Summer/Autumn | 2019
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Summer/Autumn | 2019 Philippines DIVE ADVENTURE What’s Bubbling ALL NEW Island of the Gods BALI Bula from FIJI Dive in SMALL GROUP TRIPS Philippines Dive Adventure Threshers, rays & critters Earlier this year, client Sara Jenner asked us to design a trip to the Philippines combining rest, relaxation and diving. In this article she describes her adventure to Malapascua and Bohol in search of thresher sharks, critters and pelagics. fter much discussion with my Travel five-minute walk to the dive centre. The with small critters and nudibranchs. Consultant (Cath), I decided on a hotel offered everything I needed plus A twin-centre holiday in the plenty of personal touches. And I can Next stop was Bohol. I stayed at Alona Philippines. I was looking for some highly recommend the ‘overnight oats’ Vida Beach Resort, which is relatively quiet much-needed rest and relaxation in the with frozen banana from the breakfast considering its central location, and the sun, with a good mix of diving (so I could buffet to set you up for the day. dive centre is situated in a lovely peaceful play with my new underwater camera) … Malapascua is famous for its pelagic site. There were plenty of great dives just a most importantly, at an affordable price, thresher sharks, and I made the necessary few hundred metres off the main beach, and the Philippines seemed to tick all these early start to see them three times during with beautiful coral-covered walls teeming boxes. my week-long stay! The diversity of macro with macro life. For bigger pelagic species life was astonishing and makes this an it’s worth heading out to Balicasag Island I started my adventure in Malapascua, ideal place for any keen photographer. – I encountered big shoals of jackfish and staying at the Buena Vida Resort and Spa, My favourite site was ‘Chocolate Box’ barracudas, lots of groupers and rays and which was a fabulous choice and only a (Chocolate Island), as it was inundated countless green turtles there. However, the 2 Contact our Dive team to plan your next diving adventure Fantastic trip as a whole. I would Welcome definitely go back to the Philippines We are excited to announce that Regaldive and book with Dive Worldwide is now part of The Natural Travel Collection again. A special thanks to Cath along with Dive Worldwide, forming the largest is needed for her wonderful selection of dive holidays in the UK! We can product knowledge now offer you a fantastic selection of resorts and guidance. and liveaboards in Egypt and the Red Sea region, among other destinations. Our expert Sara J, Philippines team has expanded too, and we look forward to helping plan your next dive holiday! We’ve packed our latest seasonal brochure full of new trips and great ideas for diving adventures – we hope you like it and find plenty to inspire your next trip(s). Our client Sara Jenner describes an epic twin- centre dive trip to the Philippines, and we have picked out some of our best small group trips and exclusive liveaboard adventures. We have been out and about across the world discovering the best resorts, locations and deals for your next diving adventure. Senior Travel Consultant Charlie Munns returns to his beloved Truk Lagoon, Emily Chappell reports on her recent trip to Fiji in search of technicolour corals and big fish, and Product Manager Sarah Wight enjoys Bali’s mantas, critters and sharks. Finally, we introduce new resorts and trips in the Maldives, Palau, Philippines, French Polynesia and Papua New Guinea. Dive in ... Dive Worldwide Team Contents Philippines Dive Adventure 2-3 Bali & Beyond 4 What’s Bubbling - All New! 5 Iconic Liveaboard Adventures 6-7 Seasonal Underwater Escapes 8-11 Belize – Reefs, Atolls & the Blue Hole 12 Fiji’s Technicolour Corals & Mantas 13 Truk – The Wreck Capital of the World 14 Small Group Dive Trips 15 Image by Sara Jenner Our Diving Holidays highlight for me was Dolijo, which felt like We offer exceptional tailor-made and small Dive the Philippines swimming in an aquarium. The reef is group liveaboard and resort-based dive 13 days from £2,175 covered with hard and soft corals, giant sea holidays in over 190 destinations worldwide. Our holidays cater for beginners and fans and enormous barrel sponges. We Lying within the Coral Triangle, the saw giant frogfish, different angel, butterfly, Philippines offer divers a fantastic diversity experienced divers, specific interests such and cardinal fish, various moray eels and, of macro life, pelagic species, wrecks as muck, wreck, technical, underwater every so often, a graceful eagle ray would and colourful reefs, as well as beautiful photography or particular marine life such beaches. Contact our expert Dive team to as sharks and rays. With almost 20 years’ glide past – paradise! create your very own dive adventure. We experience, our friendly