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INDEX TO DIVING WORLDWIDE
DIVING LOCATIONS AT ARC DESTINATIONS
Many of our fascinating destinations have the added excitement of offering
excellent diving. From the warm waters of the tropics to the cooler seas
around The Galapagos and Southern Australia the colours and marine life abound.
Some places such as The Great Barrier Reef are well known but also ask us
about diving off shore in Western Australia or idyllic tropical islands where
there are no 5-star resorts, just 5-star diving.
INDONESIA
With 13,000 islands and about a quarter of the world's coral it is not surprising
that Indonesia is a paradise for diving and snorkelling. What makes it even
more attractive is that it is relatively unknown and little frequented by
divers. Many of the best sites are remote but dive centres with suitable
PADI staff and equipment have been set up in the following locations.
Indonesia is such an important diving region that there is a 320 page book
dedicated to describing the best sites. "Underwater Indonesia - a guide to
the world's greatest diving" is published by Periplus Books.
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SULAWESI
Reputedly one of the most relaxed places to dive anywhere in the world is
to be found near Manado in North Sulawesi. Perhaps one of the reasons for
this is that very few people know about it. However enough people go there
to support a very professional Diving Centre. The other reason is the easy
access to the crystal clear waters of Bunaken Marine Park. Another Dive Centre
even more off the beaten track is near Palu in Central Sulawesi. When you
are not out diving from the boat, you can dive or snorkel from the shore
along the coral drop-off or just relax away from it all. The Togian Islands
have recently become more accessible with the advent of a ferry service and
diving facilities may have already been established. Our reports say that
the snorkelling is excellent except where dynamite fishermen have been at
work and the islands are very quiet.
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BALI
Most of the tourist resorts are concentrated around the southern peninsula
where a limestone outcrop provides white sand beaches. However the best diving
is off the north coast where the beaches are black volcanic sand but the
coral is good and accessible. There are several dive centres along the north
coast but the best site is probably Menjangan Island in the Bali Barat National
Park. You can also dive a WW2 wreck near Tulamben. Because Bali has an
International Gateway airport it is the most accessible island and a good
starting point for tours to the other islands. Packages from 1 day to 1 week
can be arranged staying at accommodation ranging from simple guesthouses
to charming beachfront hotels.
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BANDA ISLANDS - MALUKU
There is a Dive Resort in the Banda Islands which has a good reputation,
both as a resort and for the diving. Access is a little difficult because
although there are regular flights to Ambon, there are only three flights
a week to Bandaneira which are
often overbooked. Diving boat trips are also available from Ambon through
the Maluku Islands.
FLORES & KOMODO
Maumere is a small town in eastern Flores which has an airport with daily
flights from Bali. Flores is said to have been named by the Portuguese after
the "sea flowers" (coral). The bay of Maumere is noted for the great variety
and concentration of colours and species including giant sponges and large
tree corals. The reefs which are accessible to snorkellers have steep drop-offs
where large coral formations and teeming fish are to be found. The 17 Island
National Park on the north coast boasts lovely coral and deserted beaches.
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BORNEO
AROUND KOTA KINABALU
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a group of islands off the north west coast
of Sabah. Because of the variety of reefs around the islands there is a wide
range of sea life such as butterfly fish, Moorish idols, parrot fish, bat
fish, razor fish and lion fish. Labuan Island is mainly of interest to divers
because of the many wrecks on the reef. It is accessible by boat or plane
from Kota Kinabalu. The Spratly Islands are 18 hours by boat out into the
China Sea. They are mostly uninhabited atolls although there is basic
accommodation on Layang Layang Atoll. They have many disputing claimants
for their strategic positions, but Malaysia currently controls them. Being
Oceanic islands they have many of the characteristics of Sipadan (see below)
but no accommodation. One week boat trips can be arranged for diver
Other islands off Kota Kinabalu to which diving trips are possible include
Pulau Tiga National Park, Pulau Mantanani and Pulau Mengalum.
SIPADAN
Sipadan Island is prized by divers for its drop-offs, overhangs and underwater
caves as well as large Oceanic fish such as Barracuda and Rays. This is because
it stands out in the ocean on a limestone column 200m up from the sea bed.
However this makes it a little more difficult to reach than the coastal islands.
Flights from Sandakan go to Semporna Island then it is a couple of hours
by boat to Sipadan. Diving facilities on Sipadan are well organised and the
number of visitors is strictly limited to protect the environment. The Turtle
Islands National Park is primarily protected as a giant turtle breeding ground
but also has good diving. The group of three islands is about 40km off shore
from Sandakan.
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NEW GUINEA
The north coast of New Guinea offers some of the most beautiful scenery in
New Guinea. The waters around Madang support a huge variety of fish life
and hundreds of kinds of corals. Within a small area, either from land or
boat, one can explore shallow reefs or follow a towering wall of coral into
the depths...We offer dive packages based at the very comforatable Malolo
Plantation Lodge as well as live aboard boat pakages. We can also arrange
diving courses for beginners or experienced divers.
