For this Whale Shark Expedition, we were thrilled to welcome aboard the M/V Smiling Seahorse a diverse group of divers from Romania, France, the USA, and Australia. Adding to the excitement, we were joined by Josh Johnson, a marine biologist specializing in whale shark conservation. Based in Koh Tao, Josh is a graduate of the University of Plymouth’s BSc Ocean Science and Marine Conservation program.

Josh shared fascinating insights into whale shark biology, ecology, and conservation:
“Although they are the largest fish in the world, they remain one of the least studied sharks globally, especially in Thai waters. With so much still to learn about them, it is crucial to explore new methods for monitoring their migration patterns and feeding hotspots. This allows us to implement the best conservation strategies to protect these gentle giants.”

Setting sail from Phuket on March 23rd, we first explored Koh Lanta National Park and Koh Tarutao National Park for three days before heading north to discover the wonders of the Similan and Surin National Parks. Each of these marine sanctuaries is a jewel of the Andaman Sea, boasting a unique blend of stunning underwater landscapes, thriving marine life, and vibrant coral ecosystems.
    •    Koh Lanta National Park is renowned for its dramatic limestone formations and rich marine biodiversity.
    •    Koh Tarutao, the largest national park in the Andaman, remains a pristine paradise with spectacular reefs and abundant pelagic life.
    •    The Similan Islands, world-famous for their breathtaking granite boulders and crystal-clear waters, offer incredible diving experiences with flourishing coral gardens and deep pinnacles.
    •    Surin National Park, home to the legendary Richelieu Rock, features one of Thailand’s most spectacular dive sites, teeming with marine life and a prime location for large pelagic encounters.

This unforgettable expedition combined breathtaking scenery, exceptional dives, and invaluable knowledge, leaving us all with a deeper appreciation for whale sharks and their conservation.

Our check dive at Koh Ha Lagoon provided a smooth and scenic introduction to the trip. Among the coral bommies, we spotted a perfectly camouflaged Ornate Ghost Pipefish, swaying gently with the current, while a curious Coral Grouper patrolled its reef territory. Schools of Yellowback Fusiliers darted through the water, accompanied by striking Emperor Angelfish, adding bursts of vibrant color to the scene.

In the afternoon and evening, we explored Hin Mueang and Hin Daeng, where the reefs were teeming with life. A Clown Frogfish, perfectly still and expertly blended into a sponge, caught our attention. Nearby, pairs of Ornate Ghost Pipefish hovered delicately in the water. Overhead, Red-Toothed Triggerfish swirled in mesmerizing formations, while Giant Trevallies patrolled the reef in search of prey. Schools of Rainbow Runners flashed by in unison, and among the hard corals, we admired a striking Peacock Grouper and a Blue-Barred Parrotfish lazily grazing.

​The morning began at Hin Paad Mile, where Giant Trevallies moved in synchronized schools, their silver bodies flashing as they sliced through the water. Beneath a coral ledge, a massive Potato Grouper rested, watching us with a slow, deliberate gaze. Around us, schools of Bengal Snappers and Blue-and-Gold Fusiliers shimmered, creating a breathtaking display of color and motion.

At Stonehenge, the highlight was a perfectly camouflaged Tigertail Seahorse, delicately gripping onto a sea fan. Nearby, an Indian Walkman lay in wait on the sand, its intricate fins blending seamlessly with the ocean floor.

Before crossing to the Similan Islands, we completed one last dive at Hin Mueang, where we revisited our Clown Frogfish and discovered a few new additions to the scene. Moorish Idols glided effortlessly above the reef, a school of Twinstripe Fusiliers darted between coral formations, and a well-camouflaged Bearded Scorpionfish lay hidden among the rocks, waiting patiently for unsuspecting prey.

Our dive at Shark Fin Reef welcomed us with a breathtaking spectacle of marine life—schools of Lunar Fusiliers swirled around us in a dazzling display, while Parrotfish crunched noisily on the reef, shaping the underwater landscape with every bite.

At West of Eden, we encountered a playful Octopus, shifting colors in a mesmerizing dance before our eyes. A Rock Mover Wrasse skillfully flipped coral rubble in search of hidden prey, while a Psychedelic Batwing Seaslug nestled discreetly in a crevice, adding a splash of vibrant color to the reef.

At Elephant Head Rock, the current carried us effortlessly past Giant Trevallies hunting in the blue, while a pair of Sweetlips hovered serenely beneath an overhang. In a sandy patch, a White Tip Reef Shark lay motionless, completely undisturbed by our presence.

