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eco-tours, Molokai Lodge, Tahiti Aggressor, Oman, Tikal honeymoon dive travel


© Copyright 1995 - 2009 / U.S. Dive Travel Network.



U.S. DIVE TRAVEL's RED-HOT NEW DIVE VACATION PACKAGES for '09, & '10 & 2011 ! !


Check 2 superb new luxury liveaboards, likely to be ranked

among the top 4-star scuba diving yachts of the Pacific & Caribbean --

the 21st Century hi-tech OCEAN DANCER in the lazy hazy MALDIVES ISLANDS of the Indian Ocean +

the long-awaited UTILA AGGRESSOR in the BAY ISLANDS of HONDURAS + scuba & snorkeling adventures

on the mystically beautiful isle of   YAP in MICRONESIA
  <<< click there for amazing new HD photos !! +

also check 2 superb yet affordable 4-star guest inns on MAUI ( $250 per room night below Maui norms ! )

plus we offer the sunny SULTANATE of OMAN,   stellar DUNBAR VILLA on Guanaja,

& take an exciting long look at our best & brightest WILD HIGHLAND ECO-TOURS in

BELIZE,  GUATEMALA,  COSTA RICA & rural HONDURAS,

& all-new photos of our   TIKAL  HONEYMOONS !



Plus EXOTIC LIVE-ABOARD ADVENTURES in li'l ol' TOBAGO,
the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS,  BALI & KOMODO in INDONESIA,
the TUAMOTUs near TAHITI   & the friendly FIJI ISLANDS !
Call our Dive Vacation Planners at   952-953-4124 , any time, for details ...

( Just click on the blue or red hotlinks below to visit
the new dive vacation page of your choice. )




U.S. DIVE TRAVEL  &  AGGRESSOR FLEET  SALUTE  our

MILITARY  FRIENDS  &  INVITE  YOU  to  ENJOY

a  SPECIAL  APPRECIATION  DISCOUNT !

 

“PERMISSION to COME ABOARD & DIVE – GRANTED – BIG TIME!”

 

In sincere recognition that “Freedom is Not for Free,” & in appreciation of the loyal military service by the many good men & women -- who are currently serving our nation in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard -- Aggressor Fleet + U.S. DIVE TRAVEL wish to honor all military personnel during the month of July  2009 with a special discount rate on any fleet vessel with open space.  

Here’s the deal, amigos del mar …. All active, retired or veteran military will receive USD $400 per client off new reservations that are formally deposited before July 31, 2009 -- for any vacation travel completed before March 31, 2010.    

Some restrictions may apply.  To qualify, a clear photocopy of your official U.S. military ID is required when booking.  You also must complete all waiver & application paperwork to be mailed in with the first deposit.  Please note: this offer does not apply to any non-military companion nor family member you may bring.

This offer also does not apply to “Bring-a-Friend Weeks,” already advertised by the Fleet.   When multiple discounts are available, only the most generous may be applied – not two discounts layered atop each other. 

Please feel free, any time, to call our friendly & knowledgable live-aboard vacation experts at  952-953-4124  for more details.  We truly enjoy working with our many friends in the U.S. Armed Services.  You guys & gals are a solid blessing to our country; & we are grateful for the sacrifices you are making to take a stand, & hold your ground for freedom.  So now it’s our turn to bless you.  Just give us a call & we’ll make it happen.   Just like the service, there’s a little paperwork, friends, but we’ll make it hassle-free for you; no worries.

C’mon, dive in!   Get  Wet Without Getting Soaked!” 




The brilliant new Maldives diving yacht --
Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet / OCEAN DANCER !!

U.S. Dive Travel is delighted to announce the exciting new, 110-foot, Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet Ocean Dancer. Ocean Dancer will cruise not just one, but three of the best & brightest atolls in the general region of the capital city (and international airport) of Male. These expansive atolls (North Male, South Male, & Ari Atoll), encompass hundreds of square miles of ocean & offer excellent diving on nearly all points of the compass. & the Ocean Dancer will explore the atolls of the Maldives in an adventuresome yet safe & uniquely efficient manner. A total of 16 divers per cruise will enjoy fine luxury accommodations, while all of the diving will be done from a custom-built, 55 ft. dive tender called the “Diving Dhoni.” that shadows the mother ship every day like a loyal sidekick. This second vessel will accompany Ocean Dancer on all of its Maldives scuba diving voyages, & features a very spacious dive deck, sun protection, & easy entry/exit. The luxury "tender" will cruise at 12 knots & will have all of the tanks, compressors, Nitrox station, camera tables, & diving amenities on board. Truly an efficient 1-2 boat combo for a one-of-a-kind destination. Maldives scuba diving has never been this streamlined & hassle-free, funseekers ! We are feeling stoked just thinking about it from afar. Can you feel your inner adrenal teen re-emerging yet ?



