Diving liveaboard in Thailand and Myanmar
  • 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
        • 4D3N North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 5D Thailand: Surin and Similan
        • 5D North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 6D Thailand: Surin and Similan end to Ranong
        • 7D Thailand: All of Surin and Similan
        • 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
        • 5D North Andaman Khaolak - Ranong
        • 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
        • 8D Andaman South & North Phuket-Ranong
    • 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
    • Our hotels recommendations
    • 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
    • Manta rays expedition - 19 Mar 2023
    • Ultimate Underwater photo combo expeditions
    • Blackwater expedition 23 Jan 2024
    • UW Photo clinic North Andaman 31 Jan 2024
    • Special Marine Biology - 18 Feb 2024
    • Whale Shark Special - 19 Mar 2024 - North and South
    • Manta rays expedition - 20 April 2024
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Ultimate underwater photographer's expedition

2 weeks, 2 special cruises, 2 times more photo opportunities!

Join our 2 photo clinics, learn new skills from a world renown photographer and bring back the best memories from the Andaman sea.

2 weeks, 2 special cruises, 2 times more photo opportunities!
We offer this combo for the underwater photography's lovers, you will have plenty of time to perfect yourself and bring back even more wonderful images! And we offer you 2 nights in a hotel in Khao Lak to unwind and edit in between!
Alex Tyrrell
Alex Tyrrell

Both clinics will be animated by award winning Alex Tyrrell

Alex Tyrrell is a skilled underwater photographer with extensive experience in teaching and capturing breathtaking images of marine life. His proficiency in various techniques such as macro, wide-angle, snoots, sunbursts, silhouettes, and motion blur is evident from his impressive portfolio. His work has been featured in several dive magazines, including Sport Diver, Scuba Diving, and Dive Pacific, and on renowned underwater photography websites like DivePhotoGuide and Wetpixel.
In addition to capturing stunning images, Alex also shares his knowledge through underwater photography technique articles, and as a Photo Pro for DIVE Magazine and EZ Dive. His dedication to teaching and passion for underwater photography has made him a sought-after instructor, and his contributions to the industry have been recognized through various awards.

He will be coming onboard both these cruises and have a number of fun lectures to help you get the most out of your cameras!

Blackwater Expedition

+

Richelieu Rock intensive Photo Clinic

From the 23th Jan 2024 (6pm)
​to the 29th Jan 2024 (3pm)
From Phuket Tian Sin Pier ​to Khao Lak, Tap Lamu
7 days/ 6 night, 22 Dives
On this cruise we will talk a lot about blackwater diving and plan blackwater dives every night to practice what we learned.
What else are we gonna see beside Blackwater diving? There are also 3 fantastic day dives are also on schedule all over the Similan islands and Richelieu rock.

How will this cruise work?
​

We will plan 3 day dives and 1 Blackwater dives per day!
The days will be something like this:
7am, wake up, coffee, briefing
8am 1st day dive
09:00 substantial breakfast
12:00 2nd day dive 
13:00 lunch
16:00 3rd day dive 
17:00 Snack and watch the sun go down 
20:00 4th dive, Blackwater 
21pm Dinner.
Pelagic sea snake
Pelagic sea snake
Mantis on a blackwater dive
Mantis on a blackwater dive
Itinerary: 
​
23/1: Embark on The Smiling Seahorse at 6pm in Tian Sin Pier (Phuket) and wake up on the dive site the next morning! 
​24th- to 28th: 3 day 
dives per day in the North Andaman best national parks: Surin, Similan + 1 blackwater dive every night
29th January: 2 dives and back in Khao Lak around 3pm.
(last dive on the last day at 11:00)


We'll drop you of in your hotel in Khao Lak for 2 nights and a day unwinding on the beach before heading for the second part! 

Blackwater expedition
Here you can download this brochure.jpg
Download File
MORE DETAILS
From the 31st January (6 pm)
to 7th of February 2024 (3 pm)
​From Khao Lak, Tap Lamu to Khao Lak, Tap Lamu

8 days/ 7 night, 25 Dives
On this one we will spend several days on Richelieu Rock, Thailand's best dive site offering the most productive settings for both macro photos and wide angle. This cruise will also take us to the surin islands and north Similan's best sites (Bon and Tachai) for a chance to spot pelagic mantas.

How will the cruise be organized?

