THE WORLD’S BEST DIVING DESTINATIONS

Presented by Zegrahm Expeditions celebrating 30 years of adventure travel We created this guide to help you decide where to take the plunge for your next diving adventure. With almost 30 years of experience taking travelers to the ends of the earth, we’ve visited some of the most remote, pristine marine environments on the planet. You won’t find the world’s most popular dive destinations on this list, but you will find the best places in the world to observe healthy reefs and abundant marine life. Typically found far from civilization, many of the world’s best diving destinations can be quite difficult to reach on your own. However, once you get there, you’ll have these magical sites all to yourself. To help you expand your diving horizons, here are our top picks for far-flung dive destinations that are sure to take you out of your element and on the life-changing adventure of your dreams.

• Australia ...... page 2 > • Polynesia ...... page 3 > • Melanesia ...... page 4 > • Papua New Guinea ...... page 5 > • ...... page 6 > • Philippines ...... page 7 > • Maldives ...... page 8 > • Seychelles ...... page 9 > • 25 Facts About Coral Reefs ...... page 10 > • Diving with Zegrahm Expeditions. page 12 >

AUSTRALIA

, a 162-mile-long swarming with turtles, tropical In Brief fish, manta rays, humpback whales, and the elusive whale Australia has six states—each of which offers unique diving shark. Nowhere on Earth do these majestic creatures reliably adventures. From colorful coral reefs in northern, tropical water congregate in such large numbers as at Ningaloo Reef. to giant kelp forests in the south, Australia offers it all. Most non- Australian divers readily associate diving Down Under with the , and rightly so. This UNESCO World Heritage When to Go Site is one of the world’s top diving destinations. For those who Diving is great year-round in most states. Australia has would like to venture beyond the Reef, Adelaide is famous for temperate weather for most of the year, but the northern states its multitude of , South West Rocks is famous for its experience warm weather all the time while the southern states shark action, and Exmouth is famous for Ningaloo reef, where have cool winters. Cyclone season, which affects the northern whale shark and manta ray sightings are common. While you states, runs from November to April. In tropical Queensland, can dive much of Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, on daytime air vary from the mid-80°sF in winter to a day trip, the country’s most iconic dive sites are best accessed the mid 90°sF in summer. December through February means by ship. great visibility and warmer water, while June through November pays off with minke and humpback whale spotting and coral spawning. Expect water temperatures around 85°F during the Iconic Diving Experiences summer throughout the central and northern Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef - The world’s largest and healthiest coral Expect around 75°F in winter and cooler water off the Sunshine reef system is also the only living structure on Earth that can Coast. , , and surge all affect water clarity inside the be seen from outer space! Made up of nearly 2,900 individual Great Barrier Reef, but it averages 50-70 feet and can hit a high reefs, 600 continental islands, and 300 coral cays, it’s the of 100 feet. Outside the reef, visibility averages a reliable 60- world’s largest single structure comprised of living organisms. 100 feet and often soars to more than 150 feet in the . The Ribbon Reefs area is known for a variety of pristine dive experiences. In late June and July, you may even have the chance to see dwarf minke whales during their annual migration. Explore with Zegrahm At , you’ll see giant potato cod that often approach Underwater Wonders of Western Australia divers with great curiosity. —only accessible via May 13 - 27, 2019 | 15 Days boat—is an exposed coral mesa that sits in the middle of the Coral Sea far from anything. While , expect colorful Best of the Great Barrier Reef shallow coral gardens and a variety of marine life like green sea July 14 - 28, 2020 | 15 Days turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and beautiful Napoleon wrasse. Many bommies serve as manta ray cleaning stations, while schools of jacks, barracuda, eagle rays, and sharks sweep in from the great blue. Curious sea snakes, carpet sharks, moray eels, cuttlefish, and nudibranchs can be found in the shallows. It’s the world’s largest reef system, so you can truly expect to see a bit of just about everything. Ningaloo Reef - The Ningaloo Marine Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site found halfway up the West Australian coastline. While not as well known as the Great Barrier Reef, here you will find the world’s largest fringing

