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 $ 200 / day Check dates

“The dive team—James, Velika, Lady, and Simon—are exceptional. ”
Robert F, 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.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

25 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Sold Out

03 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,453

FULL

13 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

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

~~$ 1,784~~ $ 1,606 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin available

22 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

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

~~$ 2,438~~ $ 2,194 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin available

01 Dec

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,453

FULL

11 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,438

FULL

20 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 2,061

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

28 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,289

FULL

06 Jan

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,289

FULL

15 Jan

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,453

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

25 Jan

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,289

Select Cabin available

03 Feb

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,289

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 USD / trip).

Optional Extras: Gratuities (1,000 THB / day), Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox, Nitrox Course, Private Dive Guide (3,500 THB / day), Rental Gear (600 THB / day), 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.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

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

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

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

9.6 Exceptional
Matthias K
Germany

It is just perfect !
Diving, Eating, Relaxing and that 4 times a day 😎
Recommended for
Dive sites, Crew and the Food
18 Mar, 2024

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
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

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

8.4 Very good
YUEN FAI DICK W
United Kingdom

enthusiastic owner / photographer uplift at whole experience
enjoy new experience on black water diving
Recommended for
camera deck. friendly staff. black water dive.
07 Jun, 2025

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

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
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

50 reviews

9.1 Superb
50 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

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

Translated from French

9.2 Superb
Markus D
Germany

Unique dive sites - good boat crew - great food
Good and clean boat. Great food on board. Unique dive sites walls / sandbanks / coral gardens / caves. Team was always very helpfull and attentive - great food as well.
Recommended for
Unique dive sites. Very attentive team. rental equipment in very good condition.
01 Feb, 2025

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
Tim P
United States

Thrilled to have dived the Andaman sea with the friendly professionals of the Smiling Seahorse!
Such diversity of dive sites and creatures, pointed out so as not to be missed by James, the informative talks each day by Gavin, and the joy of new fellow divers on board, and the hard working crew amazed.
Recommended for
The diving, the food, the people made this a great trip.
28 Feb, 2024

9.2 Superb
Aminul I
Bangladesh

Great diving with a bunch of cool people
Awesome dives through out the trip. Although we were not lucky enough for whale sharks or manta rays, dive sites were full of life and energy. Koh Bon was marvellous with its visibility and rocky rugged beauty. Awesome.
Recommended for
Dive planning, black water dives and dive food
11 Mar, 2024

10 Exceptional
Daniel R
United States

Fantastic boat, crew, equipment, and guides!
This is a really well run operation. Our tour director Franck was on top of everything from helping us stay safe and healthy to taking amazing underwater photos. The boat crew and guides worked seamlessly together to ensure all the guests had the best possible diving experiences. Food was tasty and we always had plenty of snacks on hand after a dive. I started out as a very beginner diver (11 dives) and learned a ton from the guides and other more seasoned divers. The underwater world of the Andaman sea is amazing: I saw octopus, sharks, cuttlefish, rays, etc etc. We did night, blackwater, and cavern diving as well.
Recommended for
Superb crew, Clean and modern boat, smooth diving experiences
19 Feb, 2024

10 Exceptional
Guy B
France

Comfortable boat, competent and smiling staff
Richelieu point, the barbecue
Recommended for
Very good value for money
18 Mar, 2024

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

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

8.4 Very good
lee K
United States

The owners and crew went the extra mile to make your trip fun and memorable
The dives were very well organized which gave you confidence that you were in a safe environment. There were underwater experiences including several occasions of the "green monster " welling up from the depths (cold currents coming up sometimes like a river often totally obscuring vision until you can swim out of them. The diving was more enjoyable as there was a lot of expertise shared by the crew and fellow divers. Looking forward to traveling with this boat and crew again.
Recommended for
Owners were on the boat and made a positive difference for the trip. The cost of the trip was quite reasonable for the level of service we are very happily surprised. And of course having an atmosphere of good times was enjoyed by all
06 May, 2019

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
Tanja K
Switzerland

Great crew, food & boat- disappointing diving
The incredibly friendly and helpful crew incl. dive guides, great food, great boat, all imaginable shrimps, nudis, crabs, cattlefish and large schools of fish with jackfish, barracuda, fusilier etc.. Varied, wild underwater world with changing currents - unfortunately poor visibility (max 3-5m) over the entire week... Big fish would probably be there - just not visible.
Recommended for
Food, dive guide Juilien, harlequin shrimp
21 Dec, 2019

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

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

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

10 Exceptional
Mathieu B
France

Amazing trip, friendly crew and beautiful dives
The Whole trio was an Highlight
Recommended for
Crew Dives Food
17 May, 2021

9.6 Exceptional
Michel E
Switzerland

Great family diving
Dives at Richelieu Rock, aperitif and barbecue by Frank and his team,obtaining Nitrox patents as well as the Advance Open Water supervised by Frank and Simon. Thank you for their competence and good humor.
Recommended for
Exceptional sites, excellent atmosphere on board, very competent staff
26 Apr, 2024

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

9.2 Superb
Shun C
France

Burma diving exceptional experience with smiling Seahorse
One of the best liveaboard experience overall
Recommended for
Excellent diving guide. Julien highly recommend. Superbly designed diving boat very comfortably setup in a compact yet very thoughtful arrangement. Great staff, friendly and well experienced.
11 Jan, 2026

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