August 2004 :
(SouthEastAsia Special)

South East Asia

• Welcome to South East Asia

Sybille's Trip:

• Mabul
• Sipadan - now or never!
• Kungkungan Bay Resort, Lembeh
• Tasik Ria Resort, Bunaken.

Australia

• New Taka - Ken's report
  

Papua New Guinea

• Telita - Milne Bay - more then Muck diving
  

Micronesia

• Yap recovers

Other Topics

• Coral Reefs learning to cope with climate change
  
  

DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL Newsletter August 2004

Online HTML version (English)      |       Online HTML Version (deutsch)

Very exciting news - at last, we have our new South East Asian web-page up-and-running and fully added to our list of diving destinations.
Primarily in this issue, Sybille will tell us of her exciting diving adventures in Indonesia & Malaysia and we'll introduce several of our new featured products.

Don't forget, we're still offering our other great destinations as well in Australia, Papua New Guinea & Micronesia.
However, if you feel like a serving of Tom Yam, Tom Kha Gai, Gado-Gado or Nasi Goreng with your next dive holiday, South East Asia is awaiting your drooling arrival.

South East Asia
Welcome to South East Asia

As you all know, it's best awhile coming, but we are happy to announce the launch of our latest webpage-catalogued list of dive destinations, South East Asia.

Whether you prefer "chasing the Komodo dragon" on a Bali-Komodo liveaboard trip, diving the pearl-like drops of coral atoll in Malaysia's South China Sea or visiting the Mantas & Whale Sharks of Thailand's Andaman Sea, it's all here.

For those of you with only a limited knowledge of the South East Asian region (or even if the area is familiar to you as your own back yard), please feel free to navigate and scan your way through our South East Asian introductory pages.

Here's your starting point http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/southeastasia.htm

We will provide personal feedbacks as soon as we can in coming issues, but for now, please take a look at some of our featured liveaboards :

Komodo Dancer http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/komododancer.htm
Kararu              http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/kararu.htm
Viking               http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/viking.htm
Pelagian           http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/pelagian.htm

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Sybille's South East Asian Trip Report

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort

This one is brand new, less than a year old and very comfortable. Mabul is roughly half way between Semporna and Sipadan and just half an hour or so from either place.

Usually the first two boat dives are at Sipadan, returning to Mabul for lunch. However, if you get yourself organised with a few other divers, it is possible to leave Mabul very early in the morning (around 05.00 hrs) and have three dives at Sipadan. The afternoon dive is at one of Mabul's dive sites, either reef or muck diving. There is still time to fit in a dusk and/or night dive. I had one of my rare night dives here and saw a Spanish Dancer the size of a rugby ball and a Hermit Crab which looked like a huge pumpkin until it started moving. Absolutely amazing.

Just like at Sipadan, the dive guides here are all qualified Dive Masters or higher and have really good English language skills. Their local knowledge guarantees great diving and their keen eyes will point out these well camouflaged inhabitants of the deep, which us mere mortals with less than 20/20 vision would never even know were around.

Personally I think that Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is the perfect location for divers who prefer more comfortable accommodation than is available at Sipadan, but still want to experience some of the best diving this region can offer.

http://diversionOZ.com/en/sea/mabulresort.htm

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Borneo Divers Sipadan Resort
Sipadan is not just a dive destination - it is a state of mind!!

Well, what can I say that has not already been said or written about diving at Sipadan…. When is the last time you have stayed at a place where a 600m drop off is about 10 fin kicks from the beach.?
Barracuda Point, Lobster Lair, Hanging Gardens, Turtle Cavern and so on… I am sure you recognise these names from reports you have read. The large number of dive sites means that if the currents are a little too strong at one place, no problem. Just a few minutes travel by boat and more favourable conditions can be enjoyed.
Everyone has heard about the turtles, but the incredible biodiversity here ensures that each dive is a new adventure. Hammerheads and a whale shark visited during my time at Sipadan. I am not kidding you!!
Apart from the three daily boat dives, many divers also chose to do early morning and/or dusk or evening beach dives at the Drop Off . You simply organise your buddy, get a full tank from the dive shack and off you go. Sipadan definitely is the place for divers who just want to keep on keeping on.
However, if you hope to stay on the island, hurry. Rumours that the Malaysian Government intends to close down all the resorts by the end of the year have now been confirmed to be true.

http://diversionOZ.com/en/sea/sipadan.htm

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DIVING IN SULAWESI - STAYING AT KUNGKUNGAN BAY RESORT, LEMBEH AND TASIK RIA RESORT, MANADO - DIVNG WITH ECO DIVERS

My first visit to Sulawesi was back in 1985, and that is also when I first heard the stories about the great diving around Manado and what is now the Bunaken Marine Park. However, it took until April this year that I actually had a chance to experience the diving; was it worth the wait? You bet it was!!!

Kungkungan Bay Resort (KBR)
Diving at Lembeh Strait is Muck Diving at it's best, and staying at Kungkungan Bay Resort simply makes the experience perfect.

