Congratulations!!

Big congratulations to Alexander van Dorssen from the Netherlands who this week completed his PADI Open Water Diver course with instructor Johnathon Winter - well done Alexander!!!

Contact us +66 (0)76 330869 or email at info@calypsophuket.com :)

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Scott Tucker who successfully completed his PADI Open Water Diver Course yesterday with instructor Johnathon Winter :) Here they are about to head in for Open Water Dive 1 at Kata Beach...

If you would like to become a diver too, contact us on +66 (0)76 330 869 or email us at info@calypsophuket.com :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Have a healthy and prosperous 2013, hope to see you in the coming year :)

www.calypsophuket.com
+66 (0)76 330 869
info@calypsophuket.com

Phi Phi Overnight diving with Calypso Divers

Calypso Divers offers a 2-days / 1-night Overnight Special to the Phi Phi islands, two times a week,departing every Monday and Friday. On this fun and action-packed trip you will get to do 7 dives at all the best local dive sites around Phuket and Phi Phi, and you’ll spend the night at a lovely, ocean-front hotel on the main island of Phi Phi Don. Hotel transfers and all meals on the boat are also included in this special package.

Only 10,900 Baht per diver (Twin share basis) or 7,900 Baht per diver without accommodation (you arrange your own hotel)

Schedule
1st Day
(Monday or Friday)
07:20 pick up guests in Patong Area
07:40 pick up guests in Kata / Karon area
08:15 departure from Ao Chalong harbour
08:30 breakfast
10:30 1st dive at Shark Point
12:00 lunch
13:00 2nd dive at Phi Phi Islands
14:30 fruits + snacks
15:30 3rd dive at Phi Phi Islands
17:00 dinner
18:30 4th dive at Phi Phi Islands (night/sunset dive)
19:30 check-in at bungalow on Phi Phi Island
2nd Day
(Tuesday or Saturday)
07:00 check-out from Phi-Phi bungalow
07:00 breakfast in the restaurant on the beach
08:30 5th dive at Phi Phi Islands
10:30 fruits + snacks
11:00 6th dive at "King Cruiser" wreck
12:00 lunch
13:00 7th dive at Koh Doc Mai
15:30 arrival to Ao Chalong harbour and transfer back to hotel

Seven superb dives in only two days. Be prepared for unforgettable dives around Phi Phi Island!

Contact us at info@calypsophuket.com or call on +66 (0)76 330869 :)

*Photos courtesy of www.neilwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

*Fascinating Fish Fact*

The banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina) is an amphibious species of snake that spends most of its life at sea in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. To adapt to this semi-aquatic lifestyle, the banded sea krait has evolved unusual morphology. It has retained the ventral scales and cylindrical body shape typical of land snakes, as this helps with climbing on land and in low trees, but its tail is paddle-shaped, which allows ease of movement in water. It also has large lungs so that it can spend long periods underwater, as well as valved nostrils that keep out saltwater while diving, and glands under the tongue that expel excess salt.

* There are around 50 types of Sea Krait and all belong to the Cobra family.

* The average Sea Krait grows to about 2 meters long with the largest growing up to 3 meters.

* They have flattened tails to swim fast and have flaps over their nostrils that close when they are underwater.

* With no gills they need to surface for air, but can stay down as deep as 100 meters for up to an hour.

* A Sea Kraits heart is located mid-body to enable blood pressure to be stable throughout its length which is very important when diving deep.

* Sea Kraits are highly poisonous but majority of the sea snakes are not aggressive unless you severely mistreat it. On average the sea snake can produce 10 – 15 milligrams of venom with one bite strike. If it injects 15 mg of venom, the victim may die immediately due to the speed of the poison spreading in the blood system.

* Sea Kraits go on land to lay their eggs. Only two nests have ever been reported, meaning its reproductive biology is poorly understood.

* The banded sea krait displays marked sexual dimorphism, the female being heavier and around a third longer than the male.

