Whale of a Time on our Similan Liveaboard

Manta Rays on four separate dives from Elephant Head Rock all the way to Koh Tachai. Some Spectacular photography (Choose your favourite). And even a Whale! 

Also, scroll down to see our teaser video to get a real taste of our Similan Liveaboard. Thanks for the video Pru!

Similan Liveaboard Group Photo
Group Photo Trip #5

Manta Rays really are showing up all over the place this Season. Usually you need to go a bit further north of the Similan Islands to see them. But this trip we even saw them at Elephand Head Rock right in the middle of the Similans! There are some really good photos from this trip thanks to our Instructor Hiro. This trip we were even lucky enough to see a Whale (unfortunately no photo).

Manta Rays Everywhere

Manta Rays have been around so regularly this November. This trip we even adjusted our Similan Liveaboard schedule to try and see as many as we could. It definitely worked as there were Manta Rays spotted on four separate dives. The most surprising thing was we even saw a Manta Ray, on Day 1: 25/11/14, right in the middle of the Similan Islands at Elephant Head Rock.  It was a bit of a crazydive with some washing machine currents. Elephant head rock is one of the more advanced dive site in the Similan Islands. But this dive definitely paid off with a 3-4 metre Manta Ray.

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26/11/14 was a brilliant Manta Ray Day. Watch till the end of the teaser video above to see a huge Manta Ray hovering motionless over Koh Bon west Ridge. Amazing!

We changed the schedule this trip. We left the Similan Islands one dive early so we could head up to the Manta Rays a bit earlier. It really worked. Dive two of the day was the previously mentioned hovering Manta Ray. Dive three, every group at Koh Tachai saw another Manta Ray. Then one of our newest Instructors was even lucky enough to see another one at Koh Tachai on Dive Four! Three out of four dives in the day is not too bad. In my opinion (I may be biased) a Similan Liveaboard is the best way to experience the area because of days like this.

Stunning Photography

There were several great photos this trip. But I personally have two favourites (see below). And I just can’t choose between them! See where else you can find a photo of an Ornate Ghost Pipefish with a Tigertail Seahorse used as a background. I’m betting you won’t find one. That’s a very rare shot taken at Richelieu Rock.

Second is a Manta Ray. But a different photo to most Manta Ray Shots. It is most people’s instinct to swim right towards it and try and get as close as possible. But if you have a calm attitude and a good eye you can position yourself somewhere else. The shot below uses Koh Tachai’s Coral as a beautiful foreground to make it a much more interesting shot.

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Please leave us a comment at the bottom of the page to help me decide which is my favourite photo. Thank you to our Instructor Hiro for taking them for us!

Whale of a time at Richelieu Rock

Just to top things off, our Similan Liveaboard also saw a Whale popping to the surface as we were travelling from Koh Tachai up to Richelieu Rock. This was followed by three great dives at Richelieu Rock. Overall, it was another excellent Similan Liveaboard and more proof that the 2014-2015 season is going to be an amazing one.

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Please leave us a comment below to let us know which is your favourite photo. And if you were on the trip then please let us know what you thought.

2 thoughts on “Whale of a Time on our Similan Liveaboard”

  1. It was a great and unique experience having been part of this amazing dive trip. The Manta Rays under water as well as the surface sights of whale fishes were not the only remarkable things that happened. There were so many beautiful fish schools as well as little and big sea animals to see. The area is blessed with islands that are one of a kind. Thank you to the great team onboard the MV Hallelujah for all the hard work done! The ship is great too. I can only recommend anyone interested in going there. I’ll keep memorable souvenirs and hope to be back again one day.
    Stefan

    • Thanks for the really kind words Stefan. Of course we are always glad to hear when someone has a great time. The Similan Islands are a unique place for sure. And a Similan Liveaboard is definitely the best way to see it. Hope we see you again some time!

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