Exotic Dive Travel and Underwater Photo Tours

Fiji aboard NAI’A

May 5 - 12, 2012

Price $3,290.00 - 18 passengers

Stephen has been wanting to go back to Fiji for years, and recognizing that one of the world’s great live-aboards operates there and Fiji is so very easy to get to, it is a shame our last visit was way back in 2004! See http://www.stephenfrink.com/sf-reports/200411fiji/ for that trip report.

A lot has changed with the NAI’A since then, and she has now been massively refurbished and upgraded. Those of you who think you know NAI’A from trips in the past may be surprised to visit http://www.naia.com.fj/about.php?layout-2 and see how tastefully decorated the yacht has become, following her major refit in 2010. Yet, the thing that remains the same is that she cruises the best diving in Fiji, the Bligh Waters region. See http://www.tinyurl.com/ad-flipbook for an e-facsimile of our Alert Diver Magazine from the 4th quarter 2009 with a lovely article on the region written and photographed by Brandon Cole on pages 58-64.

Fiji brings some of the best wide-angle opportunities of any tropical ocean, with extraordinarily clear water and an abundance of soft corals lavishly decorating the reefs throughout the region. Yet, the marine life is both abundant and approachable, with the spectacular backgrounds for environmental portraits of marine life. Combining easy proximity, a world-class live-aboard, and some of the most pristine coral reefs anywhere, Fiji is a very special destination. Oh yeah, did we mention CLEAR water? If you are tired of spotting backscatter out of your pictures from dive destinations with challenging water clarity, Fiji is an inspiration.

Philippines aboard luxury live-aboard Philippine Siren

October 19 - 29, 2012

Price 2600 Euros per person

OK, I said some of these trips are well in the future, and this one is for sure! Still, 2012 is not too soon for us to book one of the most popular live-aboard fleets, in one of the hottest destinations, in the best season to be there. For all these reasons, we have to plan well in advance.

The Philippine Siren is a 40-meter Phinisi sailing yacht, the third in the fleet by Worldwide Dive and Sail. Featuring only 8 double cabins, she is a gorgeous vessel, as you can deduce from these photos, and by perusing their website: http://www.worldwidediveandsail.com/ourboats/sy-philippinesiren.html

Our itinerary will cruise the Southern Visayas, departing Dumaguete and returning to port on Malapascua Island. The cost is 2600 Euros per person ($3,350 at today’s conversion rate of $1.29 to the Euro), and Nitrox is included without additional charge.

Alaska Aboard the Nautilus Swell

August 1 - 11, 2013

Price $3,695 - $4,295 per person

Superior Stateroom $4,295, Deluxe Stateroom $3,695

We chartered the Nautilus Swell in the summer of 2012 and had such an amazing trip we booked her again for 2013 before ever stepping off the boat. Seeing humpbacks breaching near the boat was a common happenstance, as well exciting encounters with orcas, Steller sea lions, and sea otters provided the topside photo ops. Those who chose to dive were rewarded with rich marine life and riotous color, far beyond what we are used to seeing in more tropical climes. This tour is appropriate for both divers and non-divers, really it is for anyone who wishes to be amazed by the natural beauty of Southeast Alaska, and will have a very strong photographic emphasis above and below the sea. 11 day/10 night cruise. To see more from our last trip to Alaska aboard the Nautilus Swell see http://tinyurl.com/WHPT-Nautilus-Swell

Solomon Islands aboard Bilikiki

October 1 - 11, 2013

Price $4,270 per person

It is hard to believe that the last time we visited the Solomon Islands aboard the Bilikiki was back in 1999. This became obvious to me as I began look for photos from this trip and all I could find were slides. Our last trip aboard Bilikiki predates my digital migration! Yet, when I think about some of my favorite trips ever, the Solomons pop to the top of the list. Perhaps it is the wonderful cruising among scenic tropical islands populated by friendly natives that time seems to have forgotten. Maybe it’s the high voltage pelagic action at sites like Mary Island or the interesting play of light and shadow at Leru Cut. It could be the fascinating muck critters or the excellent marine life images possible given the beautiful coral reefs forming the backgrounds. But, more likely it is all of the above, for the Solomons remains one of the best all around cruising destination in tropical diving.

But, don’t trust my memory from 1999. To see what they have been seeing aboard the Bilikiki lately, see http://www.bilikiki.com/managers-log.php. I always like to read the manager’s log for the same time frame we have booked, just to get a sense of the seasons and pobbille enounters. The date most closely mirroring ours last year generated this post: "This could possible be the BEST trip ever!! We saw all the usual cool and amazing stuff, mantas at devils highway, huge schools of barracudas and jacks at Mary island, Pygmy seahorses, etc but what made this trip so special is that we had an hour encounter with a pod of sperm whales!!! Seriously we snorkeled with the huge humped headed mammals! I’m talking Moby Dick here. Some folks even got pictures to prove it! At one point we had 3 hanging vertically in a row right in front of us in clear blue water. Truly an incredible experience. This is what I love about the Solomon Islands you just never know what might show up."

Well, that’s a pretty high standard of excellence. I look forward the unique discoveries from our own Solomons’ adventure.