Another fantastic marine biologist onboard!
Our adventure set sail on a thrilling expedition dedicated to the majestic whale sharks of the Andaman Sea. With divers from England, France, and Brazil eagerly joining us onboard, the anticipation was palpable as we embarked on this special journey. We were honoured to have Kirsty Magson, a marine biologist based in Thailand who started Thai Whale sharks project in 2017 to identify and monitor these gentle giants. Kirsty joined us for the fourth time this year, enriching our experience with her invaluable knowledge and passion for these magnificent creatures through daily presentations about what scientists know of Whale sharks but also about the marine environment they live in.
Starting up in Surin national park and Richelieu rock
Our voyage began on the 19th of March as we bid farewell to Khao Lak and headed towards the Surin Islands National Park. Over the course of the first two days, we immersed ourselves in the underwater wonders of Richelieu Rock, renowned as one of the best dive sites worldwide and one of the best spots in Thailand to encounter Whale Sharks.
The conditions were ideal, and despite not encountering any shark, we witnessed a plethora of marine life in its colourful seascape: From schools of big-eyed trevally and chevron barracuda to solitary great barracuda and massive groupers, every dive was a mesmerizing encounter with the ocean's biodiversity. For macro enthusiasts, the discovery of a tiny baby tigertail seahorse, along with sightings of harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and clownfish eggs, added an extra layer of excitement to our underwater explorations.
Koh Bon and Koh Tachai
On Day 3, we found ourselves at Koh Tachai, diving amidst crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine ecosystems. Strong currents greeted us on our first dive, bringing with them an abundance of life in the blue depths. Chevron barracuda, batfish, and even a blacktip shark made appearances, offering thrilling encounters for our divers. The second dive, with calmer conditions, allowed us to leisurely explore the pinnacle, marveling at the diversity of marine life, from groupers and surgeonfish to butterflyfish and the intricate architecture of a lobster's nest. As the day progressed, we ventured deep into the Koh Bon pinnacle, where a massive school of big-eyed trevally mesmerized us with their synchronized movements.
The highlight of the day awaited us as we delved into the mysterious world of Black Water Diving. Setting our boat at a depth of 100 meters, we created a vertical line with lights, inviting our guests to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the ocean's nighttime migration. Over the course of an hour, we were treated to sightings of rare and peculiar creatures, providing a glimpse into the enigmatic depths of the ocean.
Similan islands
Our expedition continued with exploration of the Similan Islands on Day 4. Diving in the clear and warm waters of Three Trees, Elephant Head, and West of Eden, we were fortunate to encounter turtles, ribbon eels, ghost pipefish, and even the elusive pegasus sea moth. The sighting of the pegasus sea moth was particularly special, as it is rarely seen in these waters. We've seen them in Mergui Archipelago and Koh Lipe before but only James, who has been diving the Similan islands for the past 22 years, had seen them in the similan islands before and he had been waiting 10 years to witness this remarkable creature again.
| |  Seamoths “walk” along the bottom with modified pelvic fins and use their toothless, tube-like mouths mouths to suck up worms and other invertebrates. |
South Andaman
On Day 5, we ventured to Hin Deang and Hin Muang, where we encountered stonefish and ghostfish, adding to the intrigue of our underwater adventures. Day 6 brought us to the Koh Lipe area, where we were treated to sightings of a frogfish and seahorse at 8 miles, along with exploring dive sites like Stonehenge, Honeycomb, and Koh Taru.Want to know how to differentiatea stone fish from other scorpionfish? Read this article!
eggs of a harlequin ghost pipe fish | Stonefish |
As our expedition drew to a close, we spent Day 7 exploring the wonders of Koh Haa, including the Cathedral dive site where we witnessed a vibrant Nudi festival, showcasing a variety of nudibranch species. The Chimney dive site provided further excitement with its unique underwater formations.
On Day 8, our final day of diving, we visited Bida Nok and Shark Point, where we encountered an array of marine life, including blacktip sharks, sea snakes, cuttlefish, and a mesmerizing school of squid. As we bid farewell to the Andaman Sea, our hearts were filled with gratitude for the unforgettable experiences shared and the incredible diversity of marine life encountered during our expedition.
Unfortunately Franck, owner and onboard photographer wasn't onboard on this trip so I took the liberty to use some older photos to illustrate the article with what was seen this week. I hope you'll like this article and feel free to share it or leave us a comment below! Follow us for more fishy stories :)
FAQs
Whale shark sightings around Koh Tao, Thailand, can vary, and there isn't a specific “whale shark season” as they are wild animals and their movements are not strictly predictable. However, whale sharks are more commonly spotted in the waters around Koh Tao during the months of February through till about May.
