The snorkelling and diving in Pulau Weh, and the other islands of the Sabang area, was outstanding! We were truly astounded by the amount of fish, variety of marine life and the size of some of the fish we saw… We saw a manta ray, sharks, nudibranchs, frogmouth fish, ribbon eels and a gargantuan sweetlip. We also saw lionfish, scorpionfish, shrimpfish, long-horned cowfish, peacock manta shrimp, painted lobsters, sea snakes, and the entire star-studded cast of Finding Nemo!
The Sabang Marine Festival – 2016 – was extremely well organised, a lot of fun, and facilitated the healthy and happy mixing of many different cultures.Many organised activities such as cultural performances, a tour of Banda Aceh and the Tsunami museum.
We went snorkelling and diving at Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Rok, Koh Racha, Koh Ha Yai & Koh Racha Yai. Snorkelling in a cave and night snorkelling.
Koh Similan – Diving and snorkelling Thailand. How to get there and where to stay. Cruising information for sailors, mooring.
When it was time to leave Koh Phayam we pulled up the anchor and pushed the accelerator lever into forward. Surprisingly we didn’t move forward; the motor just revved in neutral! We had no forward or reverse. While Dwayne fiddled with the accelerator lever we were, unbeknownst to Brian and Debra, slowly drifting over towards SV Chinook…..
Leaving your boat locked up in the tropics?
I’m not an expert; but having closed up and left our boat in the tropics. Twice, once with grim consequences, and once with excellent results, I feel I can impart a small bit of wisdom to those, who like me have, or are, battling mould, cockroaches, spiders, and ants. We left Thorfinn, our beloved home, in Langkawi up a river at a place called Hole in the Wall, for six weeks. When we arrived back we were confronted with a boat brimming with mould.
Monolithic granite boulders plummet precipitously into the limpid depths, turning this underwater world into a sublime mystical place of exploration. It was a spectacular snorkel as we meandered around boulders and through caves sharing our journey with hundred of fish.
Finally we were in Thailand in the right season. In fact since leaving Australian waters over a year ago, this was the first time we had been sailing in an area at the “right” time. What does the “right” time mean? Well it means it is dry season, therefore not so much rain and not as humid… and more tourists. But for sailors the “right” time, in Thailand, means you are able to explore the west coast of Thailand and visit islands such as Koh Phayam, Koh Surin and Koh Similan, because the prevailing wind is from the north east and you therefore have some protected anchorages to use on the west coast.
The tree lined main road is picturesque and has an unquestionable village feel about it. Beautifully restored buildings now house restaurants, cafes and boutique stores. Walk the main street and indulge in the delights of the area’s varied arts and crafts. Visit the traditional lolly shop, the candlemakers or the puppet shop. Tantalise the taste buds with the wine at the Adelaide Hills Wine Centre, the local craft beer at the Gulf Brewery and the artisan cheese at Udder Delights.
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