The Smiling Seahorse

The Smiling Seahorse is a 25 m steel-hulled motor vessel operating Burma liveaboard 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 Smiling Seahorse aims to provide personalised service and, with 8 attentive crew members, there is always someone on hand to assist you. Although not a luxury liveaboard option, you can be sure of a friendly atmosphere throughout your Myanmar diving cruise.

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!

Special offers: Combine any Thailand AND Burma cruise and get a THB 2000 discount! Offer expires: 29 Apr 2019

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.
Note: 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 for 4 divers), tanks, weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 16 per day), dive computer (mandatory) US$ 10 per day, dive insurance, Surin park fees at approximately US$ 6 per day, with an entry fee of US$ 16 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). For guests who are only Open Water certified - Adventure Deep Dive training and Adventure Night Dive (approx. US$ 48 each), Advanced Open Water course (approx. US$ 224) to be paid in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Transfers to and from Ranong, alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (approx. US$ 8 per tank), camera rental (US$ 10 per day), 15 litre scuba tank rental. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

How to get there: The Smiling Seahorse departs from Ranong. Many guests fly in and out of Ranong on short direct flights to Bangkok. A minibus transfer from Phuket to Ranong is available at additional cost and takes around 6 hours. Alternatively you can fly to Surat Thani from where you can take a bus (3 hours)
For the Myanmar immigration crossing, you need to come prepared with:

• USD 200-280 in crisp, new US dollar notes for the Myanmar entry fee and national park fee
• 3 passport size photographs each

The authorities may refuse to accept the equivalent amount in Thai Baht and any US dollar notes they deem to be too old and/or thin! It is advisable to bring only large denomination notes like 50s or 100s. For more information see our travel information section. We will help you apply for an entry permit beforehand. Read more details on Burma entry requirements.

The last dive of all trips will be at around 12:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

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.

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$ 3 685 (charter duration - 3 to 8 days).

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 upper deck. All cabins have windows that allow for plenty of natural lighting and doors that open to the outside breeze.

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

The crew of 8 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, coffee, tea, drinking water, biscuits, ice cream, candy bars, toast and fruit are provided free of charge.
• Beer and wine are also available at extra charge.
• 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 ...