Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

by | Aug 7, 2017

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Explore pristine and remote Papua’s Cenderawasih Bay

Experience true frontier diving in luxury aboard Dewi Nusantara

Join one of Richard and Wendy’s two ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in search of endemic fishes and whale sharks

Mapia Island

The first of our charters will explore the extremely remote Mapia Island

Cenderawasih Bay

Searching for whale sharks and endemic fishes in Cenderawasih Bay during trip two
North Cenderawasih Bay & Mapia Island

23rd July – 1st August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

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Cenderawasih Bay’s whale sharks

3-13th August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

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Wendy and I at ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ have been pushing the boundaries of the Bird’s Head Seascape for years.  Whilst many people have enjoyed trips to Raja Ampat, we have made dedicated north and south Raja Ampat trips, and charters to explore Triton Bay.  We now plan to revisit Cenderawasih Bay and the surrounding area, one of our favourite regions in the Bird’s Head.  We first visited in 2013, and at that time several of the endemic fishes, such as Maurine’s Demoiselle, hadn’t even been named.  We will be looking for these and several other fishes found nowhere else on earth during our second charter.  We will of course also spend time with Cenderawasih’s famous whale sharks that aggregate around baggans each morning.  The first trip will venture into the Pacific, 100 nautical miles north of Manokwari, to visit the very rarely dived Mapia Island.  The few divers that have explored this region have reported giant groupers, stunning reefs and bountiful fish.  Both these trips are sure to offer unique experiences, plus Richard will be giving marine life lectures during the trip, explaining the biology behind the special endemic creatures we are seeing.  Have a read of Richard’s article about the biology of Cenderawasih bay below.
TRIP ONE: Mapia Island (9 nights)

Trip start: 23rd July 2018

Trip end: 1st August

Prices from: $6050 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist only

Depart from: Manokwari, Papua

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP TWO: Cenderawasih Bay (10 nights)

Trip start: 3rd August 2018

Trip end: 13th August

Prices from: $6655 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist Only

Depart from: Manokwari

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP ONE: MAPIA ISLAND
This special expedition will take us to Mapia island, 100 nautical miles north of the Bird’s Head.  The atoll is extremely remote and rarely dived.  Few trips have explored these pristine seas and the trip is sure to be something very special.

TRIP TWO: CENDERAWASIH BAY
This trip will take us into Cenderawasih Bay where whale sharks roam and many endemic fishes can be found.  Highlights include snorkelling with whale sharks around the baggans of southern Cenderawasih and exploring the pristine and remote reefs in search of fishes found nowhere else.  These include the Cenderawasih fairy and flasher wrasses, Maurine’s and Price’s Damselfishes and Caitlin’s dottybacks.  Many deepwater fishes can also be found in shallow depths here too including ornate angelfish and randall’s anthias.

DEWI NUSANTARA
Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago.
With an overall length of 57 meters, the three-masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. The purposely designed the Goddess of the Archipelago is totally independent for long periods at sea while offering unparalleled comfort. There are eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms, which can be adapted to either twin or double use, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The master and commanders’ cabin aft is the size of a large hotel suite.
While you experience the romance of a bygone area you will be able to indulge in the sheer luxury of finding lots of space everywhere you go from bow to stern. There is a huge lounge and the dining facilities are those of a superb restaurant.
With her state of the art diving equipment Dewi Nusantara has become the ultimate live-aboard diving platform in Indonesia. Her discreet and attentive Indonesian crew of 18 is complemented by cruise director and four dive-masters who all have a long experience in the area.
INCLUDES
9/10 nights (trips one and two respectively) in a double occupancy cabin
3-4 dives per day including air fills, tanks and weights
All meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, local beer and one wine serving with dinner)
Transfers from Manokwari Airport
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith

EXCLUDES
Airfare and airport departure tax (payable in local currency)
Spirits and wine
Nitrox
Park and harbour fees (+ $305)

Prices start from $6050 per person for trip one and $6655 for trip two (+ $305 port and park fees)