A Hot New Ticket, for the Bay Islands of Honduras --
Replacing Bay Islands Aggressor, the exciting UTILA AGGRESSOR !!

One of the best things going for Utila Aggressor now is the fact that its toughest competition, the Peter Hughes Wind Dancer, was moved shortly before Hurricane Mitch struck -- in the fall of 1998 -- up north across the Caribbean to Grand Turk, then down to Tobago. That means the only 4-star live-aboard now available for serious scuba divers, that's still plying the waters of Bay Islands, Honduras, is this brand-new live-aboard -- the Utila Aggressor. Another notable fact: the Utila Aggressor is a totally refurbished version of the previous Turks & Caicos Aggressor. When it comes to Honduras diving, if you need some live-aboard action, this is THE nerve center from now on, sports fans -- Utila island. The only game in town. The itinerary for this dynamic new Honduras live-aboard will be the Bay Islands of Utila, Guanaja, Cayos Cochinos, perhaps Roatan if weather permits. You'll visit classic Honduras diving sites off both major coasts of Roatan, such as the deep sea fans & sea mounts of Enchanted Forest, & also "Grand Canyon." Then there will be the elusive caves & bright coral colors of Toon Town, a major dive site just off Los Cochinos islands. Other treats include the wrecks, tunnels & multi-hued virgin reefs off Guanaja island. The warm, calm waters of the Utila offer dramatic underwater grottoes, huge tube sponges & resplendent corals. These islands are still unspoiled, with a peaceful, turn-of-the-century historic flavor. Some of the largest & most vibrantly colorful hard corals & sponges in all of the Caribbean region are found among the secret crannies in the Utila of Honduras. Underwater photographers will be delighted with Honduras diving aboard the Utila Aggressor. You'll have a wonderful time; especially knowing that this Honduras diving vessel offers one of the best-value live-aboard trips in the world. Compare this price, shop around & you'll see this is the best cost-buster the Aggressor Fleet offers. This yacht's top speed is about 15 knots.



Our vote for best & brightest new dive resort in the Turks & Caicos --
BOHIO DIVE RESORT & SPA / Grand Turk !!

This idyllic spot, part of a protected marine park, in March ’05 was awarded the accolade of "Best Diving Beach" by the national magazine Men’s Journal. It’s often possible to see humpback whales cruising past Grand Turk island from January to April, says Kelly Shanahan, dive guide & co-owner of the BOHIO DIVE RESORT & SPA. On many dives, all year long, there are lively sharks, mantas & assorted colorful reef fish in abundance, with “viz” sometimes reaching close to 150-200 feet in calm seasons. Snorkeling & scuba diving conditions are perfect for beginners & advanced divers alike. The “outstanding wall”, just a few hundred yards off the beach was voted among the Top Ten Advanced Diving Sites in the April '05 issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine. This dramatic dropoff runs from shallow reefs to an ocean trench a mile deep, with chutes & tunnels to explore. This huge wall attracts a wealth of wildlife & richly colorful corals. “You never know what you'll see - whales, sharks, turtles, mantas,” declares Kelly. The staff at BOHIO DIVE RESORT & SPA is all-star: their chef is an acclaimed culinary wizard from Vancouver, BC, who received wonderful reviews from his local press for years; the scuba diving department is run by a talented & energetic PADI Course Director from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; the local divemasters are gracious, strong & savvy. These gents have hundreds of dives under their belts. The domestic staff & servers are as lovely & cheerful as a spring garden. Wait until you see what co-owner Nick Gillings & Kelly have done with this place. It is going to be the class act of Grand Turk, & our vote hands-down for the best-value 3+star lodging – with scuba diving & snorkeling emphasis -- anywhere in the Turks & Caicos. The BOHIO DIVE RESORT & SPA has 16 comfy rooms –- 12 standard beachfronts + 4 special deluxe suites -- just steps from their scenic waterfront. All rooms are air conditioned, with ensuite facilities, ceiling fans, fridges & TV. The newly refurbished BOHIO DIVE RESORToffers the best sandy shoreline on the island for Grand Turk scuba diving. They also offer small-craft sailing & ocean kayaking. Now we cannot fail to mention the superb cuisine, created by a renowned Vancouver, Canada chef who recently caught the diving bug & relocated to secure a new dream in this tranquil, visually vibrant Caribbean setting.



