News
The Captain’s Blog: Spectacular Turtles!
Another amazing Blog from Mike Ball Dive Expedition’s Captain Trevor Jackson…
I’ve been at sea for 38 years. There’s not a whole lot out here that can make me ‘just shut up and look’, these days. But such was the scene at Raine Island just now. Everyone was back onboard, the tenders hoisted into their cradles… It was late in the day… The sun was trying to bust through the cumulus for one last peek at the island… the dusk was golden… And there they were, on the beach… Turtles… Not dozens, not even hundreds… but thousands!
One of the hundreds of turtles
I radioed the dive deck, stuck my head through the saloon door, got on the intercom. I told everyone, crew and guests alike… “Drop what you’re doing, and take ten. Come and see one of the wonders of the natural world unfold right before your eyes!”
We were so close to the shore, just drifting sideways at half a knot, literally metres outside the protected zone. The beach at Raine Island is unbelievably steep. “How do they even make it up that slope?”. Everyone was thinking that at the same time. We could see the sand getting swept aside as they clawed their way up the embankment. A silent unstoppable march in the dying light.
Raine Island’s unusual coral formations
The whole day had been awe-inspiring. A crack o’ dawn dive on the wreck of the HMS Pandora; then Tiger sharks, Great Hammerheads, 40 metre viz and countless turtles in the water here at Raine. It was our second day at the island and the turtles on both days were so thick that every boat movement had to be done at an idle. And still now, even as it seemed like every single turtle in the known universe was halfway up that beach, they cloaked the sea in every direction. Quiet fell across the decks. It was one of those moments you remember for all your days. Spears of golden light, distant tropical rain, and an unfathomable determination on the beach. A genuine wow moment, in a world were nothing seems to wow anyone, anymore.
Indigenous art of stingrays and turtles on Stanley Island
I nudged the boat back into gear. Pushed the wheel towards the western horizon and ghosted away. All eyes stayed on the beach till the gold turned to grey. Evening came. The turtles are up there laying their eggs now and we are southbound. And but for the sound of the birds and the sweeping sand, Raine Island is quiet for another year.
Find the expedition you are looking for at: www.mikeball.com/compare-expeditions
On his recent trip to dive with Scuba Scene, Jeff Goodman had a chat with the Red Sea liveaboard’s General Manager, Ahmed Fadel, about the vessel’s safety measures and how the wellbeing of their passengers is their top priority.
To book your next Red Sea dive adventure on with Scuba Scene, visit oysterdiving.com/trip/scuba-scene-red-sea-egypt.
News
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet Announces Customer Appreciation Sale for Caribbean Explorer II
Buy One, Get One for $999 – Plus Special Savings for Solo Travelers
Explorer Ventures Fleet is celebrating divers and our friends who make it all possible with an exclusive Customer Appreciation Sale aboard the Caribbean Explorer II. This is the liveaboard itinerary that started it all in 1987, and there’s no better way to say thank you than with incredible savings on diving in Saba, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.
Customer Appreciation Sale Details
- Buy one full-price trip, bring a companion for $999
- Solo travelers receive $800 off retail price
- Caribbean Explorer II / Saba, St. Kitts & St. Maarten
- Travel Window: August 1 – November 1, 2025
- NO Blackout Departure Dates: Book any scheduled departure date within the travel window
- Booking Deadline: March 31, 2025
Diving in this region offers a mix of dramatic underwater landscapes, intriguing marine life, and historic wrecks. The waters surrounding Saba Marine Park are home to towering pinnacles formed by ancient lava flows, sheer walls, and coral-covered seamounts, where reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and schooling fish are often spotted. Just across the channel, the dive sites of St. Kitts provide a variety of underwater scenery, from gently sloping reefs to spur-and-groove formations, with shipwrecks now serving as habitats for lobster, stingrays, and barracuda. With up to five dives per day, this itinerary offers a mix of exploration and adventure in the heart of the Caribbean.
Between dives, the islands offer even more to discover with Explorer Ventures Fleet’s optional land tours. Stroll through Saba’s Windwardside Village, where red-roofed cottages and lush mountain views create a picture-perfect setting. Take in the breathtaking scenery along “The Road That Couldn’t Be Built”, or visit a local glassblowing and art studio to see island creativity in action. The magic of the Caribbean extends beyond the water, and whether you’re diving beneath the waves or exploring these charming destinations, you’re sure to fall in love with the unique beauty.
This limited-time offer is the perfect excuse to grab a dive buddy and experience the best of Saba, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten at an unbeatable price. Book by March 31, 2025, to take advantage of these exclusive savings. www.explorerventures.com/saba-st-kitts/
Contact Information
Explorer Ventures Fleet
Email: info@explorerventures.com
Phone: 1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada), +1.307.235.0683
Website: www.explorerventures.com
About Explorer Ventures Fleet
Since 1987, Explorer Ventures Fleet has been redefining liveaboard diving, offering exceptional dive experiences across the globe. With a commitment to safety, sustainability, and top-tier service, the fleet provides divers with unforgettable access to some of the world’s most spectacular underwater destinations.
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