Phi Phi Dives: Lo Sama Bay

Lo Sama Bay is situated at the southern end of Koh Phi Phi Ley. It is a beautiful bay surrounded by sheer cliffs with a small islet in the centre. It is possible to explore the entire islet at a leisurely pace on a single dive. The highlight of this dive is a channel at the south of the islet which divers can pass through in single file, marvelling at the amazing seafans and soft corals.

The deeper part of the site is home to schools of snapper, and there are plenty of lionfish, moorish idols, butterflyfish, parrotfish, and we have also spotted juvenile clown triggerfish here! There are several overhangs, nooks and crannies around here so the macro marine life is very nice - plenty of nudibranc's, different kinds of shrimps, some huge moray eels, harlequin ghost pipefish and seahorses if you are lucky enough to spot them despite their amazing camouflage. Also look out for banded sea kraits, cuttlefish, octopus and hawksbill turtles.

This is a relatively easy and shallow dive (depths from 4-23 metres) so is a perfect place for a 3rd dive or for training dives. Currents are mild but do be careful of overhead boat traffic - especially if you are surfacing on the eastern side of the islet. This site is generally accessible year round.

*Fascinating Fish Fact*

Moray eels are of the family Muraenidae. The approximately 200 species in 15 genera are almost exclusively marine species found in warm and temperate waters around the world, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water, and a few can sometimes be found in fresh water.

With a maximum length of 11.5cm, the smallest moray is likely the Snyder's moray (Anarchias leucurus), while the longest species, the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) reaches up to 4m. The largest in terms of total mass is the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), which reaches 3m in length and 30 kg in weight!

There are several species of moray which we can see on a regular basis here in the Andaman Sea, including the honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis), giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus), zebra morays (Gymnomuraena zebra), snowflake morays (Echidna nebulosa), white eyed moray (Siderea thyrsoidea), Fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) and the Ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita).

Moray eels are commonly known by their snake-like appearance and vicious behavior when disturbed, but there is a lot more to these slithering swimmers than most people may know:

* Though the moray eel looks similar to a snake, they are a type of fish.

* Moray eels are generally not aggressive creatures unless disturbed. If a moray eel feels threatened they may become vicious.

*Moray eels have many sharp teeth within a large jaw. Some species of this eel will have long canine teeth throughout that could easily tear through flesh, while others have smaller nodular teeth.

* Moray eels have a 2nd jaw - like in the movie 'Alien'. Their second jaw is located in their throat, because their heads are too narrow to create the negative pressure most fish use to swallow their prey.

* Their colors generally range from brown-yellow to black with lighter undersides. Different species of this eel will have a wide range of unique and beautiful patterns.

* Moray eels usually live within holes of an ocean reef.

* The moray eel feeds by waiting for prey to swim by their hole. They usually feed upon fish, but will occasionally dine on crustaceans or octopus.

* When feeding, the moray eel may tie their body into a knot in order to anchor in place while devouring their food.

* When you look at a moray eel, they will hold their mouth open for the majority of time. This may appear vicious and intimidating, however the reason this eel does this is to allow water through their gills in order to breath.

* When the moray eel mates, the male and female will wrap themselves together for hours at a time until the male has fertilized the eggs that the female has produced. Some species of eel travel up to 4,000 miles to breed, a journey which can take up to seven months. During that time it is believed that eels do not eat. Instead, they use their body fat and muscle tissue for nutrients. Adults die after breeding and their larvae begin their own journey by floating on ocean currents.

* When in the wild, never attempt to feed a moray eel as this is the most common reason for an attack. The eel will lash out to retrieve the food - one diver in the Similan Islands made this mistake a few years back, check it out on youtube if you don't believe me!!

PADI Divemaster Course

Take the first step in your dive career and become a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a dive professional. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers. Taking a divemaster course is a serious commitment, and in many ways is more of a lifestyle than a diving course. Contact us to discuss your options and for more details about becoming a PADI divemaster. The course duration is 4 weeks - we prefer not to try 2 week courses for divemaster so that you can make the most of your course.