A fun, affordable new Maui B & B; this place is impressive --
Auntie Tanna's MAUI GUEST HOUSE + EXTENDED HORIZONS DIVING !!

Wait until you see these inside photos of the Maui Guest House. The value factor here is incredible on one of the priciest isles of the Pacific -- good ol' Maui. These superbly low rates come in at least USD $200 per room night below the average lodging cost on Maui's famous Ka'anapali Coast, or in the Wailea area, where the mainland glitterati pay WAY too much to play, wine & dine. Meals in Lahaina will run at least 25% - 30% more economical than in Wailea or the Ka'anapali Coast area. Your savings + the less frantic atmosphere are evident immediately, the first day on West Maui. Plus these two beautiful guest homes are within easy driving distance from an excellent dive tour operator -- Extended Horizons -- whose specialty is the pristine & uncrowded diving off Lanai island, right across the channel. Founded by Erik Stein & Chris Millen, Extended Horizons offers a spacious custom-built aluminum dive vessel -- a 36-footer that caters to only 12 divers at a time -- ideal for clients who prefer a less-crowded scuba experience. Extended Horizons will depart for beautiful Lanai island most days at 6:45 am from Mala Wharf in Lahaina, near the old Cannery at the northern end of Old Lahaina Village. The dive guiding team run by Erik & Chris is one of the most amiable & professionally solid we have worked with in the Hawaiian Islands since the early 1990s. These guys will be big fun to dive with. Plus their divemaster team knows more than 60 classic Lanai dive sites, thoroughly. One neat fact here, the Mala Wharf is only a couple minutes easy drive downhill from Tanna's Maui Guest House. Super convenient location + you avoid all the Lahaina Village traffic. Like we always say -- "Here today, gone t' Maui !"



Travel magazines call this Maui gem "one of America's best country inns" --
The LAHAINA INN + internationally renowned LAHAINA DIVERS !!

Like some delightful reminder of Aspen or Vail in the 1970s, before commercialism ran rampant, this classic country-style guest inn is perfectly located -- within quick strolling distance from the best scuba center in the village -- LAHAINA DIVERS. We have worked with LAHAINA DIVERS for more than 14 years now, & since day one they have had the top-rated diving yachts on Maui -- big powerful Newton 46s -- the "Dauntless & the Dominion." These boats pack two Cummins turbo-Diesel 430s at the stern, & they really haul when the skip needs to. These boats are roomy enough to accommodate 49 passengers, but they typically carry no more than 20-24 pax at a time. LAHAINA DIVERS offers Nitrox, even custom blends, as well as 56 cf & 100 cf tanks for extra petite gals & extra-large guys. Clean, quiet, managed by pleasant folks who bend over backwards to accommodate you, LAHAINA INN is nestled smack dab in the heart of this vibrant, colorful village. LAHAINA INN is only walkin' minutes from all the nighttime action, the best restaurants, art galleries, shops & dessert locales; & it's less than 3 blocks easy jaunt from the Lahaina Boat Harbor, where LAHAINA DIVERS two beautiful vessels are moored. LAHAINA INN + LAHAINA DIVERS = a thrifty, convenient, comfortable alternative to the big-buck high-rises on the Ka'anapali Coast, or the prefab crowded hotels in the Kihei area, or the tourist-inundated condo villages of NW Maui. We love Lahaina village, folks; it's a li'l bit country & a l'il bit rock 'n' roll. Ideal for a relaxing, refreshing Maui snorkeling vacation package, or Maui diving vacation, or Maui honeymoon escape. Once you experience LAHAINA INN, we feel confident you will likely never wrestle with the $350-$450 / night median price at so many coastal hotels on West Maui. This place has our attention, & it deserves yours.



Xunantunich Ruins, Belize honeymoon, eco-tour honeymoon.
Ace Belize tour guide, Hector Bol, "living on the edge" at the main temple summit, Xunantunich Ruins.
Our honeymoon guests for Belize Eco-Tours all enjoy comfy cabanas at Windy Hill Resort, San Ignacio.

© Copyright 2004 - 2009 John Hessburg, U.S. Dive Travel.


Tikal Ruins, Belize eco-tours, honeymoon in Belize + Guatemala, Windy Hill Resort, San Ignacio.
Bird's-eye view of the magnificent central plaza of Tikal, ancient Mayan capital in Guatemala.
Our Tikal Ruins eco-tour, guided by English-speaking experts, is a day full of breathtaking vistas.
Located a scenic 90-minute drive from Windy Hill Resort in San Ignacio, these Tikal Ruins will
boost your pulse rate & joie de vivre, as you climb & photograph pyramids up to 220 feet high.

