Diving liveaboard in Thailand and Myanmar
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Why you should dive Nitrox on your next liveaboard?

23/4/2022

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Why you should dive Nitrox on your next liveaboard?

What’s the difference between air and Nitrox?

The air we breathe everyday is as a gas made of 21% oxygen, 78 nitrogen and 1% other gas.
Nitrox, also called enriched air, is a mix of the same gaz but in a different proportion, we enrich the air with extra oxygen so the oxygen proportion is bigger. Its name: Nitrox comes from the combination of Nitrogen and Oxygen.
We refer to Nitrox according to its oxygen percentage, for example a Nitrox 32 contains 32% oxygen and is the most commonly used.
What are the advantages of using Nitrox?

What are the advantages of using Nitrox?

If you remember your Open Water theory class, the amount of nitrogen entering your tissues is what limits the time you can spend at a certain depth.
The more nitrogen in the body, the more we risk a decompression sickness. Using Nitrox allows the diver to have less nitrogen in his blood within a given diving time, which gives Nitrox divers many advantages:
Picture
Picture
  • The ability to stay longer at a certain depth before reaching the same nitrogen blood level.
  • For example, if you dive at 30 meters, you could spend about 20 minutes on air before a decompression stop becomes compulsory, 30 minutes with a nitrox 32 and 40 minutes with a nitrox 36!
  • Having less nitrogen in your body also means your surface intervals could be shorter (which is a big advantage in some situation when you want to squeeze in 2 dives in a limited time).
  • I’m planning to dive with my friend who dives one air, what’s the point diving nitrox? Even if you follow the same dive profile as air divers, you will be far less tired then if you were diving on air and far safer as you will be further away from a risk of decompression sickness.
  • The nitrogen tissues desaturation is what tires you so much after a long dive. The less you have nitrogen in your blood, the less tired you will fill.
What are the advantages of using Nitrox?

What are the disadvantages of using Nitrox?

The “depth level” notion is the main disadvantage of Nitrox: the less nitrogen in your nitrox, the more oxygen you breathe. Oxygen becomes toxic with depth and it is important not to exceed a certain partial pressure or you risk in water-convulsions (which may lead to drowning!) These events are extremely rare and easily avoidable if you follow the brief. Nitrox is safer than air if used within its limits.

Can I dive deeper with Nitrox?

It is generally believed that Nitrox is used for very deep dives, but the reality is that it is a gas allowing longer diving time in mid-deep waters, perfect for recreational dives between 20 and 30 meters deep.
The only thing you need to know to dive using Nitrox is that beyond a specific depth, the oxygen becomes toxic. Nitrox being rich in oxygen, it becomes dangerously toxic, faster (less deep) than normal air.
But don’t get scared, after your course, you will know very well what will be your maximum depth on any given nitrox mix and plan your dive accordingly to stay safe!
Can I dive longer with Nitrox?

Can I dive longer with Nitrox?

Nitrox will make your NDL (no deco limit) time longer but if you breath through your gas fast, you will still need to ascend before being “out of air”. So it will make your dive longer only if you are good with air consumption. While Nitrox has many advantages, reducing your breathing rate isn’t one of them and you should not see any noticeable change on your air consumption when switching to Nitrox.
Can I dive longer with Nitrox?

Where can we dive with Nitrox?

Nitrox is used everywhere in the world, and it becomes really advantageous when doing multiple dives a day such as on dive cruises.
Do I need another certification to dive nitrox?
Nitrox is used everywhere in the world

Do I need another certification to dive nitrox?

Yes! Because of the danger associated with diving nitrox, which are different from the dangers of diving with air (which you have learned during your open water course), you will need to learn a few more things to dive safely with Nitrox.
The Nitrox course is the most taught speciality in the diving industry, not only it is the easiest and quickest diving course, it can be done without even getting wet.
On the MV Smiling Seahorse, we teach Padi Enriched Air Nitrox for 6000 THB. It can be easily done onboard in a few hours but can also be done online before coming through PADI e-learning. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!
Want to reed more fishy stories? Check our most popular blogpost!
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Sunscreens harmful to corals are now banned in Thai marine national parks!

