The Coral Reefs of Thailand

Coral Reefs

In most minds, corals are virtually synonymous with the tropical reef. But, apart from the fact they know corals come in many forms and colours and that they are associated with a great variety of other marine creatures, most people have very little idea what a coral really is. Until 250 years ago, even biologists thought that these organisms were plants.

In fact, the corals belong to a large grouping (about 9000 species) of marine animals that includes not only the various corals but the sea anemones, hydroids, and jellyfish as well. It is not clear which other phyla the coelenterates themselves might be most closely related to. They have specialized tissues, but no complex organs — they have nerve cells, for example, but no concentrations of such that could be called a brain, and there is no head. Evolutionarily, then, they seem to lie somewhere between the sponges and the worms. Some evidence suggests that they have evolved either from colonial protozoans or from early creatures resembling flatworms.

Although superficially the coelenterates seem very different one from the other, the coral polyp shares with all these other animals a simple sac-like body plan, one in that the same opening is used for feeding, for elimination, and even for reproduction. And the polyp shares another distinctive feature with its relatives — the opening is surrounded by nematocysts, or stinging cells that aid it in catching its prey (zooplankton and sometimes even small fish). Any diver who has come into contact with certain jellyfish or “fire coral” (really a hydroid, rather than a true coral) can testify to the potency of at least some of these stinging cells.

Simply among the corals themselves, there is variety enough. The most commonly recognized are the “hard corals”. Over 200 species of hard coral belonging to 75 genera have so far been recorded in the Phuket area alone; 60 species have meanwhile been cataloged in the Gulf of Thailand, and there are certainly more.

Hard corals are of the phylum Coelenterata — that is to say, in the Greek, “with a hollow gut”. They are at the same time of the class Anthozoa, or “flower animals”. Finally, they are of the order Scleractinia, or “hard”. These corals, in short, are hollow-gutted flower-like animals with a hard exoskeleton into that they can retreat when threatened.

The hard corals are the main builders of reefs that in some parts of the world extend down for well over a hundred metres. In these cases the living reef itself is just a thin veneer. Similarly, while a single coral head can be some metres high and two-three meters across, the living coral colony itself is only a thin, ever-expanding skin building on the limestone skeletons of earlier generations. (Whereas the branching corals, for example those of the genus Acropora, grow much faster than their massive relatives, the massive corals [e.g. Favites, Porites] are far less vulnerable to storms and other damage; and they can continue growing for hundreds of years, with individual colonies sometimes reaching enormous sizes.)

Corals provide homes for many thousands of species of marine organism. A hard coral head — perhaps already festooned with such cousins as gorgonian sea fans, wire corals, and soft corals — may provide the substratum for a congregation of feather stars, crstaceans, reef fish, and organisms of many other types. Still other creatures live inside the coral. A piece of coral weighing just a few kilograms may harbor hundreds of individual worms and scores of species (one study conducted in Australia found 1441 worms of 103 species in a piece of dead coral weighing something more than three kilograms).

The symbiosis between corals and photosynthetic algae has made animal life possible in waters that might otherwise be barren. Because the coral can first of all produce its own food where carbon dioxide and sunlight are abundant, and because the coral ecosystem is self-contained and capable of recycling scarce nutrients, the reef is an oasis of biological activity. More than that it is — with the single exception of the tropical rain forest — biologically the richest habitat on Earth, supporting hundreds of thousands of species.

As successful as they have been from the time they first appeared 450,000,000 years ago, however, the hard corals still require certain conditions if they are to survive.

For instance: the hard corals require warm water to grow. Year-round temperatures of 26-29C in Thailand’s seas provide perfect conditions both for coral and for divers, who don’t need wetsuits except perhaps as protection against stings and abrasions.

And they need sunlight. Though they may sometimes be found to about 50 meters, since they normally depend for much of their nourishment on their symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae (as does the reef community as a whole, ultimately) they do not thrive at depths below 30 meters, where there is limited light for photosynthesis. Too much sediment in the water, then, will reduce available light and inhibit growth. Sediment in sufficient quantities furthermore directly smothers the coral polyps. (Thailand’s seas are naturally crystal clear, much of the time and in many locations; but there are areas today where tin-mining, coastal shrimp-farming, untreated waste disposal, and longshore tourism development is dumping so much silt into the sea that large areas of coral are being affected.)