© Copyright 2004 - 2009 John Hessburg, U.S. Dive Travel.


Tikal Ruins, Belize eco-tours, honeymoon in Belize + Guatemala, Windy Hill Resort, San Ignacio.
Two young honeymoon couples, left from Calgary, right from SoCal,
enjoyed their recent Belize & Guatemala eco honeymoons.
© Copyright 2004 - 2009 U.S. Dive Travel.



The BEST & BRIGHTEST   NEW  DIVE RESORT & LIVE-ABOARD VACATION PACKAGES for 2009 & 2010 !



NEW BELIZE HIGHLANDS + TIKAL HONEYMOON PACKAGES --
Check the dramatic & colorful new photos of our
HONEYMOON PACKAGES in TIKAL & SAN IGNACIO, back in highland BELIZE & GUATEMALA !!

U.S. Dive Travel now is offering carefully planned, customized honeymoon packages for young or middle-aged couples who are fit & fun-loving, & who are seeking to flee the hum-drum-beat of touristy islands like Jamaica, Roatan or Grand Bahama. Read on, if you're in search of eco-adventures with a backdrop of serious creature comfort + expert guides who know their flora, fauna & archeology to a 'T'. We've got the ticket for you, honeymooners -- major eco-fun melded with romance to the Nth Degree. Here's the gist....We just returned from helping several couples organize (in part) the trip of their lifetimes to Windy Hill Resort in the highlands of Belize, San Ignacio Village in the famous Cayo District of Belize. Our cameras were clicking non-stop for almost 10 days. Sneak a peek at these brand-new photos of the Belize Barrier Reef islands, the ancient Mayan Ruins of Tikal & Caracol, the sultry little getaways in back-country Belize, where most tourist handbooks -- thank God! -- do not ever venture. We had the time of our lives, everyone. We recommend the Belize Highlands & the Tikail Ruins national park in Guatemala as one of coolest, most emotionally inspiring locales we have ever been blessed to visit in Central America. Reasonably easy to get there, fully safe, affordable yet exotic as the day is golden, dawn to dusk ! Tikal Ruins, the largest pyramids ever built by human hands before the Modern Era in this entire hemisphere, are enough to take your breath away, amigos. It is tough to understate your emotional & spiritual reaction to the Tikal Ruins. So check out these new pix & see what you think !! Hope you go down there & feel blown away by the majesty & sheer visual power of this magical destination, just the way our recent honeymoon couples have been experiencing the tours. The U.S. DIVE TRAVEL TROPICAL HONEYMOON MANIFESTO, born soon after our own monthlong South Pacific honeymoon in 1990 inspired the very formation of this company -- "Honeymoons were never meant to be so-so. We believe honeymoons are meant to be life-changing, soul-stirring, heart-stoking, eye candy adventures -- nothing less -- that a honeymoon couple will remember for a lifetime." That's that. & our experienced honeymoon vacation planners know how to make it happen for you, tout de suite. So, when you get a sec', take a look at these glorious, affordable Central American honeymoon packages. They may rock your worldview for keeps ....




Great News !! Call our Diver Hotline at U.S. DIVE TRAVEL ( 952-953-4124 ) for more details, or to book a trip. If you are a member of our partner Aggressor Fleet's lifetime DIVE THE WORLD CLUB ®, then check this deal -- amigos del mar ! -- you are invited to share the adventure with your best dive buddy - & he or she will get 50% off regular rates on these specific charters during 2009:

2009 AGGRESSOR FLEET "Bring a Friend" Weeks

UTILA AGGRESSOR . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 6-13, 2009

CAYMAN AGGRESSOR IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 18-25, 2009

TURKS & CAICOS AGGRESSOR II . . . . . . . . Oct. 4-11, 2009

BELIZE AGGRESSOR III . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 3-10, 2009

* PLEASE NOTE, certain exceptions apply: Though unlikely, these dates are subject to change, if vessel owners so declare, due to weather or civil emergencies, etc. This offer is exclusively for Dive the World Club members & their buddies, who must travel together for the discount to apply. If you're not already a member & have traveled already on an Aggressor Fleet vessel, join today. Remember, all Dive the World Club members are eligible for FREE trip DRAWINGS each year & they also receive a 10% discount on all onboard services!

* Members also earn a $100 discount on their second trip taken within one year, & a $200 discount is given if a third trip is taken within that same year. Other Aggressor Fleet discounts may not be applied to Bring a Friend Week charter rates.

* When multiple discounts apply, only the most generous offer is applied, one time, to the charter rate.

