Matava Resort is offering Dive Fish Snow Travel clients an awesome Winter deal.

Cost: $2875 pp. All Inclusive Ex AKL.

Includes:

• 7 Days Full Sumpious meal package (Includes 1 day free).
• 7 Nights accommodation in a superior bure (includes 1 free night)
• 12 dives (includes 2 free dives)
• Return Airport boat transfers
• Return economy class airfares between Auckland and Kadavu (K Class conditions apply)

Additional $100 discount per person (If booked by 31 July 2008)

• Book your Matava dive holiday by 31 July (Travel when you want) and not only will you will receive a free upgrade to a honeymoon bure (subject to availability on arrival), but you will also receive a further discount of $100 pp.

Fuel surcharges and airline taxes of $165pp is not included and subject to change

To book this package Call us 09-479 2210 or NZ Toll Free: 0508-348 334 or
Email: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

The Diving: The Great Astrolabe Reef lies off Kadavu Island in Fiji andoffers a huge variety of fish life including Eagle rays and mantas, plus an equally diverse range of colourful hard and soft corals. 

Astrolabe is the third largest reef in the world, yet possibly the most unexplored. ‘Virgin Diving’ is a term often flaunted but is the best way to describe the diving from Matava. There are whole segments of the Astrolabe reef no one has ever dived or even seen; it is all just waiting to be explored. Astrolabe is renowned for the prolific amount of large fish and great pelagics are a common sight on these reefs.  The main attraction here are the giant manta rays; it’s the only dive site in Fiji where  sightings of mantas are virtually guaranteed. Sitting on a bommie watching several mantas with a wing span of 4-5 metres gliding past you is a sight you’ll never forget!

The accommodation: Set amongst coconut trees and jungle covered hills, Matava Resort nestles on the coast of Kadavu facing out towards the blue Pacific. The resort describes itself  as a ‘genuine eco-hideaway’ with traditional native Fijian bures nestled in the rainforest. The resort is just finishing major renovations, with the Main Bure to  be completed to enhance the already lovely al fresco dining area. This is expected to be finished by the end of August.

More Information on this amazing Resort »

Ron and Christine – directors of Dive Fish Snow Travel-,  enjoyed diving from the liveaboard “Seven Seas” so much that this is their 2nd  charter trip with them in 2 years. They rate Komodo as one of the best reef and critter diving  destinations in the World. Ron and Christine have dived so many awesome places around the World, so for them to have chosen Komodo and the “Sevens Seas”  for their own personal holiday twice in three years is saying something! It’s the World class diving, the best dive liveaboard and the best time of year that draws them back there again, and they’d love to share it with you.

Visit our website for more information:  (but hurry, or you’ll miss out! The first couple to deposit gets that price saving)

The Diving: If it’s rare, it’s here!

Indonesia is recognized as having some of the greatest diving in the world, and Komodo Marine Park is its climax. Komodo Island is situated 200 nautical miles east of Bali, between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa.  The diversity of the environment, quantity of life, and variety of species, make it second to none – especially in August, which is prime time for diving here. Komodo’s symbol of international fame is it’s dragons, the world’s largest living reptiles, which are unique to the area and which you will get see up close and personal.

This region is the centre of the most bio-diverse marine environment in the World. Macro critters are found in every wall and crevice.

The “MV Seven Seas”at first glance may look like a traditional Chinese junk, but it’s the latest word in comfort and luxury designed as a purpose built liveaboard. The 6 cabins are unusually spacious, air conditioned and all have ensuite bathrooms. The dive deck is huge, and living area set new standards for other liveaboard to follow. The crew are friendly, the service impeccable and the food fabulous, but above all the diving is exhilarating.

Visit here for more details on the diving and the Liveaboard »

Special: Fantastic deal for Honeymooners!

In February and March 2009, Hideaway are offering Dive Fish Snow Travel clients an incredible

Pay for 4 nights /
Get 3 Nights More Free

Hideaway Island and Marine Sanctuary Resort. It is a small coral atoll that's about as close as you'll get to a Robinson Crusoe island escape in the South Pacific.

Edged by white sands, coral beaches and fringed with palm trees, the island is surrounded by warm crystal waters teeming with friendly fish living amongst the pastel-coloured Plate Corals, unique to this area.

The diving: The reef has been protected as a Marine Sanctuary for 20 years. The fish are very friendly  - it’s like an underwater “aquarium” of untold splendour right off the beach and you can hand feed hundreds of  the tame fish just metres from the shore. Walls, reefs covered with colourful hard and soft corals, bommies, clown fish, anemones, gorgonians, caves and even a wreck: Hideaway offers a kaleidoscope of incredible diving adventures. There’s even a lovely little wreck dive here.

Accommodation: Accommodation on Hideaway Island has been built with a traditional Melanesian flavour, scattered amongst the beautiful tropical gardens that cover the island, offering stunning sea views.