What You Learn
During the PADI Divemaster program, you will learn dive leadership skills through both classroom and independent study. You complete water skills and stamina exercises, as well as training exercises that stretch your ability to organize and solve problems as well as help others improve their scuba. You put this knowledge into action through a structured internship or series of practical training exercises.

As you progress through your Divemaster course, you’ll expand your diving knowledge, hone you skills and increase your confidence. Then, as a PADI Divemaster, you’ll use these attributes to lead, mentor and motivate other divers and experience the joy of seeing them transformed by the majesty of the the acquatic realm.

What can I do as a PADI Divemaster?
* Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
* Assist PADI Instructors with students
* Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dives
* If qualified as a Discover Scuba Diving Leader, independently conduct the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program
* Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
* Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
* Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
* Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
* Independently guide Open Water Diver course students on the tour portion of Open Water Diver course Training Dives 2, 3 and 4 at a ratio of two student divers per certified divemaster.
* Accompany Open Water Diver students under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor during:
-surface swims to and from the entry/exit point and during navigational exercises
-when the instructor conducts a skill, such as an ascent or descent, a
Divemaster can remain with other student divers (with an individual student or
buddy team)
* Accompany student divers during Adventure Dives or Specialty training dives under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor.
* Conduct the PADI Seal Team Skin Diver Specialist AquaMission
* Conduct subsequent dives under an instructor’s indirect supervision for Discover Scuba Diving participants after participants have satisfactorily completed the first dive with a PADI Instructor.

Prerequisites
To take this course, you must be:

* 18 years old
* A PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
* A PADI Rescue Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
* An Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (or qualifying first aid and CPR training from another organization) course completion within the past 24 months.
* Have at least 40 dives to begin the course and 60 for certification
* Be fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement (PDF) signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

How much does it cost?

Divemaster Course 4 weeks unlimited dives 34,500 Baht
* Does NOT include equipment rental, training pack (about 6,000 Baht)
and PADI membership fees (about AUD 152.90)

Contact us if you want this amazing career change info@calypsophuket.com

Phi Phi Dives: Koh Bida Nai

Koh Bida Nai (or Inner Father Island) is the smaller sister island of Koh Bida Nok, and probably my favourite dive site in the area. It is of very similar topography to Bida Nok, with a sheer wall on the west side and a sloping sandy bottom on the east.

The corals along the wall are beautiful - lots of soft corals and big bush corals where it is often possible to find the smaller critters like tiger-tail seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish and frogfish. Also look for numerous types of nudibranc's, shrimps and moray eels on the wall itself.

On the eastern side, there is a huge field of staghorn coral - have a look in there for giant moray eels, peacock mantis shrimp, and there are lots of anemone's so plenty of opportunity to find Nemo. A little deeper is a rocky outcrop which we call 'Fantasy Reef', and it lives up to its name! You can often see big schools of barracuda circling overhead, banded sea kraits, big schools of common lionfish, trevally coming in to hunt, and hawksbill turtles. You may also encounter leopard sharks resting in the sandy areas.

There are a couple of beautiful swim-thru's which lead to a shallow coral garden where we normally start or finish the dive depending on the direction of the current. There is an abundance of reef fish here, but also look out for some special things like ribbon eels, cuttlefish and octopus. What we also spend time looking for are black tip reef sharks. Although it is possible to see them all around the site, they like to hang out in the shallow areas, we can often see many of them swimming around here - a perfect way to finish your dive :)

Again, this site is accessible year round and is suitable for all levels of divers, often with visibility of 15-25m. Normally we do this as the first dive on the second day of our overnight trip, but the site is so good that we sometimes do it as the third dive on the first day too. Contact us to book your space for the Overnight special: info@calypsophuket.com

*Fascinating Fish Fact*

Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales called Cetaceans. They are found throughout the world, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than the rest of their bodies, although in certain areas in Thailand, it is also possible to see the very rare Pink Dolphins.