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 2 > POLYNESIA

gray sharks, dragon moray eel, lobster, boxer crabs, manta In Brief rays, scorpion fish, and schools of juvenile fish that dance and Wherever you go throughout Polynesia, from the low-lying shimmer when perused by predators such as giant trevally or coral of the Tuamotus to the steep green mountains and tuna. With luck, you may even spot the occasional scalloped waterfalls of the Marquesas Islands, you are never going to hammerhead or pods of whales. be far from some spectacular diving. Due to its exceptional Tuamotu Islands - The largely uninhabited islands of the biodiversity (over 800 recorded species), scientists consider the Tuamotu Archipelago boast dreamy of jade and Polynesian sea zone to be the “richest aquarium on Earth.” In turquoise waters surrounded by low-lying coral atolls. Here 2000, the entire region was classified as an Exclusive Economic you will find multi-colored fish species and nearly a third of Zone (EEZ), a wildlife sanctuary where, among other things, all dolphin species from every ocean. Schools of damselfish, drift fishing is prohibited, earning French Polynesia top honors mullet, and soldierfish frolic in and around the fringing coral from the World Wildlife Fund. The narrow channels and passes reefs, while deeper waters may reveal the humpback whales that leading to the inner lagoons from the open ocean teem with life. breed here from August to October. Marine creatures cluster near these focal points and make the most of the bounty the current brings. In some spots, divers can expect to see hundreds of fish and other marine species as they When to Go drift through the underwater canyons. French Polynesia has a tropical climate. November to April is warm and rainy, while May to October is cooler and drier. Although you can dive year-round, late October to April is Iconic Diving Experiences considered the best season thanks to an influx of pelagic- While there’s no denying the lure of Bora Bora’s turquoise attracting plankton. Water averages about 76°F in , the abundant marine life is often joined by hordes winter and 86°F in summer, and visibility is frequently stunning, of tourists! To experience the true underwater treasures of often in excess of 130 feet. Polynesia, you must venture further afield, where boat traffic consists of dugout canoes and the fishing industry relies on hand-woven nets. Explore with Zegrahm Marquesas Islands - The Marquesas are geologically and culturally distinct from the rest of French Polynesia. These Tahiti to Easter Island: Marquesas, Tuamotus & dramatic islands rise straight from the sea and have no fringing Pitcairns reefs. You’ll explore steep cliffs and caves, while the plankton- October 10 - 29, 2019 | 20 Days rich waters attract a variety of unusual marine life, including

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 3 > MELANESIA

wealth of incredible experiences. The huge caverns and drop offs, In Brief abundance of marine life, beautiful bright , stunning sea fans, Amazingly diverse, yet wonderfully uncrowded, Melanesia offers as well as its world-famous wrecks have all helped in giving Vanuatu a wide range of tropical dive environments. These include its incredible underwater reputation. Vanuatu is also one of the best caverns, reefs, wrecks, large sea fans, steep walls, soft corals, places for divers to see the rare and endangered dugong. Some and muck. The marine biodiversity is stunning, and the World incredibly vibrant corals can be seen around Vanuatu, with a healthy War II history found in the wrecks hearken to times past. Little population of marine life buzzing about. Rays, triggerfish, clownfish, tourism has contributed to healthy reefs. All of these factors eels, and octopi hide out near the coral heads. A little farther out you combined create a dive destination that is out of this world. will likely spot huge barracuda and bigeye tuna making their rounds, gleaming in the filtered sunlight. Iconic Diving Experiences Solomon Islands - From big to small, the Solomon Islands When to Go have it all. The reefs are covered in colorful fish and macro subjects Diving is available year-round in Melanesia. However, monsoon are plentiful. Divers might see pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, season does occur from January until April and brings a nudibranchs, xenon crabs, mantis shrimp, ribbon eels, and hairy greater chance of rain and windy days. June through August is squat lobster. Clownfish, bumphead parrotfish, and cuttlefish are slightly cooler than the rest of the year, although temperatures also commonly spotted. Schools of jacks, barracudas, and tuna remain fairly warm and humid. Water temperatures make for often approach from the blue. Lucky divers may spot reef sharks, comfortable diving, ranging from 81-88°F. Napoleon wrasse, and schools of manta rays. However many dives you complete, you are sure to leave the Solomon Islands with more new species than you can remember. Explore with Zegrahm Vanuatu - Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands and is world- Melanesia, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu renowned for its diving. Whether you’re interested in beautiful corals, September 10 - 27, 2020 | 18 Days large fish, or incredible historic wrecks, Vanuatu offers divers a

