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Join the “Australasia Challenge” – at the 5th Underwater Festival 2011

Over 100.000,00 AUD worth of prizes to be won!

What: Go diving and take pictures
When: 2-11 Sep 2011
Where: Anywhere in over 20 Australasian countries or at one of the designated “fringe” events

The Underwater Festival 2011 will be the biggest one yet. It will be lots of fun and activities. Many dive operators are offering special “Underwater Festival Fringe Events” anything from photography workshops with Photo & Video Pros to photo shootout competitions, is available!

Entrants do not have to participate in Fringe Events, they simply can go diving and shoot with a buddy, the dives can be anywhere in over 20 countries as long as they are diving during the designated shootout days 2 to 11 September 2011. Your favourite backyard dive, a fancy trip to a dive resort you always wanted to go, one of the many Festival Fringe Events that will be offered, the choice is yours. The aim is to make it possible for anybody with any budget to participate.

The organisers want people to feel that they are part of creating a snapshot of the underwater beauty but also the issues of our amazing region have lots of fun. The social aspect of the Underwater Festival has always been an important element of the event and by spreading the shootout part of the festival over a larger region, much of the socializing on the large scale will take place during the associated dive & travel trade show ODEX in Brisbane (7-9 October 2011). Here it is where the whole festival will come together to showcase and celebrate its achievements.

Fringe events are happening all over Australasia as part of the Underwater Festival 2011
To name a few of the Fringe Events which we feature in our program:
Australia: Heron Island, Spoilsport, Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands.
Fiji: Matava Resort
Indonesia: Gangga Island Resort
Yap: Manta Ray Bay Resort
Palau: Fish’n Fins
Philippines: ABWonderdive
PNG: Tawali Resort

These 25 countries are part of Australasia for this competition:
Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Federated States of Micronesia, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

For more information, check out:

There are many rumours floating on the state of the diving in Thailand. We received this update from our partners MERMAID in Thailand

  1.  There was a coral bleaching that hit Malaysia and Thailand in May/June 2010. It did not go as far as Burma nor the Andaman Islands India.  
  2. Shallow water hard corals down to about 15 metres on fringing reefs have been affected (fringing reefs are reefs around islands )
  3. It has not affected  Soft Corals and has not significantly affected  the granite boulder sites – which the Andaman Sea diving are famous for. eg Richelieu Rock has barely been touched at all and is as awesome as ever ! 
  4.  The Thai Government has decided to close some reefs and we applaud their efforts to help protect the reef            a.       They have closed approximately 18 dive sites all along the coast of west Thailand (only 2 sites in Similans have been closed) – there are more than 30+ dive sites in the Similans.  There are many good dives to replace this. 
    b.      A number of shallow water bays around Surin Island have been closed – these were not on Mermaids itineararies 
    c.  No sites of our Hin Daeng/Hin Muang trips have been closed 
  5. Our guests are coming back from their trips with big smiles and great reviews, having had an excellent trip with Mermaid Liveaboards our super service crews, yummy foods, fabulous boat and of course, great diving.

Summing up, the bad news is that the bleaching is significant, that dive sites have been closed by the government to protect the reefs. The good news is that the government is acting and that our preferred liveaboard operators have still plenty of exciting healthy dive sites to choose from.
We can confirm the excellent client feedback from recently returned clients.

DiVo (short for Dive Voluntourism) is an Australian-based non-profit network whose aim is to bring active marine conservation participation to the recreational scuba diving market.

DiVo identify marine conservation groups whose activities are suited to the . Divo identfies conservation programmes where recreational dive tourist can participate. This way, more recreational divers get introduced to marine conservation and research.

The “dive voluntourist” will have a dive with a difference to make a difference.

