Sardine Run in South Africa! Just do it!

The Sardine Run is one of the most spectacular marine displays in the world, and being involved in all the action is truly an amazing experience. The shoals of sardines, which are kilometres in length, attract thousands of predators: birds, dolphins, game fish, seals, whales and sharks in an amazing feeding frenzy. You don't have to sit there watching it on Animal Planet in your slippers and supping a hot chocolate. You can be there!

The seas are too rough for liveaboards but you can do daytrip packages and below is the best one we could find. Using Port St. Johns as the departure point, you are much more likely to be in the thick of the action rather than the tail end (if at all) in KwaZulu Natal. The Sardine Run has reached KZN's Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks only twice in 10 years now, which is why people are starting to believe it’s not reliable. Our local partners have 2 dive boats and operate for 3 weeks from Port St. Johns with a maximum of 9 people per week on each boat.



Tour Costs
Diver Package @ R16,800.00pp (US$ 2,346) per person

Dates for 2009 are as follows:
21-June-2009 to 28-June-2009
28-June-2009 to 05-July-2009
05-July-2009 to 12-July-2009 (note these are very popular!)

Itinerary: 8-day 'Sardine Run Adventure'

Day-1: Arrive Durban International Airport-Transfer-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-2: Full-Day Sardine Run Action-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-3: Full-Day Sardine Run Action-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-4: Full-Day Sardine Run Action-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-5: Full-Day Sardine Run Action-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-6: Full-Day Sardine Run Action-Overnight Port St. Johns
Day-7: Half-Day Sardine Run Action-Transfer to Durban-Overnight KZN South Coast
Day-8: Airport transfer to Durban International Airport



Detailed Itinerary: The annual Sardine Run takes place in June & July.

Day 1
Your adventure begins when you arrive at Durban International Airport. You will be met by Craig and Dave and transferred [about 5-hours] to your accommodation, situated on the river banks at Port St. Johns. The upmarket log-cabins overlook the river and have en-suite facilities. In the evening you enjoy a BBQ [known locally as a braai] where you will get to know the group and your guide.

Days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Full Day Sardine Run Action - Overnight Port St. Johns.
After receiving early morning updates about the Sardine Run movements, the RIB is launched close to the action and the chase begins! You spend the day out at sea, enthralled by the action above and below the water, getting up close and personal with many of the ocean's creatures, including including birds, dolphins, game fish, whales and sharks.

Again, because of the speed at which the shoal's travel and the dynamic nature of the following predators, you often spend most of our time in the water free diving resorting to scuba when conditions are optimal. Throughout the day the water erupts with bait balls created by the passing predators and you get the chance to see it all. In the afternoon you return to shore to relax or enjoy the local activities. Overnight Port St. Johns, South Africa.

Day 7
An early rise and you enjoy a final morning with the Sardine Run before being transferred to your accommodation on the South Coast [close to Durban airport]. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.

Day 8
After an early breakfast you transfer to Durban International Airport where we will bid you farewell until the next time ...

What's Included: Guides for the entire tour, Transfers & Transportation, Breakfasts, 7-nights Accommodation (6-nights Port St. Johns and 1-night KZN South Coast), 6-Days Diving, Excursions as per itinerary.

What's Not Included: Flights & Taxes, Personal Holiday Insurance, Dive Gear (can be hired), Lunches, Dinners, Drinks, Passports & Visas.

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 66 (0)83 505 7794.

What's it like on a luxury Maldives liveaboard?

Did you know that we at Dive The World have recently added The Maldives to our list of destinations? Well, we have, and here is a little slice of paradise for you to read now. So transport yourself to the tropical Indian Ocean for just a few minutes...

The Maldives offers some of the best diving around and there are so many flights going there that the island chain is easily accessible from almost everywhere. Have you been yet? We suggest liveaboards are the best way of seeing all the islands and atolls the country has to offer (and the cruises get you away from all the honeymooners too!)

If you are thinking of a trip to the Maldives then why not consider the MV Monsoon? Let's take a closer look at this boat and what you can expect of a cruise on board this awesome Maldives liveaboard................

Further details of other offers are available on Dive The World's new blog - featuring all the latest dive news and special offers from all our dream destinations: http://blog.dive-the-world.com.

If you want all blog updates direct to your inbox our feed address is: http://blog.dive-the-world.com/feed/rss.xml.

MV Giamani - Availability - 27 February 2008

MV Giamani still has some spaces available on their 3 Night liveaboard trip departing 27 February.



MV Giamani - Last Minute Availability

Trip departs: 27 February 2008 (Sunday), Thap Lamu port, 8PM
Trip returns: 01 March 2008 (Saturday), Thap Lamu port, 6PM
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights

Destination: Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boonsoong Wreck.
Dives: 11

Price
Standard cabin: US$ 546
Deluxe triple share cabin: US$ 576
Deluxe twin share cabin: US$ 654

Cruise price includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and water, dives, tanks, weights and weightbelts, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s), and return transfers to the boat from Phuket hotels.

