News
Buddy Dive Resort partners with Fort Young Hotel to open Buddy Dive Dominica
Buddy Dive Dominica Slated to Launch August 1, 2015
Scuba divers can now experience the services and standards they are used to at Bonaire’s Buddy Dive Resort in Dominica.
Proclaimed as one of the World’s Best Dive Resorts in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards, Buddy Dive Resort has announced a partnership with Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel to open an on-site facility, Buddy Dive Dominica.
“Buddy Dive has the reputation of keeping the needs of divers in mind, making it easy, comfortable and convenient for everyone. We’re thrilled to be able to bring our dive expertise and services to Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel,” commented Martien van der Valk, Owner of Buddy Dive Resort. “Buddy Dive Dominica will be a full service operation that combines the best of both worlds; extensive dive knowledge, facilities and resources, while providing divers with personal attention from the friendly dive staff that will become the familiar faces guests are greeted by on their next visit.”
Buddy Dive Dominica will consist of a full stocked dive retail shop, teaching facilities, rental gear room, lockers, rinse tanks and outdoor showers. The dive operation will offer first class diving on Dominica. From boat diving at Champagne Reef or Toucari to night diving on Fort Young Hotel’s house reef – these are just some of the exciting diving that will be offered at Buddy Dive Dominica.
“Announcing the partnership with Buddy Dive Resort is very exciting for Fort Young Hotel,” commented Gregor Nassief, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fort Young Hotel. “Fort Young Hotel is Dominica’s leading full service hotel and has attracted a variety of business, adventure and dive travelers for many years. Joining forces with Buddy Dive and creating a world-class dive operation provides divers worldwide with the opportunity to experience Dominica’s magical diving while enjoying the comfort and service of Dominica’s leading hotel.”
Buddy Dive Dominica will be offering their Dive Into Nature package, which will showcase Dominica’s volcanic vents, plunging sea walls, colorful reefs and soft corals. The package includes 7 nights/8 days stay at the Fort Young Hotel, complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, 5 days 2-tank boat dives, unlimited resort diving, 5 dive excursions and the marine park fee. Dive Into Nature can be booked through Buddy Dive Central Reservations office at dominica@buddydive.com or for international reservations +599 7175080 (ext. 572) or for US/Canada reservations 1-866-GO-BUDDY.
About Buddy Dive Resort
Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire’s leading dive hotel, is known for its personable staff, spacious accommodations and a dive operation that has something for every diver. Today, the Resort is complete with eleven modern buildings housing spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments, a full service dive center, activity desk, two swimming pools, restaurant, pool bar, vehicle rentals and the famous drive-thru air and Nitrox fill station. Built with active people in mind, Buddy Dive Resort knows exactly what is needed to make guests comfortable both during their busy day of diving and exploring. Buddy Dive Resort was recognized as one of the World’s Best Dive Resorts in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information visit www.buddydive.com.
About Fort Young Hotel
Fort Young Hotel, Dominica’s leading hotel, is ideally located overlooking the ocean on the outskirts of Roseau, the capital of this rugged island in the Eastern Caribbean. The Fort Young’s unique architecture and rich history of the 32 original rooms coupled with the 38 Oceanfront and Deluxe rooms and three suites provide a combination of old world charm and spacious modern luxury. Offering an on-site Dive Shop, Excursion Desk, Duty Free shopping as well as Massage & Wellness Center and Conference Rooms, the Fort Young Hotel is the perfect getaway for divers and non-divers alike looking for top service, Diving and Eco-Adventure. Guests can dive some of the best reefs in the Caribbean from the private jetty, and trek off into the rainforests that stretch up the hills behind the hotel. Or just relax in a rooftop Jacuzzi, indulged with a spa treatment, or dine on local specialties in the newly refitted seafront restaurant the Palisades, so named since the word describes the original wooden fortifications, which were built on the very same spot as the restaurant’s terrace is today. References to the Fort’s deep connections to Dominica’s history can be found throughout the Fort Young Hotel. For more information visit www.fortyounghotel.com.
About Dominica
In a region saturated by tourism, Dominica remains one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean. Known as the “Nature Island” due to its abundance of natural splendors: 365 rivers, the second largest boiling lake in the world, volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, and black and white sand beaches. Much of the island is protected under national parks, one of which has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. Regarded as one of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean, Dominica is a paradise for explorers and adventurers, both above ground and underwater. Champagne reef and Scott’s Head drop off are just a couple of the many underwater highlights for divers.
