Similan Diving Safaris Trip#7

Similan Diving Safaris trip#6

Similan Diving Safaris Boys took a day off to find NEMO!

The Boys went to Krabi,  to have a look at the Research Center! We saw many many Seahorses ( also lots of pregnant ones ), Clownfishes, Jacks, Sharks, Pipefishes, Bamboo Sharks, Turtles and etc.!

Similan Diving Safaris trip #5

SDS#4

SDS#3

Similan Diving safaris efforts to help protect the ocean!

Similan Diving Safaris are no stranger to seeing the harmful impacts that ghosts nets (abandoned nets) leave on marine wildlife.  Just last year in October on a liveaboard trip to the Similan Islands, divers removed an 80  metre net which had been discarded. Unfortunately during the first liveaboard trip in October this year, another abandoned net was discovered. Covering around 25 metres, divers were able to quickly free the net from the corals suffocating underneath.

Similan Diving Safaris Trip#2

First Live Aboard Trip of the season

The first Live Aboard just came back from the Similan Islands! With more than 20m visibility, everybody on the Dolphin Queen had 14 fantastic dives. In between the dives we spend some time on the beach were we also did a Beach Clean up. elieve it or not we even had some hours of sunshine!

Similan Diving Safaris is taking it serious with our efforts to help protect the ocean!The fishing net we found at Beacon Reef at around 20m. It took us 15min to remove the net safely from the corals. Fortunately the net was there for only a couple of days so it did no damage to the sea life.


  

We would like to thank all our customers for a perfect first trip and we hope to see everyone again here at Similan Diving Safaris!

 

What we do during the low-season!

Often we have been asked what do we do during the low-season? Many of the Similan Diving Safaris Team enjoy there holiday or work somewhere else during that time.
But some of us stay here in Khao Lak and Service the equipment to make it ready for the upcoming season. The servicing includes the Regulators, BCD's, Tanks, Compressors and small things like Masks, Snorkel, Wetsuits etc.!The pictures below are some proof of our work!

Regulators after the Service

2nd Stage before the cleaning

2nd Stage after the cleaning

Tanks ready to be filled

Parts of the compressor ready to be serviced

The Compressor Block, disassembled

Regulator 1st Stage and 2nd stage

The last Diving Safari of 09/10 season.

Well, what to say about the last trip!

It was with no doubt one of those trips everyone on Bord the M/V Dolphin Queen will never forget!
With Manta action at Koh Bon and Koh Tachai every single diver had the perfect chance to dive with those gentle giants for at least 50min!!
Also the great snorkeling excursion with Dolphins pushed someones adrenaline to the limits.

We, from Similan Diving Safaris would like to say thank you to all of those who joined SDS this season and we all hope to see you once again!
Stephan, Office & Shop Manager

Another Discovery dive at the M/V Seachart 1

Similan Diving Safaris has logged another stunning dive on the M/V Seachart 1 wreck!

It's incredible to see the amount of new growth since our last dive just a few weeks ago. On our dive we encountered large schools of Bannerfish, Fusilliers and Batfish. The wreck itself is now covered in beautiful red barnacles and black Sea Urchins, which has attracted more macro life like Frogfish, Nudibranch and even Ghost Pipefish. The huge teak logs once stored as cargo have now attracted Lionfish and Devil Scorpionfish, offering them a unique refuge from the ocean's currents. We can't wait to make more discoveries on our next dive.

NEW SCHEDULE 2010-2011!!!!!!!!

Our new schedule is online now!
So check out the dates and book your trip now!!!

Thanks for all your support!

