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News from the Diving World
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MADAGASCAR |
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MADAGASCAR aboard
MAYA’S DUGONG
Madagascar has long been acclaimed for its exceptionally
unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes, ranging from
verdant rainforests to rugged mountains and arid plains.
Its true diversity is nowhere more evident than
along Madagascar’s north-western coast, where the
lemurs, chameleons, rare birds and ancient baobabs that
are iconic to Madagascar, share with the local villagers
an incredible backdrop of idyllic tropical islands and
white-sand beaches.
The research vessel
Maya’s
Dugong
is now offering 7 & 14 night trips combining diving and
exploring through this remote setting.
Check with us for dates, rates and see trip and boat
details here
>>>. |
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GALAPAGOS |
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Darwin & Wolf Diving
Available on the new
Humboldt Explorer
- May 2010
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We're
really
pleased to announce a brand new boat coming to Galapagos
in May, 2010.
The
M/V Humboldt Explorer
is under construction in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Named
for the current that brings life to the pristine and
world-renowned Galapagos Islands, she has secured one of
the valuable diving permits for the Galapagos Islands
and joins the elite group of vessels diving Darwin and
Wolf Islands.
She will depart on her maiden voyage from Galapagos in
May 2010. The exact weekly schedule will be confirmed
by the Galapagos National Park in late 2009 and we'll
bring you updates here as we get them.
With a cruising speed of up to 10 knots
she should be able to offer exceptional
itinerary options for your cruise in the
Galapagos.
Read
more >> |
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SY
Nautilus
And last, but certainly not
least, the beautiful 85 foot
SY Nautilus
dives the southern islands
of the Galapagos
archipelago. Each
night you stay on a
different island in lovely
ocean-front hotel
accommodation.
Not every diver has the experience and
qualifications to dive Darwin and Wolfe - and
that includes families who want to dive
Galapagos. If you fit into these
categories, you can't do better than the
Nautilus.
Read more >> |
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COCOS ISLAND |
Wind Dancer's First Season
in Cocos Island
From $3595 pp
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Peter Hughes
is introducing the
Wind Dancer,
a sturdy,
120-foot steel
mono-hull vessel
that
accommodates 18
passengers, into
service at Cocos Island.
She features 9
well appointed,
en-suite,
air-conditioned
staterooms and
has all the
standard perks
of the Dancer
Fleet® with
plenty of areas
to relax between
dives.
When not diving,
guests can
gather at the
wet bar on the
Lido Deck,
sunbathe or just
relax on the
covered and
uncovered sun
deck or cool off
in the
comfortable, air
conditioned
salon.
Wind Dancer
dives are made
from 2 dive
tenders, each
capable of
carrying 11
divers plus
crew.
For boat
details click here
>>>.
There's still space available on the following
2010 charters.
This is prime time.
July 8-16 - 8 spaces available
July 29-August 6 - 4 spaces available
August 19-27 - 4 spaces available
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PHILIPPINES
New - Philippines
Siren |
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The 40 meter
S/Y Philippine Siren, the newest member of the
SIREN fleet, is the most spacious if the boats in this
fleet.
The cabins are even larger than even those found on the S/Y
Siren & there's more flexibility on whether cabins can be
used as twins or double bedded rooms.
The dining area is immense, offering a fabulous setting for
all your meals.
With an equally spacious dive deck and improved facilities
for underwater photographers and videographers, the
Philippines SIREN is sure to please.
Built on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi, she is a
traditional “gaft rigged Phinisi” handcrafted from ironwood
and teak. You will find no other dive liveaboard as
beautiful in Philippine waters. She was built by
divers . . . for divers and the positive results
are obvious.
The boat takes 16 guests and is set for her first voyage in
the Philippines on November 13. She's had several
successful cruises already in Indonesian waters and is ready
to explore the alluring waters to the north.
Read more details about the SIREN fleet
here . . . or
contact us
for information or to book. |
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MV FeBrina
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It's re-fit time for the fabulous
FeBrina
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One of our top, all-time favorite liveaboards is the
FeBrina.
Kimbe Bay provides some of the most
exciting and diverse diving in Papua New Guinea and
the
FeBrina,
operating out of Walindi Plantation Resort,
takes divers to the awe-inspiring diving of the Witu Islands, Father's Reef
and famed Kimbe Bay.
The diving
features an incredible variety of the
rare and unusual critters found in Papua New
Guinea. Included in the mix is the
traditional PNG reef diving with the great
diversity of reef fish, corals, some sharks,
turtles and rays.
This year, the boat has been in for a re-fit and
will be out of the water until end of March. And, when she's back in the water,
she'll have newly outfitted cabins, all
en-suite! For divers who love this boat,
but weren't crazy about the hassle of shared
facilities, this is BIG news!
We've just learned that the work is done and the new layout of the back cabins
is fantastic. Roomy double beds, plus easy
to get into single bunk with step up in the
twin/double cabins. And, the two
single cabins with no single surcharge have
been retained, both of which have very roomy
beds and are great for solo travelers.
We'll have updated cabin plans & photos very
soon!
See our FeBrina page
here
. . . check
Availability or
contact us for dates and details.
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INDONESIA |
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Damai |
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They call it a "boutique" dive boat . . . and it
genuinely is.
Accommodating only 8 guests in truly refined luxury, at
incredible prices, this concept has an appeal for all.
A traditionally inspired Phinisi schooner, the
Damai
is
one of the newest of the dive liveaboards
to ply the waters of Indonesia, seeking both great
diving and superior holiday experience.
