Holidays in the MALDIVES - Dive Worldwide liveaboard ... · Find out what’s new in the Maldives, discover the allure of Tahiti’s many islands and get to grips with the best spots

Autumn | 2014

Meet the WHALE SHARK WHISPERER

Ultimate MANTA Encounters

Iconic LIVEABOARD adventures

TAHITI’S magical islands revealed

Discover DOMINICA

Inspirational WINTER ESCAPES

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Meet the locals at Reveries Diving VillageThere’s more to the Maldives than meets the eye. We are pleased to introduce a unique holiday experience with world-class diving opportunities. By spending time on a local island, you will get to learn about the Maldivian way of life, meet the locals and dive in some unique areas.

The Reveries Diving Village is located on Gan, an island on the east side of the Laamu Atoll in the south. At this secret island paradise you’ll find ancient Buddhist ruins, an inland lake, 8 kilometres of white sand beach, surf spots, a number of untouched reefs to explore and welcoming people.

This unique retreat is surrounded by tropical gardens, boasts a private beach and features 25 rooms and a villa with modern amenities. Facilities include a restaurant, roof top bar, gym, plunge pool and wellness centre.

Photographers, snorkellers and beginners have plenty to discover on the inner reef with beautiful hard corals, an abundance of macro life and numerous turtles. Experienced divers will enjoy diving the channels with barracuda, snapper, eagle rays, grey reef and nurse sharks and manta rays to name a few of the larger pelagic species seen here.

Discover more about our Maldives holidaysvisit diveworldwide.com

MALDIVES

Untouched Maldives

The Laamu Atoll is an untouched paradise for divers, with superb visibility and fantastic photographic opportunities. Get away from the crowds and discover the local way of life in the southern Maldives.

10 days, from £2,145 per person

The magical underwater world of the Maldives is more accessible and affordable than you think. Here are our new and exclusive trips...

Holidays in the

EXCLUSIVE

Contact our Dive team to plan your next diving adventure

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Welcome to our latest seasonal brochure. Our expert Dive team have been busy researching the very best diving and snorkelling adventures for your next holiday.

Find out what’s new in the Maldives, discover the allure of Tahiti’s many islands and get to grips with the best spots in the world for the ultimate manta encounter.

We bring you some iconic liveaboard adventures for the bucket list, delve into Dominica and introduce a very special Galapagos trip for 2016.

In this issue there are ideas for winter escapes, exciting new holidays, insider trip reports and much more. You will find endless inspiration for your next dive adventure.

No-one could accuse our eager Dive team of resting on their laurels, there is yet more in the pipeline. Wreck divers, budding photographers and keen conservationists should watch this space for some fabulous trips in 2015.

We look forward to welcoming you on your next dive adventure,

Phil North Manager Dive Worldwide

Dive trip report from the Philippines

YOUR FEEDBACKLinda Jones & Gary Phillips travelled with us in the summer to the Philippines. This is what they had to say about their adventure.

Three flights, a minibus ride and a magical moonlight boat trip got us to Sangat Island Resort. Here we had five dives over two days on the Japanese wrecks of Coron Bay. It was just the two of us with a guide, so we explored deep inside the ships. Another thing ticked off the bucket list!

The following day we flew to Cebu, where we were picked up by the S/Y Philippine Siren. The crew did everything they possibly could to keep us happy and comfortable. We have been on many liveaboards before, but this is the best we have come across.

This trip was the Southern Visayas itinerary. The diving was excellent and varied, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Four dives a day including night dives. We started off in Cabilao – a beautiful reef in good condition. We saw an incredible variety of life from an eagle ray to a pygmy seahorse and elephant ear sponges in so many colours!

Tears were shed as we said goodbye to the wonderful crew and fellow travellers. We are now saving hard for another Siren Fleet trip.

WELCOMEDuke of York

This luxurious, modern boat cruises the atolls of the Maldives throughout the year, taking advantage of the best diving seasons. She features ten comfortable cabins, spacious facilities and a spa with a masseur specialising in Ayurvedic treatments, a treat for divers and non-divers alike.