We ended the day with a captivating night dive at Turtle Rock, where Basket Stars unfurled their intricate arms to feed, and Decorator Crabs, masterfully disguised with sponges and algae, scuttled stealthily across the seabed.

Xmas Point welcomed us with a vibrant display of reef life—from the dazzling flashes of Blue Striped Snappers to the sleek, steady glide of a Barracuda lurking in the distance.

At 3 Trees, a Blue Spotted Stingray lay half-buried in the sand, perfectly camouflaged, while a massive Potato Grouper loomed near the coral formations, surveying its domain.

Meanwhile, Koh Bon Pinnacle and West Ridge were alive with movement, as schools of Rainbow Runners and Longnosed Emperors wove effortlessly through the currents, creating a mesmerizing underwater ballet.

Returning to Koh Bon Pinnacle and West Ridge, we were greeted by Batfish, curiously circling around us, while Barracudas held their ground against the current.

Later, at Koh Tachai Pinnacle, we navigated through massive boulders draped in soft coral, discovering Lobsters tucked away in crevices, more Barracudas patrolling the reef, and a sleek Black Tip Reef Shark gliding effortlessly past—an exhilarating finale to an unforgettable dive.

Our final two days at Richelieu Rock were nothing short of spectacular. The site was teeming with life--Ornate Ghost Pipefish hovered gracefully among feather stars, Tigertail Seahorses clung to delicate sea whips, and Porcelain Crabs filtered plankton with meticulous precision. Banded Stick Pipefish wove through the reef, while Big Eye Trevallies and Giant Trevallies darted back and forth in a relentless hunting frenzy.

In the blue, schools of Barracudas hung motionless, suspended in perfect formation. We were mesmerized by a vast mixed school of Rainbow Runners, Emperors, and Big Eye Trevallies, moving in unison like a single, fluid entity. Red Snappers lurked near the coral formations, adding the final flourish to an already unforgettable experience.

As we sailed back to Ranong, the excitement and memories of the trip lingered among our group. The Whale Shark Expedition had given us not only breathtaking encounters with Thailand’s marine giants but also a deeper appreciation for the intricate beauty of the Andaman Sea’s underwater world.

Until next time, we carry with us the wonders of the deep and the hope for future encounters with the gentle giants we strive to protect.

Departing from Phuket, our international group of divers from the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, France, Sweden, Canada, and Austria embarked on an exciting journey through the northern Andaman Sea. Our itinerary took us through the spectacular dive sites of Similan National Park and Surin National Park, with the highlight dives at Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.

​Day 6: ​Returning to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, we enjoyed more encounters with their spectacular marine life. However, the real highlight of the day came during our third dive at Cathedral—as we explored its underwater caves, we were stunned to witness a rare blue marlin, a once-in-a-lifetime sighting!
Our final dive at Chimney took us through a dramatic vertical tunnel, where a pair of ghost pipefish greeted us at the exit.

The Andaman Sea is home to some of the most stunning underwater landscapes, and our journey into its heart took us to the renowned Similan and Surin National Parks. With their vibrant marine ecosystems and world-class dive sites, these destinations are a true diver's paradise.
Our guests this week was an energetic mix of adventurers from Germany, France, the UK, Australia, and Luxembourg. United by a shared passion for the ocean, we ventured into two Marine National Parks in the North Andaman, renowned for their vibrant marine life and spectacular underwater landscapes. 
​
The Similan Islands, whose name fittingly means "nine" in Malay, form a cluster of breathtaking isles. Just to the north, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai serve as gateways to Surin National Park, adding even more wonder to the experience. Departing from Khao Lak, this voyage promised a tapestry of unforgettable sights above and below the surface.

We started our adventure with a check dive at Honeymoon Bay (Island Number 4). The coral garden and pristine sandy bottom were teeming with marine life: moray eels, lionfish, peacock groupers, and an octopus made appearances, while Camille spotted a stunning comet longfins. Divers also encountered sealface pufferfish, gobies, butterflyfish, and the graceful humpback unicornfish.

Our second dive took us to West of Eden (Island Number 7), where we marvelled at a vibrant coral garden bustling with life. Juvenile rockmover wrasse danced in the sand, and blue-spotted pufferfish peeked out from coral crevices. Angelfish, snappers, fusiliers, surgeonfish, and tilefish were abundant, making this dive truly delightful.

