We dropped into the dive site with high hopes, and we were not disappointed. In addition to Napoleon Wrasse, Octopus, Moray Eels, Multi-bar Pipefish and these really cool Spearing Mantis Shrimp...
We saw Mantas! At first it was just one, and then another.
They are so beautiful, cruising around effortlessly in the currents, sometimes coming in quite close to take a good look at us.
We saw several different ones during the dive, and by the end of the hour and talking with the dive guides we figure there were at least three different Mantas that circled us for nearly the entire time. One even came up right below us when we were at the safety stop. Until next time, buddy!
The next few dives were at Tachai Pinnacle. One group jumped in on Tachai Reef to practice some navigation skills for the PADI Advanced Open Water course.
Walter was their instructor, and the students were Carlos, Seve, Alex, Steve and Christelle. Good effort guys, completing your Advanced course onboard during the trip. Congratulations to you all!
After a few dives on the Pinnacle and a good night of sleep, it was up early on day two for one more dive at Tachai. The morning dive was really great, with excellent viz and a lot of life. We saw Barracuda, Dogtooth Tuna, Latticetail Morays, Batfish and so much more. One lucky group found a Blotched Fantail Ray laying in the sand down deep. So nice to see them around!
And now, for the main attraction, Richelieu Rock. Ghost Pipefish, Harlequin Shrimp, Zebra Morays, Tigertail Seahorses, Toadfish, Juvenile Angelfish, Tiger Egg Cowries... I could go on and on.
Oh yeah, and a boat full of happy divers!
We even saw a huge Mangrove Whipray surrounded by Cobia on the sunset dive. This looked to be the same scenario I wrote about a few trips ago, with ten to fifteen Cobia all over a gigantic Whipray. Really cool to see, that's for sure.
The last day was awesome, with dives on Koh Bon Pinnacle and the Boonsung Wreck, not to mention a quick visit by a few unidentified Whales as we were cruising in the open sea between dive sites.
Koh Bon Pinnacle had a bit of current and some tough viz, but it was still a nice dive, with a Blotched Fantail Ray and a few Stonefish being spotted on the site.
The final dive of the trip on the Boonsung Wreck is always fantastic, and this week was no different. We saw Frogfish, Ghost Pipefish, Porcupine Pufferfish and so many Honeycomb Moray Eels. Even the little Sea Moth was home again this week. Awesome!
Well then, another trip is in the books, and Manta Queen 2 has certainly had a fantastic season so far this year. Come and join us before the season ends, I promise you'll be glad you did!
