Diver UK – July 2019

HOLIDAY NEWS

BOOKINGNOW... BIG ANIMALSSPECIAL

SUMMER SAVINGS IN GRAND CAYMAN

The Cayman Islands might not

top a big-animals destination

wish-list but it does have its

share of rays, turtles and sharks.

And two well-known Grand

Cayman operators have summer

offers for divers, starting with the

Red Sail Sports chain’s Cayman

Summer Savings dive package.

This five-day offering, available

until 23 November, promises

savings of almost US $300pp,

says the centre. Starting at $540,

it includes daily two-tank dives,

50% off one-tank dives, free

sunset sail and modest discounts

on kit-rental (usually $25 a day)

and nitrox prices ($10 a day).

The venerable Sunset House

resort has a Summer Special for

travel up to 31 October, if

reserved by 31 July. Book a

seven-night stay with six days’

boat-diving (12 dives) and those

dives are half-priced.

Besides B&B accommodation

you get unlimited shore diving

and airport transfers. Prices range

from $1405 to $1821pp (two

sharing) depending on

accommodation level. Half-

priced training options are

available for non-diving

companions.

redsailcayman.com,

sunsethouse.com

BARRY PETERS

Nirvana in Tubbataha

Remote Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines

contains 11 shark and 13 dolphin and whale species and

is a nesting ground for hawksbill and green turtles (not

to mention its 600-plus fish and 360 coral species).

One way to get among them is via the new 40m

motor yacht Nirvana, which is set to visit the area March-

June 2020. It has 10 air-conditioned and en suitecabins

and two upper-deck suites and amenities from Jacuzzi to

camera-room. A seven-day trip out of Puerto Princesa will

cost US $3950-4550pp, depending on accommodation.

divenirvana.com

STEVE WEINMAN

The

suggestion

from the

Milaidhoo

Island Maldives

resort in Baa Atoll is to celebrate

manta ray migration in style with

what it says is a 35% discount off

stays up to and including this

September.

Manta alfredimigrate in their

hundreds to the atoll’s plankton-

rich waters in summer, and the

resort says its guests find

themselves well-positioned to

enjoy the view.

It has its own house reef but

is also only 12 minutes by

speedboat from Hanifaru Bay,

known as the world’s biggest

manta feeding station. Guests can

snorkel with the rays, and learn

more about them from the

resident marine biologist.

For scuba-divers, the Ocean

Stories Aquatic Centre at

Milaidhoo is also claimed to have

identified several secret manta-

diving spots outside the marine

reserve.

Milaidhoo offers a selection

of 50 private villas and three

restaurants. Even with discounts

this is a costly stay, however.

Nightly half-board rates for the

least-expensive Water Pool Villas,

which accommodate up to three

people, start from US $1820.

milaidhoo.com

World-famous Tiger Beach, featured elsewhere

in this issue, is possibly the world’s best

location for thrilling underwater

encounters with tiger and

lemon sharks, says Dive

Worldwide. It points out too

the many wreck and reef

dive-sites there are to discover.

To take full advantage, its 11-day

package from £3475pp includes return flights from

the UK, two nights’ B&B in Nassau, seven nights’ full-

board on a liveaboard, diving and transfers.

diveworldwide.com

Manta ray

migration

in luxury

STEVE WEINMAN

HIT THE BEACH

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