in advance.

Payments: Prices in THB per person. Marine park fees (Thailand) and Myanmar entry fees (Mergui Archipelago) are paid separately on board.

Boat features

  • 25 m steel hull, 6.4 m beam, built in 2018
  • 8 cabins over 4 decks, all with windows and sea views
  • Master and Deluxe cabins with en-suite bathroom, Standard cabins with shared bathroom
  • Rooftop sun deck with shaded lounge and hammocks
  • Large common area with dining tables, bars and couch area
  • Fish ID and marine biology library
  • Supervised charging stations
  • Kayak on board free of charge

Food & drinks

  • Four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner
  • Western and Thai food
  • Vegetarian and special diets catered for
  • Unlimited soft drinks and electrolytes included
  • Alcohol at extra cost

Diving on board

  • Small dive groups, up to four divers per guide
  • Nitrox blended on board to the next dive's depth
  • 15 litre tanks on request
  • DIN adaptors and inserts
  • Shaded dive deck with rinse tanks and personal storage
  • Camera room with separate rinse tank
  • Tenders for pick-ups after the dive
  • Sidemount and tech diver friendly
  • Certified Mares service technician on board
  • ISC and PADI courses and specialties available

Navigation & safety

  • Radar
  • Sonar
  • GPS
  • VHF / DSC / SSB radio
  • Location beacon
  • Lifeboat and life vests
  • GSM and CDMA phones
  • Fire alarm and fire extinguishers
  • First aid kits and emergency oxygen
  • Engine room video surveillance

Languages spoken on board

EnglishFrenchThai

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Deck plan - upper deck
Deck plan - upper deck
Deck plan - main deck
Deck plan - main deck
Reviews
4.8
227 reviews on TripAdvisor