The speedboat left Nai Yang around 7.15am on Saturday and anchored around the far side of Island 4 just over two hours later. A massive eagle seemed to be following our boat as we navigated between the islands. We geared up and took a long stride off the side into the sea, and we each took hold of the rope and slowly descended to around 18m deep. The first thing you notice is the visibility. You can see for 30m in all directions. The reef here was superb, as we heading towards it it felt like being in another world all together. Sholes of bright yellow fish drifted around and baracuda darted about beside an amazing array of reef, all different colours and kinds, and fish as big as your arm swam around you as if you weren’t even there.
We circled around a big section of reef, and on the way back Wolf signalled something to me and pointed down where a large turtle was poking its head between a couple of rocks. We all observed it for a minute and then it turned around and looked at us as if to say ‘What the hell are all you looking at?‘ and flapped away into the distance. Even at Similan you’re lucky to see one so to do so on my first qualified dive was a bit special.
We got out and the boat took us to a slightly shallower section of reef (you always have to do your deepest dive first) and before long we were floating on the edge of some reef which disappeared down a sheer drop into the ether. We drifted past an old boat wreck and more large and brightly decorated life was seen.
Time for lunch and we moored at a spectacular little beach, we were practically the only one’s on it too. After an hour and 15 minutes of snorkelling and sunbathing we went for our final dive of the day. On this one we saw a couple of playful Clown (Nemo) fish, a giant Moray Eel and went by a huge Gargonian Fan teeming with life. We came home and all felt pretty tired, it was a wicked day though.
Me and Chris leave for Ko Samui this morning, before heading North slightly to Ko Pha Ngan for the full moon party. I’m going to miss our bus if I write much more so I’ll have to carry on when I get to the other side of Thailand, this afternoon or tomorrow. I’ve got quite a few more photos to upload too.