MV Smiling Seahorse In Myanmar Takes a Whole Lot of Experience But Not a Whole Lot of Guests
If the the Mergui Archipelago wasn’t remote enough for you, the MV Smiling Seahorse only takes 16 guests on its fabulous Myanmar trips. It’s very likely that you’ll not see another scuba diving liveaboard on your Myanmar safari that can last from 7 to 9 days.
After a 3 year hiatus due to covid and civil unrest, MV Smiling Seahorse will once again be visiting the wonderfully isolated Myanmar dive sites. For 8 years the team have been exploring the dive sites to try and find the best possible itineraries. Special sightings are a guarantee, in can be anything from harlequin shrimps to enormous whale sharks.
The MV Smiling Seahorse doesn’t just explore Myanmar’s wonderful underwater world, some of the 800+ uninhabited islands have also been checked out. So those who need to get their feet on dry land for a couple of hours, can get that chance on pristine beaches. The beauty of Mergui Archipelago doesn’t just extend under the waves.
The Cabins
Very well thought out! There are eight cabins on MV Smiling Seahorse – 2 Master, 4 Deluxe and 2 Standard. All have air-con and master and deluxe cabins have en-suite bathrooms. The standard cabins share two communal toilets so you should never have to wait very long. Beds are designed in such a way that deluxe and standard cabins can be twin or double bed configuration.
For Photographers
Most Thailand/Myanmar liveaboards don’t cater very well for photographers. The MV Smiling Seahorse is an exception, a dedicated camera room with lots of power points so keen photographers can easily take care of and prepare camera equipment.
More Information
7 Day/6 Night Itinerary
Day 1
9:00 to 11:50am – Meet at Ranong dive center
2:00pm – Immigration office for border crossing formalities into Myanmar
3:00pm – Board MV Smiling Seahorse and head out to sea
7:00pm – Dinner onboard
Day 2
4 dives at South Twin Island
Day 3
4 dives around Shark cave
Day 4
4 dives at North Twin
or
4 dives at Black Rock
Day 5
4 dives at Western Rocky
or
4 dives at North Twin
Day 6
4 dives at Seafan Forest and Western rocky
Day 7
2 dives at the volcano
3:00pm – Return to Ranong for immigration formalities and disembarkation
8 Day/7 Night Itinerary
Day 1
9:00 to 11:50am – Meet at Ranong dive center
2:00pm – Immigration office for border crossing formalities into Myanmar
3:00pm – Board MV Smiling Seahorse and head out to sea
7:00pm – Dinner onboard
Day 2
4 dives at South Twin Island
Day 3
4 dives around Shark cave
Day 4
4 dives at Black Rock
Day 5
4 dives at North Twin
Day 6
4 dives at Seafan Forest
Day 7
4 dives at Western Rocky
Day 8
2 dives at the volcano
3:00pm – Return to Ranong for immigration formalities and disembarkation
9 Day/8 Night Itinerary
Day 1
9:00 to 11:50am – Meet at Ranong dive center
2:00pm – Immigration office for border crossing formalities into Myanmar
3:00pm – Board MV Smiling Seahorse and head out to sea
7:00pm – Dinner onboard
Day 2
4 dives at South Twin Island
Day 3
4 dives around Shark cave
Day 4
4 dives at Black Rock
Day 5
4 dives at North Twin
Day 6
4 dives at Burma Banks
or
4 dives north of Black Rock
Day 7
4 dives at Seafan Forest
Day 8
4 dives at Western Rocky
Day 9
2 dives at the volcano
3:00pm – Return to Ranong for immigration formalities and disembarkation
Included
Full accommodation and board (Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon bites, Dinner)
All soft drinks, drinking water, fresh coffee & tea
Fresh fruits, yogurt & snacks all-day
12 L scuba tank, Weights & Weight Belt
PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers)
Towels, reef-friendly amenities
Sea kayak and hammock
Excluded
You will have to apply for an E-visa for Myanmar, cost: 50$, port of entry: Kawthaung, link to apply
Myanmar entry fees and visa 280 USD *subject to government’s change
2,000 THB donation for Thailand Manta Project
COMPULSORY IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR OWN:
PERSONAL INSURANCE
(General Travel insurance is highly recommended)
Computer rental 300 THB/day
Equipment rental 600 THB/ day
15L Tank 250 THB / day or 2,000 THB for the whole cruise
Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 5,700 THB for the whole cruise
Private guide 3,000 THB/day
Optional Blackwater dive 500 THB/ dive
Transfers to and from the boat on-demand
Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes
Gratuity/ tips (1000 THB / day /pers is common practice)
Price Per Person
| 7 Day/6 Night | 8 Day/7 Night | 9 Day/8 Night |
|---|---|---|
| Master THB 69,000 Deluxe THB 66,000 Standard THB 63,000 | Master THB 75,000 Deluxe THB 72,000 Standard THB 70,000 | Master THB 84,000 Deluxe THB 79,000 Standard THB 75,000 |
*Not Including National Park Fees or equipment
MV Smiling Seahorse Schedule 2024-2025
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM01 | 29th Oct 24 | 04th Nov 24 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM02 | 12th Nov 24 | 20th Nov 24 | Mergui – Burma Banks | 29 |
| SSM03 | 22nd Dec 24 | 28th Dec 24 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM04 | 30th Dec 24 | 05th Jan 25 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM05 | 23rd Jan 25 | 29th Jan 25 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM06 | 31st Jan 25 | 07th Feb 25 | Undiscovered Mergui | 25 |
| SSM07 | 26th Feb 25 | 04th Mar 25 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM08 | 06th Mar 25 | 12th Mar 25 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
| SSM09 | 02nd Apr 25 | 10th Apr 25 | Myanmar Manta Expedition | 21 |
| SSM10 | 12th Apr 25 | 19th Apr 25 | Undiscovered Mergui | 25 |
| SSM11 | 09th May 25 | 15th May 25 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 21 |