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 4 > PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Tufi - Many divers will never have seen a dive destination quite In Brief this varied; from diving the fjords and World War II wrecks, to Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a land of breathtaking the great visibility and an eclectic mix of marine life. Protected landscapes and amazing creatures both above and below from strong currents, a wonderful array of sponges and shelf the water’s surface. Encompassing the eastern side of New corals line the walls of this tropical rainforest fjord, presenting Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls, PNG a truly different diving environment. The shallows are home is renowned for its indigenous cultures, who use over 800 to gobies, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorse, ghost pipefish, languages (1/3 of the languages in the world) and live in nudibranchs, and other incredible creatures that are ideal for the largest area of intact rainforest outside the Amazon. It’s the macro photographer, while gentle currents bring in schools an adventurer’s playground with thick tropical jungles, high of pelagics. mountain ranges, and spectacular scuba diving. Located in the Asia Pacific region’s Coral Triangle, surrounded by the Bismarck, Coral, and Solomon Seas, PNG has a stunning When to Go array of marine species just waiting to be discovered. With You can dive Papua New Guinea year-round, but conditions over 20,000 square miles of reef systems, you’ll find barrier change based on which sea you are diving. Generally, the South reefs, coral walls, fringing reefs, and sea grass beds along Pacific and Coral Sea are great from December to April, while with spectacular World War II wrecks. the Solomon Sea is fantastic during every month of the year. The Bismarck Sea is best dived from May to November, but it does get a bit windy in August. Water temperatures range from 77- Iconic Diving Experiences 86°F throughout the country, and visibility usually ranges from Madang - Near the town of Madang, you will find dozens of 60-130 feet unless you are at sites or sites near world-class dive sites. Known for colorful coral gardens and mangrove swamps. great visibility, the area was also the center of heavy fighting during World War II. There are over 30 sunken ships scattered about the area, many covered with a huge array of marine Explore with Zegrahm life. You can explore small offshore islands, oceanic pinnacles, and unique volcanic formations, while strong ocean currents Papua New Guinea bring loads of predatory pelagic species, including all of PNG’s September 20 - October 6, 2019 | 17 Days species of sharks. In fact, Madang’s barrier reef is a popular research site for both the National Geographic Society and the Cousteau Society.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 5 > PALAU

Rock Islands - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made In Brief up of hundreds of lush, limestone islets, and many are carved Diving in Palau is often described with superlatives—most dive into incredible mushroom shapes by wave action. Here you will sites are world-class and unique, with memorable underwater find the , home to curious (and often quite large) features like blue holes, drop-offs, caverns, caves, and Napolean wrasse, which love to come close to investigate channels. Visibility is often very good and can go up to 200 feet divers. You will also find barracudas, jacks, and gray reef on good days. Most of the popular dive sites are located about sharks, as well as hard and soft corals. 45-60 minutes away by speed boat from Koror. With the strong German Channel - This is THE place to see manta rays. currents of the Pacific Ocean sweeping through Palau, most If you hang around on the sandy bottom, mantas often pass of the dive sites are recommended for divers with experience. overhead or right in front of you as they visit the cleaning enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice in Palau as there stations at the mouth of the channel. are many sunken remnants from World War II around Koror. Many are easily accessible and intact, and divers can take their pick from cargo ships, transport vessels, navy destroyers, and Japanese Zero planes. Though keep in mind, wrecks nearer to When to Go Koror tend to have only 15-35 feet of visibility. Palau is a year-round dive destination, but it does tend to rain frequently from July to October. Water temperature is usually warm at a range of 81-86°F and a 3mm is usually all Iconic Diving Experiences you need. Almost every dive site in Palau is a winner. Large schools of fusilier and bigeye trevally are often found at channels and drop-offs, and these fish attract many predators. Sharks are Explore with Zegrahm especially plentiful in Palau and white-tip, gray reef, and black- Philippines with Palau & Taiwan tip sharks are everywhere. Joining the sharks are other predators February 29 - March 26, 2020 | 17 Days like tuna, giant trevally, and even sailfish. Palau is also one of the few places in the world to see the , and for macro lovers, do check out the many shipwrecks which are littered with nudibranch, scorpionfish, pipefish, and other critters.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 6 > PHILIPPINES

