Tag: value for money

  • TULAMBEN – INDONESIA

    TULAMBEN – INDONESIA

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE TRIP

    Tulamben, is a little village on the northeast coast of Bail. The beach is covered in black sand and fist size rocks. Diving the Tulamben’s coast, which boasts colourful coral gardens, plunging walls, fantastic macros sites and Tulamben’s renowned wreck dive, the USAT Liberty. The Liberty is located just off shore ; she is 120m long and rests on a 90 degree angle with the deck facing the open sea! Hit by a torpedo in World War II she is now festooned in coral making a fantastic artificial reef home to diverse marine life. Be it pelagic species or macro there is something on the Liberty wreck to captivate and enthrall every diver.

    USAT Liberty Wreck
    Just 30 metres from the beach at Tulamben, is a WWII cargo ship broken up, but still a large wreck stretching 120 metres long on a sloping sandy bottom. The top of the wreckage is just 3 metres below the waters surface and the bottom is 29 metres. On January 11, 1942, the ship was hit by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine while crossing Lombok Strait carrying rubber and railroad parts. Badly damaged, two destoyer ships towed the USAT Liberty up onto the beach at Tulamben. The volcanic explosion of Gunung Agung in 1963 rolled Liberty off the beach to its present location, in the process the USAT Liberty broke into pieces. The wreck is now covered with a variety of corals and it is estimated that some 400 species of reef fish live on the wreck.

    Visibility averages 15- 20 metres and water temperature is roughly 28- 29 degrees.

    Coral Garden
    This shallow patch reef us delightful and richly covered more than 200 metres and lies in 5- 15 metres of water. This reef is dominated by Acropora, hard corals, some large table corals and bushes of Hydroids and supports a diversity of fish population such as Parrotfish, Wrasse, Snapper, as well as Ribbon Eels, Frogfish and Scorpionfish. Photographers and divers who like macro sea life, this will be a favourite.

    Drop-off (Rugged Wall)
    The reef wall descends down over 70 metres. Black, soft and hard corals grow well on the crannies and overhangs. At 18 metres there live an abundance of Cleaner Shrimp and large fish are waiting at the overhangs to be cleaned. The hook of the wall at 28 metres where the reef extends to the sloping eastern reef stands a huge purple sea fan Gorgonian, which is over 2 metres wide and is the landmark on the reef wall. A prolific variety of schooling fish swim around the corner of the wall and even invertebrate animals are often encountered at this rugged wall reef.

     

    INFORMATION

     

    TRIP DATES

    4- 15 April 2018 (during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games)

    PRICE

    Diver- $3050

    Non-diver- $2,390

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    FLY
    Virgin Australia ex Brisbane to Denpasar
    Airline taxes & fuel surcharges

    SLEEP
    Tulamben Wreck Divers
    Standard twin share room- 10 nights
    Daily Breakfast
    Return airport transfers

     

    DIVE
    Tulamben Diving
    10 boat dives per diver
    3 dives in Amed
    3 dives in Padang Bai
    Tanks, weights, air fills and dive guide

     

     

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED
    Gear rental
    Gratuities
    Bar purchases
    Food and other items not mentioned above

     

     

    ITINERARY
    Wednesday, 4 April
    10:05am- Depart Brisbane on Virgin Australia flight and arrive in Denpasar at 2:45pm

    4 April- 14 April 2018
    10 nights accommodation in standard twin share room at Tulamben Wreck Divers
    10 dives per diver in the Tulamben Area
    3 dives per diver in Amed
    3 dives per diver in Padang Bali

    Saturday, 14 April 2018
    10:10 pm- Depart Denpasar on Virgin Australia Flight

    Sunday, 15 April 2018
    5:45am- arrive in Brisbane

    Please also refer to the attached document for a more detailed itinerary

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to provide you with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator set, computer and hire pricing for the week will be provided upon application. Please note that you will need to arrange to collect the gear from us (Brisbane based customers) prior to the trip and this gear must be incorporated into your own luggage allowance for your flights. Hire costs will apply. Alternatively, gear hire can be hired from the operator in Bali.

