News
Emperor launches new, longer ‘Best of Maldives’ itinerary
New 14-night ‘Best of Maldives’ on Emperor Serenity, 12 – 26 November, 2016
This longer 14-night Best of Maldives is the best way to experience the magic of the Maldives, covering iconic dive sites such as Male Atolls, Lhaviyani Atoll, Noonu, Raa and Baa Atolls, Rasdhoo Atoll and Ari Atolls. Combining top quality diving with the promise of ‘bucket list’ marine sightings and the superb hotel-style of Emperor Serenity, this is destined to be a Maldives triumph.
Sailing from Male, Emperor Divers Maldives’ liveaboard, Emperor Serenity, brings a class of her own with contemporary styling and plenty of space where fine accommodation and service is standard. This 40 metre boat easily accommodates 26 guests in 13 well-appointed ensuite cabins, all with air-con, so even a two-week holiday just won’t feel long enough.
7-night trips can also be arranged on the same itinerary if the 14 night voyage is too long by using domestic flights to and from Male giving guests the choice of joining the outbound or return legs.
Included is full board, free Nitrox, around 37 dives (14-night trip), local transfers, a visit to a deserted island for a BBQ under the stars and the chance to dive with manta, whale sharks, sharks, turtles and myriad marine life as well as a City tour with local guide.
All diving is done from Emperor Serenity’s large dhoni tender, giving more living space on board and getting guests to the perfect dive spot every time. Four dive guides provide a premium service. Non-divers are very welcome and get free snorkelling equipment + $50 voucher to spend on board.
The cost for 14 nights is £3245/€4270 per person sharing a standard twin berth cabin.
The 7 night trip is £1623/€2135 per person sharing a standard twin berth cabin. These prices do not include international or domestic flights.
Emperor Divers Maldives consistently offers value, variety, quality, service, professionalism, easy booking, handy local knowledge, flexibility and fast response to guest requests as well as popular purpose-built liveaboards.
For more on Emperor Serenity, visit maldives.emperordivers.com or email info@emperordivers.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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