Dive team includes offer a range of suggested trip ideas and highly experienced divers who keep up-to-date I was so impressed with the holiday Cath can design a twin-centre holiday, island with new and exciting places to dive, and take created for me, that within a week of hopping adventure, or an epic tailor-made pleasure in hand picking the best diving and returning I had already booked my next trip just for you! snorkelling experiences for you! dive adventure with her – in search of some To view our full collection of holidays to the Philippines see our website. Cover: Grey reef sharks, Fakarava, French Polynesia ‘big stuff’ in Socorro! (see page 5 for details of our French Polynesia liveaboard) [email protected] | 01962 302087 | www.diveworldwide.com 3 Bali & Beyond There aren’t many places in the world that combine such an array of incredible experiences in such a small place as Bali, but we recommend you travel around the island to get the best out of this unique destination. Product Manager Sarah Wight describes the island’s highlights. y last visit to Bali was in 1999, for Secrets is simply full of critters. The north- the millennium new year. I’d been west coast is home to colourful corals, Mmany times before, especially drop-offs, encounters with sharks, turtles during the summer holidays (I grew up and eagle rays, as well as muck diving. in Jakarta). This time was going to be different. It was a new century and I had so Topside emanates relaxation, culture and much to discover ... all for work! activity. It’s hard to decide what to do, if anything at all. The impressive sights BIG in Bali During my ten-day trip in Bali, I stayed in a of Mount Agung dominate the skyline, Suitable for divers of all abilities, this itinerary different resort every night inspecting our but you’re never too far from a rice field, travels to the mystical island of Nusa featured properties, as well as a liveaboard. rainforest or beach. The people are Lembongan for a tropical escape and a I got underwater in four renowned areas welcoming, the food amazing, and don’t unique diving experience. The mantas are mesmerising and the reefs are vibrant. and almost fully circumnavigated the island, forget to try the local beer – Bintang! stopping occasionally for a temple, scenic 11 days from £1,425 Jan-Dec photo or culinary fix. No matter your journey, I recommend you take your time and embrace the relaxed Diving highlights were instantaneous. pace of life; you’re on holiday! Parts of Bali A Visit to Bali First stop, Nusa Lembongan. Manta rays have changed in the 19 years between Explore Bali’s Tulamben region with a mix of and mola mola – check. I was intrigued my visits, but there are plenty of areas shore and boat diving to experience the best of what the island has to offer. Spend five by the volcanic topography at Candidasa that remain authentic, hidden gems. The days exploring local dive sites including the and encountered many a white-tip reef island has so much to offer those seeking Liberty wreck and Seraya Secrets. You can shark at Tepekong, a site rich in fish life. excellent diving with exceptional topside add this trip to an Indonesian liveaboard safari The dive sites at Tulamben on the north- adventure. or book it as a standalone dive holiday with east coast are captivating, especially for land tour options. photographers. Here, the Liberty Wreck For our full range of Bali holidays, visit our 10 days from £1,395 lives up to its reputation and Seraya website or contact our expert Dive team. Jan-Dec 4 Contact our Dive team to plan your next diving adventure ALL NEW What’s Bubbling We are continually adding new destinations, resorts and liveaboards to our expanding portfolio. To keep up-to-date, sign up to ‘What’s Bubbling’, our regular e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Reethi Faru Resort, Maldives Solitude One, Palau & Philippines Surrounded by a fringing reef and choice of tasty dishes at the six Designed and purpose built for Romblon and Ticao from July warm turquoise waters of the restaurants and bars; Coconut the discerning diver, Solitude One to September with plenty of Indian Ocean, this tranquil resort Spa; a variety of sporting activities excels in hospitality and onboard critter action and pelagic is set on a stunning tropical island and a dive centre. The resort’s technology for safety and diving. sightings. Intrepid divers should paradise located in the Raa Atoll. multi-national team operates Expect sharks, wrecks, caves, ask us about the vessel’s The 145 rooms and suites, built snorkelling and diving activities drop-offs and plenty of marine life occasional unique exploratory from locally sourced materials, on the house reef, as well as boat amongst the reefs as she cruises trips to the deep south including are situated amongst tropical excursions to dive on both sides the famous sites of Palau from Helen Reef Reserve.