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Trip report: North and South Andaman cruise from the 29th March 2024

30/4/2024

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Picture
Hey there, fellow ocean enthusiasts! 🌊✨
​

​Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you all the epic adventures from our recent dive trip. Buckle up, because it was a wild ride from start to finish!
Trevalies and rainbow runners
Trevalies and rainbow runners
Very impressive school of fish
An impressive school of barracudas
Our journey kicked off at the stunning Koh Ha Lagoon, where we dipped our toes back into the underwater world with a refreshing check dive. The conditions were picture-perfect, with crystal-clear visibility and a gentle breeze.
And let me tell you, we were greeted by quite the welcoming committee – a squad of majestic marbled groupers!
​Talk about making a splash right from the get-go.

School of snappers
School of snappers
Shiny trevalies
Shiny trevallies and surgeonfish
But wait, it gets even better!

​As we ventured deeper into the ocean's embrace at Hin Muang Hin Daeng, we were met by the real VIPs of the sea – four giant oceanic mantas, gliding gracefully through the water. It was a mesmerizing sight to behold, like something straight out of a marine fairytale.

And let's not forget about the vibrant marine life bustling around us – from big-eyed trevallies to clouds of red tooth triggerfish, every corner of the reef was teeming with activity. Oh, and those titan triggerfish giving us the side-eye? Classic!
​

As night fell, we plunged into the depths once more, this time accompanied by the mysterious creatures of the dark. Decorated crabs, elusive moray eels, and countless shrimps with eyes that seemed to sparkle in our torchlight – talk about a magical underwater spectacle!
A graceful Manta
A graceful Manta
Sexy shrimps, thor amboinensis
Sexy shrimps, thor amboinensis
Beautiful and impressive yellow moray eel
Day two was no less thrilling as we ventured into the Tarutao National Park.

From the mesmerizing school of snappers to the adorable halgerda nudibranch flaunting their vibrant colors, every dive was a treasure trove of marine wonders.

Stonehenge and Steps dive sites treated us to a parade of unique sightings, from Indian Walkman to coral cat sharks peeking out from their hiding spots. And let's not forget about the breathtaking soft coral-covered domes and infamous stone pillars that gave Stonehenge its name – truly a diver's paradise!
Colorful coral reef
Colorful coral reef
Indian Walkman
Indian Walkman
Mysid Shrimps | Idiomysis – The Smiling Seahorse | Underwater Macro Photography
Mysid Shrimps | Idiomysis
Coral reef beauty and diversity
Coral reef beauty and diversity
Watching an Indian Walkman
Watching an Indian Walkman
Flounder underwater photography
Flounder
But the real stars of the show?
​

You guessed it – back to Hin Daeng Hin Muang for another round with our beloved manta friends. Two dives in manta soup?
Sign us up any day!

Cathedral in Koh Ha and the Similan Islands greeted us with open arms, offering up close encounters with everything from majestic rays to curious white-tip sharks. And that bull shark sighting at Koh Bon Pinnacle? Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime moment!
Ghost pipefish
Ghost pipefish
Marvelous spotted marble rays
Marvelous spotted marble rays
Picture
Little shy pipefish in the blue
Little shy pipefish in the blue
We also did a Blackwater dives offshore the Similan islands​
And like every time we do these offshore night dives, what cool encounters we had!!! From juvenile flounders with one eye on each side of their head, halfbeak (the first photo of this article) to squirelfish or other lizard fish, all these babies are so Unique!!!
Baby flounder, Blackwater dive
Flounder - Juvenile
Big eyes little baby fish, blackwater dive
Squirelfish - Juvenile
Lizard fish larva stage, blackwater dive
Lizard fish - Juvenile
As the days went by, each dive seemed to outdo the last...
​

From Koh Tachai's vibrant pinnacle to the awe-inspiring Richelieu Rock. Ghost pipefish, Seahorse, Harlequin Shrimps, and schools of bludger trevallies – it was like diving into a living kaleidoscope of colors and marine life.
Harlequin shrimps
Harlequin shrimps
Giant moray eel
Giant moray eel
Seahorse artistic portrait
Tigertail Seahorse
Scorpionfish in coral reef suit
Scorpionfish
face to face with a ghost pipefish
Ghost pipefish
And let's not forget about the amazing folks who joined us on this underwater adventure
​

From the adventurous French diving club Pataplouf to the lovely Korean family and our French-American duo, it was an absolute pleasure sharing these unforgettable moments with such incredible company.

