MV Smiling Seahorse Overview

MV Smiling Seahorse was brand-new in November 2018. It was purpose designed & built for comfortable & enjoyable scuba diving liveaboard cruises at the best dive sites of Thailand (and soon again into Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago). MV Smiling Seahorse is is larger than its predecessor, but takes the same number of guests. Therefore there’s more space for everyone. In addition, all the cabins on the new boat are air conditioned, and most have private bathrooms. And finally, the steel hull is better than a wooden hull in cruising through any waves.
At 25 metres in length and with a width of 6.5 metres, MV Smiling Seahorse is easily big enough for up to 16 lucky guests to relax on. Also, the purpose-built design means that everything is in the right place for scuba diving liveaboard cruises. This is not a converted fishing boat, like some other liveaboards. Starting at the top deck, MV Smiling Seahorse has a large sundeck that is partially covered and partially shaded. This makes it perfect for enjoying the view without getting sunburnt, or for topping up your tan. It’s also the best place to star gaze at night or enjoy the romantic atmosphere.
On the boat’s upper deck there are three guest cabins and the main dining & socialising area. The three guest cabins are ‘Superior Cabins’ which have air conditioning, and doors which open out onto deck, meaning that you are welcomed by a wonderful view in the morning. These cabins can be set up as a double bed or two single beds, meaning that they’re ideal for couples, for friends or two solo guests. At the rear of this upper deck is where delicious meals are enjoyed and dive briefings held. There are several tables with ample seating, and there’s a bar area and large flat-screen TV. This is a sheltered outdoor area, but its walls can be fully covered if the weather gets bad.
The main deck of MV Smiling Seahorse has four Deluxe Cabins & two Master Cabins. All of these have air-conditioning and private en suite bathrooms. The Master Cabins are larger and located at the front of the boat. They have large double beds. The Deluxe Cabins have double/single beds like the Superior Cabins. All of them have doors which open out onto the deck, which gives more privacy, convenience and a better view. Behind the cabins is the kitchen, where the team make plenty of delicious food. The food served on MV Smiling Seahorse is a blend of local Asian food and Western meals, such as their very popular barbecue nights. If you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or have any other special dietary needs, the team will ensure that you don’t miss out on great food, but please let us know in advance. Next to the kitchen is the photography room. This is becoming more important on scuba diving liveaboards, and this was an important design feature. Here, diving photographers can charge, clean or service cameras and other photo or video equipment. Also on the main deck are two communal bathrooms used by Superior Cabin guests, and there's a large and well-designed dive deck. There is plenty of space for all the tanks & equipment. The compressor and other ancillary machinery are new and located to ensure the best performance and least inconvenience.
There are several trip itineraries to choose from on MV Smiling Seahorse, but you need to book early because they sell out quickly. All trips used to leave from and return to Ranong, in southern Thailand near the Myanmar border. But for the 2022-23 season, the Smiling Seahorse sails from Ranong, from Phuket and from Khao Lak, depending on the itinerary. There are several trips to choose from and the longer ones go to all the best dive sites in Thailand's Andaman Sea.
MV Smiling Seahorse Pictures
https://www.similandivingtours.com/similan-islands-liveaboard/mv-smiling-seahorse#sigProId63b5dd1fe3
MV Smiling Seahorse Facilities, Layout & Specifications
MV Smiling Seahorse Layout |
Top deck Upper Deck Main Deck Lower Deck |
MV Smiling Seahorse Specifications | |
Type: | Steel hull. |
Built: | Nov 2018. |
Length: | 25 Metres. |
Beam: | 6.5 Metres. |
Engines: | 2 x 260 HP Hino Marine. |
Generators: | 2 x 20 kw Isuzu. |
Cruising speed: | 7 Knots. |
Max Speed: | 10 Knots. |
Compressors: | Bauer Mariner Compressors. |
Instrumentation: | GPS Plotter, Fishfinder, Depth Sounder, Cellular Phone, VHF / DSC / SSB radio and sonar. |
Fresh Water: | 16,000 Litres. |
Fuel: | 6,000 Litres. |
Guests: | Max. 16 Guests. |
Cabins: | 8 Double or Twin cabins with air-conditioning. |
Bathrooms: | 8 bathrooms (6 privates, 2 shared). |
Sundeck: | Yes sundeck area available. |
Safety: | Life Rafts, life vests, first aid kits, oxygen and trained oxygen providers, Engine room video surveillance, fire extinguishers, Fire alarm and fire extinguishers, Location beacon. |
Dinghy: | Motorised dinghy. |
MV Smiling Seahorse Courses
A range of PADI courses are available on The Smiling Seahorse. However, learning to dive, such as Discover Scuba and PADI Open Water are not suitable for this liveaboard. The PADI AOWC (Advanced Open Water Course) and Nitrox Enriched Air are the most-popular courses on this boat. Please book your course in advance, because sometimes it's not possible to plan at the last minute.
MV Smiling Seahorse Itinerary
There are several different itineraries for MV Smiling Seahorse, so please check carefully. Trips depart from & return to Ranong, Khao Lak and Phuket. Please check on the schedule AND ask us before confirming your travel plans.
