2025 Special Marine Biology Expedition in Thailand
8D7N expeditions to learn more about the coral reef inhabitants
From Ranong on the 10th November to Phuket on the 17th of November 2025
The Smiling Seahorse team has partnered with a team of marine biologists to offer you a more educational expeditions, which will combine the best aspects of liveaboard diving with daily marine biology presentations!
What's special about this Marine Science expedition?
Not only you will dive on some of the most beautiful dive sites in Thailand, but you will share this cruise with a fantastic marine biologist, Gavin Miller, who will share with you some of his knowledge of the ocean wonders through daily presentations and can answer all the questions you may have about the reef ecosystem.
Meet Gavin Miller
Gavin Miller
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MEET GAVIN MILLER...
Marine scientist interested in the interaction between human behaviour & ecological systems. I apply psychological principles to implement sustainable practices that benefit both nature and communities. My current role focuses on tropical marine ecology & conservation of coral reef ecosystems in Koh Tao, Thailand. At Global Reef, we use a combination of innovative technology and traditional underwater surveying methods to model coral reef habitats, plan ambitious restoration projects, and monitor population densities of a variety of reef indicator species and functional groups. I have experience in a range of research areas such as developing psychological tools to promote conservation & pro-environmental behaviours in marine social sciences, as well as marine biology, ecology & conservation across tropical ecosystems. Current projects: • Investigating the relative impact of Crown of Thorn Starfish (COTS) outbreak populations on coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand. • Artificial reef environments as management tools for mesopredator and higher trophic level predators. • Local Ecological Knowledge of Fishers to track historic abundance and habitat distribution of iconic shark species. |
What will you learn on this Marine Science Expedition:
Throughout the cruise, Gavin will offer a series of lectures, covering a range of topics surrounding environment protection, animal behaviours and interactions.
These will directly relate to species that can be observed during the scheduled dives – adding to the excitement and fascination when certain behaviours are seen throughout the week. Gavin will deliver a presentation on the following topics:
1. Marine plastic pollution is caused exclusively by human behaviours and decisions. Plastics, which accumulate in the ocean and degrade into brittle and ever-smaller fragments called ‘microplastics’, have the potential to compromise human food security and have been found in a range of items for human consumption.
2. Key symbiotic relationships within coral reef ecosystems.
3. Adaptations for different predation methods.
4. Predator avoidance methods – how to survive!
5. Cooperative hunting behaviours between different species.
6. Animals that work in pairs.
7. Competition – how to win against competing individuals.
8. Communication on the reef.
9. Contests and animal fighting
These will directly relate to species that can be observed during the scheduled dives – adding to the excitement and fascination when certain behaviours are seen throughout the week. Gavin will deliver a presentation on the following topics:
1. Marine plastic pollution is caused exclusively by human behaviours and decisions. Plastics, which accumulate in the ocean and degrade into brittle and ever-smaller fragments called ‘microplastics’, have the potential to compromise human food security and have been found in a range of items for human consumption.
2. Key symbiotic relationships within coral reef ecosystems.
3. Adaptations for different predation methods.
4. Predator avoidance methods – how to survive!
5. Cooperative hunting behaviours between different species.
6. Animals that work in pairs.
7. Competition – how to win against competing individuals.
8. Communication on the reef.
9. Contests and animal fighting
Learn about the Symbiotic relationship between clownfish and their anemone
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And about other interesting behaviours you can witness yourself over the 29 planned dives!
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Itinerary of Thailand Marine Science Expedition 2025This itinerary will explore the best dives sites in Thailand both in the North and South Andaman Sea from Malaysia to Myanmar's border.
Day 1: The appointment point is at our dive center (170 ruangrat, rd, ranong) for check in between 12pm and 2pm. Free shared transfer to the boat from Ranong around 4pm. It’s also possible to get picked up on Koh Phayam around 6pm. - Day 2: Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock - Day 3: Similan National Park, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai - Day 4: Similan National Park - Day 5: Koh Lanta National Park, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang - Day 6: Tarutao National Park, Koh Lipe - Day 7: Koh Lanta National Park, Koh Haa - Day 8: Koh Phi Phi, Koh Bida Nok 2 dives and back in Phuket in the afternoon at 4pm. The last dive ends no later than 11:30 |
In the North Andaman, we will visit Surin and Similan National parks
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SIMILAN NATIONAL PARK:
Koh bon is a well known cleaning site for Manta Rays and the site most frequented by them in Thailand. There is also a good chance to spot a Zebra Shark on the pinnacle. Koh Tachai Pinnacle is a very fishy dive: beside Whale sharks and Manta rays, we can see schools of barracudas, giant trevally, blue fin trevally, sweetlips, batfish, tunas in the blue. We will also visit some dive site in the south of the Similan National Park: The visibility is usually excellent around the Similan islands and we hope to spot leopard sharks, blue spotted stingray, school of snappers and fusiliers, emperor fish, clown trigger fish and more tropical colourful fish as well as some Moray eels, turtles and mantis shrimps living in the rocky areas. Whale sharks can also be spotted there so keep an eye out in the blue for a gentle giant passing above! 