     

    SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Self Reliant Diver
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Shark Awareness
    Boat Diver
    Underwater Naturalist

    *** Many more specialties can be done on this trip. John is an Instructor in 32 different specialties. Did you have a specialty in mind? Call John on 0457 007 040 to discuss***

    HOW TO BOOK

    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to info@professionaldiveservice

  • FIJI ISLANDS- Dive Beqa Lagoon

    FIJI ISLANDS- Dive Beqa Lagoon

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    FIJI’S ORIGINAL SHARK DIVE

    Come dive with the creator of the FIJI SHARK DIVE.  In 1999 Aqua-Trek’s Brandon Paige, a.k.a the “Shark Whisperer”, created a dive with the intent to educate divers and  aid in the conservation of sharks. Little did he know he was creating what is now known as THE WORLD’S #1 SHARK DIVE.

    Divers come from around the world to experience the only dive with 8 Species of Shark.  Aqua-Trek’s ULTIMATE SHARK ENCOUNTER features multiple bull sharks (largest in the world), whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks and over 300 species of fish. As if that isn’t enough, 16 + foot tiger sharks come in regularly, making this a ‘shark lovers’ dream dive. Aqua-Trek has been successful in creating two Shark Marine Reserves that directly involve the Fijian people in the protection of sharks. It is within this protected area that THE ULTIMATE SHARK ENCOUNTER takes place.

    As divers descend through the clear waters to the 25m/80 foot landing, they will see sharks circling below them along with hundreds of jacks, snappers and other fish species swirling around the feeding area. Within this excitement divers are rewarded by rare sightings of the huge queensland grouper and humphead wrasse. Divers are not in a cage, but situated on the reef around the perimeter of the dive site called “the Arena”.  Once settled in, the feed begins. Tawny Nurse sharks are abundant and not shy as they crowd around the feeders. Lemon Sharks attend in ones or twos. Silver tips dart in and out from the blue. The main attraction, the huge Bull Sharks, arrive in numbers as far as the eye can see. They purposefully move in opening their enormous jaws to take the food from the feeder in direct view of the diving guests.

    An amazing experience, yes! Let us take you one step further … Enter the Tiger Shark. Everything you were just witnessing has gone still and silent as the 16-18 foot denizen of the sea slowly and deliberately moves in to claim the area with its grand presence. The queen has arrived. She slowly scans the area with her black eyes taking it all in. All the others move aside as she comes around several times to feed just feet away from the divers, and then is on her way, leaving the divers in awe. After 20 minutes of bottom time, divers ascend up the beautiful reef ledge where grey reef, black tip and white tip reef sharks swim freely. After the big boys (and girls), this part of the dive seems like the nursery.

     

     

     

     

    The dive lasts about 50 minutes and provides divers and ‘shark lovers’ award winning photo and video opportunities. After the hour long surface interval, the dive is repeated, however you never know what the second dive will bring as the tide has changed and the chum trail has travelled far. A 10-minute boat ride back to the dock and divers are sharing pictures and video and excitedly reliving the experience.

     

    The Ultimate Shark Encounter is a dive you will never forget. Those lucky enough to be graced by the presence of each species of shark that arrives at the dive have witnessed something that is special and may not always be there. We hope it will move you to join us in our efforts in the conservation of these beautiful creatures that are so vital to the marine ecosystem and our planet.

     

    TRIP DATES

    27 October- 3 November 2019

    PRICE

    Diver in a Beach Bure – $3,579

    Diver in a Beach Villa – $3,929

     

     

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    Fly
    Return flights ex Brisbane to Nadi
    Airline taxes & fuel surcharges

    Sleep
    Uprising Beach Resort, Fiji
    Beach bure twin share room- 7 nights
    Continental breakfast daily
    Free use of kayaks, beach volleyball and use of stand-up paddle boards
    Return airport transfers

    Dive
    Aqua Trek, Fiji
    6 shark dives
    4 reef dives
    tanks, weights and dive guide

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending monies
    Dive gear (excluding tanks and weights)
    Excess Luggage surcharges
    Shark Marine Park fee of $20 FJD pp

    CONDITIONS APPLY

    Prices are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in exchange rates and 2018 rates.

    ITINERARY
    Please refer to attached document for the detailed trip itineray

    HOW TO BOOK
    Please complete the booking form attached to this webpage and email back to [email protected]. We are working with Allways Dive Expeditions to ensure you have the best dive holiday possible!