Similan Diving Safaris

Customer comments SDS#29

Time flies when your having fun. Thanks for a great trip, especially to scott. We would never have found some of the things you showed us. Next time we’ll find the elusive wreck.
Thanks again
Kristin & Jason (Australia)


A super duper divetrip!! Get out of Patong and go with SDS, Wow!! Great stuff, super diving, good food, soft pillow and colourful toilet!
What are you waiting for! Go!
Patrick (Sweden)


Fantastic days of diving and learning. All you guys were so friendly and helpful! Outstanding trip and hopefully not the last on the liveaboard! Extra thanks to James with his great eye for the life and help with my Advanced Open water course!
Over all amazing adventure & great staff!
Jamie (Canada)


My first liveaboard and so totally enjoyed it.
Thank you!
Cheung (Singapore)


First liveaboard ever, not the last with this company. Thansk and the same in finnish....
Vesa, Noora, Verneri (Finland)

Customer comments SDS#28

Brilliant Trip! Packed full of diving and well organised. Great Food (Vegetables!), dive and boat crew. James you rock! Underwater environs superb, and enough big and small stuff to keep me entralled. First Manta, Leopard Shark seen ever. Thanks for the environmentally responsible attitude. Keep up the good work.
Rhys (Australia)

Having been on a few diving trips in the last few months, this one really stood out in terms of how much importance SDS obviously place upon maintaining a beautiful, healthy marine environment. It is SO nice to dive with a company who spend time making sure everyone is aware of environmental issues – how to behave underwater & on the boat. Thank you to James particularly for his very helpful briefings. A lot of other companies could learn from you guys.
It’s been a great trip – thank you to the wonderful thai staff for helping us and feeding us so well and thank you to all the fun, professional dive staff. Special thanks to James for his patience and hard work.
Claire (Scotland)


Diving was excellent. Great place to have done my advanced open water! We had a great instructor with Alejandro. It was especially great to see the harlequin shrimps! The food was really good and compliments to the ladies who worked so hard. Thank you...
One thing though is that there were too many divers at the same sites, adjusting the dive times may help. But otherwise great trip!!
Shawn (Botswana)

Project AWARE - Beach Cleanup – Similan Island No. 8

On Wednesday 17th February 2010 we did a beach cleanup at Island No. 8. Here are some pictures of the fun time we had collecting rubbish!

Mantas are all over Koh Bon

What a day on the Speed Boat and after 2dives at Koh Bon everybody had a big smile in their faces!
Why? Well, to see 4Mantas 2times 55min is something special!
After lunch our customer and even the boat crew did a 40min snorkeling with these Giants.
We tried a new spot at Koh Bon and we didn't regret our decision:-)!
What looked first as a boring reef changed quik to a marine life-movie show!
Of course the Mantas where the main actors but also a giant Napoleon Wrasse with her baby was saying hello, 2Octopussys showed their nicest colours in their game of play or love and the Black Tip Reef Sharks cruised around to check us out!

Well thats how Similan Diving Safaris spends their time in the office!

Manta Ray Madness at Koh Bon.

