Manta Queen 5 # 59
Another great trip on our Manta Queen 5 Liveaboard around the Similan Island National Marine Park. Leaving the pier at Khao Lak I could feel the excitement of the 4 people who were getting ready to start their PADI Open Water Course and be introduced the amazing world of scuba diving. With some excellent instruction they would all soon be great divers.
We started the trip in the Similan Islands at Anita's Reef. It was a little windy but the water was crystal clear. After our get to know each other dive we were off to West of Eden and the always steady Spearing Mantis Shrimp was there as promised. The Squat Shrimp around the sides of the spearing mantis shrimps hole were very active this day. Deep Six for the next dive and a really cool night dive at Hideaway Bay. We shared our days experience over dinner and some of the best Thai food in the fleet.
Day 2 was even better. Started off at Elephant Head Rock with its long channel and amazing swim through. On to Three Trees, a relatively calm dive and a chance to explore the deep boulders and then to the shallows where we found an abundance of life. Christmas Point was next and everyone just loved those huge granite boulders. There was only a minor current which let us get up close and personal with the many schools of giant travallies. The sunset dive was at Turtle Rock with its many swim throughs
Day 3 at Koh Bon Island. Two dives at West Ridge in hopes of finding a Manta Ray or two. First dive we missed seeing one but spotted a Napoleon Wrasse, an Octopus, a Moldovan Sponge Snail and a couple of Porcelain Crabs. Second dive at West Ridge we were greeted by the green monster and along with that came the schools of feeding Mackerals, Gaint Travallies and even some Tuna mixed in.
For our last dive of the trip we headed towards the mainland to dive Boon Sung Wreck. Everyone just loved the fish soup there. Unlimited schools of many kinds of fish. Puffers, Batfish seemed quite curious with some of us. The Honeycomb Morays were everyone’s favorite. Back to the pier and then the office to say our goodbyes. We'll miss this group of people that got along so well and really enjoyed our company, having a wonderful holiday.
Congratulations to our students. Naoko, Helen, Guy, and Abigail are now PADI Open Water divers and did an excellent job of learning all the skills need to become great open water divers.
See you all again here at Khao Lak Scuba Adventures, Thailand´s most popular Similan Island Liveaboard Dive Center.
