Similan Islands with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
- Similan Islands, made 65 million years ago from overflowing magma and smoothed throughout the centuries by frosty ice, the nine stone islands of the Similan Islands have been changed into the picture of pure heaven for dives and snorkelers.
The west side is known for its huge submerged rock stones with various swim-troughs. East side diving consists of sloping coral reefs with the occasional sandy patches. Only broken up by gigantic boulders in between.
The Similan Islands has a huge diversity of marine life. Its inhabitants are everything from Whale sharks, leopard sharks to the small harlequin shrimp. The most famous of all the dives site is Richelieu Rock, well known for its unique assortment and wealth of marine life. Whale shark sightings are not unprecedented here.
Facebook:
Twitter:
Surin Islands with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Surin Islands Snorkeling
The Surin Islands is a paradise surrounded by Crystal clear water. It hosts a huge diversity of marine life. Surin islands are home to over 200 coral species. Making it a Surin Islands snorkelling heaven.
Wildlife
The Surin Islands are only 90km from mainland khao lak. Traveling time by speed boat is 60 minutes. Not only is the Surin Islands snorkeling amazing but you will also be surprised to find a variety of wildlife here - Monitor Lizards, Flying Fox, Macaque.
The Moken people – Sea Gypsies
For thousand of years the Moken People, who originally came from Easter island, have lived in the Surin Islands, without much influence from western culture.
On your trip you will be able see Totem poles - Carved Pillars of painted Figures on wooden poles.
Some people think that the totem poles are there to celebrate cultural beliefs, Others think they are artistic art.
Nobody is really sure. If you want you can visit the Moken Village and purchase small hand made gifts.
Facebook:
Twitter:
Richelieu Rock diving with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Richelieu Rock diving
Richelieu Rock diving is just pure magic. There has been a lot said about this dive site. The eight dive site of the world. On low tided, the pinnacle is just about breaking the surface of the the sea. High tide Richelieu rock is submerged beneath the cool clear water of the Andaman sea. Richelieu rock is in the shaped of a horse shoe. The outer region is the deepest part. Maximum depth is 40 meters plus. The inner circle is the shallowest part. 20 meters maximum.
With many caves and cracks to discover and explore. Richelieu rock diving can be achieved even if the currents are strong. You can just hide behind all the rock formations. Richelieu rock diving should always be safe and fun. You dive master understands this. So don’t be to concerned, about currents. I would advise. If you are a novice diver. Try not to dive Richelieu rock on full moon. when it is as its strongest.
There are many outer rocks in the deepest part of Richelieu rock. One famous formation is called the telephone box. Here you will find Sea horse hiding in a sea fan. Sometimes two sea horses at a time. Richelieu rock diving holds you captivated, you can never dive this dive site enough. Every time is different.
The inner circle. Which is the shallower part of Richelieu rock has, many caves or ledgers to discover. Richelieu rock diving is an exploration into the unexpected world of aquatic marine life.
Richelieu rock is also famous for whale shark and manta ray sighting. All you will hear is the banging of diving tanks. Look up, because that noise is telling you there is a whales hark or a manta swimming above your head. Its not usual to see two or three whale sharks here. The amazing part is. If you get to see manta rays gliding in between them. Richelieu rock diving has always been an adventure in the world of scuba diving.
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get to see a whale shark or manta. This dive site holds many secrets to unfold. The purple coral is abundant with life and color. The diversify of marine animal is incredible. You will see the smallest nudibranch to the biggest grouper, I have ever seen. Large moray eels roaming around unaware of the divers that are looking at them. All inhabit this dive site we call Richelieu rock.
The advice, I give to all my Pirate divers customer is when they are booking their Richelieu rock diving trip. Plan, when you want to come to Khao Lak and dive the Similan Islands. Because of her fame. Richelieu rock diving trip can be extremely busy. Do you really want to dive and see only bubbles? Choosing the perfect time to dive Richelieu rock is crucial.
There are many ways to get to this dive site. Speed boat in my opinion is the fast and best way.
Richelieu Rock diving is something you must do once in a life time.
Facebook:
Khao Lak Liveaboard Diving with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
When diving Similan Islands the best choice would definitely be a Liveaboard from Khao Lak of minimum 4 days/ 4 nights.