SDS 24 left Tap Lamu pier in blistering heat and sun which was a great relief for all to get off land and onto the ocean. With its customary blistering red sunset, clear skies and another full boat of great people, the trip was destined for big things.
Day 1 started with a nice relaxing check dive at Anita’s Reef before moving south to Island number 3. This was a nice relaxing drift dive where some dive groups encountered Leopards sharks, White Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Ray, and turtles along with its normal smaller creatures hiding away. After a great feast and beach time we moved back up north to East of Eden. The dive here was its normal colourful beautiful self with lots to see. During the dive we encountered an area on the dive site that looked like a big anchor had been dragged and pulled away a nice area of coral which was home of some very nice small creatures. After this dive we went back for some more beach time to watch the sunset and then get ready for our night dive in Princess Bay.
Day 2 started off with a nice morning dive at Elephant Head Rock where several White Tip Reef sharks, a big Jenkins Whip ray, ghost pipe fish and many other rarer marine lives were encountered. We then went for more beach therapy at Donald Duck Bay before our second dive at Breakfast Bend/Snapper Alley where divers come across turtles, Leopards sharks, nudibranch, sea snakes, barracuda and a nice school of Rainbow Runners.
After this dive we left the Similan 9 islands and moved north to Koh Bon. With reports from other divers and dive boats of Manta Ray action we were heading up in anticipation of a manta show. Wow! was this some dive with reports of 5 or more mantas they decided to put on a show for our guests. Looping around, coming in close to divers and sniffing bubbles they were in a full playing mood and just like our guests seemed to enjoying being around cleaning and feeding. During the dive we encountered a lovely thermo cline of cold, green, plankton rich water which came in half way through the dive, with some computer clocking 24-25 degrees. This was a big shock to the body considering the normal temperature of between 28-29 degrees.
Several videos were taken one of which was rather entertaining as the camera man got a little scared of how close the manta actually came (No worries though as manta Rays are Plankton eaters only). Another interesting site was when 1 manta decided to empty his stomach and leave the contents drifting towards the diver (Nice!!).
After this amazing dive we headed further north for our night dive at Koh Tachai Plateau, where we experienced some strong currents although an amazing night dive, some groups encountering one of the most beautiful and most elusive nudibranch of all, the Spanish Dancer.
Day 3 started with our normal 2 dives at Richelieu which delivered some amazing visibility for the first dive before the green thermo cline came in for the second dive. Here we had 2 amazing dives as usual with seahorses, ghost pipe fish, harlequin shrimps, moray eels and nudibranch galore to keep us entertained. After the 2 dives we headed down back to Koh Tachai North for our 3rd dive of the day where we encountered the smaller critters and sharks. For the night dive we headed back to Koh Bon for its amazing array of colour which stands out in full glory at night. We also moored up at Koh Bon for the night ready for the morning dive and were treated to an amazing display of stars which most people came up to the sun deck to admire.
Day 4’s morning dive at Koh Bon was one where we were all excited in anticipation of mantas but it seemed the were off for breakfast somewhere else L Then we came to the final dive closer into land at the Boonsung wreck. This dive was a entertaining dive with many thing see as normal with its huge amounts of small critters and resident schools of Baby Barracuda, Snapper, Trevallies, Pufferfish, morish idols and also including the smaller things like stonefish, ghost pipe fish, rare nudibranch and baby morays. A great way to end a great trip.
During the trip we had several birthdays and birthday cakes on board with Karen and our cook celebrating their 21st birthday. A big happy birthday to you both and I hope you enjoyed your special day. Also we had Curtis and Karen celebrating their honeymoon on the boat. Another big congratulations to you both and I hope you have a good future together.
I would like to say a big congratulation’s to 4 new PADI Advanced Open Water divers Janine, Sebastian, Heike and David. Also Stephan and Heike again completed their PADI Enriched air diver course with 2 awesome dives at Richelieu Rock.
I hope you enjoy your future diving and we hope to see you all back again one day.

Plankton Rich water and fun in the sun.

Another full trip of customer eager to sample the delights of the Similan islands. Leaving Tamp Lamu pier in blistering heat and sun it was great to get off land and onto the ocean with its nice cool breeze and beautiful sunset.
Day 1 started with a great check dive at East of Eden. With the visibility approximately 20m and lots of fish action it was a great dive to start the trip. Later we moved over to the western side of island number 7 to West of Eden. For our 3rd dive we went to Elephant head Rock (Aka Hin Pusa) where we experienced some strong currents. Nevertheless it was a great dive to experience the swim throughs and vast amounts of fish and small critters. After the dive we then went for beach time which we had all to ourselves. It was perfect for a little less heat as the sun dropped below the island. The night dive was then at Beacon reef where we came across some interesting thing like rare Nudibranch/Pleurobranch and Lobsters. One of which staff and customers were saying it was the biggest they had ever seen. (Pictures Please..???)
For the second day we went to North Point for our first dive which bought up a range of small critters and a turtle. We then headed up north to Koh Bon for 2 day dives to hopefully catch a glimpse of the Manta rays. Unfortunately though although 2 nice dive the mantas must have been off having a party somewhere else. We also did the night dive at koh Bon which is an amazing dive normally but with no current it was a great dive.