Dolphins are well known for their intellect, gregarious nature, and their acrobatics, but there are many lesser known qualities that make a dolphin a dolphin:

*Dolphins have to be conscious to breath. This means that they cannot go into a full deep sleep, because then they would suffocate. Dolphins have "solved" that by letting one half of their brain sleep at a time. Dolphins sleep about 8 hours day in this fashion.

*Unlike any other mammal, dolphin babies are born tail first.

*Dolphins have very little sense of smell.

*Dolphins, like cows, have two stomachs — one for storing food and one for digesting it.

*Some dolphins have been known to dive as deep as 1,000 feet.

*A dolphin's dorsal fin is as distinctive as a person's face.

*Some dolphin species can swim up to 25 miles an hour for long periods, more than three times faster than the best human swimmers.

*In the wild, dolphins can live to be 50 years old, although the average age is 17 years.

*Some dolphins can hold their breath for as long as 30 minutes, while others have to breathe every 20 seconds.

*Bonds form between individual dolphins that may last a lifetime. They've been observed physically supporting sick or dying pod members.

*Dolphins can be quite aggressive and even brutal. Dominant members of a pod have been known to abuse weaker members.

*Thanks to a very sensitive retina that efficiently gathers light, a dolphin can see as well beneath the water as above it.

*A dolphin's brain, in relation to the size of its body, is larger than the brains of chimpanzees and great apes.

*An adult dolphin may consume 30 pounds of fish or more in a single day. Dolphins swallow fish whole, despite the 100 teeth in their mouths. The teeth are used to grasp prey.

*Dolphins can jump as high as 20 feet out of the water.

*The largest member of the dolphin family is the killer whale, which can grow to 30 feet long.

*A dolphin's skin is extremely delicate and easily injured by rough surfaces — much like human skin.

*The largest of the freshwater dolphins is the boto, found in the Amazon River. It can grow up to 10 feet long.

Similan National Park Opening Nov 1st!

The sun is shining, the sea is flat....it can only mean one thing - the "high season" is upon us once again! The start of the high season also signals the re-opening of the Similan National Park on November 1st. The Similan Islands are often rated as one of the top ten dive destinations in the world. The islands are located approximately 100km northwest of Phuket, and were declared a National Park in 1982. The Similans are comprised of 9 granite islands which run roughly North to South, with a few small outcroppings, with white beaches and tropical jungle above the water and spectacular dive sites in warm, clear waters below the surface. These islands are by far the most spectacular group of dive sites that Thailand has to offer.

The underwater landscapes in the Similans vary from (in general) gently sloping hard and soft coral reefs on the eastern sites, to amazingly huge granite boulder sites on the west that create many deep gorges and swim-thru's.

There is an amazing array of marine life to be found here, with the 'bigger' stuff including leopard sharks, manta rays, shovel-nose rays, whip rays, big schools of barracuda and trevally, turtles and whale sharks!

For you macro-lovers out there - you won't be bored either. Things you can check off your list here include ornate ghost pipefish, seahorses, harlequin shrimp, sea moths, frog fish, cowries, pineapple fish, ribbon eels, and nudibranc's, phew!!

This unique mixture of diving makes a Similan dive trip a beautiful and scintillating journey of discovery that invariably seems to end too soon.

There are a few options for visits to the Similans, the first and most popular is on a liveaboard cruise. These typically go out for 4 days and depart from Phuket or Tap Lamu (just north of Phuket). These trips will also take in the unmissable sites at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock which lie just north of the Similan Islands. The second option of a shorter or overnight trip take in only the Similan Islands. These trips will also include the option of trying a night dive - if you haven't done this before, the Similans is a great place to give it a go with plenty of different critters coming out in the dark. It is also possible to go for a 2-dive day trip departing every day throughout the season.

