Vessels
Oriental Siren
Oriental Siren (World Wide Dive and Sail)
Oriental Siren was launched in Thailand in 2008. The 34 metre vessel is a traditional twin-masted junk, rigged with traditional style sails and built from the finest Asian teak and ironwood. Oriental Siren can take up to 14 divers in seven large air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms. Cabins 4 & 5 have double beds and cabins 2, 3, 7 & 8 have twin beds. Cabin 1 is the very spacious ‘owner’s cabin’ and has a double and single bed. The double bed is elevated on a mezzanine floor. Each of the Oriental Siren’s cabins have their own 20” high definition flatscreen personal computer integrated into the yacht’s network server, audio-visual entertainment system and en-suite bathroom boast such luxuries as hairdryers and bathrobes. All cabins have individually controlled lighting and air conditioning.
There is an expansive leisure deck area for relaxation and the spacious saloon ensures abundant space for all guests. The saloon is decked out with a cocktail bar alongside a 32” flatscreen television and computer server supporting the inter-cabin network. Scrumptious meals are served in the covered outdoor dining area with the sunset acting as a backdrop!
Special services for underwater photographers include individual computers in each cabin along with multiple power outlets. The computer has a 20” flatscreen and is integrated in the yacht’s network server. There are workstations for the preparation of cameras and large rinse tanks used only for cameras and videos.
After kitting up on the spacious dive deck, two high powered zodiacs whisk you away to the waiting dive site. Included in the holiday price is Nitrox for all Nitrox certified divers and rental of a BCD, regulator and wetsuit. To complement the diving waterskiing, wakeboarding and kayaking are all offered onboard (extras charges apply for motorized activities).
Safety is of paramount importance so Oriental Siren has been designed and constructed to the highest safety standards based on Lloyd’s Standards, the leading international body of maritime safety standards. The crew have been specially trained in all aspects of safety, emergency and evacuation procedures. The yacht is equipped with life rafts, life jackets, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, emergency long distance radios and satellite phones.
Oriental Siren operates a series of cruises throughout the year. From February to April, Oriental Siren operates in and out of Port Blair for the India’s Andaman Islands itineraries.
The boat leaves Labuan, Borneo for the 10 nights Layang Layang cruises between May and July.
From August to December the boat leaves Dili, East Timor for 10 nights cruises and from December to February the Oriental Siren offers 8 and 9 nights cruises from Phuket, Thailand for her Best of Thailand itineraries.
Example itineraries:
LAYANG LAYANG (10 nights)
Day 1: Meet a crew member at Labuan airport and transfer to Oriental Siren before performing a check dive on the gentle slopes of Pulau Rusukan Besar. Day 2: before steaming out to Layang Layang, take advantage of the proximity to four wrecks (of which you will dive three) just off the coast at Labuan. The Mabini Padre is a Filippino fishing trawler which sank in 1981 after catching fire. The wreck is covered in soft corals and can be easily penetrated but is quite deep at 35 metres. TheTung Huang is a Japanese freighter now sits vertically on the sea bed at 30 metres, is covered in soft and hard corals and attracts a healthy fish population. The USS Salute, a US minesweeper that sank in 1945 is penetrable at the stern section. The SS De Klerk was scuttled by the Dutch in 1942 but salvaged by the Japanese to no avail. She hit a mine in 1944 and now lies on the seabed and is very straightforward to explore. Day 3: After the overnight sailing to Layang Layang and a check-in with the Malaysian Navy, as many dives as possible will be taken around this atoll. You may get lucky with the hammerheads on your first day at Gorgonian Forest, a drop off covered in fans and attracting sharks and schooling fish. At The Tunnel the topography makes for some interesting overhangs and crevices. Hard corals and crustacens all make a home here. Day 4: On the western point of Layang Layang, Shark Cave is home to Leopard Sharks, Nurse Sharks and a variety of reef sharks. At Crack Reef, enjoy drift diving amongst the schools of jacks and barracuda. Hammerheads are often seen here. At Dogtooth Lair look out for the large school of dogtooth tuna that give this site its name. Day 5: Today will be spent exploring the reefs of Investigator Shoal, previously unexplored. Day 6: Mariveles reef begins at 5 metres but slopes off into the depths. A healthy fish population and devil rays await your discovery. Day 7: Dallas Reef and Ardesier Breaker are colorful and attractive reefs on which to spend a day. Day 8 & Day 9: Back at Layang Layang you will spend more time in search of hammerheads exploring the walls around the atoll. Coral coverage is tremendous in places and keep an eye on the blue for Manta Rays. Even the macro lover will find something to enjoy! Day 10: The final two dives at Layang Layang will take place before lunch and the start of the cruise back to Labuan. Day 11: Diesmbark Oriental Siren.
