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Trip Report: photo & video expedition from 5th to 9th November 2023

21/11/2023

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Welcome on board for this special photo and video expedition. The guests are coming from America, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Brazil. We are honored to have Mr. Walter Marti (a very talented underwater videographer) with us on board. During this trip, Walter and Franck shared their knowledge with our guests to improve underwater video and photos.
Here are a few photos from our guests. We are super proud of their results! Well done everyone!    
Blotched marble ray
sea star on coral reef
Porcelain crab in anemone
chevron barracudas
harlequin shrimp
Underwater fall
Credit picture by Robert Vogt 
A massive blotched stingray was encountered in Similan National Park. The reef was full of life in Richelieu Rock, with schooling  barracudas, harlequin shrimps, and super fishy all around.   
Clownfish portrait
Moray portrait
Clownfish in anemone
Credit picture by Merry-Jane Wolborsky 
From left to right: A clark anemone fish portrait, white eye moray eel sharing home with a Fibrillated moray and a clown fish home!
Longfin batfish in Similan national park
Longfin batfish in Similan national park. Credit picture by Linda Blanchard
Small tooth emperor
Longfin batfish
Chevron barracudas
trevaly with curtain of glass fish
Redcoat squirrel fish
Beautiful coral reef in Koh Bon
Small tooth emperor hunting with Bluefin trevally, two batfishes, school of chevron barracuda, huge school of trevally with curtain of glass fish, colourful reef with Redcoat squirrel fish at Richelieu Rock and our dear friend Julien enjoy sidemount diving!
Cute nudibranche in North Andaman
tiger egg cowry
Arlequin schrimp in Richelieu Rock
Giant seafan in Richelieu Rock
Some nice nudibranches, tiger egg cowry, harlequin shrimps in Richelieu Rock and giant seafan in Koh Bon pinacle.
Longnosed emperor passing by a school of chevron barracuda.
Longnosed emperor passing by a school of chevron barracuda.
Pelagic anemone
Baby mory eel
Baby emperor fish
Flyfish
Blackwater diving was epic with a curious flying fish coming into our lights. You can also see above a pelagic anemone, a larval moray eel (pretty hard shot to get sharp!), se butterfly and triggerfish...
A big thank you to our guest that make this amazing trip possible
A big thank you to all our guests for making this trip amazing.
Congratulation to Aline for her Advanced Open Wate and Nitrox certifications and to Corrine her Nitrox certification! 
And a big thank you goes out to Walter for coming over, we look forward to the next photo and Video expedition with you next season!

Walter Marty's video of the cruise

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The Colorful World of the Peacock Mantis Shrimp

25/10/2023

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If you've never heard of the peacock mantis shrimp, you're in for a real treat! These striking and enigmatic creatures are like the rock stars of the ocean, and they go by the scientific name Odontodactylus scyllarus. Let's dive into their vibrant world and uncover the answers to some of the most burning questions about these incredible marine marvel...
Before we get into the fun facts, let's give credit where it's due: the Latin name. Odontodactylus scyllarus may sound like a mouthful, but when you break it down, it makes sense. "Odontodactylus" translates to "toothed finger," and "scyllarus" is a reference to the Scylla, a sea monster from Greek mythology. So, in a way, the scientific name hints at the mantis shrimp's formidable appendages and its mythical aura.
Odontodactylus scyllarus
Peacock mantis shrimp in Surin Islands
In the world of marine biology, peacock mantis shrimp are the embodiment of beauty, strength, and mystery. Their striking appearance, lightning-fast strikes, and superhuman vision make them a true wonder of the ocean. The more you learn about them, the more you'll realize that there's never a dull moment in the colorful world of the peacock mantis shrimp.
So, the next time you think of oceanic wonders, don't forget to give these marine rock stars the attention they truly deserve! Whether you're a marine enthusiast or simply curious about the wonders of the seas, the peacock mantis shrimp never fails to captivate and astonish with its kaleidoscope of colours and extraordinary abilities.