The goal of
Damai
is to introduce divers to all of the best of Indonesia:
Bali, with great macro in the north and the Mola
Mola at Nusa Penida
Komodo, with everything from critters to
heart-thumping pelagic action
Raja Ampat, the jewel of Indonesian diving, with
everything under the sun, including the exquisite reefs
of Triton Bay
Derawan and the east coast of Kalimantan,
featuring incredible walls and masses of barracudas and
mantas
Banda Sea, unique for its remote, rarely visited
terrain
If you've been thinking of diving Indonesia, this
beautiful new boat should be one of the boats on your
list. |
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Kararu
Voyages - Cheng Ho & Sea Safari VII |
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KARARU DIVE VOYAGES
KOMODO & RAJA
AMPAT
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Kararu
is adding a new boat to their fleet -
the
exquisite
Sea Safari VII.
Built in 2001
by Bugis master carpenters, using only
the very best,
well seasoned ironwood available, she is
a stable, sturdy vessel
offering the comfort & luxury found only on the
very largest yachts.
Sea Safari VII will be based in
Raja Ampat,
while the lovely
The
Cheng Ho,
whom many of you already know,
will be based in
Komodo.
See dates on our
Availability page
and read boat details here
>>>
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SY Mandarin Siren
To be launched in Indonesia in June. 2010 |
Exciting joint
venture with
Misool Eco Resort
The new
Mandarin Siren
will running a number of trips in 2010 in
conjunction with
Misool Eco Resort
in Raja Ampat.
The private resort island, Batbitim, is fringed
with powder-white beaches, protected by stunning
clear lagoons and abundant reefs. With just nine
guest holiday cottages,
Misool Eco Resort
is able to offer exclusive luxury diving
holidays, surrounded by the world's richest
reefs
The trips can originate at
Misool Eco Resort
or onboard the SY
Mandarin Siren.
The price of 3,985 Euro per person includes full
board accommodation, unlimited air or nitrox
diving, beer and soft drinks at Misool Eco
Resort and onboard the SY Mandarin Siren.
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An opportunity to upgrade to a deluxe villa at
Misool Eco Resort
is available for 4,150 Euro
per person. Price per person is based on double
occupancy.
Trip 1: departs Sorong on 4th November 2010. The
swap takes place on 11th November 2010. Return
Sorong on 18th November 2010.
Trip 2: departs Sorong on 9th March 2011. The
swap takes place on 16th March 2011. Return to
Sorong on 23rd March 2011.
Should you be interested in booking this very
exclusive trip,
contact us first before booking your flights
to Sorong.
Further information can be found by clicking
here. |
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ARCTIC / ANTARCTIC |
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Just published is a book by National Geographic
photographer, Paul Nicklen, called Polar Obsession.
This spectacular book reflects Nicklen's love affair
with arctic and landscapes and animals.
We highly recommend that you check out the story on NPR.
You can both read and listen by accessing their website.
To visit NPR,
click here >> |
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WATERPROOF EXPEDITIONS
Waterproof is offering the unique opportunity to become one of the first certified Polar Divers in the world.
The Polar Diver Specialty Course can only be taken with Waterproof Expeditions - in Antarctica, below the Antarctic Convergence or below 60 degrees - or in the Arctic, above the Arctic Circle.
To qualify for the Polar Diver course you must:
1. Be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver - or have a qualifying certification from another training organization
2. Be 18 years of age or older
3. Show proof of experience in dry suit diving or be certified as a PADI Dry Suit Diver
The purpose of this certification is to familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, hazards and excitement of diving in the Polar areas.
Cost for the Polar Diver Course is $250.
Contact us for details & the
most updated
availability.
Many thanks to Goran Ehlme & Francis Deriberolles
for the photos!
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PALAU |
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Palau Shark Sanctuary
The first of it's kind in the world.
The sanctuary created in Palau
will have a total ban on shark fishing!
It will protect 600,000 sq km (230,000 sq miles)
of ocean,
an area about the size of France.
President Toribiong of Palau has also called for
a global ban on shark-finning.
You can connect to an interesting BBC report by
clicking
here. |
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Psychedelic Frogfish
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Histiophryne
psychedelica, a new species of frogfish,
photographed at Ambon Island, Indonesia by David Hall.
Credit: ©David Hall/seaphotos.com
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Newspapers and magazines around the world are reporting
the recent discovery of the "Psychedelic
Frogfish" in the waters off Ambon, Indonesia.
This creature is reported to be a carnivorous frogfish
with eyes that face forward like ours, a fleshy chin and
cheeks, and an ability to move around by
"jet-propulsion".
We've chosen to give you a
link to the report about this fascinating creature on
Live Science. There's an
interesting article and also a video of the frogfish on
this site. While the video can be a bit technically
temperamental, it is worth the time and patience it
takes to view it! Enjoy . . . . !
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Census of Marine
Life |
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A remarkable
census in in progress to count & catalogue the
"creatures of the deep".
At its
conclusion in
October 2010, the project will have seen an
extraordinary 210 expeditions searching for life in the
deepest, darkest regions with cameras, sonar and other
advanced technology.
The census is currently at 17,650,
representing a diverse collection of species ranging
from crabs to shrimp to worms
and isn't finished yet!
BBC reports that CoML researchers suggested that the
total number of marine microbes, based on molecular
characterisation, could be in the region of one billion
species. They added that the micro-organisms were vital
for sustaining life on Earth, as they are responsible
for about 95% of respiration in the oceans. "They
play a really critical role in keeping the oceans
working," said Paul Snelgrove, leader of CoML's
Synthesis Group
See updated
info on the BBC by clicking on this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8622608.stm
and visit the
Census of Marine Life
website for a fascinating look into this project.
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