January
2005 :
DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL Newsletter January 2005
Online HTML version (English) | Online HTML Version (deutsch)
We
had planned to mail this newsletter directly after Christmas but little
were we to know of the incomprehensible disaster that would strike so
many people and nations in South Asia. Our hearts go out to all people
who died along with the family and friends left to suffer the loss of
their loved ones. It is heartening to see the compassion and willingness
to help from all over the world.
Although we haven't been directly affected by the tsunami, it's a very
sobering thought to know how closely this has touched all of us.
However,
as we are talking about projects of long term impact which haven't lost
their relevance in the face of the tsunami disaster, we decided to run
the newsletter in it's planned form. Hopefully, in some small way this
may help to encourage divers to continue visiting South East Asia and
show their support to the people of this region.
So what's on offer in this issue?
Although we love all marine environments, in this issue sharks feature
in most of our reports in one way or another - what would you expect from
a company that has a shark on it's logo ?
Phil reports from one of the shortest high quality trips to the Barrier
Reef on Nimrod Explorer.
Read about the new Diversion Marine Conservation Fund where 1.5% of the
profit from your bookings is being used to assist specific projects which
are designed to protect and conserve our marine environment. The more
you dive, the more you help! The first project off the rank is a tiger
shark conservation programme. This fund has provided the expensive satellite-tracking
device and "our" tiger shark, Lola, has been tagged!
A Client Rewards Programme has been launched that will give you a range
of benefits in addition to the great diving vacations we set up for you.
2004
brought a few changes in our team - some familiar faces have moved on
and some equally enthusiastic new people have joined the team.
We then look at some arguments why shark research and protection is so
important these days, especially when sharks are subjects of such sensational
headlines in the media.
Finally
for all of you who are still undecided about your dive holiday in 2005
a short wrap up on the best shark diving destinations and some news on
dive cruises and resorts in our region.
Phil's
Trip Report - Nimrod Explorer
"The
shortest, high quality Great Barrier Reef liveaboard"
The 50 minute
transfer flight from Cairns to Cooktown at 900ft was spectacular as it
traversed the coastline with the rainforest canopy to the East and the
Great Barrier Reef to the West and by 4:30pm we had joined the vessel.
After
a comfortable overnight sailing we woke up at the northernmost point of
the Ribbon Reefs. Throughout our first day we made 3 dives in this area
including one at the fascinating "Monolith" site as well as
two dives at the infamous Cod Hole.
Despite a choppy surface, the underwater visibility reached over 40 metres
in places setting the perfect backdrop for the prolific marine life &
colourful coral reef that adorns these sites.
As ever,
the Giant Potato Cod were the "stars" at the Cod Hole, fitting
snugly under their own personal mushroom coral outcrops and not forgetting
the resident white tip sharks, giant barracuda and schools of big-eye
trevally (jacks).
After moving southwards we then enjoyed the pelagic & macro delights
at Pixie's Pinnacle where there was also the option of a night dive.
The following day (Monday) continued in the same vein with another 4 excellent dives at high quality sites. At Clam Gardens we not only enjoyed the colourful giant clams but also the company of 5 cuttle fish changing colour quicker than Geoffrey Rush changes film sets. A night dive at the "Temple of Doom" rounded the day off nicely.
Tuesday morning
- a manta ray encounter at Tak's Mooring was a major adrenalin-boost for
all concerned, what a beautiful creature. Finally, the excellent Steve's
Bommie made for the perfect last dive of the trip.
In all, I took 10 out of a maximum possible 12 dives, all on Nitrox.
Although
we visited many dive sites and were able to make up to 12 dives, the atmosphere
on board remained relaxed throughout.
To support all our diving needs the experienced Nimrod crew were always
at hand.
The professional and common-sense approach of the dive crew makes the
trip ideal for divers of all levels.
The food on board was tasty, varied and in abundance - no one was ever
going to leave this vessel remotely hungry !
The flight back to Cairns was again spectacular to say the least and the
perfect way to complete the trip.
I thoroughly
enjoyed this particular trip and would recommend it for divers of all
levels.
To sum it up: This trip is ideal for divers who are restricted by time but still want to enjoy the very best that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer on a comfortable, high quality dive vessel. What this trip initially seems to lose in duration it makes up for in substance and quality. http://diversionoz.com/en/nimrod.htm
| Trip Overview |
Sat
27 to Tue 30 November 2004 |
Diversion
Marine Conservation Fund
In November we finally acted on a wish everyone at Diversion Dive Travel
has had for a long time. To improve the chances that future generation
of divers will be able to experience healthy and diverse marine environments
we all need to actively promote conservation of marine environments and
at the same time raise public awareness to reduce harmful activities which
damage the system.
