Dive Worldwide Newsletter issue 1 2013

What’s Bubbling

Issue 1 2013

Oman

adventure in the deep south

Africa

dive safaris

Philippines uncovered

Holiday Planner

the best of the ‘green’ seasons © Charlie Munns

Travel. Experience.

Conserve.

At Dive Worldwide we believe that travel is a powerful force for positive change.

As divers we can help conserve the marine life that we so enjoy by making the marine environment a valuable resource. And, as diving becomes a lucrative source of revenue for many places, so comes the ability to improve the marine environment, contribute to local economies in remote and poor areas and provide employment and revenue for local communities.

This is not the only way that we can all help improve the environment around us. At Dive Worldwide we are actively seeking out dive centres, accommodations and liveaboards that have the highest standards of responsibility, not only towards the environment but more importantly the marine habitats we all want to enjoy for years to come.

With this in mind we continue to underpin everything we do with the ultimate aim of improving the marine environment wherever we can influence it.

Remember, we welcome your comments, photos and dive stories. Simply post on facebook or email us.

Dream Team - Where we’ve been......

During the past year our experienced team have been adding to their log book, revisiting some old favourites as well as exploring some lesser known ones.....  Sarah Wight - Oman We’re lucky that we get to travel as part of our job and the chance to escape the cold and spend a week on a liveaboard in southern Oman was a welcome surprise back in December. My first visit to Oman was back in 2005 to Muscat, the desert and Al Sawadi. This time I headed south, to dive unexplored waters and experience a totally different part of Oman. Thank you to Extra Divers for a fantastic week. You can read my trip report on page 7. © Sarah Wight

 Phil North - Japan Spanning over 1,000km of azure blue ocean, Japan’s sub-tropical Okinawa Islands made for a fascinating trip last November. Known locally as the Ryukyu Island’s, this Pacific island chain was independent from Japan until around 300 years ago and displays a proud, unique culture and fascinating heritage.

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© Phil North

My trip took me first to the tranquil island of Ishigaki where I had the thrill of diving with one of the many manta rays that frequent these waters. We also took in Okinawa and had the opportunity to dive on the beautiful reefs of the Kerema Islands. A trip to Yonaguni is highly recommended to dive the mysterious Iseki stones - travel in winter for the added draw of hundreds of schooling hammerheads!  Charlie Munns - Azores Azores; a beautiful and varied chain of islands, so close to the UK but offering better weather! I travelled in September, towards the end of the season and I dived the clear blue waters; mixing boat and shore dives, discovering caverns and swim-throughs. I spent time in the blue looking for large pelagics, including blue and mako sharks, and at Princess Alice Banks, which offers close encounters with manta rays (weather permitting). Try to combine islands and mix your diving with whale watching and land based activities, such as hiking, © Caloura Dive Centre volcano climbing and adventure sports.

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Staff Trip Report

Maldives

It was a chance to try the new route on Turkish Airlines and I was pleasantly surprised. Once on board the luxurious Carpe Vita, I was lucky enough to have a very spacious ‘standard’ cabin all to myself for the week.

Without doubt, the biggest surprises of the week were the two night dives. The first, at Maaya Thila, attracted marble rays,

by Charlie Munns barracuda and reef sharks.

I have dived thousands of times and this definitely ranked right up there. The other was pure indulgence. Sixty minutes, sharing a rock with four other divers, half a dozen lion fish and a couple of manta rays feeding under the lights from the nearby resort.

The mere mention of a trip to the Maldives conjures up an instant reply of ‘ah, you lucky thing’.

Daily diving began early before breakfast and all our equipment was kept on the accompanying dhoni (tender). Our route explored the Ari and Malé Atolls.

Most dives were either on a Thila (coral rising from the lagoon to 5-15 metres) or a Giri (coral heads just below the surface).

Not only is the marine life abundant, there are plenty of juvenile species to be seen, including turtles and sharks.

Issue 1 2013

I saw more oceanic manta rays on my trip, along with a guitar fish and a couple of whale sharks. Feeding close to the surface under the midday sun, these behemoths of the deep are always a beautiful and heart-thumping sight for us all.

I have to say, I greatly enjoyed my trip to the Maldives and would love to explore more, full appreciating I only saw a fraction of what hides below those idyllic waters. © Charlie Munns

Holiday Report Mexico

by Steve Brown

Diving the Cenotes has been on our ‘wish list’ for years. We first visited the area back in 1992 as backpackers and marvelled at the pristine sandy beaches and cultural history. We did not dive back then, so were unaware of the aquatic wonders of the Caribbean and didn’t even think about venturing below the surface. Many years later, after diving in warm waters around the world, it was time to return. This was made possible, with thanks to Phil.

and they were very happy to accommodate our requirements.

