Trip 028 Similan Islands

Trip 28 brought what could potentially be a first for us, toppled from their lofty status as the snack champions, Team Japan could only watch in despair as they were dethroned by the newcomers from Singapore. You wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that our new friends had robbed the duty free as they arrived overladen with several spilling carrier bags of treats and even their own fan for the room! Sorry Team Japan, a bit of (unhealthy) competition is good for you right? And they said diving is a healthy sport…

Waking up at West of Eden is never a bad way to start the day and a lovely gentle drift along Island Seven shook off any cobwebs from the dive gear. Cruising up to Elephant Head Rock. for a bit of a leg workout seems to be the standard state of affairs, schooling white tips and even a baby shark made this a truly memorable one. Island Nine had a fair few Khul’s rays in the deeper sections as well as an awesome tornado of barracudas! Sunset, steak, mash and of course beer rounded off an excellent first day.

When the conditions are just right, and the stars align, we can make our way off the deepest part of North Point to the absolutely stunning deep pinnacle. Watching the enormous seafan garden glistening in the sunrise was a personal highlight for me on the trip. Sometimes Koh Bon gets a bit busy so we try to find other areas to explore and a brisk drift across the northern side of the island was a welcome and very fishy addition to the schedule. As per usual, Koh Tachai lived up to it’s reputation as a calorie burner, but you know what they say, no current, no fish! We ended the day with a rather silly adventure looking for Eugene’s lost fin somewhere over the third pinnacle. A successful dive that enabled us to explore the deeper area around the lesser explored northern pinnacle.

Good morning Surin islands! Fan favourite Aow Pakkad delivered a frankly ludicrous amount of stingrays that I lost count around 20. Of course what’s a dive in Surin without a little turtle photoshoot? Richelieu Rock, though lacking its usual pristine visibility, certainly wasn’t lacking in fish. Enormous hunting schools, no doubt encouraged by the abundant food in the water column put on dazzling displays as they tore through the reef. Truly a bad day to be a glass fish on Richelieu, although their blind panic as they frantically try to evade the hungry mouths is objectively beautiful.

Koh Bon Pinnacle ended this epic trip with barracudas, octopus mating displays and some heavy current to really make the site feel alive. Obligatory crispy pork and a big fat nap and we were well on our way back to the pier.

Thanks to all who joined us on this trip and what a banger it was. Thanks for making it a memorable one and we hope to see you again soon. From Sam and the crew of Blue Dolphin, thanks for diving with Big Blue Diving Khao Lak.