Smiling Seahorse, Thailand

Name: Burma Mergui Archipelago & Burma Banks (Ranong - Ranong)
Start: 2027-01-15
End: 2027-01-23
Location: Thailand

9.1 Superb

Nitrox available
En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 203 / day Check dates

“I would book again at any time!”
Matthias K, Germany

Highlights

Encounter manta rays, leopard sharks, macro critters
Spacious dive deck and dedicated photography room

Newly built for 2018, the Smiling Seahorse liveaboard offers fantastic dive trips to Thailand and Myanmar. The 3-night 'Best of Thailand' trip showcases some of the best dive areas in the Andaman Sea, including the Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tahcai & Koh Bon. The Myanmar dive trips are a fantastic way to explore this newly opened dive area and to get up close with manta rays, eagle rays, mobula rays, leopard sharks and cool macro critters such as frogfish, seahorses, and pipefish. The spacious dive deck at the back of the boat allows ample room for kitting up and gear storage and a dedicated photography room.

The Smiling Seahorse is 25m long and accommodates 16 divers over 4 decks. On the upper deck are 2 standard cabins with one double or two single beds and shared bathrooms. The 4 deluxe and 2 master cabins on the main deck have en-suite bathrooms, and all cabins feature air-conditioning. There is also an open-air dining room, a huge sun deck, and a camera station for photographers.

The experienced and professional crew of the Smiling Seahorse liveaboard offers a warm welcome. Book online today to reserve your space.

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Date

Itinerary

Price

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25 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

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03 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,485

FULL

13 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,807~~ $ 1,627 Save 10% -10%

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22 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,470~~ $ 2,223 Save 10% -10%

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01 Dec

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,485

FULL

11 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,470

FULL

20 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 2,087

FULL

28 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,319

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

06 Jan

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,319

FULL

15 Jan

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,485

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25 Jan

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,319

Select Cabin available

03 Feb

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,319

FULL

Included: VAT, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Beach BBQ, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Kayaks, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.

Required Extras: National Park Fees ($30-300 / trip).

Optional Extras: Gratuities (฿1,000 / day), Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox (฿2,400-5,700 / package), Nitrox Course (฿6,000-8,000 / activity), Private Dive Guide (฿4,000 / day), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses, Land Excursions, Snorkel Gear.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Rooms with Balcony
Budget Friendly Cruise
Nearly 1:1 Crew-to-Guest Ratio
Kayaks On-Board
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Camera room
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Laundry Service
Library
Outdoor Dining
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
BBQ Area
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping
Bar

Food & Drinks

Fine Cuisine
Al Fresco Dining
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Fine Wines Selection
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Rebreather Support
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2018

Length: 25 m

Max guests: 16

Number of cabins: 8

Number of bathrooms: 8

Boat navigation and safety

Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Fishfinder
Bilge pump alarm
Search light
Engine room CCTV

Smiling Seahorse Reviews

9.1 Superb

Vessel

8.9
Crew

8.8
Food

9.8
Diving

9.4
Value

8.8

10 Exceptional
Craig F
United States

Perfect introduction to liveaboard diving
This was a new experience for me, and I quite enjoyed the crew and my fellow divers. Six dives on Richelieu Rock were wonderful. It was crowded with other dive operators but big enough for us all.
Recommended for
Crew, food, itinerary
28 Feb, 2024

10 Exceptional
Jeremie R
France

A memorable experience
A wonderful experience, with pristine dive sites teeming with life and color (lots of macro), outstanding dive masters, a kind and attentive crew, delicious meals, and a perfect, beautifully designed boat. Crossing into Burmese waters adds to the sense of escape and adventure, making this cruise a truly unique experience.
Recommended for
Dives sites. Friendly and professional staff. Boat.
13 Jan, 2026

10 Exceptional
Wendy H
United Kingdom

Fabulous trip with great team
Seeing a manta ray. Relaxed atmosphere. Good group pairings.
Recommended for
Organised. Clean boat. Crew
10 Apr, 2023

9.6 Exceptional
Ingrid G
Austria

We liked it very much
I can only recommend the Smilling Seahorse to everyone, we didn't miss anything. the boat is well organized, the crew very friendly and very helpful
Recommended for
small groups (only 4 divers per guide), lots of space, great crew
29 Nov, 2022