Not knowing much about muck diving prior to getting here, I must admit that I found it quite addictive. I thought all my birthdays had come at once, when I saw an orange frog fish on my very first dive (and managed to take a photo of it too), what a start to my stay here. Marine life which I had previously only admired in photos, suddenly came to life, snake eels, flying gurnards, sea horses, mantis shrimps - the list goes on and on. Since I am not a marine biologist, I am not even going to attempt to name all the weird and wonderful creatures I was lucky enough to see here at KBR. If you don't believe me, just get yourself over here and have a look! Dive sites such as Hairball, Police Pier, Nudi Falls, the Mawali and the Taiwanese Wrecks, and of course, the house reef right in front of the over-water restaurant, should keep you occupied for quite a while. If you do decide to dive Lembeh Strait, make sure you stay at Kungkungan Bay Resort.
This small resort has such a welcoming atmosphere that you feel right at home, before you have a chance to unpack your suitcase and gear bag. Situated right on the water's edge, the resort is built with natural, local materials and blends perfectly into the surrounding coconut grove. The food is great too and you can order your main meals from the menu, during the surface interval, that is, if you are not too busy enjoying freshly baked bisquits, cakes or other mouth watering offerings.

http://diversionOZ.com/en/sea/kunkunganbayresort.htm

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Tasik Ria Resort and Bunaken Marine Park
Bunaken National Park offers some 25 dive sites spread around 5 different islands. The health of the Reefs, the incredible biodiversity, some of the best wall and drift diving you can imagine - this is a place where you will run out of time before you run out of dive spots. My first dive was at Lekuan 3, a lovely shallow wall dive with great visibility and an abundance of corals and fishes. A gentle introduction to diving at Bunaken. A more challenging dive is Pangulingan at Manado Tua. Quite strong currents (simply cross your arms and legs and enjoy the ride), but that brings with it the chance for encounters with some of the "big fellows", if you are lucky you may even see a hammerhead shark.
The Poolview Rooms and the Seaside Cottages at Tasik Ria Resort are all beautifully furnished, and have all modern conveniences. At meal times, the choice is between Asian or Western cuisine and there are plenty of options for vegetarians too. All that at prices to be seen to be believed.
The dive operation, both at Tasik Ria Resort and at Kungkungan Bay Resort, are managed by Eco Divers. Eco Divers also manage the hotel operation at KBR.

Eco Divers are well known to European divers, for their operations in the Red Sea, Port Sudan. Not only have they brought with them well qualified teams of dive and resort management professionals, but also their policies on environmental protection and low impact diving. Local dive guides have a minimum of dive master qualification are very knowledgeable about the local marine environment and have a really good grasp of English, which is the "lingua franca" for this part of the world, especially where diving is concerned.

http://diversionOZ.com/en/sea/tasikriaresort.htm

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Australia

The "New" Taka - Ken's Report

May 7 2004 - It had been almost 6 years since I made my maiden voyage as a working Dive Instructor on Taka to the Coral Sea & the Ribbon Reefs. I have so many good memories of my time working for Taka. However, I was looking forward to experiencing the service that many of my clients have been raving about in their feedback on the "new" Taka.
May 11 2004 - After a wonderful 5 days/4 nights in the Coral Sea, Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs on Taka, now I know what all the feedback fuss has been about.

Comparing the old Taka with the new Taka is rather unfair. Kind of like comparing a Mini with a Rolls Royce.
If she were a car, the new Taka would hold the road like Michael Schumacher's Ferrari. The new Taka holds the water, rides the waves better and is more stable than any of the other liveaboards in our region. A very important considering factor for those who might suffer from seasickness.

Space and room to move is in abundance on the new Taka, and the new cabins offer a comfort level that we could have only dreamt about on the old boat. The upstairs sundeck is huge !
The new saloon & gallery area is smart & hip with plenty of room for lounging around on the comfy sofas, downloading your photos on the computers provided, or watching a DVD on the two giant flat screens.
After a fantastic first dive at the Cod Hole, I was overcome by the wafting smells of freshly cooked Bacon & Eggs. It was there and then that I knew that apart from the excellent diving, I was in for a real treat on this trip. Meals were outstanding.

The dive crew and their knowledge of diving and the marine environment is only surpassed by their ability to get on well and have a laugh with all the guests onboard. Taka quite accurately promotes itself as "The Friendly Alternative".
As a former Instructor myself, I was very impressed by the amount of time, effort and excellent instruction provided by the crew in the Advanced Open Water Course & Underwater Photography Specialty offered onboard.

Occasionally, amidst it all, we did some fantastic diving with a lot of rarities being spotted on this trip such as Leafy Scorpion fish, an Epaulette Shark, a Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlip (the wobbly fish), a Candy Crab & a Decorator Crab. We had all our old favourites turn up such as the Grey & White-Tip Reef Sharks, Potato Cod, many turtles and of course, the excellent Corals of the Cod Hole/Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea.
Above all, it was the service that this crew displayed that turned my head. If you are after a special trip, would like to experience some of Australia's best diving, enjoy laid-back, yet professional attention & instruction, then Taka is the trip you've been looking for.