4 incredible fun facts about the peacock mantis shrimps!

** Mantis Shrimp ​Fun Fact #1: The Peacock of the Sea**

The peacock mantis shrimp earns its dazzling nickname due to its vibrant and iridescent coloration. These marine gems come in a range of spectacular shades, including vibrant greens, blues, and fiery reds. Their bodies are adorned with intricate patterns, making them a true art piece. 
** Mantis Shrimp ​Fun Fact #2: Super Smashers of the Ocean**

Peacock mantis shrimp are not just pretty. They are ferocious predators with a pair of specialised front limbs that can strike with the speed of a bullet! Their clubs can deliver blows with the force of a .22 caliber bullet, and they use this power to break open the shells of prey like crabs and snails they love. The mantis shrimp's hunting prowess is so legendary that it's even been known to break aquarium glass. It's not a pet you'd want to mess with!
Curious mantis shrimp in Koh Lanta National Park
Curious mantis shrimp in Koh Lanta National Park
Peakock mantis shrimp and amazing coral reef
Peakock mantis shrimp and amazing coral reef
** Mantis Shrimp Fun Fact #3: Color Vision Extraordinaire**

Mantis shrimp vision is the stuff of science fiction. While we humans have three color receptors, these oceanic superheroes have sixteen! They can see polarized light, ultraviolet, and colors that are beyond our comprehension. This super-vision helps them spot prey, predators, and mates with astonishing clarity.
** Mantis Shrimp Fun Fact #4: Mantis Shrimps are Neither Mantis, nor Shrimp

​While the name "mantis shrimp" might suggest a curious fusion of a praying mantis and a shrimp, they're neither related to mantises nor actual shrimp. These captivating creatures belong to the stomatopod family, a group of marine crustaceans that have evolved into a unique and independent branch of the evolutionary tree. So, the next time you're pondering their peculiar moniker, just remember that mantis shrimps are in a league of their own, defying conventional categories in the animal kingdom.

An interesting life cycle

Mantis shrimp have a fascinating life cycle. Fertilized eggs are attached to specialized swimmerets on the female's abdomen using a sticky secretion. The female protects and fans the eggs, ensuring oxygen circulation and preventing the growth of harmful fungi or bacteria during the incubation period, which lasts several weeks.
Once ready to hatch, the female releases the eggs into the water, where they become tiny larvae known as nauplii. These larvae go through multiple developmental stages, feeding on plankton and small organisms until they reach maturity, just like other crustaceans. We can see them very regularily on our blackwater dives. After reaching maturity, they settle on the reef.
Larval Mantis Shrimp on blackwater dive
Baby mantis shrimp on blackwater dive
Very small larval mantis shrimp on blackwater dive
This alien face is a larval mantis shrimp
Blackwater diving, larval mantis shrimp
This little alien will become a beautiful mantis shrimp

Smasher vs Spearer Mantis Shrimp

The raptorial appendages of the mantis shrimp have different shapes depending on the species. Some have claw-like appendages known as "spearers," while others have appendages that resemble hammers, giving rise to the name "smashers."
The peacock mantis shrimps are "smashers" and are particularly fascinating because they can strike with a force greater than most other animals, despite their relatively small size.  It is believed that this incredible punching ability is a result of the mantis shrimp's unique muscle structure, which combines spring-like mechanisms with a locking mechanism to store and release energy rapidly.
Below are a few photos of Spearing Mantis Shrimp
(Lysiosquilla maculata). They are much lighter in colour and live in a vertical burrow in the sand, while peacock mantis shrimp prefers rocky areas on the reef.
eyes of a spearing mantis shrimp
eyes of a spearing mantis shrimp
eyes of a spearing mantis shrimp
Mantis shrimp camouflaged on the coral reel
spearing mantis shrimp
Well camouflaged spearing mantis shrimp
Mantis shrimp well camouflaged in the sand
spearing mantis shrimp eyes
Mantis shrimp in the sand