So there you have it, folks – a dive trip for the books! Until next time, keep exploring, keep diving, and never stop chasing those underwater dreams.
​
See you beneath the waves! 🐠🌴✨
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A Dive Expedition about marine ecosystem with thailand Whale Shark Specialist Kirsty Magson: March 19th to 27th 2024

8/4/2024

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Another fantastic marine biologist onboard!

Our adventure set sail on a thrilling expedition dedicated to the majestic whale sharks of the Andaman Sea. With divers from England, France, and Brazil eagerly joining us onboard, the anticipation was palpable as we embarked on this special journey. We were honoured to have Kirsty Magson, a marine biologist based in Thailand who started Thai Whale sharks project in 2017 to identify and monitor these gentle giants. Kirsty joined us for the fourth time this year, enriching our experience with her invaluable knowledge and passion for these magnificent creatures through daily presentations about what scientists know of Whale sharks but also about the marine environment they live in.
190324 thailand trip report diving liveaboard marine biology cruise about whale sharks

Starting up in Surin national park and Richelieu rock

Our voyage began on the 19th of March as we bid farewell to Khao Lak and headed towards the Surin Islands National Park. Over the course of the first two days, we immersed ourselves in the underwater wonders of Richelieu Rock, renowned as one of the best dive sites worldwide and one of the best spots in Thailand to encounter Whale Sharks.

The conditions were ideal, and despite not encountering any shark, we witnessed a plethora of marine life in its colourful seascape: From schools of big-eyed trevally and chevron barracuda to solitary great barracuda and massive groupers, every dive was a mesmerizing encounter with the ocean's biodiversity. For macro enthusiasts, the discovery of a tiny baby tigertail seahorse, along with sightings of harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and clownfish eggs, added an extra layer of excitement to our underwater explorations.
Thailand harlequin shrimp in natural settings snoot light
barracudas stroming around surin and similan national parks

Koh Bon and Koh Tachai

On Day 3, we found ourselves at Koh Tachai, diving amidst crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine ecosystems. Strong currents greeted us on our first dive, bringing with them an abundance of life in the blue depths. Chevron barracuda, batfish, and even a blacktip shark made appearances, offering thrilling encounters for our divers. The second dive, with calmer conditions, allowed us to leisurely explore the pinnacle, marveling at the diversity of marine life, from groupers and surgeonfish to butterflyfish and the intricate architecture of a lobster's nest. As the day progressed, we ventured deep into the Koh Bon pinnacle, where a massive school of big-eyed trevally mesmerized us with their synchronized movements.
The highlight of the day awaited us as we delved into the mysterious world of Black Water Diving. Setting our boat at a depth of 100 meters, we created a vertical line with lights, inviting our guests to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the ocean's nighttime migration. Over the course of an hour, we were treated to sightings of rare and peculiar creatures, providing a glimpse into the enigmatic depths of the ocean.
Richelieu Rock is super fishy
beautiful reef

Similan islands

Our expedition continued with exploration of the Similan Islands on Day 4. Diving in the clear and warm waters of Three Trees, Elephant Head, and West of Eden, we were fortunate to encounter turtles, ribbon eels, ghost pipefish, and even the elusive pegasus sea moth. The sighting of the pegasus sea moth was particularly special, as it is rarely seen in these waters. We've seen them in Mergui Archipelago and Koh Lipe before but only James, who has been diving the Similan islands for the past 22 years, had seen them in the similan islands before and he had been waiting 10 years to witness this remarkable creature again.
blue is the new sponge
sea moth portrait
Seamoths “walk” along the bottom with modified pelvic fins and use their toothless, tube-like mouths mouths to suck up worms and other invertebrates.

