One of the highlights of our dives was encountering the serene and magnificent nurse sharks, a sight that left us in awe. We were fortunate to witness numerous Nurse sharks during our time exploring this underwater paradise. Additionally, the waters were alive with large schools of surgeonfish, majestic Napoleons, formidable giant trevallies, sleek snappers, and the most impressive school of fusiliers one could imagine. It was a truly unforgettable experience for everyone on board.
The Burma banks are surrounded by very deep water with no reef westward before the indian Andaman islands which make them such a perfect spot to meet pelagic critters on our Blackwater dives! The highligh of the week was certainly meeting this rare cuskeel. This photo shows it fromt he front and the first photo of the article shows it side. What a wonderful specimen!!! But this cool fish was not alone in the water, we got some very productive blackwater dives with plenty of photogenic crustaceans, fish larvaes, sea angels and even a coral polyp larva. Did you know these were having a pelagic life before settling down to create the reefs as we know them?! |
Our exploration then led us to The Cave of Western Rocky, where we encountered the usual array of beautiful nudibranches, shrimps, and crabs. However, the true highlight was the unexpected appearance of a massive Marble Ray at the far end of the cave, leaving us in awe of nature's wonders. A beautiful clown Frogfish was also waiting for us on the other side of the cave close to a pair of Harlequin shrimps!
Further dives around Eagle Rock and The Islets revealed the underwater splendor of the archipelago, with remarkable visibility allowing us to marvel at schools of yellow fin barracuda and trevallies cruising through the pristine waters. It was a truly unforgettable experience, with each dive unveiling a new and exciting facet of this incredible marine world.
Our last dive took us to the breathtaking lagoon of Volcano Island, where we embarked on a unique diving experience. Beginning with a tranquil descent into the shallow waters, we eventually surfaced within the confines of the island itself. Here, surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature, we were enveloped in a sense of serenity and harmony, punctuated only by the melodic sounds of native birdlife. It was a fitting conclusion to our underwater journey, offering a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility to carry with us as cherished memories.