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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.

Name a whale shark!

Whale Shark Program divers are taught how to photograph these animals and submit them to the database for analysis. During the 2009-2010 February Whale Shark Program the Blue Guru group were lucky enough to observe and name a whale shark.

By joining the Blue Guru 2010-2011 Whale Shark Program you to may be able to name a whale shark too...

Whale Shark Exploration - Blue Guru Diving and Golden Buddha Beach Resort package

Blue Guru Diving and Golden Buddha Beach Resort return for the 2010-11 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.

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.

PADI Turtle Awareness!

New for the 2010-2011 season! Blue Guru Diving now include the distinctive PADI Turtle Awareness specialty.

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

4 day Similan and Richelieu liveaboard trip

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.

The "Whale Shark Exploration" program is a once in a lifetime experience. This fully inclusive package offers oustanding value at only U$1410.*

Download the full details of the "Whale Shark Exploration" 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 10% service charge and 7% Government Tax. Please read our terms & conditions before booking.

Places on the Blue Guru Diving & Golden Buddha Beach Resort "Whale Shark Exploration" program are strictly limited. Make a booking or ask a question using the form below...