Diving liveaboard in Thailand and Myanmar
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    • Diving in Myanmar | Burma dive cruises >
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8 days diving around the undiscovered Mergui Archipelago

Our most popular Myanmar diving cruise featuring a full tour of the Mergui Archipelago

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Itinerary of our dive cruise:​
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  • Day 1: Meeting at our dive center headquarters between 9:00 am and 12:00 am. 
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  • At 2:00 pm we will head to the immigration office to get the necessary exit stamps from Thailand and then make our way to board the magnificent MV Smiling Seahorse. Upon crossing the border into Myanmar, immigration officers will board in Kawthaung and do the necessary border crossing screening. Once the paperwork is completed, we will head out to sea!
  • At sunset we will hold a ceremony to launch our voyage. Then it will be time for your first scrumptious meal before being rocked to sleep by the waves.​
  • We will be back to Ranong around 3pm
  • ​
  • Day 2: KNOCK KNOCK, Dive briefing! Wake up to the friendly call of the ocean (and your eager dive guide) as we start the cruise with a day at South Twin Island. Sitting in the outskirts of the Mergui Archipelago, this dive site is quite scenic with consistent crystal visibility and a topography of huge granite boulders. We have even been lucky enough the start the voyage off in style with a guest appearance from a majestic manta ray. Macro lovers will also be treated to chances of ghost pipefish, seahorses and frogfish! We end the first day of diving with a night dive searching for pygmy squid, candy crabs, cowries and nudibranchs!
Aerial view of the stunning Mergui Archipelago
Aerial view of the stunning Mergui Archipelago
Nurse shark
Nurse shark
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  • Day 3: 4 dives around the very special Shark Cave, one of my favorites. In the afternoon we  will find a bounty beach where we can get some sand between our toes and we might also pass by a local fishermen village.
​Here there are chances to see eagle rays, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks sleeping in their cave, blotched sting rays, frog fish, leaf fish, Spearing Mantis Shrimp and many more. Beautiful coral also makes this a very colorful dive site.
​​
  • Day 4: After a night of crossing, we will reach Black Rock, a small rock out in open sea. Here we are hoping for the big stuff like Sharks and Rays and whatever is passing… This is the place to go for "Manta Festival" with Manta rays coming in dozens from everywhere (no guarantee of course, but they are pretty common). The conditions this far in the open sea are a bit more challenging and currents make it a different style of diving to other areas of Mergui. This is probably the best dive site in Myanmar and is still seldom visited by divers.
Manta ray
Manta ray
  • ​​Day 5: We stay offshore with North Twin and its pinnacle where you will have more chances to cross Manta Rays and sometimes eagle rays. Because there are many patches of sand between the boulders making the particularity of this dive site, we also sighted Leopard Sharks sleeping quite regularly. Giant Sea Fans are also often hiding wonders so look thoroughly!
Vibrant soft corals blanketed by thousands of tiny fish
Vibrant soft corals blanketed by thousands of tiny fish
Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Peacock Mantis Shrimp

  • ​Day 6: We will visit Seafan forest in the morning, its name says it all, many boulders and many Sea Fans attract many kinds of fish. You will often see schools of Barracudas or batfish on top of the site as well as tuna hunting schools of fusiliers.  We have even had the lucky moment where 3 whale sharks came out to play with us on one dive here! In the afternoon we will go around Western rocky for 2 more dives there.
​
  • Day 7:  This is the day that sets apart this cruise from the others as we have a whole day to do 4 dives in the bountiful Western Rocky neighbourhood. This is by far one of the most famous dive sites in Burma although we still won't need to share it with other divers! One of the highlights is a tunnel (cave) at 20 meters depth that goes all the way through the island. You will see lobsters hiding in dark corners as well as sleeper lobster and many types of crabs (sponge crab, spider crab, anemone crab). We have also spotted Bowmouth Guitarfish, Whale Shark, Various shark species Harlequin Shrimp, Frogfish and Seahorses… Also be prepared for a real treat as this is the perfect night diving spot! 
The Whale sharkThe Whale shark

Octopus
Octopus
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​
  • Day 8: The last dive goes into a volcano where a group of black tip sharks likes to hang around…  this is also a special space to find seahorse and rare tropical fish like the comet long fin, the shaded batfish or the pineapple fish... Take some time to peer into the nooks and crannies of the reef to find some real hidden treasures. 
After the last dive we will go back to Kawthoung where there will be opportunity for some souvenir shopping and a refreshing local beer.
Once we got our passports back from the Burmese authorities, we will head back to Thailand where we get a new entry stamp.  
30 days for G8 countries passport holders, 14 days for the others getting visa on arrival.
See our Burma's dive sites

Black Rock, High Rock, North et South Twin, Shark Cave, North Twin, Western Rocky, Seafan Forest, Volcano...