Our dive days started with a leisurely breakfast and time spent by the pool followed by a two minute walk to the marina. On some days we explored the reefs, on others we were treated to the wonderful variety of Cenotes on offer; Taj Mahal was particularly memorable. Haloclines and thermoclines, together with stalactites and many shafts of daylight piercing the caverns made our underwater sojourn an unforgettable experience.

The Omni Resort is a perfect base. The small beachfront property had everything we needed, including a hot tub in our private garden! The hub of Puerto Aventuras is built around a marina with a range of enclosed pools and the opportunity to swim with dolphins, as well as offering a great choice of bars and cafés.

On dive free days, there’s plenty to do. The Mayan ruins at Tulum are 45 minutes south using the cost effective and frequent ‘collectivo’ system of taxi minivans. We were amazed to see how much Playa del Carmen had changed in 20 years; far from the sleepy beach front shanty village we remembered.

Dive Aventuras offer daily ocean and Cenote dives, both a short distance from the base. We wanted our holiday to be relaxing

© Steve Brown

© Steve Brown

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

Our stay was over all too quickly. We felt totally relaxed and pampered in this tranquil, friendly resort. Puerto Aventuras we’ll be back!

© Dive Aventuras

© Steve Brown

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by Charlie Munns Micronesia and Palau Africa – Dive Safaris The recent David Attenborough BBC series, Africa, showcased the entire continent; giraffe in the Kalahari, migrations in the savannah, jungle in the Congo, camels in the Sahara and marine life around the Cape. It’s this vast and rugged coastline from Mombasa in Kenya to Cape Town in South Africa that offers a huge marine biodiversity and numerous opportunities for divers to create their own African safari, combining world-class diving with undoubtedly, the best game reserves in the world.

East Africa

Southern Africa

East Africa conjures up images of endless grassy plains dotted with umbrella-like acacia trees and teeming with wildlife - the classic ‘Out of Africa’ experience. With easy flights from the UK and guaranteed animal sightings, this region is consistently popular with first-time visitors and regular safari goers alike.

Southern Africa offers a huge diversity of landscapes and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Underwater highlights include the thrill of a great white shark dive, encounters with graceful manta rays and the rare opportunity to spectate one of nature’s greatest events, the sardine run.

The timeless cycle of the wildebeest migration across the plains of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania and the adjoining Masai Mara in southern Kenya draws many enthusiasts throughout the year. Transit through Dar es Salaam and it’s a short hop to Selous, the largest wildlife sanctuary on the African continent.

Its vast tracts of wilderness contain perhaps the greatest concentration of big game left on earth.

In order to experience an underwater adventure, it’s likely that you’ll transit in Johannesburg. From here, a plethora of wildlife experiences are available to you, the main draw being the ‘Big 5’ (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) in Kruger and other national parks and reserves in South Africa. Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique boasts an amazing biodiversity of wildlife and, after a recent public-private partnership, is a leading example of restoration and sustainable tourism for future generations.

Not only can you combine either of these safaris with a visit to a tropical beach or island, perfectly timed to witness turtle hatching or a pelagic encounter; it could even form part of a well planned itinerary to trek up Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

© Alex Safonov, ScubaAddicts

© Nick Garbutt

Kenya

Tanzania

Mozambique

South Africa

Mombasa Marine Park

Mafia Island offers clear waters and some of the richest reefs in Africa

Tofo & Zavora are worldclass dive destinations

Aliwal Shoal offers varied, spectacular diving, with almost guaranteed sharks

dolphins

Large oceanic fish, dugongs, turtles come to lay eggs and whale sharks

Manta rays year round, seasonal whale sharks and humpback whales

Ragged-tooth sharks, tiger sharks and hammerheads

November - March

September - March

October - March

June - November

Tsavo National Park or the Masai Mara

Selous, the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater

South Africa’s Kruger National Park

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi or Kruger National Park

Destination encompasses some of the best coral in Kenya

Reef sharks, turtles,

Highlights groupers and occasionally Season Wildlife Safari?

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For those who have more time or want something a little different, it’s possible to visit the iconic Victoria Falls and more remote reserves in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Issue 1 2013

Sardine Run Adventure In one of nature’s most amazing spectacles - millions of sardines migrate north on the cold currents towards the warm Indian Ocean creating a smorgasbord which attracts almost every species of marine animal including dolphin, game fish, whales and sharks. The resultant feeding frenzy drives the shoal to the surface where they also fall prey to dive bombing gannets. The exact timing is unpredictable, however the ‘marine-diners’ will still be waiting - an exhilarating diving experience!

