The first Similan Liveaboard of the season - Manta Ray AND Whale Shark

We've just returned from our first six day liveaboard of the new season in the Similan and Surin national parks - and what an amazing 6 days it's been!!! Whale Shark! Manta Ray! Incredible - nay - Wicked Diving!!!


Onboard for the full six days we had Nadav from Israel, Nicholas and Nina from Germany, from the USA Tracey and Wayne, David from Belgium and Danielle from the UK, for the first three days we were also joined by Americans James and Katie, Casey from South Africa, Helen from England and Dorean who joined us from Singapore, and on the final three days up to the Surin islands we had the company of Phil, Lizzie, Jonathan, Daisy, Brett, Nick and Joanna, dive masters and instructors who came over from Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, two Australians, Anthony and Therese, Jean and Meredith from America, and finally Ritesh and Megha from India. With captain Wit at the wheel we set off on the 18th of October for six days of diving.


After arriving at the Similans during the night the first dive of the trip was at Anita’s reef, a very pretty dive site with wonderful coral formations and beautiful white sand, a great place to refresh our dive skills after the low season, a huge giant moray being one of the highlights.

Then off to Deep six and Stonehenge to explore the huge granite boulders typical of the similan islands westerly dive sites, with schools of fusiliers and travelly in the deeper water. A visit to the beach on Similan island number four wrapped up the first day.



Day two saw us at West of Eden, a favorite in the Similans due to the many different small marine creatures to be found, only to be surprised when one of the largest swam by and we had our first manta ray sighting of the new season. Over to Elephant Head Pinnacle for dive two for a highly entertaining dive in the end of monsoon swells and a more relaxed dive on the fringing reef at Three Trees, then a well deserved rest before the first night dive in Donald Duck Bay.

Day three, and we headed north to North Point, some more large swells around the boulders made diving there tricky and after retreating to the reef we were delighted to spot our first shark this season, a small white tip shark resting under some coral happily posed for a few photos and everyone on the boat had a chance to see it. For the last dive on day three we left the nine Similan islands behind and traveled to Koh Bon, to the north, where it was nice to see some beautifully colourful soft corals covering the famous west ridge on this dive site

After a short trip to the mainland to restock supplies and changeover a few of the guests, day four found us back at Koh Bon, two more excellent dives here turned up huge clouds of glass fish, which were being continually dive bombed by checkered snappers and rainbow runners, and a couple of large napoleon wrasse kept us entertained.

Off then to Koh Tachai, where some of the more advanced divers decided to dive the pinnacle, in what looked to be a very strong current, after forty minutes hard finning the aches in our legs were forgotten when we saw the largest fish in the sea, a four meter long whale shark cruised effortlessly past one of the dive groups!! The day was finished off with a visit to Koh Tachai beach, where some got involved in a beach cleanup, we were happy to find there was not too much rubbish on the beach that day which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the sunset.

Sorry - old photo :( 

Day five and we returned to the pinnacle with fingers crossed for another whale shark sighting, but alas it was not to be, with barracuda and giant trevallies it still made for a great morning dive. Off then to the Surin islands, with dives at East Rocks and Koh Torinla, and it was here in a large patch of coral rubble that the nudi hunters had there best dive, stopping every few meters to photograph another new variety. The divers looking for something larger were treated to another white tip shark. A night dive in Aow Pakad and a large dinner left everyone ready for bed.

Day six we awoke a Richelieu Rock, the most famous site in Thailand, and rounded off the trip in spectacular style. Soft corals, sea fans, octopus, mating cuttle fish, barracudas, pipe fish, nudibranchs, schools of snappers, fusiliers, emperor fish and so much more, Richelieu proved again why it is such a popular dive site. After two dives, with the guests talking of what they had seen and wanting to do it all again, it was unfortunately time to head back to land, and the end of the first six days.

A massive thanks to each guest who joined us and a very big round of applause to the Similan Islands who welcomed us back with some great diving!!!