Translated from German

10 Exceptional
Rafael Cesar M
Brazil

Highly recommended
The experience with the Smiling Seahorse was amazing. The crew was super friendly and positive, and the schedules and processes were extremely organized. The cabin was comfortable, the food was great, and the dives were as good as they can get. I couldn't ask for a better experience. I will definitely book another expedition with the Smiling Seahorse team.
Recommended for
Crew friendliness, organization, dive sites
17 Nov, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Matthias K
Germany

A very relaxed and stress-free diving safare
Super international and relaxed group with very good instructors.I would book again at any time!
Recommended for
Crew, Essen, Divesites
25 Apr, 2023

Translated from German

9.2 Superb
Anon
Poland

Fantastic !
My diving cruise with The Smiling Seahorse was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Everything was extremely well organized and seamless, making the entire vacation completely stress-free and enjoyable. The crew was exceptional — professional, friendly, attentive, and always making sure everyone felt comfortable and safe. The food was amazing throughout the trip, with great variety and quality at every meal. The boat itself is excellent: very comfortable, well maintained, and thoughtfully designed for divers. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, and the common areas are very well organized, giving everyone plenty of space to relax between dives. What truly made the experience unforgettable was the incredible selection of dive spots. Every dive offered something special, with beautiful marine life, stunning coral reefs, and perfectly planned itineraries. Overall, this was a full enjoyment vacation and one of the best liveaboard experiences I’ve had. I highly recommend The Smiling Seahorse to anyone looking for a perfectly organized diving adventure with a fantastic crew and unforgettable diving.
Recommended for
Crew. Dive sites. Food.
11 May, 2026

8.8 Fabulous
Martin K
Germany

to make a liveaboard best choose ist the Smiling Seahorse
To make such a trip like this, the Smiling Seahorse was the best choose! Especially after i saw the other Liveaboards with too much people on it.
Recommended for
A small group on a generous boat. No Stress by water in and water out. well balanced timetable.
24 Dec, 2024

10 Exceptional
lisa C
Canada

Utterly terrific!
The meals were amazing as were the dive guides and the rest of the crew. Safety for divers was made a priority, and we felt well cared for on the Smiling Seahorse. A truly amazing dive operation epitomizing professionalism at its finest. Thank you so much for making one of our bucket list dive trips better than we could have ever imagined.
Recommended for
The crew, the food, and of course, the diving!
26 Dec, 2022

9.2 Superb
TAIJI O
Japan

Managing Perfect Cruises
It was good to get to know people from various countries and talk to them.
Recommended for
Buddy's Birthday Ceremony, Lots of Food, Schedule by Time
08 Mar, 2023

Translated from Japanese

50 reviews

9.1 Superb
50 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

8.4 Very good
Rosaline C
Macau

I enjoy the whole trip
I have been to 10+ Liveaboard in this trip I have 0 complain for Frank well arrangements and lovely staff, I will be back……personally only room for improvement is the food, looking for more variety and seafood
Recommended for
Dive guide Ms Aiara she is so sweet and caring. Owner Frank with full of passion. The Marine life schools of fish.
12 Nov, 2024

8.4 Very good
Patrick C
France

Return of the mantas to Koh Bon!
Dives, good meals and naps 😀😀
Recommended for
To have been able to see the long-awaited mantas. The kindness of the whole crew. Good food prepared by the chef and his second-in-command.
04 Apr, 2023

Translated from French

10 Exceptional
Gerard K
Netherlands

An amazing trip to uncharted waters, with a top notch boat and crew: high quality experience!
We enjoyed our trip with the Smiling Seahorse a lot. Our hope was to escape crowded dive sites in Thailand by embarking on a trip to the Mergui Archipeligo. This worked out great: we have seen no other divers throughout the entire trip. The diving was excellent, at healthy reefs with abundant marine life. The Smiling seahorse is a well maintained vessel that has been run by the same crew for many years. The whole team works together like a Swiss clock, delivering a care free experience of high quality and maximum fun. Attention to details is massive (e.g. reef friendly soap, a water branded bottle to replace glass as much as possible, Isotoner sachets, etc.). The group was quickly split up into groups of 4 divers & 1 dive guide. The groups take turns gearing up, so the dive deck is always calm and remains spacious. Each crew member knows what to do and delivers. The dive guides are very experienced, good company and a pleasure to dive with. Special thanks to James! By choosing to go to Myanmar, a country in troubled times, the organization adds an exiting edge to the trip, somewhat exclusive and special. Their contact with the Myanmar authorities is solid and the process went pretty smooth. One special feature on our trip was the Blackwater diving. What a great experience and eye opener! We came home truly enriched in our understanding of the ocean and stimulated in our ambitions to keep on exploring. Thanks Franck and crew!
Recommended for
Very professional organization. Focus on excellent diving experience. Pushing for new experiences: Blackwater diving in Myanmar's waters.
16 Dec, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Katherine K
United States