There are many boats which you can choose from and there is something for everyone's budget. Contact us for more information: info@calypsophuket.com

Phi Phi Dives: Koh Bida Nok

Koh Bida Nok (or Outer Father Island) is located 2km south of Phi Phi Ley within the Phi Phi National Park, and is widely thought of as the best dive in the area. Dives typically start or finish in the bay in the south of the island. Here is a shallow coral garden full of reef fish, but you can often see special things like devil scorpionfish, banded sea kraits, octopus and cuttlefish, and schools of squid. You then have two choices which direction to go - east or west.

The west side of the island is a wall covered in amazing soft corals and sea fans. You can spot many macro things here such as nudibranc's, seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, an array of shrimps and moray eels. There are plenty of overhangs and even a cave (enter with experience only) which are home to painted spiny lobster, large groupers and if you are lucky...harlequin shrimp!

The east side is a shallow reef and a sloping sandy bottom - look out for leopard sharks, Kuhl's stingrays, bent stick pipefish, peacock mantis shrimps, peacock flounder and a multitude of shrimps and gobies. The shallow reef is a good place to hang out and try to spot the black tip reef sharks that patrol around this island, or maybe one of the turtles munching on some coral.

There are huge schools of fish all around the site - plenty of snapper, fusiliers, trevally, tuna and some big barracuda. If the currents are running you can often see a lot of feeding action. Although not regular visitors, we have seen whale sharks here so make sure to keep one eye out in the blue!

This is an amazing dive site which is accessible year round and is suitable for all levels of divers. It is a fixed site on our famous Phi Phi Overnight trip so contact us if you would like to explore further: info@calypsophuket.com :)

PADI Rescue Course + EFR

Rewarding and fun – that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level. Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence, most divers will tell you that this is the best course they've taken!

How does it work?
Firstly, you will need to do some independent study. The PADI Rescue Diver crewpak includes all materials required to complete the PADI Rescue Diver course. You’ll learn how to think like a rescue diver and preview skills you’ll practice with your PADI Instructor. This knowledge and technique will give you the expertise to handle almost any emergency situation.

The PADI Rescue Diver course is the newest addition to the PADI eLearning® family. Rescue Diver Online gets you started right away and lets you learn at your own pace and in your own time.

The course is normally completed over 2 days where you will learn some rescue exercies before moving onto some really fun scenarios. The Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. During the confined and open water sessions, you'll cover:

* Self-rescue and diver stress
* Diving first aid
* Swimming and non-swimming assists
* Egress (exits)
* Surfacing the unconscious diver
* Underwater problems
* Missing diver procedures
* Panicked diver response
* In-water artificial respiration
* Dive accident scenarios
* First aid procedures for pressure related accidents
* Emergency management and equipment considerations

After successfully completing the programme, you'll receive the internationally recognised PADI Rescue Diver certification card.

What are the prerequisites?
To enroll in the PADI Rescue Diver course, you must

* Be 12 years or older
* Have a PADI Adventure Diver certification (or have a qualifying certification
from another organization)
* Be trained and current for first aid and CPR within the previous two years.

What does it cost?
PADI Rescue Diver: 2/3 days, 2 - 3 dives 10,900 Baht (*)
Emergency First Response: 1 day 3,900 Baht (*)

* Course price does NOT include certification fees of 2,000 Baht per course.

*Fascinating Fish Fact*

Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. Most species have long, curled abdomens, which are soft, unlike the hard abdomens seen in related crustaceans. The abdomen is protected from predators by a salvaged empty seashell carried by the hermit crab, into which its whole body can fit. The tip of the hermit crab's abdomen is adapted to clasp strongly onto the shell.

As the hermit crab grows in size, it has to find a bigger shell and abandon the previous one. Several hermit crab species, both terrestrial and marine, use "vacancy chains" to find new shells - when a new, bigger shell becomes available, hermit crabs gather around it and form a sort of queue from largest to smallest. When the largest crab moves into the new shell, the second biggest crab moves into the newly vacated shell, thereby making its previous shell available to the third crab, and so on.

