Whale Shark Spotted at Koh Tao

[snoop1130]

Whale Shark Spotted at Koh Tao

 

 

SURAT THANI (NNT) - The great variety of ocean resources is growing ever more abundant in the Gulf of Thailand as human activities normally exploiting the sealife, were paused during the COVID-19 outbreak. Yesterday, at Koh Tao in Surat Thani province, scuba divers came across a 3 to 4-meter long whale shark, swimming around the Hinbaiหินใบ diving spot. The impressive whale shark is the second such shark found near Koh Tao recently.

 

The footage was captured yesterday by a scuba diving coach near Koh Tao. The diver found this whale shark 18 meters down in the gulf, swimming with a school of Black kingfish. The whale shark, possibly 4 meters long, was called DOT as it had many spots on its body.

 

Hinbai or Sail Rock diving spot is one of the most popular diving locations in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a large pile of rocks that reaches 15 meters above sea level, at a spot where Gulf waters are 9 - 30 meters deep. The diving spot regularly attracts rare sea creatures such as the whale shark and giant grouper.

 

Another time, a group of divers also found a whale shark near Green Rock diving spot, that is also located near Koh Tao. It was 4 - 6 meters long and was found at a depth of 16 meters.

 

Both discoveries of whale sharks reflect the abundance of natural resources near Koh Tao; the Whale Shark is also 1 of 4 protected sea creatures, as it is believed to be nearly extinct, making such sightings a cause for celebration among divers

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2020-06-15

 

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[asiasurfer]

Lonely Farang has also been spotted on the beaches of Koh Tao... 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The whale shark, possibly 4 meters long, was called DOT as it had many spots on its body.

If it had been in Thai waters longer it would have been called "Dash" taken from the scars from long-tails boats in the area !

[Tropicalevo]

Lots of marine life around the islands at the moment. The water is very clear and quiet with so few boats on the move.

Dolphins have been seen swiming around the NE peninsular of Samui. Thongson Bay, Samrong Bay and off Bangrak beach.

Four beaches in the south with turtles nesting and stingray seen off Chaweng beach.

 

[happy chappie]

I always worry when creatures like this are spotted in Thai waters as they have a good chance of ending up on a beach with a gut full of 7-11 plastic or under the table in the markets.