​Now, let's answer some of the most common questions people ask about peacock mantis shrimp:

**1. Can peacock mantis shrimp see more colors than humans?**
  • Humans have three color receptors (red, green, and blue cones), allowing us to perceive a wide range of colours.
  • Peacock mantis shrimp have an astonishing sixteen (or more) colour receptors, enabling them to see colours beyond human comprehension, including ultraviolet light and polarized light.
  • In the underwater realm, the peacock mantis shrimp's eyes are a true anomaly. Their ability to see a rainbow of colors and polarized light sets them apart as one of the ocean's most visually gifted inhabitants. In comparaison, horses or dogs, are called dichromatic, meaning they have two primary color receptors or cones in their eyes. Less than humans and much much less than Mantis Shrimps!
Another great Frank's shot of a peakock mantis shrimp
Supersonic Vision!
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Bullet fast punch!
**2. How fast is the peacock mantis shrimp's punch?**

The peacock mantis shrimp has one of the most powerful and fastest punches in the animal kingdom. It possesses specialized appendages called "raptorial appendages" that it uses to strike its prey. These appendages, also known as "smashers," are highly dexterous and possess incredible strength.
When a peacock mantis shrimp strikes, it accelerates its "hammer like appendage" at an astonishing speed of 23 meters per second. This unbelievable speed generates an impressive amount of force, with some estimates suggesting that it can exert up to 1,500 Newtons, which is equivalent to a bullet being fired from a .22 caliber rifle!
**3. Are peacock mantis shrimp dangerous to humans?**

While their punch can shatter shells and glass, mantis shrimps aren't a threat to humans. However, it's wise not to bring your fingers too close to their powerful hammers!!!
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**4. How do peacock mantis shrimp communicate with each other?**

These mantis shrimp often use a combination of visual signals and body language for communication. They display various color patterns and postures to convey information about their intentions, such as territorial disputes or courtship rituals.
**5. What are some interesting behaviors of peacock mantis shrimp?**

Peacock mantis shrimp are known for their meticulous burrowing behavior. They construct intricate burrows with multiple chambers, which serve as both protection and a place to ambush unsuspecting prey. They are also quite territorial and will fiercely defend their burrows.
**6. Can peacock mantis shrimp regenerate their limbs?**

Yes, peacock mantis shrimp have a remarkable ability to regenerate their limbs if they get injured or lose one during battles or accidents. Their powerful resilience is another testament to their extraordinary adaptations.
**7. Where can you find peacock mantis shrimp in the wild?**

Peacock mantis shrimp inhabit the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in the tropical coral reefs. You can often spot them in rocky crevices and burrows along the seafloor. While amazing and incredible creatures, Mantis shrimps are not rare in our dives and and our guides see them on every single one of our Andaman Sea adventures.

Wanna know more about the Marine Life of the Andaman Sea? Check out this page for reference!
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Trip report from North - South Andaman 25 April - 2 May 2023