Cruise price excludes (where applicable): Scuba equipment (US$ 20 per day), nitrox tanks, dive insurance, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks.

Full Information: MV Giamani

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Tour this Maldives Liveaboard - MV Monsoon!

It only takes a glance at the sleek exterior of the MV Monsoon to realise that this is a high quality liveaboard, and that joining one of its Maldives trips would mean a combination of awesome diving, extreme comfort and great service.

MV Monsoon is 36.5 metres in length and is an impressive looking steel-hulled ship. It is no surprise to hear that its sister ship, The Hurricane which operates in the Red Sea, was voted ‘Best Liveaboard’ four times in a row by readers of Dive magazine.



Let’s take a walk through the boat and see how it is laid out. The lower deck is where you will find 7 twin cabins for guests all with ensuite bathrooms with toilet, basin and hot shower with toiletries and towels. The cabins are all air conditioned, and have portholes which is one of the few reminders that you are on a boat. Otherwise the cabins are like a hotel room with a fridge, TV, DVD, music system and safe. So unlike many other liveaboards your cabin can be more than just a place to sleep. Here, with all the creature comforts you do not need to spend all your time in the saloon if you do not wish to. You can always retire to your cabin with a cold drink and watch a movie or relax to some tunes.

The main deck has 4 twin cabins for guests as well as the restaurant which is carpeted with a wooden interior and the wooden spiral staircase leading to the upper deck lends it a grand aura. If it was not for the divers wearing dive tops and Hawaiian shirts you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a high class restaurant. Meals are served buffet style and the chef on board the MV Monsoon likes to provide a variety of local and international cuisine including Italian and Mexican dishes. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are free throughout your cruise and beer wines and spirits are available at an extra charge.



In addition to the cabins, the main deck features a spacious and well thought out dive deck, allowing easy access to the two dive tenders complete with equipment spaces and rinse tanks. Photographers will be pleased with the separate rinse tanks for cameras and camera table with an air-stream drying system.

Making your way to the upper deck you will find the large air-conditioned saloon. Here you can get together with others to enjoy the entertainment system consisting of Plasma TV, DVD and music system. Many choose to view their finest shots on the Plasma screen so even if you didn’t see everything on the dives you may well get to see it all up close in the comfort of the saloon. Here there is also the comfort of a purpose built bar so you can perch on a stool with a cocktail as you fill in your dive logs assisted by the resident fish identification books. Careful not to have too many cocktails or the spiral staircase down to the saloon might look like a bit of a challenge.



Finally you can make your way up to the flybridge where there is the greatest amount of room for sunbathing, although there are other spots around the boat to catch a few rays or relax with an evening drink and watch the sun go down. Of course you can always simply soak away the stresses and strains of a glorious day’s diving in the Jacuzzi.

The MV Monsoon travels to some of the more remote dive sites in The Maldives including the Baa, Lhaviyani and newly opened Noonu atolls. The boat is well equipped for such remote areas and the divers who may wish to visit these areas. Featuring nitrox, heliox, pony tanks and rebreathers. Unsurprisingly you will also find all the communications and safety you might expect of a liveaboard built to such a high standard.

So if you want to dive in the Maldives and you want to visit the more remote sites here yet do it all in extreme comfort and style, then choose the MV Monsoon and let Dive The World do the rest.

If you are a group or a dive club, the MV Monsoon represents a good option for a full charter since you get two places absolutely free!
That’s 20 people plus 2 completely free!

For more on the boat and its charter rates see here: MV Monsoon

For bookings or enquiries, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com, call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or chat with us on Skype.

10 % Off Komodo liveaboard - KLM Moana

Moana has confirmed we can offer the following to all at LIDS:
- 10% off the trips listed below
- 6 divers + 1 diver free, 10 divers + 4 non divers free

With a maximum of just 10 divers on board the Moana offers you an escape from big groups and guarantees plenty of individual attention in a variety of dive crew languages. This compact Phinisi schooner has five air conditioned cabins all with ensuite hot water showers. The boat may be less than enormous, but is modern and perfectly formed and is a great boat for individuals, groups or families to see the best of Komodo dive region.

 

Dive The World has a Special 10% Discount Price for these Komodo/Bali trips:

Date: 1 - 5 March 2008 (5D/4N)
Destination: Bali, Komodo

Usual price: US$ 1,210.
Discounted Price: US$ 1,089

Price includes return airfare Bali-Labuan Bajo-Bali
Harbour & National Park entrance fees payable on board: US$ 70 per person

Date: 14 - 23 March 2008 (10D/9N)
Destination: Komodo

Usual price: US$ 2,386.
Discounted Price: US$ 2,147

Price includes airfare Bali-Labuan Bajo
Harbour & National Park entrance fees payable on board: US$ 70 per person

For full boat information and prices, see our web site:
Moana - Cruising and Diving in Komodo

For more on the diving in this region:
Komodo Dive Sites

For Bookings, please contact our Indonesia Reservations at:
Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Black Manta - Last Minute 10% off - 22 Jan 2008

The Black Manta is a brand new kid on the block, built with space and relaxation in mind, and run by an experienced crew with quality of service very much a part of the liveaboard experience. She's a big boat with a high standard of accommodation, as well as being very diver friendly with a huge dive deck and plenty of kitting up space. Nitrox is available on board.