Day 3 started with 2 dives at Richelieu Rock which showed it normal rich numbers of Barracuda and big schools of different fish as well its rarer smaller creatures. We then moved down to Koh Tachai to where we came across rare lionfish, leopard sharks and one group even seeing a manta ray. We also did the same night dive at Koh Tachai where we came across some HUGE barracuda hunting fusiliers.Day 4 bought a morning dive on Koh Tachai pinnacle which was a lovely colourful dive with lots to see including very big groupers! Then we came to the final dive closer into land at the Boonsung wreck. This dive was a very funny dive yielding many thing including stonefish, ghost pipe fish, rare nudibranch, baby morays and huge puffer fish. A great ending to a great trip.

Similan Diving Safaris is going Green!!!

Similan Diving Safaris is using from now on no more chemical cleaning Liquids on our Live Aboard the "Dolphin Queen" and on our Speedboat the "Dolphin Princess"!
We are very proud to be the first Divecenter in Khao Lak to make an effort to be environmental friendly with these BIO ORGANIC PRODUCTS!
The "Boomgreen Natural Dish and Hand Washing Liquid" is made out of Fermented Fruits!
Concerned about the damage we do to our mother nature every day we think this is a big step in the right direction and we hope that all the other divecenters will follow our effort and become more than just an ECO friendly Divecenter!

Similan Diving Safaris

Comment from Curtis and Karen from SDS#24

Hello to all!

Just wanted to send a quick note to say thank you once again to each and everyone of you we encountered during our recent 4 night/4 day liveaboard trip! It was just one of the most amazing experiences we have ever had - and the office staff, dive crew, captain, cooks, and the ever present and talented boat boys were all a huge part of the experience! Being realativly new divers, we appreciated all the great briefings from the various DM's and the excellent attention from our dive master Ale - she rocks! Nat and Stephan handle the busy office with grace and helped us with our accommodations at the last minute - thanks! The underwater experiences are what we dream about, share with our friends and we look forward to again in the future. We will be coming back to see you and the amazing dive sites again as soon as we can!

Please post this comment on your blog for all to see the high praise that we have for your operation. And please say hello to Ale, Alex, James, Scott, Gerald and Stephie for us.

Happy Bubbles,
Curtis Tisdel & Karen Nelson

Comment from Trisha and Gordon on SDS#22

Hey guys!! We miss you already. Fresh off the liveaboard end-January I just needed to give a shout out to a couple of folks for Similan Diving Safaris. First off, with gracious thanks to Stephan. My seemingly personal travel assistant. You have no idea how many COUNTLESS emails with endless questions he fielded and happily shook my hand when my husband and I arrived. Honestly, it was like he gets that all the time... I sent TONS of emails!!! Second. Our insanely talented diving instructor and guide, James T. Since we've left Similan, we've been doing some extra diving along the way. We have yet to encounter someone we've felt as confident in. James is like a fish in water- adept with any diving condition and any student (my husband and I were both OW, the advance students)... To boot- he knew everything. Everything we saw from the fishies to the landscape, an instructor and tour guide. James, we miss you!! Oh yea, the boat- amazing. The food, off the hook. Hello- what more are you looking for in a liveaboard??? Certainly, you can expect to see us again in the future. Trisha & Gordon MacLeod

Comment from Eva Gaudinaud

Hey there!! We had a very nice trip !!! Were on the #13 back in december 09!!!Great stuff, great staff, great food...We were learning and having fun at the same time! Thanks to James & Scott...!

Comment from Tom Bannister SDS#22

Wow Had a wicked time, deffently one to pass onto other travlers. Loved every miniute guys and as for the food it dont stop comming. How am i going to cope with rashening my food again. Book with simialn diving safaris, the capains a hard basterd so somehow always geets the best moreing line haha =)

Similan Diving Safaris - Nitrox Speciality Course

Many of us seen stickers, logos, posters etc., but what actually is NITROX?

