Koh Talu, Koh Sing coral reef survey

[buksida]

Took a dive with a team from Kig Tour to survey the reef around our local islands and catch up on the coral preservation efforts being made here.

Anemones are plentiful around Koh Sing.

Sadly a lot of the staghorn coral has died off though.

Large areas of coral have been lost to destructive fishing practices and a warming of the ocean.

The white tips show coral bleaching which happens when the surrounding sea water is too hot.

The above shots were taken at Koh Sing, these below were at an unvisited reef between Koh Sing and Koh Talu.

Rare green staghorn coral is growing in abundance.

This area is not visited by the tour boats as the reef is too deep to see when snorkelling.

[buksida]

Pink Anemone fish thrive in both spots

Tiny translucent shrimp find a safe haven between stinging anemone tentacles.

A blue spot stingray hides under a rock.

Brain coral - named for obvious reasons.

These pipe frameworks are positioned to promote new coral growth.

A nudibranch is always a nice find.

[buksida]

Clams grow in abundance around Koh Talu.

Blue sponges grow on the side of boulder coral which is also plentiful here.

A stonefish relies on his camouflage before making a getaway.

Coral polyps feeding in the current.

Floral looking ascidians will retract if you get too close.

They also feed on plankton in the current.

[buksida]

Face to face with a butterfly fish.

Juvenile clams are a good sign of a healthy reef.

Sadly not all coral growth stations work.

Checking the details and recording conditions.

These frames will be cleaned up and re-planted at a different spot in the hope to generate new coral growth.

A lot of fishing nets and trash from fishing boats was also collected. We hope the government will take action against commercial fishing on coral reefs.

Thanks to the efforts of Kig and Suchart tours at Bangsaphan Noi we may still have a reef for our kids to enjoy.

[The Family]

Again! Brilliant photo's!!
I wish I had the nerve to go diving.

[KH]

Hi Buksida,

Your photos are very great, nice photographer!!

I plan to go diving at Koh Talu area on 20th Aug, can't find a dive shop through internet. Could you please recommend a good dive guy or dive shop who can take my group? I will stay at Palm Gardens Resort during my dive trip, read your posts and aware we can go join Coral resort. Any other choice around the area? We have 6people and need to rent gear..Thanks for your reply~~

[buksida]

Hi KH, welcome to the forum.

There are no real 'dive shops' in Bangsaphan ... yet. The Coral resort offers diving but I would not recommend them as they are hideously expensive (although their DM knows his stuff).

There are two boat operators in Bangsaphan Noi that also cater to scuba divers, if you book a few days in advance they should be able to get enough kit for your group.

Details are -
Kig Tour: 081-9953787
Suchart Tour: 081-7594997

More details on the map: http://bangsaphanguide.com/bangsaphan-maps.htm

[KH]

Hi Buksida,

Thanks for the information you share, both tours you recommend are able to speak English, right? It's not easy to research dive information of BangSaphan through internet.

Actually I tried to read the info on DM, but it's too difficult to read since the photo is too small.

One more question, is Aug still in the season to dive around Koh Talu area?

[buksida]

No, you may have to get a Thai to call them - English is limited.

August should be ok, viz maybe only 8-10 meters though.

[beejoir]

I go diving nearly every or every other day when the viability is good, there are a few amazing on shore spots around BS with good living reefs, and an abundance of fish small and large, though I am guilty of free diving and spear fishing now and again, its hard to not have a pop at a Barracuda for dinner!

I've got my own compressor, tanks and a few sets of equipment if anyone would like to join me now and again, I often dive alone, and as you all know its safer to dive with someone, so the company would be greatly appreciated.... all my diving is done from shore, so if you have a boat and know the area it might good for us both.

I'm not looking for money or have any kind of business, just someone to dive with.... I've 4 sets of equipment, most is serviced, 2 tanks, 2 computers, and a number of masks and fins.

[buksida]

Would love to, also have all my own kit except the tank and weights. Drop me an email info [@] bangsaphanguide.com and we can arrange a date!