Most species are aquatic and live in varying depths of saltwater, from shallow reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms. Tropical areas host some terrestrial species, though even those have aquatic larvae and therefore need access to water for reproduction. Most are nocturnal.

A few species do not use a "mobile home" and inhabit immobile structures left by polychaete worms, vermetid gastropods, corals and sponges


* There are over 600 species of hermit crabs in the world.

* Hermit crabs can live as long as 15 years although the majority of them live to around 6-8 years.

* Hermit crabs are not really classed as crabs due to the fact that they do not own their own shell.

* The Coconut crab or Birgus Latro is the largest hermit crab in the world with a size of up to 40 cms and a weight of up to 4.1 kgs!

* The shape of the shell that a baby hermit crab chooses determines the shape of its abdomen.

* Hermit crabs are fussy about the type of shells that they choose and are drawn to ones with mother of pearl linings.

* Hermit crabs drink by dipping their claws in water and depositing the water into their gills and mouth.

* Its nearest relatives are spiders and lobsters.

* Hermit crabs are not fussy eaters and will eat such things as fresh fruit and vegetables as well as small amounts of meat and fish.

* The Ecuadorian land crab is one of the smallest species of hermit crab at around 12mm in length

* Of all the species of hermit crab, only a few are generally classed as land or terrestrial and even these are born in the sea or ocean

* Hermit crabs moult as they grow, which means that they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. They will often consume their old skin for its nutrients.

* The abdomen of a hermit crab can change shape to fit the body of the shell that it is taking over. This is very good especially if the shell is of a spiral nature!

* If a land based hermit crab was left underwater for too long it would drown, even though it was born under water!

Great Success for Go Eco Phuket!

Last Sunday, 30th September, 14 dive boats with more than 500 volunteers turned out to clean the reefs of Koh Racha Noi and Yai, Koh Khao Nok and Koh Hei in Go Eco Phuket's "Dive for Debris" initiative. They managed to collect an amazing 15 tons of debris including a 4.5 discarded fishing net, which even a local fishing boat helped to haul in. This was a united effort from local dive operators, local resorts and tourism dependent businesses, government agencies and the Royal Thai Navy.

Tony Andrews, PADI Regional Manager and Project AWARE Ambassador, said “It’s a record. Obviously we are very pleased with the event." He explained that the debris would be sorted into categories, such as fishing nets, plastics and so on, so it can be accurately documented.

The long-term goal of the event is to mobilize divers from around to the world to return the reefs to a clean, healthy state.

“We had a strong dream of making the reefs of Phuket and the surrounding islands clean, pristine and sustainable, and making sure they belong in the top diving destinations in Thailand and the world,” Mr Andrews said.

Vice Admiral Taratorn Kajitsuwan, Commander of the Navy Third Area Command at their base at Cape Panwa, pointed out that when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra previously visited Phuket, she had made it clear that eco-tourism was a must for the island.

“One of my priorities is to help [support eco-tourism efforts], and this project goes hand in hand with PM Yingluck’s vision of improving tourism and our country,” he said.

“Everyone is glad that Thais and foreigners have so much interest in the local environment,” he added.

The important thing is what happens now. The founders of Go Eco Phuket are already discussion their next project, and we will keep you posted on any upcoming event :)

The problem with marine debris

Every year, tens of thousands of marine animals and seabirds die from eating or getting tangled up in marine debris. Here’s the ugly and frightening truth surrounding our mass throwaway culture:

* Almost 90 per cent of floating marine debris is plastic.
* Over 6 million tonnes of marine litter could be entering our ocean every year.
* Research of northern fulmar seabirds found dead on beaches showed 95 per cent had plastic in their stomachs. Each bird had swallowed an average of 35 plastic pieces.
* 35 per cent of plankton-eating fish found during a study in the North Pacific Central Gyre had ingested plastic.
* Annual plastic production and use of plastics has risen from 1.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 230 million tonnes in 2009.
* Marine debris has affected more than 260 different marine species, including 86 per cent of sea turtles, 28 per cent marine mammals and 36 per cent of seabirds.
* The majority of marine wildlife deaths are due to eating marine debris.
* Animals that eat marine debris can choke if it catches in their throat. Once swallowed, plastic cannot be digested and makes the animal feel like it is full, so it stops eating and can starve to death.