Nitrox refers to any gas mixture composed (excluding trace gases) of nitrogen and oxygen; this includes normal air which is approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases, primarily argon. However, in scuba diving, nitrox is normally differentiated and handled differently from air. The most common use of nitrox mixtures containing higher than normal levels of oxygen is in scuba, where the reduced percentage of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen uptake in the body's tissues and so extending the possible dive time, and/or reducing the risk of decompression sickness (also known as the bends).

The two most common recreational diving nitrox mixes contain 32% and 36% oxygen, which have maximum operating depths (MODs) of 34 metres (110 ft) and 29 metres (95 ft) respectively when limited to a maximum partial pressure of oxygen of 1.4 bar (140 kPa). Divers may calculate an equivalent air depth to determine their decompression requirements or may use nitrox tables or a nitrox-capable dive computer.

So, for those of you who are interested in a new exciting Adventure contact stephan@similan-diving-safaris.de !

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Crew of "Similan Diving Safaris"!!

Father Christmas delivers presents on Christmas day & Boxing Day was the 5th year Anniversary of the Tsunami.

Departing on Christmas Eve the boat was once again full of a great group of people eager to enjoy the festive season coupled with some great diving. Christmas hats and lots of food were the top of tree for everyone. Departing early evening from Tamp lamu pier we headed out with an early arrival in the similans.

Due to the high volume of experience onboard we amended our normal schedule to include some more challenging and possibly more adventurous diving. The first day bought a great days diving at dive sites which included East of Eden, West of Eden, Elephant head rock where we encountered a new small frogfish, mantis shrimp, lovely rare nudibranch and turtles. In the evening everyone was in the festive spirit with parcels of food and drink being passed all around the boat.

Day 2 started in fine fashion with Christmas songs and me realising Father Christmas did not actually arrive at my door! I must have been a bad boy at some point during the year?

For our first dive we got special permission to dive the normal closed dive site “Fantasie”. With 30metres visibility and great light it bought an amazing dive with beautiful coral and the highlight being some groups seeing a big Black Tip reef Shark and others seeing 3 White Tip reef sharks. One of the White Tip sharks had many cuts and bites over its body which would maybe down to recent mating. Hopefully more sharks in the Similans...!! After the dive we headed to Donald Duck bay for beach time and snorkelling time were turtles circled the boat looking for a Christmas breakfast.

Later we moved further north to the most northern part of the Similan 9 islands to North Point. This is normally a place where leopard sharks are spotted although Santa delivered his presents on this dive as most groups to their amazement encountered a large manta ray. It was a great moment that will be remembered by some for a very long time. Later we moved further north to the normal home of the manta rays Koh Bon. No mantas on Christmas day at Koh Bon but a great dive. We then moved further north for our night dive at Koh Tachai. Some groups encountered 3 huge barracuda which followed them like a buddy for most of the dive. The barracuda are very intelligent fish using the diver’s torches to catch the evening meal. Sorry to all the unfortunate fusiliers who crossed the diver’s path during the dive?

Day 3 started at Richelieu rock where we did 4 dives, all being different in their own special way. It was also a day of remembering the devastating day 5 years ago in Asia with the Tsunami. Some staff and customers were part of this unfortunate day and all have their own memories of the incident. At the end of the days diving and dinner Hans and Tina who celebrated their birthday on this special day provided everyone with a drink of Thai whisky to say a few words for all those who were affected by this tragic incident.

Day 4 took us to Koh Bon for our first dive which unfortunately never provided us with mantas but did provide us with a lovely dive. After Koh Bon we then headed back towards mainland to a wreck 20 minutes south of tamp lamu pier called “Prem Chai”. It is a dredger similar to the Boonsung and bought a great dives with some interesting little critters stacked around the wreck. A great way to end a great trip!

On a final note I would like to say a big congratulation’s to 3 new PADI Advanced Open Water divers. Well done and I hope you enjoy all your future diving.