In December 2011 they have a 7 day programme with the LIZARD ISLAND RESEARCH STATION For a full week you can join scientists to conduct a survey of the reef life  on the Great Barrier reef near Lizard island.
Date : (10-17 December 2011).
Cost AUD 3.000.00
Check the DiVo website for more information or send us an email: info@diversiondivetravel.com.au

You maybe excused if Tingwon is not part of your standard Geography.
You can find the real answer by joining this trip organised by Lissenung Island Resort in Papua New Guinea.
 – or you can cheat and scroll to the bottom :)

9-day/8-night Exploratory Trip,
Tingwon Island, 21-29 May 2011 

During this 9-day trip, we will visit areas rarely if ever dived. Accommodation will be at Lissenung Island Resort and at the guest house at Tingwon Island, west of New Hanover. We will take our dive boat to explore some new dive sites and visit some other sites that we know are very good, but rarely have the chance to dive. Weather depending these may include Chapman’s Reef with its resident Giant Groupers or a ship wreck and a Midget Submarine at New Hanover.   

Sample 9-Day Itinerary: 
Day 1:  · Arrival at Kavieng and transfer to Lissenung Island · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort 
Day 2:  · 2 boat dives on some of Lissenung’s famous dive sites such as Albatross Passage, Helmut’s    Reef as well as exploring some new sites · Night Dive at Lissenung Island · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort
Day 3: · 2 boat dives on some of Lissenung’s famous dive sites such as Planet Channel, Byron Strait as    well as exploring some new sites · Night Dive at Lissenung Island · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort 
Day 4: · Depart for Tingwon Island. We will drive to the west coast of New Hanover and then make the    crossing to Tingwon. The boat ride over will take approx. 3.5 hours · 2 boat dives, one along New Hanover and one at Tingwon Island · Overnight at Tingwon Island Guest House 
Day 5:  · 2 boat dives around Tingwon Island where we will explore some new reefs · Overnight at Tingwon Island Guest House 
Day 6: · Depart for Lissenung Island with 2 boat dives, one at Tingwon Island and another one    somewhere along New Hanover · In the afternoon, return to Lissenung Island Resort · Night Dive at Lissenung Island · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort 
Day 7:  · 2 boat dives on some of Lissenung’s famous dive sites such as Albatross Passage, Helmut’s    Reef as well as exploring some new sites · Night Dive at Lissenung Island · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort 
Day 8: · Rest day · If you are flying at lunchtime tomorrow, possibility for 2 more boat dives · Overnight at Lissenung Island Resort 
Day 9: · Depart Lissenung Island Resort or stay on for some more awesome diving! (Normal accommodation and diving rates apply!)  

This is a sample itinerary only and it is subject to change without notice, depending on weather conditions. Satellite phone, Oxygen and First Aid equipment and spare parts kit are on board the dive boat. Please note that the guest house visited might be very basic. However, the experience you will gain during this trip will be very much worth the effort!

Cost: A$ 3,159.00 per person in twin/double accommodation 

Inclusions: 
Return flight from Cairns to Kavieng on Air Niugini · 6 nights accommodation in a double/twin room with private facilities at Lissenung Island Resort · 2 nights accommodation with share facilities at Tingwon Island guest house · Return airport transfer · All meals · 6 days with 2 boat dives per day · Tanks, weights, dive guide, snacks onboard dive boat · Complimentary shore diving on Lissenung House Reef · Complimentary night dives on Lissenung House Reef · Complimentary “sun-downer” wine · Complimentary image downloading and CD/DVD burning · Complimentary Lissenung Island and New Ireland DVD · Complimentary Lissenung Island Resort T-Shirt  
Minimum 4 divers, maximum 6 divers Single rates and rates for non-divers on request  
 

Please inquire with us for more information and package rates from other cities then Cairns

Tingwon Island is a small island of New Hanover in Northern Papua New Guinea. It is inhabited by local Island people and rarely get’s overseas visitors.  Check it out on Google maps: http://goo.gl/maps/olK9

We are now offering families the opportunity to join the Siren Fleet in the South Visayas, Philippines during in August 2011.

This trip is dedicated to families who up until now may have been put off joining such a trip. The trip will allow both parents and their children to dive together (dependant on age and qualifications), to try scuba diving if not qualified and to enjoy many other activities. We have kayaks, water skiing, wakeboarding, treasure hunts, visits to stunning beaches and much much more. On board the yacht children will be able to eat healthy but favourite and familiar food such as burgers, fish fingers and more. Soft drinks are included in the price. We have many films that kids love such as Disney films and these can be viewed on each cabins personal computer or in the saloon on the large plasma screen whilst enjoying pop corn.

