Similan Scuba Adventures

Dive Dive Dive ! !

Theday after finishing volunteering it was off on a four day, four night dive trip to the Similan Islands. These islands sit about 60 km off the west coast of Khao Lak. We set off in the evening and steamed full speed all night. I was looking forward to the diving, which I had heard was amazing.



















Amazing it was! We did four dives a day for the four days, including my first night dive. Each and every dive site had a completely different make up. Up until this point I hadn't realised how beautifully varied diving can be. The aquatic life was stunning. Although I have no photos of it (you'll have to believe me!), we saw Manta Rays at Koh Bon. Two or Three giant 3 metre wide Mantas circled us for a whole 45 minute dive. This had to be the highlight of the trip.














There were two dive staff and five 'customers' aboard this boat that could carry up to 40 people. We had the run of the roost! Four meals a day and beautiful scenery.

The Similans are a group of nine islands arranged north to south all of similar size and all but one uninhabited. They are actually a national marine park. As a result there is no fishing allowing the aquatic life to flourish. The water was 31 degress centigrade. It was like jumping into an ocean-sized bath everytime we entered the water! This is a Titan Trigger Fish. I have to thank Ina for these photos. Ina was a german instructor.



















We found Nemo too. This clownfish was beautiful and the Anemone had this stunning purple colour to it.



















This picure below is a giant Table Coral with its very own inhabitant. Just underneath on the left you can see the resident Giant Moray Eel. It had a name, something like Emma.















Everybody on the boat was great fun. When we wern't enjoying ourselves blowing bubbles underwater we were fooling around on the baot. Lots of fun. It was great being away from land for a few days. Sea trips can be soul soothing. I have many great memories of this trip.