This is the story of 14 nationalities bringing the Manta Queen 1 Similan Islands Liveaboard on her 2nd trip of this season to the beautiful islands. No less than 15 guests, 12 staff and our amazing boat crew were ready for 4 days and 4 nights of Similan Island diving adventure exploring the Under-Water World of the Andaman Sea, waking up to the sound of the ocean splashing to the sides of the boat and finishing the day by watching the sunset coloring up the sky.
Day 1:
During the night our captain had brought us to the Similan Islands, where we were ready to do our first dive at West of Eden, Deep Six, Elephant Head Rock and the night dive at Mooring bay. With a “go” from the boat boys we were all quickly in the water and went to see if our old friend Mr. Spearing Mantis Shrimp was home. By a gently “knock-knock” on his door he welcomed us back along with a big school of beautiful Yellowback Fusilier, Snappers, the Giant Moray Eel and his cousins, all hiding in between the huge granite boulders that The Similan Islands are famous for.
All groups back on the boat with a huge and hungry smile on their face, ready for breakfast and even more adventures below the surface. Day one brought us through a lot of swim throughs, a friendly meeting with Mr. Turtle, cool photos by our professional photographer Romi at the “window”, and a very adventurous trip to Donald Duck Bay, to get the perfect picture with the turtle rock in the background, and an dingie adventure to get back to the great Manta Queen 1 Similan Islands Liveaboard.
With a torch for everyone - free to use not free to loose - we all went to the great show of octopus’ dancing in the reflection of our lights during the night dive along with the lobsters shining with their stunning purple color and shiny eyes.
Day 2:
With an early “wakey wakey” and loaded with amazing dives on day 1 we couldn’t get in the water soon enough to explore what else the Similan Islands had to offer. During our 4 dives at North Point, Christmas Point, Koh Bon West Ridge and Koh Tachai Pinacle, we met the mother Humbhead Parrot Fish and her two, now grown babies, found the tiny Pipefish, Scorpionfish camouflaged in the color of the corals, huge schools of Barracudas, Octopus trying to escape from the photos, Tunas, Anemone Crabs, Trumpet Fish and many other beautiful ocean creatures trying to catch their dinner before the sunset.
Day 3:
With another beautiful sunrise lighting up the calm ocean as we discovered the depths of Koh Tachai’s Dome and then set off to Richelieu Rock which is known for its incredible marine diversity, schools of Barracudas, Tunas, Batfish, Cuttlefish making babies, Nudibranches, Moray Eels and much more gave us all an amazing show of their home; a series of limestone pinnacles formed in a horseshoe shape just below the surface. Finishing the day with another tasty meal from our increadible cheif and a Rummikub tournament we were ready for the last day of diving back at Koh Bon.
Day #4
We started our last day at Koh Bon Hin Luang to meet the Mr. Stewie the Stonefish who lives on top of the large granite pinnacle covered in beautiful yellow soft corals. Some of the staff on the 2nd dive went on an adventure to bring up a fisherman’s lost anchor on Koh Bon West Ridge, the ocean finally gave us what we all had been dreaming about – an amazing WHALE SHARK! With a huge smile on our faces, we did our last dive at Boonsung Wreck, which lived up to its reputation; as “fish soup” with Trevallies, Barracudas and Yellow Snappers swimming around our groups, and beautiful Nudibranches, Scorpion Fish, Crocodile Fish and curious Porcupine Fish around the dive site, and last but not least a few photo on the famous toilet!
- Thanks to all the wonderful guests on-board with a big congratulation to; Thomas, Lisa and Dilan for completing their PADI Advanced Open Water; Alina for completing her PADI Deep Adventure; Zhang and Isabelle for completing their PADI Nitrox course and Eye for completing her PADI Open Water Course and PADI Advanced Open Water!
We wish you all many more adventures exploring the Under-water World!
Happy bubbles from all the staff on Manta Queen 1 on her dive trip 270! Thank you from our hearts, Khao Lak Scuba Adventures and "The Manta Queen Similan Islands Liveaboard Fleet"