Phuket Dives: Anemone Reef

As the name suggests, Anemone Reef (or Hin Jom as it is known in Thai), is literally covered in magnificent anemones which play host to a variety of anemonefish and clownfish, but a dive at Anemone Reef is more than just pretty anemones.

This submerged rock is located less than a mile north of Shark Point. The top of the pinnacle is around 3m, and slopes down to around 25m where there is a sandy bottom.

You can often see leopard sharks resting down here, also look out for Kuhl's stingrays, bent-stick pipefish and peacock mantis shrimp. On the pinnacle are some huge gorgonian seafans, lots of whip coral, and the soft corals are beautiful! Have a look inside the barrel sponges - you can sometimes see big bearded scorpionfish chilling out in there. There are plenty of macro things to look for here too - cleaner shrimp, coral banded shrimp, durban dancing shrimp, different kinds of nudibranc's and flatworms, tigertail seahorses, and ornate ghost pipefish.

This site is covered in moray eels too, have a look for honeycomb, zebra, fimbriated, giant, white-eyed and snowflake morays.

There are big schools of fish that like to hang out - lots of snapper, grouper and fusiliers, also look out from the pinnacle you can often see schools of big fin reef squid. Soldierfish gather together in crevices or under overhangs, and there are plenty of common and spotfin lionfish. Also keep an eye out for the hawksbill turtles which are often seen here.

This is a pretty small site so take your time as much as possible. If there is current present, you may stick to one side of the pinnacle to shelter and then zig-zag your way to the top which is a perfect depth for your safety stop at the end of your dive :)

PADI Advanced Open Water Course

This is for you if you’ve done the Open Water course and now you want to continue to develop your diving skills and be more confident in the water.

This course lets you try out 5 different specialty dives... deep, navigation (which you have to do) and 3 others (wreck, night, photography, peak performance buoyancy, AWARE Fish ID etc).

It is a hugely worthwhile course because it also allows you to dive to a maximum of 30 metres, instead of the limiting 18 metres of open water diver. Many liveaboard companies require that you have this rating to join their cruises (or complete it during the cruise) as it shows that you have a better understanding of diving theory and that you have a bit more experience. The best thing about this course is that there's no exam :) You will receive a manual and you will be required to read the chapters which correspond to the specialties that you have chosen to learn more about, and complete a short knowledge review at the end of each chapter - easy!

This rating is required if you plan to go on and pursue the PADI Rescue Diver course.

This course can be done on Phuket Daytrips, Phi-Phi Overnight Special or Liveaboard Trip - contact us for prices and more information info@calypsophuket.com :)

*Fascinating Fish Fact*

The seahorse (Hippocampus) is one of my favourite fish to see when I'm diving. They are found in tropical and temperate waters throughout the world, and range in size from 1.5-35cm. Here are some facts about these unique fish:

Seahorses are fish
After much debate, scientists have decided that seahorses are indeed fish. They belong in the Class Actinopterygii, the bony fish, which also includes larger fish such as cod and tuna. Unlike most other fish though, they do not have scales, only skin covering them.

Seahorses are bad swimmers
Seahorses prefer to rest in one area, sometimes hanging on to a piece of coral for long periods of time using their prehensile tails. They are however very maneuverable and are able to move up, down, forwards and backwards.

There are 53 known species worldwide
- according to the World Register of Marine Species. They are catergorised in the family Syngnathidae which includes pipefish and seadragons.