30/6/2023

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Trip report from North - South Andaman 25 April - 2 May 2023
Guests: America, China, Switzerland, Taiwan, Andorra, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Germany.
Our North and South Andaman cruise embarked on a week-long journey filled with exploration, adventure, and a delightful mix of guests from around the globe. From April 25th to May 2nd, 2023, we set sail from Tap Lamu pier, eager to uncover the captivating underwater wonders that awaited us.
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Surrounded by an international camaraderie, we began our expedition with a remarkable start. The first day brought us to the renowned Surin National Park, where the marine world welcomed us with open arms. Delving into the turquoise waters, we were greeted by the mesmerizing sight of Kulh's stingrays gliding gracefully across the sandy seabed. The garden eels and vibrant fish added to the vibrant tapestry of marine life. With exceptional visibility, the underwater realm unfolded before our eyes, revealing its true magnificence.
Whirlwind of Fish on the Reef
Whirlwind of Fish on the Reef
Diver with a giant seafan
Diver with a giant seafan
Next on our itinerary was the legendary Richelieu Rock, a destination that left us in awe. This submerged pinnacle proved to be a cornucopia of marine diversity. As we descended into its depths, we were surrounded by an abundance of life. Schools of fish in all shapes, sizes, and colors, ghost pipefishes hiding among the soft and hard corals, and the regal presence of Harlequin Shrimps captivated our senses. Everywhere we turned, glass fishes twinkled in the sunlight, creating an ethereal spectacle that will forever be etched in our memories.
Then beautiful and eccentric ribbon eel
Then beautiful and eccentric ribbon eel
School of Yellow Snapper
School of Yellow Snapper
 ornate ghost pipefish
Ornate ghost pipefish
To our esteemed guests, we hope you thoroughly enjoyed the trip and experienced unforgettable moments. Your presence and enthusiasm added an extra layer of joy to our adventure. We extend our sincere gratitude to each of you for choosing The Smiling Seahorse as your gateway to the wonders of the Andaman Sea.
Goby on moon coral
Goby on moon coral
The beautiful and cruel Harlequin shrimp
The beautiful and cruel Harlequin shrimp
Continuing our journey south through the archipelago, we arrived at the Similan National Park. The second day was spent exploring the vibrant dive sites of Koh Tachai and Koh Bon followed by the wonders of Three Trees, Elephant Head Rock, and West of Eden, treating us to four exhilarating dives, including an enchanting night dive.

​Our encounters with turtles, lobsters, barracudas, trevallies, fusiliers, and the delicate beauty of Spanish dancer eggs added to the tapestry of marine life we witnessed.
The blackwater dive that night added an extra touch of intrigue, revealing the mysterious creatures that inhabit the depths of the sea.
Cute baby fish in blackwater dive
Cute baby fish in blackwater dive
Baby squid in blackwater dive
Baby squid in blackwater dive
The following days we crossed over to the South Andaman Sea starting with Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. These dive sites in the Koh Lanta National Park offered a different perspective, emphasizing macro marvels and showcasing a plethora of nudibranchs and crustaceans as well as a cool albeit grumpy Stone fish. The rich biodiversity hidden within the coral reefs was a testament to the delicate balance of nature.
Thecacera pacifica AKA PikachuPicture
Thecacera pacifica AKA Pikachu
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As we ventured further, the stunning coral reefs of Tarutao National Park near the pretty Koh Lipe island captivated our senses. The impressive underwater landscapes dazzled us, offering glimpses into a thriving marine ecosystem.
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Our journey culminated in the enchanting Phi Phi Islands and Shark Point. Here, we encountered the graceful blacktip reef sharks, alongside a multitude of beautiful nudibranchs and flatworms. The marine life surrounding us was a testament to the splendor and diversity that the Andaman Sea has to offer.
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Cleaner Shrimp close Urocaridella antonbruunii
Cleaner Shrimp close Urocaridella antonbruunii
We split ways in Phuket with hearts full of gratitude, reminiscing about the extraordinary marine encounters and the shared moments of awe and wonder. To our esteemed guests, we express our deepest appreciation for joining us on this extraordinary adventure. The memories we have created together will forever be treasured.

We hope you all enjoyed the trip and had an amazing time with us.
Thank you for choosing The Smilling Seahorse! 
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Trip report North Andaman from 4th to 8th April 2023

29/5/2023

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Welcome aboard, fellow underwater explorers!

We had another fantastic cruise this week with a very international crowd onboard! Divers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, America, and Switzerland. We were like the United Nations of scuba diving, ready to conquer the Andaman Sea!

