Weh Island dive sites

The Sophie Rickmers was a German cargo vessel of approximately 6,000 gross tons, built in the early 20th century by the Rickmers shipping family of Bremerhaven. She was scuttled in the harbor of Sabang on Weh Island during World War II to prevent capture. The ship now lies upright on a sandy bottom with her deck at around 40 to 43 meters and the keel at approximately 55 meters. At 134 meters in length, she is one of the largest diveable wrecks in Indonesian waters.

Due to the depth, a minimum of Advanced Open Water certification is required for the external portions of the wreck, though deep diving specialty training is strongly recommended. The deck sits at 40 to 43 meters, which is at or beyond the recreational limit. Technical diving certification with appropriate gas mixes is recommended for penetration dives into the engine room and holds. Many local operators offer the dive on enriched air nitrox to extend bottom time.

The Sophie Rickmers sits in relatively protected waters near Sabang harbor, so currents are generally mild. Visibility ranges from 10 to 20 meters and can be affected by plankton blooms and harbor runoff. The depth means bottom time is limited on recreational equipment, typically 15 to 20 minutes on the deck before decompression obligations begin. The water is warm at the surface but can cool slightly at depth. A good torch is essential for penetration and appreciating the marine growth.