Koh Tachai...One of the smaller islands of the Similans archipelago
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Koh Bon Pinnacle
Whale shark near Koh Tachai
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SURIN NATIONAL PARK:
Less know but unmissable! Especially Richelieu Rock, still listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world! And you will quickly understand why! Not only is it a great place to see Whale Sharks but it can also be described as a big aquarium with more or less everything … from seahorses to jack fish and plenty of kinky cuttlefish action and we hope again a sighting of something big in the blue... The rest of Surin Island, not dived by many other boats but it is a very good spot for macro life such as ghost pipe fish, frog fish and nudibranchs and the first place where we can see Whale Sharks and Mantas. There are also many Jenkins Stingray, sweetlips and Barracudas around and the regular sighting of Humphead Parrotfish, Eagle Ray and Reef Sharks. |
Delicate coral reef inhabitants
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In the South Andaman, we will visit:
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Hin Daeng and Hin Muang (Red rock and Purple rock), not far from Malaysian border, are amazing dive sites, offering steep walls, big fish and colourful soft coral. Both Mantas and Whale sharks are sighted there regularly next to many smaller pelagics such as tunas, schools of Jack, barracudas and Leopard sharks.
Koh Haa is more famous for its massive cavern systems (in which you can even see massive stalactites). And we might even go all the way to Koh Lipe near the Malaysian border. |
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We may offer you the chance to also experiment Blackwater diving on this cruise once or twice if you are up for it!
There is no better way to discover how life begins in the ocean! Not sure what blackwater is all about? Read about it here! |
Our boat: MV Smiling Seahorse, the newest liveaboard around!
Built by and for divers in 2018, the MV Smiling Seahorse is the newest dive boat currently cruising the Andaman sea
The Smiling Seahorse has been operating since 2012, both in Thailand and Myanmar with a new boat built in 2018.
Ocean preservation is very important to us and these "special expeditions" are an integral part of our sustainability strategy.
We promote responsible diving, low impact tourism and also reduce/ reuse/ recycle as much as we can and offer (refillable) organic, reef friendly amenities onboard such as Reef friendly Soap, Shampoo and hair conditioner. We are proud to represent Thailand on Swim with Mantas "Responsible Operator Wall of Fame".
Our boat, MV Smiling seahorse, was built by and for divers and took its maiden voyage in November 2018.
We added all the "little extras" you may want on a new liveaboard: a spacious dive platform, a camera room, lovely lounge areas, a massive sun deck, 8 cabins for only 16 guests all with large windows and doors to the ocean.
We keep dive groups small and organise each group to stagger their diving times to ensure that the already spacious dive deck never has too many divers gearing up together. While your group is ready to jump in for a dive, the next group will be doing safety checks and the following group is still upstairs taking their last sips of water during their dive briefing. Everyone is a VIP on the MV Smiling Seahorse!
Ocean preservation is very important to us and these "special expeditions" are an integral part of our sustainability strategy.
We promote responsible diving, low impact tourism and also reduce/ reuse/ recycle as much as we can and offer (refillable) organic, reef friendly amenities onboard such as Reef friendly Soap, Shampoo and hair conditioner. We are proud to represent Thailand on Swim with Mantas "Responsible Operator Wall of Fame".
Our boat, MV Smiling seahorse, was built by and for divers and took its maiden voyage in November 2018.
We added all the "little extras" you may want on a new liveaboard: a spacious dive platform, a camera room, lovely lounge areas, a massive sun deck, 8 cabins for only 16 guests all with large windows and doors to the ocean.
We keep dive groups small and organise each group to stagger their diving times to ensure that the already spacious dive deck never has too many divers gearing up together. While your group is ready to jump in for a dive, the next group will be doing safety checks and the following group is still upstairs taking their last sips of water during their dive briefing. Everyone is a VIP on the MV Smiling Seahorse!
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A thrilling series on Marine Biology where Gavin explores:
1. Adaptations for predation methods 2. Predator Avoidance methods 3. Key Symbiotic relationships amongst coral reef fauna 4. Communication on the reef 5. Animal competition & Contests 6. Co-operative Hunting methods between species 7. Threats to Coral Reefs In Thailand: Crown of Thorns Starfish and introduction to Conservation biology 🔔 Don't miss out on these insightful presentations! Subscribe now and hit the notification bell to stay updated on each episode. Join our community dedicated to ocean exploration and conservation. |
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North and South Andaman
8 days/ 7 nights, up to 25 Dives From Ranong The 10th of Nov 2025 4pm To Phuket the 17th of Nov 2025 4pm Price per diver 2025-2026: THB 70,000 in Standard Cabin THB 72,000 in Deluxe Cabin THB 75,000 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 - Free 1 Blackwater dive • PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers) • up to 25 Dives • Towels, reef-friendly amenities • Sea kayak and hammock |
NOT INCLUDED
. Marine Park Fee * 4,400 THB / diver *subject to government's change . 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 . COURSES: - PADI Courses - Photographer private coaching . Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices) . 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.
The space is limited on this very special expedition! Book early to avoid disappointment!