Can you swim with whale sharks in Thailand? ›
On the east coast of Thailand, and perhaps 3rd on the list of where to dive with whale sharks in Thailand, are the dive sites of Sail Rock, Southwest Pinnacle and Samran Pinnacle. Situated between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, these are some of the best sites to dive in the Gulf Of Thailand, with or without whale sharks!
What happens if whale sharks go extinct? ›
So, if these creatures went extinct, the ocean would lose an integral part of the long-term regulation of plankton levels in the ocean. With their highly-traded fins and meat, whale sharks are being overfished and poached around the world, and their numbers are decreasing each year.
Why are whale sharks prone to injury from tourist boats? ›
Unfortunately, human activities within the developmental habitat mean sharks continue to acquire injuries while they are there. Whale sharks spend a lot of time cruising just below the surface of the ocean, feeding on plankton and small animals. This puts them right in the path of boats.
Are sharks a problem in Thailand? ›
Of the more than 400 species of sharks worldwide, only 5 species are potentially dangerous to humans. Two of these species (bull shark and tiger shark) are found in Thailand, but sightings are extremely rare. In Thailand, there has only been a single confirmed case of a shark attack in the last 500 years!
Where is the biggest whale shark? ›
A 20.75 m (68.1 ft) long whale shark was reported as being stranded along the Ratnagiri coast in 1995. A female individual with a standard length of 15 m (49.2 ft) and an estimated total length at 18.8 m (61.7 ft) was reported from the Arabian Sea in 2001.
Why can't you scuba dive with whale sharks? ›
Although they can reach up to 20 meters in length, this shark is totally harmless to humans. Unfortunately, these contacts with humans may be bad for whale sharks, and for this reason we have created rules of conduct that aim to protect these beautiful animals.
Is it safe to swim in sea in Thailand? ›
The overwhelming majority of travellers will safely enjoy swimming in the warm tropical waters without any cause for concern. However, there are some important things to note, especially during the rainy season. At a small number of beaches, there is a chance of jellyfish coming closer to shore.
Is swimming with whale sharks OK? ›
Swimming with whale sharks in the middle of the ocean! While whale sharks have a huge mouth, they almost exclusively feed on plankton. That is why they are absolutely harmless to humans. They are mainly interested in fish eggs, algae and krill, and they are definitely not interested in the person swimming next to them.
Can whales save humans from sharks? ›
I yelled out to the boat but, before I knew it, the whale had positioned me on the front of his head and was gracefully racing through the water. It was terrifying and yet peaceful. Within 10 minutes, he had safely returned me to the boat and out of the shark's way.
NPR / KCRW - The megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago, and is thought to be the largest shark that ever swam the Earth.
What eats whale sharks? ›
Whale shark pups are vulnerable to many predators including blue sharks and blue marlin when small, but once mature, whale sharks have few natural predators. However, the species is vulnerable to being caught as bycatch in nets as well as being fished for their meat and fins.
How do cruise ships avoid hitting whales? ›
For cruise ships, avoiding a whales requires that the captain, pilot, or other bridge personnel detect the whale at a sufficiently large enough distance to change course or speed. This often means detecting the whale several kilometers away.
What is the biggest threat to whale sharks? ›
The greatest threats to the whale shark population are targeted fisheries, bycatch in nets, unsustainable tourism, and vessel strikes. Large-scale takes of whale sharks have increased due to overfishing in several areas, including in southern China.
Why do whale sharks rub against boats? ›
It's likely, however, that he approached a boat looking for food and came away with an injury instead. The whale sharks that feed at Tan-awan all sport odd calluses around their mouths where they rub against the boats as fishermen drop shrimp meals into the water, Craven said.
What time of year are whale sharks in Thailand? ›
Best Time to See Whalesharks in Thailand
There are normally most whale shark sightings in April and during February/March if you're lucky. Most of these are at Richelieu Rock, on the schedule of most Similan Islands Liveaboards. Apart from whale sharks, the last few seasons have been very good for Manta Rays.
Where are whale sharks most commonly found? ›
Whale sharks have a broad distribution in tropical and warm temperate seas, usually between latitudes 30°N and 35°S. They are known to inhabit both deep and shallow coastal waters and the lagoons of coral atolls and reefs.
How rare is it to see a whale shark? ›
Whale sharks are an endangered species with currently decreasing numbers, so it is still very rare to see them. For some diving on Koh Tao, this means the possibility of a whale shark sighting on the 3rd dive of their PADI Open Water Diver course.
What kind of sharks does Thailand have? ›
Sharks in Thailand
| Name | Details | Adult Size |
|---|
| Leopard/Zebra Shark | Easiest to approach | 2 metres |
| Whitetip Reef Shark | Normally seen deeper than 15 metres | 1.6 metres |
| Blacktip Reef Shark | Normally seen in very shallow water | 1.6 metres |
| Guitar Shark | Normally seen deeper than 20 metres / Quite rare | 2 metres |
5 more rowsSep 21, 2018
