Wicked Diving - Similan Islands, Thailand
Wicked Diving – Similan Islands (Khao Lak)
Wicked Diving are a burgeoning liveaboard specialist company based initially in Thailand but now slowly spreading throughout Indonesia. The company is aimed at the budget end of the market and appeals to divers looking for an environmentally conscious, fun, trip giving great value for money. At the time we travelled with them they operated 2 liveaboards and a number of speed boats out the the Similan Islands from the town of Khao Lak – roughly an hour or so north of Phuket on Thailand’s East Coast. They have now expanded bringing their budget offering to seasonal trips to Komodo & Raja Ampat in Indonesia using the same Phinisi-style schooner, MV Jaya, that I will be describing here. They have now also begun running ‘positioning’ safaris to out of the way destinations when moving the boat between destinations.
Designed and built by the legendary Bugis shipyards of South Sulawesi, the boat is 23 metres in length and accommodates 14 people in small but comfortable bunks underneath the forward part of the boat with 1 room underneath the saloon in the rear of the ship. The covered saloon at the rear is where meals are taken, dive briefings given and much relaxing carried out. A couple of benches and criminally comfortable bean bags make this the best area for hanging out while moving or on surface intervals. Forward of here there is a couple of metres drop down wide ladders to the Wheel house, which is always open to guests and forms a meeting place for those not wishing to get horizontal – or more to the point those not confident of their ability to get back up once ensconced in a bean bag. The Indonesian crew were always smiling and made anyone feel welcome to hang out while they were on duty. On top of the Wheel House is a small roof-top ‘sun lounge’, which does exactly as it says on the ton. Back up again and in front of the wheel house is where all the dive gear is set out around the inside of the gunwales. Diving was conducted straight off the boat or using the ship’s wooden tender.
The crew was rounded out by 2 Indonesian ladies cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The food was plentiful, if a little bland, in the style of Indonesian/Asian catered for westerners. There was plenty of meat & fish offered, with vegetables, fried noodles & rice. Fruit was also offered throughout the day.
The trip we took was for 4 day/5 nights., leaving Khao Lak in the late afternoon and steaming out to the islands during the course of the evening. This allowed plenty of time for introductions, detailed safety instructions and then plenty of time to have a drink and get to know the other divers. We were soon parked up behind Island #4 and out for the night. Due to a late arrival we picked up one of the more exposed moorings – this being my first night sleeping in a wooden hulled schooner I can definitely advise that it’s not for those who struggle to sleep at sea. The romance of bouncing from side to side in a creaky ship is certainly novel, but ensures a patchy night’s sleep. On later evenings we benefitted from much more protected anchorages and I was out like a light. From the next morning we started working our way up the Island chain before heading out North to more remote islands and finishing up at the well regarded Richelieu Rock – more information on the diving here is in my separate destination report on the Similan Islands.
The dive crew were a mixture of Belgian, German & Finnish and were great fun. Briefings were detailed and informative while the dives were arranged to ensure we were allowed as much freedom as possible on the sites. Our equipment was always ready for each dive with perfect air fills every single time. We just needed to eat, drink and be merry. My partner and I were very unwell for a 24 hour period and the crew were absolutely fantastic. They juggling running the boat and dives with ensuring we were looked after and couldn’t have been more helpful.
Finally, we took our own gear so I cannot recall what any rental equipment was like, though the dive shop was new and well stocked.
The whole process from contacting the company to enquire on prices to booking, paying and then the arrangements on arrival were as good as I’ve experienced and couldn’t have been made easier. I’d love to get out to Komodo or Raja Ampat and wouldn’t think twice about going with Wicked.
