Whale shark @ king cruiser-phuket

[ryc]

We got lucky today and had a good show on the wreck today. 10 minutes in, it made it's first appearance. We were able to stay down for 40 more minutes and watched it pass by 8 more times. i was face to face, with it, close enough to touch. Only a baby, about 5-6M long, but still pretty cool for my first time.

Headed to shark pt for the next dive and it showed up there as well for another pass.

I think the fact that there wasn't an underwater digital camera on the boat today was the kicker for us.

 

[drbill]

During my dive on the King Cruiser back in 2001, a whale shark could have been just yards away and we wouldn't have seen it... my lovely DM and dive buddy misread the tide tables and there was a strong current along with very poor visibility. The only time a whale shark was sighted while I was diving in Thailand was at Chumphon Pinnacle in the Gulf of Siam... and we were too deep to see it. Glad you had a great experience.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, my divers saw it as well, lovely experience. For some reason visibility at the wreck has been very nice lately, better than Shark Point e.g.

BTW, also make a trip to Racha Noi, lots of manta ray sightings at the moment.

 

[Ringo]

Wow - thats excellent news. There have unfortunately been fewer sightings of the bigger pelagics this year in comparison to last year.

 

[huskychemist]

Wow. Great stuff!

Any idea if there is a "whale shark" season? (For sightings...) I know they haven't been seen as much this year, based on previous posts here and elsewhere...but is there a generally accepted time as "more likely" to see them?

Thanks for sharing the news.

 

[stevenl]

Best time of year: February-April. Best sites: Richelieu Rock and Hin Daeng/Hin Muang.

 

[drewdude]

Ahhhh, I want to be there, NOW!! Two weeks and I'm there. Hope the whale shark makes an appearance during my time there.