Seahorses eat almost constantly
They feed on plankton and small crustaceans, but do not have a stomach so the food passes through them very quickly causing the need to eat all the time.

Many seahorses mate for life
Many are monogamous, meaning they mate for life. The male and female have an elaborate, daily courtship ritual, involving a "dance" where they entwine their tails, and may change colors.

Male seahorses give birth
Unlike any other species, the males become pregnant. Females insert her eggs into the male's brood pouch. The male wiggles to get the eggs into position. Once all the eggs are inserted, the male goes to a nearby coral or seaweed and grabs on with his tail to wait out gestation, which may last several weeks. When it's time to give birth, he'll contort his body in contractions, until the young are born, sometimes over a period of minutes or hours. Baby seahorses are miniature versions of their parents.

Seahorses are experts at camouflage
Some seahorses, like the pygmy seahorse, have a shape, size and colour that allows them to blend in perfectly with their habitat. Others, such as the thorny seahorse, change colour to blend in with their surroundings.

Seahorse populations in Asia are in decline
This can largely be attributed to the use of seahorses in Asian medicines. There is no clinical proof that seahorses have any medicinal benefits, so please avoid buying any of these remedies.

Seahorses like to talk
They make clicking noises when interacting with other seahorses :)

Phuket Dives: Koh Doc Mai

Koh Doc Mai, which translates to Flower Island in English, is a small limestone island located between Phuket and Shark Point. The underwater topography is very similar to what you can see above water - the east side is a shallower, sloping coral garden, the west is a fabulous wall dive, and the side that we normally dive on. If you like macro dives, you won't be disappointed here, we regularly see tiger-tail seahorses, cleaner pipefish,

a variety of moray eels, frogfish, octopus, cuttlefish, ornate ghost pipefish, different kinds of nudibrancs, as well as a host of different kinds of shrimps - cleaner shrimp, durban dancing shrimp, coral banded shrimp, tapestry shrimp, and harlequin shrimp.

If you have a look in the cracks and crevices in or at the bottom of the wall you may also be able to spot a bamboo shark - sometimes you can see a few of them squeezed in together resting in preparation for their nocturnal hunting.

If that isn't enough for you, there are plenty of reef fish along here, all the usual suspects - butterflyfish, angelfish (have a look for juveniles of the blue ringed and emporer angelfish), bearded scorpionfish, lionfish, rabbitfish, etc, and also look out from the wall for schools of longfin trevally, chevron and forster's barracuda...and, if they are in the area, it's not unusual to see whale sharks hanging around this island :)

To add to all this (as if you need more!) there are also two caves. The northern cave entrance is quite small and can be difficult to get in and out of, so this is suitable only for more experienced divers. However, the southern cave has a bigger entrance and is more easily navigated by newer divers...but always remember to check your air and decompression time before entering any enclosed space!

We have trips every day which take in Koh Doc Mai so contact us if you'd like to check out this spectacular dive - info@calypsophuket.com :)

PADI Open Water Course

If you love the water and have always wanted to try diving, this is the course for you. This is your first and most important step in becoming a certified Open Water diver who can dive independently, without the guidance of a professional. Try it and you’ll never turn back.

As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water diver program.

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, comfortable in the water and can swim 200 meters can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, check out the PADI Junior Open Water Diver program.

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you. The usual duration is 3 or 4 full days.

What will I do in this course?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean) dives. Please contact us directly via email if you have special needs.

What can I do after this course?
You can go on with your dive adventure and do several Adventure Dives. These will give you a fun and quick way to sample many different specialty diving techniques in one Adventure Diver course. If you do five Adventure Dives you qualify for the PADI Advanced Open Water certification.

What do I need to bring?
All of the diving equipment is available from us however, you are welcome to bring or purchase your own. Do bring your swimsuit, sunscreen and towels.

Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Classroom & Pool
Day 2: Two Boat or Beach dives
Day 3: Two Boat or Beach dives

Contact us for prices and availability...info@calypsophuket.com :)