For our third dive, we explored the iconic Elephant Head Rock, renowned for its massive boulders and swim-throughs. Highlights included a giant trevally, a blue-and-yellow ribbon eel, and colorful nudibranchs adorning the rocks. Divers also spotted parrotfish, triggerfish, and a playful school of bluefin trevally hunting glassfish.
​
The day concluded with a mesmerizing night dive at Turtle Rock, near Donald Duck Bay. Shrimps and crabs were out in abundance: banded boxer shrimp, marble shrimp, and Durban dancing shrimp stole the show. A giant moray eel stalking a snapper added an element of drama, while a tiger cowrie and an ornate spiny lobster rounded off our enchanting night.

We began the morning at Xmas Point, where one group was delighted to discover a pair of baby harlequin shrimps munching on a sea star while another group came across a white-tip shark swimming closeby and a curious octopus. Parrotfish and titan triggerfish also came for a quick glance as we explored this dynamic dive site.

Our second dive took us to Three Trees, where we encountered a playful hawksbill turtle and observed garden eels swaying gently in the sand. The highlights of this dive included potato groupers and Moorish idols, as well as blue-spotted rays gliding elegantly through the water.
​
Next, we made our way to Koh Bon Bay, where we were greeted by a school of platax (batfish). The spectacle was enhanced by the presence of lionfish, lobsters, and peacock mantis shrimps, along with yellow fusiliers and bluefin trevally darting through the reef.
We concluded the day with a dive at Koh Bon, which featured Andaman sweetlips, tapestry shrimp, and squat shrimps. An octopus made a memorable appearance, and we were particularly thrilled to spot the vibrant halgerda tessellata nudibranch, which was truly a special treat.

Some divers began their day at Koh Bon West Ridge, where Maldivian sponge snails, schools of fusiliers, triggerfish, batfish, and anemonefish were abundant. While others explored the deeper Koh Bon Pinnacle, which was equally rich in marine life.

For the second dive, we ventured to Koh Bon North Ridge and North Reef, enjoying remarkable visibility and sunlight streaming through the water. Divers spotted banded sea snakes, barracudas, lionfish, and baby fimbriated moray eels. Shrimp, including Durban dancers and boxing shrimp, added charm to the reef.
​
Dive three took us to Koh Tachai Pinnacle, where the light and visibility were breathtaking. Schools of fusiliers and snappers swarmed around the reef, while giant potato groupers and pufferfish lingered on the plateau. A school of batfish hovered near the walls, accompanied by octopuses and stunning sea fans.
The sunset dive at Koh Tachai Pinnacle featured no current and an abundance of marine life. Mackerel, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and schools of fusiliers swirled around the site. Potato groupers and a small yellow boxfish provided a perfect ending to the day.

The wind picked up as we made our way toward Surin National Park, prompting us to adjust our plans for safety. We began our adventure at Yellow Rock, located on the southern tip of South Surin Island. Although the visibility and current posed some challenges, our most determined divers were rewarded with sightings of a school of yellowtail barracuda, a massive school of yellow fusiliers, and a solitary humphead parrotfish.

Our second dive at Bungalow Rock, situated northwest of South Surin Island, offered calmer conditions and clearer waters. The underwater landscape was vibrant, featuring boulders teeming with life, including barracudas, sweetlips, shy potato groupers, and a giant moray eel that made this dive truly memorable.
​
The final two dives of the day took us to the legendary Richelieu Rock. Although the visibility wasn’t perfect, the site delivered its usual enchantment. Schools of yellowtail barracuda, pickhandle barracuda, trevally, rainbow runners, fusiliers, and snappers painted a mesmerizing underwater scene. The sight of cuttlefish laying eggs added to the excitement, while as the sun began to set, the waters came alive with activity as predators started their hunt.
After the sunset dive, we celebrated with a barbecue in the bay of the Surin Islands—a well-deserved feast for our hardworking divers.

The trip concluded with two final dives at Richelieu Rock, which once again showcased its incredible biodiversity. Schools of barracuda mingled with fusiliers and snappers, while longnose emperors prowled near the rock. Boxfish, trumpetfish, and blue-spotted boxfish were just a few of the vibrant reef inhabitants we encountered. Porcelain crabs, peacock mantis shrimps, and Durban dancing shrimps delighted macro enthusiasts.
​
With smiles on our faces and memories of breathtaking dives, we headed back toward Ranong, making a brief stop at Koh Payam to drop off some guests. This journey was truly unforgettable.

On the east side, we encountered the area’s famous great barracudas and batfish, pausing by the reef for cleaning. Meanwhile, the western side of Richelieu held surprises, from groupers stationed atop deep pinnacles covered with shimmering glass fish to countless reef species like parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish hiding within anemones. Our divers couldn’t get enough of the lively interactions between various shrimp, crabs, and the resident moray eels tucked within the rocky crevices.