Similan Diving Safaris

Blue Skies and calm seas and sun bathing at the Similan Islands

In keeping with our tradition the trip started in bubbly fashion back at the dive centre in khao Lak before heading off to Tap Lamu pier. The boat was again full with a lively group of excited people eager to experience scuba diving in the Similan Islands aboard our liveaboard. Once all the necessary safety procedures and kitting up process was out of the way we headed out in calm beautiful conditions.

The first day started with some nice dives and visibility (20-30m) coupled with nice calm currents. We did our customary check dive to get every nice and comfortable at Anita’s Reef before breakfast and beach time on Island number 4. With the blues skies and amazing views from the beach it was a nice morning for some sun bathing and relaxing in the shallow water for cooling down. After beach we moved up to Island 7 for several dive where Frogfish, leaf pipefish, ghost pipefish, Ribbon eels and more rarer marine life were encountered. The night dive was then back to our starting location which also yielded some interesting marine life, like the sand nose diving Razor Wrasse, nice big lobsters and giant reef crabs.

Day 2 started in keeping with the with the previous days weather with an amazing red sky and sun rise and the first dive at Elephant head rock. For others they ventured to beacon reef to complete their PADI Open Water course and encountered Turtles. A great way to finish off your Open Water course! After more beach time on the nice quiet beach of Beacon reef we moved further north to island number 9 for some leopard sharks at North point. Some customers seeing sharks the first time and realising the not all sharks want to eat people and are actually nice relaxed creatures. We again moved further north to Koh Bon and Koh Tachai for the night dive.

Day 3 started with 2 amazing dives at Richelieu rock where the visibility was roughly 10-15m (Bad considering the normal 20-30m visibility) although it still bought us it’s special feeling and amazing variety of marine like seahorses, Ghost pipefish, Huge Barracudas, rare nudibranch and Harlequin shrimps. Later moving back south we ventured back to Koh Tachai Plateau and for the night dive at the amazing Koh Bon wall.

Day 4 started with the morning dive at Koh Bon Pinnacle with 30+m visibility and leopard sharks. It was also amazing to see the complete pinnacle in its full glory of bright yellow soft corals covering it from head to toe. After this dive we headed back in closer to mainland to do our final dive on the Boonsung Wreck which in recent trips bought us constant action with its huge fish schools (Fish Soup), stone fish, cuttlefish, baby squid, honeycomb moray eels and some of the rarer nudibranch from the Chromodoride family.

Overall I would like to say a great big thank to everyone aboard, it was a great trip with some real characters aboard which in turn bought a lovely lively atmosphere aboard the Dolphin Queen.

I would also like to say special congratulations to Louise who completed her PADI Open Water course and later moved on to complete her PADI Adventure Deep dive along with Rasmus, Julie, Rose and Aaron. I would also like to say special congratulations to Peter who complete his PADI Advanced Open Water. Well done to all of you!

New PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced Open Water Students

SDS05 began in sweltering heat in Khao Lak. Once we headed down to the pier and boarded the boat we departed early evening to the Similans. Due to a recent Typhoon in the Philippines which we were getting the remains of, we were blessed with some choppy seas, which in turn created a rather bumpy ride out. Once we reached the Similan Islands we were sheltered from the elements.

During the trip we had several courses going on with several people completing their PADI Open Water Course and PADI Advanced Open Water Course. During day 1 they enjoyed some delightful diving in the Similan islands with the Open Water students completing the basic knowledge and skills in order to become certified whilst also enjoying the delightful marine life and corals.

During the first dive some people discovered the Tsunami memorial Statues which was a great surprise to them. These were put in place several years ago and are now a nice feature for groups to cruise along admiring in the shallow water. Later in the day we moved further north to Island No. 7 where we did 2 dives.

Due to the rough conditions on the eastern side of the islands we took shelter on the western side for the night, which bought a rare opportunity for an exploration night dive for some. We did initial checks using the depth finder and also from people snorkelling and checking the area. Some groups came across and 1m Jenkins Whip ray which was a great site to see.

