A Manta Parade and an Amazing Thailand Diving Cruise

Oh, what a wonderful surprise on our last trip!

A manta parade where we were not expecting them! The lucky spectators of these fantastic moments were over the moon: Ronen from Israel; Jen and Nuno from Canada; Siu Fun from Hong Kong; Jerzy and Aleksandra from Poland; Kostas from Greece; Juan G. and Juan M. from Spain; Raymond and Martina from Germany; Erica, Taylor and Lynn from the USA; Mohamed from Belgium; and Laurent from France.

It turned into one of those unforgettable Thailand liveaboard diving trips where every dive seemed to bring another surprise, from magnificent manta rays and colourful reefs to tiny shrimp, ghost pipefish, juvenile fish and beautiful nudibranchs.

Let’s share these amazing dives with you guys!

Amazing Manta Rays in the Andaman Sea

Seeing manta rays is always special, but there was something particularly exciting about this encounter: we were not expecting them at all. Instead, the mantas suddenly turned up and gave everyone on the dive an unforgettable show.

During the dives, these magnificent animals glided effortlessly through the blue, sometimes passing close to the divers and sometimes disappearing into the distance before returning for another spectacular fly-by. It was one of those encounters that makes a liveaboard trip in the Andaman Sea so memorable.

Want to know more about these incredible animals? Discover our guide to giant oceanic manta rays and learn more about one of the Andaman Sea’s most spectacular encounters.

Beautiful Reefs and Giant Seafans

On top of this, the reefs were beautiful!

There is something wonderfully special about combining encounters with big pelagic animals and the colourful reef life of the Andaman Sea. Between manta dives, there was plenty to explore on the reef itself, from vast coral formations to impressive giant seafans providing shelter for countless smaller reef creatures.

Fish Everywhere — Paradise!

And it was not only about the mantas. The reefs were packed with fish, making every dive feel like another little underwater adventure. Large schools moving above the reef added another layer of life and movement to these spectacular Andaman Sea dive sites.

From Big Encounters to Tiny Critters

But you could not only see big animals; you could also see small ones… shrimps? Yes, no worries… Which kind?! 😉

For anyone who enjoys looking closely at the reef, the Andaman Sea has plenty to offer. From cleaner shrimp to beautifully patterned mantis shrimp, there was no shortage of tiny creatures to discover. These encounters are a reminder that you do not need a giant animal to make a dive memorable: sometimes the smallest inhabitants provide the most fascinating discoveries.

Ghost Pipefish in Every Colour

Ghost pipefish… which colour? 🙂

Another favourite for macro lovers: ghost pipefish. Their delicate shapes and intricate patterns make them particularly rewarding subjects for underwater photographers, especially when you start spotting how many different colours and variations can appear on the reef.

Juveniles Are Awesome!

Juvenile ones… they are so awesome!!!

And when you slow down and look carefully, the small stuff gets even better. Juvenile marine animals can be particularly fascinating, with their tiny size and completely different appearance from adults. Spotting them requires patience and a good eye, but the reward is often a truly special underwater encounter.

More Fascinating Reef Life

Lobsters…

Pipefish… which kind?

Incredible Nudibranchs

Incredible nudis!

Nudibranchs are another highlight for anyone who enjoys discovering the smaller side of Andaman Sea marine life. These encounters show just how colourful the reef can be, even when the animals are tiny.

For even more colourful nudibranch encounters, take a look at our guide to 101 nudibranchs of Myanmar.

Cowries and Colourful Reef Life

Cowries…

Sunset, Sunrise and Moonrise

The usual unforgettable sunset, sunrise… and also moonrise this time 😉

Of course, no liveaboard trip would be complete without those moments above the water as well. After a day of diving, the changing light over the Andaman Sea provides a spectacular backdrop for relaxing on board and sharing stories about the day’s encounters. From sunrise on the deck to a colourful sunset and a peaceful moonrise, these moments are all part of the liveaboard experience.

What Our Guests Said

And last but not least… the reviews of this trip:

“Franck and the team run a very organized trip with small groups which makes it a great experience.”

“A very nice boat, good experiences, the best divemasters and the very best team of the staff!!! Thank you for 5 wonderful days, a lot of fun and a good feeling for my heart!”

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