Another Andaman Sea dive trip with the wonderful vessel, MV White Manta.
First stop is Phuket to wait for transport to the boat.
I like to stay in Patong at the Tropica Bungalow hotel. It's right on the beach and just around the corner from amazing Bangla road.
But Tropica is an oasis of calm in the madness that Patong has become. It's an older hotel, but has been kept up well.
The garden and pool are very pleasant.
The entrance drive is walled with ancient style fired bricks. At the end, to the right, is the ocean.
Yes, Phuket has a brew pub: Full Moon Brew Work. This is their dark ale with a spicy Thai beef salad. The pub is located in the Jung Ceylon shopping center in Patong.
The Surin Islands.
This is a Dorid Nudibranch, probably a Chromodoris (Richelieu Rock)
Mantis Shrimp (Richelieu Rock)
Banded Coral Shrimp (Richelieu Rock)
Tigertail Seahorse (Richelieu Rock)
Batfish (Koh Tachai Pinnacle)
Harlequin shrimp (large on the left, small on the right) munching on a sea star leg. (Richelieu Rock)
Tiny sea star, maybe 3 cm (just over an inch) in diameter. (Koh Bon Ridge)
Similan Sunset
This scorpionfish fills the full frame: open mouth on the left, eyes center top, pectoral fin and tail at the bottom right. (Three Trees, Similan Islands)
Barrel anemones (Turtle Rock, Similan Islands)
Map (?) puffer (Three Trees, Similan Islands)
Giant Clam - Tridacna (Three Trees, Similan Islands)
Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands
The White Manta is a great dive boat. the cabins are spacious and well laid out.
Hin Daeng/Hin Muang, South Andaman Sea
Sunrise at Koh Haa, South Andaman Sea
Tour leader Chris creates one of his famous three dimensional dive site maps.
Cathedral Caverns, Koh Haa
Food on the White Manta is terrific; as are the boat crew.
Clear water, beautiful scenery at Koh Haa.
Can't wait 'till next time....
Short YouTube video by yours truly.
Larger, high definition version here: Andaman Sea Diving March 2013
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