3/12/2021

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sencreens harmful to corals prohibited thailand
The good news came at the beginning of August 2021: Sunscreens harmful to corals are now banned in Thai marine national parks!
This new legal victory will not fail to delight the defenders of the oceans amongst which The Smiling Seahorse :)

Please note however, that we will no longer tolerate these products on the boat, please check that your cosmetics, and in particular your sunscreen, do not contain any of the ingredients listed below before applying it to your body to enjoy the sundeck.

Fines can be as high as THB 100,000, which is currently about USD 3,000 (EUR 2,610.91).
Thailand corals
Healthy soft coral reef Similan Islands

What ingredients are banned by Thailand in sunscreens?

Lotions containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben are now banned.
Reef-friendly alternatives are already available in Thailand and have long been sold on The Smiling Seahorse.

Oxybenzone

The most "aggressive" ingredient is oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3 or BP-3), which disrupts coral reproduction, causes bleaching and damages coral DNA.
Oxybenzone is found in more than 3,500 sunscreen products worldwide and even remains commonly used in FDA-approved sunscreens labeled as "Reef friendly."

So take a good look at the ingredients in your cream.

Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)

This ingredient filters UV light and causes premature bleaching of coral reefs.

4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC)

Another sunscreen ingredient that causes coral bleaching, 4MBC is permitted in Europe and Canada, but not in the U.S., Japan, nor Thailand.

Butylparaben (butyl p-hydroxybenzoate)

A preservative ingredient that causes coral bleaching.

Zinc oxide

Yes, zinc occurs naturally in the environment and in seawater, however, zinc-based sunscreens that are advertised as "clear" can be coral-damaging. If you see MSDS as a component, know that it is highly toxic to aquatic organisms...
Think about the cream-free alternative!
We don't think about it enough, but using rash guards (also called "anti-UV tee-shirt", "top", "body" or "lycra"), are by far the best way to protect yourself from the sun without cream: cheaper because you only buy it once, a protection of +50SPF, they are light and flexible, and good news, we have a stock on board the Smiling Seahorse.
rashguards uv protection
Using rash guards are by far the best way to protect yourself from the sun without cream

Coral reefs threatened by the use of certain components in our sunscreens

Between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen are used each year by swimmers and divers in the oceans. These creams are added to the already heavy pollution that arrives on coastal areas via wastewater discharges and contribute to the disappearance of our coral reefs...
A real ecological disaster: It should be known that more than 50% of our corals have already disappeared since 1950.
corals protection thailand
Orange cup coral
coral bleaching
Coral starting to bleach
corals threatened by sunscreens
Alcyonarian soft coral
coral bleaching
Coral bleaching due to ocean warming is one of the many treats to coral reefs

Why are sunscreens so harmful for corals?

Corals need sunlight to live and the simple fact of blocking their access to this vital light causes them irreparable damage, not to mention the additional toxic effects of some of their chemical components...

How to choose your sunscreen?

Global warming, pollution and other human activities pose additional and significant threats to the survival of coral reefs. 
The results of sunscreen studies should also be taken seriously and if you plan to swim, scuba dive near coral reefs, you should use a coral reef friendly or reef safe sunscreen.

How do I know if a sunscreen is coral reef safe?

CAUTION: "Reef Safe Sunscreen" or "Reef Friendly Sunscreen" labels are not regulated and therefore potentially meaningless.
You really need to look at the ingredients listed to make sure they comply with this new Thai law.

If the sunscreen of your choice contains any of the ingredients listed in our article, it's best to choose a different one! 

Congratulations: You've chosen an environmentally conscious operator!

Since its inception in 2012, The Smiling Seahorse has been committed to ocean preservation and reef conservation.

