Similan Islands to Richelieu Rock: An Epic Final Thailand Cruise of the Season
Embarking on our last Thailand cruise of the season, we left Tap Lamu Pier, near Khao Lak, on 21 April. We were thrilled to welcome aboard a diverse group of passionate divers from across the globe, with adventurers from Australia, Hawaii, and a delightful group of 10 French divers.
With such an international group on board, our journey promised to be an unforgettable exploration of the underwater wonders of the Andaman Sea.
As Franck, our onboard photographer, wasn’t on this trip, the photographs in this report are from our cruise between 7 and 12 April and are used to illustrate some of the marine life and dive sites described below.
Similan Islands: Unveiling Nature’s Canvas
Our voyage commenced with two days of exploration in the Similan Islands National Park. As we explored Shark Fin Reef, West of Eden, Elephant Head Rock, Turtle Rock, Three Trees and Christmas Point, we were greeted by a spectacular array of marine life.
Our first remarkable encounter was a giant guitarfish. The animal we encountered was Rhynchobatus djiddensis, also known as the whitespotted wedgefish. Despite its unmistakably shark-like shape, this animal is actually a ray. One of the easiest ways to distinguish sharks from rays is by looking at the position of their gills: sharks have gill slits on the sides of their bodies, while rays have their gill openings on the underside.
After our guitarfish disappeared into the deep blue, our eagle-eyed dive guides discovered another fascinating creature hiding among the reef: a beautiful Ribbon Eel. Its long, brightly coloured, ribbon-like body swayed gracefully in the water and immediately captured everyone’s attention.
Did you know that Ribbon Eels are protandric hermaphrodites? They begin their lives as males and can change sex to become females as they mature.
Koh Bon and Koh Tachai: More Unforgettable Encounters
Continuing our journey, we headed towards Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, where we were treated to even more extraordinary encounters with the marine life of the Andaman Sea.
At Koh Bon Pinnacle, the deeper waters revealed three magnificent Marble Rays gracefully gliding through the blue. Watching these impressive rays move effortlessly through the water was a memorable encounter for everyone on board.
Meanwhile, Koh Tachai’s granite boulder pinnacle offered an abundance of marine diversity. Surgeonfish and Batfish moved around the rocks, while a mesmerising school of Chevron Barracuda added a constant sense of movement to the scene.
The sighting of Blacktip Sharks added an exhilarating thrill to our underwater adventure. And no dive at Koh Tachai Pinnacle would have been complete without a visit to the lobster harem – so many spiny lobsters gathered under the same roof!
Blackwater Diving: Meeting the Weird Little Critters of the Night
It was also near the Similan Islands that we took a Blackwater dive to meet all the weird little critters living their best pelagic life 🙂
Blackwater diving offers a completely different perspective on the ocean. Away from the reef and surrounded by open water, we watched the darkness for tiny pelagic creatures appearing in the lights. Every encounter is different, and that unpredictability is a big part of the fascination.
Richelieu Rock: A Symphony of Marine Life
As our expedition neared its conclusion, we spent the last two days of the cruise at Richelieu Rock, one of Thailand’s most famous dive sites.
Situated in the Surin Islands Marine National Park, Richelieu Rock is renowned for its spectacular coral formations and extraordinary concentration of marine life. Its position in the open Andaman Sea makes it an important meeting point for a remarkable variety of pelagic and reef species.
During our dives, the amount of life was absolutely stunning. Massive schools of Emperor fish, Bigeye Trevally and Rainbow Runner seemed to be chasing all over the place, creating a constantly moving underwater spectacle.
We also encountered schools of Batfish, Chevron Barracuda and African Pompano, alongside solitary massive Groupers and Great Barracuda. There was something happening in every direction, from the larger schooling fish to the smaller creatures hidden among the rocks.
And for macro lovers like us, Richelieu Rock had plenty to offer too. Ghost Pipefish, Hairy Shrimp, Porcelain Crabs and Anemone Eggfish gave us plenty of reasons to slow down and look closely.
Celebrating Milestones and Memories
As we bid farewell to the Andaman Sea, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our guests whose camaraderie and enthusiasm enriched the journey.
Special congratulations are in order for Dorota and Nicholas, who successfully completed their Nitrox course, and for Manu, whose 100th dive marked a significant milestone in his diving journey.
Looking back, our seven-day odyssey through the Andaman Sea left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. From the vibrant reefs of the Similan Islands to the spectacular underwater world of Richelieu Rock, every dive revealed another treasure and another reminder of just how much there is to discover beneath the surface.
As we reflect on the voyage, we are reminded that beneath the waves lies a world of wonders waiting to be discovered, always inviting us to dive deeper and embark on new adventures.
