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© Copyright 1995 - 2010 / U.S. Dive Travel Network.
U.S. DIVE TRAVEL's RED-HOT
NEW DIVE VACATION PACKAGES for 2010 & 2011 ! !
EXCITING
NEW DISCOUNTS for GALAPAGOS DIVING
on the 4-STAR LUXURY YACHT –
SKY DANCER !
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Peter Hughes Diving +
now are teaming up to offer our clients this “Spring into Spring Special”. As long as open
vessel berths remain, you can save $500 per client plus get 2 free lodging
nights at the Oro Verde Hotel in
· April
11-18, 2010
· April
18-25, 2010
· May
2-9, 2010
· May
9-16, 2010
A few reasonable conditions apply: 1st, this is
strictly limited to new bookings; 2nd, this offer cannot be
combined with other discounts, promotions or special incentives; 3rd, free hotel rooms are based on
double occupancy, shared room. For full details call John or Susan at U.S. DIVE TRAVEL – 952-953-4124. Looking forward to hearing from you, amigos
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MORE GOOD NEWS about GALAPAGOS DIVING on SKY DANCER:
Three
2010 ‘Whale Shark’ weeks have been opened up for group travel, as long as space
is available!
Due to your continued requests for more space in this prime
time we are opening up the following charters for group travel. Pay for 14, get two free or pay for 7, get one
free!
· August
29 - September 5, 2010
· September
12-19, 2010
· September
19-26, 2010
Get the word out fast because these spaces won’t last long!
Contact John or Susan at
$600-per-Diver Discount !
on all PALAU AGGRESSOR Dive Cruises for this special timeframe in 2010 --
To CELEBRATE 20 WONDERFUL YEARS of DIVING in PALAU -- we are offering a full $600 discount per diver for PALAU AGGRESSOR II -- for all cruises from August 9 through October 24, 2010. For two action-packed & critter-rich divin' decades, Palau Aggressor crews have offered our preferred clients an amazing variety of scuba diving adventures such as WWII Wrecks, heart-starting shark dives, lickety-split-quick drift dives along soft coral walls, snorkeling at world-famous Jellyfish Lake, plus a memorable plunge into Chandelier Caves. No other discounts apply to this special offer, which is valid as long as limited staterooms remain available.
HERE'S ANOTHER EXCITING SPECIAL for GALAPAGOS AGGRESSOR -- Book the Galapagos Aggressor I for this one specific cruise of March 18-25, 2010 & as long as space lasts we'll discount each diver a full $800. This exciting Galapagos Islands diving adventure runs from Thursday to Thursday. The onboard, multi-lingual guides will share their in-depth knowledge of these volcanic islands (Cannot be used in conjunction with other specials). There are only 10 spots left as of Feb. 11. Regular rack rate for deluxe cabins = $4495 + air tickets, 2 hotel nights & taxes & tariff.
$600-per-Diver Discount !
on all TROPIC DANCER Dive Cruises, new in Palau, that fit the following parameters –
call our live-aboard vacation planners at 952-953-4124.
We are delighted to
announce, sunseekers: this is one of the largest-dollar-discount liveaboard vacation
special we have offered in 19 years …
U.S. DIVE TRAVEL + the
Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet are offering savings that should make you smile...
Beginning June 6, 2010 Tropic Dancer, based in Koror, Palau, will cruise the Rock Islands of Palau, taking divers to the best diving Micronesia has to offer. We are pleased to be working in cooperation with owner Palau Watersports and we are excited to have found the long sought after opportunity to return to Palau, one of our favorite destinations.
Announcing an introductory special of $600 OFF, plus FREE NITROX for these weeks...
When you vacation on Tropic Dancer between June 6, 2010 and Nov. 27, 2010, you will pay only $2335 for double accommodations & only $2535 for deluxe accommodations -- a $600 discount off the regularly priced trips! The November 28, 2010 charter is a Buddy Week (25% off-no free nitrox) and after that, deluxe accommodations will be $3135 per person and double accommodations will be $2935 per person.