Starting from Similan Islands, and slowly moving up north towards Surin Islands. And of course not to be missed, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai for a good chance for bigger fish.
And as a highlight, on the last day for most of the divers, location No.1 Outstanding Richelieu Rock.
Facebook:
Twitter:
Diving Similan Islands with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Diving Similan Islands on Koh Bon
When diving Similan islands there are few ways to conduct your Similan Islands day trip. All trips to the Similan Islands starts from Khao Lak. Where you get picked up from your hotel in Khao Lak. If your choice is a slow boat for your Similan Islands day trip adventure. You will be transferred to Tab Lamu pier, which is located 10 minutes by a car from Khao Lak. From where the Boat departs.
Diving Similan Islands from a slow boat gives you many advantages . Trip to the Similan Islands takes around 2 and a half to three hours. Plenty of time to relax and sun bath. If you are diving Similan Islands as a fun diver, there is a lot more time to talk to your Divemaster. Any questions you might have , about anything you would like to know when diving Similan Islands. As a student slow boat would definitely be your best option! For all the briefings and for all practical assessments. All quizzes and exams.
Koh Bon Island belongs to the Similan Islands national park and its located 50 km of the west coast of Phang Nga province in Thailand. Choosing Koh Bon for your Similan Islands day trip is something that should not be missed! From all amazing marine life that inhabits Koh Bon. Manta Rays are considered as a hosts on this amazing dive location. Koh Bon have two dive locations, West ridge and North ridge. Also very often, Black tip, White tip an Leopard sharks are spotted.
Facebook:
Similan Islands Diving with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Similan islands diving on Koh Bon, when the manta rays are around, should never be missed. If you get the chance to go diving in the Similan islands be sure to add Koh Bon to your list of Similan Islands adventures. Koh Bon is a giant limestone dive site. Which years ago was hidden under the Andaman sea. Now, when you go on your Similan islands diving trip. Remember centuries ago it was a reef dive. The ridge, which is on the western side of Koh Bon is a wall dive. Check all the small crevasses for the unexpected. Similan Islands diving always has proven, to show you something that you never thought you would see here.
On a Similan islands diving trip, your first hope will be to see something big. Manta rays are 7meters in width. There unique patters on their underbelly. Tells them apart like a finger print. These huge rays are harmless to human. There diet consists of mainly plankton. The manta ray propels its huge body through the water by moving their pectoral fins up and down. Manta ray frequently go to cleaning station where wrasse and angelfish will clean the manta ray of dead tissue and parasites.
Similan islands diving, on a day trip tour with three dives a day. Gives everybody a chance to encounter theses amazing creators.
Facebook:
Leopard Sharks with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Leopard Sharks are they Dangerous?
Leopard sharks pose no threat to humans. They are a very docile fish and quickly flee when they see a diver. So when you get to see one on Koh Tachai Pinnacle in the Similan Islands is an amazing feeling. Koh Tachai Pinnacle is one of the best places to see a leopard shark because of the depth of this dive site. Allowing this shy fish to hide.
The female Leopard Shark.
The female leopard shark when giving birth will go to shallow water. There fore divers have seen Leopard shark on some of the less deep dive sites in the Simian Islands. The Female of the species can give birth from 8 to 37 off springs at one time.
What do they Eat?
Leopard sharks mainly feed on invertebrates (shrimps, crabs, worms and clams) and small fish (bat rays, different types of Fish eggs.
When is the best time to see a Leopard Shark?
Leopard sharks are more active in the night rather then the day. When you go diving on a Similan Liveaboard. The first dive of the day is one of the best time to see a leopard shark Also the evening dive is a good time. when they are looking for a place to sleep. But there really is no hard and fast rule to when you get to see a leopard shark...
As Yet! Leopard sharks are not on the Endangered list!
Facebook:
Twitter:
Koh Tachai Pinnacle with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Koh Tachai Pinnacle - Leopard sharks mating
Koh Tachai Pinnacle is 20 km north of Koh Bon. Its one of the best Northern dive sites in the Similan Islands and a dive site that should not to be missed. It consists of twin peaks which are not visible from the surface. The southern pinnacle is the largest and a boulder dive site. This dive site is also known as 'The Dome' because of its shape but mostly its referred to as Koh Tachai Pinnacle. It is one of the best boulder dives in the Similan Islands. Koh Tachai Pinnacle can go as deep as 50 meters. It shallows up to 12 meters.