species, as well as being a nesting site for hawksbill and green In Brief turtles and many species of seabirds. The reefs are made up Just south-east of mainland Asia, the Philippines boasts over of numerous reef flats and vertical walls dropping to over 300 7,100 islands and thousands of great dive sites. With over 1200 feet in depth, as well as large areas of deep sea. Thresher marine species and 400 of the world’s 500 coral species, the sharks, hammerheads, and whale sharks can be seen on the question isn’t what you will see diving in the Philippines; it’s walls, while the shallow reef tops are overflowing with colorful what won’t you see! The Philippines is a great area for spotting reef fish, sting rays, manta rays, turtles, and much more. Huge barracuda, emperorfish, scorpionfish, moray eel, tuna, batfish, schools of jacks and snapper hang out with a large barracuda Moorish idol, trevally, and trumpetfish. You are also likely presence as well. to see lionfish, triggerfish, pygmy seahorses, mantis shrimp, Hundred Islands National Park - Despite the name, unicornfish, wrasse, squid, parrotfish, and octopus. Pelagics Hundred Islands is actually composed of 123 idyllic islands are plentiful in the Philippines, too. Sightings may include whale set in the South China Sea. The limestone and coral islands sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, devil rays, and sharks such as are clad in lush vegetation with sandy beaches, hidden coves, hammerheads and thresher sharks. and shifting sand bars that beg for exploration. With little In the Luzon region, near Palawan, a variety of World War II infrastructure, many of the islands are uninhabited and lightly warships and planes lie at depths of 66 feet and more. Today, traveled. This is one of the best places in the world to see giant soft corals, turtles, a plethora of fish species, and sea snakes clams. These mollusks with colorful, iridescent mantles can call the wrecks home. reach a length of four feet and can weigh in at more than 500 pounds! Iconic Diving Experiences Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park - The Tubbataha Reefs When to Go Natural Park is a World Heritage Site located in the middle of You can dive year-round in the Philippines, but there are three the Sulu sea and is made up of over 200,000 acres of Marine distinct seasons that affect dive conditions. December through Protected Area. Since it was discovered in the 1970s, Tubbataha March can be windy with occasional showers. April through has become well-known as the very best diving destination in June is usually dry with warm days and little wind. July through the Philippines and one of the top spots for diving worldwide. November is the southwest monsoon, which is wet but the water Being located smack in the middle of the Coral Triangle— is warm. Air temperatures average 78-90°F with high relative home to the world’s highest marine biodiversity—the plethora humidity. of marine life found here is simply astonishing. One of the things about this marine park is that, because it is so isolated, it can only be reached by boat, and without hordes of day Explore with Zegrahm trippers, visitors are guaranteed an intimate diving experience. The reef system has over 600 species of fish and 300 coral Philippines with Palau & Taiwan February 29 - March 26, 2020 | 17 Days

