Smiling Seahorse · Thailand · 7 Days / 6 Nights
This liveaboard journey explores the remote Mergui Archipelago, departing from Ranong, Thailand, and crossing into Myanmar. The expedition features dramatic granite islands, secluded beaches, and rarely visited dive sites. Divers can anticipate a mix of exciting pelagic encounters, vibrant coral reefs, and macro-rich environments, providing a wild and immersive diving experience away from typical crowds.
Ranong, Thailand
Guests check in at the dive center in Ranong between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. In the afternoon, the group proceeds to the immigration office for Thailand exit stamps before boarding the MV Smiling Seahorse. After crossing into Myanmar, immigration officers board in Kawthaung to complete entry procedures. The day concludes with a sunset ceremony to mark the start of the voyage and the first onboard dinner.
Good to know: check-in|boarding|border crossing|dinner
Mergui Archipelago
Diving begins at South Twin Island, located on the outskirts of the Mergui Archipelago. This site is known for its clear visibility and impressive granite boulder formations. Manta rays are sometimes spotted, and macro enthusiasts can look for ghost pipefish, seahorses, and frogfish. A night dive is often scheduled to search for pygmy squid, candy crabs, cowries, and nudibranchs.
Dive sites: South Twin Island
Good to know: night dive
Mergui Archipelago
The itinerary includes dives around Shark Cave, a popular site featuring colorful reefs and a cave system. Divers may encounter eagle rays, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks resting in the cave, blotched stingrays, frogfish, and leaf fish. In the afternoon, there may be a stop at a quiet beach or a visit to a local fishermen's village.
Dive sites: Shark Cave
Good to know: beach visit|village visit
Mergui Archipelago
After an overnight crossing, the boat reaches Black Rock, an offshore site famous for pelagic action, including sharks and rays, and frequent manta encounters during the Manta Festival period (though not guaranteed). Currents can be stronger here. Depending on weather, the journey may extend to the Burma Banks, remote seamounts offering exceptional visibility and frequent shark sightings, including nurse, tiger, and silvertip sharks.
Dive sites: Black Rock, Burma Banks
Mergui Archipelago
Diving continues at North Twin Island, a favorite for large pelagic fish and occasional megafauna. Divers can expect to see massive schools of tuna, barracuda, and trevally, along with excellent macro life among the giant sea fans and soft corals. Zebra sharks are sometimes found resting on sandy patches.
Dive sites: North Twin Island
Mergui Archipelago
The day begins with dives at Seafan Forest, known for its magnificent corals and schooling fish, and ideal for searching for stonefish. Later dives explore the main island and islets of Western Rocky, including a night dive where yellow soft coral polyps bloom. Spanish dancers and various crustaceans are frequently observed.
Dive sites: Seafan Forest, Western Rocky
Good to know: night dive
Mergui Archipelago
The final dives are often in a beautiful heart-shaped lagoon, where blacktip reef sharks frequently gather. This site is also excellent for spotting seahorses and rare tropical species such as the longfin comet and pineapple fish. After the last dives, the boat returns to Kawthaung for passport procedures, then proceeds back to Ranong, Thailand, arriving around 5:00-6:00 PM.
Dive sites: Heart-Shaped Lagoon
Good to know: border crossing