Scuba Diving the Similan Islands

by oneluckydad
It was our last dive of the second day, and we were diving off the island of Koh Bon (about 3 miles north of the Similan Islands, but was added to be part of the National Marine Park in 1998). The west side of Koh Bon island often has a strong current the runs north to south, and we were told that large fish love to hang out in the current. The dive briefing for the last dive was spot on… we dove down and fought the current for about 100 meters swimming northwest. Then, there it was. A huge manta ray just chill in’ out in the current. The five of us all grabbed on to a rock so that we wouldn’t have to fight the current and waste air, and we just enjoyed the moment. We stayed on the same rock for over 100 bar, and the manta ray eventually came within arms reach. It was amazing.