Customer review from Liveaboard.com
“Sail the Andaman Sea in a friendly atmosphere. My wife and I just spend an amazing week living aboard The Smiling Seahorse which took us through the many renown diving spots Thailand has to offer. The past 7 days, we sailed the Andaman Sea, stopping at busy Richelieu Rock by the Mu Ko Surin National Park and exploring the wonders of Ko Tachai and Ko Bon. We were amazed at the beauty of Breakfast Bend (3 trees), the imposing Elephant Rock (Hin Pusa) and Shark Fin Reef (Hin Phae) dive sites off the coast of Mu Ko Similan National Park. We were greeted by superb Oceanic Mantas at Red Rock (Hin Daeng), Purple Rock (Hin Muang) right in the Strait of Malacca and gasped at the grandeur of Cathedral (Koh Haa Yao). Last but not least, Ko Li Pe delivered schools of Fusiliers, Trevalis and Small Tooth Emperors reigning over the rest of the innumerable schools of fishes at Stonehenge and 8 Miles Rock (Hin Paad Mile). The crew on board was the friendliest and always helpful, accommodating my wife’s (many) food allergies with kindness. Speaking of the food, the chefs on board are incredible and you are in for a treat after each dives (my favorite being the post-morning dive breakfast). Our cabin (number 1) was spacious with a large bed and ample space to organize and store our luggages away. The bathroom was clean and perfect for a week on board. The entire dive masters crew was always professional, taking the time to go over the dive plan, answering any concerns and helping locate and identify the many hidden wonders discovered during each dive. We highly recommend signing up for the black water dive if this is something you have never done as Franck (the owner) is an amazing photograph and will lead you through a new way to discover our animal kingdom. Kudos to Franck and his team for organizing everything in a seamless fashion getting on and off the boat and everything in between. Thank you for having us, we’re looking forward to discovering Burma in a future adventure!”
Recommended for: Friendly and knowledgeable crew, amazing food, incredible dive sites
Customer Review By Taryn L, from: United States scored the Smiling Seahorse 10 out of 10; Review courtesy of Liveaboard.com, for all 44 reviews and information click here: Smiling Seahorse .
All Thailand Discounted Liveaboard Deals & Last Minute Discounts
Smiling Seahorse Boat Features
The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard scores 56% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for boat features, as it has 9 of 16 total boat features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard has a sun deck for those who love to sunbathe after each dive and to build that sun tan.
- • Audio & video entertainment
- • Available for charter
- • Budget friendly
- • Charging stations
- • Dedicated local & international crew
- • Leisure deck
- • Nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio
- • Observation deck
- • Sun deck
▸ Show boat features not found
The boat features that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: WIFI Internet, Air conditioned saloon, Boutique / Souvenir Shop, Dedicated Local Crew, Family Friendly Cruise, Indoor saloon, Smart Voyager accreditation.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Deck towels
Video Highlights for the Smiling Seahorse
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Smiling Seahorse Cabin Features
The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard scores 72% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for cabin features, as it has 8 of 11 total cabin features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard includes seaview cabins so you wake up to an ocean view. In addition, it has family cabins, which means you can travel and scuba dive as a family on the Smiling Seahorse liveaboard. What’s more, it has en-suite bathrooms, which adds hotel-style convenience to life on board. You’ll also find it has cabins with a balcony so you can sit out and enjoy the sea air and ocean views.
Cabin Types Available
- 6 Double Cabins with ensuite bathroom
- 2 Twin Cabins with ensuite bathroom
- • Aircon cabins
- • Daily housekeeping
- • En-suite bathrooms
- • Family cabins
- • Laundry service
- • Non-smoking rooms
- • Rooms with balcony
- • Seaview cabins
▸ Show cabin features not found
The cabin features that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Hair Dryer in Cabin, Safe Box in Cabin, TV in cabins.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Cabin towels
Smiling Seahorse Diving Features
The Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard scores 80% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for diving features, as it has 17 of 21 total diving features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard offers a spacious dive deck for easy kitting up and water entry, or for getting your kit ready before transferring to a tender for your next dive. In addition, it offers scuba diving courses, so you can progress your skills at the same time as building your dive experience at an additional charge. What’s more, it was custom built for diving, which means it is ideally suited for scuba divers. You’ll also find it has nitrox available as a paid extra so you can extend bottom times if you choose. Also, it offers rebreather support, which makes the Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard the perfect dive boat if you dive using a rebreather. Plus, it offers sidemount diving for divers who prefer to carry one or two scuba cylinders on their sides, instead of on their back, which allows for easier access to wrecks.
