Day 1: First Encounters... Check Dive at High Rock
Dive 2 at Ba wei, aka Rainbow Rock
True to its name, Rainbow Rock boasted a colorful display of soft corals in yellow, blue, pink, white, and red. The reef was bustling with Durban dancing shrimps, baby yellow boxfish, and giant moray eels lurking in the shadows. Crabs, both juvenile and adult scorpionfish, and the striking chromodoris annulata nudibranch added to the spectacle. Among the angelfish, a beautiful ring angelfish made a rare appearance.
Dive 3 at South Twin
This dive site delivered with a fantastic variety of marine life. Banded stick pipefish hovered near the bottom, while blue dragons and chromodoris annulata nudibranchs decorated the reef. A school of dusky batfish moved in synchrony, and an impressive Maldivian sponge snail was spotted near a cluster of sea fans. The biggest excitement came when a grey reef shark cruised by, adding a touch of adrenaline to the dive.
Night Dive
Under the cover of darkness, the reef transformed. Cleaning partner shrimps tended to their clients, while a devil scorpionfish lay in wait. Decorated crabs in shades of yellow and pink scuttled across the seabed, alongside red coral crabs and the striking blue dragon nudibranch.
Day 2: Black Rock Spectacle Black Rock – The Jewel of the North
The day's dives at Black Rock did not disappoint. We swam alongside a massive school of bigeye jacks and yellowtail barracuda. Juvenile yellow spot fusiliers darted between the coral-covered slopes, while mantis shrimps and porcelain crabs found refuge in crevices. Nudibranch enthusiasts were thrilled with sightings of chromodoris annulata and chromodoris risbecia pulchella. The grand spectacle of the day came when an oceanic manta ray gracefully soared above us, followed closely by a giant white frogfish resting on a ledge. Other highlights included an octopus displaying its camouflage skills, a juvenile African pompano, and a lurking cobia.
Blackwater Dive
Venturing into the darkness, we encountered ghostly planktonic creatures—larvae of flounder, sea butterflies, shrimps, and free-swimming larvaceans, creating an ethereal underwater experience.
Day 3: Three Islets – A Macro Wonderland Square Roc
Shark Cave
A site known for its vibrant marine life, Shark Cave was teeming with schools of juvenile pickhandle barracuda and a massive congregation of blue-and-gold fusiliers. Pharaoh cuttlefish engaged in mesmerizing mating displays, shifting colors right before our eyes. A banded krait sea snake glided through the coral, while chromodoris annulata nudibranchs lined the rock walls. Adding to the excitement, a pregnant giant pufferfish hovered near a coral outcrop.
Submarine Reef
Stonefish expertly blended into the reef, while trevallies and rainbow runners dashed across the blue. A giant titan triggerfish patrolled the area, and decorated sea urchins provided shelter for small reef critters. A massive school of yellow snappers blanketed the site, making for an unforgettable dive.
Shark Cave (Night Dive)
This nocturnal dive revealed an array of decorated crabs, Durban dancing shrimps, and baby slipper lobsters. A basket star shrimp hid among the reef, and we even spotted a ghostly wahoo passing by in the distance.
Day 4 & 5: Sea Fan Forest & Western Rocky – Conservation Efforts Sea Fan Forest
Western Rocky– The Cave
This legendary site, featuring a tunnel cutting through the island, offered sightings of moray eels, fusiliers, and lurking stonefish. A surprise encounter with a giant red frogfish at the safety stop made for a memorable end to the day.
Eagle Rock
Sunset diving here brought sightings of octopuses posing for cameras, baby lobsters, Maldivian sponge snails, and marble shrimps.
Day 6: Dendro’s Peak – The Grand Final
As we made our way back to Kawthung, we celebrated with the traditional Burmese beer before returning to Ranong, reminiscing about the unforgettable encounters of the past week. Until next time, Burma!
Another unforgettable adventure with the MV Smiling Seahorse!