Day 1 Depart UK for Durban (via Johannesburg) Day 2 Arrive Durban, transfer to dive lodge (BB) Day 3 Aliwal Shoal (2 dives) - transfer to dive lodge (BB) Days 4-8 Port St Johns - dive the sardine run Day 9 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 10 Arrive UK Can’t make the sardine run? ‘SharkWEEK’ trips in South Africa and Mozambique run most of the year.

Departs: Duration: Prices from:

June - July 10 days £2,495 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

© Alex Safonov, ScubaAddicts

Visit Mafia Island The Mafia Island Marine Park stretches from the delta of the Rufiji River to the open Indian Ocean and this combination of waters creates a rich and exceptional biodiversity of marine life. Witness hundreds of baby turtles make their instinctive scramble from the white sand beaches to the warm waters with Sea Sense, a local NGO working with communities to promote the importance and protection of these wonderful creatures.

Day 1 Depart UK for Mafia Island (via Dar es Salaam) Day 2 Transfer to resort (HB) Days 3-6 Dive Chole Bay (8 dives) Days 7-8 Excursion days (or continue diving - paid locally) Day 9 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 10 Arrive UK This unique island is a great place to unwind and combines well with safaris on mainland Africa.

Departs: Duration: Prices from: © Mafia Island Lodge

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

June - September 10 days £1,695 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

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Adventure and discovery in

Oman - beauty has an address A magical land, full of history, culture, rugged mountains, bustling souks, desert landscape and beautiful beaches stretched along the 3,165km coastline all only a seven hour flight from the UK. For more information on Oman see www.omantourism.gov.om

Š Extra Divers

Located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula Oman is bordered by the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Divers enjoy untouched reefs and an abundant marine life with plenty of healthy corals, macro life and large pelagics. With diving to suit all levels, Oman is still a relatively undiscovered diving paradise and offers rewarding experiences for all.

Topside there is also plenty to explore from stunning scenery to Bedouin camps, souks, ancient forts and wadis.

spectacular walls and swim-throughs to explore. Marine life is diverse and abundant with prolific numbers of reef fish, snapper, rays, turtles, lobster, leopard sharks and during the summer months, the chance of a whale shark encounter. The islands also offer a safe stop off point for migratory birds and the cliffs come alive in the summer months when they nest.

Turtles also come to lay eggs on the white sand beaches.

Musandam

Diving in southern Oman is seasonal (November to May) and the most unexplored. The diving is unusual, with kelp forests growing in the cooler summer months dying off to reveal colourful reefs in winter. Marine life is prolific with sharks, plenty of macro life and huge schools of fish. Arabian humpback and sperm whales are often seen. Daily boat dives are offered from the Marriott in Mirbat, a great place to unwind and relax.

The Hallaniyat Islands can be explored by liveaboard on the Saman Explorer with a variable itinerary and exploratory diving.

Highlights include manta ray and humpback whale encounters and the City of Winchester wreck, a 120 metre cargo ship, the first casualty of WWl. The monsoon brings rain from June to September creating a unique lush green landscape in stark contrast to the rest of the country. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, coconut groves, banana plantations and frankincense trees.

Located in the north of Oman, Musandam offers spectacular fjord like scenery and faces the Straits of Hormuz, a plankton rich body of water offering tropical coral reef diving with dive sites ranging from dramatic walls to extensive coral gardens.

A combination of plankton and strong local currents attracts large pelagics such as rays, barracuda, turtles, sharks and during the summer months, whale sharks. The area is most suited to experienced divers who will enjoy the adventurous currents and coral encrusted drop-offs, falling to great depths.

Dimaniyyat Islands

Fact File

This nature reserve has been protected by UNESCO for over 20 years and it’s these nine, tiny uninhabited islands which are known as the jewel in the crown for diving and snorkelling in Oman and are easily reached from Al Sawadi Beach Resort.

The reefs are covered in colourful hard and soft corals with

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Land temp: Visibility: Season: Marine life:

Mirbat and the Hallaniyat Islands

19OC - 38OC Water Temp: 21OC - 25OC 5 - 25 metres Current: None - mild currents Year round Accommodation: Resort or liveaboard Dolphins, turtles, mantas, whale sharks, leopard sharks, morays, nudibranch and whales

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Staff Trip Report Saman Explorer Departing from Mirbat, the week long itineraries explore the Hallaniyat islands in southern Oman; the highlights being manta rays, humpback whales and the wrecks.

After a couple of flights and a quick Duty Free shop, we were driven to the harbour, passing the many ships of the desert (camels). It was great to be in the warmth of the sun, whilst my colleagues suffered in the cold back home.

