Whale Shark Program - Blue Guru Diving
Whale Shark, Manta Ray & Turtle Awareness Program - Blue Guru and Golden Buddha package
Blue Guru Diving and Golden Buddha Beach Resort return for the 2013-14 season with a fresh new Whale Shark Program. This offer is designed to bring guests to Koh Phra Thong the opportunity to dive (or snorkel) in the Similan and Surin National Parks and at Richelieu Rock with magnificent whale sharks.
Richelieu Rock is the best place to observe whale sharks during high season from November till May. During the 2010 program Blue Guru observed a never previously seen specimen.
Whale Shark Program divers are taught how to photograph these animals and submit them to the database for analysis. During the 2010 Whale Shark Program the Blue Guru group were lucky enough to observe and name a whale shark.
Visit one of Asia's top eco-resorts
You start your holiday with 4 days luxury of nature in your private house at Golden Buddha Beach Resort. Relax during your stay by enjoying the massage included in the package, or pamper yourself even more by choosing from the other spa treatments.
Get PADI certified during your stay
If you are not yet a diver you can use this time to take the PADI Open Water course with Blue Guru's professional PADI Instructors. This comprehensive dive course is the most popular certification course in the world. Doing it in the clear warm waters at Golden Buddha will prepare you for your upcoming whale shark dives and beyond.
Certified divers can enjoy a few preparatory dives at the local Koh Phra Thong dive sites or do a PADI specialty course. PADI Digitial Underwater Photography specialty is a particularly useful skill to bring back evidence of your whale shark encounters.
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For the first four days you will stay at top rated Golden Buddha Resort. Check out the houses available
You don't need to be a certfied diver to join the Whale Shark Program. Training can be given during your first four days
Certified divers can enjoy a few practice fun dives at Koh Phra Thong before heading out to the deeper Andaman sites.
PADI Turtle Awareness Specialty
Blue Guru Diving now include the distinctive PADI Turtle Awareness specialty in the Whale Shark Program.
Koh Phra Thong and the nearby Surin Islands are home to 4 types of turtles: Hawksbill, Leatherback, Green & Olive Ridley. During your stay at Golden Buddha, we offer the opportunity to learn more about turtles, which nest in the long stretch of beach in front of the resort. These species of turtles have survived since the age of dinosaurs and yet sadly numbers are in decline.
Participants will learn about the threats turtles face from man & nature and have the opportunity to join a daily early morning walk to monitor the beach for turtle nests. There will also be a visit to a local village where there is a museum run by the turtle project staff.
Manta Rays are often spotted in several places across the Similan & Surin Islands. You will learn how to dive with them and can contribute to vital research projects
PADI Manta Ray Specialty
New for 2012, Blue Guru will also be including PADI Manta Ray distinctive specialty in this environmental program.
Manta Rays are regularly seen between January & May at Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock & Surin Islands, where they come to be cleaned or feed. A diving encounter with a graceful Manta Ray is a truly awesome experience!
Participants in the PADI Manta Ray distinctive specialty will learn about manta rays' biology, distribution & behaviour, as well as how to passively interact with them whilst diving and how to help conservation efforts in Thailand & Burma. Sadly too many rays are still fished from the Andaman Sea, so all contributions towards monitoring manta rays are very much appreciated.
4 day Similan & Richelieu liveaboard
Following your stay at Golden Buddha Beach Resort you will head off on a 4 day 14 dive liveaboard safari of the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. On this trip you will learn more with the PADI Whale Shark specialty course conducted by Blue Guru diving.
Blue Guru's Whale Shark Program is a once in a lifetime experience. This fully inclusive package offers oustanding value from only U$1535*
Download the full details of the Whale Shark Program.
*Flights are the only thing that are not included in this amazing adventure. Find out about the cheapest way to get to Bangkok or Phuket on our International Transport page. Price shown subject to service charge & taxes. Please read our terms & conditions for further information.
Places on the Blue Guru Diving & Golden Buddha Beach Resort Whale Shark Program are strictly limited. Make a booking or ask a question using the form below...
The PADI Turtle Awareness Specialty is also part of the Blue Guru Whale Shark Program. Learn more about these ancient creatures.
Liveaboard boat in the Similan Islands. This is the best way to truly explore the area with up to 4 dives a day.
One of the highlights of scuba diving in the Similan & Surin Islands is a trip to Richelieu Rock which is covered in soft corals.
About whale sharks
As the dive centre located closest to Richelieu Rock, Blue Guru is keen to do everything they can to protect this world famous dive site’s most awesome visitor – the whale shark. Unfortunately, whale sharks are an endangered species. More research & action is needed to monitor their migrations & prevent extinction before it’s too late.
Whale sharks - docile giants
Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish & are docile plankton eaters. They slowly cruise through the world's tropical waters, mounths agape, filtering vast quantities of water (6000l/hour) through their gills for their microscopic food. Whale sharks can grow up to 12m in length and weigh as much as 14 tonnes. They are also thought to live as long as 80+ years.
Diving or snorkeling with these magnificent creatures is an amazing experience. However, it’s essential that safe practices are followed, so passive interactions don’t harm whale sharks.
PADI Whale Shark Project
Blue Guru Diving is proud to be a registered operator & passionate supporter of PADI’s Whale Shark Project. The Whale Shark Project aims to conserve one of the world’s most impressive marine creatures and give divers & snorkelers essential knowledge & skills to dive or snorkel responsibly with whale sharks.
Ecocean whale shark library
Blue Guru Diving is also an active participant of the ECOCEAN and Shark Trust research databases. These hold information of whale shark encounters by divers. This data is then used by marine biologists to increase our understanding of these amazing creatures.
Book or ask a question about the Whale Shark Program using the form below
Click here for Contact Form
The whale shark has a very widespread distribution, occurring in all tropical and warm temperate seas
The PADI Whale Shark specialty will teach you all about whale sharks. Scuba diving with them is a once in a lifetime experience.
Ecocean is a valuable resource for information on all reported whale shark encounters.