Emperor Atoll

This popular boat departs Malé throughout the year offering five different itineraries ensuring the best diving experiences for its guests, including ‘Sharktastic’ from Jan-Apr and ‘Pelagic Magic’ from Apr-Jul.


MV Amba

The luxurious MV Amba operates unique and exclusive itineraries in the northernmost atolls of the Maldives. The pioneering itineraries explore the Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu atolls, with plenty of adventure and a genuine feeling of escapism.


NEW LIVEABOARDS

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[email protected] 01962 302 060 diveworldwide.com

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Liveaboards allow divers to explore areas beyond the reach of dive resorts, transporting us to some of the most remote and spectacular diving destinations on earth. Here, we showcase some of our most iconic liveaboard adventures...


LIVEABOARDAdventures

Iconic

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat or the ‘four kings’ lies in remote eastern Indonesia. One of the most sought after liveaboard adventures in the world, it is considered the most biologically diverse region on earth.

From manta rays to pristine coral reefs, vast schools of pelagic fish to walking sharks, Raja Ampat has it all.


Komodo

One of Indonesia’s most popular and exciting diving areas, the vast Komodo National Park is best dived by liveaboard to fully appreciate the area’s riches.

The waters offer an incredible variety of marine habitats and life including sharks, manta rays, teeming reefs and rare critters.

11 days from £2,265 per person


Palau

Dive Palau by liveaboard to truly appreciate this Pacific island gem. The world’s first shark sanctuary, Palau dazzles with its healthy reefs, wrecks and superb shark encounters.

Three ocean currents converge in Palau’s waters, bringing with them some of the most varied and impressive marine life in the world.


Galapagos Islands

A must-visit destination for all experienced divers, the Galapagos Islands play host to spectacular, unique and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters both above and below the water. Highlights include huge whale sharks, schooling hammerheads and manta rays.


For liveaboard details and departures visit diveworldwide.com/liveaboards

Socorro

A diving mecca to rival Cocos and the Galapagos Islands, Mexico’s Socorro Islands are acclaimed for majestic manta rays, sharks, dolphins and humpback whales.


Main image: Liveaboard MSV Amira, Indonesia

WHISPERERThe Whale Shark

Diving at Darwin Arch and looking up before beginning my ascent I saw a huge shadow moving towards me. I knew almost instinctively what it was. I was mesmerised and 26 years later still feel the same emotions at each and every encounter.

Jonathan Green first began diving the Galapagos Islands in the late 1980’s. Even back then, Darwin’s Arch was gaining a reputation for exceptional big fish encounters. Within daysof his arrival, he heard rumours of schooling hammerheads,

Galapagos sharks and the strangely named ‘Pez Gato’ or ‘catfish’ as the fishermen referred to whale sharks.

It was the ‘catfish’, so named as the sharks’ spots reminded locals of the jaguar, that captivated Jonathan and he has devoted much of his life since to studying these incredible animals.

An acclaimed naturalist, diver and photographer, Jonathan has spent 26 years in the Galapagos after graduating in the UK as a biologist and geographer. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, his work has featured in BBC Wildlife, Time magazine and at the Natural History Museum in London. In 2011, Jonathan created the Galapagos Whale Shark Project to research these most enigmatic of animals, identifying, tagging, sampling and studying the whale sharks.

These ancient giants are thought to have roamed our oceans for more than 70 million years, yet we know almost nothing about them. It is this link to the past that Jonathan finds fascinating.

“Having studied geology and like all children of a certain age growing up with a fascination for dinosaurs, this is where I felt real life met the past. The fact that they have been roaming the seas for millions of years, since before the last major extinction, means we have a real opportunity to study a live dinosaur!”

Through Jonathan’s work, it is believed that the majority of whale sharks that gather in the Galapagos each year are not only female, but are also pregnant.

“We now have established over 99% are female with at least 90% of these in what we believe to be an advanced stage of pregnancy. I am convinced therefore that their presence around Darwin must be directly related to birthing. Our research hopes to prove this.”