Day 2 bought us some calmer weather in the morning where we went to Elephant head rock, later moving up to Donald duck bay for Beach time! After Breakfast and beach time, we did our last dive in the Similans before moving north to the famous Koh Bon home of the mantas. No mantas unfortunately on the occasion but some amazing marine life including Egg Cowries, Barracuda, Napoleon Wrasse and Sea Snakes. For the night dive we moved north to Koh Tachai.

Day 3 started in choppy conditions at Koh Tachai Plateau but was an amazing dive with some groups seeing rare nudibranch. Also it was our first time back since removing the large fishing nets. To my amazement it is now looking as beautiful as it once was. Small amounts of net in areas but the marine life is now forming around it and continuing to grow. To all those people and dive shops who helped I would like to say a big thank you and great work! Without you it would not have been possible and a lot of marine life would have suffered over time. Mission accomplished!

Day 4 started at Richelieu rock which was in its full glory with excellent light and good visibility. Along the way we saw Ghost pipefish, the resident big school of Barracuda including one huge one which has its own entourage of fusiliers, Cowries shells and seahorse. After the dive we headed back closer to mainland for the final and exciting dive at the Boonsung wreck. This delivered it normal beauty of schools for fish seeking shelter and macro heaven in the form of Stone fish, nudibranch galore, Ghost pipefish, Banded pipefish, spearing mantis shrimp and lots more.

All in all a great group of people aboard the dolphin queen for SDS05 and good fun was had by all especially with the leopard sharks! Thank you all and we hope to see you back again one day.

Similan Diving Safaris Trip allows stowaways hitch a ride and Crown of thorn increases and Breakfast bend.

SDS04 started in fine fashion with a small but excellent group aboard the dolphin queen. Due to the smaller numbers aboard, everything was ready and prepared for an early depart from the shop in khao lak. The trip it was a bit of a family orientated trip with plenty of space aboard and the captain bringing his little daughter aboard. She kept us entertained and also became our camera woman.

After the general boat briefing and dinner most people settled down for the night although some volunteered to sit up on the top deck and gaze at the full moon and exceptionally calm weather.

During day 1 we sampled some nice dives around the Similan islands, diving at Anita’s Reef, East of Eden West of Eden and Beacon Reef.

During day 2 we move further north in the Similan Islands before heading off for a 3 hour journey cruising along to Koh Bon for the night dive. We also went to Donald duck bay for the first time this season and everyone was greeted in true fashion with some amazing views and colours

As dive 2 we decided to dive Breakfast bend, it was amazing dive rich in hard and soft corals. As a drift dive north it provided us with the perfect way to explore the shallower areas and came across lots of different marine life including even Harlequin shrimps. It also allowed us to see the problem we really are facing with the Crown of Thorns. During the dive I tried to look for its main enemy the triton and nothing around that I could see, which possibly explains the high rise in numbers. Being able to scan the sloping reef we came across many partly dead patches of big hard corals. The further north we went the more crown of the thorns we came across. In some areas of roughly 2-3 square metres we saw 4 or 5 smothering the corals. Hopefully over the coming months SDS will embark on working with others to slowly tackle this possible problem once and for all and hopefully help keep what was and still is an amazingly rich coral reef.

After the 3rd dive at North Point we noticed we had a stowaway aboard. This was in the form of a little sparrow bird who flew from deck to deck looking for scraps and hitching a ride. He decided to stay with until evening of the 3rd day.

For the night dive at Koh Bon all customers came up saying what an amazing dive it was with lots to see, including Pleurobranchs, Lobsters, GIANT morays, HUGE pufferfish, Decorated Crabs, Sponge Crabs and much more.

Day 3 took us north to our furthest point north in the Surin islands to Richelieu Rock. After 2 amazing dives we then moved south back to Koh Tachai. Later in the evening after a superb dinner we move

Day 4 bought some interesting dives firstly at Koh Bon for the morning dive where Da Boss discovered some White Tip reef sharks and leopard sharks. For the final dive of the trip we were treated to an one at the Boonsung wreck. Firstly we navigated the obstacle course of Jelly fish which tend to bloom at certain times of the year here and then once down treated with great visibility lots of rare nudibranch, cuttlefish and fish soup. It was a great way to end an excellent trip.