* Please notify our office of discounts prior to your trip, otherwise the discount will be applied to a future charter.




GUANAJA isle, Jewel of the Honduras Bay Islands --
VILLA at DUNBAR ROCK -- there's nothing like this private isle anywhere in the Caribbean !  
Guanaja really is the last best locale for pristine reef diving + snorkeling in the Honduras Bay Islands, since Roatan & Utila islands were glutted with tourists & over-development back in the 1990s. Good buzz abounds in the scuba diving & snorkeling communities of North America & Europe for Guanaja island in Honduras. Guanaja offers all the dazzling reefs & crystal "viz" that reminds one of Caribbean corals way back in the 1970s -- before tropical tourism billowed into exploitation. No worries about that same ol' cycle grinding down Guanaja's virgin ecosystem, because this isle's tiny airstrip only allows a couple 18-seaters a day to arrive & depart, ensuring Guanaja will remain pristine for decades to come. We live for islands like Guanaja. Since 1991 it has been one of our core missions at U.S. Dive Travel to find these gems worldwide, reveal them carefully, then promote them with TLC + respect for delicate social & reef systems. Never massive gaudy ad campaigns. Only a privileged few hundred sunseekers visit Guanaja each year. & nearly everyone we have sent returns home to write us a love letter about their delightful tropical adventure. That's the operational word here -- "Delight." Now let's focus on Dunbar Villa itself. This cool little Mediterranean-style mansion is incredibly affordable, clean, friendly & brimming with tropical adventure options from the best topwater fishing in the Caribbean to scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain hiking, horseback riding & photo jaunts to two quaint Norman Rockwellian villages. Now here's the prime location magic -- Dunbar Villa sits 300 meters from Guanaja's protected south shore, serenely in the middle of a calm shallow ocean bay, perched regally atop a huge granite dome. It has to be seen to be believed ! Check our website photos & you may find your heartrate accelarating within a few sec's of opening the page. Dunbar Villa is something else. Owned by a successful Texas real estate wizard, who has gives U.S. Dive Travel exclusive access to his private family getaway for 10 of 12 months each year, this Guanaja vacation getaway offers your own staff of personal servants for the week -- maids, cooks & the best scuba diving guide in the Honduras Bay Islands -- at prices on average about USD $450 per client below the Caribbean median. Dunbar Villa is a favorite of celebrities or corporate exec's on retreat from their jobworld stress. Professional couples, family reunions, private schools, even gypsy solo travelers are discovering Dunbar Villa too. This mini-mansion is remote without being isolated -- there's still good telecomm, + a couple nearby villages for desserts & drinks. No roads on Guanaja, funseekers, & that makes the island evern more like a National Geographic dreamscape. Everybody gets around by water taxi & the village is like a miniature Venice, with seawater streets. Dunbar Villa has delighted hundreds of our preferred clients, from honeymoon couples to families with teens to corporate teams to celebrities fleeing the paparazzi for some Caribbean sun & serenity. Check the photos, mates, they might just astonish you as you dream of the possibilities !!


TOBAGO Island, far SE Caribbean --
PETER HUGHES WIND DANCER -- a new TOBAGO liveaboard.  
This is the first world-class scuba diving live-aboard to cruise the waters of Tobago, & there's excited buzz in the North American & European scuba diving communities. We're stoked to see this boat find a new home next door to Peter Hughes home island of Trinidad. By way of background, Trinidad & Tobago form an independent twin-island Republic that lies between the Caribbean & the North Atlantic Ocean, about 7 miles off the Eastern Venezuelan coast & separated by the Gulf of Paria from the South American continent. Tobago lies about 21 miles north of Trinidad, which is the most southern island in the Caribbean chain. Tobago is 116 square miles of lush & mountainous terrain & relatively undiscovered. The highlight & popularity of this island is definitely the pristine, non-commercialized scuba diving. The reefs are ancient & lush & colorful as South Pacific corals. This locale promises to offer a very invigorating off-the-beaten-path dive trip !


HAWAII, MOLOKAI island --
MOLOKAI LODGE / KAUPOA BEACH CAMP &
Eco-adventures with Tim Forsberg's dive & fishing shop.
 