Jonathan’s work is supported by the Galapagos Conservation Trust, a registered charity and the only UK organisation focused exclusively on working to protect the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands Expedition

Join Jonathan in August 2016 on board the Humboldt Explorer.9 days, £4,850 per person excluding international flightsIncludes a donation to the Galapagos Conservation Trust

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6 Contact our Dive team to plan your next diving adventure

DOMINICAthe Nature Island of the Caribbean

The main underwater attractions are not only the spectacular topography but the rich marine life, some of which are rarely seen on other islands. There are plenty of dive sites to explore from shallow coral gardens to impressive pinnacles, volcanic vents, vertical walls interspersed with caverns, overhangs and swim-throughs.

In the south, Soufriere Scott’s Head marine reserve offers dramatic landscapes and underwater volcanic features. There is very little current and the walls are decorated in sponges and colourful corals and are home to frogfish, seahorses, shrimp, crabs and many different fish. In the north Cabrits National Park is renowned for its drift diving opportunities, pinnacles and variety of larger pelagic species.

There are marvellous opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography on the majority of sites as you discover the volcanic reef formations and its residents.

Dominica is known as the ‘Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean’ and claims a 95% success rate in spotting sperm whales throughout the year. Turtles are protected here and during the summer months, visitors to the east coast can observe four species nesting along the beaches, including the leatherback.

There’s plenty of adventure for everyone on this lush volcanic island, whether you’re in the water or canyoning through the rainforest.

Dominica is located in the eastern Caribbean between Guadeloupe in the north and Martinique in the south. Visitors head here throughout the year, not only for the

incredible diving, but also to explore the island’s wealth of eco-activities and unspoiled nature. Extensive geothermal activity can be found both above and below sea level on this sparsely populated island.

The island has a rich history, unique culture and boasts the Caribbean’s first long-distance hiking route, the 185 km Waitukubuli National Trail. The trail spans from Scott’s Head in the south to Cabrits National Park in the north, the route includes local communities, farm land, forest reserves, coastal areas and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the region, Morne Trois Pitons National Park.

SPECIAL OFFER SAVE £100 each9 days, NOW from £1,395 per person(Terms and conditions apply – see website for full details)

Discover Dominica

Diving in the marine parks around the island is a memorable experience for everyone. The marine life is bountiful and the volcanic topography variable. Dive site highlights include Champagne Reef and Dangleben’s Pinnacles.


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Paul Gauguin Cruise

This luxury ship offers exceptional service and unique itineraries throughout Tahiti, the Society Islands and Tuamotus. There are opportunities for some world-class diving and memorable land excursions. 7,10 and 14 night cruises are available throughout the year.



TAHITITahiti’s 118 islands are as varied as they are numerous, with coral atolls and volcanic peaks, palm fringed beaches and tumbling waterfalls – all surrounded by the beautiful aqua blue waters of the Pacific.

Underwater, truly magical and memorable marine adventures await, from thrilling shark dives to humpback whales, teeming reefs to majestic manta ray encounters.

A people renowned for their warmth and hospitality, Tahiti has numerous charming and affordable local guesthouses in addition to world-class hotels.

Tahiti Island-Hopping Adventure

Spend 12 nights island-hopping between three of Tahiti’s most alluring diving islands. Experience the wonderful passes of Fakarava, marvel at the manta rays of Bora Bora and enjoy the colourful and rich marine life around Tikehau.


Magical islands of

Bora Bora & Rangiroa

Take in Tahiti’s most iconic diving islands on this twin centre adventure, spending a week on each island. This is exhilarating diving at its best. Enjoy adrenaline fuelled drift dives with eagle rays, manta rays, turtles and numerous species of shark.



TAHITI AND HER ISLANDS

Getting to Tahiti is easier than you think. Air Tahiti Nui offer direct connections from Los Angeles, making it possible to reach Tahiti in just two flights from the UK. Getting around is a pleasure, with regular scenic flights between the islands.

GETTING THERE

Fakarava

Fakarava is a huge atoll with a vast lagoon. Diving is concentrated in the two passes, offering thrilling drift diving, prolific marine life and numerous species of shark.