Fish bank on the reef
Trevallies bank
A fishy and amazing dive!
Our journey started in Surin National Park, where we were greeted with crystal clear water and an underwater playground that would make even Ariel jealous. We saw schools of colourful fish, and Richelieu Rock felt like we were in our very own Finding Nemo movie. We navigated overnight towards Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, and boy, were we in for a treat!
The cruise always begin by a little ceremony
The cruise always begin by a little ceremony
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We met 2 oceanic manta rays about 4 meters wide and big blotched fantail ray about 1,5 meters large!

Koh Tachai, also known as "The Island That Time Forgot," is closed to tourists since 2018 to allow the island's coral reefs to regenerate. Luckily for us, we are still allowed to dive around the corner on Koh Tachai Pinnacle, which was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! We saw more marine life than we ever could have imagined and a cute hawkbill turtle came by to say hello! . This time we were part of a National Geographic documentary :)

Koh Bon was our next stop, and it didn't disappoint. We saw oceanic manta rays, and it was like they were putting on a show just for us. It was like watching ballet, but instead of ballerinas, we had these majestic creatures. The dive site was so beautiful that even the fish were taking selfies :)
Koh Bon is the best dive site in Thailand to see Manta rays. Current here can be mild to strong, and this should be taken into account by your guide when selecting the entry and exit point for your dive. There are actually 2 main dive sites here: Koh Bon Pinnacle and the
 ridge at the West of Koh Bon. This is a well known cleaning station where mantas are often spotted gliding slowly in the current...
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This ray was so big!!!
Beautiful Manta ray in the blue
Yet this one was bigger!!! :)
We also did the Backwater dive that night, and it was like we were in a scene from Alice in Wonderland. We saw pelagic snail, day octopus, paper nautiluses, and other creatures that we didn't even know existed. It was like diving into a fantasy world. 
Wonderful baby nautilus
Paper nautilus
Baby octopus
Baby squid in the salp
Another cute baby alien
Cute fish in salp
Our diving adventure took us to Similan National park and Racha Noi next one our way back to Phuket and what a dream come true. We saw everything from Kuhl's stingray, big schools of barracuda, nudibranch, and even wipe coral shrimp. 

The Similan Islands have been made famous for the wealth of their coral reefs teeming with wildlife and usually great diving conditions it is rare to have bad visibility here and both divers and snorkelers can see a number of marine species and brids more diverse than anywhere else. The beach stop are not to shabby either!
Barracudas explosion!
Zanzibar shrimp
We want to thank our international group for choosing The Smiling Seahorse to explore the Andaman Sea. We hope you had a wonderful trip with us and that you have a safe journey back home. We can't wait to see you again because you are now part of our diving family. Keep calm and dive on!
Beautiful moon, beautiful mood!
HAPPY! On the MV Smiling Seahorse
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Trip report North Andaman from the 12th to 17th of March

13/4/2023

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Our guests this week came from France, Austria, Germany and switzerland to dive with us, and we had a blast!

First day of diving, we were at Surin National Park and it was incredible! We saw some reef sharks and a lot of school of fishes.
​The Surin Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะสุรินทร์, Thai pronunciation: [mùː kɔ̀ʔ sùrin]) is an archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea, 60 km from the Thai mainland. Administratively, the islands are part of Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Khura Buri District, in Phang Nga Province, Thailand.
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The following days we were at Similan National Park. The visibility was good about 20 meters +.
The Similan Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะสิมิลัน, RTGS: Mu Ko Similan, Thai pronunciation: [mùː kɔ̀ʔ si.mi.lan]) is an archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the coast of, and part of, Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand. It was established as Mu Ko Similan National Park in 1982 by the forestry department.