Well organized boat, fantastic diving, tasty food
We did all 25 dives on this trip and loved them all. The variety was wonderful - from nudis to cobias, from swim throughs and caverns to beautiful healthy reefs, and a fascinating intro to blackwater diving. Our guide James was our favorite dive guide ever - hilarious and so knowledgeable. This boat is organized extremely well, with every detail thought through for a fantastic diving experience (great camera room, four dives per day). The food was always delicious, and the barbecue party on the last night was super fun. Our only small wishes would have been better weather (less rain and rough seas) and an air-conditioned communal area (the dining area is open to the outside). Very competently run and joyful diving holiday!
Recommended for
James, our hilarious and highly knowledgeable dive guide. Wonderful variety of excellent diving. Delicious food at every meal.
05 Dec, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Sebastian S
Germany

Great experience
I can highly recommend the smiling seahorse. First and foremost, the entire crew is highly professional in all aspects of the operation. Briefings, operational procedures, tidinesses on the dive deck, execution of the dives and pick up back to the boat, all are done in a way to guarantee the utmost safety and comfort for the guests. I’ve been diving for more than 20 years and this has been one of the top operators I’ve had the pleasure to dive with. I can’t stress this enough: safe diving is the basis of a happy trip! Then there is the boat itself and the food: cabins were comfy, AC was very good (though it was also possible to sleep with the window open, which was very nice), the decks are set up really well, and the food was very good. Finally, and most importantly: the crew, from the deck hand to the dive leader, all were extremely friendly, approachable, and concerned with the safety, comfort and well-being of the guests. Thank you very much for making this a great trip!!
Recommended for
Professionalism, Friendliness, Cleanliness
10 Apr, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Matteo A
Italy

Best way to go diving in the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks , hands down.
The trip was logistically setup in a very clever way. Each and every day there were highlights and surprises to be discovered. I experienced my first two Blackdives after almost 3 decades of recreational diving and it was mind-blowing. Frank and his team work very hard let the clients enjoy the cruise, and, last but not least , the security was considered paramount every time.
Recommended for
Diving guides, Blackdives and laid back atmosphere
21 Dec, 2023

9.6 Exceptional
Robert V
United States

Amazing experience.
We booked the photography expedition in the Similan National Park with the Smiling Seahorse. The boat is a 3 deck dive boat with functional cabins, a mess hall, and a perfect setup room for underwater photography and general rec diving. The boat owner and leader Frank is also a photographer. He is a super friendly and fun person to be around. He was very engaged in the day-to-day activities, and his excitement about the diving and photo opportunities was contagious. He also went out of his way to give us tips about underwater photography, which were greatly appreciated. He is an amazing photographer and his presentations were engaging and informative. Our guide, James, was equally top notch, and easily one of the best dive guides we’ve had in our diving history. He was safety conscious, highly skilled, and we learned so much from him about the reef sites we were visiting, including the sea life, and tips for safe diving in general. The supporting crew was equally amazing, ensuring tank fills and gear were setup, and the meals were good. Everything was well planned out so it never felt too crowded onboard despite full capacity. What you don’t easily see is all the work the crew is doing behind the scenes to make the liveaboard the most enjoyable experience. The dive sites themselves were fantastic, with healthy reefs, corals and fish, and the dive operation is very conscious of protecting the reef. The blackwater dive was incredible and unique , and each dive site provided great variety. This was one of the best diving trips I’ve done, hands down, and the crew and boat deserve the highest praise. We will be back soon!
Recommended for
Friendly and accommodating crew, great dive sites, great photography room
11 Nov, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Robert F
Germany