We woke to panoramic views of mountainous Al Sawda and not a soul in sight. The sites are shallow; full of marine life and colourful corals. My camera had its work cut out from dive one, including a crocodile fish caught on camera during our safety stop. The best experience of the day? An encounter with a pod of wild dolphins at sunset!

The second day was spent moored alongside Schmies rock in hope of manta ray encounters. We were mesmerised and if we

© Extra Divers

Issue 1 2013

by Sarah Wight

could have stayed in the water all day observing these beautiful creatures, we would have!

Al Qibliyah offers a mix of rocky sites, some with strong currents. Amongst the kelp covered rocks were lobster, Arabian angel fish, grouper and a shovelnose guitar fish hiding in the sand. The City of Winchester lies in a huge bay off the coast of Hallaniyah. For most, this was the highlight of the trip. She’s covered in soft corals, anemones and fans; home to scorpion fish, honeycomb morays and lion fish. Our last dive was off the coast from the Marriott, where we spent our final night. It was hard not to disturb the hundreds of schooling fish around the mast during ‘rush hour’. Amazing!

We also spent a short time in Muscat and got to visit the Oman Dive Centre and Al Sawadi Beach Resort, gateway to the Dimaniyyat islands. This was my second visit; I’ve so much more to discover!

© Sarah Wight

© Extra Divers

© Extra Divers

Saman Explorer - The Deep South Untouched and undiscovered, expect plenty of adventure.

Enjoy exploratory dives, encounters with large pelagics and the City of Winchester wreck.

Be one of the first to explore the Hallaniyat Islands, on this six night adventure. The itinerary includes exploratory dive sites at As Sawdah, Schmies rock and Al Qibliyah.

Highlights include a fantastic variety of rays, moray eels and marine fish life, turtles, manta rays, whales and wreck dives. The diving in southern Oman is seasonal (November to May) and a very rewarding experience for adventurous.

Nitrox is available.

Day 1 Depart UK for Salalah (via Muscat) Day 2 Arrive Salalah, transfer to boat (FB), dive Days 3-7 Dive Hallaniyat Islands - up to 4 dives per day Day 8 Last dive in morning. Disembark, transfer to Mirbat Marriott (HB) Day 9 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK (arrival same day) Call us to extend your stay in Oman. We recommend more diving or simply relaxing in Muscat or Al Sawadi.

Departs: Duration: Prices from:

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

November - May 9 days £1,825 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

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The Philippines

Manila

Experience a land of 7,107 beautiful islands with lush rainforests, caves and waterfalls; stunning beaches, pristine reefs and a diverse marine eco system, home to some of the finest dive sites in the world. Scientists have likened the huge diversity of marine life to that of the most prolific rainforests.

Featured here are the most popular areas from our Ultimate Diving Collection. Talk to us to arrange your trip of a lifetime.

Coron

Puerto Galera

Year Round

Coron, situated in the island province of Palawan, offers world-class diving.

Jacques Cousteau spoke of the area as “the most beautiful place I have ever explored”. At it’s northern tip, it has some excellent dive spots, including the country’s best wreck diving around Coron Bay - the site of numerous Japanese warships sunk by the Americans in the Second World War.

Moalboal

Year Round

The range of diving at Moalboal is excellent, with vertical walls, a cathedral like cave, healthy coral reefs and plenty of macro in the way of pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish and frogfish to keep everyone happy.

Pescador Island, famous for its resident sardine bait balls, has four great dive sites which include drifting along the wall and the cathedral swim-through. Marine life ranges from tiny critters to schools of jacks.

As well as the wrecks, Coron also offers beautiful tropical scenery, lovely reefs, dugongs and nesting turtles.

Coron

Tubbataha

Mar - Jun

In the centre of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, home to some of the best diving in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

El Nido

© Tara North

An amazing variety of marine life is found here ranging from colourful reef fish, juvenile manta rays, and turtles in shallow waters to shoals of moorish idols, jacks and snappers in the deep. The sheer walls are covered in huge barrel sponges and gorgonian sea fans.

On patrol nearby are barracuda, tuna, reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, groupers and sometimes hammerhead sharks.

Tubbataha

Dumaguete

Just south of the friendly city of Dumaguete, the Dauin area is possibly one of the best macro locations around. Here it is possible to find numerous species of seahorses, ghost pipefish, frogfish, pegasus sea moths, stonefish, flamboyant cuttlefish and many more critters.

