Similan Islands Diving with Giant Manta Ray

5 Day Similan Islands Diving Liveaboard

Similan Islands Diving is world famous and draws divers and snorkelers from all over the globe each year.  One of the main reasons our guests are so keen to book a Similan Liveaboard Cruise with us on-board MV Oktavia is their chance to see their very first Giant Manta Ray.  It is also one of the reasons why so many come back to join us year-on-year. 

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Giant Manta Rays

As you can see from the video, we never really know if or when they will make an appearance, but when they do you can be sure it will be an unforgettable experience.  Our guest Madison and his dive buddies found this out as they explored the magical dive sites of Koh Bon.  Having joined us for our 5 Day Similan Islands Diving Liveaboard, he and our other guests had already spent two days discovering the delights of the marine life that inhabit the Andaman Sea.  Beautiful weather, clear blue waters, and time walk the nature trails and view points of the Similan Islands had already set a high standard for the rest of the trip to match.  Heading north on Day 3 we stopped at Koh Bon in hope of seeing something incredible.

Koh Bon West Ridge

As our diving guests worked their way along the West Ridge of Koh Bon and our Snorkelers looked down from above, the familiar sound of someone tapping their air tank could be heard - this is a clear sign that something rather special is approaching.

Madison and his group were in exactly the right place at the right time.  Watch as the sun is almost blocked out by this majestic ‘fly-by’ from our gentle giant friend the Giant Manta Ray!

About The Giant Manta Ray

The giant oceanic Manta Ray (Manta birostris) belongs to the Mobulidae family and is the largest of the ray family.  They are yearly visitors to the Andaman Sea and can be seen during our Similan Islands Liveaboard Cruises around the Similan Islands National Marine Park most seasons. They typically favour sites such as Koh Bon, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu rock, but we also had great success last season further south on Similan Island No. 9.  Not surprisingly, they are a huge draw for our diving and snorkelling guests on-board MV Oktavia.  They can appear anytime during the Similan Islands Diving Season with the months February, March, and April being historically their more favoured period to arrive in numbers.

How Big?

Giant Manta Rays are capable of growing to 7 m in width and with a weight of about 1,350 kg (more commonly 4.5 m). These magnificent animals ‘fly’ gracefully through the water by way of the triangular pectoral fins attached to their flattened disc like bodies. A pair of cephalic fins are extended pectoral fins and can been seen curled up during swimming or flared out assisting water to be channelled into the mouth during feeding.
It’s no wonder that our Khao Lak Diving Liveaboard Cruise is rated as one of the best dive experiences in Thailand! Meeting up with a Manta Ray during your trip on-board MV Oktavia truly does make for an unforgettable and exciting Scuba Diving memory!