MSY Seahorse Liveaboard Overview

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.

Where to book

The MSY Seahorse liveaboard sailing yacht near a tropical island with signal flags flying

PADI TravelSecure online booking Liveaboard.comNo booking fees Divebooker.comFree DAN insurance

Diving on the MSY Seahorse

Dense school of striped sweetlips schooling together over a reef

Colorful soft coral reef crowded with anthias fish

Hawksbill turtle swimming past a coral wall

Below-deck bunk area on the MSY Seahorse with towels laid out on each berth

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

Guest receiving a massage on deck of the MSY Seahorse with mountains in the background

Dining area on the MSY Seahorse with a wooden table, yellow cushioned seating and porthole windows

Shaded lounge deck on the MSY Seahorse with striped daybeds and a low table of fruit

Ensuite bathroom and cabin with twin beds aboard the MSY Seahorse

Cabin with a yellow bedspread, palm-print pillows and a small desk on 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

Dinner table set with white bowls, batik napkins and wine glasses aboard the MSY Seahorse

Dining salon on the MSY Seahorse with wooden tables and yellow cushioned booth seating

Bartender mixing a cocktail behind the bar on the MSY Seahorse with a regional dive map on the wall

Coffee and tea station on the MSY Seahorse with a photo of the boat and jars of snacks

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.