Costa Rica, the final destination of my central America tour. I'm heading down to the Osa Peninsula in the south-west of the country.This is Costa Rica's most remote region, a large finger of land jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. It draws adventurous travellers for its natural wilderness and wildlife. Many come to see Corcovado National Park, considered the finest of Costa Rica's excellent national parks and a superb place to see wildlife, including numerous species of monkey, scarlet macaws, tapirs and jaguar.

The main reason for my trip is to check out the diving at Cano Island, a biological reserve around 12km off the coast than is known for its big fish encounters. My base is the beautiful Drake Bay, a sweeping stretch of sand between the rainforest and the ocean. It is home to a few eco lodges, a small village and no more. The only access to this region is by boat or a small plane - it is a part of the world where the pace of modern life plays no part, a place where you wake up to the sounds of nature and the tumbling waves that lap the shore.

While the visibility can be variable in this part of the world and was not spectacular for me, the marine life more than made up for it. This is an area where the pelagic species that pass by make diving very exciting. White-tip reef sharks and southern stingrays are seen on almost every dive, while large schools of fish often ungulf divers and dolphins, manta rays and numerous shark species are regularly seen.

The island's signature dive site is called Devil's Rock, a pinnacle around a km off Cano Island that is a manta cleaning station and a magnet for big marine life.  Spotted dolphins accompanied our journey to the site and the descent took us through a swirling mass of barracuda. It was not long before a shape emerged in the distance, a giant Pacific manta ray emerging from the plankton rich waters. She circled our small group of divers as if intrigued as to our presence, forcing me to descend to avoid contact. Giant Pacific mantas are the largest of the two manta species, reaching wingspans of up to 8m. They are wanderers of the ocean, only gathering at a few special spots to clean and feed. She disappeared into the distance, but soon returned with another, and then another manta enjoying the cleaning services offered by the reefs inhabitants. It was, quite simply, a magical dive - one to remember for many years to come.

Diving at Cano Island is strictly controlled. Only 10 divers are allowed in the water at any one time and there are just 5 sites that are permitted for diving, ensuring the are remains completely unspoiled. For adventurous divers and nature lovers, the natural wildernesses of Cano Island and Corcovado make the Osa Peninsula a fabulous addition to any Costa Rican itinerary.

If you would like to discuss a trip to Costa Rica, contact the Dive Worldwide team now!

Un-Belize-able! - Phil North continues his adventure!

I am in love with Belize. I fell in love within my first hour here, an hour that included a live band welcoming me at immigration, a beautiful river, crocodiles, iguanas and howler monkeys. My first stop was Lamanai, a beautiful Mayan site situated next to a lagoon on the banks of the new Belize River.

Lamanai means submerged crocodile and this site remained a stronghold for the Maya long after other cities had fallen. The site was still thriving just 500 years ago, but experts do not know why this city was different to other Mayan sites. As well as the incredible ruins, nature surrounds this magical site and the journey up river to Lamanai is worth the trip price alone.

For serious nature lovers, Chan Chich  has the best wildlife encounters in Belize. Chan Chich Lodge is a luxury eco lodge set on another Mayan site in the north-west of the country.  The lodge is set on vast private and protected grounds and offers the best chance to encounter the elusive jaguar in Belize. It is home to five species of cat in total, including pumas and ocelots, plus howler monkeys, spider monkeys and countless exotic and rare bird species. The lodge is considered Belize's premier eco lodge, attracting naturalists and nature lovers from around the globe.

Finally it was time to check out Belize's barrier reef, the second longest in the world to the Great Barrier Reef and stretching the entire length of the country, from Ambergris Caye in the north to Placencia in the south.

It is the southern region that draws the attention of divers at this time of year, when whale sharks gather at Gladden Spit, a point in the reef that drops to abyssal depths, to feed on the spawn of snapper that breed here. The event only happens around the full moon in April, May and June each year. I conspired to miss the whale sharks, but the snapper, bull sharks, dolphins and a wandering loggerhead turtle made the trip well worthwhile. Gladden Spit can be reached from either Placencia or Hopkins.

Last on my Belize agenda was a trip inland to explore some of Belize's incredible caves. The Mayans believed that the caves were a portal to the underworld and went there to make sacrifices to the nine gods of the underworld. The most famous cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the ATM cave, has numerous Mayan artefacts and evidence of human sacrifice. This is the adventure capital of Belize, with caving, zip-lining and horseback riding all on the agenda.

Next up is Costa Rica to dive Cano Island, considered one of  the finest dive spots in the country, plus a visit to Corcovado National Park, the jewel in Costa Rica's crown.

Contact Dive Worldwide to create your very own adventure through Central America.

Maldives: Shark Adventures on the Carpe Vita

February is ‘Shark Month’ on board the Carpe Vita Explorer, Maldives.