We have set up a fund to support small projects which work towards that
aim. Part of every dollar you spend with us (1.5% of our profits) helps
fund valuable activities that work against the tide of over exploitation
and destruction of marine environments, so the more you dive - the more
you help!
For our first
project we selected a local tiger shark research programme which is jointly
conducted by the crew of the fabulous UNDERSEA EXPLORER, shark researcher
Richard Fitzpatrick and the Australian CSIRO:
|
Tag
a Tiger
5- 14 Dec 2005 : Excursion on UNDERSEA EXPLORER to the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef with Richard Fitzpatrick, Claudia and Dirk of Diversion Dive Travel. At Raine Island we will try to tag a tiger with a satellite transmitter. Cost: AU$ 3650 plus AU$ 400.00 for airfare Lockhart River - Cairns. Early Bird discount AU$ 300 (for deposited bookings before 30 January 2005) |
"Lola"
the tiger shark
Richard
Fitzpatrick has already had two successful tagging projects
in 2002 and 2003 and was able to get some basic information on migration
patterns of one of the most graceful predators in the ocean. This year's
project should help to find answers on feeding patterns, mating, migration,
etc. On 22 November 2004 Richard and crew tagged "our shark"
which was named Lola.
The first tracking data is available now, and some exciting images about
the encounter with the shark
will be screened on news programmes world wide.
http://www.diversionoz.com/images/lola/lolaslides
http://www.sharkresearch.com/research_tiger_shark.htm
Updates about
Lola's movements and a full story on the
tagging will be in the next newsletter.
|
Diversion
Rewards
Apart from good service, we like to give our clients some special attention with a range of unique gifts |
|
 DVD
Dive Magazine ScubaCore is a magazine-style show distributed on DVD focusing on high quality diving around the world. ScubaCore DVD is published four times a year with over two hours of video content and dive stories from around the planet. In addition, various news items that are of interest to divers are covered. It is very inspiring and informative. You get a good idea of a possible next dive trip! In November last year Claudia and Dirk met the amazing couple on a dive trip with Odyssey in Truck Lagoon. Bobby and Anat Grant where busy producing the second of a series of dive reports which they deliver on DVD. Very impressive to see it all, first the production and then the result, which we are sending out already! |
|
 Reef
TeachAn old but favourite classic is the Reef Teach Marine ecology show by Paddy Colwell. This is a very informative and entertaining evening with slides and videos, where even the most knowledgeable divers can learn more about coral reefs and the marine life. We invite you to visit this show for free. |
Discounted
Dive Gear Need to stock up on some last minute gear? Want a new wetsuit or dive computer? All our clients can purchase discounted dive gear at two major Cairns dive shops - Tusa Dive and Pro Dive. Your prepaid trip voucher gives you a 10% discount as a Diversion client. |
|
This
is one way to say "Thank you for booking with us". |
|
Hand
signed underwater prints
New
team members
In July Chrisje moved on to a career position with a large international
travel chain and Ken moved on to greener pastures (away from dive travel
that is) in October. We wish them all the best in their future career.
Nina Joost and Ange Hellberg are the two new faces in our team. Nina has
been working in travel since 1988 and has been an avid diver all along.
Ange joined us in November and with over 10 years experience in the Australian
dive industry we have yet to come up with a diving question that Ange
cannot answer.
Shark
and human encounters
- Claudia's review of recent events
2004
has been a bad year for surfers in Australia. Two young surfers were attacked
by great white sharks and died. One in Western Australia early in the
year and one guy in December in Adelaide.
This
has sparked the discussion about sharks and safety in the water. In both
cases the local government ignored the protected status of the animal
and wanted the "offending" shark killed. What stands out is
that in both cases the relatives of the teenagers who perished came out
with public statements asking for the sharks not to be killed.
It
is a very good sign that even grieving relatives have the strength and
wisdom to see the role of the shark as natural and essential part of our
marine environment and it supports all moves to protect sharks even further.
Fact
is that we humans kill more sharks today, now, every minute, then ever
before on this planet. Shark finning is big business and a huge threat
to the survival of many species. One illegal fishing vessel caught off
the coast of Hawaii recently had shark fins on board, representing 11,000
to 20,000 dead sharks!
Unfortunately hundreds of thousands of sharks get killed every year (exact
numbers are not known), just for their fins. Biologists warn that shark
finning could lead to the near extinction of the shark - the top natural
predator at sea, and the consequences of this are quite unthinkable.
We divers are all witnesses to the decline of shark populations in many
parts of the world. So despite the tragic accidents with some sharks,
it is more important then ever to find and support ways to ensure the
survival of these creatures. It is definitely not too late to act, and
the example of the rescue of the Humpback whales from extinction is encouraging.
