28-29 December: RFA & Gillmanoids Dive Festival

Sunday, 28th December
Dive 142: Raya Noi (Marina Bay)
Max Depth: 17.3m ; Bottom time: 36 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10m

Dive 143: Raya Yai (Bay 5)
Max Depth: 17.9m ; Bottom time: 38 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Monday, 29th December
Dive 144: Koh Bida Nok
Max Depth: 11.8m ; Bottom time: 40 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Dive 145:Koh Bida Nai
Max Depth: 12.8m ; Bottom time: 38 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 15-20m

Dive 146:Koh Doc Mai
Max Depth: 17.3m ; Bottom time: 43 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 5-10m

16th December: Laurie & Chris Bautista

Dive 140: Shark Point (Hin Musang)
Max Depth: 16.1m ; Bottom time: 39 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10m

Dive 141: Koh Doc Mai (Flower Island)
Max Depth: 17.9m ; Bottom time: 49 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

7th - 10th December: Fun dives with Itt, Eve & Neng

Sunday, 7th December
Dive 135: Ko Pu, East Side
Max Depth: 12.5m ; Bottom time: 33 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Dive 136: Kata Reef
Max Depth: 9.1m ; Bottom time: 41 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Tuesday, 9th December
Dive 137: Raya Yai, Bungalow Bay
Max Depth: 11.5m ; Bottom time: 38 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Dive 138: Raya Yai, Bungalow Bay
Max Depth: 11.2m ; Bottom time: 40 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

Wednesday, 10 December
Dive 139: Kata Reef (Night Dive)
Max Depth: 8m ; Bottom time: 41 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 10-15m

3rd December: Inspecting MV May Dream

Dive 134: Ko Hei (Coral Island)
Max Depth: 10m ; Bottom time: 31 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 5-10m

29th November: First Dive at For Sea AirWreck

Dive 132: Dakota (D2) Plane
Max Depth: 21.9m ; Bottom time: 39 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 2-5m

Dive 133: Dakota (D3) Plane
Max Depth: 17.9m ; Bottom time: 38 min
Water Temp: 28c; Visibility: 2-5m

Comments: A windy day off Bangtao Beach, Phuket for the celebrated first dive at the newly sunk wrecks. The dive site is officially named For Sea AirWreck Dive Site (despite the politically motivated TDA - CMAS organization attempt to call it something else). Descending into the stirred up sandy bottom, visibility was at best 5m or so. We reached the Dakota D2 at 20m, sighting it for the first time. The plane is intact, sitting upright, secured tightly by ropes and cement blocks to the bottom. The interior is easily penetrated, wide open with opening for sunlights from both sides. Its body however is littered with "self-proclaimed" stickers and banners by TDA & CMAS, creating an ugly image (looks like all of those damm bill boards selling property on the island) for the artificial reef. Please support in the conservation of our Andaman sea, AVOID businesses who support or associate with any organization whose is "placing graffiti" on dive sites promoting their own self-indulgence dive businesses.

Due to the tide changing & windy conditions, the wreck is quite challenging for beginners or inexperience divers. However, I do foresee if condition is favorable later in the season, this is one fantastic dive site for wreck lovers. To dive this dive site, please contact any dive businesses who support Thailand For Sea Foundation, the non-profit organization whose interest is to raise awareness to the plight of the seas surrounding Thailand.

Photos: Dakota D2 (top); Broken Self-proclaimed TDA & CMAS canvas sign that can hurt unsuspected turtles (middle); Dakota D3 (bottom)

more photos are found at my Facebook album.

27th November: Ko Doc Mai with Kristina, Clae & Andrea

Dive 130: Ko Doc Mai (Soft Coral wall & Garden)
Max Depth: 17.9m ; Bottom time: 48 min (32% EANx)
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 5-10m

Dive 131: Ko Doc Mai (Caves Side)
Max Depth: 17.9m ; Bottom time: 49 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 5-10m (32% EANx)

Comments: A quick 2 dives trip to Ko Doc Mai with Kristina, Clae & Andrea from NorCal. The ride out was a little bouncy, as the morning wind was still blowing. Current for the dive was heading North to South, about 2 knots. Visibility was less than usual due to the windy condition. The Soft Coral wall was spectacular as always, with school of thousands of bigeye snappers (lutjanus lutjanus) hanging out over the coral garden. Nudibranches were in abundance, especially the Glossodoris and Phyllidia species. Video clip of the Snappers are posted at my YouTube page. Click here to view.

Photos: Glossodoris atromarginata (right) & Phyllidia melanocera (left) (Also known as: Phyllidiella pustulosa)

15th - 16th November: RFA Dive Fest with Gillmanoids

Saturday, 15th: Raya Yai Island
Dive 124: Bay 3 to Staghorn Reef
Max Depth: 21m ; Bottom time: 55 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 20+m

Dive 125: Lucy's Reef to Bay 4
Max Depth: 16.1m ; Bottom time: 57 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 20+m

Dive 126: Homerun Reef
Max Depth: 17.3m ; Bottom time: 45 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 10-15m

Sunday, 16th: Phi Phi Islands
Dive 127: Ko Doc Mai
Max Depth: 19.2m ; Bottom time: 44 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 10m

Dive 128: Ko Bida Nai
Max Depth: 14.6m ; Bottom time: 44 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 10-15m

Dive 129: Lohsama Bay
Max Depth: 16.1m ; Bottom time: 57 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 10-15m

Comments: Kata was invaded by our friendly Gillmanoids from KL over the weekend. The gang came in to finish a couple of students for the OW course and also brought along a bunch of troublemakers :-) to keep the whole festival lively. Elia & Abhi completed their OW course under the direct supervision of Sabrya & Ian. They encountered green turtle, leopard shark, and for Abhi, manta on his 3rd diving day... not too bad for a newly certified diver. RFA was joined by my buddy Dave Garrett (SF) the timid Elin (Sweden) who were completing their courses also, my brother Trung (SF) & his fiance Amee (BK) whose came along for the ride to Phi Phi Islands.

The fun players from Gillmanoids: Sharman, Ashima, Nick, Remar, Andrew, Alicia, Mogan & the "aquaGirl" Sophi.

From Rumble Fish, the players were: Danny, Chris, Peter & Moi! More photos are found at my Facebook albums.