. $400-per-Diver Discount ! on all AGGRESSOR FLEET Dive Cruises, anywhere in the world, that fit the following reservation rules listed here below .... call our live-aboard vacation planners at 952-953-4124. U.S. DIVE TRAVEL + the
Aggressor Fleet are teaming up again to offer you "SPRING FLING" savings that should make you grin wider than yacht gunwales... Book a NEW reservation and deposit on any Aggressor Fleet yacht during the month of March, 2010 and you'll receive a "Spring Fling" discount of $400 per person. This special $400 discount applies to individual travelers, half boat charters and whole boat charters. Travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Does not apply to reservations booked prior to March 1, 2010, nor to DWC, End of Anniversary or other discounted charters. Cannot be used in conjunction with money-saving specials of any other form. During an Aggressor vacation, you may swim with sharks, snorkel with whales, photograph giant mantas or dive the crystal clear water of the Caribbean, or Pacific, or Indian Ocean.
.
*** No other specials previously announced, nor other Aggressor Fleet or Dancer Fleet discounts
may be combined with these afore-mentioned special. Offer
good on any cruise week for only as long as stateroom space is still open & only for specified weeks. Some reasonable restrictions may apply. Call 952-953-4124 for expert personal
assistance with your travel plans.
IMPORTANT
FLEET UPDATES for the PACIFIC REGION:
LIVE-ABOARD
VACATION NEWS from AROUND the RIM !!!
WARM GREETINGS, LIVE-ABOARD
LOVERS: THERE IS, INDEED, SOMETHING NEW UNDER the SUN in the BIG BLUE WORLD of
LUXURY SCUBA DIVING YACHTS:
Perhaps no subset market of the tropical
adventure travel industry is more dynamic, & evolves more colorfully each
year, than our 19-year partners at the “BIG THREE” – the three premier 4-star live-aboard
companies worldwide: AGGRESSOR FLEET, DANCER FLEET & EXPLORER VENTURES FLEET. Here are all of the most exciting &
newsworthy new developments that have occurred in all
3 fleets since mid-2009:
* * * * Also an EXCITING NEW YACHT, the ISLAND DANCER from the PETER HUGHES
DANCER FLEET, now is CRUISING in the FIJI ISLANDS !
Throughout
the week aboard the ISLAND DANCER II, an intimate 10 passenger
yacht, guests will depart Suva (on the SE corner of Viti Levu island) to
explore the reefs, bommies & walls of Nigali Pass, Wakaya, Koro & Namenalala
Islands. Known as the soft coral capital, the brilliant colors on display will
dazzle even the most experienced divers & photographers. Drift dives with
eagle rays, mantas, turtles, sharks & giant groupers are also on the
itinerary.
Clownfish, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, & a multitude of
nudibranchs bring smiles to every dive! With direct flights from several major
cities worldwide, it is an easy destination to add to your dive log.
To top off the exiting diving on ISLAND DANCER
II & experience
some of
The ISLAND DANCER II appeals to those discriminating divers who prefer
a smaller group & is perfectly suited for
ISLAND DANCER II SPECIFICATIONS
Port of Registry : Suva, Fiji
Construction : Steel
Type : Mono Hull
Length : 101 feet
Beam : 22 feet
Max Passengers : 10
Stateroom : 5
Crew : 5
Tenders : 1
Fuel Capacity :
Fresh Water Capacity : 5000 liters
Cruising Speed : 10 knots
Range :
Navigation Aids : 48-mile radar, compass, depth sonar with alarm, Autopilot
integrated with GPS, 2-GPS systems
Voltage : 240v/50hz & Australian plug
Photo Services : Yes
Length of Charters : 7 nights
Dives per Day : Up to 5
Nitrox : Yes
Diving Instruction : Yes
Dive Gear Rental : Yes
* * * * YET ANOTHER
WONDERFUL NEW DIVING LIVE-ABOARD, the PARADISE DANCER from the PETER HUGHES DANCER
FLEET, a GOOD BET for the WORLD’S TOP NEW ADVENTURE-DIVING VESSEL, now SAILING
in the VIRGIN ISLES of IRIAN JAYA + NORTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA !
PARADISE DANCER
/ Live-Aboard /
Raja Ampat /
The
interior style is that of a “floating boutique resort” & features high end
amenities guests expect of the Dancer Fleet!