South Andaman

On Day 5, we ventured to Hin Deang and Hin Muang, where we encountered stonefish and ghostfish, adding to the intrigue of our underwater adventures. Day 6 brought us to the Koh Lipe area, where we were treated to sightings of a frogfish and seahorse at 8 miles, along with exploring dive sites like Stonehenge, Honeycomb, and Koh Taru.
Want to know how to differentiate a stone fish from other scorpionfish? Read this article!

eggs of a harlequin ghost pipe fish
eggs of a harlequin ghost pipe fish
stonefish in Hin Muang
Stonefish

As our expedition drew to a close, we spent Day 7 exploring the wonders of Koh Haa, including the Cathedral dive site where we witnessed a vibrant Nudi festival, showcasing a variety of nudibranch species. The Chimney dive site provided further excitement with its unique underwater formations.
​

On Day 8, our final day of diving, we visited Bida Nok and Shark Point, where we encountered an array of marine life, including blacktip sharks, sea snakes, cuttlefish, and a mesmerizing school of squid. As we bid farewell to the Andaman Sea, our hearts were filled with gratitude for the unforgettable experiences shared and the incredible diversity of marine life encountered during our expedition.
Cuttlefish in Thailand
Andaman Sea Moray eels
Unfortunately Franck, owner and onboard photographer wasn't onboard on this trip so I took the liberty to use some older photos to illustrate the article with what was seen this week. I hope you'll like this article and feel free to share it or leave us a comment below! Follow us for more fishy stories :)
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Trip Report: A short cruise around Richelieu Rock: 14th to 17th March 2024.

1/4/2024

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Our journey started in Ranong and we embarked upon the azure waters of the North Andaman Sea, promising a remarkable adventure for diving enthusiasts hailing from various corners of the globe. With passionate scuba divers from France, the USA, Thailand, England, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Uruguay, our diverse group united in pursuit of underwater marvels and unforgettable experiences.
This cruise was short, only 3 nights onboard, yet exhilarating! ​
diving liveaboard trip report north andaman Thailand surin and similan march 2024
Our destination for the first day? The famed Richelieu Rock, a gem nestled in the ocean, renowned as one of the top ten dive sites in the world and it sure delivered! As we approached, excitement rippled through the group, eager to explore the underwater wonders that awaited.
​

Richelieu Rock was on fire this week! From the moment we descended, it was evident that this submerged horseshoe-shaped rock was teeming with marine life. Schools of Longnosed Emperor, Bluefin Trevally, Bigeye Trevally, and Rainbow Runner gracefully danced around the pinnacle, hunting Glassfishes in a mesmerizing display of natural harmony. Big schools of Chevron Barracuda and Batfish captivated our attention on the north side, adding to the spectacle.
Macro enthusiasts were not disappointed either as Richelieu Rock presented a treasure trove of delights. Harlequin Shrimp, Ghost Pipefish, and Anemone Fish delighted sharp eyes and camera lenses! A delightful surprise awaited us as we stumbled upon a tiny baby seahorse nestled within a sea fan. They sure are hard to spot when they are that young!
Fun fact: Did you know that baby Tigertail Seahorses, like the one we spotted, are incredibly tiny at birth, measuring only about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) in length? Despite their small size, these miniature marvels possess all the distinctive features of their adult counterparts, including their signature striped appearance and prehensile tails.
ghostpipe fish in surin national park
school of snappers in richelieu rock thailand 2024
clark anemone fish tending to its eggs in thailand
tigertail seahorse juvenile richelieu rock march 2024
The following day found us at Koh Tachai, eagerly exploring its underwater pinnacle. Diving here felt akin to strolling through a botanical wonderland, with vibrant Hard Coral and Giant Gorgonians serving as the backdrop for a myriad of marine life. From Groupers of all hues to the colorful array of Surgeonfish, Parrotfish, and Butterflyfish, every corner revealed a new spectacle. Outside the reef, a massive school of Barracuda mesmerized us, while the discovery of Lobster nests added an extra layer of excitement to our dives.
diving with a moray eel in Similan islands
beautiful reefscape in thailand
But our adventures didn't end after our exhilarating reef dives as some of us decided to embark on a unique and mysterious experience for most, a Blackwater dive! Steering the boat westward until we had 100 meters of water beneath us, we prepared ourselves for extraordinary underwater encounters. As we descended into the dark offshore waters of the Indian ocean, we were greeted by a surreal world teeming with life. Squids, turnicates, and an array of juvenile fishes, including pufferfish, goatfish, flounders and trevalli adorned in shimmering costumes got us mesmerized and our strobe firing in the dark abyss. It was a truly enchanting and unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse into the lesser-known wonders of the ocean's wilderness.
blackwater diving liveaboard in thailand
diving the andaman sea offshore at night
blackwater diving thailand
coral spawning in thailand
andaman sea blackwater diving
thailand blackwater dive
As our expedition drew to a close, we ventured to Koh Bon for our final dives. What awaited us was nothing short of breathtaking. Descending to around 30 meters, we found ourselves amidst a mesmerizing scene—a colossal Marble Ray surrounded by a swirling vortex of Bigeye Trevally, with a Leopard Shark gracefully gliding by. It was a moment of pure awe, a reminder of why we pursue the depths—to witness nature's magnificence in its purest form.