This is a solitary island, so you can never tell what will pass by. The shallow part of Koh Tachai is very beautiful. Lots of soft / hard corals, giant sea fans. Huge schools of Barracudas and Travalis circle around the top of Ko Tachai Pinnacle regularly.
Marine life on Ko Tachai Pinnacle is very diverse. The chances of spotting Manta Rays and various types of Sharks including Whale Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Black Tip, White Tips and occasional reef sharks are common place here.
Leopard sharks mating
In this video of Koh Tachai Pinnacle you will see two Leopard sharks mating. You can see that the male is chasing the female and biting her tail. There is very little know about the mating habits of the Leopard sharks except that it can be quite aggressive. The male will reach reproductive maturity between the ages of 7 to 13 years of age. The Female leopards shark reaches maturity between 10 to 15 years of age. The female can have give birth to over 33 pups in one season.
A Whale shark family has been spotted many time here, with giant manta rays swimming all around them.
Current - Intermediate to very strong - Northeast to southwest direction.
There are two mooring lines on this dive site, due to the nature of the currents here. Divers will generally use the mooring line. when there is a strong current. This happens where there is a new moon. Once you reach the dive site. Divers will hide behind the boulders
Visibility
The Visibility can range from anything between 10 meters to 50 meters.
Facebook:
Similan Islands Liveaboard with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Similan Islands liveaboard
Similan Islands liveaboard is a huge adventure, into the unexpected world of the Andaman Sea. Weather your diving the Similan islands or Surin Islands. There is a wealth of various types of marine life to see and enjoy. Similan liveaboard diving is different to day trip diving. It much more relaxed and hassle free.
Its cheaper to go on a Similan Islands liveaboard
Similan Islands liveaboard are much cheaper per dive. Then any of the day trip boats. With the added bonus of having a panoramic view of the Similan Islands and Surin Island each morning and evening.
Diving knowledge to another diving level on a Similan Islands liveaboard
Similan liveaboard diving allows each diver to experience what a morning dive is like. Jumping in to the crystal clear waters at 7pm. You get to see all the marine life before any other diver, has arrived on their day trip boat from khao lak. Also divers can experience what a night dive is like on a Similan Islands liveaboard. It is a great place to either get more diving experience or to take your diving knowledge to another diving level.
Duration of stay on the Similan Islands
Similan Islands liveaboard can offer the unique journey of diving in the Similan islands, for as long as your holiday plans allow. Duration of stay on the Similan Islands and the Surin Islands is entirely up to you. There are so many option to choose from 2day/1night to the longer Similan Islands liveaboard options. 7day/7night is for those of us who are addicted to diving.
Similan Islands liveaboard Price,
Similan Islands liveaboard price, is entirely up to how much money you wish to financials spend on your Liveaboard. There are so many option to choose from. Budget - Midrange – Luxury. The added bonus of going on a midrange or a Luxury Similan Islands liveaboard, is you have the option. if you want to go diving the Surin Islands and Burma as well. As the Similan islands.
Facebook:
Google+:
Shark Fin Reef with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Shark fin reef, formation of granite boulders and hard coral. Located 1 km to the southeast of Similan Islands 2 and 3.
The pinnacles can be seen from the surface, which gave the reef it's name. But during high tides it's difficult to see.
The boulders fall steeply to 35 to 40 meters, surrounded by sand. Since the boulder formation is long, coral reefs have been divided into northern and southern areas. The southern side is deeper then northern side. The northern area has more corals consisting of staghorn coral and soft corals. The southern side is made up primarily of sheer walls. A lots of swim-troughs that divers can enjoy.
On Shark fin reef you are likely to see Leopard sharks, white tip and black tip reef sharks. On the sandy bottom sting rays and garden eels. Pelagic Manta Ray's are spotted here often.
When diving in the Similan islands, this is a great dive site if you are on the lookout for larger marine life.