At long last, the shy little isle of Molokai is opening up soon for scuba diving vacations. & we are feeling psyched, funseekers, after waiting more than 10 years for this moment! Molokai is so rarely visited by North American tourists, we sense a watershed moment here for serious snorkelers & scuba divers, who like us are searching for something fresh, sweet-spirited & untrampled, a little wild & yet still comfy. Visually compelling, spiritually invigorating, emotionally healing. We call that a "Tropidelic" Hawaii vacation! But there's more to Molokai dive trips than just the scuba. You can find something for everybody on Molokai -- scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking along 3,900-ft sea cliffs, archery, horseback riding, skeet shooting, serious hiking & mountain trekking, sea kayaking & cultural tours. The original MOLOKAI RANCH LODGE, is a classic hunting lodgy 4-star luxury getaway, with a huge Great Room & massive log beams & buttresses, a chandelier & wood paneling Robert Redford might envy in his mountain retreat. The crystal-clear pool, glowing green lawns & indigenous-flora garden are something to behold, & the meals are more art than cuisine. We were treated like ohana (family) by all the staff & it felt so much like home after a few hours, we had to pry ourselves away to take the tours. There's also the new KAUPOA BEACH CAMP, is an astonishing place, unique in the Pacific -- a cushy tent-bungalow village on the wild west end of the island. There are 40 neatly built "tentalows" & they are 100% comfortable, clean, right near the two pocket cove beaches. These sturdy high-walled canvas bungalows, stretched over aluminum frames, are built atop spacious wooden platforms with a bathroom, huge hotwater shower & a private deck. The showers & toilets are super-clean & solar powered, designed impeccably for minimal impact on the earth. Big healthy wild turkeys strut the grounds like they own the place, & rare Hawaiian monk seals flop around happily all over the beaches, wherever they feel like planting their blubber. This is stylish tropical camping, amigos, & perfect for families with kids, big church groups, or a passel of dive shop buddies from Michigan. It's a cool new take on 21st century camping. Try the Molokai dive trip !

Molokai vacations, Molokai vacation, Molokai snorkeling, Molokai diving, Molokai Lodge
Thrilling mountain bike tours atop 3,900-foot Molokai Sea Cliffs,
above Kalaupapa Peninsula, where Father Damien once worked.

© 2003-2009. Photo courtesy of Starwood / Sheraton Molokai Lodge.

Molokai vacation, Molokai snorkeling, Molokai diving, Molokai Lodge
Sea kayaking along Molokai's pristine southern shores.
© 2003-2009. Photo courtesy of Starwood / Molokai Lodge.


Sheraton Molokai Lodge, Molokai vacations, Molokai vacation, Molokai snorkeling, Molokai diving
One of Molokai's best snorkeling sites at Murphey's Beach Park.
© Copyright 2003-2009 John Hessburg, U.S. Dive Travel.



Molokai vacation, Molokai snorkeling, Molokai diving, Sheraton Molokai Lodge
Just before sunset, a Molokai field glows with ethereal light.
© Copyright 2003-2009 Susan Hessburg, U.S. Dive Travel.


PETER HUGHES KOMODO DANCER:
In INDONESIA -- BALI, KOMODO & FLORES island groups.

The sparkling new M/V KOMODO DANCER performed her inaugural cruises in March 2002. This is a beautiful 4-star motor-sailer, built to cruise swiftly under sail or when needed, at a healthy 10-12 knots under engine. This dual-power combo is ideal for the often peaceful, sometimes challenging waters of the central Indonesian Archipelago. Komodo Dancer offers 8 luxury cabins (16 passengers) & ample deck space. This yacht was built & now is managed in Indonesia through PHD's partners, Meridian Worldwide Ltd. & P.T. Ombak Putih. Komodo Dancer will be based in Bali & will cruise the passages surrounding Bali, Komodo ( a national park), & Flores islands. Air links are easy via Denpassar in Bali. Scuba divers on all cruises also have opportunities for several colorful land excursions. Here's what Peter Hughes says of Komodo Dancer, a dive trip project he's excited about: "The lure of the unexplored is irresistible, & welcome to a brand new journey to the land of Dragons & Volcanoes, a real life 'Jurassic Park' above & below the surface of the seas. This is Komodo, Indonesia, one of the last true frontiers of the U/W world. This 'Land That Time Forgot' is located some 200 nautical miles east of Bali, deep in the Indonesian archipelago between the islands of Sumbawa & Flores. Most world-class diving sites are usually formed by either unusual volcanic formations of undersea rock or by massive amounts of unusual limestone (coral) deposits. This portion of Indonesia is blessed by both ! You will see plenty of volcanic action as you explore the numerous sea mounts in the area, with vast schools of jacks, pelagics, mantas, the occasional whale shark, & other stunning members of the blue water community. The gusting currents that surge & swirl through the deep channels between Komodo & Rinca islands produce such a wild variety of conditions that there is something here for everybody. Great visibility, drift dives, massive cliffs of black basalt, endless sheer walls & dazzling coral gardens combine to house one of the most prolific & diverse marine ecosystems on earth." Amen to all of this Peter, & as soon as the time's right, we're psyched about heading back here for some splendid dive trips.