On a final note, I would also like to say a big congratulation to Joel Dayne and Rick who passed there PADI Advanced Open Water course and Christine who completed 2 Adventure Dives. Good work and well done..!

Similan Diving Safaris customers help clear 200m+ of fishing net from Koh Tachai Plateau

On Saturday 24th October the Dolphin Queen set off for trip no.3 of the season departing from Tap Lamu pier with its thai traditional departing display of fire crackers. The display is believed to scare away the evil spirits and the bad weather.

Once we arrived at the Similan islands we moored the boat up close to island number 4 ready for the morning dive. We were treated to an amazing sunrise coming up from behind mainland. During the trip out we also bought some of the rangers who are getting ready for the coming busy period.

During day 1 we were again greeted with great visibility (25+m) and equally great dives at Anitas Reef, East of Eden and Elephant Head rock and night dive at beacon reef where customers saw turtles, White Tip Reef sharks, Leopard sharks, Rare nudibranch to name a few and a lot of fish action. During the day we also went to the beach for some Frisbee and for some a sleep??? After the night we settled down for an excellent thai curry, soup, fish and vegetables in a buffet style dinner. Delicious...! Then everyone went up to the top deck and watch the nice display of stars and shooting stars.

Day 2 started with a normal deep dive at Christmas point which bought some cold water (27 degrees) but excellent visibility. After breakfast and more beach time we went to north point and enjoyed a great dive. After the dive more food and off to the famous Koh Bon commonly known for its mantas where we did several dives.

Day 3 bought us great fun and some challenges. With the morning dive at Koh Bon Pinnacle it was an excellent start to the days diving, which yielded leopard sharks and many small critters along the way. We then moved further north to Koh Tachai.

During the first dive on the Plateau we again discovered fishing nets but to our amazement it was even more than we once thought covering a lot of the northern and east side of the dive site at about 20-25m and much more deeper. During the first dive most groups all worked together to help clear as much as they could possibly collect with the instructors and even the captain organising things. Slowly and delicately they untangled the net from both hard and soft corals. The deeper we got into the net the more marine life we discovered was still actually living within the corals. Things like Small damsel fish, flatworms, crabs and the most effected murex shells all fighting to stay alive. On one part of the net we even discovered a dead moray eel about a metre in length. Not good..!

After the first dive we asked all the customers if they would like to dive the same site again in order to try and collect more of the nets. All our customers were more than keen to help and it actually turned in more like a reef cleanup with everyone going down armed with cutting tools, lift bags and crates to help send to the surface, where the dingy and liveaboard boat were waiting. Working together to hold the nets out of the way roughly 70-80m of net was collected, which in any terms is a great effort by everyone.

During the night everyone was greeted with an amazing slide show of pictures which really showed the true extent of the work that was completed and how well everyone worked together. The pictures from of the clean up can be viewed on www.arewedreaming.com.

On behalf of the Similan Diving Safaris and I would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers who helped, and to some degree sacrificed several dives in order to help clean up one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Similan islands. Your work was very much appreciated.

Day 4 bought an early morning dive at Richelieu rock which at the moment I can only describe as “Fish Soup” at the moment. A nice way to start the last day before moving closer to land and the Boonsung wreck! After the dive we cruised down the beach front of Ban Sak and Khao Lak before arriving back at Tap Lamu pier.

Once we arrived back at Similan Diving Safaris shop in Khao Lak everyone went back for a shower and change of clothes before meeting up in the evening for food and a few drinks.

All in all it was a very entertaining trip with very nice customers who were a pleasure to dive with.

And as a final note I would again like to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in the cleanup because without your help it would certainly not have been possible.

Thank you and we hope you all enjoyed the trip.!