The Florida
Museum of Natural History has a great webpage covering this topic: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm
Some other organizations who have dedicated their work to this topic and
they are worth wile supporting:
The Shark Trust: http://www.sharktrust.org/sharkconservation.html
Wild Aid: http://www.wildaid.org/index.asp?CID=72&PID=262&SUBID=275
We do our part with the above mentioned research project on Tiger sharks.
http://www.sharkresearch.com/research_tiger_shark.htm
Best
Shark viewing dive trips in our region
So much talk about sharks - here is a selection of dive destinations,
live-aboard trips from our programme where you can actually dive with
sharks:
Coral
Sea, Australia
Osprey Reef, Coral Sea: white tips, grey reef sharks, occasional Hammerhead
and silver tip sharks
Visited by
Undersea Explorer,
regular 6 night trips, best diving on Osprey, ongoing shark research
Taka, Spirit
of Freedom and Nimrod
Explorer also have regular itineraries to Osprey reef
Flinders
Reef, Coral Sea, Australia
Regular shark feeding at "Scubazoo"
Visited by Spoilsport
Eastern
Fields, Portlock Reef, PNG
This remote atoll is visited only by Golden Dawn from Port Moresby, PNG.
It is one of the most remote dive spots, half way between PNG and Australia.
Plenty of shark action
Visited by Golden Dawn
Sipadan,
Borneo, Indonesia
With the island turned into a nature reserve divers can still enjoy the
amazing drop off at Sipadan and shark action is almost guaranteed.
visited with day trips from Mabul
German
Channel and Blue Corner, Palau
In the right current this is pelagic haven. Hard to count all the sharks
that are whizzing by.
Visited by Ocean
Hunter II and Palau
Aggressor.
Fathers
Reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea.
Fantastic drop offs, exposed points in the currents - the perfect recipe
for consistent shark encounters.
Visited by Febrina,
Star Dancer,
Paradise Sport
Albatross
Passage, Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
This list
wouldn't be complete without it. 
On
an incoming tide schools of reef sharks and occasional sivertips are parading
along the wall.
Visited by Febrina,
Paradise Sport
or 15 min from Lissenung
Island Resort
Neptune
Islands, South Australia
Rodney and
Andrew Fox are legends for their efforts in preserving the Great White
Shark in Australia. Their shark Great
White Shark viewing trips are a classic.
Diving
News from the region
New 4 night liveaboard schedules on Spoilsport.
Mike
Ball's Spoilsport has added new 4 night trips to dive the Yongala in addition
to its current 7 & 8 day excursion. These trips feature up to seven
dives on this absolutely amazing dive site plus visits to some of the
best reefs south of Townsville. This trip makes a perfect addition to
a trip out of Cairns or it's great by itself ! In 2005 the 4 night trip
dates are still scattered throughout the year. From 2006 onwards they
become a regular feature of the Spoilsport trips. http://www.diversionoz.com/en/spoilsport3itinerary.htm
Trips start from AUD 1099 per person.
SPECIAL: save AU$ 200 off every trip in February
New
accommodation in YAP.
O'Keefe's
Waterfront Inn is a very private and stylish guest house, right on Yap's
waterfront. The Inn makes every effort to recapture the charm and character
of the turn of the century architecture with its shaded veranda and inviting
rocking chairs. Nestled adjacent to a park at Yap Market Square and across
the street from Historic O'Keefe's Kanteen, the Inn has only five rooms,
each with its own private bath and a porch directly on the waterfront
with a view of Tomil harbor complete with morning sunrises, canoes and
boats. Together with the personal dive service of "Beyond The Reef",
this will be a dive vacation to remember. http://diversionOZ.com/en/okeefes.htm
O'Keefe's will accept guests after it's official opening on 1 March.
7 night package with 10 dives starts from USD 1099.
Sorido
Bay Resort in Raja Ampat open.
After a full year of preparation, this luxury resort is a welcome addition
to the diving options in the region. Max Ammer the owner has put a lot
of thought into the new bungalows, especially with the advanced underwater
photographer in mind. Have a look at http://www.diversionOZ.com/en/sea/soridobayresort.htm
for details.
March-May
Coral Sea Special on Undersea Explorer
Save AUD190 on all 6 night Coral Sea departures on Undersea
Explorer in March, April and May 2005.
Price is reduced to AU$ 1710.00
Specials
Please bookmark the following link for all the latest and greatest specials.
http://diversionOZ.com/en/specials.htm
You are welcome to forward this newsletter to a friend or dive buddy.
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