Smiling Seahorse Review

The Smiling Seahorse is a budget friendly liveaboard with luxury cabin options, that runs short to intermediate length trips around Thailand’s Aorth Andaman Sea. 

She is a great option for those who would prefer to be in a smaller group and only dive with other experienced divers. 

Great for: Budget Trips, Short Trips, Experienced Divers, Small Groups

Trip Lengths: 2 – 7 nights

Max Group Size: 16

Built in 2018, the Smiling Seahorse operates short, budget friendly trips to Thailand’s North Andaman Sea including the best dive sites around the Surin and Richelieu Rock. 

You can expect to see plenty of superb coral reef plenty of fish as well as reef sharks, turtles and eagle rays and lucky divers also stand a good chance of seeing whale sharks and manta rays at the right time of year. 

To go on a trip with Smiling Seahorse, divers are required to already have their open water advanced certification which ensures only experienced divers in your group meaning you can explore all the best dive sites. 

At 25 meters long and with accommodation for just 16 divers over 4 decks, she is a spacious and roomy feeling liveaboard and some of the cabin options look truly luxurious despite the low cost. 

There is a dedicated camera room as well as an open air dining area and huge sundeck for guests to relax and socialise between dives.  

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about the author

Alex

Hi, I’m Alex.

I’m the creator of Diving Squad, a scuba diving travel blog shaped by a five-year odyssey spent diving and drifting through Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe.

In 2023, I landed in Panglao, Bohol — and loved it so much I ended up staying. I’ve been based here ever since, working as a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor, guiding dives and teaching courses, while continuing to build Diving Squad.

When I’m not in the water, I’m usually editing underwater photos and footage, planning the next trip, or cruising around Bohol — but never for long before the reefs pull me back.