​We saw a group of long nose emperors, group of blue fin trevally, big eye trevally, fusiliers, glass fish everywhere, a group of banner fish, and much more.
School of long nose emperors hunting
School of long nose emperors hunting
School of Travally
School of Travally
For the first dive and the sunset dive, there always have a lot of action. It's the time that all the fishes come out and feed themselves and the dive will always make you think that you are in the heaven (surrounded by tons of fish).
Koh Bon
Koh Bon
Happy divers onboard The Smiling Seahorse
Happy divers onboard The Smiling Seahorse
This trip was amazing, the diving itself, the food, and we’re trying our best to take an excellent service to make our guests have the most wonderful vacation with us… MV The Smiling Seahorse.

Thank you for choosing us.

Hope you all had a good one.

Cheers!!
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Whale sharks expedition, 04th to 12th February 2023

20/2/2023

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This week marked our third collaboration with Thai Whale Sharks, as we welcomed Marine Biologist and the founder of the project, Kirsty Magson onboard for 8 days of diving as we explored the north and south Andaman on the lookout for the world’s biggest fish. Kirsty delivered daily lectures on all things' shark as she educated guests on Whale Shark Ecology, Shark Biology, Threats to Sharks, Ecotourism, Whale Shark Conservation, Whale Shark Feeding and the Process behind Whale Shark ID. The trip was built around dive sites that offered the best chance to spot some of these gentle giants, so a lot of time was spent looking in the blue, but how did we get on?
The sunset and...
The sunset and...
the moon...
the moon...
Departing from Phuket the first stop on the agenda was Koh Haa and Lanta National Park to dive Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. Theses dive sites famous for the Dendronepthya soft corals which give these sites their names offered a lot of very fishy encounters as we were surrounded by schooling jacks, emperor fish and some were lucky enough to find 2 stone fish relaxing on the reef. Unfortunately, no signs of anything big in the blue this day but we did encounter some very large sea hares (Dolabella auricularia).
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dive sites were super fishy
Barracuda's school
Barracuda's school
barrel sponge seascape
school of emperors
Day 2 and 3, we headed to Tarutao National Park, for dives sites such as steps, 8 miles Rock and of course Stonehenge. These 2 days provided us with Frogfish, seahorses, cat sharks, sea slugs, a wide array of hard and soft coral diversity and even a quick hello from another of the gentle giants, the Manta Ray (unfortunately not in front of Franck's lense so no photo...)
Large sea hares (Dolabella auricularia)Flounder perfectly hiding on the sand
Day 4 marked our return to Koh Haa but this time we explored the Cathedral (the perfect place for a photo op) and Chimney before a sunset dive at Shark Point on the lookout for the Leopard Sharks (also called zebra shark). 

Diving South Andaman Thailand
Cathedral, Koh Ha, South Andaman
Koh Ha, South Andaman
Koh Ha, South Andaman
Cute and beautiful... the Zebra shark!Cute and beautiful... Leopard aka Zebra shark!
Across the groups we encountered not 1, not 2 but 3 zebra sharks, so there were many happy faces upon the return to the boat.