All
of the state rooms on PARADISE DANCER are larger than
traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger
than an average liveaboard cabin) & each cabin has private ensuite
facilities & air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master
& Commander Suite " at the stern of the main deck that features a king
size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, & table with chairs that
reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design
that inspired her.
Based
in Raja Ampat,
PARADISE DANCER
is a traditionally-crafted, three-masted wooden motor sailor, stretching 188
feet long, 39 feet wide & accommodating 18
adventurous divers. All of the state rooms are larger than traditional
liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an
average liveaboard cabin) & each cabin has private ensuite facilities &
air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master & Commander
Suite " at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed,
separate sitting area with a sofa, & table with chairs that reminds guests
of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired
her.
Charters
will be 11 nights, 9 & 1/2 days of diving, 3-4
dives per day. Between October & March the PARADISE DANCER will
cruise out of Sorong exploring the virtually untouched areas Raja Ampat
islands. This is one of the world's richest areas in terms of marine
biodiversity & truly a pristine paradise just waiting for you to discover.
According
to the vessel's managing partner, Guido Brink, "Our goal is to build the
finest liveaboard yacht in the region & then put it in the best diving
locations during the best diving season for that area."
LITTLE-KNOWN
FACTS about MAGICAL, UNBLEMISHED DIVING at RAJA AMPAT
As
stunningly beautiful above water as it is below, Raja Ampat (which literally
translates as “The Four Kings”) has a startling diversity of habitats to
explore. Each of these – from the stark wave-pounded slopes that drop away
beneath the coastal cliffs of Wayag & Uranie to the deep, nutrient-rich
bays of Mayalibit, Kabui & Aljui to the “blue water mangrove” channels of
Kofiau & Gam to the plankton-rich upwelling areas of Misool & the
Dampier Strait – are home to unique assemblages of species that, when taken
together, add to produce the most impressive species lists ever compiled for a
coral reef system of this size.
Marine
tourism, as a sustainable alternative to overfishing, mining, & logging,
has the potential to play a key role in the conservation of Raja Ampat’s
spectacular underwater realm, while also creating real benefits for the local
communities.
The
area known as Raja Ampat (or the Four Kings) is an archipelago consisting of
the islands of Misoool, Salawati, Batanta, & Wiageo which are surrounded by
over 1,500 small islands & cays. Formerly known as Irian Jaya, this area is
now part of the newly named West Papua
This
is the 5th Dancer Fleet® destination located in the Coral Triangle which is the
world's most biodiverse marine region with more recorded fish, coral & mollusk
species than anywhere else on Earth.
The
variety of marine life can be amazing. Some areas boast enormous schools of
fish & regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs. In Mansuar, you may
encounter large groups of manta rays & turtles. From the yacht & often
close to shore you may get the chance to don your snorkeling gear for some
unforgettable interaction with resident pods of dolphins or even some passing
whales. Other highlights include the innumerable war wrecks, both ships & planes
(with new wrecks being discovered constantly),
The
reefs of Raja Ampat are just as varied as the marine life. There are vertical
walls, reef flats, slopes, sea mounts, mangroves, lagoons & pinnacles. The
reefs are in pristine condition with miles of perfect hard corals & many
varied colorful species of soft corals.
The
diving is predominantly drift dives due to the moderate prevalent currents in
the area which provide nutrients for the myriad fish & coral. Currents
average moderate & vary from none to very strong. Visibility is normally
very good but can vary & is normally at its best earlier in the day so your
pre-breakfast dives are not to be slept through!
The
pristine beauty of the area, both above & below the water is truly
unrivalled. This success of area's staggering abundance of marine life can also
be attributed to the areas incredibly low human population density. Its remote
location & lack of infrastructure have inhibited the growth of tourism.
This
is truly "Frontier Diving". Topside the beautiful islands stretch as
far as you can see & are largely uninhabited. At night the lights of local
fishing boats twinkle in the dark along the few inhabited shorelines while in
more remote areas you may only see a distant spec of light over the entire
horizon.
