Thailand Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and Blackwater Diving: An Extraordinary Andaman Sea Expedition
We had been working on putting this exciting trip together for several months, and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome two lovely marine biologists onboard MV Smiling Seahorse: Ms. Jamie Piyada Monmaneerat, project leader of the Thailand Manta Project, and Ms. Kirsty Magson, a conservationist documenting the whale shark population in Thailand.
Throughout the trip, Jamie and Kirsty alternated daily presentations covering manta rays, sea slugs, whale sharks and the impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment. Combining marine conservation talks with 21 dives across some of the best dive sites in the Andaman Sea made this a particularly memorable expedition.
21 Dives Across Thailand’s Best Andaman Sea Dive Sites
We sailed from Ranong early in the morning with a boat full of enthusiastic divers. Our itinerary took us to Koh Chi in Surin National Park, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Rocky Point, Three Trees, Turtle Rock and Nam Chai in the Similan Islands, before heading back north towards Richelieu Rock.
In total, we completed 21 beautiful dives, exploring a wonderful variety of reefs, pinnacles and marine habitats across the Andaman Sea.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather, enjoying blue skies and sunshine throughout the entire trip. As could be expected around the full moon, we also encountered some considerable currents during several dives. But currents can have their rewards: they often create ideal conditions for bringing in large pelagic animals.
Rays, Sharks, Nudibranchs and Schooling Pelagics
During the first 20 dives, we encountered an incredible variety of marine life. There were turtles, Jenkins’ rays, an eagle ray and reef sharks, along with countless nudibranchs and harlequin shrimp.
We also found a giant frogfish, pairs of ghost pipefish and anemonefish eggs that had developed to the point where we could already see the tiny eyes inside. Around the reefs, huge schools of jacks, trevallies, barracudas and fusiliers added plenty of action to the dives.
The Whale Shark of Richelieu Rock
Then came the moment that made the entire trip unforgettable.
On the very last dive of the trip, as we entered the water at Richelieu Rock, we were greeted by a stunning baby male whale shark. He graciously swam around us for almost the entire duration of the dive on top of the pinnacle.
What a show!
He passed by, disappeared, then came back again and again until we eventually ran out of air. As whale shark sightings had been sparse that season, we felt incredibly privileged to witness such a long encounter. It was also an emotional way to finish the trip.
Kirsty quickly checked her whale shark database and was delighted to record this new individual as part of the whale shark population. It was a wonderful example of how encounters experienced by divers can also contribute valuable observations to ongoing marine research.
Blackwater Diving and the Return of Alex Tyrrell
Another highlight of the trip was welcoming Alex Tyrrell back onboard. Alex, a professional underwater photographer, organised three blackwater dives during the cruise.
Blackwater diving is very different from a conventional night dive. Instead of exploring a reef, divers descend into open water after dark and wait for the incredible creatures that migrate towards the surface each night. For underwater photographers, it offers the chance to encounter animals that are rarely seen during ordinary recreational dives.
And this time, we got an extraordinary surprise.
During our second blackwater dive, we spotted a nautilus swimming at only 5 metres depth. Seeing such a remarkable and ancient cephalopod in the darkness was an unforgettable experience.
If you have not tried blackwater diving yet and you are an avid underwater photographer, we highly recommend giving it a try. After these dives, we were certainly hooked!
Our blackwater dives produced plenty of other surprises too. During the cruise we encountered a juvenile sailfish, baby octopuses and many other unusual creatures. It seemed we had found a particularly productive spot for discovering rare and fascinating animals in the open ocean at night.
Marine Conservation Onboard MV Smiling Seahorse
What made this expedition particularly special was the combination of exceptional diving and marine conservation. Having Jamie and Kirsty onboard gave our guests the opportunity to learn more about the animals we encounter underwater and the conservation work being carried out to understand and protect them.
The presentations on manta rays, whale sharks, sea slugs and plastic pollution added another dimension to the trip. Instead of simply seeing these animals while diving, we could also learn more about their biology, the threats they face and the importance of collecting reliable observations in the field.
For a liveaboard crew and a group of divers, this was a great reminder that every encounter with marine life can inspire greater curiosity and appreciation for the ecosystems we explore.
What a Way to End the Trip
As all good things eventually come to an end, we were sad to say goodbye. But we were also happy to have made new friends among the lovely guests onboard and grateful for the fantastic time we had shared together.
From the reefs of the Surin and Similan Islands to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, the trip had delivered an extraordinary variety of Andaman Sea marine life. Add three blackwater dives, a rare nautilus, a juvenile sailfish and an unforgettable whale shark encounter, and it was a cruise we certainly won’t forget.
If you would like to discover the marine life and dive sites of Thailand’s Andaman Sea for yourself, check our current cruises schedule for upcoming liveaboard trips and itineraries.
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