THE BEST OF THAILAND (9 nights)
Cruise Itinerary: Day 1: Meet at the Worldwide Dive and Sail office in Chalong at 1500. Set sail for Koh Phi Phi. Day 2: Dive Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ha and Koh Rok Nok. Day 3: Two dives at Hin Muang and two at Hin Daeng. Day 4: A full day of diving at Koh Racha Noi and Koh Racha Yai. Day 5: Sail to the Similan Islands, diving Shark Fin Reef and East of Eden. Days 6-7: Diving the Similan Islands, to include Elephant Head and Koh Bon. Day 8: After diving Koh Tachai, head towards the Surin Islands for the last dive of the day. Day 9: The focus of the day will be the famous Richelieu Rock. Day 10: An early morning dive on Boon Sung wreck before weighing anchor and heading back to Chalong for a midday arrival.
INDIA'S ANDAMAN ISLANDS (8 nights)
Cruise Itinerary: Day 1: Board Oriental Siren in the afternoon (from 2pm) and depart from Port Blair. There will be a captain's briefing, followed by dinner and the evening at leisure whilst heading out to the first dive sites. Day 2: The South Andaman islands offer encounters with some big schools of fish and some super soft coral dives. After a night dive in the calm waters off Sister Island, set sail for Invisible Bank. Day 3: You will be far out to sea all day on this massive bank, where we hope to see some BIG fish. Day 4: Diving round Barren Island where we should see some large pelagic fish including Manta Rays. Set sail for Narcondam Island in the afternoon of day 4. Days 5-6: Narcondam Island and two days to dive these splendid sites with their beautiful hard and soft corals and fish, fish, fish. In the afternoon of day 7 depart for Campbell Shoal. Day 7: Fabulous diving around Campbell Shoal, South Button Island and Havelock Island. Day 8: Start the day with a sunrise dive at the Lighthouse on Havelock Island, then check out Seafan City and enjoy an afternoon opportunity to snorkel with the Dugongs before taking one more dive prior to a barbecue. Day 9: An early morning departure for the Middle Andamans and the final dive, the wreck of an old steamer. Set sail for Port Blair where you will disembark the boat and transfer to your hotel having done up to 28 dives, including 5 night dives.
Note: Because of the infrequency of flights to the islands (meaning that you will miss the cruise if there is a serious flight delay) it is recommended that you arrive in Port Blair one night before the cruise departure date.
SOUTHERN THAILAND AND BURMA: Price from about $3197. Includes: 9 nights cruise on Siren on a twin/share basis with full board, plus coffee, tea, fruit juice, soft drinks, fresh fruit and beer; 7 full days of diving (up to 4 dives per day) plus one on the last day; air or Nitrox fills; dive gear including wetsuit, regulator, BCD and fins; escorted shore excursions where appropriate. Reduction for non-divers. A port/national park fee of €45 (subject to change) is payable on board. Airport/hotel transfers are not included, but local taxis are inexpensive. Single Occupancy Supplement: 80% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin). Note: If you wish to stay at a hotel in Phuket before or after your cruise, or make use of a hotel day-room between arrival at the airport and embarkation, or between disembarkation and departure from the airport, we can arrange this for you.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS: Price from about $4554 for an 9 nights cruise. Includes: 9 nights cruise on Siren on a twin/share basis with full board, plus coffee, tea, fruit juice, soft drinks, fresh fruit and beer; 6 full days of diving (up to 4 dives per day), plus two dives on the first day and one on the last day; air or Nitrox fills; dive gear including wetsuit, regulator, BCD and fins; escorted shore excursions where appropriate. A port/national park fee of €140 (subject to change) is payable on board. Reduction for non-divers. Airport/hotel transfers are not included, but local taxis are inexpensive. Single Occupancy Supplement: 80% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).