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 7 > MALDIVES

You’ll drift along the reef’s edge with butterflyfish and Oriental In Brief sweetlips. White-tip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasses, and eagle The coconut palm and the yellow-fin tuna, symbols of the rays are also abundant. A dive on the inner reef explores four Maldives, say a great deal about this nation of more than a thilas (submerged pinnacles) which drop off to 65 feet. Large thousand islands. Grouped into 26 low atolls in the Indian schools of lunar fusiliers flash as they swim amongst the well- Ocean, less than 300 of the islands are inhabited. The formed corals; reef sharks and turtles can also be seen. Maldives boast white sandy beaches and excellent reefs with an Ari - With feeding manta rays, graceful whale sharks and abundance of marine life. Oceanic currents sweep along the schooling hammerheads, Ari Atoll is a pelagic dream. Most of island chains, moving nutrients and divers along. This nutrient- the dive sites here are not protected walls or coral reefs. Rather, rich water flows up along the walls, feeding the sponges and the region favors thilas (pinnacles) and kandus (channels) soft corals clinging to the rock sides. Inside the atoll lagoons, perfect for . Because of the exposed nature of the rock pinnacles—thila—vault up from the bottom to scratch atoll, currents can be quite strong. While the Ari Atoll may be the water’s surface. In the channels, there are swim-throughs, heaven for big species, it features a good deal of macro life as caverns, and overhangs festooned with colorful sponges, well. Frogfish, zebra morays, nudibranchs, blueline snappers, invertebrates, and gorgonians to explore. At numerous cleaning and hundreds of other colorful fish species reside here. stations, wrasse and shrimp service manta rays and other large marine species. When to Go Iconic Diving Experiences The Maldives are tropical, hot, and humid with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 75-91°F year-round. The North Male Atoll - With colorful coral, deep wrecks, diving is good all year long. However, the monsoon season and feeding manta rays, the North Male Atoll is a diving brings significant rain between June and August. wonderland. Many of the reefs here are extremely healthy and provide shelter for a variety of marine life. Frogfish, moray eels, nudibranchs, schools of fusiliers, and hundreds of other colorful Explore with Zegrahm fish species reside here. Manta Point—as the name suggests—is the best place in the North Male Atoll for spotting manta rays, Ultimate Maldives: A & Diving Adventure and it’s not uncommon to see whale sharks, hammerheads, March 21 - April 3, 2020 | 14 Days hawksbill turtles, gray reef sharks, and eagle rays on occasion. Ultimate Maldives: A Snorkeling & Diving Adventure Vaavu Atoll - The diving in Vaavu is popular for its channels, March 31 - April 13, 2020 | 14 Days but the strong currents aren’t always suitable for beginners.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 8 > SEYCHELLES

sentry at the entrances, where sharks and other predators sweep In Brief by as they commute between the open ocean and the lagoon. About a thousand miles due east of Africa, way out in the Within the lagoon, mangroves create a vast nursery where middle of the western Indian Ocean, you’ll find a magical juvenile fish take shelter and find a fertile environment created archipelago of 115 islands. With nicknames such as “the by the dense colonies of frigatebirds and boobies. honeymoon islands” and “the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” Praslin Island – The dive sites around Praslin consist of the Seychelles are a very special place. Picture pristine, granite boulders, coral gardens, sloping reefs, and vertical white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms and bathed walls. The currents around the outer islets attract pelagic marine by impossibly clear water. With the Seychelles’ enlightened life, while the sunlit coral reefs offer myriad colorful reef fish approach to balancing conservation and construction, nearly like angelfish, boxfish, unicornfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, and half of the country is preserved as national parks. As a result, thousands of lyretail anthias. A closer look will reveal pipefish, the endemic flora and fauna flourishes. There are two main octopus, lobsters, and several types of eels. Larger creatures island groups: The 41 inner granite islands and the 74 outer include giant and brown-marbled groupers, stingrays, and coral atolls and reef islands. The “main” islands are Mahé, Napoleon wrasse, while green and hawksbill sea turtles like to Praslin, and La Digue, which nearly the entire population calls hang around boulders and reefs together with gray reef sharks home. At the other end of the scale are the many uninhabited and white-tip reef sharks. Looking out into the blue you may islands only accessible by boat. spot passing eagle rays. Iconic Diving Experiences When to Go Aldabra Atoll - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra With an average temperature of 81°F and a relatively narrow is the world’s second largest coral atoll. Uninhabited and annual range, it’s almost always perfect beach weather. It does extremely isolated, Aldabra is virtually untouched by humans. It rain, but showers tend to be brief and localized. The driest has distinctive island fauna including the Aldabra giant tortoise months are between May and September. and the Aldabra white-throated rail. Counts of fish numbers at monitored sites off Aldabra have shown a density of around 3,000 individuals per 1,000 square feet, with hundreds of Explore with Zegrahm species represented. Diving here is a unique experience, with four islands enclosing a huge shallow lagoon, encircled by Ultimate Seychelles with Aldabra Atoll fringing coral reef. Drift diving is exceptional in the channels as February 14 - 29, 2020 | 14 Days they fill and empty the lagoon with the tides. Shoals of fish stand

