MSY Seahorse Liveaboard overview

By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

Can you discover remote corners of Indonesia in comfort and style? Absolutely, and the MSY Seahorse is a great platform from which to start. This liveaboard travels to leading destinations like Komodo and Raja Ampat, but the crew also heads to lesser-known locations such as the Banda Sea, Halmahera, Derawan, Triton Bay, and Alor.

Even if you have experienced the sweeping soft coral reefs of Raja Ampat or the exciting currents and seamounts of Komodo, you’ll be able to discover something new here.

The MSY Seahorse is a perfect base for discovering some of the most remote areas of the Indonesian archipelago. Built in the traditional Indonesian phinisi style, this boat is a beauty on the water.

It accommodates up to 16 divers comfortably in eight well-equipped cabins. The MSY Seahorse is the older vessel in the Wallacea Dive Cruises fleet but fear not—this liveaboard may have been built in 2005, but it was entirely refurbished in 2018, giving you all the modern conveniences you may be looking for.

Let’s dive into our review of the MSY Seahorse.

About this review

To help you find a that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of s

Things we like:

  • Stunning, phinisi-style vessel
  • Excellent choice of destinations and cruise durations throughout the Indonesian archipelago
  • Nitrox included in the cruise price
  • Support with trip extensions and onward travel arrangements

Things we don't like:

  • No space for outdoor dining

Diving on the MSY Seahorse liveaboard 

Are you ready to discover some of the world’s best diving? The MSY Seahorse allows you to do just that with three to four dives every day. Nitrox-qualified divers can take advantage of free nitrox during the cruise. Those not certified yet can take the course onboard for an additional fee.

The main diving area on this 108-foot (33 m) boat features a large dive deck taking up the front of the main deck. There is plenty of space for dive cylinders and equipment on each side of the deck, and the center of the deck features a large table that is perfect for resting cameras and other photographic equipment.

Photographers and videographers will also like the spacious camera room at the rear of the main deck. While the table on the dive deck is ideal for the moments just before and after the dive, the camera room is great for preparing and tinkering with equipment as well as doing a little maintenance when it’s necessary.

All dives start from two tenders that bring divers to the perfect launch point for each dive, which is especially important on current-swept reefs and submerged pinnacles. The MSY Seahorse offers a diver-to-guide ratio of no more than 4:1, and there is a cruise director who plans the entire trip and ensures that guests have a chance to see the best dive sites of the area they’ve traveled to.  

Highlights:

  • Combines traditional boatbuilding with diving convenience
  • Nitrox included in the cruise price
  • Conveniently placed camera table on the dive deck plus a separate camera room for photographers and videographers

Onboard the MSY Seahorse

The MSY Seahorse cuts an impressive figure from the sea, especially under full phinisi-style sail. The liveaboard was built in Sulawesi, an area of Indonesia known for its boat-building expertise. The interiors combine this long-standing tradition with up-to-date modern conveniences.

There are eight cabins in total. All feature ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning, and you’ll receive complimentary toiletries, allowing you to save that luggage allowance for dive gear.

If you’re looking to treat yourself during your liveaboard trip, consider booking one of the two seaview cabins located on the main deck. They are not only a little bigger than their counterparts, but they also feature large windows allowing you to take in the stunning vistas right from the moment you wake up.

The remaining six cabins are located on the lower deck. One of those is equipped with a double bed, whereas the remaining five cabins have two single beds, making them great for sharing with friends.

If you’re neither diving nor want to spend time in your cabin, why not check out the communal spaces? The upper deck of the MSY Seahorse features a sizable sundeck with comfy, oversized sofas and shady as well as sunny spaces. Below, on the main deck, there is the air-conditioned restaurant, which is also a great space to spend time in between dives, and an outdoor lounge space adjacent to the dive deck.

Aside from diving, guests can join land excursions offered by the crew. These make for excellent opportunities to learn a bit more about Indonesian culture, encounter the legendary Komodo dragons, and admire the island scenery from the top of a nearby island.

Highlights:

  • Two seaview cabins on the main deck offer excellent views
  • Large sundeck and relaxation area on the upper deck
  • Choice of land excursions

Dining on the MSY Seahorse

Like on its sister ship Ambai, the dining experience on the MSY Seahorse starts with a welcome cocktail to mark the beginning of your journey. After that, the crew prepares and serves three full meals per day in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. Should you still feel hungry after a dive, there are always snacks available to help you pass the time until your next meal or next dive.

The food on this boat has been inspired by home-cooked family meals in Spain. Aside from Indonesian favorites like fried rice, the team serves a fusion of European and Asian food that accommodates a wide range of different tastes and preferences.

Hot drinks and soft drinks are included in the cost of the liveaboard, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. The chef and culinary team are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions but, as always, when traveling to remote destinations, let the booking agent know ahead of time. That’s the only way to ensure your preferences can be accommodated.

Highlights:

  • Family cooking-inspired menu
  • Fusion of tasty European and Indonesian food

Things we like:

  • Stunning, phinisi-style vessel
  • Excellent choice of destinations and cruise durations throughout the Indonesian archipelago
  • Nitrox included in the cruise price
  • Support with trip extensions and onward travel arrangements

Things we don't like:

  • No space for outdoor dining
Key Facts
Year Built 2004
Max Divers 16
Price Range Luxury
Trip Length 8+ Nights
Internet No
Nitrox Yes (free)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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