Kristian, the videographer at Wicked Diving, Thailand, took this footage on a recent trip on the Similan Islands Liveaboard.
This was a great day for Manta’s, as there were 5 more on the same dive!!! It was even better …as this was New Year’s!
Manta Ray at Similan Islands with Wicked Diving, Khao Lak from Wicked Diving on Vimeo.
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
If you never thought that staying on a boat with 12 strangers for a whole week, far away from civilization and nothing else to do except diving, exploring uninhabited islands, eating and sleeping would be a great and exciting experience…then read on!
Your very first day on the Similan Liveaboard will immediately change your perspective about living aboard – meeting the crew and staff, the slow cruise across the Andaman Sea and the incredible ocean along the way!
Plenty Of Diving! Plenty of time to explore the islands!
With time underwater throughout the day – as well as the opportunity to snorkel, visit the beaches and relax under the skies of the Andaman sea…this is why you would want to be here? You will certainly enjoy every minute, every second in and on the ocean. You will even enjoy the time in bed too!
Everything and everyone is relaxed
Imagine waking-up with the sunrise, listening to the sound of the waves and knowing that Manta Rays could just be right under you – isn’t that a great nature wake-up call? Walk out of your cabin to see the sun rising over the mountains of Thailand, look to your left and see uninhabited islands and long winding reefs and look to the west and knwo the next piece of land is India! Even if you are not the typical morning person – this is a great way wake up!
And during the day you don’t have to care about anything except remembering all the incredible creatures you have seen under water to fill up your logbook or look for the names in one of the encyclopedias on board. The staff takes care of the rest.
The good thing about Great Similan Liveaboards – time to relax and enjoy. 3 different Sundecks, cabin space and the galley to snack in. Lots of room to ponder life and think about fish 
People – just like you!
It is a real pleasure to find new friends while on a an expedition! People who are interested in enjoying life, experiencing Thailand and the Islands like no one else and of course – love diving!
Watching the sun set over the Indian ocean while the waves gently lap at the side of the boat. 12 other people relaxing with you…chatting about the incredible marine life and beaches you all saw that day.
Yes…Life can be good…
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
About Similan Diving
The Similan Islands are renowned as one of the ten best dive spots in the world. This is not referring to a single dive site, or a single wreck…this is due to the 50+ named dives sites, the incredible diversity of marine life and the variety of styles available to divers.
Located 50 Km (35 miles) of the west coast of Thailand – The Similan Islands are easily accessible. Khao Lak is the departure point for daytrips, overnight tours and Similan liveaboards as it is the main pier and the closest point of land. Easily reached are also the Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock and even some great wrecks that can easily be reached by longtail from Khao Lak.
The diving and snorkeling consists of vast reefs of pristine corals on the protected East coast of the Similans. There is incredible diving and encounters with huge marine life on the deep boulder sites on the West coast of the Similan Islands. At the top and bottom of the islands, where these different styles of sites meet, one finds opportunities for such amazing marine life as Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Sharks, Napolean Wrasse and more.
While there can be currents – the Similan Islands are accessible to all levels of divers. Choosing the right dive center can assure the visitor of the idyllic experience. Experienced staff and intimate knowledge of the area make the choices easy. For the experienced diver – the deep sites with their strong currents and huge fish make are clear favorites. For the avid fish fanatic as well as the beginning divers, the gently sloping reefs tend to have minimal currents and incredible biodiversity.
The islands can be reached by liveaboards, Khao Lak Diving daytrips and snorkeling boats. It is very important to note that the islands are closed from May1st to November 1st each year. It is both unsafe – due to heavy monsoons, and illegal to visit the park during this closure.
Day trip Diving
Diving Day Trips to the Similan Islands with speed boats from Khao Lak. This day trip is for guests who don’t have the time to do a liveaboard safari or for those of you who wish to enjoy the comfort of a resort each evening in Khao Lak. Most daily trips to the Similan Islands cater to both diving and snorkeling. Accommodation is available on some of the Similan Islands for a spectacular 2 days & 1 night overstay diving package. Plan far in advance for that as spaces are limited!!!
Similan Liveaboard Diving
There are several Similan Liveaboards departing from Khao Lak. There are some of the most luxurious boats in the world all the way down to very bare-bones boats catering to backpackers (lacking beds they sleep on the decks).