OMAN  DIVING  CENTER   &  
RADISSON  SAS  HOTEL,  MUSCAT

You've gotta love a country where the cops write you a tougher ticket for driving a dusty car than for speeding happily down the highway.  That's Oman.  You've gotta love a country where the national cuisine is a palate-perking meld of Lebanese, Greek, Indian, Pakistani & Arabian dishes.  Yep, that's Oman again.  Where kids & old folks are revered, & people really do rest on their day of rest.  Where education & medical care are free for most citizens.   Where robberies, rapes, assaults & chemical abuse are virtually nonexistent. Where the weather is sunny & only partly-humid about 9 months a year. Oman diving isles offer bustling fish schools & big critter encounters that invoke the underwater zest of Costa Rica's Pacific coast or Mexico's Sea of Cortez.   (Here's a plus -- the Oman Dive Center, just 25 minutes from downtown Muscat, is one of the best scuba operations we have reviewed anywhere in the world.)  This new multi-million-dollar complex spans a pristine white sand cove, is crisply managed, safety conscious & friendly.   Please check our 10 detailed articles on Arabian Sea vacations in the Gulf of Oman.   There's SO much more than scuba diving when you plan dive trips in Oman: namely world-class caving, canyon trekking, desert camping, oasis hiking, exploring ancient forts & some of the best market shopping anywhere in Asia.   This beautiful nation has to be seen to be fully appreciated.   Yes, we recommend Oman diving with enthusiasm.   Oh, & did we mention -- after weeks in Oman on our first reconaissance tour, we learned with confidence that there's no threat from Islamic fundamentalism.   Oman is the Switzerland of the Arab world, with none of the reactionary excesses of some neighboring states. No worries on that score; this will be a dive tour sans hassles. This is an Arab country where women drive cars & run companies & where foreigners are welcomed warmly, right from the get-go. Give the exotica of Oman diving a whirl! Our founder, John Hessburg, enjoyed Oman thoroughly -- the people as much as the geography. Oman dive trips are mega-fun, folks, we will vouch for that.


U.S. Dive Travel, eco-tours, Molokai Lodge, Tahiti Aggressor, Oman, Tobago
Consider a scuba diving + cultural adventure in Oman?
All 4 Oman pic's are © Copyright--Werner Thiele.

dive travel, eco-tours, Molokai Lodge, Tahiti Aggressor, Oman, Tobago
Safe & colorful caving in Oman.

Tobago, eco-tours, Molokai Lodge, Tahiti Aggressor, Oman
Brilliant canyon treks in Oman.

U.S. Dive Travel, eco-tours, Molokai Lodge, Tahiti Aggressor, Tobago
Vivid corals in Daymaniyat Islands, Oman.



MANTA  RAY  BAY  HOTEL  on
YAP  ISLAND  in  LOVELY  MICRONESIA.

U.S. Dive Travel now is offering customized Yap dive vacations for any clients who book the Star Dancer in Palau, or the Truk Aggressor, or Palau Aggressor; & also neighbor islands in Micronesia such as Kosrae & Pohnpei. You can add some action-packed days on the legendary isle of Yap, where for centuries natives used huge circular stones, like massive rock donuts, for currency. This island is well-known for gracious & hospitable people, plus schools of huge manta rays that will amaze you as they sweep past your dive group like a B2 bomber squadron on full after-burn. Yap is one magical & innocent island, funseekers. For years our group guides & clients have reported back to us that some of these rays come in schools of 7 - 10 huge critters, some grand-daddys with wingspans more than 12-14 feet wide! This is a breath-taking experience that can be found only in Yap & a few other locations worldwide. Yap dive vacations at Manta Ray Bay Hotel = teeming manta rays + streaming rays (solar that is). The Yap Magic of Manta Ray Bay is pure & simple, amigos del mar.


KOSRAE  VILLAGE  RESORT  on
KOSRAE  ISLAND  in  MICRONESIA

The island of Kosrae is among the most intriguing new dive resort destination we have discovered in several years. Kosrae Village Resort staffers are warmly gracious hosts; & the product they offer bears a good hard look by bargain hunters, we feel. These folks will take care of you, at happily affordable rates. One of our web-tech has visited Kosrae several times & he says the island is charming, serene & relaxing. Kosrae Village Resort has a lot to offer the lucky visitors who venture this far: a clean, friendly & hospitable island that's small enough to hide from the stampeding tourist hordes, yet easy enough to reach in a hassle-free 1.5 days from the West Coast. You'll enjoy an unsullied dive trip experience on a reef that's nearby, clean & replete with marine life; plus great meals & tidy rooms at prices comparable to low-season Caribbean bargains. Give Micronesia's newest dive tour destination a try -- "Kosrae Village" is a key buzz phrase for dive tours this year & next.


