Thailand 
https://www.notroublesjustbubbles.com/diving-destinations/thailand/liveaboards/mv-smiling-seahorse#sigProId63b5dd1fe3
MV Smiling Seahorse is a new diving liveaboard boat for the 2018-19 season. It was purpose-built to offer safe & comfortable Similan Islands scuba diving liveaboard cruises. MV Smiling Seahorse replaces the popular MV Thai Sea that served so well for years. The new boat is bigger, but still only takes 16 guests. That means there’s more room and greater comfort. Unlike its predecessor, Smiling Seahorse has air-conditioned cabins, most of which have private bathrooms. Also the hull is steel and the engines are larger than before.
MV Smiling Seahorse is an ideal size for the number of guests. It’s larger than the previous boat, but not too large. It’s 25m. in length with a width of 6.5m. This ensures that it’s always possible to find space to chill out away from others, but it also has a friendly atmosphere. The boat was designed from fresh, meaning that everything is in the right place. For example, the well-planned dive deck and cabin layout, and there’s a room just for photographers. From the large sundeck to the crew cabins in the lower deck, it’s a great boat. All guest cabins have air-conditioning and doors which open out to sea views, not into a narrow corridor along the middle of the boat.
On the upper deck of Smiling Seahorse there are two ‘Superior’ guest cabins which can be set up as twin or double depending on your needs. Further back is the main socialising & dining area. This is where guests spend most of their time eating, listening to dive briefings, exchanging stories over a drink, browsing photos, reading, or updating logbooks. There are tables with lots of comfy seating, and there’s a large TV.
On the main deck of Smiling Seahorse there are two Master Cabins at the front of the boat and four Deluxe Cabins in the middle. All have private en suite bathrooms. The Master Cabins have large double beds, and the Deluxe Cabins can be twin or double depending on the guests. Also on the main deck is the galley, where the wonderful cooks prepare plenty of delicious food. It’s a great balance of Thai food made to western taste. Guests who have special dietary needs, including vegetarians & vegans, won’t go hungry, but please inform any special diets in advance.
There is a photography room on the main deck, next to the kitchen and communal bathrooms. This is important on scuba diving liveaboards nowadays. Diving photographers can service, clean & charge lights & cameras. On the well-designed dive deck there is easily enough room for all divers to feel comfortable when gearing up. All the tanks, equipment, compressor and other machinery is located here, out of the way.
Smiling Seahorse’s lower deck has crew cabins and two brand-new large & powerful engines. These engines are ideal for longer itineraries. This ensures smooth, quick and safe crossing between dive sites.
Most of the time Smiling Seahorse is in Myanmar/Burma, but several times each season there are trips that stay in Thailand. Instead of joining the crowds at the Similan Islands, Smiling Seahorse takes a different approach. Going directly from Ranong to The Surin Islands, the divers can enjoy some wonderful dives at secret dive sites, and often visit the Sea Gypsies. Then it’s south to Koh Bon, and on the return stopping at Koh Tachai. Saving the best to last, Richelieu Rock is visited on the final day. These trips are 3 days & 3 nights, with up to 11 dives.
MV Smiling Seahorse Prices & Schedule
| MV Smiling Seahorse Diver Prices Overview 2020 / 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | Superior Twin/Double | Deluxe Twin/Double | Master Cabin |
| High Rock, Spanish Garden, Shark Cave, North Twin, Seafan Forest, Western Rocky, Volcano, ( 17 Dives) | 6D / 5N | Superior Twin/Double1,456 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,521 USD | Master Cabin1,618 USD |
| High Rock, Shark Cave, Black Rock, North Twin, Seafan Forest, Western Rocky, Volcano, ( 22 Dives) | 7D / 6N | Superior Twin/Double1,844 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,942 USD | Master Cabin2,039 USD |
| Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, ( 23 Dives) | 7D / 6N | Superior Twin/Double1,844 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double1,942 USD | Master Cabin2,039 USD |
| High Rock, Stewart Island, Tower Rock, Shark Cave, Black Rock, North Twin, Seafan Forest, Western Rocky, Volcano, ( 25 Dives) | 8D / 7N | Superior Twin/Double2,039 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,136 USD | Master Cabin2,200 USD |
| High Rock, Spanish Garden, Shark Cave, Black Rock, Torres Island OR Burma Banks North Twin, Western Rocky, Volcano, ( 36 Dives) | 9D / 8N | Superior Twin/Double2,427 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double2,524 USD | Master Cabin2,589 USD |
| Andaman Islands, India, | 14D / 13N | Superior Twin/Double3,560 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double3,721 USD | Master Cabin3,883 USD |
| MV Smiling Seahorse Special Offers Coming Up | ||||
Discounted | ||||
| Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, (23 Dives) Departs: 19 Dec 2020 Return: 25 Dec 2020 | 7D / 6N | Superior Twin/Double Special Offer 1,476 USD | Deluxe Twin/Double Special Offer 1,553 USD | Master Cabin Special Offer 1,631 USD |
MV Smiling Seahorse Itinerary
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 Itineraries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) | Days / Nights | Number of dives |
MV Smiling Seahorse Facilites, Layout and Specifications
| MV Smiling Seahorse Layout |
|
Top deck
Upper Deck
Main Deck
Lower Deck
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| 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
PADI Advanced Open Water & Nitrox Enriched Air courses are available on request on MV Smiling Seahorse. Some other PADI courses are also possible. Please note that it's important to ask for and book your PADI course in advance, so that the team can prepare materials and staff.
MV Smiling Seahorse Transfer details
MV Smiling Seahorse guests need to arrive in Ranong no later than the morning of departure day. It’s better to arrive the day before as this will give you more time to settle and explore the town.
You need to sign a little paperwork and maybe fit rental equipment at the Smiling Seahorse office.
Departure is soon after 3pm.
Pick up from local hotels and Ranong Airport can be arranged on request.
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MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 3D / 3N Trips
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| 12:00 - 15:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
| 15:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
| 16:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
| 21:00 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
| 21:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
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MV Smiling Seahorse Scheduled Transfers 5D / 5N, 7D / 7N Trips
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|---|---|
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Arrival ( Ranong ) |
| 15:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
| 16:00 | Departure ( Ranong Pier ) |
| 19:30 | Return ( Ranong Pier ) |
| 18:00 | Transfers ( Ranong ) |
Booking / Enquiry