These special itineraries have been a huge success over the last few years, so if you want to get on board, book early. Choose either a 7, 10 or 11 night itinerary and cruise the southern atolls; one even crosses the equator! Reports from the 2013 trips featured sightings of countless sharks including threshers, loads of eagle rays, mantas, turtles and schools of barracuda. These trips are adventurous and an ‘exhilarating challenge’ offering a trip of a life time to shark lovers. These special itineraries are recommended for experienced divers.

7 Nights (13-20 Feb, 2014). Prices from £1,745 per person (boat only)

Cruises Addu, Fuahmullah and Huvadhoo atolls.

10 Nights (20 Feb – 02 Mar, 2014). Prices from £2,495 per person (boat only)

Cruises  Huvadhoo, Laamu, thaa, Meemu, Felidhu and North Male atolls.

11 Nights (02 – 13 Feb, 2014). Prices from £2,735 per person (boat only)

This ‘Deep South’ route cruises North Male, South Ari, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, huvadhoo, Fuahmullah and Addu atolls.

Prices quoted include full board meal plan and up to 3 dives per day.

Prices exclude applicable fuel surcharges (USD100 – USD250), bed tax, international and domestic flights. 

Dive Worldwide can arrange all your flights to get you on board, on time for any of these trips.

Contact the Dive Worldwide Team to find out more and book your cabin.

T: 0845 130 6980

 

Staff Report: Phil North explores Central America

Phil North, keeping us up to date with his Central American adventure...

Guatemala, the first stop on my Central American tour, is a country blessed with both a rich culture and superb nature. It is a country with a difficult past marked by violent oppression dating back to the Spanish conquistadores, right up to the civil war that blighted much of the second half of the 20th century.

 

Since 1996, the country has seen peace and stability and is gaining a deserved reputation as an exciting destination for more adventurous travellers. For those interested in history, culture and nature the reasons to visit Guatemala are compelling. The country is at the epicentre of the Mayan world, with countless sites to explore, each with their own history. Mayan traditions remain strong to this day especially in the highland regions where Mayan people make up the majority of the population. For nature lovers, the country's unique geography gives rise to fourteen separate habitats (that's six more than Costa Rica) ranging from coastal regions to cloud forests and supporting an incredible diversity of species. The country is ranked eighth on the world for biodiversity and is surely destined to become a future star of nature tourism in the region.

 

My visit took me first to Tikal, the largest and most impressive of all the Mayan sites in Guatemala - and arguably the entire region. Situated in the north-east of the country and accessible either from the capital or from Belize, Tikal was a vast Mayan city and remained at the centre of Mayan civilisation for almost 1000 years. The sheer size of the temples is overwhelming, something that you cannot quite appreciate until you are standing next to them. The surrounding jungle - which consumed the city after its demise - adds a mysterious, almost mystical quality. It is possible to climb the tallest pyramid - standing at 44 metres tall - offering spectacular views over the city and jungle. My first day in Guatemala and I was, quite simply awe-struck. The site is also renowned as a bird watching mecca and is home to the region's most iconic animal, the jaguar. Tikal has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical significance.

 

My adventure then took me to Antigua, the original Spanish capital before it was abandoned in favour of the current, Guatemala City. This beautiful city, ringed by volcanoes, is steeped in colonial history and is another UNESCO heritage site. Historic buildings and monuments, all built in the colonial style line every cobbled street, while relics and artefacts from the early Spanish rule abound. A tour of this city is like stepping back in time and is a must for any visit to Guatemala.

The final stop on my brief tour was Lago de Atilan, a lake formed after a huge eruption around 85,000 years ago. It is possible to dive in the lake, where there is a lost Mayan city to explore, but I was not able to during my short time here. Instead, a tough but rewarding trek up San Pedro - one of the three volcanoes surrounding the lake - provided stunning views of the area. The upper reaches of the volcano are home to the Horned Guan, a bird species found only in small highland areas of Guatemala and southern Mexico. Their habitat is so small only 1000 birds are though to exist, with around 50 on this volcano. While we were not lucky enough to see one, the view from the top was more than enough reward.

Next is Belize to dive the barrier reef, explore the Mayan site of Lamanai and hopefully, to dive with the whale sharks that gather here around full moon.

We look forward to the next chapter!

Looking to follow in Phil's footsteps?

Contact a member of the Dive Team to discuss your options.

Staff Report: Sarah Wight in Southern Oman

A magical land, full of history, culture, rugged mountains, bustling souks, desert landscape and beautiful beaches stretched along the 3,165km coastline all only a seven hour flight from the UK. The Sultanate of Oman is located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Gulf surrounded by the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, both attracting an abundance of marine life in their nutrient rich waters.

There is plenty of adventure and discovery in Oman from the fjord like scenery in Musandam to the Bedouin camps outside of Muscat and the lush temperate climate of Salalah in the south. Underwater, divers enjoy untouched reefs and an abundant marine life of plenty of healthy corals and large pelagics such as devil rays, leopard sharks and grouper. It is common to see dolphins chasing tuna, turtles and whales off the coast. The Daymaniyat Islands out of Al Sawadi and the Hallaniyat Islands out of Salalah are of particular interest. Wreck enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Al Munnasir and the City of Winchester wrecks. It’s also a great place to learn to dive.