Not
many liveaboards dive the Raja Ampat area, making this adventure even more unique
& special. The newly constructed PARADISE DANCER
is the perfect platform that delivers modern comforts & outstanding service
to adventurers exploring this remote outpost of civilization
Biodiversity
Features in Raja Ampat & the greater Bird’s Head Seascape
·
1,356 species of reef fish in the Bird’s
Head Seascape
·
1,223 species of reef fish in Raja Ampat
·
25 species of endemic reef fish found
only in the Birds Head Seascape
·
600 species of hard coral recorded in the
Bird’s Head Seascape
·
75% of all known coral species in the
world
·
10 times the number of hard coral species
found in the entire
·
57 species of Mantis Shrimp in the Birds
Head Seascape
·
13 species of Marine Mammals in the
Bird’s Head Seascape
·
5 species of endangered sea turtles in
the Bird’s Head Seascape
There’s
yet another cool sector dived by PARADISE DANCER –
This is a unique itinerary that will deliver
amazing beauty above & below the surface. Only the Paradise Dancer can
combine modern conveniences, comfort, & world class service in the remote
& undeveloped areas visited to make this a truly once in a lifetime
experience.
Using the size & range of this newly
constructed, luxury live-aboard dive yacht, the Paradise Dancer takes divers on
a 320 nautical mile voyage that “Goes Beyond” the
Charters are 11 nights, 9 & 1/2 days of
diving, 3-4 dives per day. From April through the
August, Paradise Dancer will cruise out of North Sulawesi (
* * * * Still another COOL bit o’ NEWS, the WIND DANCER from the PETER HUGHES
DANCER FLEET, has been pulled from the CARIBBEAN & now is CRUISING to the
WORLD’S TOP PELAGIC DIVING ISLE – COCOS ISLAND !
Cruising the scenic waters of
Wind Dancer features 9 well appointed staterooms each
air-conditioned & with ensuite facilities. Wind Dancer also features all
the standard perks of the Dancer Fleet® & has plenty of areas to relax
& hang out in between dives.
When not diving, guests can gather at the wet bar on the
Lido Deck, sunbathe or just relax on the covered & uncovered sun deck or
cool off in the comfortable, air-conditioned salon. Wind Dancer dives are made
from 2 dive tenders, each capable of carrying 11 divers plus crew.
This is a very unique itinerary. The 300
mile voyage to a natural wonder of the world. Cocos is the only
island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. Its position
as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current,
& the myriad interactions between the island & the surrounding marine
ecosystem, make the area an ideal laboratory for the study & observation of
life both above & below the surface.
The unique Wind Dancer itinerary covers the
Truly an incredible live-aboard journey
& a visual feast above & below the waters of this World Heritage Site.
The marine diversity also includes turtles, octopus, morays
& Creole fish.
(Note: most of this Dancer Fleet text above, for all
Peter Hughes live-aboards, provided courtesy of our longtime friends at the
PETER HUGHES DANCER FLEET. )
Welcome
to Ocean
Hunter III, the latest & most luxurious addition to the Ocean Hunter
Fleet in
Ocean
Hunter III has 3 standard cabins, 3 deluxe cabins & 2
master staterooms all with private bath & a/c, & accommodates up to 16
guests with personal attention & plenty of space. There is a large dining
room & a comfortable salon with sofas & an entertainment system. The
salon also contains a high quality espresso machine. Alternatively you can
relax in the Jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Furthermore, Ocean Hunter III
is designed for professional underwater photography, TV & Film production,
with a sizeable working area, 110, 220 & 415 volt electrical outlets & extra
storage space. Ocean Hunter III offers powerful PC's
for movie & video editing with download, email & CD burning services.
Technical diving support:
Nitrox,
TRIMIX & Rebreather support
Nitrox
certification available onboard
Twin
Bauer compressors, Nitrox membrane
Production
support:
Twin
generators for high voltage equipment demand.
1.6
tons hydraulic crane offers lifting capacity for most ROV's, underwater cameras
& Mini-subs.
Enclosed
& Air conditioned lab for scientific research & film productions.
Underwater
Scooter
1200
Watt HMI lights to back-light corals, UV Filters, caves & wrecks.