MV FeBrina Escorted Photography Trip
Dates: 5-15 September 2025
Itinerary: 10-night trip to Kimbe Bay, the Witu Islands, and Fathers Reefs. This is widely considered the best diving itinerary in Papua New Guinea.
Capacity: Only 10 spots available.
Cost: $4990 USD per person sharing.
- Two small single occupancy cabins available for $4990.
- Two large single occupancy cabins available for $5990.
Why Choose This Trip?
This trip offers what is likely to be some of the best reef diving you’ll ever experience. The itinerary has been chosen for its extraordinary variety, abundance of marine life, and the fact that you’ll encounter very few (if any) other divers. With 75% of the world’s hard coral species and thousands of documented fish and invertebrate species, including some yet to be described, this area is truly special. Pelagic fish are abundant, and highlights include species like horse-eye jacks, pickhandle barracuda, and mega-rarities like Coleman’s pygmy seahorse. The corals remain in pristine condition, and the diversity of marine life is unparalleled.
Photography Coaching
This trip includes photography coaching by Christopher Bartlett, founder of Best of PNG and a renowned underwater photographer. Christopher has had over 100 articles published and a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. He will cover everything from basic to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, using clear examples to help you enhance your skills. From setting up gear to processing images in Lightroom, Christopher’s coaching will cater to all skill levels.
The Diving Itinerary
This signature itinerary will take you to the spectacular reefs of Kimbe Bay, the volcanic Witu Islands, and the offshore Fathers Reefs.
- Kimbe Bay: Known for its stunning coral formations, vibrant sea mounts, coral walls, and lush coral gardens. The area boasts more than 40 reef dive sites, including a beautifully preserved WWII Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane.
- Witu Islands: This volcanic island group offers diverse diving experiences, from sea mounts like Lama Shoals to coral arches and exciting night dives in black sand bays. You’ll also interact with local villagers trading fresh fruit from canoes, with a planned village visit during the trip.
- Fathers Reefs: These offshore, volcanic reefs feature dramatic underwater topography, including arches and swim-throughs. The pelagic activity here is remarkable, with sightings of sharks, rays, barracudas, jacks, and turtles. A baited dive for Silvertip sharks is included.
The experienced dive guides of MV FeBrina know the sites extremely well and are skilled at spotting marine life. You can provide a wishlist of critters, and they will work hard to find them.
Getting There
The trip starts with a one-hour domestic flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport in West New Britain. The flight over mountain ranges and diverse landscapes offers a stunning preview of the adventure ahead. Regaldive will book the domestic flights for you, with an estimated cost of $360 USD for a return ticket.
As described by Professor J.E.N. Veron, former Chief Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science:
“The coral reefs of Kimbe Bay take me back forty years, to a time when corals grew in lush profusion, untroubled by the problems that beset them today… I am hard pressed to think of anywhere on earth that has this combination of vibrant health, diversity, and beauty.”
Inclusions
- 10 nights of ensuite accommodation on MV FeBrina
- All meals, snacks, unlimited tea and coffee
- Final night dinner at Walindi Plantation Resort
- 8.5 days of diving (4-5 dives per day)
- Filled tanks, weight belt, and weights
- Return transfers to and from Hoskins Airport/Walindi
- Light daily laundry service
Exclusions
- Flights
- Bar expenses and soft drinks
- Nitrox
- Dive equipment rental
- Meals at Walindi prior to or after the liveaboard
- Souvenirs, personal items, and gratuities
- 10% GST on purchases in Papua New Guinea
Additional Costs
- Environmental and Safety Fees: $90 per person, payable in advance.
- Nitrox: $270 for all dives or $10 per fill.
- Equipment Hire: Available with prior arrangement.
- Alcohol/Bar: Local beers, soft drinks, and wine available at varying costs. It is recommended to bring your preferred spirits duty-free.
Payment
Payments can be made via credit card (MasterCard/Visa/Amex) or cash in AUD, USD, PGK, or Euros. Prices for bar items and additional purchases are subject to change.
Extensions
Regaldive offers pre- or post-liveaboard extensions, including trips around PNG. From 15 to 22 September 2025, Christopher Bartlett will lead a Highlands Tribes Tour, featuring bird-watching, village visits, private Sing-Sings, and the Goroka Highlands Cultural Festival. The full tour costs $3240 USD. Alternatively, a four-night option for the Goroka festival from 17-21 September starts at $1260 USD. Additional extension options include extra diving at Walindi Resort, volcano treks, WWII plane wreck tours, or diving near Port Moresby. Post-festival, Christopher will also lead a five-night Sepik River tour, exploring ancient customs and Spirit Houses deep in the jungle.
For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:
Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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