leopard shark in thailand 2023
Zebra shark thailand phuket diving
Day 5 and we headed North to the Similans to explore Shark Fin Reef, Elephant Head and Three Trees. Octopus and Ribbon Eels were high on everyone’s list of must-see animals. The Similans also provided an opportunity to jump off the boat and feel sand between our toes as we headed to the beach at…….. and the chance of an encounter with the Nicobar Pigeon. We ended the day with a sunset dive at Koh Bon and a blackwater dive, the first for many aboard (and most certainly not the last) with snake blennies, paper nautilus and so much more being seen.
The next day brought us to Koh Taa Chai, encounters with Black Tip and White Tip Reef Sharks as well as Eagle Rays and the school of Barracuda made for some amazing diving.
Snake blennie
Snake blennie
Baby boxfish
Baby boxfish
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Paper nautilus
Paper nautilus
Day 7 and it was off to Richelieu Rock for 4 dives, and what a day we picked. Conditions were incredible with amazing visibility, low currents and of course some of the best diving in Thailand. The schools of jacks, glass fish, rainbow runners and emperor fish meant there was activity all through the water column and closer to the ground, we found Harlequin Shrimp, Seahorses, Sea Slugs, Peacock Mantis Shrimp and more.
Wonderful Arlequin shrimp on her prey
Wonderful Arlequin shrimp on her prey
Cute Pikachu nudi!
Cute Pikachu nudi!
A cowrie shell in the light...
A cowrie shell in the light...
Beautiful porcelain crab on anemone
Beautiful porcelain crab on anemone
To round off the trip, we ended with 2 dives on the Boonsung Wreck ahead of landing in Khao Lak. The wreck was destroyed in the tsunami, but offers a wide array of marine life living in all the nooks and crannies that can be found. Cat sharks, sea slugs, cuttlefish, and the honeycomb moray eel were favorites of the day and a great way to round off the trip.
Whilst we weren’t lucky enough to encounter any whale sharks on this trip, we were fortunate to enjoy some incredible diving with some amazing marine life. So, until our next adventure, thanks for reading. 
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Diver's love...
Love for the Ocean!
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So happy to dive with The Smiling Seahorse!
So happy diving with you all on The Smiling Seahorse!

Our special whale sharks in 2024:

Wanna learn something new from Kistry on our next Whale shark and marine bio expedition?! 
​Save the date for the next edition!
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Trip report : Citizen science research trip in North Andaman from 23rd to 29th of November 2022

1/12/2022

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Special trip for special guests coming from Israel, Malaysia, Canada, China, Hong Kong and Thailand. Diving with us and conduct some research on the reef, to understand more about the cleaning stations and the different coral species interactions.
Reef survey
Settled down some cameras
Reef survey
Reef survey
Teira batfish
Teira batfish
One of the main goal of this trip was to locate a cleaning station, we settled down some cameras where we found loads of cleaner wrasse, and leave them during our surface interval, hoping to capture some pelagic images when no divers are diving on the site.
Moray eel
Giant Moray
sea fan
Beautiful Sea fan garden
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish
Amazing day in Richelieu, dive site is always full of life and specials encounters.
Franck managed to capture on a picture the egg of the clown fish around the anemone, Ghostpipefish, seahorse and the most wanted harlequin shrimps.
Clownfish protecting the eggs on the anemone
Clownfish protecting the eggs on the anemone
Diving in the Similan National Park for the next 4 days, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and the Similan islands number 7 to 9 were our research field. While the divers examine the reef, we were lucky to see some sharks and rays in the blue and some beautiful Nudibranchia on the reef.
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Snappers
Psychedelic batwing slug nudibranchia
Psychedelic batwing slug
Sea anemones
Sea anemones
Miamira sinuata and Netted Miamira nudibranchia
Miamira sinuata and Netted Miamira nudibranchia
crown of thorns starfish
Crown of Thorns starfish
Halgerda tessellata nudibranchia
Halgerda tessellata
It has been a fascinating trip, the surface interval was busy with some presentation on the different species of coral, their threats and some ecological solution to save our reef !
Happy guests onboard The Smiling Seahorse
Happy guests onboard The Smiling Seahorse
Dedication for the special shrimp we found and were so happy to discover for the first time in the archipelago..... the..... hairy..... shrimp ! Well done Camille !
Hairy Shrimp -Pphycocaris Simulan
Hairy Shrimp -Pphycocaris Simulan
Thanks to all of you for being part of the cruise, hope you enjoyed your time with us and wish to see you again soon on board of the MV Smiling Sea Horse.
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    ​The Smiling Seahorse has been running dive cruises from Ranong since 2012.
    Our team of instructors are reporting with a short blogpost after every trip.
    Camille, Franck and some guest writers also contribute during the off season writing on various topics.
    Keep tuned for more fishy stories :)
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The Smiling Seahorse

170 Ruangrat Rd, Tambon khao nivet, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong 85000​
Phone: +66860110614​
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