THAILAND
AROUND PHUKET
Phuket is the location of most of the main dive companies in Thailand. This
partly because of the supply of customers (it is a major package tour
destination) and partly because it is convenient for a number of good dive
sites such as Koh Racha, Shark Point and Koh Doc Mai, Surin Island near the
Burmese border, the Phi Phi islands (also accessible from Krabi).
THE SIMILAN ISLANDS
This is the principal dive location in Thailand. It is a Marine National
Park and uninhabited. Due to the proximity of the edge of the continental
shelf there are large marine creatures such as reef sharks, barracudas and
rays, excellent underwater flora and deep clear waters. Access is normally
arranged by dive companies in Phuket which is less than 70 miles south of
the islands. A 5 day/ 6 night live-aboard package is available weekly from
November to May.
KOH SAMUI
Access to the Ang Thong Marine Park on the east coast is from Koh Samui.
This island is another package tour destination but it still retains a lot
more of its original character than Phuket.
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VIETNAM
Diving trips can be arranged around the islands near Nha Trang. We can arrange
a complete package from Ho Chi Minh City including 2-4 days diving around
the islands off Nha Trang.
AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND
The Great Barrier Reef is obviously a great dive site. Because it is so extensive
there is plenty of choice of sites and dive companies. Day trips or longer
packages are available from Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and many of
the islands.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is not as big, or as popular, as the
Barrier Reef but it offers excellent diving with over 460 species of tropical
fish and 180 species of coral. From March to May there is also a chance to
swim with the Whale Sharks, the world's biggest species of fish. Excellent
dives can also be found near Broome, the Rawley Shoals and around Esperence,
Cape Naturaliste and Albany but be warned, the water is colder in the south.
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MICRONESIA
TRUK LAGOON
Dive magnificent shipwrecks clustered at various depths on the sea floor
of the infamous 40 mile wide Truk Lagoon. Many of the World War 2 wrecks
are still remarkably intact and are covered with some of the most brilliant
soft corals in existence and surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colourful fish.
Weekly live aboard packages are available all year on the SS Thorfin. This
is a spacious, fully equipped vessel with rooms with private facilities.
They offer 5 dives a day in a maximum group size of 6 plus an experienced
guide. Shorter trips are also available.
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THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
The underwater life of Galapagos is almost as fascinating as the above water
wildlife due to the conjunction of warm and cold currents. There are sharks,
sea lions sting rays as well as schools of angel fish, amberjacks etc. A
typical itinerary is 2 dives a day plus some night dives and excursions to
the islands. The best time of the year to dive is between November and April
or July and August. It is important to note that due to strong currents it
is only suitable for experienced divers.
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Arc Journeys
Destinations
This is a brief description of the regions we cover, go to the
MAIN INDEX for links to Dossiers on each destination.
South East Asia
Visit ancient temples and traditional villages, relax
in exclusive hideaways, witness colourful festivals, learn about textiles,
local cooking or music and dance, cruise jungle rivers, meet orangutans or
trek the jungles and volcanoes .... We are acknowledged experts on this region;
this is what the Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore Handbook says about
us: "Arc Journeys have excellent cultural and natural tours run by people
who understand and care for the country, its people and environment."
Australasia
Meet the koalas & 'roos, visit the wineries, stroll deserted beaches,
dive The Reef, climb The Rock, experience the open spaces and untouched
wilderness. Escape the crowds. Accommodated self-drive, treks, 4WD tours,
gourmet cycle tours...indulge in the Aussie way.
India and The Himalayas
Walk through small villages among 8000m peaks, receive blessings from a Buddhist
Lama, stay in magnificent palaces, search for rhino and tiger. Himalayan
treks, rail journeys, camel & horse safaris, palace hotels, houseboats
or homestays...
Africa
Meet the curious lemurs, look out for the Big 5, climb Kilimanjaro, visit
villages where time has stood still. Luxury lodges or camping expeditions,
Self-drive or escorted 4WD safaris, horseback safaris, rail journeys, treks,
fly- in tours ......
South America
Discover the mysteries of the Incas, explore colonial towns and Indian markets,
hear the music and festivals, trek the Andes, take great train journeys,
cruise the Amazon and the Galapagos, meet blue footed boobies and giant turtles.
Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
The Arctic
Dog sledding, polar bears, birds & whalewatching, cruise Alaska, Greenland
or rivers, touch an iceberg, see the Northern Lights or midnight sun, experience
the wilderness of the Arctic. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Email 
David Halford Travel 102 Stanley Rd Cambridge CB5 8LB UK
UK Tel 0207 681 3175 Fax +44 207 6813175
Australia Tel & Fax +61 3 9923 6158
Home page http://www.travelarc.com
Alternative website
http://members.aol.com/ArcJourney/index.htm
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