Aside from the hard corals, those which most people associate with the reef, there are the soft corals, the gorgonians, and the black corals. All the hard corals — the actual reef-builders — are hexacorals, showing a six-sided radial symmetry, while octocorals (the soft corals, gorgonians, and black corals) are eight-sided. The polyps of the gorgonians (sea fans, harp corals, and wire corals), for instance, have eight tentacles rather than the six or multiples of six characteristic of hard coral polyps. The octocorals, which do not depend on symbiotic relationships with photosynthetic algae, grow well at depths that do not permit hard coral growth, that explains some of the differences you’ll encounter in underwater scenery as you swim deeper.

Sea fans and other gorgonians and among those that live down the reef faces where their hexacoral cousins have ceased to grow. Aside from the sclerites (see below) a second hard, internal flexible skeleton of “gorgonian” holds them erect across currents that carry plankton to the waiting polyps.

The antipatharian black corals, perhaps even more than the soft corals and gorgonians, resemble bushy plants. The antipatharians are not in fact black, usually. It is only the very tough skeleton which is black; the thin living tissue that covers it may be a variety of delicate colors.

Soft corals come in a vast variety of shapes and bright colors. Although they seem not to have a skeleton, their tissues contain tiny crystalline bits of limestone called sclerites that help give the colony structure. Because the soft coral polyps are usually extended and hence visible, and because these animals do not enter into association with photosynthetic algae, they are generally much more vivid than their hard coral cousins.

Finally — whether hard or soft, gorgonian, or ‘black’ — the corals of the Andaman seas are the basis of a complex and valuable marine habitat, one of the two most fascinating ecosystems on Earth. Just one value of this precious resource is that it makes a recreational wonderland for divers and snorkelers. But please remember that every one who explores Thailand’s reefs has a responsibility. In the words of one local dive shop, “Take nothing away with you; leave nothing behind but your bubbles.”

This means not even touching the corals, for the disturbance of their mucous covering may expose them to infection by bacteria and fungii. Weight yourself properly, if scuba diving, so that you don’t bump against delicate coral growth; a moment’s carelessness can destroy years of growth. Above all, do not collect souvenirs from the reef. Given the reported 75,000 snorkellers and divers who, in 1990, enjoyed just the Andaman Sea area (and without even mentioning the commercial collectors of coral and shellfish), it wouldn’t take long before souvenir hunters left little of interest for those who come later.

Coral Reef of The Andaman Region (Similan and Surin Islands)

The Andaman Sea

There are significant climatic and oceanographic differences between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand which affect coral reefs. Coral reefs in the Andaman Sea are subject to semidiurnal tides and are exposed to predominant Southwest monsoons from May to October. Approximately 55% of Thailand’s major coral reefs occur in the Andaman Sea. Within this region, there are significant differences in coral reef species composition and morphology. Reef conditions and coral coverage tend to vary with the degree of exposure to the monsoon, distance from the mainland, current and substrata. Fringing reefs predominate. The coral reefs in the Adang-Rawi group are a classic example. There are also some coral communities where corals grow on rocky shores and vertical granite walls. There is no substantial limestone reef development. This is the case for the Similan Islands and the Mu Ko Phi Phi group. The Surin Islands group (i.e., Pachumpba and Stok Islands) are considered to be the most extensive, pristine and perhaps best developed reefs in Thailand. Other coral reefs of major ecological significance in the Andaman Sea include Ko Kradan dan Ko Ngai in Trang Province; and Ko Damhok, Damkwan, and Yong in Krabi Province. From the northern part, Surin and Similan Islands, which are now Marine National Parks, are becoming very famous spots for tourists and divers. Even though these islands can not be visited all year round due to heavy seas from the monsoon, their degradation is evident. Many shallow water reefs have been damaged from tourist activity. Growth of algae is also increasing. Conservation activities are now underway including the installation of mooring buoys and formulation of management plans for the parks.

Phuket once had good fringing reefs. However, now many coral reefs exist with only a small percentage of living coral cover. Tourism development seems to be the most factor causing the deterioration of coral reefs in this province.

Beautiful islands in Phuket, Pang-Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun are now caught between the struggle of conservation and rapid tourism development. Many coral reefs are now in very bad condition. Some developers do have a conservation ethic and are trying to protect the coral reefs. However, many others still exploit their coral reefs resulting in rapid degradation

Resources – Reef Fisheries

The coral reefs in Thailand waters support a variety of activities that can be classified as tourism and recreation; fisheries-related uses; and other uses, including research and education. In the last decade, there has been a marked change in reef use patterns, as small-scale or traditional fisheries have gradually been replaced by tourism activities. Local fisherman have converted their boats into tour boats and paid more attention to shell collections for souvenir trade. This shift in coral reef use is most notable in Trad, Surathani, Pang-Nga and Trang.