  • PHILIPPINES- Malapascua, Cabilao & Oslob

    PHILIPPINES- Malapascua, Cabilao & Oslob

     

     

    thresher-sharks-Alex-Stroyda

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Malapascua is a small island only 2.5km long and 1km wide. Also known locally as Logon, the island is located about 8km off the north eastern tip of Cebu island and 25km west of Leyte. You can walk around the island in 1-2 hours. It has a population of around 4,000 people, most of whom live off tourism, fishing, boat building or coconuts. White sandy beaches, the probability of seeing thresher sharks, manta rays and to dive some wrecks has made this a diver’s hotspot in the Philippines.

    Epic thresher shark diving is our goal on the first half of the trip. 5 days of diving at Malapascua will present us with multiple opportunities to dive with these incredible creatures. Nothing will prepare you for the first time you see a thresher shark in the flesh. They almost don’t look real… A torpedo like body with a tail which dwarfs the rest of it and manga cartoonish eyes will have you wondering whether you have in fact seen it or if you have a touch of narcosis?! The thresher sharks of Malapascua will truly have you enthralled! Whilst it is the ocean and nothing can ever be guaranteed this is THE thresher shark hotspot on the planet so it would be incredibly unlikely for us not to see them.

    Thresher sharks Malapascua

     

    Check out this footage to see what you could be seeing for yourself if you join us!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=s06c5DZxm84

     

     

    The second half of our Philippines extravaganza is at the off the beaten path destination of Cabilao. The perfect place to slow things down combined with world class diving. Pygmy seahorses, critters as well as hard and soft corals of various species have made the island a must-see, especially for scuba divers. At present, there are two marine protected areas (no-take zones) around the island. The only motorized transport you can find are a few tricycles and a couple of motorcycles, who also serve as so-called ‘habal-habal’, they will bring you around for a small fee. However, most of the distances on Cabilao island are quite short, you can easily walk them. The lack of roads also means that everything on the island has to be brought in by banka (local outrigger boat): building materials, wood, food (except fish caught locally), and, during periods of drought, fresh water for drinking and bathing.

     

    Pygmy Seahorse / Hippocampus Bargibanti

     

     

    The other major draw card on our itinerary is two days of diving with the whale sharks at Oslob. There are few places in the world where you can guarantee the presence of whale sharks and be able to SCUBA dive with them! The whale sharks appear at Oslob every day to suck the fish out of the fishermens’ catch nets as they haul them aboard so there are plenty of opportunities to capture that new profile pic with the largest fish in the ocean! Aside from the whale sharks Cabilao also offers some fantastic reef and wall diving so we won’t be struggling for choice!

     

     

    TRIP DATES

    Dates TBA

    PRICE

    From Diver AU$4,251 per person

    From Non Diver AU$3,068 per person

     

    From Diver Ex-Cebu AU$3319 per person

    Whale shark Oslob

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    • Airfares Ex Brisbane / Singapore/ Cebu – Tagbilaran / Manila / Singapore /Brisbane flying with Singapore Airlines and Philippine Airlines
    • Meet and greet in Cebu + road and boat transfers from Cebu to Malapascua
    • 5 nights twin share standard accommodation at Buena Vida – Malapascua, Includes: Breakfast daily
    • Transfer from Malapascua to Cabilao via Cebu – Road and boat transfers
    • 5 nights twin share deluxe accommodation at Pura Vida – Cabilao
    • Includes: All meals whilst at Pura Vida ( Breakfast, 2 course lunch & 3 course dinner )
    • Transfer from Cabilao to Tagbilaran Airport
    • 22 boat or shore dives with Sea Explorers in Malapascua and Cabilao
    • Includes: 2 dives with the Whale sharks at Oslob, tanks, weights and dive guide services, Sanctuary fees
    • Australian departure taxes
    • Professional Dive Services Tour Leader


    WHAT’S EXCLUDED
    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending monies
    Excess Luggage surcharges

    CONDITIONS APPLY

    Prices are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in PHP exchange rates and 2016 operator, hotelier and airline rates.

    AIRFARES

    Please be aware that this package has been based on indicative airfare prices. Prices are subject to change, your package price will be reconfirmed at the time of booking. Please use the package price as an indicative guide.