The itineraries below are the most-common for each trip, but these can sometimes be changed for a number of reasons. Small changes are made due to weather & sea conditions, special marine life sightings, overcrowded dive sites, local-authorities' instructions, and the needs & requests of the paying guests. The safety & comfort of all guests is most important at all times.
MV Smiling Seahorse Transfer Details
MV Smiling Seahorse guests need to arrive in Ranong/Khao Lak/Phuket on departure day, and most trips sail in the late afternoon or evening.
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 3D / 4N Trips
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13:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
15:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
16:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
10:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
10:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
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15:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
19:30 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
20:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 3D / 2N Trips
|
|
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08:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
09:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
10:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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|
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16:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
19:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Transfers ( Phuket ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
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|
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16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 500 THB |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
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|
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16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Phuket : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 7D / 7N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 500 THB |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 6D / 6N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Ranong ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Ranong : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
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|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
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|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 500 THB |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Phuket : 500 THB |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 8D / 8N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Phuket : 500 THB |
18:00 | Departure ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 4D / 4N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
18:00 | Departure ( Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak ) |
15:00 | Return ( Ranong ) |
15:30 | Drop off to Ranong : Free |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N Trips
|
|
---|---|
08:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
09:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
10:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 8D / 8N Trips
|
|
---|---|
16:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
17:30 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
19:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
15:00 | Return ( Tian Sin Pier, Phuket Town ) |
15:30 | Transfers ( Phuket ) |
For customers who would like a private taxi please see below for details.
(Click below for a rough guide to the rates you can expect to pay ‘per vehicle,’ not ‘per person’.)
MV Smiling Seahorse Schedule & Prices
Destinations | Duration | Standard Twin/Double | Deluxe Twin/Double | Master Cabin |
---|---|---|---|---|
Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 12 dives) | 3D / 4N | Standard Twin/Double 25,500 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 30,250 THB | Master Cabin 33,750 THB |
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 15 dives) | 4D / 4N | Standard Twin/Double 31,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 36,000 THB | Master Cabin 38,500 THB |
Racha Yai, Racha Noi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Lipe, Phuket ( 15 dives) | 4D / 4N | Standard Twin/Double 31,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 36,000 THB | Master Cabin 38,500 THB |
Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock ( 18 dives) | 5D / 5N | Standard Twin/Double 42,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 47,000 THB | Master Cabin 50,000 THB |
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar ( 17 dives) | 6D / 5N | Standard Twin/Double 45,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 47,000 THB | Master Cabin 50,000 THB |
Myanmar/Burma inc. Black Rock ( 22 dives) | 7D / 6N | Standard Twin/Double 57,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 60,000 THB | Master Cabin 63,000 THB |
Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Similan Islands, Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Lipe ( 25 dives) | 7D / 7N | Standard Twin/Double 63,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 65,000 THB | Master Cabin 68,000 THB |
Koh Lipe, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands ( 25 dives) | 7D / 7N | Standard Twin/Double 63,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 65,000 THB | Master Cabin 68,000 THB |
Similan Islands, Surin Islands, South Andaman, Koh Lipe ( 29 dives) | 8D / 8N | Standard Twin/Double 68,000 THB | Deluxe Twin/Double 72,000 THB | Master Cabin 76,000 THB |
7 Reasons to Book with us:
- Best-price guarantee, AND get FREE gifts.
- We don’t ask for any payment or your card details until you are ready to confirm your booking.
- For safety reasons, it’s impossible to complete a booking instantly online , as some other websites claim to offer. We always check first as each boat has a different criteria regarding diver details & experience .
- We offer each boat’s booking & payment policy (below). Some other websites have standardised terms, asking for full payment but many boats’ payment terms are a 20-30% deposit, and the balance paid on arrival.
- Our Thailand-based staff are experts about logistics, the dive sites & all the boats . Take a look at the reviews on our site & tripadvisor.
- Our team are always online to answer your questions. We always respond the same day , usually within a few minutes
- Customer service is everything!
For example, if a trip is cancelled, we will ensure you can choose between an alternative similar trip or a full & unconditional refund .
The booking process for MV Smiling Seahorse is easy and convenient.
- Ask us for availability for your chosen dates and cabin type. We normally reply within hours.
- We block the cabin/space for you (commitment free) until you have organised other details of your vacation.
- When you’re ready to confirm a booking, we ask for a 30% deposit, normally paid through a direct bank transfer in a choice of currencies, or through PayPal with no added fees.
- Two months before departure, the 70% balance is due. Again, PayPal with no added fees is the most common method.
- Upon arrival in Ranong, you pay the national park/diving fees and for any equipment rental or other extras at the dive centre.
Bank transfers to our Thai or UK bank accounts are also very welcome.
Customer cancellation:
- 60+ days before departure: Forfeit of 30% deposit
- 30-45 days before departure: Forfeit of 50%.
- <30 days before departure: Forfeit of full payment.
Please note that in most cases we are flexible, such as a partial refund or changing the booking to another diver.
Call us: (+66 89 136 3121) Fax: (+66 24225259)
or fill out the form below