Similan Islands Diving with Wicked Diving - Manta Ray filmed while diving

Here is some great footage from a recent Similan Liveaboard trip with Wicked Diving, Khao Lak

Manta Ray at Similan Islands with Wicked Diving, Khao Lak from Wicked Diving on Vimeo.

-Khao Lak Diving

The right Dive Center in Khao Lak

Ever wonder what it would be like to jump into the water and look around 40m below the surface? The underwater world is mysterious and yet inviting, the experience of diving it provides and addictive sense of zen. There’s no better place to have your first dive experience than the Similan Islands, Thailand – with good conditions year round.

While there are a few dive centers based in Phuekt that still offer trips to the Similan Islands - they drive people 2-3 hours north to Khao Lak and then depart from there. Khao Lak is the real center of Similan Diving operations.

Most dive shops in Khao Lak offer SSI or PADI certifications. Many schools prefer SSI because it offers greater safety and flexibility, while others choose PADI. Beginners may choose to do some training in the swimming pool or in the sea. Also you can join a Similan liveaboard or simply do daytrips.

More advanced divers and those beginners who are confident in their abilities will also consider the local wrecks! Plenty of great marine life as well as incredible scenery. There is also some seriously awesome muck-diving.

Khao Lak offers an excellent choice of dive shops and also has a good range of accommodation to suit most tastes. It is also the closest jumping off point to the Similan Islands.

The Similan Islands, technically located in Phang Nga province, provide some of the best dive sites in the world. Protected within a marine national park, the nine islands are still pristine and rich with wildlife above and below the water. Most dive operators will take you ashore at one of the islands, where you can enjoy the powder-white beaches and see exotic birds and monkeys.

Under the waves, the colourful reefs and boulder formations are teeming with coral and a variety of marine life. Sometimes whale sharks are even spotted in the waters, as well as rays and other sharks. Visibility is good, varying from 30-50m. The best way to see the Similan Islands is by liveaboard, and most dive operators will allow you to do your Open Water dives from the boat if you’ve completed the paper and pool work ashore beforehand.

Not all dive instructors are the same, and some are downright scary. Likewise, equipment standards can vary, and you’ll want to make sure any shop you choose has quality equipment and maintains it properly and hygienically. You should also check into the insurance policy of the dive shop and enquire as to if you should purchase your own dive insurance for the hyperbaric chamber if you have an accident. Also see if there equipment is serviced by certified techinicians (they should be able to provide detailed information on this) and if their boats are insured.

Most the dive operations in Thailand are run by foreigners, which is just as well since Thais have a rather different approach to safety and responsibility, but you’ll find yourself diving with plenty of Thai staff who are their usual friendly easy-going selves.

-Similan Diving

Khao Lak dive center - choose the right one!

Ever wonder what it would be like to jump into the water and look around 40m below the surface? The underwater world is mysterious and yet inviting, the experience of diving it provides and addictive sense of zen. There’s no better place to have your first dive experience than the Similan Islands, Thailand – with good conditions year round.
While there are a few dive centers based in Phuekt that still offer trips to the Similan Islands - they drive people 2-3 hours north to Khao Lak and then depart from there. Khao Lak is the real center of Similan Diving operations.

Most dive shops in Khao Lak offer SSI or PADI certifications. Many schools prefer SSI because it offers greater safety and flexibility, while others choose PADI. Beginners may choose to do some training in the swimming pool or in the sea. Also you can join a Similan liveaboard or simply do daytrips.

More advanced divers and those beginners who are confident in their abilities will also consider the local wrecks! Plenty of great marine life as well as incredible scenery. There is also some seriously awesome muck-diving.

Khao Lak offers an excellent choice of dive shops and also has a good range of accommodation to suit most tastes. It is also the closest jumping off point to the Similan Islands.

The Similan Islands, technically located in Phang Nga province, provide some of the best dive sites in the world. Protected within a marine national park, the nine islands are still pristine and rich with wildlife above and below the water. Most dive operators will take you ashore at one of the islands, where you can enjoy the powder-white beaches and see exotic birds and monkeys.

Under the waves, the colourful reefs and boulder formations are teeming with coral and a variety of marine life. Sometimes whale sharks are even spotted in the waters, as well as rays and other sharks. Visibility is good, varying from 30-50m. The best way to see the Similan Islands is by liveaboard, and most dive operators will allow you to do your Open Water dives from the boat if you’ve completed the paper and pool work ashore beforehand.