KUNGKUNGAN  BAY  RESORT  on  the
NORTH  SULAWESI  PENINSULA,  INDONESIA

Kungkungan Bay Resort is an upscale, comfortably elegant dive resort set in an old coconut plantation on the leeward side of North Sulawesi island. You know, that's the enormous Indonesian island with a shape like some windblown "Special K" cereal box logo, located smack dab in the center of the sweeping Indonesian archipelago. Kungkungan Bay Resort is right on the well-touted Lembeh Strait, which many dive tour guides in this country consider one of the finest macro-photography & critter diving destinations in a world weary of superlatives. The Kungkungan Bay Resort staff likes to say, "We're so sure you'll locate what you're looking for here, that if you can't find your favorite ocean critter here, it probably doesn't exist!" Now THAT's what we call solid Critter Confidence on any dive tour. These dive tours to Indonesia create lasting memories that invigorate the spirit for decades to come. Dive Trip your way to Oceanic Serenity, amigos.


CURACAO  in the  "ABC  ISLANDS" --
LIONS  DIVE  HOTEL  +   OCEAN  ENCOUNTERS  DIVE  CENTER.

Savvy Caribbean guides regard Lions Dive Hotel as, hands down, the best-value 3-star hotel on this fun Dutch island. This friendly locale is one of the classic dive resorts in the "ABC Islands" of the far-southern Caribbean. The beachfront is clean, serene, a great little getaway. Curacao lies far south of the Caribbean hurricane belt & is nicely sheltered 12 months a year. Ocean Encounters offers safe & easy dive tours from walls & coral gardens to sloping reefs & wrecks. Experience the dive tour sites that make Curacao a top destination in the Caribbean, especially suited to new divers or snorkeling enthusiasts. Mastered by the divemasters at Lion's Dive Hotel, such sites include the classic "house reef" at the Seaquarium, plus East Point, Lost Anchor, Barracuda Point, Beacon Point, the wreck of the Superior Producer, the good ol' Tugboat & many more worthy dive tour sites. Try the Lion's Dive Hotel + Ocean Encounters dive duo & we believe you'll come back for more of this scuba diving & snorkeling. Dive tours do not get much smoother & more affordable than Curacao island will offer you. Quick cheap air tix + easy shore diving + affordable meals = one dandy dive trip, we feel.


U.S. Dive Travel, eco-tours, Komodo Dancer, Tahiti Aggressor, Oman diving, Sheraton Molokai Lodge
Tabacon Springs in highland Costa Rica
in lush jungles of the Arenal Volcano foothills.
This is one refreshing, photo-rich eco-tour.
Photo courtesy of Bill Beard's Diving Safaris.


EXCITING NEW ECO-TOURS --
After your island stay why not consider
a cloud forest trek, or a photo safari
to mysterious & moody Mayan Ruins?

Before or after your dive trip, are you in the mood for volcanoes, ancient Mayan temples, jungle hiking, cloud forest monkeys, exotic birds & big jungle cats? Have you been bitten by the eco-tour bug yet? We certainly have & we know how it feels. The lure of the lush rain forests is pretty tough to ignore. The pull of the mystery-shrouded Mayan ruins is deeply compelling. Consider joining John Hessburg & Susan Hessburg & our USDT partner-guides for some exotic yet affordable addendae to these dive tours that you'll never forget. After your dive vacation on the Belize Barrier Reef, or the Costa Rican Pacific Coast, or in the Honduras Bay Islands, check out these exciting eco-tourism options in the green highland jungles of the Central American Interior, where countless archeological excavations, colorful flora & bizarre fauna await your exploration. Our guides will show you a great time, as you walk softly, but carry a big lens. You will leave only footprints, & take away only great memories, plus rolls of classic adventure photos. That's eco-travel, amigos de la tierra. A dive tour done the right way, A to Z, all T's crossed & all I's dotted.

BELIZE MAINLAND: World-Renowned Tikal Ruins + Jungle Treks.

COSTA RICA's MOUNTAINS: Volcanoes + Jungle Hiking + Wildlife Sanctuaries.

HONDURAS HIGHLANDS: the ANCIENT Mayan Ruins of Copan.



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