    BOOKING REQUIREMENTS

    To secure your place on this trip, you need to complete a booking form and return it together with a non refundable deposit of $700 per person + the cost of the international airfares and taxes.

    Please find the Dive Adventures online booking form HERE

    PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Under water Navigation
    Nitrox
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!!

  • The New South Wales New Years Dive Spectacular!

    The New South Wales New Years Dive Spectacular!

     

    Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias Taurus), Gutters of Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Trip

    7 nights, 8 days, at least 12 dives and 6 world class dive destinations.  This is truly the best of Mid and Northern NSW diving.

    This trip is always popular and never fails to impress. However this year we have upped the ante again! This year we are diving the biggest hot spots on the NSW coastline covering all major dive destinations between Byron Bay and Sydney! This is truly the BEST OF NSW! Escape the craziness of Brisbane and head south for a week that you will replay on your deathbed! Like a diving advent calendar each new day will present you with a different world class dive location to explore.

    Diver with wobbegong shark, Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Starting off  we are heading down to Wooli to dive the North Solitary Islands and if the conditions are right Pimpernel Rock! Day Two will see us diving the magnificent South Solitary Islands Marine Park and hitting up crowd favourite Manta Arch! Day Three presents one of the Top 10 dive sites in Australia, Fish Rock Cave at South West Rocks diving with the local Grey Nurse sharks. Day Four brings up some more depth and the opportunity to dive at one of the largest shark aggregation sites in Australia, Seal Rocks at Forster.  Day Five will delight macro photographers and wide angle enthusiasts alike with two dives at Port Stephens / Nelson Bay renowned for it’s incredible macro smorgasbord and nudibranch varieties. Our final day of diving ringing in the New Year will be diving on Australia’s newest scuttled naval ship the EX-HMAS Adelaide at Terrigal.

    Grey Nurse Shark (blind mature female) / Carcharias Taurus

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Dive Information

    Ideally suited for Advanced Open Water divers but also suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)
    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive this trip
    Depth ranges from 6 – 40 metres
    EAN (nitrox) is available upon request
    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience


    Trip Dates

    26 December – 2 January 2016

    8 Days/ 7 Nights- Ex Brisbane

    Price

    $1,600 per person

    What’s Included

    12 dives- 12 boat dives and there will be opportunity for some additional shore dives!
    7 nights shared accommodation
    Private transport for the week departing and returning to Woolloongabba, Brisbane.
    Tanks and weights
    Professional Dive Services guide

     

    Diver in the shallow entrance, Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    What’s Excluded

    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending monies
    Dive Gear
    Excess luggage surcharges
    All meals

    Baggage Allocation & Gear Hire

    All divers are responsible for their own gear. Tanks and weights are included in the trip price. If you need to hire gear; it is available, if you could please contact us in advance of the trip to ensure it is brought for you. We have a very comfortable 2014 Hyundai iMax with trailer for our gear so there is no limit on what you can take!

     

    Itinerary

    This trip is open to anyone but is recommended for Advanced Open Water divers and above or Open Water divers looking to complete their Advanced course. All divers will be under supervision of a Professional Dive Services Instructor. Starting off  we are heading down to Wooli to dive the North Solitary Islands and if the conditions are right Pimpernel Rock! Day Two will see us diving the magnificent South Solitary Islands Marine Park and hitting up crowd favourite Manta Arch! Day Three presents one of the Top 10 dive sites in Australia, Fish Rock Cave at South West Rocks diving with the local Grey Nurse sharks. Day Four brings up some more depth and the opportunity to dive at one of the largest shark aggregation sites in Australia, Seal Rocks at Forster.  Day Five will delight macro photographers and wide angle enthusiasts alike with two dives at Port Stephens / Nelson Bay renowned for it’s incredible macro smorgasbord and nudibranch varieties. Our final day of diving ringing in the New Year will be diving on Australia’s newest scuttled naval ship the EX-HMAS Adelaide at Terrigal.

     

    Specialities Suitable for this trip

    There are many more specialties and courses that can be completed over this trip. To discuss what you would like to do please feel free to contact John on 0457 007 040 and he can design a plan for you.


    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Project AWARE Fish ID
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].