We first visited Roatan in 2013 and it's high time we went back fro a second look. Even though we had some weather issues back then, we really liked the resort (Anthony's Key) where we stayed and we saw a lot of really interesting critters. And for those who like boat dives, this is the perfect setup as - even though there's shore diving available - the standard package is three boats dives each day we're there. Yahoo!!! And we'll be staying out on the Key in their Superior rooms which means that after the diving is done, you can relax on your own deck overlooking the water before we head off to dinner (which is included, as are all the other meals).

Roatan sits at the bottom end of the world's second-largest barrier reef so it's well-stocked with fish and corals. It's also known, as in Bonaire, for being a great place to go find little things, like the "pea" (which is really a juvy Smooth Trunkfish) that you see lower left, so-named because they really ARE the size of a pea.

So if you're looking for a great destination that's fairly easy to get to and which offers so nice diving, give us a call about Roatan. We're already getting a lot of interest on this one and it'll fill rather quickly.

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Easter Island - which is more correctly known as Rapa Nui - is the most isolated inhabited island in the world, lying some 2200+ miles off of the western coast of Chile (of which it is part). Easter Island is best known for the mysterious Moai that dot the island, huge carved statues that are thought to be offerings to ancient gods. But there's diving here too, and this trip combines the best of both.

While the diving isn't spectacular, it is quite unique and enjoyable. Easter Island's fish population isn't huge, but about 25% of it is endemic, which means these species are only found here. And when you realize how isolated the place is from the rest of the world, it's easy to see why. The low-profile coral reefs are very healthy and because there's not a lot of plankton in the water (which also affects the amount of fish that can survive), visibility of up to 200 feet is not uncommon.

The plan is to do a 2-tank dive every morning M-F, and alternate the afternoons with either a land tour of the Moai and the Birdman Cult (M/W/Fr) or an additional 1-tank dive (Tu/Th). Breakfast is included daily but we're on our own for lunch and dinner. (Easter Island has an amazing number of very good restaurants.) Although our general plan is to come straight back to L.A., if you wanted to extend your trip once we leave Rapa Nui, you could easily book a side trip to Machu Picchu in Peru, or tour Santiago, or go somewhere else in South America.

This trip will be limited to 10 people and is filling fast. Don't miss out on this unique vacation opportunity!!!

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A great word to describe Bonaire would be "reliable." You know what to expect and it's pretty much that way 365 days a year. May has proven an especially good time for us to go because it's not too hot or windy there, most sites are accessible, and we always have a good time.

Once again, we'll be diving with our friends at Buddy Dive, right in the middle of the island so we've got easy access to all the dive sites, including those over on Klein Bonaire (which is only accessible by boat). Bonaire was one of the first places in the world to establish themselves as a marine sanctuary so they'll got very healthy reefs and very good fish life. You generally don't see "big" animals here (sharks, mantas, etc.) but there are plenty of Tarpon who you'll doubtless encounter on a night dive, and they've even over the last few years taken to hanging out during the daytime as well.

Because we get a vehicle included with our package, we're not limited to diving just at Buddy Dive (although the house reef is excellent) and can drive around the island to do some other shore dives, as well as we can travel to find the Flamingoes that call Bonaire home.

All in all, this is a very relaxing and "easy" trip and one that has things for divers of all skill levels. It's great as a first-foreign-trip as well as for old salts. Our group is generally limited to 8 (sometimes we'll go to 12), so call in to reserve your spot.
 

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We love diving with Murex in Manado, Indonesia. Aside from being the spot where the nickname "Opa Gila" was first created (it loosely means "Crazy Old Man"), the resort is wonderful, the staff is attentive, and the diving is spectacular.

We'll generally do two dives each day in Bunaken Marine Park where the walls are vertical and the fish are plentiful. Then, after a break for lunch on the boat, we'll usually come back across to explore some of the muck diving sites in Manado Bay where you can find all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. And we'll also spend one full day in the legendary Lembeh Straits where even more weird and wonderful creatures, some endemic to Lembeh, reside.

The other nice thing about this trip is that, because we go through Singapore, we have the option of adding on a few days of touring Singapore on to the back end on our way back to Los Angeles. Totally optional but Singapore's a really fascinating world-class city.

So it's really a great trip, especially when you realize that it's 9-days at Murex, all meals included, all diving, side trip to Lembeh, and all the fun you can handle. Be sure to reserve your spot on this one.