Not all dive instructors are the same, and some are downright scary. Likewise, equipment standards can vary, and you’ll want to make sure any shop you choose has quality equipment and maintains it properly and hygienically. You should also check into the insurance policy of the dive shop and enquire as to if you should purchase your own dive insurance for the hyperbaric chamber if you have an accident. Also see if there equipment is serviced by certified techinicians (they should be able to provide detailed information on this) and if their boats are insured.

Most the dive operations in Thailand are run by foreigners, which is just as well since Thais have a rather different approach to safety and responsibility, but you’ll find yourself diving with plenty of Thai staff who are their usual friendly easy-going selves.

-Similan Diving

Khao Lak Diving - the development of Phang Nga

Peaceful and unspoiled, there have long been murmurs that Phang Nga’s West Coast - centered on Khao Lak - is set to become the next big thing to explode on to the property and tourism market in Southeast Asia. Like all great locations around the globe, the natural trend is to develop upwards; Phang Nga is to Phuket what the Hamptons are to New York.

In this case Phuket and its rapid over-development is the driving force behind luxury developments extending beyond the Sarasin Bridge, the main artery that links hectic Phuket Island to Phang Nga on the mainland of Thailand.

The proof of the rise of Phang Nga is in the pudding; highlighted by the major investment by Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li who is converting an existing 18-hole golf course into a luxury mixed use destination resort south of Khao Lak in Thai Muang.

Further evidence of the emergence of the region comes in the form of the presence of a refined collection of boutique resorts such as The Sarojin and also several which offer all-pool villa stays including Atleenta, Kameha and Le Meridien Khao Lak, all defining the area as the place to be.

Phuket itself is a very well-established resort island with infrastructure and a overwhelming array of resorts but the Phang Nga coastline offers something nowadays rarely found in Phuket: kilometers of pristine and untouched oceanfront land.

With the added convenience of Phuket International Airport a mere 55 minutes drive away, this area affords travelers effortless journey time from Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The region already has infrastructure in place, good roads, transportation, restaurants, shops and golf courses.


-Khao Lak Diving

Khao Lak Diving's new boat!

Khao Lak Diving is happy to announce our new dive boat! Our Khao Lak Liveaboard fleet (well, if two boats and a longtail make a fleet?) is now featuring the most fuel efficient and ecologically friendly dive boat in the region.

You can now join us for one day trips to the Similan Islands, for 3 day tours and now 5 day tours to the most remote regions.

With a massive 23 meter sailing liveaboard designed for only 12 guests and a maximum group size per guide of 4 - there is no other dive center in the region such great value for your money!

-Khao Lak Diving

Learn to Dive - for Free!

Learn to Dive - for Free!

Learning to dive is just so much easier and simpler now. These days the academic portion of your Open Water course can be done online. Save your vacation time for the water, the sun and the beaches!

This gives you time to do the academic portion at your pace and at your preferred location (the sofa? in bed? at work?). Start when you want - and pause for a day or two. It's really that simple.

But unlike some systems - you can actually do all this for free! You don't need to pay hundreds of Dollars/Euros before you even start! With our system - you simply click on the link above - and that's it. By the time your plane lands and you settle in over sunset drinks - you'll have already completed 25% of your Open Water Training!

For free!

When you arrive - we will check on your progress, double check your work and then we are off to the water to start practicing under the sea! If you feel like you need more questions answered - we are happy to cover any sections you feel you need more work on and to demonstrate any thing that wasn't clear in the online videos and presentations.

How much does it cost? Free!!! No obligations!

For more information - contact us. Or simply click on the image to the left and start...right now!

Once you have completed the online training - we still give you great options for your continued training. Why not join our liveaboard to complete your course - cruising through the Similan Islands doing 9 dives and really enjoying the uninhabited Similan Islands. We also allow you the chance to stay in your resort on the mainland and head out on our speedboat each day to the Similan Islands. Sunset drinks at your bungalow?
-Khao Lak Diving

The new website is up and running !

Khao Lak Diving is now up and running - all cleaned up and ready to serve you!

Check out all the different sections - see what all we can do for you!

Khao Lak Diving