RangiroaRangiroa’s lagoon is so large that it’s impossible to see one side to the other. Two passes open on to the ocean, and tide surges offer great drift diving, known as ‘shooting the pass’.

Bora BoraBora Bora is unquestionably the most mythical of the Pacific islands. The lush green island is surrounded by a myriad of islets nestling in a lagoon, with abundant marine life, notably manta rays and sharks.

Moorea

A magical, mountainous land, Moorea resembles a vast star-shaped garden. Just a short distance from Tahiti island, these colourful, vibrant reefs are great for divers and snorkellers alike.

Tikehau

Picture-perfect, the island is graced with an oval crown of pink sand beaches and is famous for its enormous fish population and shallow manta ray cleaning station.

Pape’ete

Find out more about our Tahiti tripsvisit diveworldwide.com

Bora Bora

Moorea

Rangiroa

Fakarava

Tikehau

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ESCAPESDon’t let the longer nights and chilly days get you down, some superb diving awaits during our winter months. Here we reveal a taster of our top trip ideas to keep the winter blues at bay…

Winter


SharkWEEK Diving Adventure - South Africa

Head to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal coast for some of the best shark diving in the world. Come face to face with tiger sharks, bull sharks, raggies, whitetips and many more species besides.


Dive Mafia Island - Tanzania

This sleepy backwater on the Swahili coast offers great value and is an ideal winter escape. The waters of Chole Bay are home to vibrant and varied marine life. Expect turtles and possibly whale sharks.


South Africa & Mozambique Dive Safari

Enjoy a safari to remember, exploring South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal coast before crossing the border into Mozambique. Expect to see sharks, manta rays and big safari animals on this adventurous tour.


AFRICADiscover the Caymans

Divers will enjoy the wonderful wall diving, shipwrecks and magnificent marine life on this iconic dive itinerary. Spend a week on Grand Cayman and head to Little Cayman for the weekend, as the locals do. A truly memorable getaway.


Visit Grenada

The Caribbean’s spice island makes for a fabulous break from the UK. Grenada’s warm, clear waters lay claim to numerous shipwrecks including the impressive ‘Bianca C’ and the ‘San Juan’ with its resident nurse sharks.


Visit Grand Turk

Experience spectacular wall diving, vibrant marine life and migrating humpback whales in this sleepy corner of the Caribbean. The idyllic setting and timeless charm of Bohio Dive Resort is an ideal base to explore.


CARIBBEAN

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I had one of the best holidays I have had for many years and all the arrangements were seamless.

Helen P went to South Africa, in July 2014


Contact our Dive experts to book your next diving adventure

Big Fish Tour - Philippines

If you like your marine life BIG, then this tour comes highly recommended with a WOW factor! Underwater highlights include manta rays, thresher sharks and whale sharks as you travel through these beautiful islands.


Island-Hopping - Philippines

Discover the best of the Visayas region with this flexible itinerary. Mix and match up to five tropical locations renowned for their variety of marine life, from the thresher sharks of Malapascua to the incredible critters of Dumaguete.


West Coast Explorer - Thailand

Dive Richelieu Rock and Koh Bon, famous for their whale shark and manta ray encounters, as you explore the west coast by liveaboard around the Similan and Surin islands. You’ll need a few days on land to relax after this diving adventure.


ASIAINDIAN OCEAN

MIDDLE EASTExplore Muscat - Oman

Escape to the sunshine of Oman, an affordable destination and just eight hours from the UK. Enjoy the abundant marine life around the Fahal Islands and discover the popular Al Munassir wreck. Dolphin and turtles are a common sight for divers and snorkellers.


Oman Liveaboard - Oman

The Saman Explorer begins its third season cruising around the remote Hallaniyat Islands in southern Oman. Discover unexplored reefs and the City of Winchester wreck. Encounter whales and manta rays and expect a thrilling week of adventure.


Ari Atoll Diving Experience - Maldives

Divers return again and again to the popular and exciting dive sites of the South Ari Atoll. Spend a week exploring the exceptional house reef and over 40 local dive sites. Highlights include whale shark and manta ray encounters.


