Sabah Environment: Kudat Beach Clean
Sunday 28th October saw a concerted effort by many Sabahans and Sabahan residents to raise awareness of environmental issues in the Kudat region in the form of a beach clean up.  Kudat is situated north east of the state capital Kota Kinabalu near the tip of Borneo. It is a region of outstanding natural beauty and is considered likely in the future to become more of a destination for tourism including dive tourism. There are believed to be large turtle populations in the area which need protection from illegal catching and egg theft. There are also a considerable number of historical wrecks in the vicinity which may lie slightly too deep for all but tech divers but promise wonderful sights and a fascinating history. Not all of the area has been very well explored and there could be more undiscovered dive sites peppering the area which, being at the tip of Borneo, finds itself on the edge of the Coral Triangle.  Some 150 volunteers gathered in Kudat at the site of a beach clean up organised by the WWF. The rubbish was collected and divided into recyclable and non-recyclable materials with the latter weighing in at over 4,500 kgs. However the scale of the job was such that it was estimated that this accounted for around 10% of the material on the beach. Therefore the day ended with many feeling that the occasion's real achievement was to highlight the scale of the problem. This one beach would require several days (if not weeks) of clean up if it is to be done by human hands. Alternatively, in order to restore this beach from what looks just like a rubbish tip it seems some heavy machinery is the only feasible solution.  Many other beaches in the area are in fact very clean. This particular beach's problems may arise from a combination of ocean currents, waste from a nearby water village and possibly the beach being used simply as a dumping site. The scale of the problem and its proximity to a children's school mean it is in dire need of assistance. However it is hoped that with more local awareness and governmental responsiveness this beach can be restored and more generally that the marine environment of Kudat can be improved and protected for the future. For more on the region's marine environment: Sabah dive sites
Komodo Dancer announces new trips for 2008!
The Komodo Dancer, one of the most popular liveaboards in Indonesia has announced some changes to its proposed schedule for 2008. Instead of Bali to Bali trips, 2008 will see this Peter Hughes liveaboard running one way trips (Bali to Komodo or Komodo to Bali). This means a one way flight either to or from Labuan Bajo, the jump off point for Komodo, and means more diving around the Komodo National Park.  The people at the Komodo Dancer also went looking for new muck diving sites to add to their itinerary. What did they find? Ambon Scorpionfish, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish (all colors, and some they hadn't seen before), Inimicus, Snake Eels, Stargazers, Dragonets, Sawblade Shrimp (and tons of other shrimp species), Candy Crabs, and more species of colorful nudibranchs than they had ever seen in one area. They call this site "Estuary ". If Sangeang/Estuary aren't enough for even the most dedicated critter diver, they will also take you to another world class muck diving spot on a different island (Sumbawa/Bima) called "Fuzzy Bottom", located near Bima Bay. This is octopus heaven. They found five of the "Octopus Holy Grail" here; Mimic, White V, Wonderpus, Blue Ring, and Veiny octopus plus tons of other critters, many of them not yet identified!  There has also been a exciting departure for the Komodo Dancer which is that they will be running a series of Flores and Alor trips from October to December 2008. As part of their search for great muck diving sites they have identifed a superb area East of Komodo where you can enjoy walls, very dense reefs, excellent marine life, and great muck diving spots. In addition, these cruises promise plenty of topside entertainment with some of the most beautiful islands in the world providing wonderful, ever-changing scenery. The diving here is very seasonal so trips are offered only when conditions are the best. For more on the underwater magic of this region: Flores Diving Alor dive sites Read all about the Liveaboard: Komodo Dancer For Bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com
Banda Sea Trip Report: The Adventurer II
The Spice Islands of Indonesia were once so valuable that the Dutch made a deal with the British to exchange them for New Amsterdam, now known as New York. These days the Spice Islands are highly valued by divers who cannot get enough of the incredibly rich waters of the Banda Sea. Many reports come back of vibrant reefs teeming with fish both large and small, with critters galore and a riot of colour. Not many boats sail these seas but The Adventurer II is one luxury converted Phinisi schooner that is plying these waters bringing joy to the adventurous guests it welcomes on board. Divers that do step on board enjoy not only the fabulous reefs but also the comfort and splendour of this impressive looking liveaboard.  We sent our very own Sheldon Hey along to see whether the excited whispers about Banda’s underwater world were justified and to kick the tyres and lift the hood of the Adventurer II.  Check out his ‘warts-and-all’ article here: Adventurer II Banda Trip report For more information on the diving: Banda islands Read all about the Liveaboard: Adventurer II For Bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com
