Christmas Trip Around Thailand: A Week of Incredible Underwater Encounters
Exploring Thailand’s underwater wonders over Christmas brought together a group of divers ready for a week filled with spectacular marine life, beautiful reefs, and unforgettable encounters.
From the northern dive sites around Richelieu Rock and the Similan Islands to Koh Haa, Hin Muang, Hin Daeng and the Koh Lipe area, every day brought something different. Giant rays, sharks, seahorses, ghost pipefish, colourful nudibranchs and huge schools of fish made this Christmas trip one to remember.
Day 1: Kho Chi and Richelieu Rock
We started with a check dive in the warm and inviting waters of Kho Chi, the perfect way to ease back into the underwater world. The reef, nestled between coral formations and stretches of pristine white sand, set the tone for what turned out to be an exhilarating day.
Our three next dives at Richelieu Rock were a spectacle beyond compare. Marine life seemed to dance before our eyes, with grand parades of trevally, longnose emperor, rainbow runners and imposing pickhandle barracuda creating a true underwater symphony.
It was particularly heartwarming to see that our familiar harlequin shrimp, seahorses and ghost pipefish were still thriving in their habitat.
Among the many highlights were the majestic appearances of giant moray and white-eye moray eels. However, the cherry on top was undoubtedly the sunset encounter with a Jenkins stingray and a stunning eagle ray. The sheer magnificence of these creatures against the backdrop of the setting sun was a moment frozen in time.
Day 2: Koh Bon and Tachai Pinnacle
Day 2 was a thrilling extension of our underwater odyssey. Our exploration took us to Tachai Pinnacle and Koh Bon, where nature continued to unveil its mysteries.
The North Ridge treated us to the elegant spectacle of two guitar sharks gliding effortlessly through the water, a sight that never fails to captivate. We also encountered an octopus and a massive marble ray hovering in the current at the West Ridge.
Each sighting added to the excitement of the day, leaving us in constant wonder at the diversity and beauty of Thailand’s marine life.
Day 3: Similan National Park
The third day ushered us into the serene embrace of Similan National Park, where the underwater world revealed even more of its treasures.
Diving at 3 Trees and Elephant Head, we were treated to some remarkable shark encounters. Two whitetip reef sharks, a majestic leopard shark and a big nurse shark graced us with their presence, making for some truly awe-inspiring moments underwater.
The underwater landscape at West of Eden welcomed us in the afternoon with the playful antics of an intelligent day octopus, showcasing its remarkable behaviour and inquisitive nature.
Day 4: Koh Haa and the Manta Rays of Hin Muang and Hin Daeng
Our fourth day was an absolute marvel that felt like a gift from the ocean itself.
Our adventure began with a visit to Koh Haa, where the “Cathedral” site unfolded its wonders before our eyes. Delving into three captivating caves and emerging into the Cathedral itself was nothing short of breathtaking. The sheer grandeur and beauty of this underwater formation left us in silent appreciation of nature’s artistry.
Moving to the “Lagoon”, we were greeted by crystal-clear, warm waters that provided the perfect setting for a mesmerising dive. Against the backdrop of pristine white sand, marine life filled the scene and showcased the vibrant tapestry thriving beneath the surface.
However, the highlight of the day unfolded in the afternoon at Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, where the ocean gifted us an experience beyond compare: swimming alongside majestic oceanic manta rays.
Encounter after encounter, we were blessed to witness at least four of these magnificent creatures. One of them gave us an intimate 15-minute dance, spinning around us as if in a choreographed ballet, leaving us in a state of gratitude and sheer amazement.
This encounter with the oceanic manta rays was more than just a dive. It was a soul-stirring experience that left us feeling deeply connected to the ocean and its magnificent inhabitants. Day 4 will forever remain etched in our hearts as a day of profound wonder and gratitude for the beauty that lies beneath the waves.
Day 5: Christmas Day Around Koh Lipe
Christmas Day was a celebration of wonder and underwater marvels in the Koh Lipe area.
Our morning unfolded across Koh Yang East and Pattaya Corner, treating us to a treasure trove of macro wonders. The underwater world seemed to be adorned with a plethora of intricate life forms: nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, pipefish and the delightful presence of seahorses, each one a tiny marvel in its own right.
The afternoon dive at “8 Mile” brought us into the midst of a bustling underwater metropolis, surrounded by a huge school of trevally. It was an immersive experience to hang around with giant trevally, witnessing their majestic presence in their natural habitat.
The sea seemed to come alive, with each creature adding its own unique charm to the Christmas festivities unfolding beneath the waves.
As the day drew to a close, our underwater adventures became cherished memories, and we gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve with hearts full of joy and gratitude. Each dive had gifted us moments of sheer amazement and a deeper connection to the underwater world. It was a day not just of diving, but of embracing the enchantment that the ocean graciously bestowed upon us, leaving us with memories that would forever sparkle like treasures in our hearts.
Day 6: Back to Hin Muang and Hin Daeng
Boxing Day brought us back to the captivating Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, and once again the underwater world dazzled us with its diverse and vibrant marine life.
The day was a kaleidoscope of mesmerising encounters that left us in awe of nature’s intricate tapestry thriving beneath the waves.
Among the many highlights, the sighting of a stonefish served as a reminder of the ocean’s hidden wonders, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. A friendly school of batfish accompanied us on our underwater journey, adding a delightful touch to the dives.
The underwater landscape was further adorned by great barracuda, jackfish, African pompano and the imposing giant grouper, each one commanding attention with its own unique allure. The bustling activity of tuna and mackerel added to the dynamic energy of the dive, while the appearance of a honeycomb moray eel and graceful pipefish completed the day’s vibrant encounters.
Day 7: Koh Phi Phi and Shark Point
Our last day of diving marked the culmination of our extraordinary Christmas trip around Koh Phi Phi National Park.
Our exploration led us to two captivating dive sites: Bida Nok and the mesmerising Shark Point. Little did we know that our luck would continue to grace us with incredible sightings, making this day a fitting conclusion to our underwater adventure.
At Shark Point’s breathtaking pinnacle, nature unveiled its wonders yet again. Our dives were graced by the majestic presence of both a zebra shark and a guitar shark, their serene movements adding a touch of awe to the underwater landscape.
The surroundings, adorned with giant barrel sponges and delicate sea fans, created a truly magical atmosphere, enhancing the beauty of the encounter.
Amidst these incredible sightings, the ocean seemed to put on a grand spectacle for our farewell, presenting us with a vibrant school of chevron barracuda, thousands of fusiliers and the spirited presence of bluefin jackfish.
As we surfaced from our final dive, our hearts were filled with a mix of emotions: a sense of fulfilment and gratitude for the breathtaking experiences, yet a tinge of melancholy that our adventure had come to an end.
It was an incredible way to conclude our fantastic Christmas trip, leaving us with memories that will be cherished and reminisced upon forever.
Day 7 was more than just a dive; it was a graceful finale to a journey that submerged us in the beauty, diversity and magnificence of the underwater world.
Thanks to our amazing guests for choosing The Smiling Seahorse, and a big hug to Jeff, who had already joined us countless times aboard The Smiling Seahorse (and its predecessor, Thai Sea).
Also, a big thank you for the lovely photos you shared with us to illustrate this blog post in Franck’s absence! We really enjoyed sharing these underwater adventures with you. Looking forward to more!!!