-Wicked Diving Thailand

Whale Shark & Manta Ray Trip Report - February 2010

From February 6 to 8, Wicked Diving carried out another of our unique Special Educational Trips!

13 guests joined us on the M\V Parinee for the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about Manta Rays and Whale Sharks.

Two presentations were held in the evenings by Karina, our resident marine biologist. Manta Rays as well Sharks are Elasmobranchii animals that posses a cartilaginous skeleton, which is flexible and has about half the density of bone.

Sharks, which have been around even before dinousaurs, have highly specialized senses, which include electroreception, allowing them to detect electromagnetic fields to help find their prey.

The whale shark received special attention, this mysterious fish visits the Andaman coast around this time of year. Little is known about them so we at wicked diving support the research work carried on by ECOCEAN – www.whaleshark.org.

We do this by taking a photograph of the spot patterning above the left pectoral fin will provide data used in a software program that recognizes algorithms to catalog and identify this animal. Thousands of images use its unique "bodyprint" as an identifier. This data is compiled to document sightings and migratory patterns of these magnificent creatures.

Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock were explored on the trip trying to track down and document these mighty creatures - the largest of all the rays and the largest of all the Sharks (and of all the fish!)

Harlequin shrimps, seahorses and ghost pipe fish were spotted by our knowledgeable dive guide - never missing the opportunity to point all the small creatures we see in this region.

Everyone on the trip had the opportunity to encounter the magnificent leopard shark. Fortunate guests also beheld the magical manta ray!

While never able to truly predict the timing and frequency of Whale Shark visits, we did not encounter one. There was plenty of knowledge and great experiences for everyone on the trip - including the SSI Shark Diver certification!

Wow what a trip!

As we document and follow the travels and sightings of these creatures we will be using that data for our upcoming Whale Shark & Manta Ray Trip on March 26th.

-Similan Diving

Whale Shark Education and Research - March

We are so happy after the incredibly successful Whale Shark Education trip in February!

so much to see and experience, heaps of education and of course the experience we share with you is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

watch below....




And that's not all!!!!!

We are offering the Whale Shark Education program again! March 6-8, 2009!!!



2009 WHALE SHARK EDUCATION and EXPLORATION PROGRAM
WICKED DIVING

PROGRAM DATES:
MARCH 6 – 8, 2009

TRIP COST: 17,500THB per person

Minimum 9 dives
(Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, and BonSoong Wreck)
Air-conditioned cabins
Experienced and qualified Dive Guides and Instructors
SSI ECOLogical Specialty Certification – proceeds from this certification are donated back into local environmental programs.
Scuba Equipment
All meals and beverages
Underwater digital cameras and instruction
**There will also be a videographer on-board recording the trip and the dives, DVD available for purchase.



-Similan Diving

Phots and news from the Whale Shark Education trip

The February Whale Shark Education and research trip has returned and we are full of news and stories of this great trip.

With everything from Manta Rays

to Ghost Pipefish

this trip had it all. Great Food, incredible conditions and....oh yeah....Whale Shark.

she is named Penelope and Church asked her to stay for the rest of the season, but alas....



We are happy to offer another opportunity to join a Whale Shark Education trip in March. While there is never a guarantee that Penelope (or her family) will show up - we do guarantee great service, delicious food and a full "ecological diver" certification!



-Similan diving

Whale Shark Education and Research - The first video

Oh yeah...

Oh yeah...


Oh yeah...






And that's not all!!!!!

We are offering the Whale Shark Education program again! March 6-8, 2009!!!



2009 WHALE SHARK EDUCATION and EXPLORATION PROGRAM
WICKED DIVING

PROGRAM DATES:
MARCH 6 – 8, 2009

TRIP COST: 17,500THB per person

Minimum 9 dives
(Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, and BonSoong Wreck)
Air-conditioned cabins
Experienced and qualified Dive Guides and Instructors
SSI ECOLogical Specialty Certification – proceeds from this certification are donated back into local environmental programs.
Scuba Equipment
All meals and beverages
Underwater digital cameras and instruction
**There will also be a videographer on-board recording the trip and the dives, DVD available for purchase.



