News
Murex announce Explore More Event 2020
Murex Dive Resorts have announced their “Explore More Event” for 2020 in Indonesia. The event promises participants 12 days of exploration and combines Bunaken, Manado and Bangka for diving, snorkeling and exploring the unique wildlife of North Sulawesi.
The event, (June 20 – July 1) includes world-renowned experts who will dive, trek and ‘explore’ with participants as well as hosting daily presentations. For divers, nature lovers, snorkelers and explorers, this is a chance to get hands-on, in the field (and underwater) with leading experts.
This unique event includes 5 nights in Manado (diving Bunaken Marine Park) and 6 nights on Bangka Island, joined by experts in the following areas: coral reefs, sea turtles, primates, mangroves, bamboo, rainforest and even sugar palm.
From diving with turtles through to generating new coral reefs, Explore More 2020 has an impressive list of underwater highlights. On land, participants will have the opportunity to spend time with primates in the wild and explore primary rainforest and mangroves. It’s an action packed event which looks set to be a lot of fun for those involved.
Murex Explore More 2020 (June 20 to July 1 2020) includes:
- 5 Nights full board accommodation in a Deluxe Cottage at Murex Manado
- 6 Nights full board accommodation in a Hillside Deluxe Cottage at Murex Bangka
- 21 guided boat dives sessions (or snorkeling) including 2 guided boat boat dives on the transfer day from Manado to Bangka
- Daily presentations by our professional presenters on a wide range of topics including; sea turtles, corals and coral reefs, wildlife of North Sulawesi (black macaques & tarsier monkeys), mangroves, bamboo, and palm trees
- Unlimited house reef diving/snorkeling (8am to 5pm)
- All land-based activities including; Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Highlands Tour (Lake Tondano, Tomohon Market, Mahawu Volcano, Lake Linow and local villages, please note that highlands tour itinerary may change), Lihunu village tour, Mangrove Boat Cruises, Coral Farm and Nursery plus other optional tours.
- Maximum 4:1 diver to guide ratio
- Unsurpassed dive guide attention and superlative resort service to compliment the entire event.
- Welcome cocktail or mocktail upon arrival at Murex Manado
- Event round-up, dinner, and entertainment on the closing night
- All meals & snacks, brewed coffee, tea, drinking water
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Free WiFi in resorts
Divers: US $2,780 (per person based on double occupancy) / Nitrox upgrade: US $126
Snorkelers: US $2,250 (per person based on double occupancy)
Read full event information here or to make a reservation or inquiry email reservations@MurexDive.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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