The Ribbon Reefs diving never ceases to surprise me with the quality of diving and unique biodiversity. Sometimes our visitors only want to visit the Coral Sea, thinking the rest is only "just the Ribbon Reefs".
Neglect the Ribbon Reefs at your peril; it is quite simply some of the best diving you'll ever do.
Apart from Taka's 4 Day/3 night trip to the Ribbon Reefs, these other vessels offer "Ribbon Reefs only" trips too.

Taka                           http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/taka.htm
Spirit of Freedom         http://www.diversionoz.com/en/spiritoffreedom.htm
Mike Ball's Supersport  http://www.diversionoz.com/en/supersport.htm
Nimrod Explorer             http://www.diversionoz.com/en/nimrod.htm

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Papua New Guinea

Telita - More to Milne Bay than Muck Diving

• You don't mind 1 or 2 dives of muck diving every now & then, but not all the time, right ?
• You're a mad keen muck diver, but you still like a few different types of dive sites occassionally to break things up ?

Milne Bay has earned the reputation as a muck divers & macro photographer's paradise, but there's more to see here than just the small critters alone. In the past, pioneer "muck" divers exclusively visited Milne Bay for the great critter diving. As this "muck diving" has become a widespread activity (particularly in the South East Asian region), the other joys of the Milne Bay dive sites have been temporarily forgotten and neglected by some divers.

Now that world-renown PNG diving pioneers, Bob & Dinah Halstead are back at the captain's helm of Telita, they would like to share with you their vast knowledge of the area.

Fancy a hammerhead or manta encounter in Milne Bay ? Let Bob & Dinah show you where. In Bob's words :

"The cleaning station near China Strait is dominated by some of the largest mantas ever seen in Milne Bay, with wingspans stretching 4 to 5 metres.A significant proportion of the mantas are "Darth Vader" black all over, which is common in the Indo-Pacific. It is also possible to snorkel with feeding mantas."

After the current refit which will be finished in August, Telita will not only show you the best diving in PNG. Together with Golden Dawn she will be the only 10 person boat with all ensuite cabins!

Telita has limited availability between now and the end of 2004 and 2005 is starting to get booked. If these trips sound like your thing, take a look on our Telita page http://www.diversionoz.com/en/telita.htm and contact us for details or to check availability.

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Micronesia

Yap recovers

Yap is returning to its feet after Typhoon Sudal ripped through the island on April 8 2004.
Whilst some of Yap's famous hard corals have been damaged by the recent big blow, it's most famous residents are still spotted regularly. The giant mantas are being seen in big numbers on a daily basis. The island itself is not it's pretty coconut-palm lined self, but the mantas do not appear to have noticed. This report just in from Beyond the Reef Divers on Yap :

"Incoming guests need to know we just had a severe typhoon, and so the island is not as attractive at this time, but stores are open, hotels and restaurants are staying busy, and the diving is (as always) wet and salty. On the diving front, Beyond The Reef suffered zero damage, and we were fully operational two days after the storm hit. We've been seeing mantas on a daily basis (two on our first dive today and ten on our second dive). We've had mantas on our dives every day this week, including a rare sighting just twenty feet from our dock two days ago. Each day gets better and better. Yap has had typhoons for eons, and the mantas have always stayed. The reefs are damaged, but we're hoping that with time they will return to the pristine condition they once were. There are still lots of fish populations, by the way."

Dive/Accomodation packages:
Traders Ridge, Yap     http://www.diversionoz.com/en/tradersridge.htm
Manta Ray Bay, Yap  http://www.diversionoz.com/en/mantaraybay.htm

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Other topics

Coral Reefs learning to cope with climate change ?

Can reef corals cope with rapid climate changes? North Queensland marine scientists have discovered a mechanism involving co-habitation of multiple partners that enables corals to cope with environmental change.
Until now, scientists have predicted that the colourful corals that make up the Great Barrier Reef will be significantly reduced in number by 2050 because of warming seawater. They believe coral bleaching is one of the biggest threats to the world's coral reefs over the next few decades. However, little was previously known about the ability of corals to adapt or acclimatise to change.

It has been discovered some coral species have found that when the water temperatures increase, it is in their best interests to "sleep around" with different types of algae than they normally would in an effort to survive the warming ocean.

Maybe it's not the doom-and-gloom that everyone expects and our reefs will keep on adapting to ever-changing conditions as they have for generations.

Give the corals a hand anyway - go out and buy an electric car and stop pumping that Carbon Monoxide into the AIR !

Research credit to Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) geneticist Dr Madeleine van Oppen, coral biologist Assoc. Prof. Bette Willis and Honours student Angela Little of James Cook University (JCU). Keep up the good work !

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Specials
Please bookmark the following link for all the latest and greatest specials.
http://diversionOZ.com/en/specials.htm

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