  • Reef-friendly sunscreens have been available on board for a long time, as well as "rashguards" that protect you from the sun without the need for any chemicals.
  • We have also selected eco-friendly soap/ shampoo and hair conditioners for you to use in our ocean view showers (produced for luxury eco resorts in the Maldives).
  • We use as much as possible organic detergents for the maintenance of the boat and the diving equipment (we rinse your wetsuits in bio detergent for example).
  • Aluminum bottles are provided to limit the use of plastic bottles onboard and for many years after ....

What sunscreen do we recommend?

Locally produced, tested and approved by all our team, ReReef can be used by the whole family to get good reef friendly sun protection and can be bought online or onboard: https://rereef.co/product/40g-reef-safe-sunscreen-spf50/.
reef safe sunscreen
Reef friendly sun cream
Using a rash guard is by far the best way to protect yourself from the sun without cream: it's less expensive because you only buy it once, it protects well (+50SPF) and the Smiling Seahorse stock on board.
To learn more about our commitment and to know the reference sites for the conservation of the oceans, please visit our page "Conservation of the marine environment".
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The exclusivity of Surin Islands for this VVIP trip

25/11/2021

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trip report 19-25 nov 21
A very intimate atmosphere for this last cruise in the Surin Islands: indeed, we welcomed 4 guests who had the chance to enjoy the boat and the crew to themselves! And since we were the only boat on a cruise this week, we also got to enjoy being the only divers underwater, from the first to the last day.
The sea was lovely and calm, life under the water buzzing and amazing.


The Smiling Seahorse now offers blackwater dives on every cruise and this week, our blackwater dives were a success: We were able to observe many species at the larval and pelagic stage: flounder, jellyfish, pineapple fish, nudibranch, squids, shrimps, trigger fish, barracudas, worms ...
larvae flounder
Larvae flounder
jellyfish
Jellyfish
Barracuda
Barracuda
Undefined worm
Undefined worm
Scribble Filefish running after a jellyfish
Scribble Filefish running after a jellyfish
Pelagic nudibranch
Pelagic nudibranch
Sea butterfly larvae
Sea butterfly larvae
Squid
Squid
Pineapple fish
Pineapple fish
baby trigger fish
Baby trigger fish
shrimp
Shrimp
Pelagic sea snake
Pelagic sea snake
We also twitched our itinerary slightly this week, in order to be able to do a twilight dive at Richelieu Rock: a magical moment! The colors under and on the water were fabulous, to the delight of all our photographers on board.
barracuda scribble filefish jellyfish
bannerfish and jellyfish
jellyfish
Jellyfish have many enemies but I love them equally!
spanish dancer's eggs
spanish dancer s eggs close up
Spanish dancer eggs ribbon, a wonder to see underwater. New spot for blackwater diving?
Scorpion fish
Scorpion fish
All photographers onboard used our dedicated photo room and we shared some editing moments to share our shots and tips to improve our underwater and blackwater photography.
blurry effect
Trying out the blurry effect. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.
Another very nice group with whom we really enjoyed diving and living on the boat. Thank you to this team from all over the world for these few days.
relaxing time for divers
divers team
If you would like more information about our itineraries, our boat or our various training courses, do not hesitate to contact us.

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Breaking news: a tiger shark has been sighted in Similan Islands in Thailand

18/11/2020

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What a fantastic start to this much awaited diving season on Thailand's Andaman Sea! A Tiger shark has been sighted by several divers in Similan National park this week.

A tiger shark in Thailand's waters!

breaking news, a tiger shark spotted in similan islands thailand
A first time for Darren King and his buddies who has been diving in Thailand since 2005. 
"We dropped usual place in Elephant Head Rock, Similan: southern side of the main rock, before the channel and the tiger shark came up from the deeper water to check us out. It came very close and there was no doubting it. "
Unfortunately this time the divers didn't have a camera to capture the moment but what a thrill!!!
​Tiger sharks are very rarely sighted by divers as they usually prefer to live in deeper/ colder waters.
​The Smiling Seahorse guests were also very lucky to spot a tiger shark twice last season at the nearby Burma banks : in March 2019 and November 2019.
Tiger shark spotted at the Burma Banks, myanmar in March 2019
Tiger shark photographed at the Burma Banks, Myanmar in March 2019 by The Smiling Seahorse
Another tigershark has been spotted and photographed by snorkelers in Surin islands in December 2019 but such sightings are so exceptional they are making the news!
snorkeling with a tiger shark in Surin islands, Thailand December 2019
Tiger shark photographed by a snorkeler in Surin islands in December 2019

Is there hope for Thailand's Sharks population?