Threats to coral

An estimated 1,800 km² of coral reefs grow along Thailand’s coastline in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The structure and distribution of coral reefs vary significantly between the two. Because of climatic and oceanographic variations in their water bodies, threats and reef condition can also be substantially different.

Fishing has long been an important economic activity in Thailand, but widespread destructive fishing techniques and trawling have had impacts on coral reefs since the early 1960s. Destructive fishing practices on both coasts have damaged countless reefs, but these activities are believed to have declined as the tourism industry has grown. The rise in tourism and other population pressures, however, have caused sedimentation and wastewater pollution to increase, and damage from boat anchors, divers, garbage, erosion, and sewage and wastewater discharge is evident.

Significant coral bleaching episodes have also plagued Thai reefs. Coral reefs in the Andaman Sea suffered extensive coral bleaching and subsequent mortality in 1991 and 1995, and some bleaching was observed in 1998. Coral bleaching during the 1997-98 ENSO event was widespread in the Gulf of Thailand, where it had not previously been recorded; as many as 60 percent of corals may have bleached in some locations. Unfortunately, the frequency and intensity of bleaching in Thai waters appear to be increasing.

From 1995 to 1998, Thailand began a comprehensive reef survey program that included coral reef mapping and field surveying. Scientists surveyed 251 reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand and 169 sites in the Andaman Sea. Reef condition was evaluated based on a ratio of live to dead coral cover. Using this indicator, 16 percent of reefs in the Gulf of Thailand were rated as excellent, 29 percent good, 31 percent fair, and 24 percent poor. In the Andaman Sea, 5 percent of reefs were rated as excellent, 12 percent good, 34 percent fair, and 50 percent poor (The Similan Islands had the highest concentration of Excellent and Good Reefs – Phuket the lowest). Monitoring suggests that the condition of coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand has worsened since the late 1980s, while the condition of reefs in the Andaman Sea has remained stable or improved slightly.

The RRSEA model shows that about 77 percent of Thailand’s reefs are threatened by human activities, with over 60 percent of corals in the Andaman Sea and nearly 90 percent in the Gulf of Thailand at risk. Overfishing is the most pervasive threat, affecting about one half of all reefs. Sedimentation and pollution associated with coastal development and inland activities threaten over 40 percent of the country’s reefs. Destructive fishing activities have damaged many reefs in the past and may continue to be a problem in some areas.

Diving with turtles in thailand – education, conservation and…fun!

Sea turtles have lived on this planet for 130 million years. Now the 7 global species of Marine Turtles are all in serious decline throughout most of their range. Habitat degradation, pollution, egg poaching and over-fishing threaten to make them extinct. Historically, five of these species have been found in Thai waters, although there have been no records of the loggerhead turtle in the last 15 years. The four species of marine turtles that can still be found in Thai waters are below

In Novmeber and December We will be offering an incredible opportunity to learn about and dive with Turtles on the Similan Islands

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green turtle is found in scattered areas in both the Andaman and South China Sea coasts, nesting in both areas. They are listed as globally threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and are protected by International Law (CITES) and Thai Law. Seen occasionally at East of Eden

The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Hawksbill turtles are found near off-shore islands in the coastal waters of the Andaman Sea, and the northern Gulf of Thailand. They are listed as “Critically Endangered” in IUCN’s Red List. It is listed in CITES, and is protected by Thai Law. Frequently seen on Breakfast Bend.

The Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
The number of nests on three major nesting beaches has declined dramatically between 1985 and 2002. Olive Ridley’s are listed as “Endangered” by IUCN, and are protected by CITES and Thai Law. Not observed on Similan Islands many years

The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
The leatherback is only known to nest on the Andaman Coast. The leatherback has been listed as globally endangered since 1970, and was confirmed as “Critically Endangered in Thailand” in 1996. It is listed in CITES, and is also protected by Thai Law. While not seen on the Similans, they have been observed nesting on several beaches in the area.