You Choose: Spice Islands or New York City
The Spice Islands of Indonesia were once so valuable that the Dutch made a deal with the British to exchange them for New Amsterdam, now known as New York. These days the Spice Islands are highly valued by divers who cannot get enough of the incredibly rich waters of the Banda Sea. Many reports come back of vibrant reefs teeming with fish both large and small, with critters galore and a riot of colour. Not many boats sail these seas but The Adventurer II is one luxury converted Phinisi schooner that is plying these waters bringing joy to the adventurous guests it welcomes on board. Divers that do step on board enjoy not only the fabulous reefs but also the comfort and splendour of this impressive looking liveaboard. We sent our very own Sheldon Hey along to see whether the excited whispers about Banda’s underwater world were justified and to kick the tyres and lift the hood of the Adventurer II. Check out his 'warts-and-all' Adventurer II Banda Trip Report. Details of our best deals are available on the Dive The World Blog – featuring all the latest dive news and special offers from all our dream destinations:
MV Nautica gets a makeover
As Thailand's West Coast gears up for high season, many of the best liveaboards have been getting a makeover. The MV Nautica for example has spent three and a half months getting...er...ship shape for the 2007/8 season.  The hull has been raised by a metre and there is a new sundeck for you to catch a few rays in peace and quiet. By popular demand an extra cabin has been added and will be available at a budget rate.  The Nautica staff are looking forward to delivering a range of trips this season: You can spend 9 days / 8 nights seeing all the best of the fascinating dive sites around Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar. Also in the programme is the 3 days / 2 nights safari to the southern islands around the Andaman Sea including Phi Phi Island, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang. Of course you can combine this southern islands safari with the popular 5 days / 4 nights Similan Cruise. MV Nautica - Full Information: Nautica Liveaboard See here for some of the dives sites you can visit on board the MV Nautica: Thailand Dive Sites / Burma Dive SitesFor Bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com
Burma - Does the political unrest affect the diving?
Recent events have put the Burmese political situation back at the top of the worldwide news agenda. At the time of writing there have been several days of protest followed by a military crackdown that has seen protesting monks and citizens arrested and held in detention in the north of the country. The international community and the UN have called for reconciliation between the pro-democracy movement and the military junta and we may yet see the fulfilment of the people's struggle for a free and democratic government. The question we have been asked is whether the liveaboard trips that run from Thailand into Burmese waters are being cancelled or otherwise adversely affected by recent events. The short answer is no.  It is business as usual for these operators whose guests see nothing of the unrest that we know is occuring in parts of the mainland of Burma. Dive The World offers Myanmar diving only on liveaboards that are operated out of Thailand. We do not offer any land based tourist activities in Burma. Underwater the abundant and varied marine life goes about its fascinating business oblivious to the human drama being played out in distant parts of the same country.   While we join our voice to those who wish to see a peaceful and orderly progression from an oppressive military regime to a free and democratic society we must also be realistic and honest about the safety and concerns of our customers. The liveaboard cruises are still operating and bringing customers to some wonderful dive sites of the Similan islands and beyond to the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks. Indeed there may be greater availability on these cruises since many will mistakenly conclude that the trips are in some way affected.  So if you are keen to board one of the excellent boats that offers diving in the remote waters of Burma then now may be a great time to do so. For more on Burma's underwater world see here: Burma Dive Sites To enquire about Burma Trips or for more information just ask us: Blog@Dive-The-World.com, call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 083 505 7794, or chat with us on Skype.
Dive The World's New Location!