Ocean Hunter III
offers the very latest of high quality liveaboard experience. The superbly talented chefs serve fresh,
low-fat gourmet cuisine.
* * * * YES, there's ANOTHER BRILLIANT NEW 4-STAR DIVING YACHT in
Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet is
now back in
Peter Hughes Diving in
cooperation with owner Palau Watersports & U.S. DIVE TRAVEL,
presents the TROPIC DANCER. Based in Koror
( Just click on the blue or red hotlinks below to visit
the new dive vacation page of your choice. )
MATAVA RESORT on Kadavu Island is one of the most exciting new destinations we have discovered in the South Pacific in 3 decades. MATAVA RESORT is such a uniquely gifted green retreat, that it now ranks among our top seven small resorts anywhere in the Pacific. That’s among a couple hundred tropical island locales we've been blessed to visit & review. MATAVA is run by purpose-driven men who refuse to fudge even a smidge on what they know to be true: this beautiful but weary planet is in trouble from careless developers & wanton resource sponges. Thus it needs constant daily TLC, from every caring person, in even the little things to restore a healthy balance to Good Ol’ Mama Earth. These guys at MATAVA have green ethics down to a system, & we will show you how refined & intelligent that system is. Yet the inspired team at MATAVA RESORT – led by expat Brits Richard Akhtar & Adrian Watt -- keeps the preservationist faith in a humble manner, never tooting horns nor swaggering, never fashioning an idol out of their eco-mission. They go for the green, not the long green, never resorting to self-righteous zeal or stuffy PC (politically correct) politics. This place is about fun in the sun, with an earth-friendly tilt. MATAVA RESORT (MAH’-tah-vah) is just plain exciting to visit, amigos del mar. Here is one reason, a major geographic blessing -- MATAVA RESORT is the only vacation destination of note on the entire 65 km of nearly wilderness south Kadavu shoreline. As the only game in town, they enjoy one enormous advantage. While MATAVA RESORT is a comfy 3½ star retreat, fully civilized & offering lush gardens, well-manicured lawns, delightfully rustic cabins (called “bures”) & meals to-die-for delicious, it is also the only significant resort close enough to the famed Astrolabe Reef to reach most dives in a wink. You’ll recall, the Astrolabe is one the world’s greatest living coral expanses. What’s neat is that from MATAVA you can reach most of the isle’s best diving & snorkeling sites in less than 20-30 minutes. The stunning corals of Astrolabe Reef, which wrap the southern shores on up to the NE wasp’s head in an upside-down fishhook shape, offer more than 80 miles of prime fish habitat & may be the prime polyp-spawning center that seeds much of the entire Fijian archipelago with new coral life each year. However, mind you, there is always a catch in Paradise. Sorry to be blunt, but MATAVA is not for sissies. MATAVA RESORT is not the spot for mincing tenderfoot tea sippers with pinky finger extended a la matrons on the Titanic, nor for obsessive-compulsive white glovers & delicate buttoned-down types who, like Niles Crane, seek chrome ‘n’ whitewashed spas. MATAVA RESORT is not for fussy folks who send their steaks back to the chef because they’re not “medium rare with a pale blush.” This place is for adventure-minded folks seeking some of the best reefs & deep sea fishing in the world. MATAVA is for down-to-earth people who don’t mind roughing it a little, who don’t mind 7-10 nights where cell-phones won’t hound you & TVs won’t blare. MATAVA RESORT is not for cream puffs, nor perfectionists, just straight-ahead folks seeking old-fashioned simple pleasures. I mean TLC service with a smile, perfectly fresh breezes with zero pollution, ocean waters so clean they defy the norm Pacific-wide, & the best Fiji diving or Fiji snorkeling you ever could wish for. MATAVA RESORT offers a square deal for a modest price: great reef diving + world-class deep-sea fishing + easy breezy kayaking & village visits + warmly hospitable service + scintillating supper-table conversations with like-minded eco-travelers.
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 ?
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.
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.
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 !"
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.
The BEST & BRIGHTEST
NEW DIVE RESORT & LIVE-ABOARD VACATION PACKAGES for 2010, 2011 & 2012 !
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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.
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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.
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.
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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