The sea turtle is a reptile which spends all of its life in water. It obviously needs to go to the surface from time to time, to breathe air. Bear in mind they can actually drown if frightened by divers.
The natural longevity of the sea turtles is not entirely known, but they grow very slowly taking about 15 years to reach maturity.The sea turtle’s diet includes sponges, marine worms, corals and even jellyfish
The distribution of turtles in Thai waters is spread out along the fine sand quiet beaches of the coastline and islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. These two geographical areas also reflect different nesting times of the turtles.
In the Gulf of Thailand the most important nesting areas for green and hawksbill turtles are Khram and adjacent islands which are located in the inner Gulf, Chonburi Province. There are some islands along the east coast from Chonburi, Rayong and Trat Province and some islands in the middle Gulf of Chumphon and Surat Thani Province where sea turtles are occasionally found. In the Gulf areas, green and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs all year round with the peak from May to August.
In the Andaman Sea coastal areas of Thailand, the main nesting areas are north-west coast of Phuket, and Phang Nga provinces. In particular these areas include Thai Muang Beach and Phrathong Island, Maikhao beach Phuket, Tarutao Island and Adang-Rawi Islands of Satun Province . Olive ridley and (occasionally) Leatherback turtles are found in these areas. The green and hawksbill are found at the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Tarutao Islands. The nesting season of sea turtles in the Andaman Sea region occurs only from October to March with a peak from mid-November to mid-January.

The females come ashore after dusk, but they have been observed nesting until just before dawn. They select their nesting site and dig a small pit 18 inches deep using their rear flippers. A clutch of between 40 to 180 eggs will be laid, after which the pit will be carefully concealed by sand before they return to the sea. The whole process usually takes about one hour. During the egg laying, the eyes of the turtle will be covered by a colrless mucus to prevent dehydration and keep out the sand grains.
After an incubation period of 60 days, the hatchlings dig their way up to the surface of the pit, usually at night when the sand is cooler. Hatchlings locate the water’s edge by orienting themselves to the horizon, but distant house lights can disorient the youngsters so that they actually crawl away from the sea.
Turtles are most commonly seen in shallow reefs on similan dive sites such as East of Eden or Breakfast Bend but you may see them deeper on rocky sites such as Elephant Head Rock or Deep Six. The usual sightings are Hawksbill and Green turtles.
At Thai Muang (National Park) beach, Leatherback and Olive Ridley are often seen nesting. There is an annual 7 day event here, usually during the first week of March, to release young turtle hatchlings, which have been raised by the Fisheries Department, back into the sea.

THREATS TO MARINE TURTLES IN THAILAND

Sea turtles have lived on this planet for 130 million years, but egg poaching, habitat degradation, pollution, and over-fishing threaten to make them extinct.
The main threats to turtles in Thailand can be summarized as follows:
* Threats to marine turtles from fisheries
* Entanglement (mostly accidental) and drowning in long-line fisheries and shrimp trawling nets
* Much of both the coastal and open seas areas used by turtles is also used by fishermen. Because of this, each year, many turtles are killed (often unintentionally) by entanglement in fishing gear and drowning. Some injured and exhausted turtles are released from nets before they die, but their subsequent fate is uncertain.
* Threats to marine turtles from consumption and trade
* Turtle eggs are also easy to collect, and highly nutritious. In some cultures they are also suggested to have aphrodisiac properties. Turtles have also been hunted for their shells that are used for ornaments, sunglasses and in jewelery. Their hides are cured for leather. In Asia, there has been a long tradition of consuming turtle flesh and eggs for thousands of years. Historically turtle shell has also been traded in the region for hundreds of years.
* Threats to marine turtles from coastal development
* The construction of seawalls, hotels, marinas, and other infrastructure associated with coastal tourism and commerce, have destroyed large areas of turtle nesting beaches around the world.
* Disruptive activities on or near nesting beaches during nesting season, such as activity, noise, lights, etc.
* Turtle reproductive behavior evolved in an environment of deserted, intact beaches. Nowadays, light and noise pollution frequently deter or interrupt many females from successful laying. Hatchlings locate the water’s edge by orienting themselves to the horizon, but house and street lights can disorient newly hatched turtles so that they actually crawl away from the sea.
* Pollution of the oceans, including chemical contamination
* The ingestion of plastic bags and other garbage

If you are interested in Turtles – why not join us in November & December for a our Similan Turtle Tour – Diving and snorkeling with turtles while learning about them and how you can help their continued survival?

-Similan Diving

Learning to Dive on a budget – Thailand is perfect!