MV Black Manta is offering 10% off the following trip:

Date: 22 - 26 January 2008 (5D/4N)
Destinations: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock

Double Cabin Double/Twin, en suite
Was US$ 950, Now US$ 855 per person

Master Cabin 11 King size bed, en suite
Was US$ 1050, Now US$ 945 per person

More Information: MV Black Manta

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com, or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 083 505 7794.

MV Nautica 20% off 09 March trip

MV Nautica is a high quality steel hulled vessel and because she takes a maximum of only twelve guests, individual service is guaranteed. Nautica is a great choice if you're looking for a high quality charter without guests taking themselves too seriously!



There is a great 20% off on the following trip:

Date: 09.03.08 - 13.03.08 (5 days/4 nights)
Destination: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock

Book now and save 20%
Bunk Bed Cabin: Only US$ 982 (THB 34,040)

More Information on the Nautica: MV Nautica

For Bookings, please email Blog@Dive-The-World.com, or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket -+66 (0)83 505 7794.

Queen Scuba - 20% off remaining trips!

The Queen Scuba, launched in 2003, has gained an excellent reputation for customer service. It's a very big boat, loads of space to relax, comfortable cabins, experienced dive crew...it all makes for a great trip. Tour leader Rich is one of the most knowledgeable and friendly guys you'll ever meet!

There are big savings available for the rest of the season with 20% off Queen Scuba Trips!

 

Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights

24 - 28 April 2008
29 April - 03 May 2008
04 - 08 May 2008
09 - 13 May 2008

Special Prices
Master Cabin: US$ 1,124 (THB 35,200 - Save 20%)
VIP double bed cabin: US$ 945 (THB 29,600 - Save 20%)
Standard Twin: US$ 869 (THB 27,200 - Save 20%)
Standard Triple/Quad Cabin: US$ 818 (THB 25,600 - Save 20%)

Full Information: Queen Scuba

For Bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Colona VI - May Availability

The excellent MV Colona VI still has some spaces available on trips to The Similans during the remainder of the 07/08 season. So you can still enjoy Thailand's best diving if you act now and snap up some of these available cabins.

 


02 - 08 April 2008 (7D/6N) - Twin share cabins available
Destination: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock

More Information here: Colona VI

For bookings, please email to Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call Dive The World PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 083 505 7794 right now before it's too late!

Sangalaki Liveaboard June to Sept 2008

Sangalaki, Derawan and Maratua represent an excellent and as yet still unheralded diving region.

Many know of the amazing mantas of Sangalaki, the jellyfish lake of Kakaban and the big pelagic action to be had around Maratua but it has not really come into its own yet as a region that has entered the mainstream diver conscience.



For a long time the area has been crying out for a liveaboard and finally this year sees one taking in the whole region over a 6 night cruise, the Panunee, which will run from June to September 2008.

The boat can accommodate up to 20 divers and this itinerary would make a great full boat charter. Imagine you and all your buddies on your own Sangalaki liveaboard crusing around the islands off Borneo!

It used to be that the region was difficult to get to but that has changed in recent years with more and more airlines running flights between Tarakan and Balikpapan.

There is no longer any need to overnight between Singapore and Tarakan from where the boat departs. So you can depart Singapore and be on board cruising into paradise on the same day! It is the same on the way back so the whole trip can be done in a week.



6 Nights Sangalaki Liveaboard Price:
Suite: US$ 1,543 (Baht 52,000)
Deluxe: US$ 1,425 (Baht 48,000)

Price includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and water, dives, tanks, weights and weightbelts, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s)

Price excludes:
Domestic Airfare Balikpapan-Tarakan-Balikpapan = US$ 300/pax(Including Tax, porter, handling in Balikpapan & Tarakan + 25 kg baggage), Excess weight charge = approx. US$ 1/Kg, Fuel Surcharge US$ 130, scuba equipment, torches, dive insurance, soft and alcoholic drinks.