Throughout our dives at Koh Bon, encounters with Requiem Sharks (still unsure about exact identification), alongside the ever-present Barracuda, Batfish, and Trevally, provided a thrilling conclusion to our expedition. Sightings of Banded Sea Snakes on the reef added to the list of wonders that permeated each dive.
tiger egg cowrie
fun group photo on a thai liveaboard in similan islands
Special congratulations are in order to Joom and Caroline for completing their Advanced Diver course, and to Antoine for achieving his Nitrox certification. Their dedication and passion for diving were truly commendable.
As we bid farewell to the Surin and Similan national parks, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our fellow adventurers whose camaraderie and spirit made this journey an unforgettable odyssey. Until our next underwater escapade, may the ocean continue to beckon, promising endless wonders for those willing to explore its depths.
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  • When & Where
    • Schedule and Prices
    • Destinations >
      • North Andaman Thailand >
        • Similan Islands
        • Surin Islands >
          • Richelieu Rock
        • The essential Underwater photo Guide to diving Thailand
      • South Andaman Thailand >
        • Phuket & Koh Phi Phi National Parks
        • Koh Lanta National Park
        • Koh Lipe and Tarutao National Park
      • Mergui Archipelago >
        • Liveaboard diving holiday in Myanmar
        • Burma's best dive sites
        • The Ultimate Underwater photo Guide to diving Burma
  • ABOUT
    • Our Boat >
      • DELICIOUS FOOD
    • Diving in Thailand in 2024-2025
    • Diving in Myanmar/Burma in 2024-2025
    • Blackwater diving in Thailand and Myannmar
    • Marine life in Thailand's Andaman Sea
    • Marine life in Mergui Archipelago
    • Dive Courses >
      • Learn to Dive
      • Continue diving education
      • Rescue diver
      • Professional Dive Courses
      • Hone your dive skills with a specialty course
      • Photo coaching in Thailand on the Smiling Seahorse
    • Guest Book
    • FAQ
  • Plan your trip
    • Our hotels recommendations
    • Khao Sok National Park
    • Taxi services >
      • Taxi services to and from Ranong
      • Taxi services to and from Phuket
      • Taxi services to Tap Lamu and Khao Lak
    • 10 things to do around Ranong
  • PROMO
    • HOT DEALS
    • Special Expeditions >
      • 8D Special Marine Bio with Gavin Miller - 10 Nov 2025
      • 8D Whale shark expedition - 20 March 2026 - North and South
  • gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Most popular posts