8 days diving around the undiscovered Mergui Archipelago

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

Itinerary of our dive cruise:​
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  • Day 1: Meeting at our dive center headquarters between 9:00 am and 12pm. 
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  • At 2pm 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
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The last dive ends no later than 9 a.m.
  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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! 
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 or 15 days depending on your country of origin).
See our Burma's dive sites

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

8 days/7 nights, 25 dives 
From Ranong 2pm
​to Ranong 3pm 
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Price per Diver 2023-2024
THB 63,000 in Standard cabin
THB 65,000 in Deluxe cabin
THB 68,000 in Master cabin
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:

* You will have to apply for an E-visa for Myanmar, cost: 50$, port of entry: Kawthaung, link to apply
*  Burmese entry and diving Fees 230 USD / Pers (to be confirmed) 
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. COMPULSORY IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN:
- PERSONAL INSURANCE 
(General Travel insurance is highly recommended)
-  Computer rental 300 THB/day
​​- Equipment rental 600 THB/ day​
. OPTIONS:
- 15L Tank 250 THB / day or 1,750 THB for the whole cruise
-  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 4,800 THB for the whole cruise
-  Private guide 3,000 THB/day ​​
-  Optional Blackwater dive 500 THB/ dive
. COURSES:
-  PADI Courses
-  Photographer private coaching

​. Transfers to and from the boat on-demand
​. Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes 
. Gratuity/ tips (1000 THB / day /pers is common practice)
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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2 of the latest reviews on our liveaboard

The Smiling Seahorse Andaman dive cruises
Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by , written on April 09, 2023
First off, I don’t usually write reviews because I’m a bit of a knit pick, but in the case of the Smiling Seahorse I feel if I didn’t leave a review it would be an injustice. The owner of the boat, Frank, was on board the whole time and his team looked after everyone from the moment we stepped on board to meals, from before every dive making sure each person had what they needed to return to the boat and having your fins taken off by the crew who also helped keep you stable making sure your tank was properly placed. The rooms had great air-conditioning and stayed at a nice cool temperature at night. The daily schedule was written out for everyone to see so we all knew exactly how the day would proceed and we knew when to be where. The boat itself was also put together with care. The main deck was set up with tables and a nice place to stretch out in comfort with cushions and pillows that surrounded the back of the boat as you look out at numerous islands, sunrises, and sunsets. The upper deck had a huge awning where you could enjoy the cool breeze while driving to the next location while resting on the hammock, fold-out pads, or the furniture. There was also a nice sunbathing area for serious sun seekers. I loved it here during sunrises, mid-afternoon nap time, sunsets, and watching the stars at night. The lower deck is where all the scuba equipment was stored and we each have cubbies for our things. There was a nice couple of tables for anyone with cameras to dry off and do any adjustments. The food on the boat was exceptional. There was a fabulous cook who had food waiting for you at all times of the day. Coffee was made before we woke up, breakfast was hot after the first dive, and the next meals were ready to be eaten immediately after we finished the remaining dives. Not only was the food hot and ready in a buffet style, which I loved because I could choose how much I ate, but the food itself was fantastic. We had Thai food, western food, barbecue, and steaks for the final meal. And there were mid-afternoon snacks that hit the spot like fried bananas with ice cream! YUM!
★★★★★ by Josh April 9, 2023
Reviewed at Tripadvisor
The Smiling Seahorse Andaman dive cruises
Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by , written on April 10, 2023
I have recently returned from a North / South Andaman Sea Manta Ray Expedition with The Smiling Seahorse and I cannot praise the operation highly enough. Everything from the layout of the boat and it’s facilities, the way the dive groups were organised and managed, the attentiveness and professionalism of the crew, the accommodation, the food, the sites we visited …. All top notch! I have been on many day boats and liveaboards in Thailand over the last 10+yrs and The Smiling Seahorse is the best by far. Particular thanks to our dive guide James who’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the sites was fantastic, he always managed to get us into the best spots for fishy action and often away from other divers which was superb… really appreciated. Also thanks to Jamie who’s daily presentations on the the majestic Manta Rays were truly fascinating and added another dimension to the trip…. Best of luck with the Manta Ray Trust of Thailand! If I have any feedback to give would be about the food, it’s plentiful and delicious but a little more variety might be appreciated, it’s a very small improvement that would take my 10/10 to an 11/10! So, thank you Franck and the whole team… you have a very slick, professional, fun and great team around you… so much so, I’ve just booked to join you again next year on the Myanmar Manta trip! See you soon!!!
★★★★★ by Andrew April 10, 2023
Reviewed at Tripadvisor