Itinerary

Embarkation /Disembarkation : Tarakan Port, Indonesia
Night on board : 6 nights
Diving days : 5 days

Day 1 / Friday
13.50 hrs Depart Singapore Airport (SIN) by Silk Air, MI 284
16.10 hrs Arrival Balikpapan Airport (BPN)
18.50 hrs Depart BPN for Tarakan Airport (TRK) by Batavia Air, 7P-251
20.00 hrs Arrive TRK Airport and transfer to Tarakan port
21.00 hrs Check –in, boat orientation and crew introduction, light meal
23.00 hrs Depart Tarakan port for diving safari

Day 2 / Saturday - Full diving day in Sangalaki Island area
Day 3 / Sunday - Full diving day in Kakaban area
Day 4 / Monday - Full diving day in Maratua area
Day 5 / Tuesday - Full diving day in Samama area
Day 6 / Wednesday - Full diving day in Derawan Island area

Day 7 / Thursday
05.30 hrs Breakfast & Check out
06.00 hrs Transfer to TRK Airport
07.45 hrs Depart TRK Airport for BPN by Batavia Air, 7P-252
09.00 hrs Arrive BPN
11.10 hrs Depart BPN for SIN by Silk Air, MI 281
13.25 hrs Arrive SIN

It is not known whether the Panunee will be running their liveaboard around Sangalaki
every year or whether this year represents a once-off opportunity to take in the amzing Sangalaki, Derawan, Maratua region in the comfort of a liveaboard. So act now to avoid disappointment!

For enquiries or bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

10% off Burma liveaboard 20-26 Feb 2008

Special prices are available on the Panunee's 20-26 February trip taking in the excellent dive sites of South Burma and Richelieu Rock.



20-26 Feb 08: Myanmar - Richelieu Rock

Destinations: Richelieu Rock – Black Rock - Burma Bank - Western Rocky - Shark Cave
Embarkation : Tablamu Port in Phang-nga Province
Disembarkation : Tablamu Port in Phang-nga Province
Nights on board : 6 Nights
Diving days : 5 Days Total
Dives : 16 Dives

Price: Was US$1,570 per person NOW US$ 1,412 (47,250 Baht)
You save US$ 158 per person!



Price Includes:
Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and water, dives, tanks, weights and weightbelts, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s), and return transfers to the boat from Phuket hotels.

Price Excludes:
Entry fees to Myanmar (USD 200 per person) and Richelieu Rock (US$ 18 per person) payable on board, fuel surcharge US$ 180 per person (6,000 Baht) also payable on board, scuba equipment (US$ 20 per day), torches, dive insurance, soft and alcoholic drinks.

Itinerary

20 Feb 08
19.00 hrs Pick up at Phuket International Airport and transfer to Tablamu port in Phang-nga province
21.00 hrs Check-in
22.00 hrs Depart Tablamu for Richelieu Rock

21 Feb 08 2 Dives at Richelieu Rock
13.00 hrs Depart Richelieu Rock for Ranong Port in Ranong province
18.00 hrs Arrive Ranong Port and Immigration for departure (check-out)
20.00 hrs Arrive Kowtong port in Myanmar to process immigration for arrival
(check-in), Entry fee - USD200/pax
22.00 hrs Cruise to dive site

22 Feb 08 4 Dives at Shark Cave
23 Feb 08 4 Dives at Black Rock
24 Feb 08 3 Dives at Burma Bank

25 Feb 08 3 Dives at Western Rocky and Sea Fan Forest and Return to Kowtong port in Myanmar
21.00 hrs Immigration for departure (check-out) at Kowtong port
22.00 hrs Immigration for arrival (check-in) at Ranong port.
Return to Tablamu port (5 hrs. cruising )

26 Feb 08
09.00 hrs Land transfer to Phuket International Airport
10.30 hrs Arrive Phuket International Airport

See here for more info on the underwater sites that await you:
Thailand Dive Sites
Burma Dive Sites

For enquiries or bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Khao Lak - Hot New Destination!

I heard the news today oh boy! Dive The World have launched a new Thailand resorts destination ... the beautiful Khao Lak.



As part of our co-operation with hotel reservation experts Agoda who guarantee lowest rates we can offer you dive packages here at incredible prices. As always we will try to make life easier for you by suggesting accommodation we recommend and to suit all budgets:

High Budget - Ban Khao Lak Resort
Medium Budget - Best Western Palm Galleria Resort
Low Budget - Khao Lak Mohin Tara Hotel

Check out what other great accommodation options you have:
Khao Lak Resorts

Staying in any of these resorts you can enjoy daytrips from the nearby pier at Tap Lamu to some of the best dive sites on Thailand's west coast including The Similan islands, Richelieu Rock and Boonsung Wreck.

Check out the possible day trip options from Khao Lak resorts here:
Khao Lak Daytrips

For enquiries or bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Dive Clubs and Groups

If you're searching for the best deals for your dive club or group, then you've come to right place.

Below you'll find all the best offers for both liveaboard cruises and dive resorts, all neatly laid out for each diving destination.

Dive Resorts

Fiji

   Kadavu

• Matava Resort - pay for 8 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge (equivalent to a 13% discount).


• Tiliva Resort - pay for 10 guests and receive 2 extra free of charge (equivalent to a 20% discount).

