Latest News & Updates

Raja Ampat on the Mantra Liveaboard

The yacht features three cabins, each with private bathroom and AC. The teak wood interior is toned with traditional Indonesian patterns giving the feeling of warmness and comfort. Each cabin consists of Queen size bed and one or two bunk single beds on the sides. The Cabins are cleaned daily, with towel and sheets changed on your request, with a desired frequency.

Cruise in comfort and enjoy spacious interiors on board with Mantra, which accommodates six and up to ten passengers. It’s perfect for 3 couples with kids, or close circle of friends who can share the comfortable cabins. 

• Luxury Cabins with queen size beds, with one or two bunk single beds extra.

• Each Cabin has an in suite bathroom with hot water.

• Each Cabin has AC with remote controller.

• Hidden safety box in each cabin.

• Bed sheets and towels are changed regularly.

• Three main meals per day (Vegetarian food is available on request).

• Two snacks per day (Fruits, chocolate bars, etc.)

• Water

• Soft and alcoholic drinks (Price list is sent on request)

We are pleased to announce we are now booking the Mantra Liveaboard cruising the waters of Indonesia. Combining classical appeal with 21st Century technology, Mantra was masterfully crafted on a Sulawesi beach and features a low superstructure with a large deck from bow to stern, resulting in a ship that offers not only a majestic retro form, but also safety for serving private magical journeys.The 75 foot wooden yacht features graceful lines reminiscent of a traditional Phinisi schooner. This classic style harks back to these great vessels of the Bugis tribe that once ruled the waves during the historic spice trade.

Charters are available to Raja Ampat, North Maluku, Komodo, and the Banda Sea. 2015 charters are available and are priced per cabin, not per person. Contact us for charter dates and availability.

• 7 Nights per Cabin $5700 USD
• 8 Nights per Cabin $6500 USD
• 11 Nights per Cabin $9000 USD  

Murex Bangka Resort, Indonesia - August 2014

"Bangka was better than I expected, since LR is now rotating one of their eagle-eyed dive guides into Murex Bangka whenever possible (Sandro is a good guide with a great personality).  They also have 2 former LR dive shop staff on site trying to keep a handle on things.  They also have access to a new boat, which is technically shared with Murex Manado (which apparently has first dibs) which we mostly got to dive on (I see now why people complain about the old boats as they are pretty dilapidated and not as user friendly).  I think I actually liked that new boat better than LR's boats - really awesome built-in wooden hangers for suits to dry on during lunch.  I was in one of the oldest rooms - right next to the gear up area, on top of the (not used) dive shop, and beside the kitchen/restaurant, so a bit noisy but I survived.  I knew Bangka was outback but the shower wasn`t great (needs a new shower head - yes the water smells, but I knew it was remote going in).   I asked to tour the newer rooms which are much nicer and have more amenities, better water pressure, newer ACs, etc.  It took a lot of lobbying but I managed to dive Bantu Pendita the day all the children and snorkellers (and their diver family members) went on a Lembeh day trip, which was beautiful, current ridden and Komodo-like, as one of my SB friends had advised.  One of my favourite dives of the trip.  Did not see the dugong, but there was a close encounter a few weeks before I arrived.  Did not manage a night dive - no one really keen to do one.  That place attracts a lot of families with non-divers bc of the beach.  There was a Dutch family there for a month doing just 1 dive a day.  Food is simple and some westerners have found it a bit repetitive (again I can see why).  They managed the vegetarian request fine except for the last night where they put a vegetable dish with fish in it in the position where the vegetarian side dish usually was (there was no vegetarian side dish that night) and didn't tell anyone about the fish.  There is now a snack after dives - often Western fresh baked cake - which is nice.  There are also local peanuts.  I think they definitely have made the best power decision of the other ops on island from my discussions with others who have dove Bangka (power roughly 6 PM to 6 AM so you can run AC and sleep).  I had a SB friend diving at Mimpi Indah in the same period and he definitely thought my experience was better - better guiding, better AC, and he prefers the Murex bungalows.  Very different vibe than Lembeh due to the non-24 hour power and dial up internet.  I enjoyed it and would go back despite a few wrinkles.  Saw my first pygmie squid (which I had never seen at Lembeh despite multiple attempts - of course I then went and found my own in Lembeh) and a cyerce nudibranch I had been hoping to see for years.  The senior guide there is very good for Batu Pendita - knows how to manage the current which can be fierce.  I am not sure attempting that dive site with a newer or less Bangka-experienced guide would be a great idea.  I also saw some fighting junior mimics which the guides were excited about.  Yes they had a rhino picked out too."

