MSY Seahorse Liveaboard Overview

DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
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
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
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...
The MSY Seahorse liveaboard sailing yacht near a tropical island with signal flags flying
Discover remote corners of Indonesia in comfort and style on the MSY Seahorse.
Covered lounge deck with striped daybeds and white wicker chairs under a canvas awning
The upper deck of the MSY Seahorse features a sizable sundeck with comfy, oversized sofas and shady as well as sunny spaces.
Dining salon on the MSY Seahorse with a table set for a meal, a TV and a wall clock
The crew prepares and serves three full meals per day in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck
Rear view of the MSY Seahorse underway with crew on deck
The liveaboard was built in Sulawesi, an area of Indonesia known for its boat-building expertise.
The MSY Seahorse anchored at sunset with strings of flags and mountains silhouetted behind it
The Seahorse tucks into a sheltered anchorage each evening, giving divers calm water before the next morning's first dive.
Twin-bed cabin with wooden cabinetry and a decorative dreamcatcher on the wall
There are eight cabins in total. All feature ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning, and you’ll receive complimentary toiletries.
Wooden cabin bathroom with a handheld shower, sink and toilet aboard a liveaboard
En suite bathrooms feature all the necessities.
Aerial view of divers loading gear onto two tender boats alongside a liveaboard
All dives start from two tenders that bring divers to the perfect launch point for each dive.
Aerial view of a liveaboard sailboat anchored off a mountainous coastline at sunset
Don't forget to stop and admire the topside scenery as you sail from site to site on the MSY Seahorse.
Diver hovering above a pink sea fan and coral reef on a dive from the MSY Seahorse
Discover lesser-known locations such as the Banda Sea, Halmahera, Derawan, Triton Bay, and Alor.
Close-up of a striped nudibranch sea slug on dark sand
Macro life shines as much as the megafauna in Indonesia.
Pair of manta rays gliding over a reef with a smaller manta in the background
Manta encounters are a highlight of Komodo trips.

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 overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Recommended in: Liveaboards in Egypt

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 

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.

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
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 8+ Nights
Price range: Luxury
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