- • Camera room
- • Camera station
- • Charging stations
- • Custom built for diving
- • DIN adaptors
- • Dive deck
- • Gear rental
- • Nitrox (Paid)
- • Nitrox course
- • Rebreather support
- • Rinse hoses
- • Scuba diving courses
- • Separate rinse for u/w camera
- • Shaded diving area
- • Sidemount diving
- • Tenders for diving
- • Warm water showers
▸ Show diving features not found
The diving features that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Outside showers, Sidemount diving – Single Tank Only, Tech diving, Underwater scooters.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Diving package
Smiling Seahorse Food & Dining Features
The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard scores 85% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for onboard food & dining features, as it has 12 of 14 total food & dining features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard offers options for specific dietary requirements; add these in special requests on step 2 of the booking form (limit to religious beliefs or food allergies). It also includes vegetarian and vegan choices on the menu. In addition, it offers al fresco dining so you can enjoy ocean breezes with your meals whilst onboard. What’s more, it has the benefit of fully inclusive meals, which includes breakfast, lunch and evening meals.
- • Al fresco dining
- • BBQ area
- • Buffet style
- • Dietary requirements
- • Fine cuisine
- • Full-board option
- • Local food
- • Set menu dinner
- • Snacks all day
- • Vegan options
- • Vegetarian options
- • Western food
▸ Show onboard food features not found
The onboard food features that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Beach BBQ, Half-board option.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Beach BBQ
- • Full-board meal plan (All meals)
- • Snacks
Smiling Seahorse Drink & Refreshment Features
The Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard scores 71% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for onboard drink & refreshment features, as it has 5 of 7 total drink & refreshment features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard has a bar where beer and wine are available to purchase. In addition, it offers a selection of fine wines for purchase onboard. What’s more, it has free soft drinks for those of you who don't drink alcohol, or to drink between dives. In addition, the cost of your liveaboard includes drinking water, soft drinks, and tea & coffee.
- • Bar
- • Beer available
- • Fine wines selection
- • Free soft drinks
- • Wine available
▸ Show onboard drink features not found
The onboard drink features that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Free wine w/dinner, Welcome cocktails.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Drinking water
- • Soft drinks
- • Tea & coffee
Smiling Seahorse Other Recreational Activities
The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard scores 17% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for other recreational activities, as it has 3 of 17 total recreational activity features (see below). The Smiling Seahorse liveaboard has kayaks on board for relaxed paddles around calm bays between dives.
- • Kayaks on-board
- • Library
- • Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
▸ Show other onboard activities not found
The other onboard activities that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Fishing, Glass bottom boat, Jacuzzi / hot tub, Jet ski, Massage, Naturalist guide, Naturalist itineraries, Sauna, Snorkel equipment, Spa, Stand up paddleboard, Wakeboarding, Water ski, Yoga.
Included in the price of the liveaboard trip:
- • Kayaks
Smiling Seahorse Included in the Price
When you book the Smiling Seahorse dive liveaboard, your cruise price includes everything you need for an amazing dive safari in Thailand. All your meals are included, so you can focus on diving without worrying about additional meal costs.
These inclusions provide excellent value and ensure a hassle-free dive cruise experience. This is everything included in your Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard booking price.
- ✓ Beach BBQ
- ✓ Cabin towels
- ✓ Deck towels
- ✓ Diving package
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Full-board meal plan (All meals)
- ✓ Kayaks
- ✓ Snacks
- ✓ Soft drinks
- ✓ Tea & coffee
- ✓ VAT
Smiling Seahorse Optional Paid Extras
Enhance your Smiling Seahorse dive charter experience with these optional services and upgrades available for an additional cost. Nitrox diving allows you to extend your bottom time and enjoy longer dives at the incredible sites around Thailand.
These optional extras allow you to customize your dive liveaboard experience to suit your preferences and diving goals. This is everything available as optional extras for the Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard.
- + Airport transfer
- + Alcoholic beverages
- + Gratuities
- + Hotel transfer
- + Land excursions
- + Nitrox
- + Nitrox course
- + Private dive guide
- + Rental gear
- + Scuba diving courses
- + Snorkel Gear
Smiling Seahorse Required Paid Extras
Please note that some essential costs are not included in the base price of your Smiling Seahorse dive cruise and must be paid additionally. Marine park fees are mandatory to support conservation efforts in Thailand and protect the underwater ecosystems you will be diving.
These required extras help support local marine conservation and dive tourism infrastructure. Budget for these mandatory costs when planning your Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard dive trip.
- ! National park fees
Vessel Details
- Length: 25.0m (82.0ft)
- Beam: 6.0m (19.7ft)
- Max guests: 16
- Cabins: 8
- Bathrooms: 8
Boat navigation and safety
Navigation and safety aboard the Smiling Seahorse are built around dependable positioning and rapid response.
This is the full list of navigation and safety features for the Smiling Seahorse. Smiling Seahorse liveaboard scores 76% on the SDE Liveaboard Rating for navigation & safety, which means it has 13 out of the 17 navigation & safety features (see below for the features that are missing from this liveaboard).
- • Bilge Pump Alarm
- • Depth Sounder
- • E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
- • Emergency Rafts
- • Engine room CCTV
- • Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
- • First Aid Kits
- • Fishfinder
- • GPS
- • Life Vests
- • Oxygen
- • Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
- • Search light
▸ Show features not found
The boat navigation and safety that are not found on the Smiling Seahorse include the following: Crew Trained in First Aid, Emergency Flares, Radar, Satellite & Mobile Phones.