Thailand has so much to offer visitors of all types. From the hustle, bustle and culture rich streets of Bangkok to the tranquil waters and picturesque beaches of the Similan Islands, Thailand is a fabulous holiday destination. What most people might not have known is that it is also one of the best scuba diving locations in the world – especially for those on a tight budget.

The recent political unrest has had an understandable impact on Thailand’s tourism numbers and the knock-on effect of this has meant cheaper flights and hotels for travelers who are willing to make the trip to Thailand’s exotic shores. The combination of cheaper holidays and a strengthening Euro/Dollar has meant that there isn’t a better time than now to visit Thailand and get yourself PADI or SSI certified while you are there.

With crystal clear, warm waters and an abundance of exotic marine life, including whale sharks, turtles and beautiful coral reefs, Thailand is a scuba diver’s paradise. You can often pay up to 500 Euros ($700) for the Open Water Diver course in Europe or America, which runs for about four days and is the most popular dive course in the world. In Thailand this same course can cost be as little as 180 Euros ($250) and with average sea temperatures of about 28c (80degrees)

Once you have your Open Water certification, you can go for more advanced qualifications or just go scuba diving for fun. Again, Thailand has some of the cheapest fun diving and liveaboards in the world. You can find fun dives around the island of Koh Tao for as little as 15 Euro per tank – but this is the most exploited diving in Thailand – so only good for a day or two. You can always check to see where the Best Diving In Thailand is.

Liveaboards can be found for all budgets and can last from two days to two weeks. Staying on a boat and diving each day is definitely a good way to expand your diving skills and get a wide variety of dives in during your holiday. A typical three day Similan liveabord trip in Thailand starts at around 300 Euros and will often include multiple destination dives, accommodation and diving equipment.

There are many different dive locations around mainland Thailand and its islands, such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Phi Phi. One of the most recognized is the Similan Islands National Park Diving, a group of small islands in the Phang Nga Province of southern Thailand – just offshore from Khao Lak. There are plenty of spectacular dive sites in this region, with sightings of whale sharks not uncommon. Visibility is around 30 to 40 meters in good weather conditions and the sheer abundance of marine life makes diving there something very special.

Holidays in Thailand are usually associated with relaxing on a beach or hunting a bargain in a busy Bangkok market, but learning to dive in Thailand is something that will make you holiday even more memorable. Scuba diving is a fun experience and will give you skills and memories that will last a lifetime and have a huge impact on where you will want to spend your holidays in the future.

Elephant Head Rock – Similan Island Dive site

The site is named after an unusually shaped rock that juts out of the water just southwest of Koh Similan. The huge boulders that form Elephant Head Rock create

Similan Islands Diving

daring swim-throughs, arches, caverns, gullies and tunnels – great places to hide, and great places to discover! This site is best visited aboard a Similan Liveaboard.

Swimming through the tunnels you’ll come across blue-ringed angelfish, triggerfish and bicolour parrotfish. Yellow goatfish and snappers always hang around at the deepest levels, as well as several species of lionfish. Take a look under the overhanging ledges to find several species of the larger snappers, such as one-spot, mangrove and black and white, as well as giant and Andaman sweetlips – an endemic species.

Hang out in the shallows here to off-gas at the end of your dive. Powder blue surgeonfish make their way across the boulder tops, grazing on the algae. Bigeye bream hang out here, seemingly eying you curiously, as large trains of traveling robust fusiliers arrive on the scene from other nearby feeding stations. Keep an eye out for the great barracuda’s that do some serious hunting here. You will often be surprised by the assaults of the huge Jacks that dive into these passing fish too!

The southern most point of the site has a tiny group of submerged pinnacles in very deep water. A great place to observe small reef sharks. There is a possibility of strong surge and current. This makes it one of the more challenging Similan Islands diving sites.

Diving is done from 5 – 35 meters (15-115 feet) with most time spent 15-30 meters (50-100 feet).

Currents can be present but any experienced dive guide will take you to the sheltered spots.

Visibility is often quite good 30 meters+ (100 Feet) but can be affected by prevailing currents.

Divers should be experienced due to depth and currents. Swim-throughs are a hazard to be conscious of as well.

Guitar Sharks – Thailand Marine Life

This special fish is seen most frequently at remote sites like Richelieu Rock and Koh Tachai, but has been seen at several other sites with less frequency.