-Similan Diving

Whale Shark Education and Research - Success!!!!!

Yes that's right! Our Whale Shark Education trip got back last night and we are just starting to see the results of the trip!

They snorkeled with whale sharks




Dived with Penelope - our newest staff member - she's only 4.5 meters long.


we got some great pictures that we are uploading into the ecocean database and we can start tracking her global progress.
Of course, there was sooo much more...

Manta Rays, mating leopard sharks, turtles and even ghost pipefish and seahorses for everyone looking at the the reefs.


We are very pleased with the results and feel that everyone walked away better informed, well fed and ...well they all got the opportunity to dive with the majestic fish.


If you are interested, we are planning on a second Whale Shark Education and research trip March 6-8, 2009.



May all your dives be like these....



-Similan Diving

Whale Sharks Today!

We will have more details tomorrow evening but the Whale Shark Education trip that is out right now saw at least one Whale Shark today on Richelieu Rock!



In March....

2009 Whale Shark Education and Exploration Program

Program Dates:
March 6 – 8, 2009

Trip Cost: 17,500THB per person

Minimum 9 dives
(Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, and BonSoong Wreck)
Air-conditioned cabins
Experienced and qualified Dive Guides and Instructors
SSI ECOLogical Specialty Certification – proceeds from this certification are donated back into local environmental programs.
Scuba Equipment
All meals and beverages
Underwater digital cameras and instruction
**There will also be a videographer on-board recording the trip and the dives, DVD available for purchase.



Write to us for more information - info@wickeddiving.com


Similan Diving

Whale Sharks!

We weren't on this trip but 2 days ago Whale Sharks were spotted at Richelieu Rock. The first trip of the season and already we have Whale Sharks!

Our partner school on Koh Tao - Scuba Junction has also had a couple of recent sightings! It seems to be the time of year.


It looks to be a great season indeed. That was the first trip for the liveaboard and they were ecstatic. Conditions on the Similans look to be quite good, though we are getting rumors of fishing damage to East of Eden. We need to confirm this in person.

If you are interested in whale Sharks, please check out this site. We are helping to coordinate all the diving for this exciting project in March and April 2008.

Whale Shark Conservation project

Our new project, in partnership with Golden Buddha Resort and Ecocean is now live!

Please visit the new site - whale-shark.org is the address...

We are very happy to announce the project dates, in late March and mid-April. We are not only seeking people to join in the research, but we are also offering two scholarships to deserving local divers. We will have lots more about that project as we get closer.



If you would like to help our research expeditions, please check out these pages

We also have lots of interesting whale shark facts and information.

There is also information about our boat, the accommodation and even how to get here.


As always...

Similan Diving

Safer Diving

Thailand liveaboards

and now....

Whale Shark Conservation

Khao Lak - Whale Sharks - Oh My!

Well the weather is still here! Great days for reading, relaxing inside and listening to the sounds of rain on the huge banana tree leaves.


In the meantime we are preparing several exciting projects for the season ahead. One of the most exciting is our affiliation with Golden Buddha Resort and our Whale Shark Research program!


For those interested we will be putting more and more information up here, on our website and probably in the news!


If you would like to pencil Late March and Mid-April onto your calenders - you'll be able to join us for this truly exciting project.


Please keep checking back in for more details.



Similan Diving
Diving Safety
Thailand Liveaboards

Whale Shark Research and Golden Buddha!!!

We are proud to announce an exciting project for the upcoming season. We are partnering with Golden Buddha Resort to offer several Whale Shark Research Projects!!!

