9th March-17th March 2027. OPEN.
Please contact Caroline@scubatravel.com for more information and reservations.
Thailand’s Andaman Sea: underwater photography workshop exploring the lush reefs and big animals of Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Surin & Similan Islands by liveaboard.
Thailand’s Andaman Sea offers an exotic mix between the high biodiversity of Southeast Asia coral reefs and the richness of the tropical Indian Ocean. These picturesque reefs are packed with colourful soft corals, sea fans and fish, there are endemics like the Andaman anemone fish and unusual nudibranchs, and big animals like mantas and whale sharks. In short it is an excellent destination for producing standout underwater photographs – the aim of this workshop.
“Although I’ve not been to Thailand for long time, the reefs of the Andaman Sea remain some of the most beautiful I’ve photographed,” commented Alex. “And I saw first ever whale shark at Richelieu Rock, so I am very excited to be headed back. This trip is timed for mid-March, firmly in the NE monsoon, which brings sunny weather, calm seas and the best visibility to the region. For those that join some of my higher end trips, do note that Thailand is lower priced destination compared with many we visit in Asia, so you can expect more other divers in the water and less sumptuous accommodations than we usually experience in the leading resorts and liveaboards in Indonesia, for example. Although we will be enjoying fantastic Thai food!”
The workshop will focus on the dive sites around Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, the Surin and Similan Islands. The trip is based on the experienced and well-run MV Bavaria liveaboard (28m, purpose build, steel-hulled), which Scuba Travel has chartered for an extended 7 night, 26 dive, itinerary (typical trips are 3 or 6 night). We’re running the workshop with a reduced number of divers onboard (16 plus Alex, the boat usually takes 24 divers) for smaller dive groups underwater and more space on board.
Thailand’s Andaman Sea offers spectacular and diverse photography. Richelieu Rock is often hailed as the crown jewel of the Andaman Sea, due to its extraordinary biodiversity, vibrant purple soft corals, and the chance to encounter both large pelagic species like whale sharks and manta rays, as well as rare macro marine life. The site is a horseshoe-shaped pinnacle that emerges only at low tide and extends down to 40 metres. The site can experience strong currents, but that brings life, lots of life. Richelieu Rock is fantastic for both wide angle and macro, offering encounters with large schools of barracuda, trevallies, tuna, large cuttlefish and a wealth of smaller creatures such as ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, tiger-tail seahorses, nudibranchs, and frogfish. With so much to shoot, we plan to be based for around half the trip at this spot.
The Similan Islands are another gem that make Thailand a world-class photo destination. With crystal-clear waters, granite boulders, and flourishing coral gardens, the Similans offer stunning and easy conditions for photography. These reefs are characterised by lush soft corals, attractive sea fans, baitfish, reef octopus and bigger creatures like turtles and leopard (zebra) sharks. On one previous trip Alex made over 30 dives on just one dive site here, never tiring of the subject matter! Ko Tachai, by contrast, typically experiences stronger currents, and is the top spot for big animals and schools. While the less visited sites of the Surin Islands are MV Bavaria’s speciality with a wealth of stunning spots combined with far fewer other divers.
The trip will be fully focused on photography with diving biased to the daytime and Alex running his teaching sessions each evening. The workshop will focus on the techniques relevant to the subjects we are seeing, such a the stunning scenery, big animal encounters, schooling fish and macro portraits. Alex will also run image review sessions during the workshop.
VITALS
Dates: 9th March-17th March 2027 (Phuket-Phuket)
From £2650 GBP, depending on cabin options (more below). Includes: airport transfers (from Phuket, which is easily reached), 1 night Phuket hotel (twin share, B&B), 7 nights Bavaria (all meals), 12lt tanks, Nitrox, 26 dives. Extras: Park Fees, Gratuities, larger tanks etc. Group size 16 + Alex. 4:1 guide ratio.
Running with a reduced guest capacity gives a variety of cabin options. Please include your preferred cabin option (if known) in your initial email to Caroline.
Please note that the two upper deck cabins on Bavaria have bunk beds and do not have an en suite bathroom, so you must use a bathroom on the main deck. One of these cabins will be allocated to Alex, the other is available as:
SINGLE Standard Cabin (upper deck) £2650 note this is a double bunk beds with shared bathroom on main deck
All the remaining cabins have en suite bathrooms, these are available as TWIN (2 sharing, 2 beds), DOUBLE (2 sharing, double bed), SINGLE (1 person):
TWIN Comfort Twin Cabins (main deck) £2775
SINGLE Comfort Double Cabins (lower deck) £3325
DOUBLE Deluxe Cabins (main deck) £3375 (large double bed)
SINGLE Comfort Twin Cabins (main deck) £3525
BOOKING
A 30% deposit is required to confirm your place. The final balance will be due 100 days before travel. International flights can be booked approx 10 months prior to travel.
As with all Alex’s trips, non-photographer partners are very welcome to join, but there is no reduction for taking a place on the workshop for being a non-photographer.
These trips are organised by Scuba Travel, contact Caroline for bookings caroline@scubatravel.com
