Dolphins, Blackwater Diving and Incredible Encounters in the Andaman Sea
Rain was falling on Ranong when we reached the boat, but the sky cleared as soon as we got away from the mainland. Apart from one or two short rain showers, we had a clear blue sky and bright sunshine throughout the whole trip!
A Very Special Dolphin Encounter
This was a special dolphin trip, as we were treated to two different pods giving us a spectacular show. On the first sunset, dolphins appeared in the distance, right underneath a rainbow. It was a truly magical moment, but we were soon surprised by an even more incredible encounter.
On our way to Koh Tachai, around 40 dolphins accompanied the boat for a good 30 minutes. We saw babies swimming close to their mums and playing in the wake of the boat. The water was so clear that we could see them right underneath the surface, as if we were part of the same world!
Good Vibes Onboard and Great Diving
This was the second trip of the season and it was a blast both underwater and above water, with a bunch of awesome guests who really made the difference! A few return guests as well as teachers on holiday—that’s all it takes to create good vibes!
Congratulations to Petra, Maurice, Julien and Dominic, who completed their Enriched Air Nitrox certification; to Alek, who completed the Adventure Deep and Night dives; and to Erin, 10 years old, and Tintin, 12 years old, who enjoyed the cruise like pros and learned new techniques for diving in current when needed, with minimal effort.
Surin Islands: Turtles, Pikachu Nudibranchs and More
The underwater adventure started really well around the Surin Islands. For one group, the highlights included a Hawksbill turtle, a bunch of Thecacera sp., also known as Pikachu nudibranchs, some huge Jenkins’ whip rays and a very nice school of sweetlips.
Another group got lucky spotting a Napoleon fish, a humphead parrotfish, and a guitarfish during a night dive.
Koh Bon and Koh Tachai: Beautiful Reefs and Abundant Marine Life
The second day was split between Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. Conditions were beautiful, with mild current and good visibility, and we were delighted to have the premier dive sites almost entirely to ourselves.
The reefs were absolutely stunning, teeming with life. Millions of glassfish and squads of predators darting through them made the schools look like a constantly moving wave. Jacks, barracuda, and this very friendly Titan triggerfish all added to the spectacle.
Blackwater Diving: Baby Ribbon Eels and Tiny Creatures
We headed southwest of Koh Tachai until we found enough depth, about 80 meters, for the Blackwater dive, a new service on offer on every single trip that season.
We were very pleased with the water quality. The water was so clear, with almost no particles, and baby ribbon eels were everywhere. Absolutely mind-blowing!
We also spotted surgeonfish larvae, shiny little crabs, minuscule krills and this baby needlefish at the end of the dive, posing for me just below the surface.
Four Incredible Dives at Richelieu Rock
Last but not least, our last four dives were spent enjoying the riches of Richelieu Rock, once more alone on the dive site!
Myriads of glassfish carpeted the entire reef. The concentration of marine life was exceptional, from the tiniest tiger egg cowrie to huge schools of giant trevallies constantly circling the rock, crossing paths with barracudas, longnose emperor fish and jacks.
Good Times Above the Water Too
Besides the incredible dives we all enjoyed, the atmosphere onboard was excellent. Some fun board games between dives became very popular, and everyone loved our barbecue feast and dancing the night away after the last dive.
I can’t wait to get wet again! For those out of Thailand, have you heard that Thailand has finally reopened to international travelers? Only one test, one night, and you’re free to enjoy this yourself. What are you waiting for? 😉
Discover Blackwater Diving in Thailand
Blackwater diving opens up a completely different side of the Andaman Sea, bringing divers face to face with tiny pelagic creatures that migrate towards the surface after dark. On this cruise, the exceptional water clarity gave us a particularly memorable encounter with baby ribbon eels, larvae, tiny crustaceans and other fascinating young marine animals.