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 9 > 25 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT CORAL REEFS

General Facts About Coral The Benefits of Coral Reefs Reefs 11. Scientists have discovered that many parts of a coral reef can be harvested to make medications. According to the 1. Corals come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration , coral reefs are thought to resemble deer antlers, trees, giant fans, brains, and are emerging as the medicine cabinets of the 21st century: honeycomb. “Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human 2. Although many corals may look like plants, they’re actually bacterial infections, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, viruses, animals; they are most closely related to jellyfish and anemones. and other diseases.” 3. There are three different types of coral reef formations—barrier 12. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on reefs, coral atolls, and fringing reefs. Barrier reefs help to protect the planet. There are often more types of fish living in a two- lagoons and other types of shallow water, coral atolls (which are often acre area of healthy coral reef than there are species of birds in mistaken for islands) are made from volcanic remains, and fringing all of North America! reefs are found right along the coastline. 13. Coral reefs help to improve the quality of the surrounding 4. Coral reefs grow very slowly, at an average rate of just two water. They do this by filtering out things floating in the ocean, centimeters per year. which leads to cleaner water. 5. Coral reefs only grow at a maximum depth of around 150 feet. 14. Coral reefs help stabilize the sea bed, helping seagrass, This is because their biomes must maintain a temperature of 70 to seaweed, and other marine plants to survive. These plants 85º Fahrenheit. (Shallow water is more easily warmed by the sun.) lessen the impact of storms and help prevent the ocean bed 6. Strangely, most coral reefs seem to grow on the eastern side of from being washed out. They also provide food and protection land masses, where the temperature is believed to be warmer than the for a broad variety of marine animals. Fish, manatees, dugongs, western side. and countless other species feed and raise their offspring there. 7. If you find a broken piece of coral on the beach, you can see its 15. In addition to protecting shorelines, coral reefs are hard shell, which is actually an animal called a polyp. It is the cluster immensely valuable to the fishing and tourism industries. of these polyps growing together that gives coral reefs their shape. According to the World Resources Institute, the destruction of one kilometer of coral reef equals a loss of between $137,000 8. Some coral reefs are more biodiverse than others. The array of to $1,200,000 over a 25-year period. And yet, they estimate marine species living within the coral reef’s biome depends on the some 60% of the world’s coral reefs are currently threatened by location’s latitude and the direction of the water. human activity. 9. Coral reefs seem to grow best where there are stronger currents and wave patterns. Scientists believe that this is because stronger currents and waves deliver more food for the marine ecosystem. 10. The algae that typically grows on and around a coral reef isn’t a plant, but a living creature. There are many different kinds of algae, from microscopic varieties to ones with leaf-like appendages that can grow several feet long.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 10 > Facts About Coral Reefs Facts About Coral Reefs & Around the World Climate Change 16. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in 21. Oceans are great at absorbing much of the dangerous the world, and can be seen from outer space. Encompassing a carbon dioxide that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. 133,000-square mile area, it’s comprised of more than 2,900 Unfortunately, it makes the water increasingly acidic. This individual reefs and 1,050 islands, which stretch out over 1,400 acidification prevents corals from absorbing the calcium miles long. carbonate they require in order to maintain their skeletons, and the stone-like skeletons that support them. 17. Stretching over 550 miles from Cancun to Honduras, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the world’s second largest coral 22. Coral reef systems are naturally colorful because of the reef system, attracting 150,000 people to Mexico each year. algae that is usually present. If you see a coral reef that appears white—a process known as coral bleaching—it was most likely 18. Located in the Philippines, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park the result of warmer water temperatures caused by climate was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 due to change. its pristine coral reef system. Encompassing 97,030 hectares, the park’s two coral atolls are home to 600 species of fish, 360 23. The first widespread incident of coral bleaching happened species of coral, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins in 1998, when an estimated 16% of corals died. But the worst and whales, birds, plus hawksbill and green sea turtles. incident on record occurred in 2015-2016, when an extended El Niño event warmed Pacific waters near the equator. 19. Located between the Sahara and Arabian deserts, the Red Sea Coral Reef is noteworthy for its ability to withstand extreme 24. Recent studies suggest the planet has lost approximately temperature changes. Measuring 1,200 miles long, the reef is half of its coral reefs in the last 30 years, and could lose more home to 300 hard coral species and about 1,200 fish, of which than 90% by the year 2050 if drastic changes are not made. 10% are endemic to the area. 25. Marine scientists from The Nature Conservancy, 50 20. The , which was named a UNESCO Reefs, and other NGOs are working diligently to fight climate World Heritage Site in 1996, stretches 190 miles along the change, protect the coral reefs we have left, and come up with country’s coastline. It is home to 70 hard coral species, 35 innovative . Even Ruth Gates, director of the Hawaii soft coral species, 500 species of fish, and hundreds of Institute of , is currently trying to breed and train invertebrates. new corals to better withstand rising ocean temperatures.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 11 > DIVING WITH ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS

Zegrahm Expeditions has been taking divers to the world’s Ultimate Seychelles with Aldabra Atoll premier marine environments for over two decades. On our February 14 - 29, 2020 | 14 Days voyages that offer diving, the expedition team is staffed with two From $11,980 per person, double occupancy experienced who will seek out the best possible dive sites—from exploring caves and drop-offs to fringing reefs and coral gardens. Our ships are fully outfitted with compressors and tanks, allowing you to enjoy one or two dives per day. On Philippines with Palau & Taiwan most of the ships we charter, belts, masks, and fins are February 29 - March 26, 2020 | 17 Days also provided, as well as a storage area for all of your dive gear. From $15,980 per person, double occupancy Please note: Diving is an additional $500 per person cost on all of our voyages, except for the Maldives. You must be Advanced Open Water (AOW) certified and have completed at least two open water dives within 12 months prior to the trip’s departure in Ultimate Maldives: A Snorkeling & Diving order to participate in diving. Adventure March 21 - April 3 & March 31 - April 13, 2020 | 14 Days Upcoming Diving Adventures From $10,980 per person, double occupancy

Underwater Wonders of Western Best of the Great Barrier Reef Australia July 14 - 28, 2020 | 15 Days May 13 - 27, 2019 | 15 Days From $10,980 per person, double occupancy From $14,580 per person, double occupancy

Papua New Guinea Melanesia, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu September 20 - October 6, 2019 | 17 Days September 10 - 27, 2020 | 18 Days From $14,980 per person, double occupancy From $14,480 per person, double occupancy

Tahiti to Easter Island: Marquesas, Tuamotus & Pitcairns October 10 - 29, 2019 | 20 Days To make a reservation, call one of our Expedition From $20,680 per person, double occupancy Advisors, or contact your travel consultant.

800.628.8747 | 206.285.4000 | FAX 206.285.5037 3131 Elliott Avenue | Suite 250 | Seattle, WA 98121 www.zegrahm.com | [email protected]

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS < 12