"Great Diving, Great Crew – A No-Frills Liveaboard That Delivers"
The dive safari with The Smiling Seahorse was a fantastic experience, offering great value for money without unnecessary frills. If you're looking for a well-organized, professional, and welcoming liveaboard in the Andaman Sea, this is a great choice. The dive team—James, Velika, Lady, and Simon—are exceptional. Not only do they know the dive sites inside out, but they also have a deep passion for the craft, ensuring each dive is both safe and memorable. The crew on board is equally impressive, keeping everything running smoothly, maintaining the gear, and assisting with effortless water entries and exits. The boat itself provides everything you need for a successful dive safari. There’s a dedicated camera station with compressed air and ample power outlets for charging equipment. Between dives, you’ll find plenty of space to relax in the shade—or stay dry if the weather turns. While the accommodations and amenities are simple and practical rather than luxurious, they are more than sufficient for a comfortable trip. Overall, The Smiling Seahorse delivers an excellent diving experience at a fair price, making it a solid choice for divers who prioritize top-notch guiding and seamless logistics over high-end amenities. If you're after incredible diving in the Andaman Sea without breaking the bank, this is a great option.
Recommended for
The dive guides. The crew. The organisation on board.
17 Mar, 2025

9.2 Superb
Michael K
Israel

Great boat for diving enthusiasts
Fantastic dives.
Recommended for
Diving. Diving. Diving.
31 Oct, 2024

8.0 Very good
Karen A
United States

Great crew and amazing diving
Amazing diving! Seeing a Manta was pretty special and the diversity of life on those reefs was fantastic.
Recommended for
The helpfulness and kindness of the crew was the big standout for me. I needed extra help getting in and out of the dingy (knee issue) and they were so great. The chef was super accomodating for my vegetarian preferences as well.
04 Apr, 2023

9.2 Superb
Jia Juen N
Malaysia

Highly recommended, exclusive services , friendly crew member, well organised diving.
In a summary, the trip was adventurous and amazing! We are pampered throughout the week and am amazed by the : Services Special mention on the services of the crews, they will try to fulfil the requests of customer with their best. They take note on each customer special needs and preferences very well. Owner Franck also provide very detailed briefing on every important matters and is always there to reach out. Diving The diving are well organised which you wont feel packed or waiting too long for you turn at the dive deck. We are divided into smaller dive groups at the ratio to dive guide at 4:1 and each group will take a rotation of sequence, which is fair and further enhances the overall diving experience. Dive guides are also very attentive and take safety precautions as priority. Furthermore, the boat and cabins are at the above average standard as this is not the luxury boat which also justify the price to be paid for.
Recommended for
well organised diving. friendly and helpful crew. variety of activites other than diving.
23 Dec, 2025

10 Exceptional
John M
United States

Amazing Time on the Smiling Seahorse!
This was our first liveaboard experience and we were blown away by the Smiling Seahorse and the Similan Islands/Richilieu Rock itinerary. The dive guides were very professional (safety first) and helpful. We loved it and highly recommend boat owner and dive photographer Frank and his team for your next diving excursion in Thailand or Burma.
Recommended for
The diving was spectacular. The dive guides, crew and captain were great. The food was tasty and plentiful.
20 Dec, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Gabor S
Hungary

Even though the weather was not in Our favour, specially underwater, the entire crew made everything as pleasent as possible for Us to enjoy the trip.
Diving the Chimney and Cathedral, and on top of everything the Richelieu Rock.
Recommended for
Food, dive gides: James, Mint, Joon, Simon
06 Dec, 2023

10 Exceptional
Jonah N
Germany

Tiger sharks at Burma Banks
Only dive boat in the region at that moment Fantastic landscape under and above the water great companionship on the boat playing cards with my dive buddies
Recommended for
excellent dive guide, professional staff, Tiger shark
21 Dec, 2023

9.2 Superb
Anne C
France

Diving among fish surprised to see us
Beautiful dive sites on which we are alone to dive but the fishermen are never far away Encounters of the third kind with 2 frogfish And don't forget the black water dive which allowed us to learn how to recognize the larvae of moray eels, lion fish and jellyfish
Recommended for
Being the only ones on the dive sites. The quality of the supervision. The comfort of the boat.
12 Mar, 2025

7.6 Good
Leonid B
Spain

satisfied
Good visibility in the first few days
Recommended for
Diving, Macro and Experience
03 Mar, 2024