   Taveuni

• Maravu Plantation Resort - pay for 6 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge (equivalent to a 17% discount).


• Garden Island Resort - pay for 6 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge (equivalent to an 11% discount).

Malaysia

   Sipadan Island

• Mabul Water Bungalows - pay for 6 guests and receive 5% off the dive package prices, plus pay for 10 guests and receive 1 additional extra free of charge (equivalent to a 15% discount).


• Sipadan Mabul Resort - pay for 6 guests and receive 5% off the dive package prices, plus pay for 10 guests and receive 1 additional extra free of charge (equivalent to a 15% discount).

   Lankayan

• Lankayan Island Dive Resort - pay for 6 guests and receive 5% off the dive package prices, plus pay for 10 guests and receive 1 additional extra free of charge (equivalent to a 15% discount).

Indonesia

   Bali

• Lembongan Beach Villas - special prices available for 3 and 4 share villas (equivalent up to a 30% discount).


• Tulamben Dive Terminal - pay for 8 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge (equivalent up to a 13% discount).

   Sulawesi - Manado

• Bunaken Cha Cha Resort - pay for 7 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge (equivalent up to a 14% discount).


• Lembeh Resort - pay for 9 guests and receive 1 extra free of charge, or pay 10 guests and receive 2 extra free of charge (equivalent up to a 20% discount).

Liveaboards

For dive club and group liveaboard special offers in the Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji and Burma, please see our:

• Liveaboard Groups and Clubs Worldwide

Dive The World Travel Club Trip 2007

Dive The World travel consultants have many years of experience working in the diving industry, either working on dive boats, teaching courses in dive centres or selling dive trips on-line. Our experience has taught us that the most important part of any dive trip is the people that you meet and dive with on that trip. Divers come in all shapes and sizes but often a love of the underwater world brings them together in a common understanding, no matter what the nationality or background.

Have you ever noticed how quiet a dive boat is before the first dive but how after the first dive the boat comes alive with everyone chatting about what they saw underwater. Once the talking starts divers realize that they have many other things in common too and often lasting friendships are born.



With this in mind Dive The World decided that it would be a good idea to create the Dive The World travel club where like-minded divers can come together and dive with fellow divers from around the world but leave all the organization to someone else. Anyone who has ever tried to organize a group holiday knows how hard it can be, fitting in with everyone’s wishes, arranging all the logistics, collecting monies.

Well we do that for a living. We use our experience to select the best places to dive and to get the best prices. We know the best hotels, we also know the best add-ons for the dry days and we definitely know the best spots for an after dive drink and feed.

The travel club would also be a chance for us to get out from behind our computer monitors and do the thing that we love most, go diving! We really believe that it’s important for us to do what we promote and to get out and meet the people that book diving with us. It’s not always possible of course but we always enjoy it when we do get the chance. Not only do we learn from our guests about what we can do better but we are also able to offer lots of advice and deal with any problems first hand. On our travel club trips we want our guests to know that they can always come to us first with any issues and that we will deal with them.

So the question was, where should the first travel club trip go to? Many meetings and bar stool arguments went into making that decision. Some argued for Sipadan in Malaysia, others for Fiji and some wanted to go to the Maldives, our newest destination. In the end we chose an old and reliable favourite. The Similan Islands in Thailand never fails to impress and Phuket is an area that many of us live in and know well. It’s also where we have a PADI 5 Star centre. Phuket has hundreds of hotels to choose from and plenty to do when the diving’s over.



A package was put together that included 4 nights on the Colona VI liveaboard to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock, one day sea kayaking in Phang Nga bay, hotel accommodation at the Patong Seaview resort, airport transfers and lastly, a slap up dinner and a night on the town in Patong Beach. We put it all together at a price that would be impossible to match if booking all the individual parts separately.

By November we had a group 8 signed up. The stars of the show were:
Keith Holman
Shona Bracey
Teresa Hindley
Alan Wilkinson
John Johnston
Anne-Marie Johnston
Roel Willemsen
Tammy Willemsen

Not everyone arrived together but we made sure that everyone was met at the airport and transferred to Dive The World to collect a welcome pack of T-shirts, caps, mugs and other little goodies. Once we had met and explained the schedule we transferred the guests to their hotels. Arriving in Asia for the first time can be daunting for some, it can also be difficult to know where to go and how much to pay for everything.

Dive The World Travel Club guests didn’t have to worry about that, it was all taken care of.



Our first adventure was the sea kayaking trip, actually called sea canoe in Thailand. Phang Nga bay is one of the world’s natural wonders. Limestone islands rise hundreds of metres out of the sea and many of them are hollow inside. The only way to enter the inner lagoons (Hong’s in Thai) is by sea kayak through gaps in the rocks. John Grey, a life long adventurer and environmentalist from Hawaii was the first to kayak around Phang Nga bay so we chose to use his experience to guide us round. He knows which caves are best on which tides (get it wrong and you could be stuck inside a hong until the tide drops again). On this day he chose a late start to hit the tides just right and to avoid all other boats.