After several happy years on Soi Kebsup we have upped sticks and moved to an excellent new dive centre near to Rock City and Club Andaman Beach Resort.  We now have spacious new premises in a really nice part of Patong near to the beach and with a comfortable classroom. We will also have the use of an excellent swimming pool for courses. Our new address is: Soi Hat Patong, 188/2 Taweewong Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket  How to get to us:  From the beach road (Thaweewong Road), you will need to find Soi Hat Patong road. The entrance is between Rock City and a sports field, and is marked by a Dive The World signboard. Enter this street and after about 30 metres you will see Dive The World on the right hand side. On the main road (Ratuthid Road), you'll need to turn down Soi Hat Patong road. The street entrance is opposite Siam Commercial Bank. Enter this road and after about 200 metres you will see Dive The World on the left hand side. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in the area. We look forward to seeing you soon, but if you can't find us, our local telephone number is 076 340318. Cheers! Dive The World
Iceland ends whaling due to lack of demand
Iceland has stopped commercial whaling after whalers discovered they cannot find domestic markets for the meat they have caught. Iceland's fisheries minister Einar K. Guofinnsson said that it made no sense to issue new quotas if the market for whale meat was not strong enough. He said in an interview with Reuters that he would not issue a new quota until the market conditions for whale meat improved and permission to export whale products to Japan – which Iceland has been seeking – was secured. "The whaling industry, like any other industry, has to obey the market. If there is no profitability there is no foundation for resuming with the killing of whales.” "There is no reason to continue commercial whaling if there is no demand for the product," he added.  Iceland announced last year it would allow up to 30 minke whales and 9 fin whales to be hunted, controversially ending a ban in place internationally since 1986. But Iceland’s whalers have killed just seven minke whales and seven fin whales because of slack demand for whale meat and products.Stefan Asmundsson, an officer at the ministry of fisheries, said negotiations for market access to Japan were ongoing. "We are talking to the Japanese government but so far we have not reached a conclusion on how best to secure the health and quality of the products," he said. "Hopefully this will clear up soon as the uncertainty is not good for anybody." Whalers had celebrated the decision to allow them to resume a traditional custom despite protests from some two dozen anti-whaling countries, including the United States. They are now frustrated with the government's stance and say they should be allowed to keep hunting to develop the market. Gunnar Bergmann Jonsson, who leads a minke whaling association, said: "In my opinion the minister should not have any say on whether there is a market for our products or not. How are we supposed to find markets if we don't have a product?" Robbie Marsland, director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, UK, said: “This is fantastic news for whales and for Iceland. There is no humane way to kill a whale, and all of our studies have also shown there is little appetite for whale meat in Iceland or internationally. “We welcome the minister’s comments and congratulate him for recognising the lack of market and choosing not to press ahead with the pointless killing of more whales. We hope that Iceland’s successful whale watching industry will continue to grow without the country’s image being further tarnished by whaling.” Sara Holden of Greenpeace pointed out that Iceland still plans to hunt 6 minke whales under a loophole in the international whaling ban that permits whaling for scientific reasons. Greenpeace is calling on the Icelandic government to also end this hunt. She added: “Not only is there no appetite for whale meat worldwide, there is no legitimate lethal science programme that can be justified. Source: Charles Clover, Environment Editor, and agencies - Daily Telegraph See here for an article featuring the filming of whales: Work as an Underwater Cameraman Dive with whales in Tonga: Naia Liveaboard
Caught selling 52,000 turtle eggs!
MEXICO CITY: Police arrested six people suspected of trying to illegally sell more than 52,000 sea turtle eggs in southern Mexico, authorities said Saturday. The five men and one woman were caught Friday transporting the eggs in dozens of plastic bags in the southern town of San Pedro Huamelula, Mexico's Public Security Department said in a news release. The department did not release any further information.  Mexico is a major nesting area for several species of sea turtles, which are endangered and protected by law. Harvesting or selling their eggs is punishable by up to nine years in prison and fines. Still, officials seize thousands of turtle eggs at markets each year in Mexico, where they are considered a delicacy.  Source: www.iht.com More on the Turtle: Diving with Turtles
Tasik Ria 2008 price freeze!
Tasik Ria, the number one resort in Manado has announced that prices will see NO increase for 2008.  This is now the THIRD year in a row that prices have been kept at the same level - proving that Tasik Ria Resort is still one of the best value quality dive resorts in North Sulawesi. As always, the management continue to enhance the resort and service to bring their guests even higher satisfaction. New features for this year include: - In-room WiFi wireless internet
- 4-guest-per-guide diving groups – guaranteed!
- 3 dives on Special Trips to the Lembeh Strait
 These are just the latest additions to a resort that already offers you a spa, Jetty Grill & Bar and where all rooms are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, mini-bar and satellite TV. More Information on the resort: Tasik Ria - Eco DiversMore on the great diving in the area: Manado Dive Sites
Mermaid II gets a revamp
Exciting news about Mermaid II!  She's been undergoing a full spa treatment during the low season and will start on October 21 2007 with :- 1. Individually controlled air conditioning in all cabins 2. Water maker - long luxurious showers for all 3. Renovated Saloon and Party deck and Dining room - more comfort, great design, beautiful timbered decking 4. A professional kitchen "cool room" to keep supplies crisp and fresh 5. Expanded crew quarters 6. And of course, she is sporting a new coat of paint  Mermaid II - a fabulous boat before - now she is truly awesome! More Information here: Mermaid II Check out the Dive Sites of Thailand you can explore on the Mermaid II: Thailand Dive SitesRead more about Komodo's dive sites where the Mermaid II could take you: Komodo Dive Sites
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