9 days Burma exploration cruise: one step further

Let's explore new dive sites in Burma... Come with us to the most remote locations...

• 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.

Beautiful Mergui Archipelago

• 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!

Roboasta Luteolineata Nudibranch

Nurse Shark in a cave

• ​​Day 3: 4 dives around the very special "Shark Cave", with 3 dive sites to explore one of my favorites. In the afternoon we  explore a paradise beach or a small fishermen settlement. In shark cave you can expect to see nurse sharks or big blotched sting rays, a lot of Mantis Shrimp and crustaceans of all types. The coral around makes it a very colorful dive site. For the night dive, you'll have the choice and can go to the site you preferred from the 3 you saw. All I can say is, this is a night dive you certainly shouldn't miss!

• 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.

Black Rock

Thousands of schooling fish

• 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 magnificent macro critters so look thoroughly!​

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• ​Day 6: on this cruise: ​We will take it one step further West toward the Burma Banks for some exploratory dives we hope to have some exceptional dives and you may be the first divers to explore some of these dive sites...​

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Tiger Shark at the Burma Banks

Gorgonian fan at the mouth of a swim through

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• ​Day 7: The first 2 dives will be around Seafan Forest a gorgeous site with giant Sea Fan like nowhere else on one side and purple vibrant soft coral on the overs. We can see up to 4 whales sharks at the same time on this site ! We will do the next 2 dives around Western Rocky which is also absolutely amazing.

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• Day 8: Western Rocky area is one of the Highlights of the entire Mergui Archipelago with its tunnel that goes all the way through the island inhabited by many lobsters. We will do 3 dives here but the first one will be on a submerged pinnacle for spectacular scenery and schooling fish action! We have spotted here various shark species (Bowmouth Guitarfish, Whale Shark, Reef Sharks) and often see resident Harlequin Shrimp, frogfish, Seahorses and lots of crustaceans and nudibranchs. 

Vibrant soft corals in Mergui Archipelago

Harlequin Shrimp

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• Day 9: The last dive goes into a volcano where a group of Black Tip Sharks likes to hang around, it is also a site rich in macro life. Here the question is not if you will see a seahorse, the question is how many? Up to 10 per dive if you have good eyes as well as rare species such as shaded Batfish, Comet Long Fins or Pineapple Fish.   

After the last dive we will head back toward Kawthoung where you can visit the local market or enjoy The Smiling Seahorse's hospitality with a refreshing beer at the local pub.
Once we get our passports back from the Burmese authorities, we will head back to Thailand where we will get a new visa (30 or 14 days depending on your country of origin). ​

See our Burma's dive sites

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

9 days 8 night, 29 dives
From Ranong 2pm
to Ranong 3pm
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Price for Divers 2023-2024:
THB 76,000 in Standard cabin
THB 72,000 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 29 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 280 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 2,000 THB for the whole cruise
-  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 5,700 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

Exceptional Liveaboard, I had great time!!

Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by Andrew, 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

The Smiling Seahorse Andaman dive cruises

Review: 5, based on 176 reviews "Superb liveaboard diving with The Smiling Seahorse" by Josh, 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

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