Register your interest

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We joined Richard’s group tour in Fiji and found the whole experience to be enjoyable and very informative. We can highly recommend any future tours.
Maurice

Australia

Richard manages to explain lots of scientific detail in an entertaining and amusing way and makes finding the endemic fishes a real achievement on a dive – even when they’re not the most exciting fish on the reef.
Kate

United Kingdom

Galapagos March 2018

Galapagos March 2018

by | Aug 4, 2017

Galapagos Feb/March 2018

Experience the energy & bounty of the Galapagos Islands

7 nights, 8 days aboard the Galapagos Sky

Join one of Richard and Wendy’s ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in Darwin’s stomping ground

Wolf & Darwin Islands, Galapagos Islands

We will visit the remote and most shark infested waters of the world

Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

The start and end point of our Galapagos adventure
25th February – 4th March 2018
4 – 11th March 2018
No dry suits or chattering teeth for us! Many of our guests were keen to visit Galapagos but were nervous of the islands’ chilly reputation. Wendy and I decided to plan a trip to the Galapagos Islands at the time of year when the waters of the Galapagos become relatively warm and clear. If you want to see great schools of hammerheads, mantas, sea lions and other bountiful marine life, this is the time for you.
 

TRIP ONE
Trip start: 25th February 2018
Trip end: 4th March
Prices start from: US$ 6095
Availability: SOLD OUT
Depart from: San Cristobal
Return to: San Cristobal

TRIP TWO
Trip start: 4th March 2018
Trip end: 11th March
Prices start from: US$ 6095
Availability: SOLD OUT
Depart from: San Cristobal
Return to: San Cristobal

 

 

Sunday
Embarkation day – arrival with Avianca into San Cristobal Airport.
Isla Lobos- Check out dive

Monday
Northeast tip of Isla Pinzon/Islote Dumb & Cousins Rock

Tuesday – Thursday
Wolf & Darwin: By definition, the entire Galapagos Archipelago is geographically remote. But after this day of your live-aboard cruise finds you heading toward the most isolated, northernmost part of the Galapagos Islands – the uninhabited, untouched, twin cathedrals of world class diving.

Friday
Cabo Douglas & Punta Vicente Roca with Panga ride if time allows.
– Both sites offer opportunities above and below the waves to see Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, sealions and flightless cormorants.

Saturday
Bartolome Land walk and 1 dive
Bartolome is a lovely area where guests enjoy a favorite land tour where they can climb to the top of the hill to where breathe taking views abound. Followed by diving at Bartolome where penguins can be seen.

Puerto Ayora/Highlands tour
Visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the Galapagos Tortoises in their natural environment; and visit to Puerto Ayora. The Sky will then return to San Cristobal for Sunday morning cruise completion.

Sunday Morning
Land Tour and Day of Departure: Arrive San Cristobal—(Land Excursion) visit the Interpretation Center where an interesting human history of Galapagos is presented, town walk (last chance for shopping). Late morning departure.

Itinerary is subject to change without notice,

The luxury live-aboard M/V Galapagos Sky is a 100 ft. (33m) state-of-the-art live-aboard diving yacht exploring the fabled waters of the Galapagos Islands.

Designed by Peter A. Hughes and current owner Santiago Dunn in the year 2000, and launched in 2001 – this luxury live-aboard hosts 16 passengers in 8 well appointed cabins. We operate year round (schedule).

Built to exceed any/all international safety standards, M/V Galapagos Sky (specifications) is not only your live-aboard dive platform to the undersea wonders of Galapagos – but also has the crew, chefs, and amenities for you to enjoy five-star service during your entire trip.

Accommodations include eight private en-suite cabins with two twin or one king size bed options. Each cabin features a private head/shower, mirrored cabinet and wardrobe, bathrobes, hairdryer, and marine safe (biodegradable) toiletries. (cabin rates, terms, conditions)

Galapagos route liveaboard charter with Dr Richard Smith

Galapagos route liveaboard charter with Dr Richard Smith

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Register your interest or join the waitlist

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