Spectacular Shark Trip.
Final trip of the low season for MV Scuba Adventure
Scuba Adventure welcomed aboard for the final trip of the low season James and Sarah from England, Marta from Spain, Paul, Alison, Elliot and Lydia from England, Amanda from Sweden, and Odd-Reidar from Norway for our 12th and final liveaboard of this green season. A trip of fun divers, and Lydia was completing her Junior SSI EANX 40 course. Staff for this trip were Phill from England, Nicholas from Switzerland and John from Tajikistan.
Despite the weather warnings, we were able to set off on Friday to Racha Yai and Racha Noi. First dive was the wrecks at a Racha Yai. Very good visibility. Lots of marine life around the wrecks including Barracuda, Batfish and big schools of Fusiliers. There is also a new addition of a motorcycle scooter at 18 metres. Makes for a great photo opportunity.
We then moved South to Racha Noi for the rest of the day. Dive 2 was Banana Rock. 25 metre visibility and 2 Turtles welcomed us underwater. We moved further South for dive 3, Racha Noi Bay. We spotted some very nice Nudi’s, lots of garden eels, and a pure white Bend Stick Pipefish. Dive 4 was a night dive in Banana Bay South. Lots of crustations and Lion Fish.
Day 2 started with flat seas and we headed down to South Tip, arguably one of the best dive sites anywhere in Thailand. Amazing conditions, no current and 30 metre + visibility. No Mantas this visit but a very large school of Chevron Barracudas, Blue Ringed Angelfish, Box Fish, Unicorn Fish, etc., a terrific dive.
The weather took a turn for the worse after this and we stayed the remainder of the day on the east side of a Racha Noi. Turtles were spotted on Dives 2 and 3 and a sunset dive in Banana Bay produced a Spotted eagle Ray in shallow water, a very lucky find.
The winds dropped after the final dive and the boat moved over to Phi Phi for day 3. We started the day at Kled Kaeow, the new wreck at Phi Phi. Very good visibility today and we spotted 2 Sharks resting in the sand under the bow at 26 meters. Much debate as to what they were, either small Nurse Sharks or large Bamboo Sharks….. Either way, the first of many sharks this trip.
Next stop was Bida Nok. Beautiful conditions. Huge schools of Snappers and Fusiliers. One group spotted 2 Black Tip Reef Sharks and a small Hawksbill turtle in the shallows. Dive 3 was Hin Bida. Great visibility and 4 , possibly 5 Leopard Sharks were seen resting in the sand and free swimming. And 2 Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips. Sunset dive was at Pileh Wall. More Black Tip Reef Sharks and one Turlte on this dive.
After dinner everyone headed onto Phi Phi to witness the fire shows and have a couple of drinks. When we got back we were treated to a singing performance from Lydia. No doubt a star for the future. And James, our “zero to hero” intern revealed he was once a singer and actor in the West End. But he wouldn’t sing for us this trip!
Day 4 began at King Cruiser. The winds finally dropped and we had perfectly flat seas for this dive. Good visibility, no current and lots of fish. Once group saw a Nurse Shark underneath the wreck and some huge Barracudas, Mackerel and Rainbow Runners were hunting on top of the wreck. Dive 2 took us to Shark Point. Khules Stingrays were seen resting in the sand, large barracudas in the mid water, anemone fish everywhere, and one group saw a lovely Tigertail Seahorse.
Last stop of the trip was Koh Doc Mai. Two Seahorse’s were seen on the wall and numerous species of shrimps were found in the crevices, including Banded Boxer Shrimps, Dancing Durban Shimps and Cleaner Shrimps. Lots of box fish were also seen.
A wonderful 4 days for the final trip of the low season with a very healthy number and variety of sharks seen. And finally, big congratulations to Lydia for passing her EANX 40 course and exam.
The post Final trip of the low season for MV Scuba Adventure appeared first on Scuba cat diving - phuket.