The Smiling Seahorse
THLSMS
ABOUT THIS LIVEABOARD
Join the THAI WHALE SHARKS marine conservation organisation to find & photograph Whale Sharks!
The Smiling Seahorse is a reef-responsible dive operator respectful of nature and particularly well suited to accommodate underwater photographers. so combining with the Thai Whale Shark marine conservation organisation was a great partnership.
The Smiling Seahorse will cruise in the Andaman Sea passing through the Surin and Similan Islands looking for Whale Sharks. In a non-invasive way, you will spend time with these magnificent creatures photoing & learning.
Kirsty Magson the founder & marine biologist from the Thai Whale Shark organisation will be on board with you to show & teach you all about whale sharks. Photographing them in the right place is the key as after each dive they will be uploaded to a database to track these graceful animals. Each night will be presentations & info evenings on other marine life so you will be well round in marine life.
The Smiling Seahorse vessel is a specialised custom-built boat for scuba divers. Its steel hull allows it to cut through the waves with ease as you relax on the shaded deck area or your cabin. With a spacious dive deck & camera room adjacent, your dive preparations are relaxed & roomy.
Join the team, learn & be awed at the Whale Shark!
NOTE: as with all pelagic fish sightings of whale sharks are not guaranteed.
BOAT FEATURES
Boat Specifications
- Length: 25 meters (82ft)
- Beam: 6.4m (21ft)
- Cruising speed 8 Knots
Boat Fixtures
- 2 x engines
- Full-service galley, freezer & refrigerator storage
- 2x Generators
Other Features
- 2 showers/ bathrooms with hot & cold water on the dive deck.
- Freshwater dispenser
Dive Facilities
- Two SCUBA air compressors
- Freshwater camera rinse tank.
- Personal Item Storage on dive deck under your tank & in a centre console area.
- Dedicated camera room with camera benches & supervised camera charging, located on the dive deck.
- Nitrox available - 28 -32% & can cater for tech & rebreather divers
- Tender with outboard motor for emergencies & drop-offs/ pickups.
- Weights, weight belts, 12L (80 cu. Ft) aluminium tanks with standard yoke valves included (some DIN & 15L tanks available please request on booking). SMB & torches provided.
- Camera charging station - Both 220V and 110V (bring your own adapters is recommended)
Boat Amenties
- Outdoor Lounge
- Audio & Visual entertainment, with Fish ID / marine biology library.
- Rooftop living area - shaded, hammocks & area to relax.
- Sundeck on the rooftop
- Outdoor dining area
BOAT SAFETY
- Complete First Aid Kit & medical supplies
- Emergency Oxygen System with 100% demand regulator
- Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
- Fire & Smoke Detection Systems
- Fire extinguishers & Fire Fighting Equipment
- EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
- Life jackets for all passengers & crew
- Full Complement of Safety & Rescue Equipment
- Emergency flares
- 2 x Radar + AIS
- Magnetic Compass
- Depth sounders
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Multiple VHF radios +SSB
- CDMA phone (for emergencies only)
- Liferaft
BOAT INCLUSIONS
General Inclusions
Local tax (on booking cost only, National Park fees extra)
Guided diving (no solo or buddy, non-guided diving allowed). Each dive has an experienced professional Dive Guide/Leader, with a ratio of 1:4 divers.
All meals, buffet-style - breakfast, lunch, dinner + snacks
Sea view, air-conditioned cabins, en-suite for Master & Deluxe Cabins, shared facilities with Standard Cabins. Linen, towels & reef safe shower gels, for all cabins.
Dive equipment - 12L aluminium dive tank (yoke valves), weights & weight belt, SMB, & torch for night dives - all other equipment is available for hire. NOTE: Surface Marker Buoys & Dive Computers are mandatory.
Diving is conducted from tenders, they will drop off & collect you.
Accommodation based on two people sharing (twin or double cabin) or single-use (at surcharge).
Our Exclusive Inclusions
Airport Transfer - from Phuket Airport to local Phuket Hotel upon arrival
Type of Meals
Your onboard cook will prepare a combination of international &Thai dishes, served in buffet style, in the dining area, for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The vessel can cater to special dietary requirements (within reason), please inform on booking about your requirements, well in advance. Also, a selection of fresh fruit & some tasty treats are readily available, should you feel peckish in-between meals & dives.
Drinks
There is filtered water available, (the vessel will supply you with a reusable bottle or you can bring your own) black & ice teas, as well as coffee, at all times. Guests may also select beer, wine or spirits from the bar for an additional fee. (Once you consume alcohol there will be no more diving for that day).
BOAT EXCLUSIONS
General Exclusions
No Visas (responsibility of the traveller)
Travel & Diving Insurance is for the traveller to organize before travel - Your diving insurance is MANDATORY & must cover all of your scuba diving & snorkelling activities, including the costs for recompression chamber treatment & emergency air evacuation,(this must be shown on board).
No International or domestic flights are included
Rental diving equipment can be hired - BCD, regulator with Occy & pressure gauge (600THB per day full set), dive computer (300THB per day) - but must be pre-booked. Confirmation of price on pre-booking. Make & model will vary.
Rates & local taxes subject to change.
All alcohol is not included - local beer, wine, spirits & cocktails all at extra cost, payable on board. Cigarettes are also not included.
A medical statement will need to be signed, any "yes" answers will need a medical certificate - any medical costs associated are to be covered by the traveller & should be done in your home country as there may not be a local dive doctor available + a Liability release & express assumption of risk agreement, will need to be signed, both before boat's departure.
Marine Port & Park fees are paid directly on board.
Nitrox is not included but can be purchased - 250THB per tank per dive or 200THB per dive all dives.
Satellite Internet & Wifi is NOT available. (Please be aware that this area is remote & not offered by a range of providers).
Any Optional Activities which may include but are not limited to: Dive Courses, excursions - paid on board.
No transfers to embarkation point or disembarkation point. On the final day, they will help you to organise taxis.
Crew gratuities - if you wish to tip you can do so, tips will be divided between the crew & dive guides (Suggested rates by the dive vessel - 1000THB per day per guest).
Taxes and Surcharges
National Park Fees - varies depending on itinerary 2600 - 3800 THB per person, payable onboard
VESSEL IMAGES
REVIEWS
Coming Soon
Departure and Return Date
04/02/2023 - 12/02/2023
Length Of Cruise
8 nights, 9 days
Destination Description
North & South Andaman - Surin & Similan Islands
Diving Description
The yacht offers up to four dives per day, with a professional guide on a ratio of 1:4. You can choose your own buddy on board, or one will be allocated to you by the dive crew. Diving can be an entry from the main vessel or tender with pick up from the tender. Dive computers & Surface Marker Buoy's (SMB) are both mandatory. 12L (80 cubic ft.) tanks, SMB's, weight belts & weights are provided. Rental equipment is available onboard at an extra cost. All diving onboard should be within the limits and standards of the training agency that certified you. All dives should be planned no-decompression dives.
Diving Weather Temp
The diving season is November to May on the West Coast (Andaman Sea) with water temperatures ranging from 26 - 31˚C / 78-88˚F. Water temperatures are at the higher end of the scale, February to May. Air temperatures will be around 24-32˚C / 74-90˚ F during the diving season. Rain is also possible, but the wet season is late May to October. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 10 – 30+ meters / 30 – 90+ feet. Divers can use a 3mm or 5mm long or short wetsuit depending on how the cold affects them.
Diver Level
Advanced Open Water & higher