What’s up in Ranong?! Fresh news from The Smiling Seahorse! As we reflect on another incredible diving season exploring the pristine waters of Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar, we have exciting updates, last-minute offers, and huge news about our future to share with you.

Big News: We Are Building a New Boat!

I guess an even bigger piece of news this year is: we are building a brand-new boat!

As all good things take time, we plan to launch it in October 2018. We are so excited! We designed it according to what YOU said would be your ideal liveaboard:

• The boat will be slightly bigger, but we’ll keep a small number of divers on board so the friendly atmosphere and attentive service remain exactly the same.
• A sturdy steel hull with two powerful engines to go explore even further into remote dive sites.
• Air-conditioning in all cabins, with doors opening outward to enjoy the ocean breeze and sea view!
• Private bathrooms with hot showers and toilets in every cabin.
• A larger, dedicated room for underwater photographers.
• A nice social lounge area with comfortable couches and a bar.
• A huge sundeck on top for relaxing between dives.
• Bigger staff quarters for our amazing “Dream Team” 🙂

This season might be the last chance for you to be back on the MV Thai Sea, which will be dearly missed by all of us…

Season 2016/2017 Highlights

Season 2016/2017 was an absolute blast. We had a fantastic team on board the MV Thai Sea, wonderful guests, and endless fun!

Our best moments this year:
We had two stunning “manta festivals” where we spotted up to 30 individual giant oceanic manta rays on a single dive! We watched playful dolphins riding our bow wave, met gracious leopard sharks mating, and swam next to huge nurse sharks hiding in our secret caves.

The macro life was equally plentiful, featuring elusive frogfish, delicate ghost pipefish, colourful shrimp, and our infamous smiling seahorses all over the place!

For those who, like us, love shrimps of all kinds—including the striking harlequin shrimp—the macro photography opportunities were simply unmatched.

We shared truly magical moments both above and below the water, enjoying that wonderful feeling of being completely away from it all at the end of the world.

Will Strassman made a super video of his trip with us, which we’d love to share because we certainly loved it!

It’s becoming old news, but we remain just as proud: we received the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for the 3rd year in a row! Bring on 2018!!!

Meet the MV Thai Sea Instructors

Three experienced instructors speaking French, English, and Portuguese will join Franck this season on the MV Thai Sea:

Sophie was loved by all for her contagious smile and jokes all day long. She is back on board for another fantastic season.