© Tara North

Key

Liveaboard Resort

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Year Round

The marine sanctuaries of Siquijor and Apo Islands are renowned for their abundance and biodiversity of marine life. Here you’ll find over 400 species of coral as well as turtles, groupers, napoleon wrasse, schooling pelagics, whitetip sharks, manta and eagle rays. © Tara North

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Donsol & Ticao Nov - May

Malapascua Year Round

Donsol dubbed by many as the “whale shark capital of the world” provides a rare opportunity to interact with up to 20 whale sharks at a time. Swimming with a whale shark is the epitome of wildlife encounters - an experience of a lifetime, an experience not to be missed! The sheer size of the largest fish in the ocean will start your adrenalin pumping.

Malapascua is known as one of the best shark diving locations in the Philippines. Sharks seen here include whitetip, blacktip, bamboo, nurse, hammerhead, and the magnificent thresher sharks. Malapascua’s Monad Shoal is known as the only place in the world where threshers can be closely observed on a daily basis.

Ticao Island has local reefs teeming with colourful creatures and corals, an oceanic manta cleaning station and the chance to see larger pelagics such as thresher, hammerhead and tiger sharks.

Other large pelagics seen on Monad include manta and devil rays, whilst an impressive array of nudibranch, pipefish and frogfish will keep macro photographers happy.

© Tara North

Issue 1 2013

Legaspi Donsol

Sogod Bay

Mar - May

Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay is world famous for sightings of whale sharks. As well as these gentle giants, sightings of large pelagics such as whitetip, grey reef and hammerhead sharks are common.

Ticao Island

There is nice wreck diving as well as beautiful soft coral gardens and regular visits from eagle rays and hawksbill turtles.

If small critters are your thing, there are numerous dives that will delight macro lovers; frogfish, ribbon eels, ghost pipefish, mandarin fish and pygmy seahorses are some of the critters you can find.

Malapascua

Bacolod Sogod Bay

Cebu

Bohol

Moalboal Bohol

Dumaguete

Siquijor Apo Island

Year Round

A tropical haven of natural beauty, Bohol is known for its pristine sandy beaches and great diving attractions.

Panglao - Alona Beach on Panglao Island is the place for divers - peaceful beaches and varied diving. With good coral gardens, steep walls teeming fish and invertebrate life.

Cabilao - Renowned for the rich biodiversity of marine life found on its fringing reef, where you can see large schools of fish and large pelagics such as manta rays and even whale sharks. © Tara North

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

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Marine Parks… Protecting our Oceans

As our seas and oceans come under ever more pressure, the role of marine parks is increasingly important. Recent research suggests that as much as 40% of our oceans have been heavily affected by human activities.

Marine Protected Areas are essentially areas where human activities are more strictly regulated, much like national parks on land. They can be created by governments covering large areas, but are often smaller grass-roots, community led areas.

© Simon Rogerson

© Steve Gibson

Pioneering Palau

In 2009, president Joseph Toribiong officially declared Palau’s waters to be the world’s first shark sanctuary, placing Palau at the very forefront of worldwide efforts to protect sharks.

Following Palau’s example, the Maldives also declared its waters a shark sanctuary in 2010, as did Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, Honduras and the Bahamas, while the Marshall Islands joined forces with Micronesia to create a sanctuary covering an area of 2,000,000 km2 - eight times larger than the UK.

“

As leaders recognise the importance of healthy shark populations to our oceans, the momentum for protecting these animals continues to spread across the globe.

”

Matt Rand, Pew’s director of global shark conservation.

Raja Ampat - Leading By Example

Since 2007, visitors to Raja Ampat pay an entrance fee of around £35. Funds raised are directed to community development, conservation and patrols essential to environmental protection, public health and development of a sustainable eco-tourism industry. The Raja Ampat government has created ten Marine Protected Areas, covering around

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Marine World Heritage Sites

Belize Barrier Reef Cocos Island Coiba & Malpelo Marine Reserves are a special type of Marine Protected Area, often known as ‘no-take’ zones. They are permanently protected from all activities that remove animals or plants, Galapagos Islands or alter habitats, with the exception of scientific monitoring.

Marine World Heritage Sites are iconic natural treasures of international outstanding Great Barrier Reef global value. The marine world heritage programme was launched in 2005 and currently there are 46 sites in 35 countries.

Komodo National Park Currently, only 0.8% of our oceans are protected in any way, and only 0.08% Tubbataha (Philippines) form part of marine reserves. Your support for these protected areas is vital in the fight to protect our oceans. Supporting eco-tourism contributes to the Ningaloo (Australia) local economy and helps ensure the continued protection of these areas.

Marine protection comes in three main forms:

45% of the area’s coral reefs and mangroves. It is thought the region’s corals may be naturally more resilient to fluctuations in water temperatures, and strong ocean currents bring coral larvae from both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, making the protection of this unique environment even more crucial.

