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 63,000 Deluxe THB 60,000 Standard THB 57,000 |
Master THB 68,000 Deluxe THB 65,000 Standard THB 63,000 |
Master THB 76,000 Deluxe THB 72,000 Standard THB 68,000 |
*Not Including National Park Fees or equipment
MV Smiling Seahorse Schedule 2023-2024
October
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM01 | 14th Oct 23 | 20th Oct 23 | Myanmar – Mergui Archipelago | 18 |
| SSM02 | 28th Oct 23 | 03rd Nov 23 | Myanmar – Black Rock | 22 |
November
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM03 | 29th Nov 23 | 07th Dec 23 | Undiscovered Mergui | 29 |
December
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM04 | 09th Dec 23 | 17th Dec 23 | Undiscovered Mergui | 29 |
March
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM05 | 05th Mar 24 | 12th Mar 24 | Undiscovered Mergui | 25 |
April
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM06 | 20th Apr 24 | 28th Apr 24 | Myanmar Manta Expedition | 29 |
| SSM07 | 30th Apr 24 | 07th May 24 | Myanmar Exploration | 25 |
May
| Trip No. | Depart | Return | Destination | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM08 | 09th May 24 | 15th May 24 | Myanmar Manta Expedition | 22 |