For more information on the other kinds of sharks we see at the Similan islands check our Shark Page. If you are interested in Rays – please see our Similan Island Rays page

Shark Ray

Rhina ancylostoma

Endangered!

Much of this information is from the Australian Museum, as there is little information on this rare shark….

The Shark Ray is a very distinctive, deep-bodied fish which is found widely in the Indo-Pacific.

The upper surface of this species is a blue-grey color with white spots. There is a large blue-edged, black blotch above each pectoral fin and dark bands between the eyes. Unfortunately the specimen in the images has faded and these markings are not visible. This colouration is often not as distinct in large individuals which may only have faint markings.

Some of the most obvious features of this species are the wide, blunt snout, the large thorns on the bony ridges on the head and the large spiracles (the holes in the head behind the eyes). The tail of this species is much longer than the disc. The Shark Ray belongs in the family Rhinchobatidae (the guitarfishes). Two of the characters that separate the guitarfishes from other fishes are the well developed lower caudal fin lobe and the distinct demarcation between the head and pectoral fins. Both of these characters are clearly visible in the top image.

Aust. Mus. specimen AMS I.39214-001.

The Shark Ray is a very distinctive, deep-bodied fish which is found widely in the Indo-Pacific.

The upper surface of this species is a blue-grey colour with white spots. There is a large blue-edged, black blotch above each pectoral fin and dark bands between the eyes. Unfortunately the specimen in the images has faded and these markings are not visible. This coloration is often not as distinct in large individuals which may only have faint markings.

Shark Ray – eye and spiracle.

Some of the most obvious features of this species are the wide, blunt snout, the large thorns on the bony ridges on the head and the large spiracles (the holes in the head behind the eyes). The tail of this species is much longer than the disc. The Shark Ray belongs in the family Rhinchobatidae (the guitarfishes). Two of the characters that separate the guitarfishes from other fishes are the well developed lower caudal fin lobe and the distinct demarcation between the head and pectoral fins. Both of these characters are clearly visible in the top image.

Shark Ray – thorny ridges.

The Shark Ray is not dangerous to humans. It uses its flattened pavement-like teeth to feed on crabs and shellfish.

On the Similan Islands we find these most frequently at Richelieu Rock. In addition sightings have occurred at Koh Tachai, Shark Fin Reef and Boulder city.

Similan Islands Liveaboard – Open Water Course

There are many different ways to learn to scuba dive. An instructor teaches someone in a pool. Others jump off a speedboat and some are lucky enough to do their course on a liveaboard. In Thailand the best bang for you Baht is on a liveaboard – more dives and more experience while cruising through paradise.

The Similan Islands are home to Thailand’s most famous dive sites and are often listed as among the 10 best dive sites in the world. Conveniently located to Khao Lak and the nearby Phuket airport – the diving is very accessible. With the option of Speedboats or liveaboards – many beginning divers chose to do their Similan Liveaboard Open Water course on a 3 day journey through the uninhabited islands. These trips offer the guests their own cabins, meals and many different dive sites.

The calm clear waters, the relaxed atmosphere and the skilled instructors will all contribute to the success of the experience. This is important as SCUBA diving is a lifetime passion – not just a whim.

The courses are easy to take and only require a bit of your time. Much of the academic work can now be completed online (and for free) before you even arrive in Thailand. You can spend your vacation time in the water or on the beaches – no the classroom.

The first day is spent in the pool or on the beach simply getting used to the new equipment and incredible sensation of floating weightless! It’s fun and thrilling to realize that gravity no longer exists – it also takes a bit of practice. Diving also requires a few new skills that you are unlikely to have learned before. Your Instructor will go through all the basic skills that will be demonstrated and practiced in the pool. Then you have the opportunity to practice them too!

In the pool or off the beach – the instructor will settle down in front of the student so that they can see all that she is demonstrating. After some breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface the instructor will get all the divers to kneel on the bottom of the pool breathing and getting used to being underwater. The instructor, followed by the student will complete each of the skills. The students need to complete mask clearing, regulator recovery and some basic buoyancy control skills. These basic skills are required to ensure the safety of the divers, as well as giving them confidence to truly enjoy the open water. The instructor and student will then swim around at the bottom of the pool getting comfortable with the equipment and used to the feeling of weightlessness and breathing underwater.

Once these basic skills are done and everyone feels comfortable – it’s time to head off on an amazing journey through the Similan Islands. The student has the opportunity to do 9 dives with their instructor – gaining more confidence and feeling more and more at ease under the sea.