It really was a special trip with the best food that I’ve ever had on a daytrip in Thailand. It was a long and full day but never felt rushed. We got to kayak in the hongs at night by torch and starlight which no other trips offer. Also because the Thai festival of Loi Kratong was coming in the following week we all made banana tree floats and set them adrift to bring us good fortune for the year ahead (we collected them all afterwards and disposed of them properly).

Not everyone from the travel club group made it to the sea kayaking. Roel and Tammy had the best excuse, they got married. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Willemsen! Another guest chose to skip the trip to get some dental work done. Dental work is so cheap in Phuket compared to western countries that what you save can pay for your whole holiday.



So the first time that the whole group was together was as we boarded the Colona VI the following day. It had been over a year since my last trip to the Similan Islands so I was obviously very excited to get back there and dive all the best dive sites in Thailand. Our boat for this trip, the Colona VI, is a good mid price range vessel suitable for singles or couples. We have found them to be well organized and they have built up a good reputation for customer service. We have also found in the past that Colona VI caters for a broad mix of customers and this trip was no exception with 5 nationalities of varying ages on board and roughly half couples and half single travelers.

Colona VI departs from Patong Bay, Phuket so after a boat briefing from Harley the tour leader, and once everyone was checked into their cabins; we had a light dinner and then a 6 hour crossing to the Similan Islands. This gave us all time to get to know each other over a few beers in the open air saloon but the early start planned for the following day meant that most were tucked up in bed before midnight. There was a minor panic from an Australian guest who shall remain nameless when he thought that the beer had run out but the fridge was soon re-stocked with cold tinnies.

The crossing was smooth so we awoke at 6.30am to a rising sun in the spectacularly beautiful Similan islands.

After a thorough dive briefing we were ready for our first dive at East of Eden. This is one of the most popular dive sites in the Similans and this dive did not disappoint with 40 metre visibility, a marble ray and a huge banded sea snake as the highlights. We searched for Emma, the famously friendly moray eel but she wasn’t around and we spend around 15 minutes on the huge, soft coral covered bommie that National Geographic once spent a whole week filming.

Dive number 2 was at Anita’s reef, sometimes called Barracuda point. The best part of this dive for me was watching two clown trigger fish defend their territory. Clown triggers can often be skittish and difficult to photograph but these guys were so intent on protecting their turf that they made for easy photo targets.

Dive number 3 at Beacon Beach started on the Atlantis X wreck which sank there in 2002. I last dived it in May 06 and since then the wheel house has slid over the port side into the sand. The wreck is small and worth just a quick circuit before drifting off along the reef. A solitary eagle ray was the highlight of this dive.

We moored at the southern end of Similan island number 9 and were entertained by a friendly turtle at the back of the boat which just couldn’t get enough of the bananas that we fed it.

On the night dive in the sheltered bay we bumped into this fellow again, he was easily recognized by the chunk that had been taken out of his shell. We also saw several crabs and lionfish which topped off a very good first days diving. I was impressed with the dive site selection which was well suited to the abilities of the divers on board and everyone was looking forward to the next day.

Day two started at island number 9 as after this dive we would be motoring north to Koh Bon. At the aptly named Breakfast Bend dive site we saw three more turtles plus a school of barracuda slowly swimming in circles in the clear blue.

Everyone jumped into Koh Bon with high hopes of Manta Ray sightings but it wasn’t to be on this occasion. Personally I think that the conditions were just too good to spot Mantas. Mantas like current and plankton and this dive had neither. Often Koh Bon can have ripping currents out on the tip but this time it was possible to swim right out to the tip and hover there, admiring the stunning seascape.

The same was true of the next dive at Koh Tachai pinnacle. It is almost unheard of to have no currents at this dive site but that’s exactly what we had but again no Mantas. The night dive on Koh Tachai reef was fairly uneventful except for the impromptu rave under the boat as divers used there strobes to create shapes in the dark. After the night dive we motored up to the Surin Islands to spend the night so that we would be closer to Richelieu Rock in the morning.

Richelieu Rock is a very popular dive site because it is frequently visited by Whale sharks. There are lots of reasons suggested for this however whale shark movements and particularly their mating habits are not yet that well understood. On this morning as we neared the site we were disappointed to see that, despite our early start, there were already 10 other boats there. I feared that we would be sharing the rock with more divers than fish but I had underestimated Richelieu.

It truly is an amazing dive site with so much to see. We found one yellow tiger tail seahorse at 20 metres plus octopus, cuttlefish , lionfish, scorpion fish and much more. There was no whale shark though and I wasn’t really surprised. I just thought that so many boats and divers, together with the clear water would keep the whale sharks away.