Facebook:
Twitter:
White Tip Sharks with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
White tip reef sharks can be often seen in the Similan Islands.
This video is captured on the west side of Island No.7. Dive site named West of Eden.
When diving West of Eden the best place to wait for white tip sharks to turn up is in deeper water. Of course not exceeding divers depth limit.
White tips are generally very shy. Most of the times they would swim away from divers. Though if they do come near, normally they would just swim pass. Very rarely coming to shallow water. Feeds at night on bony fishes, crustaceans, and octopus in groups.
White tip sharks can range in length up to 2.2 meters.
Facebook:
Twitter:
The Best Liveaboard Dive Boat in Khao Lak - Phuket of Thailand
Peterpan Cruise is Richelieu Rock, Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai around Andaman Sea leader in corporate cruise entertaining favorite choice for scuba diving and snorkeling. Visit :
Grey Reef Sharks with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Grey reef sharks are fast swimming, agile predators feed primarily on bony fishes and cephalopods (squids and octopuses). They aggressive behavior sometimes, enables them to dominate other shark species on the reef. They would perform a threat display behavior, warning other sharks that it is ready to attack. Maximum reported length is 2.5 meters.
Grey reef sharks can be seen in the Similan Islands. This video was captured outside of the biggest Island in the national park. Koh Tachai pinnacle. Amazing formation of granite boulders, covered with sea fans and corals. One of the best spots to encounter grey reef shark.
Grey reef sharks are active at all times of the day. So there is always a chance to spot them!
Facebook:
Twitter:
Whale shark at Richelieu Rock with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Richelieu Rock diving is one of the best places to spot a Whale Shark. When diving at Richelieu Rock there is always a chance to encounter one of this amazing pelagic animals!
The whale shark is a slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest known fish in the marine life kingdom This is the largest fish with a length over 14m (46 ft.) long and weighing at least 30 tons (66,000 lb.), It holds a records for sheer size alone in the underwater world. The Whale shark species originated about 60 million years ago. It has a lifespan of about 70 to 75 years, but this is very hard to prove as they are a very elusive animal. The whale shark has an extraordinary large mouth anywhere from 1.5m in width. The whale shark has an incredible large pair of gills which consume large volumes of tropical sea water. This animal pushes water into their mouth and filters all the plankton out. Then they expel the water through their gills.
There are only two other fish that consumer their food in this manner, mega mouth and the basking sharks. These amazing animals are completely harmless to humans. Unfortunately, they have a bad reputation due to the many movies depicting sharks as vicious predators below the water. There has never been any incident, where human had been injured by whale sharks.
The whale shark is a pelagic fish. Which mean it will not be found near the deepest part of the ocean or near shores line or lakes.
The head is wide and flat. which makes it very streamlined fish in these tropical oceans. It has two rather small eyes considering it overall size.
Its marking is pales yellow with spots and stripes. Completely unique to each fish. Similar to the human hand print.
The skin of the huge animal is approximately 10 cm in thickness It’s color is a grayish blue.
Whale sharks are a very docile marine fish and does allow divers and snorkelers to swim and dive along beside them.
In the Similan Islands - Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock are famous for their Whale Sharks sighting. Also there is a small wreck dive off the coast of Khao lak, which is call the Bangsak wreck. Unusually, there have been many sighting this year of whale sharks in this location. This is not their normal hunting ground because of its close proximity to land. They like the open sea.
We do discourage divers and snorkelers from touching this majestic animal. Interaction only by swimming and not touching. There have been many discussions on whether touching these beautiful animal can do harm to them. Does the oil from your palms, cause them to get infected and die? There is no conclusive evidence either way. It's very tempting to touch theses marine creator but could you take the chance, that you could harm this animal. Also we always advise people never to swim to close to a whale shark. one swipe of their tails, could unintentionally dislodge your mask or even your regulator.
Whale shark are the gentle giants of tropical oceans. Unfortunately, they are on the endangered list. Due to shark fining.
Keep your distant and never touch them. leave them for the next generation.