Maldives Dive Safari

For divers, the best way to explore these magical islands is by boat. Spend a week discovering the best sites of the central atolls and a few days relaxing on a tropical island. Expect thrilling drift dives and plenty of marine life.


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Baa Atoll, Maldives

A trip to the Maldives at any time of year brings the chance of manta ray sightings, with the Baa Atoll especially renowned for aggregations in season.

Jul - Oct

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Intrepid divers should head to east Kalimantan for one of Indonesia’s finest manta adventures. Surrounded by cleaning stations, the island of Sangalaki is home to up to 100 resident mantas.

Apr - Oct

Key

Dive experience

Snorkel experience

Resort

Liveaboard


MANTARAYS

HOLIDAY PLANNER

Diving with manta rays is at the top of many divers wishlists, their sheer size and elegance ensuring their place as one of the most sought after animals in the marine world. Here, we reveal some of the finest locations in the world for that ultimate encounter.

Our manta adventures start from as little as £1,195 per person.

Pico, Azores

Be engulfed by schools of manta and mobula rays as these curious and sociable creatures appear to fly around Princess Alice Bank, a pinnacle rising from the deep in the middle of the Atlantic.

Jul - Oct

Tofo, Mozambique

Dive with both reef and giant oceanic manta rays in the warm waters of southern Mozambique, one of the few places worldwide where both species co-exist.

Year-round

Lady Elliot Island, Australia

The diversity, quantity and size of the marine life here, is truly remarkable. Lady Elliot Island has been named by PADI as one of the top locations to go diving with manta rays in the world.

Year-round

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Kadavu, Fiji

One of Fiji’s least developed islands, Kadavu is the jumping off point for trips to the Great Astrolabe Reef, a mecca for majestic mantas seen feeding here throughout the year.

Year-round


Yap, Micronesia

Home to a resident population of over 100 mantas, Yap should be on the bucket list of any manta lover. Seen year-round on the cleaning stations in the lagoon, expect close encounters, perfect for photographers.

Dec - Apr

Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s wild Pacific coast is a playground for giant oceanic mantas. The nutrient rich waters provide abundant food for these nomadic ocean wanderers.

Dec - Mar

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

During Dec – May the warmer water and better visibility offers an increase in sightings of all types of rays. Best visited by liveaboard, the dive sites of Cabo Marshall and Darwin Island are where manta rays are most seen.

Dec - May

• Manta rays can be found in tropical waters around the world.

• There are two species of manta ray, Manta birostris, the giant oceanic manta and Manta alfredi, the smaller reef manta.

• Oceanic mantas have a wing span up to 7 metres and weigh up to 2 tonnes.

• Although smaller, the reef mantas grow to around 3.5 metres and reach weights of up to 1.4 tonnes.

• Manta rays feed on tiny animals such as copepods, mysid shrimps and arrow worms.

• Manta rays are part of the Mobulidae family, which also includes mobula or devil rays.

MANTA FACTFILE

Find out more about our manta tripsvisit diveworldwide.com

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Mat Howell, the newest addition to our expert Dive team, recounts his recent dive trip to the stunning caverns of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.

Two words epitomise this fantastic country; they are Cenote and Diving – pure and simple, nothing else even comes close. Here’s why…

The Cenotes were incredibly important to the ancient Mayan civilisations; not only a vital source of fresh water, the many sink holes of porous limestone that constitute the sacred pools were commonly used for burial rituals. ‘The Caveman from Dos Ojos’ is the oldest human skeleton ever discovered in the Americas and dates to around 13,400 years BC, today we delve into the very cave system where he was found.

An eager arrival at Dos Ojos Cenote is followed promptly by a look at our entry point for the first dive. It is breathtaking. I had seen plenty of pictures and some videos before now, but seeing the crystal clear fresh water for the first time before my eyes was nothing short of exhilarating and we hadn’t even geared up!