The standout moment came during our final dive at Richelieu Rock. A tiny seahorse clung to a piece of rope at a depth of 29 meters, its delicate frame and vibrant colors creating a moment of awe. Seeing such a rare and graceful creature was the perfect way to cap off our exploration of Richelieu Rock, and it was our first seahorse sighting of the season!​

Here we are! The season has started again with an incredible start in the north Similan and Surin. First of all we were alone on Richelieu Rock for 7 consecutive dives due to bad weather conditions in Kao Lak and Phuket, forbidding other boats to leave the harbour.
- Truth is, up north it was fine and we didn't have to change our plans. We got 10 dives on RR!
Second, the highlight was not only 1 whale shark, that paid us a quick visit, but 2 different Mantas over 2 days!
Only 1 word comes to me... "WOW!!!!!"

For this first trip of the season we were pleased to share some fantastic dives with a small group of divers from the USA, Israel, and Austria and excited to welcome back Walter Marti, a wonderful videographer for some interesting sessions on Underwater Videography and how to make a stunning movie out of your next diving vacations... (His Video of the trip is coming soon and I can't wait to share it with you!)

On Day 2 and 3 of our diving expedition, we embarked on a thrilling journey between Koh Tachai and Koh Bon. Our first stop was the enchanting underwater pinnacle of Koh Tachai, a mesmerizing dive site teeming with diverse marine life nestled among an immense pile of granite boulders. Here, we encountered a myriad of fascinating creatures such as Surgeon Fish, schools of Batfish, chevron, and yellow tail barracudas, a big gang of lobsters, octopus, and giant groupers and another a majestic Black Tip Shark, came by a group of divers allowing us to marvel at this vibrant ecosystem in perfect conditions.
 
Upon reaching Koh Bon, we thoroughly explored the entire island, with one highlight being the bustling cleaning station near the North ridge where a school of Batfish gathered, providing a picturesque opportunity for our photographers to capture their captivating cleaning rituals.
 
Some of our boldest divers ventured towards the deep pinnacle of Koh Bon, their audacity rewarded by a breathtaking spectacle of 40 meters plus visibility unveiling the colossal pinnacle against a backdrop of white sand, with a magnificent school of Batfish gracefully gliding overhead.

During Days 4, 5, and 6 of our expedition, we dedicated our time to exploring the world-renowned dive site known as Richelieu Rock. This marine paradise exceeded all our expectations with its abundant marine life and captivating surprises. With its colorful soft corals and seafans and abundant marine life, it is the perfect spot for wide angle photography.
 
Upon our descent, we were greeted by the familiar residents of Richelieu Rock. A bustling congregation of Longnose Emperors, Jackfish, and Rainbow Runners formed a dynamic community that encircled the rock, engaging in energetic hunts that mesmerized us throughout our dives. These majestic creatures effortlessly swam around us, showcasing their dominance in every direction we looked.
 
As we meandered through the hidden nooks of Richelieu Rock, we encountered the regal Great Barracudas and graceful Batfish gracefully navigating the waters. Their presence added an ethereal charm to the underwater landscape, whether they were on the move or pausing for a cleansing session near the reef.
 
Venturing to the east side of the rock revealed a realm ruled by groupers perched atop towering pillars, teeming with a myriad of glass fish. The vibrantly coloured Parrotfish, serene Angelfish, and playful Clownfish danced amidst millions of shrimps and crabs, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Furthermore, the cracks and crevices of the reef harboured various species of Moray Eels, peacefully resting and observing the bustling underwater world around them. Not to forget the rivers of yellow snappers covering the inside of this word famous horseshoe!
 
Our time at Richelieu Rock was an unforgettable immersion into a vibrant ecosystem where every corner revealed a new wonder, making it a truly remarkable diving experience.

It was also great to welcome Mike Bartick onboard for the very first time! Who got more lucky than Franck capturing the graceful Whale Shark passing us by!

Mike is an award-winning photographer we've been following from afar since we discovered Blackwater diving. Based in Anilao, Philippines, he’s pioneered blackwater diving and leads many workshops each year around the globe. We’re thrilled to have him on board next week to lead our first underwater photography and blackwater Workshop in the Burma Banks!

With sharks by day and blackwater dives by night, we’re sure to capture some unforgettable moments.
​Stay tuned for photos and trip updates!

Congratulation to Michael on completing his Nitrox course with us and big thank you to everyone on board who make this trip so special. We are very happy to have five of you back onboard tomorrow for the next trip in Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks can’t wait!