These will be week-long projects with visits to Richelieu Rock and unexplored local reefs as directed by the indigenous population. Additionally there will be exploration of the Mangroves and surrounding areas. Our objective is to aid in a worldwide effort to track the migratory patterns of the Whale Sharks as part of a program designed and implemented by EcOcean.


We will try to document through photographs and descriptions the various Whale Sharks that we see. Then our information is pooled with hundreds of other photographs and descriptions on Ecocean’s amazing database. Then we try to track the migratory patterns of these gentle giants.
As so little is known about their migratory patterns and even where they give birth, this is instrumental in affecting global action regarding the preservation of this endangered species. (The Whale Shark was listed under CITES as dangerously at risk of extinction in 2001)

As part of this project we will visit
Richelieu Rock (one of the most frequent sites for Whale Sharks in the region) in addition to other nearby sites (Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin Islands - depending on weather).
Finally by enlisting the aid of the indigenous population on (Koh Phra Thong) we will also follow their directions to recent sightings by fishermen and to sites where the Whale Sharks are rumored to congregate several times a year!
Each night will be highlighted by a slideshow of the days collected data, followed by lectures/discussions about the project, how to help and what to do when not in Whale Shark Country…
Overnight we stay in one of the many luxurious homes that make up the Resort. These are amazing homes individually designed. This is NOT your average factory resort, this is a community!
Each morning is greeted by the songs of rare and endemic species of birds, a delicious Brunch and then - more diving.

Golden Buddha resort is located on Koh Phra Thong. This is home to one of the only nesting grounds remaining in SE Asia for the Leatherback Turtles(there are conservation programs in planning phases now). The Island is also famous for Bird Watching, Kayak Tours and is home to some special Muck Diving.
By using the local population, rather than itinerant workers, Golden Buddha makes a direct and a tangible impact in the local economy. In addition to generating income you will be helping change the way Fish and other species in the area are seen seen. A turtle hatchling is worth hundreds of Euros in present and future income versus a bowl of soup.

Wicked Diving is proud to be partners with one of the only resorts in Thailand to emphasize the Think globally – Act Locally attitude. This is THE ONLY Resort outside of Australia participating in the Ecocean project. We will be providing all support, staff and training for the upcoming Ecocean projects and the many other projects in the near future. Keep Checking back for more information and schedules.

Great day on Koh Bon

It was an incredible day today...Both Keith and myself saw the opportunity, and word of some great conditions got us all excited.

With a boat load of excited divers we left Khao Lak and headed off to the main site for seeing Manta Rays in Khao Lak - Koh Bon. Just yesterday there had been a sighting of a Whale Shark too! It was all I could do to stay calm.

Well, it turned out a bit different than we expected...

Here's Michelle and Ali looking for something interesting on their dive.


Michelle, Donna and Gerry were all here visiting ...trying to find some good diving. So it was pretty weird having three Americans diving. Plus me! We were the majority on the boat. how often does that happen?
It was great though, they were really fun, positive people and being from Georgia, they said "y'all" more than I do!


Ali guided them and showed them a really sweet time. Mantas on two days, all sorts and of course his famous riddles...



As they were in very good hands, I had a deeper dive with Keith and we had a great time too!



This is a Manta sitting right above us on the Ridge while we were distracted by cool flabellinas....








which is what I was really focused on. An amazing snail, but of course I couldn't get it in focus. Then when I came back to the shop...all proud and bragging, I get a "oh yeah, that's a Maldivean Soft Shelled snail" or some such rubbish. Well it was the first time Keith or me had seen one, and we were impressed.
Here's more time on the ridge with Keith. We were just inundated with Manta Rays. This one did two very close "swim-bys" of us, then went on to circle Michelle, Donna and Gerry for quite a while. It was stunning, watching it for the ridge, as they were int he blue and round and round this Manta goes.


We were all impressed, and then I got another one circling me during my Safety stop.


anyhow....check out our site Wicked Diving. We are going to Koh Bon almost every Tuesday, Easter and Christmas.