Wicked Diving is offering Phi Phi Liveaboard trips throughout the Phi Phi and Phuket area from May Through September 2012. Aside from the great service and standards you expect from us, you can also experience some great marine life!
Around the Phi Phi Island dive sites and throughout the Andaman Sea, there is an astonishing variety of marine life to see whilst you are scuba diving, ranging from tiny macroscopic animals and plants through to giant whale sharks! With water temperatures ranging from 26 - 29 these spectacular tropical waters are home to an immense range of creatures!
Sharks
In Koh Phi Phi, there are regular sightings of Black-tip Reef Sharks, White-tip Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks, particularly at the Shark Point Dive site. With occasional glimpses of the biggest fish in the ocean, the Whale Shark!
Turtles
The array of Turtles living in the waters of Koh Phi Phi is simply astounding! You may be treated to a glimpse of any of these species as you explore the waters: the Leatherback, the Hawsksbill, the Olive Ridley and the Green Turtle! The largest living Turtle is the Leatherback Sea Turtle, which reaches a shell length of 200 centimetres and can reach a weight of over 900 kilograms!
Rays
Often described as "flying" through the water on their large "wings" Manta rays are the largest species of rays and are closely related to sharks. These harmless rays have a short tail and no stinging spine and are extremely graceful swimmers and some rays have even been see leaping clear out of the water, possibly as a form of communication or play. Khul’s Stingray (also known as the Jenkins or Blue Spotted Stingray) are also extremely common in the Koh Phi Phi waters.
Eels
The Moray Eel is a fish with a snakelike and scaleless body, its huge head, dark eyes and concave teeth are enough to make it look rather ugly. They can be found hidden in the rocky crevices and coral concretions of the reef, or within the various hideaways of a shipwreck, leaving only its pointed snout visible, with its mouth wide open. When diving Koh Phi Phi you may see the Honeycomb Eel, the Blue Ribbon Eel, The White Mouthed Moray, and the White Eyed Moray Eel.
Fish
The species of fish that inhabit the coral reefs of Koh Phi Phi are numerous and diverse. The breathtaking array of fish is an indication of a healthy and thriving reef environment. Look out for:
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Crustaceans
The most common species of Crustaceans found in the waters of Koh Phi Phi include theHarlequin Shrimp, Boxing Mantis Shrimp, Durban Dancing Shrimp, Coconut Crab, Porcelain Crab and the Box Crab.
Sea Stars, Sea Cucumbers and Sea Urchins are all members of the same marine family, they are recognisable by their five-fold symmetry and move by means of hundreds of tiny, transparent, adhesive "tube feet".
Clams
Clams are animals that burrow under the sea floor. They are bivalves, mollusks that have two shells that protect a soft body. There are over 15,000 different species of clams worldwide. When diving in Koh Phi Phi you may see the Squamose Giant Clam, the Giant Clam and the Boring Clam.
Hard Corals
Hard Corals are closely related to jellyfish and are very simple animals. However, the majority of corals are colonial with many single polyps making up one colony. The framework of a coral reef is formed by the skeletons of many corals. As a coral grows new polyps replace old polyps which become the solid skeleton. There are vast reefs surrounding Koh Phi Phi made up of hard corals such as the Staghorn Coral, the Lettuce Coral, Red Whip Coral, Star Coral, Tube Coral, Bubbly Honeycomb Coral, Octocoral, Maze Coral, Funnel Coral, Blue Coral, Brain Coral, Fire Coral and Compact Coral.
Soft Corals
Soft corals are soft bodies made up of a large number of polyps connected by fleshy tissue. They lack the limestone skeleton found on their relatives, the hard coral. The term 'soft' is a bit misleading because these corals have numerous tiny, needle-like spicules in their tissues. On a dive at Koh Phi Phi, you are likely to see; Blue Coral, Organ Pipe Coral, Sea Pens, Leather Coral, Elephant Ear Coral, Orange Cup Coral, Delicate Whip Coral, Bubble Coral and many species of Gorgonians or sea fans
This is just a small selection of marine life on display in the crystal clear waters of Koh Phi Phi, there are also many other species and creatures for you to see as you explore the beautiful and exciting underwater world!