Misool Eco Resort is a driving force behind the efforts to protect Raja Ampat’s marine environment. The resort has a conservation arm, known as Misool Baseftin, pivotal in creating Raja Ampat’s shark and ray sanctuary. They have also created a ranger patrolled no-take zone, with ten local rangers and two dedicated boats. Early evidence suggests that fish biomass has doubled since 2007. Other projects include the Misool Manta Project, a Reef Restoration Project, Dive Guide training, the building of a number of strategic ranger stations and local community projects, with a focus on schools and education.

In late 2011, Misool Baseftin featured in RARE and National Geographic’s ‘Solution Search for Community-Based Marine Conservation Projects’ contest, receiving the runners up award.

New - Global Ocean Commission

Launched in February 2013 the Global Ocean Commission is an independent body of international leaders, led by Costa Rican President José María Figueres, South African cabinet minister Trevor Manuel and the UK’s David Miliband, with the aim of reversing degradation of the ocean and restoring it to

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

full health and productivity. The Commission will assess key threats to international waters known as the ‘high seas’, which make up almost half of the Earth’s surface but are not owned by any one country. This large proportion of the global ocean is under severe and increasing pressure from overfishing, damage to important habitat, climate change and ocean acidification.

“

We are coming to a crunch time: 2014 needs to be the year when we reverse the degradation of the high seas.

”

David Miliband at the GOC launch.

Rally in support of Marine Conservation Zones

Closer to home, the UK Marine Conservation Society in association with Sea Life, Hugh’s Fish Fight and the British Sub-Aqua Club held a mass rally on the 25th February in support of 127 Marine Conservation Zones. Led by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, hundreds of friends and supporters formed a big colourful carnival style procession from the South Bank to Westminster; including divers in full scuba kit, performers dressed as giant sea creatures, kids in ocean super hero costumes, banners, flags and streamers. The rally was staged in response to the UK government’s decision to designate only 31 Marine Conservation Zones this year, rather than the 127 that conservationists and government advisors deemed necessary.

Issue 1 2013

Dive Worldwide & Bite-Back As firm believers in taking proactive steps to protect our marine wildlife, we are delighted to continue our partnership with Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation. This influential and pioneering conservation charity has a mission to halt the trade and consumption of vulnerable fish species, promote sustainable fishing, protect ocean habitats and inspire worldwide respect for the marine environment.

Bite-Back campaigns to inspire UK restaurants and retailers to stop selling vulnerable species including shark, swordfish, marlin and monkfish along with skates and rays. In 2013 it plans to make Britain shark fin free, and already it has the support of Gordon Ramsay, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Bear Grylls, Monty Halls and Ben Fogle.

Every booking made with us in 2013 includes a £5 per person opt-out donation. We have also identified some ‘shark-infested’ itineraries which include a £10 per person opt-out donation, some of which are outlined below. These trips include a variety and abundance of shark encounters as well as local conservation projects in place to help protect the very reason for your visit.

We invite you to contribute towards this worthy cause. There’s never been a better time to book a holiday with us!

‘Shark-infested’ trips Tigers in the Bahamas

© Stephen Frink

When to visit: Prices from:

A truly unique way to interact with tiger and lemon sharks at Tiger Beach.

Your week of diving also includes wrecks, reefs, walls and wild dolphins offered by a highly personalised and professional dive operation; a thrilling underwater adventure awaits!

March - September £3,195 per person

Layang Layang, Malaysia

© Simon Rogerson

When to visit: Prices from:

This small coral atoll offers some of the best wall diving in the world.

The ocean floor drops away to 2,000 metres. Manta rays, turtles, barracuda and sharks abound; schools of scalloped hammerheads are the main reason for divers to visit.

March - August £2,395 per person

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

Beqa & Somosomo, Fiji

The Ultimate Shark Encounter in Beqa features up to eight shark species (including bull, nurse and tiger) within a marine reserve and no cage. Diving Somosomo Strait, you’ll be amazed at the walls, the colours of the reef and the frequency of pelagic encounters.

When to visit: Prices from:

April - October £3,595 per person

Coiba & Malpelo, Columbia

© Simon Rogerson

When to visit: Prices from:

A challenging trip for advanced divers, the MV Yemaya cruises these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Expect schooling hammerhead and silky sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales and plenty of other BIG stuff in this dynamic underwater world.

Various departures - call for details £3,615 per person (Malpelo itinerary)

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Island Whales..... Hopping......

Big In Japan Packed with adventure, discovery and encounters with incredible marine life, this itinerary includes Japan’s southern islands. First stop is Okinawa, with healthy reefs and marine life. Continue your journey south to mountainous Ishigaki for year round encounters with manta rays. Yonaguni is your final stop; it’s here you’ll discover an underwater mystery and plenty of hammerhead sharks. Your adventure begins and ends in Tokyo, where it’s possible to extend your stay.