Trips range from 1 night tours to 7 or more days. To get a basic sampling of the Similan Islands, try at least a 3 day tour. If you would like a rich experience and sample all the region has to offer, then a 5 day Similan Liveaboard trip is perfect.
The real benefit of liveaboard trips over day trips is the chance to see more of the islands and truly enjoy the evenings on the Andaman sea. There are generally more dives per day and the chance to get to know your fellow divers. In addition getting to know your staff also means they can better cater to your needs. On good Similan Liveaboard tours you will also get the chance to visit the islands, snorkel and experience the islands first hand.
Wicked Diving
Wicked Diving is a small dive center based in Khao Lak, Thailand. As an ecologically award-winning operation, Wicked Diving is proud to offer a full selection of both PADI and SSI courses – from trying out diving for the very fist time to Instructor Training Courses. The only Similan Diving center with a Dive Medic, 2 Instructor Trainers on staff offers guests the highest standards and safety.
Operating two ecologically friendly liveaboards and also longtails, Similan Diving just got easier. Not only that Wicked Diving works with local charities to improve both the marine environment and communities. Not satisfied with donating 10% of profits, staff of this Khao Lak Diving center also actively participate in projects in the region.
For more details on our services and offers – don’t hesitate to visit our web site: wickeddiving.com
Feel free to contact Wicked Diving by email: info@wickeddiving.com
Leave a Comment » | liveaboard, similan islands | Tagged: best diving, khao lak diving, scuba thailand, Similan, similan diving, similan islands, similan liveaboard | Permalink
Posted by Similan Islands Diving
If you never thought that staying on a boat with 12 strangers for a whole week, far away from civilization and nothing else to do except diving, exploring uninhabited islands, eating and sleeping would be a great and exciting experience…then read on!
Your very first day on the Similan Liveaboard will immediately change your perspective about living aboard – meeting the crew and staff, the slow cruise across the Andaman Sea and the incredible ocean along the way!
Plenty Of Diving! Plenty of time to explore the islands!
With time underwater throughout the day – as well as the opportunity to snorkel, visit the beaches and relax under the skies of the Andaman sea…this is why you would want to be here? You will certainly enjoy every minute, every second in and on the ocean. You will even enjoy the time in bed too!
Everything and everyone is relaxed
Imagine waking-up with the sunrise, listening to the sound of the waves and knowing that Manta Rays could just be right under you – isn’t that a great nature wake-up call? Walk out of your cabin to see the sun rising over the mountains of Thailand, look to your left and see uninhabited islands and long winding reefs and look to the west and knwo the next piece of land is India! Even if you are not the typical morning person – this is a great way wake up!
And during the day you don’t have to care about anything except remembering all the incredible creatures you have seen under water to fill up your logbook or look for the names in one of the encyclopedias on board. The staff takes care of the rest.
The good thing about Great Similan Liveaboards – time to relax and enjoy. 3 different Sundecks, cabin space and the galley to snack in. Lots of room to ponder life and think about fish
People – just like you!
It is a real pleasure to find new friends while on a an expedition! People who are interested in enjoying life, experiencing Thailand and the Islands like no one else and of course – love diving!
Watching the sun set over the Indian ocean while the waves gently lap at the side of the boat. 12 other people relaxing with you…chatting about the incredible marine life and beaches you all saw that day.
Yes…Life can be good…
Leave a Comment » | day trip, liveaboard, similan islands | Tagged: diving, khao lak, Similan, similan diving, similan islands, similan liveaboard, similan scuba, thailand, wicked diving | Permalink
Posted by Similan Islands Diving
If you never thought that staying on a boat with 12 strangers for a whole week, far away from civilization and nothing else to do except diving, exploring uninhabited islands, eating and sleeping would be a great and exciting experience…then read on!
Your very first day on the Similan Liveaboard will immediately change your perspective about living aboard – meeting the crew and staff, the slow cruise across the Andaman Sea and the incredible ocean along the way!
Plenty Of Diving! Plenty of time to explore the islands!
With time underwater throughout the day – as well as the opportunity to snorkel, visit the beaches and relax under the skies of the Andaman sea…this is why you would want to be here? You will certainly enjoy every minute, every second in and on the ocean. You will even enjoy the time in bed too!
