Finding Nemo in Thailand

What is the best way to find Nemo? Snorkeling, of course!
Yes, another first for me: snorkeling!

Marc and I had been meaning to go snorkeling every now and then, but then somehow never made it. Just like the massage, we owe our trip to snorkel a little to Amie. When she found out that I had never been snorkeling before, she offered to organize a snorkeling tour for us. We gladly accepted. Being Thai, it is much easier for Amie to talk to the locals, find the right info and also plan something. Depending on where you are in Thailand or even if you want to do something not very touristy, it can be difficult to explain what you really want.

Of course there are enough places where you can book a snorkeling tour as a tourist (at least without Corona) but sometimes a tour for locals is just a bit different than the touristic one. And we like it when it is more local and authentic instead of just designed for tourism. So we totally relied on Amie to plan and organize the snorkeling.

From Pattaya to Sattahip for snorkeling

So then we were a bit confused when we entered the location into Google Maps. We had assumed that we would go snorkeling somewhere in Pattaya itself. Since we also have a condo here and only a scooter, we did not think about the fact that we have to go a little further away. Well, now everything was already booked so we were in for a one-hour scooter ride from Pattaya to Sattahip.

With the backpack and a bag for the wet bathing suits, we then set off. Google Maps on, headphones in the ear and then still the Mapp on the Applewatch turned on and off. Unfortunately, we had forgotten to set Maps that highways should be avoided. So we stood after about 20 minutes of driving with our scooter in front of the highway entrance and first had to change Maps. Thereby we were guided by a very nice, helpful military employee. Scooters are not allowed on the highway! :-D

So we continued on a gravel road, which looked like it would lead to nowhere. Then through a few small villages and finally back on a highway, where we saw a large, fortunately dead King Cobra. The drive to Sattahip took about 1.5 hours and on a scooter that can be quite long. But we made it, arrived and were even a bit early.

Dong Snorkeling

Dongs Snorkeling shares a kind of hall with tables, toilets and showers with another snorkeling club. So you can take a shower there after snorkeling and wash the salt water off your body before heading home. There you can also get coffee, water and some snacks. At first, communication was a bit difficult but with hands, feet and simple pointing, you come to a conclusion.

We should wait there a little longer, because the tour should start at 2 pm. Around us have gradually gathered more and more Thais. We got matching life jackets and could still choose matching flippers for an extra charge of 150 baht. Parking was also charged an extra 50 baht. Towels and diving goggles with snorkel were included.

At 20 past 2, we then asked once, when it goes because it should actually start at 2 pm. Shortly thereafter, we were brought to the harbor by an employee with the scooter and sidecar. There the boat was already waiting for us. To our positive surprise, Amie had probably organized a private snorkeling tour for us and so the boat trip also started directly when we were in the boat. Together with 3 young Thais we started in the speedboat.

Let’s go snorkeling!

We were asked if we would rather go fast or slow. We were for fast and so we went with full throttle over the waves. At one island we had to pay another 200 Baht to enter the island and the water space in front of it. That is usual in Thailand with certain islands and areas, in order to be able to protect so the nature reserves. The money was handed over to the staff at the jetty via a net on a stick and we also received our tickets.

Then it went about 15 minutes by speedboat to an island, where we have inserted the first stop. There we took some pictures before we went around a corner to the first snorkeling spot. There, not only turquoise blue water awaited us but already a few other snorkeling groups. Equipped with fins and goggles we joined the other snorkelers in the water.

A big difference: we were almost the only ones (apart from the snorkel guides) who went into the water without a life jacket and were also able to swim on our own. Most Asians never learn to swim or learn very late, which is why they usually wear a life jacket then. But that is not a problem here either. Ropes and swim boards are used to gently guide those who can’t swim through the water, so they can snorkel even without swimming or diving skills.

Hey Nemo, nice to meet you!

I learned to swim at an early age and was always a water rat as a kid. I loved being in the water and still do. So swimming is not a problem. But I have to admit, it was a little weird going underwater with my face and continuing to breathe through the snorkel. At first I had to remind myself that I was getting air through the snorkel, because I automatically held my breath when I went underwater. But then I got used to it relatively quickly and so the snorkeling could start.

Our guides took us to a few spots where you could see corals and also starfish on the seabed. Also a few isolated fish were swimming around. The water was not as clear as I would have expected for snorkeling. But at least you could see something. And photos were made there also directly by us. For that we should dive a bit under water or just swim at the surface. One of the guides then simply dived to the seabed with the camera and took photos of us.

It was about the same at the second place we visited for snorkeling. Only this time we went into the water without the fins, because they disturbed us rather than helped. At the second spot we discovered Nemo and were able to take pictures with him and his friends. I had trouble diving so deep underwater but with the help of a guide who then just pushed me underwater, I also got some cool photos underwater. :-D

Our snorkeling trip comes to an end

Finally we went to a third spot. There, however, the water was unfortunately very murky and there were also only a few fish to see. In addition, the current was very strong there and it was very exhausting to swim there. Despite the bad conditions, our guides tried to show us as much as possible and performed tricks for us under water. We definitely had a lot of fun together.

Finally we went back to the harbor by boat. A few times the boat made real jumps over the waves and then bounced hard. It was a bit like sitting on a roller coaster. We all had great fun doing it. An advantage when everyone is the same age :-D I think the guides had as much fun with us as we had with them. Especially since we could also just get in the water to dive and swim. We also joked and laughed the whole time and I think that was a change from the snorkeling tours with life jacket guided on the lines.

Back at Dongs Snorkeling we took a short shower (unfortunately only with cold water but still), changed clothes, had a hairdryer (hairdryers are available there), drank something and ate some snacks. But then we already left and started the way home. We didn’t want to drive the whole way in the dark, so we decided to eat at home.

The drive back was also much faster and also easier than on the way there. This time we didn’t have to drive over small gravel roads and side streets and were also home after just under an hour. However, it has become quite fresh. At the moment it is not as warm in Thailand, or rather Pattaya, as we actually know it. With temperatures between 24–31 degrees it is comparatively “cool” and you notice that especially in the evening on the scooter.

At home we took another shower — this time hot — and then ordered food. Snorkeling is very exhausting. But also very cool. Marc told me that we have to go snorkeling somewhere else, where you can see more fish, corals and a colorful underwater world. This tour was also cool but more because of all the photos than because of the underwater world. This was unfortunately not really present here and also not as colorful and lively as you would imagine.