Day 1 Depart UK for Tokyo Day 2 Arrive and transfer to hotel (BB) Days 3-6 Transfer to Okinawa (HB, 2 dives) Days 6-9 Transfer to Ishigaki (RO, 2 dives) Days 9-12 Fly to Yonaguni (HB, 6 dives) Days 12-14 Fly to Tokyo (BB) Day 14 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 15 Arrive UK

Departs: Duration: Prices from:

Daily, throughout the year 15 days £3,995 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

© Phil North

Tanzania Island Explorer This itinerary includes two of the islands in the Indian Ocean, off Tanzania. They’ve developed a rich mix of African and Arabian influences, much in evidence today, on these exotic islands. The intimate Kinasi Lodge is located on the shores of Chole Bay, with its outstanding marine life, great for snorkellers and divers while Ras Nungwi is a unique beach hotel on the north coast of Zanzibar. Explore colourful reefs and encounter dolphins, whale sharks and humpback whales (in season).

Day 1 Depart UK for Mafia Island (via Dar es Salaam) Days 2-8 Transfer to Kinasi Lodge (HB, 10 dives) Days 9-15 Fly to Zanzibar. Transfer to Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel (HB, 10 dives) Day 16 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 17 Arrive UK It’s possible to extend your stay, including Pemba, or add a land-based safari to this itinerary. Contact us for details.

Departs: Duration: Prices from: © Tara North

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Daily, throughout the year 17 days £3,595 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Issue 1 2013

Whales.....

Philippine Island Hopping Safari This unique exploratory safari of the islands of the Visayas region is operated by Sea Explorers, who run several dive centres in the area. Diving some of the best sites in the Philippines which include anything from macro life to larger pelagics and coral reefs to immense walls covered in soft and hard corals. Transfers between the resorts and islands are by outrigger boats allowing the opportunity of additional dive sites en-route.

Day 1 Depart UK for Cebu Days 2-5 Transfer to Moalboal (BB, 6 dives) Days 6-10 Transfer to Dumaguete (BB, 10 dives) Days 11-15 Transfer to Panglao (BB, 8 dives) Day 16 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 17 Arrive UK The itinerary is very flexible, mix and match different resorts and dive centres from Alona Beach, Cabilao, Dumaguete, Malapascua and Moalboal.

Departs: Duration: Prices from:

Daily, throughout the year 17 days From £1,895 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Galapagos Dive Adventure Discover the wonder of the Galapagos islands, without stepping foot on a liveaboard. Underwater highlights include rays, sharks, turtles and colourful marine life.

Topside excursions take you on walks to panoramic volcanic parks, to wildlife reserves and research centre.

Day 1 Depart UK. Overnight in Quito/Guayaquil Day 2 Transfer to Aventura Lodge, Santa Cruz (HB) Day 3 Morning - 2 dives. Afternoon - land excursions Day 4 Morning - 2 dives. Transfer to Red Mangrove, Isabela (HB) Day 5 Morning - 2 dives. Afternoon - land excursions Day 6 Morning - land excursions. Transfer to Aventura Lodge, Santa Cruz (HB) Day 7 Morning - 2 dives. Afternoon - visit Charles Darwin Research Station Day 8 Morning - 2 dives. Afternoon - sea kayak Day 9 Transfer to airport. Depart for UK Day 10 Arrive UK Departs: Duration: Prices from:

Daily, throughout the year 10 days From £3,795 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

13

Holiday Planner....the best of the ‘green’ seasons

People often ask us if there’s any benefit in visiting a destination out of season. The answer is mixed and it depends on you and what you want from your holiday. So, we have put our heads together to give you a selection of destination ideas to help you plan your next holiday from our Ultimate Diving Collection.

Spring

Winter

December ● January ● February

March ● April ● May

Dominica

Malaysia

Sperm Whales ● Learn to Dive ● Less Crowded

Dive Sipadan ● Turtles ● Macro Haven

Technically ‘green’ year round, this lush rainforest covered Caribbean island offers value for money, warmth and sunshine in early December. A great place to learn to dive in the new year, when crowds are fewer and there’s more marine action, especially on whale watching trips during the sperm whale season.

Sipadan Island is one of the best places in the world to see turtles swimming, grazing and laying their eggs. There are fewer visitors at this time of year, so you will increase your chances of getting a permit to dive the famous sites around the island. Expect turtles, schools of barracuda and plenty of critters.