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8 days/7 nights, 25 dives 
From Ranong 2pm to Ranong 3pm 
​

Price per Diver 2023-2024
THB 63,000 in Standard cabin
THB 66,000 in Deluxe cabin
THB 68,000 in Master cabin
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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)
•  up to 25 Dives
•  Towels, reef-friendly amenities
•  Sea kayak and hammock ​
NOT INCLUDED:
•  Burmese entry and diving Fees 250 USD / Pers (to be confirmed) 
•  PERSONAL INSURANCE COMPULSORY 
•  Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes 
•  Equipment rental (600 THB/ day) 
•  Computer rental (300 THB/day) 
•  PADI Courses
•  Private guide 3,000 THB/day ​​
•  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 4,800 THB for the whole cruise
•  Optional Black water dive (500thb/ diver)
•  
Photographer private coaching
•  Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices)


Note: This itinerary is provided as sample itinerary and can be modified by The Smiling Seahorse based on weather forecast or other unforeseen circumstances.

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The Smiling Seahorse

170 Ruangrat Rd, Tambon khao nivet, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong 85000​
Phone: +66860110614​
​Mail: info@thesmilingseahorse.com

www.thesmilingseahorse.com/
​

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Responsible Manta Tourism Operator
TAT Licence number : 31/00935
© COPYRIGHT 2018-2020. The Smiling Seahorse ​
  • When & Where
    • Schedule and Prices
    • Destinations >
      • North Andaman Thailand >
        • Similan Islands
        • Surin Islands >
          • Richelieu rock
        • The essential Underwater photo Guide to diving Thailand
      • South Andaman Thailand
      • Mergui Archipelago >
        • Marine life in the Andaman Sea
        • Burma's best dive sites
        • The Ultimate Underwater photo Guide to diving Burma
  • ABOUT
    • Our Boat >
      • DELICIOUS FOOD
    • Guest Book
    • Diving in Thailand in 2022-2023 >
      • Ranong Departures >
        • 3D Thailand: Surin National Park
        • 4D3N North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 5D Thailand: Surin and Similan
        • 5D North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 6D Thailand: Surin and Similan end to Ranong
        • 7D Thailand: All of Surin and Similan
        • 8D Thailand: North & South
        • Alternative itineraries for full charter >
          • 4D4N Evening to morning - Surin Similan
      • Khao Lak Departures >
        • 5D North Andaman from Khao Lak to Phuket
        • 5D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 5D North Andaman Khaolak - Ranong
        • 6D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 6D North Andaman: From Khao Lak to Ranong
        • 7D North Andaman: All of Surin and Similan
        • 7D North Khao Lak to Khao Lak
        • 8D North & South Andaman Thailand
      • Phuket departures >
        • 5D North Andaman from Phuket
        • 5D South Andaman: Lanta and Tarutao National Parks
        • 6D North Andaman: Phuket to Khao Lak
        • 8D Thailand: South & North
        • 8D Andaman South & North Phuket-Ranong
    • Blackwater diving in Thailand
    • Marine life in Thailand's Andaman Sea
    • Diving in Myanmar | Burma dive cruises >
      • 6D Burma : South Mergui Archipelago
      • 7D Burma: dive Black Rock
      • 8D Burma: Undiscovered Mergui
      • 9D Burma: Exploration trip
    • Dive Courses >
      • Learn to Dive
      • Continue diving education
      • Rescue diver
      • Professional Dive Courses
      • Hone your dive skills with a PADI specialty course
      • Photo coaching in Thailand on the Smiling Seahorse
    • FAQ
  • Plan your trip
    • Our hotels recommendations
    • Khao Sok National Park
    • Taxi services >
      • Taxi services to and from Ranong
      • Taxi services to and from Phuket
      • Taxi services to Tap Lamu and Khao Lak
    • 10 things to do around Ranong
    • Covid-19 news & infos >
      • COVID-19 update travel to Thailand
      • Covid-19 protection on-board
  • PROMO
    • HOT DEALS
    • Manta rays expedition - 19 Mar 2023
    • Ultimate Underwater photo combo expeditions
    • Blackwater expedition 23 Jan 2024
    • UW Photo clinic North Andaman 31 Jan 2024
    • Special Marine Biology - 18 Feb 2024
    • Whale Shark Special - 19 Mar 2024 - North and South
    • Manta rays expedition - 20 April 2024
  • gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Most popular posts