Similans update!

[Quero]

My just-certified OW/AOW student was the only one on a Dive Asia LOB to see a whale shark a few days ago at Anita's Reef. He (the diver) was swimming on his back looking up and saw it. Said he had no way to get people's attention and swam over to grab his buddy, but by then it had moved out of visual range. He became the envy of the entire boat, LOL.

 

[Batfish]

Maybe its the weather? Lots of big stuff being seen. The Mermaid II this week has seen whalesharks, mantas and eagle rays. I really must get me on a liveaboard soon!

 

[Ringo]

Yes, lots of the bigger marine life around at the moment. Yesterday the divers returning from Sharkpoint to Phuket saw a Minke Whale!!! Most unusual for these warm waters.

 

[Bowmouth]

Maybe its the weather? Lots of big stuff being seen. The Mermaid II this week has seen whalesharks, mantas and eagle rays. I really must get me on a liveaboard soon!

It may have to do with the El Nino. As I understand are we now in an El Nino year which for the Andaman Sea means lots of nutrient rich cold water entering our area.

With the cold water comes the fish as well that in non-El Nino years stays way deep in cooler water.

 

[Quero]

Yes, lots of the bigger marine life around at the moment. Yesterday the divers returning from Sharkpoint to Phuket saw a Minke Whale!!! Most unusual for these warm waters.

I have seen minkes three times this season coming back from daytrips. Twice in November and again on Wednesday. There must be a pod hanging out around here.

 

[Quero]

It may have to do with the El Nino. As I understand are we now in an El Nino year which for the Andaman Sea means lots of nutrient rich cold water entering our area.

With the cold water comes the fish as well that in non-El Nino years stays way deep in cooler water.

And the thermoclines! There was one at Racha Noi last week that literally made me gasp when I entered it. Got some at the Bidas too, but not quite as cold.

 

[loralei]

I was out on Jonathan Cruiser in the Similans last week - we saw mantas at Shark Fin Reef and Boulder City on 11 Dec. There was a whale shark sighting at Ko Tachai too. We also saw the tawny nurse shark at Richelieu Rock, having a kip in its cave at about 10m...

 

[similandiver]

Two Mantas circling our group for 15 minutes, with plenty of other treats (sharks, turtle?!)
But during lunch, manta breached about 4m from our boat! We got splashed! Incredible. Snorkelled for 45 mintues with one before second dive!!!

Nice day....

 

[Ringo]

The divers on the last trip on The Junk saw mantas everyday for the first 4 days on the cruise and grey reefs on the last day. But water temp's were recorded as low as 22 degrees celcius!!! So for those going up there now take extra protection. BBBrrrr!

 

[Batfish]

Man that's cold..Maybe we can start teaching those dry suit specialties?