Sharks have been slaughtered for decades for the meat and fins and shark population has decreased dramatically: some sharks number have seen a 90 percent cut in the last 50 years!

Finning, a practice where fishermen cut the shark's fins before discarding the rest of the body in the Ocean is now illegal in 52 countries but only 12 countries have banned shark fishing altogether. Unfortunately the practice is still legal in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

A recent study done by WildAid and Rapid Asia in Thailand, found that 57 percent of Thais living in urban areas have consumed shark fin at some point.
Shark finning still legal in Thailand
In recent year more and more campaigns have raised awareness about this cause and eating shark fin soup is loosing popularity. 

In China, 85 percent of respondents to a recent survey reported they had stopped eating shark fin soup.
Such sightings of Tiger sharks in Similan, Thailand sure give us hope for the future of Shark population in Asia. Thailand still has a bountiful Marine life to explore!

Want to know more about these wonderful creatures? Check out our blog answering all the questions you may have about Tiger sharks.

And if you want to try your luck, come dive with us to Surin and Similan islands!
We still go room on these 3 trips in December 2020 with a 20% Discount!
join us in the hunt of this tiger shark in Thailand
Join us from 4th to 7th of january
similan and surin dive cruise in December 2020 Thailand
Spend Christmas or New year at sea and Dive Surin and Similan with us!
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Building a diving liveaboard vessel in Thailand

28/7/2018

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MV Smiling Seahorse, our brand new steel boat is being built in the mangrove forest, near Ranong for the last 6 months or so. It is taking shape nicely and nearly ready for the coming season! While it is not yet all done, we wanted to send you a little update!
​Let me introduce her to you...
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From the front, the 2 massives windows on the main deck are the master cabins, so you can have a great seaview while cruising...  :)

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Deepest diver in the world

19/9/2014

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Picture
Wow! a new word guiness record in diving today!
Ahmed Gabr went to 332 metres in Egypt today! crazy!!!!
Congratulation courageous man!

Read more blog posts

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The Smiling Seahorse logbook

17/5/2013

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Picture
Woww! I haven't written a blog post since January!!! Incredible how fast the season went. I must say we have been quite busy lately. It is now low season, the boat is parked, equipment stored or sent for servicing and we are getting a much deserved break!
Don't be mistaken we already miss diving and look forward to the new season.
In the mean time, I though about a little project, something I have wanted to do during the high season but really didn't have time to do...
I've decided to post our log book on this blog so you guys can see what we see on a regular basis on our dive cruises.
Sadly I don't have pictures of every creature we see but I'll try to post what I have and use some pictures taken by others.
I hope this will inspire you and that we'll see you soon!
Check out our calendar for next season's liveaboard schedule and book now!

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The Smiling Seahorse

170 Ruangrat Rd, Tambon khao nivet, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong 85000​
Phone: +66860110614​
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Responsible Manta Tourism Operator
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© 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
        • 4D Thailand from Ranong 5pm-7pm
        • 5D Thailand: Surin and Similan
        • 6D Thailand: Surin and Similan end to Ranong
        • 7D North Andaman: Surin and Similan from Ranong
        • 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
        • 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
    • 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
    • Accommodation in Ranong
    • SHA+ hotels in Phuket
    • Bungalows in Koh Phayam
    • 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
    • Whale shark expedition - 4 Feb 2023 - North and South
    • Manta rays expedition - 19 Mar 2023
    • Photo clinic + Blackwater 23 Jan 2024
    • UW Photo clinic North Andaman 31 Jan 2024
    • Manta rays expedition - 18 Feb 2024
    • Whale Shark Special - 19 Mar 2024 - North and South
  • gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Most popular posts