The focus of this cruise will
be Richelieu Rock:
Thailand's #1 dive site where we can expect the most productive dives.
​Macro and wide angle...
... ​The Andaman Sea have it all! ​During the day, you will encounter plenty of beautiful subjects to photograph, whether you are a macro enthusiast or more into wide angle photography you will find what you’re looking for in Surin and Similan national parks.
​BLACK WATER DIVES...
Some days the 4th dive will be sunset, others we will do night dive on shallow reef and we will also offer you the chance to try out Blackwater diving for new, unique photo opportunities!
​(Optional: 500thb/diver)
Tiger tail seahorse
Tiger tail seahorse
Christmas tree worm
Christmas tree worm
Itinerary
​

31/1: Departure from Tap Lamu pier around 6 pm, cruise by night to Surin islands
01/2: 4 day dives at Surin Islands (macro) + sunset dive or night dive
02/2: 4 day dives at Richelieu rock + 1 sunset or night dive
03/2: 4 day dives at Richelieu rock + 1 sunset or night dive
04/2: 4 dives at Richelieu Rock + 1 sunset dive and our barbecue
05/2: 3 dives at Richelieu Rock + 1 blackwater dive
06/2: 2 dives at Koh Tachai, 1 dive at Koh Bon + 1 sunset dive + ​1 Blackwater dive
​07/2: 1 dive at Koh Bon, 1 dive at Boonsoon wreck and back...
​

Photo clinic expedition
Here you can download this brochure
Download File
MORE DETAILS
Price per Diver in a shared cabin (2 per cabin)
THB 114,500 in Standard Cabin
THB 121,500 in Deluxe Cabin
THB 128,500 in Master Cabin

INCLUDED  
• Full accommodation and board 
(Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon bites, Dinner) 
• 2 nights in a hotel in Khao Lak in between the cruises

•  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)
•  All the cruise's dives
•  Towels, reef-friendly amenities
•  Sea kayak and hammock
•  Blackwater dives are included on the 1st cruise, not on the 2nd ​
NOT INCLUDED
•  Marine Park Fee 6400thb *subject to government's change
•  DIVING INSURANCE COMPULSORY 
•  Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes 
•  Equipment rental (600 THB/ day) 
•  Computer rental (300 THB/day) 
•  Diving Courses or individual Photo course
•  ​Private guide 3000 THB/day 
• One one one photo courses by Alex Tyrrell (from 2000thb)​
•  Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or Pack 9,300 for all dives
•  Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices)
• Optional Blackwater dive for the second cruise: +1000 THB/dive

Khao Lak beautiful hotel
Where will you stay in between the cruises:

Khao Lak is a beautiful coastal town located in the southern province of Phang Nga in Thailand. It is known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests.  You could relax on one of its beautiful beaches, visit its national parks for jungle trekking through rainforest, freshen up in a waterfall or learn to cook your favorite Thai dishes.
Overall, Khao Lak is a great destination to relax, explore the rainforest, and experience Thai culture and cuisine.
​

We are working with a selection of lovely hotels for you to stay on between the cruise with a budget of 1000thb/p/ night. So for example if you are two, that means a free room worth 4000thb :)
If you are a photographer, you will love our boat!
​

Designed by Camille and Franck Fogarolo (a seasoned underwater photographer) and built at the end of 2018, The MV Smiling Seahorse is perfectly fitted to match photographer's expectations.
Not only is it a very comfortable vessel to explore the Andaman Sea, but it is also the only liveaboard in Thailand with a camera room or offering photographer's coaching and blackwater diving!
The MV Smiling Seahorse is perfectly fitted to match photographer's expectations.
MV Smiling Seahorse camera room
MV Smiling Seahorse cabins
BOOK NOW ! CONTACT US

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The Smiling Seahorse

170 Ruangrat Rd, Tambon khao nivet, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong 85000​
Phone: +66860110614​
​Mail: info@thesmilingseahorse.com

www.thesmilingseahorse.com/
​

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TAT Licence number : 31/00935
© 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
        • 4D3N North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 5D Thailand: Surin and Similan
        • 5D North Andaman Ranong-Khao Lak
        • 6D Thailand: Surin and Similan end to Ranong
        • 7D Thailand: All of Surin and Similan
        • 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
        • 5D North Andaman Khaolak - Ranong
        • 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
        • 8D Andaman South & North Phuket-Ranong
    • 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
    • Our hotels recommendations
    • 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
    • Manta rays expedition - 19 Mar 2023
    • Ultimate Underwater photo combo expeditions
    • Blackwater expedition 23 Jan 2024
    • UW Photo clinic North Andaman 31 Jan 2024
    • Special Marine Biology - 18 Feb 2024
    • Whale Shark Special - 19 Mar 2024 - North and South
    • Manta rays expedition - 20 April 2024
  • gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Most popular posts