The dates are:
3rd August to 13th August 2011 – South Visayas on the Philippine Siren.

Price per adult (16years and over) 2,400 Euro (~ AUD 3,499.00)
price per child (up to 15 years) 1,200 Euro  (~ AUD 1,74900)
(when accompanied by full paying adult).
Please note: Children are only charged if they require a bed for themselves. If they are at an age where they do not need a bed there is no charge.

Special features of the family trip include:
Nannies to look after children.
Baby cot if required*.
Children’s size snorkeling equipment*.
Specially catered children’s menu.
Fancy dress pirate night with prize for best dressed (make the crew walk the plank).
Fun but educational talks on the marine environment.

* = Limited numbers. Cot should be ordered at time of booking. It is advised parents purchase their child(rens) snorkel equipment prior to the trip to ensure a perfect fit.

PS: If liveabords are not your family’s thing – the Philippines have a wide range of great dive resorts which are perfect for an fun, affordable family dive vacation, with excellent diving. Please ask our consultants for details

Maldives dive cruiseThe best of both!

We are now taking bookings for 2011 groups and individuals for the new Carpe Vita Explorer. This luxurious vessel is scheduled to begin service in February 2011. The Carpe Vita Explorer is a 125 foot safari yacht and will carry 20-passengers in 10 air-conditioned hotel-style staterooms. We are offering 10 night and 7 night itineraries to North and South Male and Ari atolls from November through April, and to North Male and Ari, Baa and Raa Atolls from May through October.  Special itineraries to the northern atolls are also planned.  All of the itineraries are planned to accommodate seasonal changes, current and pelagic migration patterns.

Dive Palaus fabulous reefs
1 week dive package incl airfare from Coolangatta AU$ 2089
(every Monday)

includes:
direct flights from Coolangatta on Pacific Flier,
air taxes,7 nights twin share accommodation at Seapassion Hotel in Korror, roundtrip airport transfers in Korror, daily breakfast, lunch & drink on dive days,
5 dive days with two dives each (10 dives) with Fish’n Fins, tanks, weights, Free Nitrox.
for travel between June to September 2010. Please email for details

Solmar V  by Eric ChengIf you like diving with big animals like whales, sharks, and giant mantas join the Solmar V on a Socorro Adventure. Take advantage of our JND Special,

 Jan, Nov, & Dec 2011 just $2,995 per person

 Save up to $932 per person.

  • Pay no taxes   We pay the 11% Mexican IVA tax (value USD 330)
  •  No Port fees or National Park fees
  •  FREE upgrade to Superior cabin (  while supply lasts)
  •  FREE Nitrox
  •  FREE hotel night in Cab 
  • FREE roundtrip airport transfers

Just $2995 per person

 Must be Booked by May 31, 2010 NEW bookings only

We can’t tell you exactly what is going on just yet, but the Diversion Dive Travel team have got some very big news coming up in just 20 days. In fact it is so big, we are absolutely positive you will want to tell everyone you dive with about it.

 How will it affect you?

Let’s just say that your choice of diving holidays is going to be bigger. The amount of money you can save will be BIGGER. And the diving experiences you are going to enjoy will be much BIGGER. So keep an eye on your inbox. Thank you for being buddies of Diversion Dive Travel and we really do look forward to sharing our BIG news with you in just 20 days.

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know:
http://diversionoz.com/en/newsletter.htm

Your travel and dive enthusiasts at 

DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL

Tambora Cruise Special –
11 Nights  7-18 June 2010
21 June to 2 July <=additional date!

from/to Tarakan
Dive the best sites in this remote area of  Kalimantan in the best season:
Sangalaki, Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban, Samama
Best Big Fish in Indonesia

Due to a group cancellation, Tambora Dive Cruises extends the following:

• One Diver: 25% off — US$2,850 rather than regular US$3,800
• Group of 2 Divers: 30% off — US$ 2,660 p.p.
• Group of 6 and more Divers:   50% off

Contact us for a quote including airfare from your nearest airport.
(e.g Sydney-Tarakan on SQ from AU$ 1380)

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