The Saman Explorer liveaboard is mid-way through its second season offering week long trips to the Hallaniyat Islands (November to May). Departing from Mirbat, she heads out east in search of pristine dive sites with an abundance of marine life; the highlights being manta rays, humpback whales and the wrecks. Dive Worldwide were recently invited on board to experience this wonderful part of the world, unexplored by most.

After an overnight flight, a quick stop in the Duty Free and a short flight south to Salalah, we met our fellow divers and were driven to the harbour, passing camels and not much else. It was great to be in the warmth of the sun and back in 25°C water for the check dive, whilst my friends and colleagues suffered in the cold back home. 

 We woke up the next morning to panoramic views of mountainous Al Sawda, the most westerly of the small group of islands, and not a soul in sight. Easing us in slowly, the dive sites here are shallow and full of life swimming around and hiding in the coral bommies and gardens. My camera was kept busy on our exploratory dive; table corals, moray eels, puffer fish, lion fish, blennies, grouper and a crocodile fish posing during our safety stop. The best experience of the day? A chance encounter with a massive pod of wild dolphins at sunset!

Divers with a pioneering spirit will enjoy this week at sea, the itinerary liable to change to suit the needs of the passengers and their thirst for marine life!  The second day was spent moored by more of a giant rock than an island, in hope of manta ray encounters at Schmies rock. We were mesmerised and if we could have stayed in the water all day observing these beautiful creatures, we would have!  Although we didn’t see them on all four dives, the chance was definitely there.

Al Qibliyah island, the furthest east offers a mix of rocky sites to explore both in the protected bays and on the outside, where the currents can be fairly strong but the marine life very rewarding. Amongst the kelp covered rocks, hard and soft corals, we saw lobster, Arabian angel fish, schools of trevally and goat fish, moorish idols, grouper and shovelnose guitar fish hiding in the sand.

All 120 metres of the City of Winchester wreck lies at a depth of 28 metres in a bay off the coast of Hallaniyah island. For most, this was the highlight of the trip. Although the visibility wasn’t that great, plenty of time was spent exploring the cargo ship, the first casualty of WWl. She’s covered in soft corals, anemones and fans; home to scorpion fish, honeycomb morays and lion fish and is a very interesting dive both during the day and in the dark of night.

 

We ended our week at sea with a morning dive on the wreck of a broken up cargo boat lying on the reef just off the coast from the Marriott at Mirbat, where we spent our final night. It was hard to find a spot to rest without disturbing the waking parrot fish and gaze at the hundreds of schooling fish around the mast. I had to stop counting species and just watch the marine life get on with its daily routine. Amazing!

 

A visit to southern Oman was on my list ever since my first trip in 2005. It’s definitely off the beaten track and a great way to get away from the world for the week. We headed back to the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Muscat for our final two days, spending time visiting hotels, shopping in the souk and exploring the Grand Mosque. If we’d had more time I would like to have gone back to the Daymaniyat islands and inland to explore the forts and wadis. Next time I hope to be able to visit the turtle reserve and perhaps go out on a dhow to spot whales and dolphins. Then of course, there’s the whole of the Musandam peninsula to consider!

 
 

Inspired and looking to visit Oman?

Sarah travelled aboard the Saman Explorer in the Deep South in Dec 2012.

Thank you to Extra Divers and everyone on board!

We feature the key dive areas and can help you create your perfect holiday itinerary to discover why this is a fantastic destination to visit throughout the year.

Find out more...

Call Us: 0845 130 6980

Email Sarah: sarahw@diveworldwide.com

 

Turks and Caicos

Thank you to John & Jacqui C for this wonderful video of playful dolphin (s) on a recent dive from Bohio on Grand Turk. The humpback whale season is Jan-Mar, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit year round!


BOHIO DOLPHINS MPEG 4 FILE from John Campbell on Vimeo.

Truk Lagoon and the Philippines

We just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you Michele, for all your help with the planning of our special anniversary holiday. We were given champagne and a poem from the crew of the Odyssey and a meal on the last night from Thresher Shark Divers in Malapascua . We would like to thank you for all your help and advice and we were singing your praises to all and sundry when we were away, we will certainly use your services again for our next trip! 

On the whole we thoroughly enjoyed the trip especially Odyssey which is the best liveaboard we have ever been on. The diving at Truk was everything we expected and more. The accommodation at Blue Lagoon was adequate and we understand that due to flight schedules, we needed the extra couple of nights there before heading to the Philippines.

Kim & David R, April 2013

Dive Worldwide: As with most of our suggested itineraries, they can be tailor-made to suit your holiday requirements. Our Truk - Wreck Extravaganza trip is a popular starting point! Our happy clients let us know this was a special occasion and we did all we could to make it memorable. If you're travelling for your birthday, anniversary or any other special reason, let us know!