Everything and everyone is relaxed
Imagine waking-up with the sunrise, listening to the sound of the waves and knowing that Manta Rays could just be right under you – isn’t that a great nature wake-up call? Walk out of your cabin to see the sun rising over the mountains of Thailand, look to your left and see uninhabited islands and long winding reefs and look to the west and knwo the next piece of land is India! Even if you are not the typical morning person – this is a great way wake up!
And during the day you don’t have to care about anything except remembering all the incredible creatures you have seen under water to fill up your logbook or look for the names in one of the encyclopedias on board. The staff takes care of the rest.
The good thing about Great Similan Liveaboards – time to relax and enjoy. 3 different Sundecks, cabin space and the galley to snack in. Lots of room to ponder life and think about fish
People – just like you!
It is a real pleasure to find new friends while on a an expedition! People who are interested in enjoying life, experiencing Thailand and the Islands like no one else and of course – love diving!
Watching the sun set over the Indian ocean while the waves gently lap at the side of the boat. 12 other people relaxing with you…chatting about the incredible marine life and beaches you all saw that day.
Yes…Life can be good…
Leave a Comment » | liveaboard, similan islands | Tagged: dive thailand, khao lak diving, khao lak liveaboard, scuba thailand, Similan, similan diving, similan islands, similan liveaboard | Permalink
Posted by Similan Islands Diving
Thailand – The Similan Islands.
The Similans are commonly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. Comprising of nine granite uninhabited islands covered in a tropical jungle, washed by a clear blue Indian ocean the Similan Islands (also referred to simply as the Similans) provide some of the most beautiful and diverse dive destinations in Thailand. The Similans lie in a 25 km long north-south chain of islands, 50 km offshore from Khao Lak in the Phang Nga Province on the Andaman Sea,
The eastern fringes of the Similans feature pretty hard coral gardens in the shallows and sloping reef banks down to thirty meters or more. At some dive sites such as East of Eden, large bommies (coral heads) rise from the sea bed and are blanketed with soft corals, fan corals, and swarms of smaller tropical fish. East coast Similan Islands diving is relatively easy-going, allowing you plenty of time to explore the sites at your own leisurely pace.
The western side of the Similan Islands along with the north and south points, offers divers a more exciting experience as currents swirl around huge sunken granite boulders, which form a series of arches, tunnels and swim-throughs at sites such as Christmas Point and Elephant Head Rock. Growing on, and between, these enormous rocks you find a tapestry of colourful soft corals. In the channels between the boulders, sea fans can grow to some three metres across, and in such numbers that you cannot possibly swim through. The contrast between the east and west coasts and the variety of underwater topography is one of the reasons the Similan Islands are so popular – every dive offers you something different.
For underwater photographers and lovers of marine life, then diving in the Similan Islands is difficult to surpass for variety and abundance of tropical fish. Leopard sharks make appearances on a regular basis and you’ll also see white-tip reef sharks. It’s not a ‘big fish’ paradise, but it’s consistently great for sheer diversity of marine life. You may find anything from tiny ghost pipefish to turtles and giant bumphead parrotfish.
Although the tsunami of 2004 did affect a few of the reefs here, most are in excellent condition and many divers in the last seasons have commented to us that they could not see any reef damage.
Liveaboards leaving from Khao Lak are typically 4 day tours, and visit both the Similans and Surin Islands including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock but are usually too fast, and can feel stressed. 5 Day Similan Liveaboards offer the best chance to experience the entire region and take a slower, more natural pace. Some shorter tours (2 or 3 day) visit the Similan Islands only. Day trips for diving and snorkeling are now becoming more common from Khao Lak.
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
Thailand is home to some great diving. The Similan Islands are frequently listed among the top 10 dive sites on earth.
It is no wonder that the best dive sites on the Similan Islands are good – damn good! Among the most famous and frequently cited as “incredible” is Elephant Head Rock. Located right int he Center of the islands – just off Koh Similan.
Elephant Head Rock is home to some huge pelagic visitors as well as some incredible macro as well. If you imagine a massive pile of boulders the size of houses that just keep going deeper and deeper into the depths – then you can imagine what this site is like.