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How would you like a Whale Shark in your face . . . GUARANTEED??? (Well, almost guaranteed. I don't want to over-sell it.)

Isla Mujeres is the jumping off point for the largest known congregation of Whales Sharks in the world. They gather annually over the summer months in this area to feed and scientists estimate there may be as many as 80-0 individuals involved. And we can put you right in the middle of them. Mexican government regulations limit the interactions to snorkeling only but it's still pretty cool to have one coming at you, mouth agape, while you see three or four others passing by that one. And we'll go out looking for them on three of our six dive days there.

This trip is not just limited to Whale Shark snorkeling. We'll do our first day diving through the Cancun Underwater Museum, a series of sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor that depict a number of tableaus. We'll spend one day over on the Yucatan mainland exploring one of the cenotes near Tulum. And we'll do yet another day on a small wreck near Cancun as well as explore reefs near Isla Mujeres.

It's a really unique trip because every day we're doing something different. It's also a very relaxing trip because - except for Tuesday when we go to the cenotes - most days we're back at the hotel mid-afternoon, leaving lots of time for beach lounging, consuming margaritas by the pool, or taking a nap.

Especially for people who don't want a trip that's dive/dive/dive, or who have a non-diver in the mix, this is the perfect plan. Give us a call at 310/652-4990 to get signed up or to ask questions.

READ THE 2016 TRIP REPORT 

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In simple terms, the Maldives is one of the fishiest places we've ever been diving. The reefs are really healthy and thriving and, because it's the Indian Ocean, there are likely numerous species of fish that you've never seen before. We last visited in 2016 and it's high time we went back.

And one change we're making this time (this will be our 4th time visiting - and we'll again be diving from the mighty Manthiri) is that instead of exploring the southern atolls, we'll be heading north to the area of Baa Atoll and surroundings. One reason for this is that, at this time of the year, hundreds and hundreds of manta rays gather in this area to feed on plankton and to mate. And we're hoping to get a glimpse of that.

But even without that, our erstwhile dive guide Moosa Hassan tells us that these reefs are sometimes even more interesting than the southern ones. So we'll hope to get in great diving, new locations, and see some spectacular sites.

We're not sure of our specific routing yet (good chance we'll go through Singapore) but we'll overnight in Male on the way in and then have nine days on the Manthiri. When we get off the boat, we'll go straight to the airport for our flight out and will likely offer an additional 2-3 days land-based in whatever gateway city (Singapore, Dubai, even Moscow) that we fly through.

The Manthiri only hold 12 divers and many of the people who went with us in 2016 are coming again so space is filling quickly. If this is on your bucket list - and it should be - make sure to get your deposit in to lock down your spot.

READ THE 2016 TRIP REPORT  

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For 26 years, we ran trips out of La Paz exploring the Sea of Cortez on the wonderful Don Jose. Sadly, those trips ended for us after 2012, and we haven't gone back because there hasn't been a liveaboard plying those waters. Until now.

We are delighted to share with you that there will be a new boat down there called the Nautilus Gallant Lady, run by our good friends at Nautilus Explorer. The boat's larger than the Don Jose (the Lady is 116'x22') and takes fewer people (12 vs. 16) so we get the best of both worlds: bigger boat and less people.

We'll also be exploring new territory but still within the Sea of Cortez. Our old itinerary took us north of La Paz to places like Los Islotes, Las Animas, and El Bajo. But our new ship will be based south of Las Paz, halfway down to Cabo, and will explore the waters of the world's most successful marine protected area (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Cabo Pulmo.

This is a magnificent reef that routinely attracts Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, huge shoals of fish, and everything else you'd expect to find in a thriving eco-system. There will be plenty of new places and sites to explore and we'll have 4.5 dive days to do so, generally doing 4 dives each day (2 dives on the half day). We dive out of pangas, using the Lady as a mothership, so we'll have maximum flexibility and maneuverabilty.

Because we can only take 12 people (really 11 since Ken Kurtis will lead each trip and counts as one of the 12), we expect this will fill quickly but we're also open to the idea of doing back-to-back trips and staying down there to dive with a second group of 12. But the point is, get your $500 deposit in now to guarantee your spot and then we'll work out the rest of the details.

It's going to be great to return to the Sea of Cortez, one of our most popular trips over the years, and we look forward to having you with us (again).