After the first couple of dives the underwater world will really open up. Passing turtles make the reefs an incredible opportunity to slow down and enjoy the marine life. That shadow over the students head? A Manta Ray – something that brings chills to even the most experienced diver. The chance to glide over the rainbow colored corals and the hundreds of species of reef fish make this a memory of a lifetime.

After the student has completed their first open water scuba dive – they surface with big smiles on their faces. The instructor will debrief them and explain how they may improve their diving knowledge and skills by doing a full certification open water scuba diver course. Only 8 more dives to go!

This is by far the best way to learn to scuba dive.

If you would like to make this story come true…simply join our Similan Liveaboard Open Water course

Festival Time in Thailand!

Thailand boasts some of the world’s best festivals at times that don’t line up with the Commonwealth of Nations’ school holidays.

Try to set your trip for Loy Krathong, held on the full moon in November, and make your way to Chang Mai. There you will witness the waterways filled with floating Krathong (banana leaf rafts lit with candles) and the night-sky speckled with flying lanterns. It’s truly a stunning sight.

If you’re visiting in the spring shoot for Songkran, one of the world’s most unusual, fascinating and brilliantly chaotic festivals. Songkran marks the Thai New Year and spans from April 13th-15h. During the celebration businesses throughout the country shut down (particularly in Bangkok and Chang Mai) and citizens partake in a national water fight. The streets are filled with revelers signing, spreading mud paste on each other’s faces and dumping water on each other. It challenges Spain’s famous Tomatina Festival for both messiness and enjoyment. Both Loy Krathong and Songkran offer excellent opportunities to connect with locals.

The Songkran festival in Khao Lak is much more low key – meant for families and great fun. It also coincides with some seriously incredible diving to! One of the best times to  Dive Khao Lak

At the end of the day, finding a way off the Banana Pancake Trail is simple-all it takes is a spirit for adventure, a thirst for something new and a willingness to split from the pack. The only downside is you might have to try a new dish for breakfast. I’d say it’s certainly worth the trade-off.

Similan Islands Marine Life – Eels!

EELS of the Similan Islands

Ribbon Eel
Rhinomuraena quaesita

The Ribbon Eel can easily be recognized by its hugely expanded anterior nostrils.

Juveniles and subadults are jet black with a yellow dorsal fin. Females are yellow with a black anal fin and white margins on the fins. Adult males are blue with much of the snout and lower jaw yellow.

The species grows to 1.3 m in length.

It is usually seen in burrows in sandy or benthic areas adjacent to coral reefs.

The Ribbon Eel occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-west Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and the Barrier Reef, Queensland.

It has also been called the Ribbon Moray.

snowflake moray

The snowflake moray is found between rocks and corals of intertidal reef flats, and also in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs. It feeds mainly on crustaceans.

Coloration is a white body with two rows of large dendritic black blotches, the black spots between blotches become irregularly linear with age. The eyes are yellow.he snowflake moray eel is a very commonly kept saltwater eel. They are very hardy and well-suited to aquarium life. Up to 36″ in length (while 28″ is more common in captivity), the snowflake moray eel requires an aquarium larger than 50 gallons with a tight-fitting lid, as these eels (and all eels, for that matter) are escape artists and can fit through surprisingly small holes in aquarium lids. They are carnivores, readily accepting just about any meaty foods, including krill, shrimp, silversides and octopus meat. Unless already acclimated to frozen foods, this animal will likely need to be fed with live ghost shrimp when first acquired. Weaning can be accomplished over time. The feeding of freshwater feeder fish (goldfish, rosy reds, etc) will likely cause liver disease if fed to the eel, so they must be avoided.

Gymnothorax thyrsoideus

White-eyed moray eel

Fairly common inhabitant of reef flats where it is usually encountered in shallow tidal pools. Often in shipwrecks; usually in pairs or small aggregations, and shares habitat with other morays

Fimbriate Moray
Gymnothorax fimbriatus (Bennett, 1832)

A Fimbriate Moray at a depth of 7 m, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island, Philippines

Parasitic copepods, possibly of the Order Cyclopoida on the lower jaw. Photo © R. Andrewartha.

The Fimbriate Moray is grey to light brown with rows of well separated dark brown blotches. The head is greenish-yellow dorsally. There is a large white spot at the rear of the lower jaw. A row of large canine teeth runs along the roof of the mouth.