Due to Dive profiles and the great features of this site – it’s best to visit in the morning. This usually means joining a Similan Liveaboard as the daytrips usually arrive a bit late.
with Depths to 30 meters and far beyond – Nitrox is also a good idea.
For more on Similan island Dive Sites
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
23rd – 26th of December 2009 – 4 days
We carry only 12 guests on our trips, so the groups are small with a relaxed pace and uncrowded dive sites. Each cabin is air-conditioned with sea views and fresh air. There are 3 toilet / hot shower units on the boat and there is a large gear up area and dive deck. A total of 5 boat crew will be waiting on your needs and we also provide at least one dive guide per 4 guests. You will be treated to the best in Thai hospitality and European standards!
When you dive with us you make a difference. Our boat and trucks use only locally produced Biofuel so your money makes a difference in our community. Wicked uses only fair-trade, phosphate-free soaps and detergents on our boats and in our shops so that we don’t affect our environment around us. Your sheets and towels will be 100% fair-trade organic cotton. Also, 10% of all our profits go to local NGO’s as we continually strive to make the world around us better.
Join our staff for our great Christmas Special Liveaboard trip. Our staff are famous for turning these trips into something really special, with gifts, games and funny dress ups. The boat will be decorated in Christmas style and you can expect Santa to visit us again this year and he might even join us for a dive or two! Let’s hope he leaves his reindeer at home this time. We always have good food on the trips but in addition our staff will prepare a special delicious Christmas dinner and a Christmas breakfast. And if you behave well on the trip, you might get a nice surprise gift from Wicked Diving. Why not jump to the trip details and booking section?
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
As part of our site development and growth – we have moved these dive site descriptions over to the main site…
Elephant Head Rock is part of the itinerary for our Similan Islands Liveaboard North Tours
Between islands seven and eight lies Elephant Head Rock – or ‘Hin Pusa’.
A beautiful collection of submerged boulders, ranging from large slabs of rock to smaller stones. The relative isolation of the site between Islands 7 & 8 leaves it open to strong cross currents.
Conditions permitting drop down on the south side between the two large rocks which the break the surface. Stay close to the rocks until the strength and direction of the current has been gauged, and if necessary use the boulders as shelter. The south side of the dive site drops along a series of rock plateaus to a graduating sandy bottom which starts at about 30 meters and goes deeper – more than 50 Meters.
Keep the boulders on your left and work eastwards. Look beneath rocks for lobsters and large rays. A large channel can provide a good introduction to the dive, which sits at around 18 meters. Follow the opening through and then turn left into a smaller series of swim-throughs which bring you towards the north of the dive site.
If you skip the swim-throughs and head outside the site (rather than through) you will find some big fish hunting. Also spend some time looking for Frogfish, Flabellinas and other little stuff. You will be surprised by all that you find.
Conditions permitting continue swimming out towards the Northern-outer edge of the dive site over a sandy plateau where large White tips, Grey and Black tip reef sharks can sometimes be seen.
Also keep an eye open for some weird and wonderful nudibranches and in particular for flabbelina’s. Octopus, sea snakes and cuttlefish can also be found amongst the dead coral. Head south and you should come to an opening which begins at 12 meters and extends south to around 6 meters, where the current usually gains force. Beneath the large rock to your left is a long crack. Use a torch to look for baby white tip reef sharks. This can be a good place to end the dive, swimming back out to the north-east during the safety stop for one final look for Sharks, Rays, Giant Trevally and Great Barracuda.
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
Thailand has one of the world’s most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations.
There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centers, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.
It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Khao Lak and the nearby Khao Lak with the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving from Khao Lak is of the highest standard, and the surrounding dive sites host a plethora of great diving. Similan Islands Scuba Diving is frequently listed as one of the ten best diving opportunities on earth. The are also underwater treasures that lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Surin Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia’s finest dive sites.
The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world’s most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from introducing people to scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to o Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centers and divers. However the dive sites are very overwhelmed and the diving here is often referred to as “champagne diving” – all bubbles.
Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Shark fin Reef are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Koh Lipe Krabi, Phi Phi and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centers. For a good reference try the Best Dive Sites in Thailand.
Today, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.
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Posted by Similan Islands Diving
Similan Diving