The water temperature is around 25ºC so for most divers a 3mm wetsuit or shorty is enough to take off the chill; as we descend I’m inspired to turn around and look to the surface as the light from above breaks through the water... ‘crystal clear water’ is now an expression I feel justified in using without fear

of exaggeration. It feels as though I could see forever if only the twists and turns of the cave system enabled me to do so. We forsake the sunlight and slowly fin ourselves away from the entry point delving ever deeper into Dos Ojos.

The flicker and glow of a distant torch occasionally provides a reminder that we are not alone down here, but the dive is anything but crowded.

Mid-way through the dive we ascend into a cosy opening in the cavern. Daylight does not reach us here and I quickly acknowledge the peacefulness of the silence within the bat cave as I resist the urge to blurt out a crass American style whooping noise to exclaim my satisfaction of the experience so far. Instead, I join my buddy in a moment of quiet contemplation. We look to the many crevices in the cave around us as the bats huddle together; occasionally one will flutter past us and search for a new resting place. The only noise is that of a droplet of water. We float. We breathe it all in. This is diving bliss.

Call Mat and the Dive team to find out how you can include the Cenotes into your next dive adventure.


Mat is an experienced Divemaster with a palate for adventure. Whether you want to explore the stunning reefs of Thailand, or get up close and personal with the behemoths of South Africa’s waters then Mat will be happy to help plan your next diving trip.

Diving bliss in the

CENOTES

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BUBBLINGWhat’s


Lady Elliot Island, Australia

Located in a protected zone of the Great Barrier Reef, this eco-resort is a sanctuary for a diversity of marine life and is one of the top destinations for manta ray encounters. Ideal for snorkellers and divers, make this part of your Australian adventure.

8 days, from £1,095 per person (land only)

Liburan Liveaboard, Indonesia

Visiting remote and unexplored areas, the Liburan offers pristine exploration diving at the heart of the Coral Triangle. Expect an amazing biodiversity of marine life and huge healthy corals. Recommended for experienced divers.

10 days, from £1,595 per person (boat only)

Naya Gawana, Indonesia

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Bali, this resort is located in an unpsoilt, natural setting on the edge of a national park which includes Menjangan, an island famous for its incredible marine life and Secret Bay, a world-class muck diving site.


Atmosphere Resort, Philippines

Indulge yourself at this luxury dive resort and spa located on the beach in Dauin, home to some of the best macro diving in the world. Experienced divers can also enjoy drift dives around Apo Island, where the marine life is abundant and larger.


Stella Maris Resort, Bahamas

This elegant resort offers ocean view rooms, a relaxed island hospitality, subtropical climate and an incredible diving experience for all. Explore Dean’s Blue Hole, Conception Island Wall and endless miles of deserted powder white sand beaches around Long Island.


BIG in Mexico

The warm, nutrient rich water of the Sea of Cortez is home to an abundant wildlife and is one of the most biologically diverse locations on the planet. Here you can interact with grey whales, sea lions, dolphin, whale sharks and plenty more.


Divers are always looking for new resorts and liveaboards around the world…have a look at these exciting places to stay and dive. Available to book now!

All holiday prices in this brochure are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers and diving except where specified. For full details call our expert Dive team. Prices correct at time of going to print.

01962 302 [email protected]

diveworldwide.com

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DIVING HOLIDAYS

©Dive Worldwide 2014 No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior

written consent of Dive Worldwide.

Photographs courtesy of: Jonathan Green, Jane Morgan, Nautilus Explorer, Simon Rogerson,

Spice Island Beach Resort, Theia Liveaboard. Apologies for any omissions.

PAPUA NEW GUINEAKnown as the ‘land of the unexpected’, Papua New Guinea is one of the most remote and exciting destinations on the planet.

Enjoy pristine coral reefs, plunging sea mounts, thrilling drift dives, fascinating wreck dives and astounding biodiversity.

Discover Papua New Guinea fromjust £3,795 per person for 14 days

Talk to our Dive experts to plan your adventure of a lifetime.

Book now and save £300 per couple(Terms and conditions apply – see website for full details)

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Documents

Holidays in the MALDIVES - Dive Worldwide liveaboard ... · Find out what’s new in the Maldives, discover the allure of Tahiti’s many islands and get to grips with the best spots