Following the success of my recent trip to the Philippines aboard Atlantis Dive Resort’s ‘Azores’ I am pleased to announce that I will be leading another trip on this lovely vessel from 19-28th September 2015. This time we will circumnavigate the island of Cebu diving with whale sharks, pygmy seahorses and snorkelling with whale sharks! Of course I’ll be giving informative marine life talks about the creatures and life we’re seeing, and will be on hand to talk fish or cameras (check out testimonials from previous guests here). Read more about this trip below, or download the trip flyer at the bottom of the page.
ABOUT THE TRIP
The Philippines is located within the ‘Coral Triangle’, an area with the world’s greatest marine biodiversity. We will join the luxury Azores liveaboard on its Malapascua and Cebu itinerary, an area at the heart of the Coral Triangle. The trip will take in the best diving the Philippines has to offer, and includes rare opportunities to observe elusive thresher sharks, dive with mantas and snorkel with whale sharks. Due to its central location within the Coral Triangle, there is also opportunity to see many of the reef’s unusual critters too, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, frogfish…the list goes on! Richard will present daily marine life lectures about the area’s reefs and will be on hand to answer any questions, help identify creatures we come across on dives and provide pointers and tips for capturing the shots you want.
ITINERARY
The 10 night itinerary takes in some of the best diving that the Philippines have to offer. Departing from Dumaguete Resort, a sister resort of the Azores, the tour will circumnavigate the island of Cebu taking in many great sites over the ten night cruise.
Highlights of the trip include the world famous thresher shark cleaning stations off Malapascua in northern Cebu, where these unique long-tailed sharks are cleansed of unwanted parasites by hoards of hungry fishes. Baitballs and schooling trevally are likely to be spotted at several sites, but Pescador Island off western Cebu is known as the site of the ‘Asian Sardine Run’. Capitancillo is a rarely dived location, due to its distance from any land-based operators, but offers interesting cavern systems providing unique photographic opportunities.
Last but not least, we will be snorkelling within inches of the world’s largest fish: wild whale sharks, which are attracted by fishermen feeding them tiny krill. Why not join Richard on this trip of a lifetime!
Dr Richard Smith is a British born marine biologist and underwater photographer. He has written dozens of articles, published internationally, with a focus on marine life and conservation. In 2011 Richard was awarded the first PhD on the biology of pygmy seahorses. With an undergraduate degree in Zoology and Master’s in Marine Ecology he has a broad knowledge of both terrestrial and marine biology to enrich your trip.
AZORES LIVEABOARD The Azores has set new standards in liveaboard diving for the Philippines. Azores is the perfect place from which to explore some of the best diving in Asia, offering itineraries only possible by liveaboard. Sixteen pampered guests can enjoy modern multimedia equipment, ample space for lounging and even a hot tub for relaxing. Expect creature comforts, great food and a welcoming crew.
TRIP COSTS
Diver Rates
– State Room: $4,995.00 (USD)
Payment Policy and Deposit
– $500 per person, non-refundable deposit holds a place, with the remaining fee payable in full 70
days prior to departure
Bookings
– for bookings and/or with any questions, please contact Richard or Terri:
Email – Richard@OceanRealmImages.com
or Terri@DeepBlueAdventures.com
Telephone – 0208 196 2449 (UK) or 888-266-2209 (USA – Toll Free)
Tour Includes
– 10 nights twin share
stateroom accommodation aboard Azores
– All diving (tanks, weights,
boat and guide)
– All meals, soft drinks,
beer & social wine servings
Tour Excludes
– Marine Park fees (added to
personal bill at the end of the trip)
– Transfers, including domestic flight (current estimate $260)
– Nitrox fills and use of large (15L) tanks if required
Extend your stay at Dumaguete Resort
Dumaguete is the land-based sister resort of the Azores and is the start and end point of our trip on the liveaboard. This makes adding a few days at the resort a very sensible option! Dumaguete has fantastic muck diving, check out my pictures from previous trips to Dumaguete! Contact me for more information on extending!
Mission Statement: We at Ocean Realm Images are extremely passionate about protecting the marine environment. The focus of our trips will be to observe and photograph marine life in an environmentally friendly way, without harming or stressing animals. We want everyone to enjoy their diving, but not to the detriment of the reef and its inhabitants.
Attachment: Philippines Marine Life Trip Septmber 2015.pdf