Natasha S - Toronto, Canada

August 2014

Lembeh Resort - Lembeh, Indonesia

"Lembeh Resort is still great.  They`ve improved meals and snacks and the pool area significantly since we were last there.  The resort GMs are still amazing - e.g. they were doing spot checks on the chef to make sure he was using the vegetarian soup base for soups rather than chicken or beef while I was there so that I could eat the soups.  They previously worked at Wakatobi which IMO shows.  I also managed to hit Fish Geek week which was amazing - heard talked from Mark Erdmann and Gerry Allen and got to dive on their boat and see them in action underwater.  Super cool.  Anita felt there were less critters this trip than last time she went (I think in 2012) and I would tend to agree.  Definitely fewer mimics.  I still had a good time looking for obscure nudis (but that`s not Anita`s cup of tea).  My favourite guide who I have dove with the past 3 visits managed to find me 3 phyllodesmium rudmani`s after many days of searching (which I had been on a mission to see - see SB post) so that was exciting.  I still don`t love the food there (I ate vegetable soup for dinner every night for the entire length of our stay) but that`s partly because eating any raw veggies even at tourist oriented dive resorts tends to result in stomach sickness.  I thought the old dive shop managers had a better system of focusing on the best/hopping dive sites rather than the new dive managers' current system, which just rotates through the entire list irrespective of quality or current activity levels.  Dimpy the marine biologist remains terrific for IDing obscure nudis." 

Natasha S - Toronto, Canada

Brac Reef Beach Resort - Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

"Quick email Greg. Diving and resort experience were both positive and I'm happy with the trip."

Martin H. - Ontario, Canada

Ethical Travel & Dive Destinations

Here are some of the Top 10 Ethical Travel Destinations for 2015 as rated by Calfornia-based Ethical Traveler. If you are interested in a true adventure to a destination that cares for its natural resources and protects the marine environment, give us a call and we will get you to one of these destinations…!

Samoa - recently co-signed a $1 million project for improving biodiversity and managing threats of climate change.

Tonga - Ha'aapai will become Tonga's first island to institute organic farming. Tonga is also an amazing place to experience dives with whales.

Dominica - clean energy initiative, concern for wildlife, and resistance to commercial whaling earn this island paradise high marks. Known as the Nature Isle, Dominica lives up to its reputation.

Palau - designated an Environmental Stat because of its extensive care of marine and terrestrial areas. And of course, Palau is one of Micronesia's premier dive destinations.

Mauritius - has embarked on a program to plant 200,000 trees by the end of 2014. The African country is also praised for its social services. As yes, you can find some amazing scuba diving in the Mauritian waters.

We have been working with Chris Lubba at Palau Dive Adventures (Palau) and Bill Acker at Manta Ray Bay Resort (Yap) to offer a fin-tastic Micronesia combo package, 2 Islands - 1 Trip special. Here is this amazing package. 14 nights for $3599 per person double occupancy.

We get you to the Palau's Blue Hole

• 14 Nights accommodations:
• 7 Nights at Palau Pacific Resort on Palau
• 7 Nights at Manta Ray Bay Resort on Yap
• 15 Boat dives on Yap, 13 Boat dives on Palau
• Breakfast at both resorts, lunch on dive days
• Complimentary room upgrades at both resorts
• Unlimited nitrox
• Free internet on Yap
• Palau and Yap ground airport transfers

From the macro to the magnificent, you will experience a wide range of critters. From giant mantas and sharks to mating Mandrin fish, Micronesia has it all. 

We are now booking liveaboard trips on the Infiniti Liveaboard sailing the waters around the Andaman Islands, India. The Andaman Islands, among the most remote islands in the world, are a relaxed tropical island outpost belonging to India. In sharp contrast to the otherwise crowded Indian destinations, the Andaman Islands are a serene paradise for travellers. One of India’s most fascinating water bodies, the archipelago comprises 572 virgin tropical islands with unique wildlife & lush forests; and with the Andaman Sea to the east between theislands and the coast of Burma, stretching across 6,400 sq. km. 

The Infiniti is a brand new, beautiful liveaboard specially constructed in Thailand for the purpose of liveaboard diving in India’s remote Andaman & Lakshadweep islands. Constructed under full survey of RINA, the Infiniti is built to the highest standards of safety and comfort requirements. The huge 40m boat will keep the number of divers limited, in order to offer an intimate and special experience. 

March 1-10, 2015 and April 1-10, 2015 Charters:  $3499 USD per person all inclusive, nitrox not included. Contact us for details, itinerary, and availability.

BARREN ISLAND, RITCHIE'S ARCHIPELAGO, CINQUE ISLAND, THE SISTERS, PASSAGE ISLAND, FISH ROCK   

Dive with Palau Dive Adventures, stay at Palau Pacific Resort (PPR), fly China Airlines. Yea!