Well that just shows how little I know because after 30 minutes of the second dive a 4-5 metre whale shark cruised on by. Cue an army of stupid divers to chase after it, finning furiously against the current. Of course they couldn’t catch the gentle giant and by the time it came around again, half of those excitable fools were back on their boats, out of air. Those who had hovered patiently waiting were greeted to a second, closer fly by and a wonderful photo op.



It was decided to change the planned schedule and to do a third dive at Richelieu Rock for another chance to see the Whale shark but it wasn’t to be. After the dive a group decision was made to skip the night dive and motor all the way back to the Similan Islands for the night.

That gave me time conduct the Dive The World Scuba quiz with the chance for our guests to win about US$80 worth of scuba accessories. An example of some questions and the more humorous answers are:

Q. What ocean is the Maldives in?
A. The big wet one.

Q. What is the difference between Air and Nitrox?
A. The colour of tanks.

Q. Give an example of a Symbiotic relationship.
A. A moray eel and a cave.

It was all good fun and congratulations go to Shona, the overall winner.

The dives on the final day were at Elephant Head Rock and Shark fin reef. The 6.15am start was too early in my opinion; I think the captain wanted to get back to Phuket early. But we had time to sleep and sunbathe on the six hour ride home. I much prefer sailing into Patong Bay than sailing to Tap Lamu and then having a 90 minute minibus ride to Phuket. Patong Bay is a beautiful sight to arrive at.



We disembarked from the Colona VI at about 5pm and most divers went back to their hotels for a hot shower and then met up again at Dive The World dive shop before strolling over to a local restaurant for a farewell dinner. Dive The World organized it all and invited a few other friends along as well to make a party out of it.

Everyone was keen to meet Beef who they had all built up an email friendship with over the previous months as he had been the main organizer of the trip. After dinner things got more interesting as we took a walk around some of Patong beach’s nightlife spots. Phuket bars are an adventure and it’s fun to go as a group.

As the night wore on people slowly slipped away to their beds, with just the hard drinkers left standing. Everyone said good night with a big smile on their face and a promise to return.

All agreed that the travel club trip had been a huge success and were already asking about where the next travel club trip will be.

Keep an eye out for the next Dive The World travel club trip to….

For more on this great diving location: Thailand Dive sites

Read more about your Similans cruise options:
Thailand Liveaboards to the Similan islands

Were you on this trip? Want to suggest where might be a good idea for the next one? Want to know if we have decided where and when to conduct the 2008 travel club? If so just call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Fiji Coup – What’s it like one year on?

On a recent trip to Fiji we thought it might be useful to get an idea from the people of Fiji as to how they feel about the 2006 coup and the impact that it has had on the country.

By way of background Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama who instigated the coup was the man who had originally installed the Prime Minister that he then ousted. The PM was entrusted with the task of restoring democracy and rooting out corruption. The reasons given for the coup were that he had not done either and there was far too much corruption under him.

The Commodore issued repeated warnings before announcing that power would soon be taken back by the military. The coup was anything but a shock announcement and was even delayed until after some important rugby games took place.



The immediate aftermath saw an increased military presence in Suva and elsewhere in the country where the army were dutibound to take over policing activities.

The following is based on feedback from Fijian locals and expatriates…

First and foremost the overall feeling was one that the coup did not in any material way have an effect outside of Suva. Where the military were deployed was mostly to protect major governmental installations and to police certain areas where they were deemed to have in fact done a better job than the police force, viewed by many as wholly corrupt.

No-one was surprised that a coup was coming because it was clear that the government were acting in a way that was inconsistent with their role of cleaning up the institutions and acting in a fair and democratic manner.

Unfortunately the governments of two of the key markets of Fiji tourism , Australia and New Zealand reacted with harsh political rhetoric and even more harsh actions namely the suspension of bilateral trade and the imposition of travel restrictions. NGO work whose aim was to provide for the most deprived communities of Fiji continued unaffected.

Despite the coup being bloodless, pre-announced and broadly welcomed by the Fijian community, the Australian travel advisory gave travel to the South Pacific nation the same danger assessment as Iraq.



The short term effects of this in the tourism industry were enormous. Numbers dropped significantly, some estimates suggest that the monthly arrivals declined by around 60% in the immediate aftermath of the event. Many resorts dropped their rates by some 40% or more meaning those who chose to go ahead with their travel plans achieved incredible deals. Since there were no visible signs of any political upheaval anywhere but the little visited state capital, dive tourists who generally visit more remote islands found themselves enjoying a blissful holiday with low diver numbers yet with everything else living up to the Fijian holiday ideal.

By law all Fiji tourism brochures meant for distribution to the market in New Zealand had to bear the full details of these restrictions in a large red box. Numbers of tourists from both New Zealand and Australia plummeted. Interestingly the USA, the third major source of tourism business was not affected in remotely the same way. Perhaps this was because of less alarmist travel advisories but certainly there was less of an impact in the USA from the media broadcasts of the event.