Facebook:
Diving at Koh Tachai - Khao Lak, Thailand - 21.02.2016
Similan Diving Octopus with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Many times Similan diving is referred to diving in Similan islands with Manta Rays, Whale sharks or sharks.. when Diving in Similan Islands there are so many amazing underwater creatures that most of the time experienced divers forget about. Probably because they do spot them often. In Similan diving trips there is so much that Similan Islands can offer. Marine life that, when knowing a bit more about specific species, will leave you amazed. One of the very complex and at same time one of the most amazing underwater creatures is Octopus!
The Octopuses also referred to as a Cephalopod. Which basically means it has an overly large head size, compared to its body size. Which houses a rather large brain, with a set of arms or tentacles. – 2 eyes and eight arms!
The mouth of the Octopus can be located at the center point of the arms. They have no external or internal skeleton. Which has the great advanced of being able to squeeze it self in to very tight places.
Octopuses are also invertebrates, which means, in lay mans terms – they have no backbone.
The octopus (Cephalopods) is renown for being the cleverest of all the invertebrates. They have been known to lift a lid off their aquarium and sneak out of it and enter another aquarium to look for food and sneak back. They are believed to have both short – term and long term memory.
The Octopus is a very social animal and if they are isolated from there own kind. They will interact with others animals.
They have developed many ways, in which to defend then self from underwater predators. They are like the chameleons of the underwater world. There ability to camouflage and mimic other fish (lion fish) is amazing. They can also use certain muscles in the skin to alter their skin texture. They can change color to match any surrounding and they can hide in any nook or cranny. If under treat, whey will shoot out ink and jettison quickly through the water away from any harmful predator. They also have an amazing sense of touch. They can taste what they are touching because they have sensory receptor which can detect chemical stimuli.
The Octopus has slit like pupils that are horizontal. The advantage of this is they have no blind spot, so they can see everything that is going on in their underwater environment.
Octopuses have three hearts. Two hearts pump blood through each of the two gills, while the third pumps blood to the body. Octopus relies on vision to communicate with one another, as well as to search for prey and to see if danger is around.Octopuses are venomous but not fatally dangerous to humans. However, the blue – ringed octopus. Is the exception, it has enough venom to kill ten adult men.
Octopus have a short life expectancy. Some living as short as six months. The giant pacific octopus, if the circumstance are suitable, will live the longest, maximum 5 years. Reproduction is the cause of there short lives.
The male octopus after mating, can only live a few months afterwards. While the female will die usually one month after her eggs have hatched. They die from starvation due to the constant care for the unhatched eggs. Basically, they forget to feed.
Octopuses main diet is shelled mollusks. They either, use force or drill a hole in to the mollusks. Injecting a secretion and then taking out the soft body of shell.
Several countries around the world, including the USA and Asia are eating live Octopuses.
Animal welfare groups all around the world have objected to this practice.
Scientific evidence has shown that Octopus do feel pain, distress and suffering and this is an inhuman way of treating this very cleaver animal.
Facebook:
Similan Island - One day with Khao Lak Fun Divers
Einfach nur genießen und die Seele baumeln lassen.......
Humphead Parrotfish with Pirate Divers Khao Lak
Humphead Parrotfish in Similan Islands
Nearly a meter and half in length. They jaws are so powerful they can bite trough rock. When they descent to feed the reef it self is under threat. They are indiscriminant feeder taking both coral and rock alike, in their quest for algie.
This fish play a large part in the erosion of the reef. The rock and coral they swallow emerges later as a fine sand. On a single reef they can produce tons of it every year. This soft sand forms tropical beaches that we find so alluring.
Over time the sand builds up to form an island which is then colonized by animals and plants.
Best location in Similan Islands to spot Humphead Parrotfish is Shark Fin Reef. Though we do encounter them occasionally trough all dive sites in the Similan Islands.
Facebook:
Tweeter:
Wicked Diving, Khao Lak, Thailand 2018
What a week! 6 Days traveling around Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock and the Similan Islands with Wicked Diving, Khao Lak.
Highly recommended!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sony A600
- Go Pro 5 Hero Black
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falling (Ft. eSoreni) by Sappheiros
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Music promoted by Audio Library
Diving in Thailand (Adaman Sea) with Khao Lak Explorer
Diving with Khao Lak explorer using the boat: Deep Adaman Queen! Amazing experience!