© Andy Lange - taken under license

© Tara North

Mozambique

Costa Rica

Whale Sharks ● Manta Rays ● Wildlife Safari

Manta Rays ● Bat Island ● Sharks

It may be wet, hot and humid but this is the time to visit southern Mozambique for the best chance of large pelagics. The upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water from the Mozambique Channel results in days of poor visibility but with it, visits by manta rays and whale sharks; just what divers want to see.

The ‘green’ season officially begins in May, but the best time for experienced divers to enjoy Bat and Catalina Islands for bull shark and manta ray encounters is early spring, mainly due to the long boat journey to these remote islands. Marine life is prolific with dive sites such as the ‘Big Scare’, most definitely thrilling!

© Tara North

Australia

Mexico - Socorro Islands

Juvenile Fish ● Manta Rays ● Marine Action

Schooling Silkies ● Giant Manta Rays ● Dolphins

Whilst on land it may be wet, the Spirit of Freedom liveaboard cruises further offshore where it’s less prone to tropical rains.

This weather brings amazing feeding and marine action and the opportunity to see juvenile fish following the breeding season. Manta rays are also common on the Great Barrier Reef at this time of year.

The season is short and you can expect big marine life encounters at these remote islands throughout the year. As the water begins to warm up, spring season is renowned for schools of silky sharks, giant manta action and the best chance of whale shark encounters.

Experience it all on the Solmar V or Nautilus Explorer liveaboard.

© Tara North

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6980 to plan your perfect trip

What’s Bubbling

Issue 1 2013

The term ‘green season’ is often used to describe a time of year when most of a region’s average rainfall occurs, thus creating a more lush and green land, especially in the tropics. Underwater seasons can be affected by movement of bodies of water, pelagic migrations, plankton blooms etc. The destinations below offer you a chance to get better value for money, keep away from the crowds, or time your holiday on the cusp of a season with perhaps a smoother boat ride or better chance of a pelagic encounter.

Summer

Autumn

June ● July ● August

September ● October ● November

Mexico

Japan

Cenotes ● Whale Sharks ● Value for Money

Cultural Experience ● Tropical Beaches ● Manta Rays

It may be the beginning of the hurricane season, but who cares when you can dive the unique Cenotes year-round? June offers great value for money with well priced flights and it also happens to be the beginning of the whale shark season in the Yucatan peninsula, where hundreds congregate around Holbox Island each year.

Follow our island hopping itinerary at this time of year for your best chance of manta rays in Ishigaki. The caveat being, it is typhoon season, so dive days may be limited. Visit this incredible destination for an amazing combination of culture, history and unique diving including the mysterious underwater stonescape at Yonaguni.

© Dive Aventuras

© Phil North

Bahamas

Indonesia

Sharks ● Island Hopping ● Dolphins

Island Hopping ● Mola Mola ● Marine Biodiversity

There are less visitors and it is better value for money during the summer months. This is a great time to explore by liveaboard as the seas are warmer and calmer. ‘Gin-clear’ visibility at this time of year is great for divers whether exploring wrecks and caves or keeping an eye on the blue for sharks and dolphins.

The start of the wetter season brings fewer crowds to the idyllic Indonesian island of Bali, but the diving is still world-class on the north coast. We recommend a twin centre stay with Nusa Lembongan, where there is still the chance to see one of the island’s most famous visitors, the mola mola.

© Stuart Cove

© Bali Diving Academy

Thailand

Solomon Islands

Escape the Crowds ● Critters ● Stunning Reefs

Remote ● Pristine Dive Sites ● Wrecks

Despite rumours, the ‘green’ season on the west coast of Thailand is a fine time to visit. The underwater world is just as stunning at this time of year. The more exposed dive sites are limited due to the windy weather, but there’s plenty to discover closer to land. The Thailand Aggressor operates here throughout the year.

A great year-round destination with an incredible wealth of marine life, it’s during these months just before the wet season that there are calmer, flatter waters. This is great for a trip on board the Bilikiki and gives you more chance of seeing the big stuff at St Mary’s island as well as everything else on show.

© Tara North

Or visit us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com

© Tara North

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DIVE, 26 - 27 October 2013 This event at the Birmingham NEC keeps getting bigger and better. We’ll be there!

Destinations, 6 - 9 February 2014 The very best holiday and travel show, held in London.

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One F’in Mile...

Help Bite-Back raise some serious cash for its Make Britain Shark Fin-Free campaign, by taking part in a sponsored walk in your fins, on Saturday 17 August. They are looking for more than 150 divers to walk a lap of Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, in fins. With sponsorship from Mares, there will be prizes for the fastest, slowest and best dressed participants.

For more information visit Bite-Back’s website at www.bite-back.com and to register your place visit www.virginmoneygiving.co.uk

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