Unique whale shark discover on 2010 program
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Name that whale shark!
Ulf Björnholm was given the privelege to name the new whale shark!Join the 2011 program for the chance to discover another new whale shark
Whale Shark Program 2010
Whale Shark Program
- 8 night all inclusive package
- 14+ dives at Thailand top sites
- Scuba diving at Richelieu Rock
- Golden Buddha Resort luxury
- PADI Whale Shark specialty
- Led by PADI Master Instructor
- From $1465 pp incl. for 8 days
The 2010 "Whale Shark Exploration" program saw 7 keen divers join Blue Guru Diving and Golden Buddha Beach resort for a holiday to remember.
Golden Buddha Resort and PADI certifications
Their holiday began with a luxurious 4 day stay on Koh Phra Thong at Golden Buddha resort. All divers improved their dive skills at the island with two of them undertaking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty and another doing his PADI Advanced Open Water Course.
The other 4 enjoyed some fun dives and were fortunate enough to observe one of the giant honeycomb whiptail rays at the local dive site, Hornbill Rocks.
PADI Whale Shark Awareness Specialty
Whale shark reporting & identification
The spot pattern on the side of each Whale Shark is a unique "fingerprint" by which each animal can be identified and tracked.
The Whale Shark Project’s online Photo Identification Database allows divers & snorkelers to contribute their images and data from sightings.
This photo comparison & data analysis enables scientists & researchers to understand more about life histories and movements of this vulnerable and highly migratory species.
During the last couple of days the group were briefed on the liveaboard adventure to come and taught the theory side of the PADI Whale Shark Awareness distinctive specialty.
This included learning
- whale shark’s biology, distribution & behaviours
- how to safely & passively interact with them
- how to help identify specific creatures using their unique spot patterns
They were also given guidance on how to
- take photos & record data on whale shark sightings
- submit photos & data to the Whale Shark Project
4 Day Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock liveaboard
The group then embarked on a 4 day liveaboard of the Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock led by one of Blue Guru's experienced PADI Instructors.
By all accounts they had an amazing scuba diving adventure. During the first two days they were fortunate to see such Similan favourites as clown triggerfish, octopus, ornate ghost pipefish and leopard sharks. However, as they headed north towards the Surin Islands the delights increased.
Marvelous mantas & wondrous whale sharks!
At Koh Bon the magic mantas arrived! Then the final day at Richelieu Rock brought what they had all been waiting for. The majestic king of the sea, the whale shark cruised in. Armed with the knowledge taught during their PADI Whale Shark Awareness Specialty they were able to make the most of the encounter and take the vital photographs necessary to identify this particular specimen.
The gods were smiling yet again as we then discovered that this whale shark had never been seen before. This gave the privilege of naming to the diver who first saw it (the sex remains unknown) and took the photos. It is listed on the Ecocean Whale Shark database with the name given to it by Ulf Björnholm.
2011-2012 Whale Shark Program dates now available
Blue Guru Diving & Golden Buddha Resort will be conducting two more Whale Shark Exploration adventures this 2011-2012 season. Places are strictly limited so book early and who knows, you may also get to observe & name one of these magnificent creatures too.
Find out more about the 2011-2012 Whale Shark Exploration Program
Marine Wonders of the Andaman Sea - Thailand
Richelieu Rock...
is the most spectacular scuba diving location in Thailand. A striking open sea pinnacle for intermediate divers; it attracts manta rays, whale sharks & much more.
Koh Surin...
are actually two tropical islands. They harbour the largest divesity of hard corals in Thailand & 4 types of sea turtle. Snorkeling & diving are available on day & multi day trips.