According to some, the footage that accompanied the story of the coup in Australia and New Zealand often featured events not of the time or the place. Some images of the army on the streets were shown which was archive footage of the previous Fijian coup in 2000. Others tell of news coverage showing a tank in the street, despite the fact that there are no tanks in Fiji at all and the footage was apparently taken during historical political upheaval in the nation of Tonga.

The over-riding emotions of owners of Fijian resorts and those working in the tourism industry are twofold.

Firstly they seem unable to understand the position adopted by their two neighbours, Australia and New Zealand. What could they seek to achieve by imposing such penalties on a poor peaceful nation? Aside from the obvious benefit that their citizens may choose to vacation at home rather than spend their money elsewhere what did it benefit these two wealthy countries to see Fiji thrown into such financial turmoil? Why have the warnings been so harsh when there is never a bomb here, or kidnappings or killings or any of the things that have happened elsewhere? Why are tourists told not to come here when they are never in the slightest danger? When other countries such as Thailand undergo a very similar political upheaval not a word is uttered nor are any political manoeuvres made by either antipodean state yet their politicians were queuing up to condemn Fiji and warn against travel there in the strongest possible terms.



Secondly in typical charming Fijian style they shrug their shoulders and resolve to keep on going, hoping that the corner will soon be turned and that people will return to Fiji for their dream holidays of the future. When many would be bitter, it is commonplace to find the Fijian smiling broadly and simply getting on with it knowing that the more they please their guests the more word of mouth might spread and gain greater influence over the minds of potential visitors than the self-interested declarations of politicians of nearby countries.

Fiji has undertaken to reach certain milestones towards a reinstitution of democracy that were agreed at the recent Pacific Islands forum. The national census is complete, the Boundaries Commission has almost finalised the process of demarcating the electoral zones and elections are due to take place in the first quarter of 2009. So the positive approach of the people may be borne out by events in the near future.

Far from being a harsh and power-hungry general, the overwhelming, if not unanimous, view is that Commodore Bainimarama does have the best interests of the country at heart and he is a vocal proponent of a government where power is shared between Fijians and Indo-Fijians alike acting in the best interests of the populace as a whole.

It is difficult not to sympathise with the Fijian nation and those in the tourism industry who have been worst hit over the course of the last year. However visitor numbers are growing and it seems that by the end of 2007 the annual figures will not be as far short of 2006 as many had projected.

So the proud Fijians march on with a smile and a warm welcome for all those who visit their shores. It is hard to imagine a place where tourists are less in danger or made to feel more welcome by the genuinely warm locals. It is hoped that the future for Fiji can be as bright as the spirit of its people and that many more will come to appreciate the splendour of this South Pacific dream destination.

For more on this great diving location: Fiji Dive sites

Read more about your diving options:
Fiji Liveaboards
Fiji Resorts

If you have any questions about Fiji diving holidays, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

New look Thailand resort options for you

To make your life easier and to ensure you always get the widest choice and the best possible deals we have partnered up with Agoda, an excellent online hotel booking service. They guarantee that they offer the best prices around so together with them we can offer you our expertise at great rates. See how our resorts section looks here: Thailand Resorts



Since we know Thailand well we have cherry picked a recommendation in each price bracket so you can book quickly and easily with the assurance that we know and rate the option.

However you have the freedom to choose from the expansive range that Agoda offer. You can use our convenient search box to browse through all the options.

So if you love diving in Thailand and want the advice of those on the ground and you love a bargain when it comes to accommodation then you can’t go wrong.

For enquiries or bookings, please call Dive The World - +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com

Tui Tai - Recognition by National Geographic

The Fijian adventure liveaboard the Tui Tai has recently been recognised by National Geographic as one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth". The decision was based on interviews with past guests, as well as scores on various set of criteria established by the National Geographic Society, including quality of service, sustainability, education and spirit of adventure.

This adds to a list of awards piling up in Tui Tai's trophy cabinet including:

"World's Sexiest Cruise Ships" Conde Nast, April 2006
"World Class Escapes" National Geographic, March 2006
"Greatest Adventures on the Planet" Mens Journal, May 2005
"Trips of a Lifetime" Outside Magazine, March 2003
"Best Adventure" 2004 & 2005 AON Excellence in Tourism Awards



Tui Tai is a great combination of luxury and adventure. There are up to two dives a day as well as countless adventure and cultural activities to enjoy during your 5 or 7 night cruise. It is the perfect Fijian trip for active people and the combination of activities makes it a great option for couples where only one is a diver.

Isn't it time you joined one of these incredible adventures?

More information about Tui Tai here: Tui Tai Adventure Liveaboard

For more information on diving in Fiji, see our website: Diving In Fiji

Or you can contact our Fiji Dive Experts by email: Blog@Dive-The-World.com