South + North Thailand Expedition: 8 Days of Underwater Adventures
Exploring the underwater wonders of Thailand was an expedition that brought together a diverse group of adventurers hailing from Hungary, the USA, Malaysia, Romania, Switzerland, and France. Our journey was a kaleidoscope of breathtaking dives, vibrant marine life encounters, and awe-inspiring moments that stitched together unforgettable memories.
Day 1: Koh Haa and the Lagoon
As we bid farewell to Phuket, our compass directed us towards Koh Haa, fondly known as “The 5 Islands”, where our check dive unfolded in the serene embrace of the “Lagoon”. Within the first five minutes underwater, our first ghost pipefish of the cruise made an entrance, a testament to the beauty awaiting us this week.
Traversing through vibrant coral reefs, we found ourselves amid a pristine white sand expanse, a picturesque lagoon that set the tone for our extraordinary voyage.
Day 2: Hin Muang and Hin Daeng
For our second day, after cruising during the night, we woke up at Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, the purple and the red rocks, in the middle of the sea, with no land in sight!
In Thai, Hin means rock, Muang means purple and Daeng means red. These colossal underwater structures are named after the prominent colours of the soft corals covering them, in shades of purple and red.
They house a bustling community of redtooth triggerfish, and a majestic manta ray passed us by, bestowing its grace upon us.
Day 3: 8 Miles Pinnacle and a Devil Ray
Venturing eastward on Day 3, our destination was the Koh Lipe area, where the mystique of 8 Miles Pinnacle beckoned.
The underwater show continued at the mysterious 8 Miles Pinnacle, where a school of jackfish and giant trevally performed a captivating ballet.
However, the most astonishing surprise greeted us during our ascent—a breathtaking sighting of a Mobula, also known as a devil ray, gracefully gliding a mere 10 metres below the water’s surface, right under the boat!
Day 4: Sunset Action and Blackwater Diving
On Day 4, we were back at Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, where we had a particularly spectacular, action-packed sunset dive at Hin Muang, with all kinds of creatures chasing their last meal before night.
This perfect day was perfectly finished with a perfect Blackwater dive after nightfall—a tableau of post-larval octopuses, squids, and the elusive male paper nautilus.
Day 5: Exploring the Cathedral and the Chimney
Day 5 was the occasion to get initiated to cavern diving! The Cathedral and the Chimney beckoned, offering a unique exploration into the limestone.
Delving into these pretty and easy caves, ascending to vast air chambers, and beholding the mystical realms illuminated by our flashlights left an indelible impression—a surreal experience etched into our collective memories.
Day 6: Similan National Park
Transitioning to Day 6 in the Similan National Park, we explored infamous dive sites like Elephant Head, a giant underwater playground amid colossal granite boulders where we went from one swim-through to another, inhabited by colourful nudibranchs and ribbon eels.
The fortuitous sighting of a whitetip reef shark added an exhilarating dimension to our underwater escapade.
Day 7: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai
On Day 7, we explored Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, where some of us spotted a giant guitarfish and plenty of fish action!
Day 8: Back to Richelieu Rock
Once again, Richelieu Rock proved to be a breathtaking sight, living up to its reputation for astonishing beauty on the 8th and last day of our South + North Expedition.
Richelieu Rock is rated as one of the top 10 best dive sites in the world, but it is always mind-blowing to witness its breathtaking beauty, thriving biodiversity, and vibrant activity.
Seahorses, harlequin shrimp, candy crabs, schools of longnose emperor, rainbow runners, and giant trevally embellished our dives.
However, the highlight was the remarkable congregation of Jenkins stingrays, a sight to behold, embellishing the sandy bottoms all around Richelieu Rock!
Gratitude and Farewells
The MV Smiling Seahorse became our vessel of shared experiences, gratitude, and camaraderie, and we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone aboard for making this expedition a tapestry of unforgettable moments.
A special acknowledgment goes to Beatrice B., a cherished reader of our blog, for her unwavering support and enthusiasm throughout our journey.
Each dive, each sighting, and every shared smile illuminated our voyage, crafting an expedition that shall forever linger in the depths of our fondest memories, beckoning us to return to the vibrant underwater tapestry of Thailand’s marine wonders.
