News
Explorer Ventures Fleet announces two new vessels
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet announces the addition of the brand new Tiburon Explorer in the Galapagos and the new White Manta Explorer in Indonesia.
The steel has been delivered, sandblasted and primed and, on June 20, the keel was laid for the 125 foot (38 meter) Tiburon Explorer. Progress photos will be published periodically on social media. This substantial steel hull vessel will cruise the waters of the incredible Galapagos, visiting the famed Wolf and Darwin Islands for hammerheads and whale sharks, as well as Cabo Douglas in search of marine iguanas and Punta Vincente Roca for the opportunity to see mola molas.
A large and spacious state-of-the-art vessel, the Tiburon Explorer will feature 9 air-conditioned staterooms accommodating 16 guests, with 6 large staterooms on the main deck and 3 suites with large port lights on the lower deck, all with private bathrooms and ocean views. All nine cabins will be outfitted with twin beds that can convert to king beds, allowing for singles or couples in each cabin. The yacht will feature a partially covered sun deck with a jacuzzi and plenty of seating; a salon with dining, bar and entertainment areas as well as an ample dive deck with bathroom, large camera table with charging station, individual storage areas and separate rinse bins for cameras and dive gear. Diving operations will be conducted from two large pangas (tenders), easily boarded from the dive deck.
Existing reservations aboard Majestic Explorer have been moved to Tiburon Explorer and new reservations are now being accepted for travel beginning in April, 2020.
The new White Manta Explorer will be making her way from Malaysia to Indonesia where she will begin cruising the Banda Sea starting on September 16, 2019. Measuring 150 feet (46 meters) in length and 30 feet (10 meters) in width, this steel hull vessel will offer exciting diving through Ambon, Banda, Sangalaki and Raja Ampat in Indonesia. She is stable, sophisticated, and reliable – perfect for extended itineraries to the most exotic regions of Indonesia.
Accommodations on White Manta Explorer include fourteen beautifully furnished en-suite staterooms averaging 200 sq. ft. (20sqm) providing modern lodging for up to 22 guests. Six of the staterooms can be available for single occupancy. White Manta Explorer is replete with amenities including 24-hour satellite WIFI connection, a spacious sundeck, and two dining areas – a popular outdoor alfresco area and an indoor air-conditioned dining room. With a vessel this refined, guests are ensured the onboard ambiance of a world-class dive holiday.
White Manta Explorer‘s dive deck is sizeable and comfortable with a large dedicated camera room, outdoor work station, and a full range of rental equipment. Diving is also conducted in small groups (4:1) meaning attentive and personalized service. With an average of 20 crew members on board and a high crew to guest ratio, those aboard can expect first-class service above and below the water.
Guests joining Tiburon Explorer in the Galapagos or White Manta Explorer in Indonesia will undoubtedly enjoy an exhilarating, yet luxurious, dive holiday, most likely returning time and time again.
For reservations and information, visit www.explorerventures.com, email info@explorerventures.com or call +1-307-235-0683 or +1-800-322-3577 (US and Canada).
Source: www.divenewswire.com
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 3
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 2
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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