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.
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
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Both clinics will be animated by award winning Alex TyrrellAlex 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 |
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Richelieu Rock intensive Photo Clinic |
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From the 23th Jan 2024 (4pm)
to the 29th Jan 2024 (4pm) 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.
Itinerary:
23/1: Embark on The Smiling Seahorse at Between 12pm to 2pm in Tian Sin Pier (Phuket) Departure at 4pm 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 4pm. The last dive ends no later than 1 p.m. 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! 
Here you can download this brochure.jpg
Download File |
From the 31st January (4pm)
to 7th of February 2024 (4pm) 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)
Itinerary
31/1: Embark on The Smiling Seahorse at Between 12pm to 2pm in Tap Lamu Departure from Tap Lamu pier around 4pm, 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 to Kkao Lak 4pm The last dive ends no later than 1 p.m. 
Here you can download this brochure
Download File |
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
THB 114,500 in Standard Cabin
THB 121,500 in Deluxe Cabin
THB 128,500 in Master Cabin
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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 * 6,400 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 - Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 4,500 + 4,800 THB for the whole cruise - Private guide 3,000 THB/day - Optional Blackwater dive for the second cruise 500 THB/ dive . 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) |
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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!
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!
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The latest review on our liveaboard
The Smiling Seahorse Andaman diving cruises
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!!!
