Eco diving the Andaman Sea
Not only does this region of the Andaman have great coral reefs, but also some interesting expanses of mangrove forest and seagrass beds.
For the 2009-2010 high season, Blue Guru Diving will be offering periodic eco diving expeditions to explore the underwater world of the mangrove root systems and the seagrass beds. They will also be implementing their coral monitoring programs around Koh Pling in Golden Buddha Bay.
Project Aware - Coral Watch
Blue Guru Diving is a registered Coral Watch Operator. This is a joint venture between Project Aware and the Univeristy of Queensland to involve snorkelers and divers in monitoring coral bleaching. Blue Guru are ready to take you on monitoring tours of the reefs at the local dive sites at any opportunity.
Seagrass- Eco Diving in Koh Ra Channel
Owing to their location, the seagrass beds and mangrove forest require more careful planning.
The seagrass we are exploring is situated in Koh Ra channel. This area subject to strong currents as water pushes through the mouth of the channel between tides. Consequently, the most stable times to dive this channel are at high slack neap tide.
Seagrass diving can uncover a bounty of interesting critters. In such a biodiverse region as the Andaman you can expect to see some more unusual nudibranch, seahorses and perhaps the highly endangered dugong.
Mangrove - Eco Diving in Koh Ra Channel
The mangrove is often found fringing the seagrass beds. Thick outcrops of mangrove can also be found where the channel divides, branching north (along the east edge of Koh Ra) and south (along the east edge of Koh Phra Thong).
Suitable conditions for diving the mangroves will be similar to the seagrass. However, there may also be better opportunities to explore the more sheltered root systems - away from the main channel - at slack high spring tides when the visibility may be better.
Up to 70% of reef fish live out some part of their early lives in a mangrove habitat; so you can expect to find some interesting juveniles here. There is a good chance to see colourful soft corals and cuttlefish, octopus and nudibranch too.
Blue Guru Eco Diving Trips
These special Andaman eco diving trips will be available from January 2010. Further details of diving at Koh Pling coral reef can be found on the dive trips page. Coral Watch survey dives are available at no extra price.
The prices for eco diving trips to the mangroves or seagrass are only 3,600 Bt a day. This price includes unlimited diving in these areas, full equipment hire and lunch.
PADI Dive Courses
Diving courses on Koh Phra Thong are conducted by the PADI Instructors from Blue Guru. A full range of PADI courses are offered up to Assistant Instructor. Also 18 different PADI specialty courses for refining skills and knowledge.
Dive Trips
Certified divers can enjoy a selection of fun diving day trip options. There are shore diving opportunities from the beach where Blue Guru dive centre is located. They are also able to arrange day/multi day trips to the Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock
Marine Habitats
This tropical Thai island is fortunate to benefit from diverse & healthy marine habitats. In Golden Buddha Bay there are coral reefs. In Koh Ra Channel there are expanses of seagrass and some of the densest mangrove forest in the country.
Eco-Diving
The diverse number of eco-systems in this part of Thaialnd provide habitats for a vast number of species of coral and fishes. Blue Guru provide a host of eco options that give visitors a better understanding of the underwater world.
