Underwater photo and video training expedition around Richelieu Rock
Who is this UW Photography and videography training for?
Either way this cruise is for you! The Smiling Seahorse gives you the chance to come improve your underwater photography and videography skills in Thailand best dive spots!
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A cruise focused around Richelieu Rock: Thailand's #1 site where we can expect the most productive dives.
Richelieu Rock dive spot Thailand
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The itinerary will look something like this...
05/11: Check in between 12 and 2pm. Departure from Ranong at 4pm, cruise by night to Surin islands 06/11: 4 day dives at Surin Islands (macro) + Richelieu Rock at sunset 07/11: 3 day dives at Richelieu rock + 1 night dive at Richelieu Rock! 08/11: 2 day dives at Koh Tachai + 1 day dive at Koh Bon + 1 Blackwater dive 09/11: 2 day dives at Koh Bon and back to Khao Lak, Tap Lamu at 3-4pm The last dive ends no later than 1 p.m. Not only do you get this amazing itinerary on this trip but you also get FREE underwater photo and video presentations by two award winning professionals. And all this at the same rate than our other 5d/4 nights itinerary!!! |
A VIDEO clinic animated by our special guest : Walter MartiWalter is an accomplished videographer whose shots have been shown on BBC, PBS and many others.
His films have been shown in numerous International Film Festivals/Contests and he has recently retired to pursue his videography passion full time. He has been a keynote speakers at several shows and now regularly runs videography clinics around the world. We are thrilled to have him onboard on this cruise!!! DAILY PRESENTATION ABOUT UNDERWATER VIDEO (learn from the pros)
Franck Fogarolo, the boat's pro photographer and tour leader will also give a few talks about still Photography. |
Walter Marti
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Franck Fogarolo
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Here are two of Walter's latest videos:
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Photos or videos, leave with the best souvenirs!Macro or 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 (Optional: 500thb/diver)We do 4 dives per day, the fourth will either be a sunset, a night dive on shallow reef or we will offer you the chance to try out Blackwater diving for new, unique shooting opportunities!
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Nautilus are also living the pelagic life and seldom ever seen on the reef
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Night dives every day and the opportunity to do black water dives!
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Tripod fish is a deep sea creature
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What is Blackwater diving?
Blackwater diving is an extraordinary new way of night diving away from the reef! You will dive on top of deep water with no other reference than a downline fitted with powerful lights. Blackwater dives give us the opportunity to encounter marine life never seen on usual dives, such as all types of larvae and baby fish, crabs or shrimps still floating mid-water until they are strong enough to settled down on the reef or deep sea creatures who will never visit a reef...
"Fiction becoming reality!" Remember all the foreign creatures you have seen in sci-fi movies, dreamlike transparent creatures and cute little aliens with long arms, they will all come back to give you a show on your blackwater dives.
Blackwater diving in the Andaman Sea offers you a chance to get unique photos: you might be the only one that got to “interact” with a particular jellyfish, plankton or larva before it vanishes into the darkness.
"Fiction becoming reality!" Remember all the foreign creatures you have seen in sci-fi movies, dreamlike transparent creatures and cute little aliens with long arms, they will all come back to give you a show on your blackwater dives.
Blackwater diving in the Andaman Sea offers you a chance to get unique photos: you might be the only one that got to “interact” with a particular jellyfish, plankton or larva before it vanishes into the darkness.
Have a great holidays sharing our passion on a fantastic new boat built for videographers and photographers!
Built at the end of 2018, The MV Smiling Seahorse is a comfortable vessel to explore the Andaman Sea.
Designed by and for underwater image hunters, it is the first liveaboard in Thailand with a camera room.
Designed by and for underwater image hunters, it is the first liveaboard in Thailand with a camera room.
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With hundreds of dives in the area, our guides know how to find the nicest subjects for your lenses to record.
Don’t waste your time looking for the frogfish or the ghost pipefish, they will do it for you. So you can focus technical stuff and take the best shot! Share a good time with fellow underwater photographers and videographersBeing part of a photo/video clinic is the guaranty to improve your shots and make like minded friends!
You will have plenty of time to share your experience, technics and tricks with fellow passengers. As many opportunities to learn and try new styles and ideas on your next dive. All of it with the advices of a very experienced professional underwater photographer and Videographer. |
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Pick one of our 8 confortable cabins, our boat only welcome 16 guests!
On the main deck you'll find 2 (double-bed) master cabins at the front and 4 (twin or double) deluxe cabins behind them all equipped with their own ensuite bathrooms. For travellers looking for a bargain, our upper deck also has 2 standard cabins (twin or double) sharing two bathrooms on the dive deck. All our cabins have large windows and doors opening to the ocean, individual aircon units and plenty of storage space. |
MV Smiling Seahorse built in 2018
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Diving certification requiredBecause you need to be a good diver prior to bring a camera down there, we ask you to be certified up to 30 metres by any dive organization like Padi, Naui, ssi, Cmas or similar, and you need good buoyancy skills. Nitrox is available for a fee.
Equipment requiredCompact, hybrid or DSLR no matter the camera you have, as long as you can set it in manual mode you'll get the best out of the clinic.
The aim here is for beginners is to set yourself free from automatic modes, and for experienced photographs, to improve your knowledge and underwater photo skills.
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5 days/ 4 nights, 14 Dives
From Ranong the 05th Nov 2023 (4pm) to Khao Lak, Tap Lamu the 09th Nov 2023 (3-4pm) Price per Diver 2023-2024: THB 31,000 in Standard Cabin THB 36,000 in Deluxe Cabin THB 38,500 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 • PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers) • up to 14 Dives • Towels, reef-friendly amenities • Sea kayak and hammock |
NOT INCLUDED
. Marine Park Fee * 2,200 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 1,000 THB for the whole cruise - Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 2,900 THB for the whole cruise - Private guide 3,000 THB/day - Optional Blackwater dive 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) |
Be careful, these special trips are rare and fill up quite quicky!!! book ahead of time
Wanna do a longer photo clinic?
- UW Photo clinic: 8d7n (Alex Tyrrell)
- Blackwater expedition and Photo clinic: 7days (Alex Tyrrell)
- or check out the ultimate Photo clinic vacation! (2 weeks in January)
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!!!