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Taryn L
United States

Sail the Andaman Sea in a friendly atmosphere
My wife and I just spend an amazing week living aboard The Smiling Seahorse which took us through the many renown diving spots Thailand has to offer. The past 7 days, we sailed the Andaman Sea, stopping at busy Richelieu Rock by the Mu Ko Surin National Park and exploring the wonders of Ko Tachai and Ko Bon. We were amazed at the beauty of Breakfast Bend (3 trees), the imposing Elephant Rock (Hin Pusa) and Shark Fin Reef (Hin Phae) dive sites off the coast of Mu Ko Similan National Park. We were greeted by superb Oceanic Mantas at Red Rock (Hin Daeng), Purple Rock (Hin Muang) right in the Strait of Malacca and gasped at the grandeur of Cathedral (Koh Haa Yao). Last but not least, Ko Li Pe delivered schools of Fusiliers, Trevalis and Small Tooth Emperors reigning over the rest of the innumerable schools of fishes at Stonehenge and 8 Miles Rock (Hin Paad Mile). The crew on board was the friendliest and always helpful, accommodating my wife’s (many) food allergies with kindness. Speaking of the food, the chefs on board are incredible and you are in for a treat after each dives (my favorite being the post-morning dive breakfast). Our cabin (number 1) was spacious with a large bed and ample space to organize and store our luggages away. The bathroom was clean and perfect for a week on board. The entire dive masters crew was always professional, taking the time to go over the dive plan, answering any concerns and helping locate and identify the many hidden wonders discovered during each dive. We highly recommend signing up for the black water dive if this is something you have never done as Franck (the owner) is an amazing photograph and will lead you through a new way to discover our animal kingdom. Kudos to Franck and his team for organizing everything in a seamless fashion getting on and off the boat and everything in between. Thank you for having us, we’re looking forward to discovering Burma in a future adventure!
Recommended for
Friendly and knowledgeable crew, amazing food, incredible dive sites
12 Apr, 2024

Magnificent dives in the Andaman Sea
The dives with a lot of fish on Richelieu Rock,
Recommended for
Comfort of the boat, very nice dives, varied meals
03 May, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Rob C
United Kingdom

Truly superb live aboard experience!
This was our first liveaboard diving trip so we have nothing to compare this with, however, I can honestly say that our expectations were more than exceeded in every respect. The Smiling Seahorse operation is superbly run and managed by its owner Franck, an extremely personable individual and diving enthusiast, who goes to great lengths to ensure that no detail of your stay onboard is overlooked. After being swiftly administered on arrival, Franck then delivered a welcome address to all passengers to explain how the boat functions, where everything was and then introduced all of his staff, from the captain and diving instructors to the chefs and general assistants. This was a great touch and showed how invested he is in his crew and for us to meet each and every one of the staff onboard. We were assigned our diving instructor (Mici) and dived with another couple of similar experience for the duration of the trip. Mici went to great lengths to put us at ease and explained every step of each dive we undertook but made absolutely clear that safety was her primary concern throughout. We undertook our PADI AOW qualification whilst diving and this was seamlessly integrated in to our diving programme. Some of the dives were quite challenging due to varying currents and invariably plans had to be changed underwater to reflect the conditions but at all times she had the whole group’s welfare and safety in mind. On all of the dives, the pace at which we covered the terrain was excellent and she was always attentive and keen to point out the abundant wildlife. The diving itself was varied, with Richelieu Rock providing the most spectacular array of sea life, from huge shoals of Trevally and Barracuda to amazing fan corals to name but a few. Visibility wasn’t always great and at times the currents were strong but we viewed this as positive learning and we always managed to see some incredible sights. The food onboard was simply outstanding! We are vegetarians and the chefs went to great lengths to ensure that we had an appropriate choice for each meal - the food was largely Thai inspired and was truly delicious. On one evening they even prepared a BBQ on the sun deck and this was preceded by some delicious rum cocktails, which went down very well! At various intervals Franck would make announcements to ensure all were informed or (as a keen underwater photographer) brief us on other aspects of diving (black water diving), which was offered as an additional activity. Despite the broad international makeup of the guests onboard, all were made to feel part of the ‘family’ and we made some great acquaintances during our trip. Overall, Franck’s outstanding leadership of the Smiling Seahorse and attention to detail is what made this trip so successful and enjoyable for all concerned. We would thoroughly recommend to anyone considering a live aboard and will undoubtedly be back again.
Recommended for
Boat leadership; diving instructors; food
16 Apr, 2024

9.2 Superb
julien F
Australia

Amazing from start to end
We spend 4 nights 3 days on the Smiling seahorse , We arrived to this great new boat were everything is in perfect condition , clean and set to a perfect time on board Franck who is the owner also part of the journey have a friendly and professional approach and make us feel like home on board , dives were great living from Ranong our itineraries on the similar island was less busy that other operators. All together we have dives with other liveaboard for the similan islands but we recommend this one as our favourite
Recommended for
New boat , great choice of dive spot , very professional
28 Mar, 2019