What a beatiful trip this was! Sunny skies, absolutely flat seas, crystalclear waters and unreal sunsets. Liveaboard diving at its best!!
We took off the 4/11, and had a very smooth crossing up to the Similan Islands. In the morning we were greeted by 40 meters visibility at Morning Edge. Plenty of Hawksbills Turtles at the northern sites ofSimilans, schooling Barracudas and a Napoleon Wrasse.
Next morning we steamed north to Koh Bon, the first of the islands in the Surin Islands Marine Park. Very good Leopard Shark action, and loads of schooling pelagics. Our group enjoyed ”kite-flying” in the healthy currents at the west ridge, where we were lucky enough to see a 3 meter Devil Ray, effortlessly gliding in the current!
Further north is Koh Tachai. First dive here was unusally calm, and, hence, little action (if pleasant!). Second dive everything, including a healthy current, was back; massive schools of Chevron Barracudas, Tall-fin Batfish, Tunas and a zillion Fusiliers beeing chased by GiantTrevallies. Plus another Leopard Shark.
Next day, the highlight of the trip – Richelieu Rock! Again, flat seas, but some swells underwater. A beautiful Tigertail Seahorse, schooling Barracudas, Big-eye Trevallies, a rare (and very shy!) Zebra Morayout in the open plus the usual suspects at Richelieu Rock –Pipefish, Ghost Shrimps, Nudibranches, 6 different species of Clownfish and lots of moray eels.
A beatiful and relaxed sunset dive at Koh Bon, with close-up Whitetip Sharks,friendly Batfish and a baby Devil Scorpionfish, ended the third day.
Last day we enjoyed the underwater scenery at Elephant Rock, and decided to trySharkfin Reef as the last dive of the trip. Good choice, as it turned out! Inquisitive Leopard Sharks, loads of schooling fish and a coupleof Ribbon Eels!
A very pleasant crossing back to Phuket, with a Whale pretty close to the boat!
PJ Widestrand
Tourleader and Video-Pro
Scuba Adventure
Liveaboard trips to Similan Islands, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Ha, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock, THAILAND.
Visit our New Blog and see some nice pictures from this and other trips, at PJPhotoblog.
Liveaboard diving trips - PJ Widestrand, Tourleader and Video-Pro
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