The species grows to about 80 cm in length.

The Fimbriate Moray occurs in coral reef and inshore waters of the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

The laced moray, Gymnothorax favagineus, also known as the tesselate moray honeycomb moray

Basically white with black blotches and interspaces forming a honeycomb pattern. Some individuals have a near black overall appearance. Blotches variable between individuals and size, often in relation to habitat – those in clear coral reefs usually have proportionally less black than those found in turbid waters.

inhabits reef flats and outer reef slopes of continental reefs. One of the two largest of Indo-Pacific morays. Often in holes with cleaner wrasses or shrimps. Feeds on cephalopods and small fishes. Large adults may be aggressive.

Spotted Garden Eel
Heteroconger hass

The Spotted Garden Eel has a white body covered in small black spots. There are three prominent black patches located on the body. One surrounds the gill opening and pectoral fin, the second is half way along the body and the third surrounds the anus. Juveniles are entirely black.

This species grows to 60cm in length.

It is usually seen on sandy bottoms near coral reefs at depths of 15m to 45m.

The Spotted Garden Eel was not discovered until SCUBA diving became popular. Since then colonies of hundreds or thousands of individuals have been reported.

This fish lives in sandy burrows, which they construct. When feeding, the Spotted Garden Eel rises out of its burrow, exposing up to two-thirds of its body. It feeds on zooplankton taken from the passing current.

When disturbed the Spotted Garden Eel retreats backwards into the burrow.

Spotted Garden Eels stay in their burrow even when spawning. Potential mates stretch over from adjacent burrows and entwine bodies.

This species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa, north to Japan, south to New Caledonia and east to the Pitcairn Islands.

Giant Moray
Gymnothorax javanicus

The Giant Moray is mostly brown with dark brown spots. The head is yellow to brown and the gill opening is surrounded by a black blotch.

The Giant Moray is normally not a concern for divers, however it should never be provoked. It is a large, powerful fish with long canine teeth that can inflict serious wounds.

GIANT MORAY (JAVA MORAY)

Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker, 1859)
Thick as a man’s thigh and attaining nearly 8 ft., this is the largest of all morays. Unconfirmed reports exist of 10-foot specimens weighing an estimated 150 lbs.! In Hawai`i these eels are often called “Java Morays.” They are brown to greenish brown speckled with dark spots and there is a large dark mark at the gill opening. This species somewhat resembles the more common Yellowmargin Moray but the latter is finely mottled rather than spotted. Also, the Giant Moray’s tail is plain, with no yellow or green margin. The Giant Moray ranges from East Africa to Costa Rica’s Cocos Island. Common on the Similan Islands

The Giant Moray is normally not a concern for divers, however it should never be provoked. It is a large, powerful fish with long canine teeth that can inflict serious wounds.

Thailand Dive Sites – Elephant Head Rock

Thailand is home to some great diving. The Similan Islands are frequently listed among the top 10 dive sites on earth.

It is no wonder that the best dive sites on the Similan Islands are good – damn good! Among the most famous and frequently cited as “incredible” is Elephant Head Rock. Located right int he Center of the islands – just off  Koh Similan.

Elephant Head Rock is home to some huge pelagic visitors as well as some incredible macro as well. If you imagine a  massive pile of boulders the size of houses that just keep going deeper and deeper into the depths – then you can imagine what this site is like.

Due to Dive profiles and the great features of this site – it’s best to visit in the morning. This usually means joining a Similan Liveaboard as the daytrips usually arrive a bit late.

with Depths to 30 meters and far beyond – Nitrox is also a good idea.

For more on Similan island Dive Sites

Similan Scuba Diving Dive Sites: Koh Tachai

Koh Tachai

The Main site is located just off the Southern tip of Koh Tachai. located withing the boundaries of the Similan Islands National Park, but geologically separate.

As there are can be cold currents from the ocean tides that are quite strong here -  divers are recommended to wear a proper wetsuit when diving in this spot.

This site features rock corals and sea fans with plenty of huge marine life cruising around.

Diving here requires the use of the guide rope connected to the buoys (there are two), as a strong current might sweep divers out of the intended target. This also means making sure you only dive with boats and staff that are safe and aware of diving conditions – please avoid untrained and inexperienced liveaboards.

Leopard Sharks, Manta Rays and even Whale Sharks are among the visitors to this site.

Always choose a dive center that has staff speaking your language, have insurance and are certified.

Similan Scuba Diving