A variety of rooms are available,  from private oceanside bungalows overlooking the water to quad share dormitories with shared facilities, so there’s something to match all budgets.

Hideaway Package

$1390pp twin share ex AKL

Includes:

• Return Airfares ex-AKL
• 7 Nights 1 bedroom oceanview Room
• 6 Dives, Tanks, Weight Belt, Airfill,
• Return Airport Transfers

$275pp, airline taxes not included and subject to change.

To book this package Call us 09-479 2210 or NZ Toll Free: 0508-348 334 or
Email: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

More information on Hideaway Island Resort »

It's just a tiny 16 hectare sandy beach in the Celebes Sea off the coast of Sabah, Borneo,  but below the water, Sipadan's vertical topography and abundant marine life make it one of the world's most legendary dive destinations.

Here the deep waters teem with hammerhead sharks, a myriad of technicolour reef fish, schools of barracuda  and dozens of sea turtles. There’s also some excellent macro-diving close to shore.

For environmental reasons Sipadan Island has now closed its accommodaitons, and has become a fully protected marine conservation zone. This means the best way to dive here is by staying in on one of the resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul or Kapalai.

The diving: Dive Fish Snow Travel rates Sipadan as one of the best landbased dive locations in the World. The waters are calm and warm, visibility is generally good, and the quantity and variety of marine life is astounding. On an average day of diving at Sipadan, you would expect to see at least 50 Green Turtles, a dozen sharks, large schools of Barracudas, Jacks, Fusaliers and Batfish. A mere 15metres from the beach, a vertical wall starts at 3mtr and plunges straight down to an abyssal 600mtr.

Video

No single dive site epitomizes the diversity of Sipadan quite like Barracuda Point. Named after the huge schools of Chevron Barracuda that are frequently found there,  large schools of Jacks, Batfish and scores of huge Bumphead Parrotfish can also be seen there. Turtles abound as well as dozens of sharks.

The Accommodation: There are 3 different resorts close to Sipadan that we recommend, all offering luxurious accommodation in bungalows built over the water. All 3 resorts are built in local traditional style on stilts above sandbanks surrounding the islands, with a central communal dining and reception area. The sandbanks may not look terribly inviting at first glance, but we can assure you that diving right under or around your accommodation is a kaleidoscope of colour and amazing macro life.

Sipadan Package

It is hard to give an exact price, as there are so many variables.

Approximate Cost: $4200 per person : Please use as a guide only

Includes:

• Return Airfares Ex-Auckland
• Return Airport Transfers
• 7 Nights in a standard Ocean view Bungalow at Sipadan Water Village , share twin/double basis
• 1 overnight in a standard hotel room in Kota Kinabalu
• 18 - 21 dives, with tanks, weight belt
• All meals  for 7 days at Sipadan Water Village

To book this package Call us 09-479 2210 or NZ Toll Free: 0508-348 334 or
Email: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

Visit our Webpages on Sipadan, Malaysia »

Pacific Harbour, situated on Fiji’s mainland, 45 minutes south of Suva, offers you everything from international hotels and resorts to a championship golf course, excellent game fishing plus fantastic diving in the legendary Beqa Lagoon, shark feed dive.

The diving: Beqa Lagoon is one of the biggest lagoons in the South Pacific, covering an area over 100 square kilometres.  The dive sites generally have a maximum depth of around 20 metres with some deeper dives in the passages. This location is renowned for it’s colourful coral reef system which abounds with myriad tropical fish, features spectacular multi-hued soft coral displays and provides a home to unique and sometimes bizzare tropical marine life. The predominant features of the diving in Beqa Lagoon are the soft corals, swim throughs, beautiful coral heads and the prolific fish life. You’ll find lush canyons of gorgonias in vivid reds and yellows, tunnel walls festooned with multi-coloured soft corals and ancient black coral trees, coral heads honeycombed with tunnels and caves: this is an underwater photographers dream. 

But if it's adrenalin and big teeth that gets you excited.

The shark feed dives are a must!  Beqa is one of the World’s best (and safest) shark dive locations. Here you can see 7 to 8 species of shark during one dive, and there are usually over 15 Bull Sharks! Sharks such as Silver tip, Nurse, Lemon, Tiger, Grey reef and the famous Bull shark regularly cruise this area. 

Around 1999, the operator set up a shark feeding dive in one of the off shore reefs. Years later it is recognized as one of the World’s best shark feed dives: it’s definitely the best one in the South Pacific. It’s not all about blood and guts; it’s a unique opportunity to dive with a variety of large sharks you otherwise would not see on a typical coral reef. The shark feeding dives allow you to sit on the bottom of the reef in a safe, controlled environment where you can see, photograph and appreciate the awesome power, splendour and grace of these magnificent sharks. It’s bound to be a highlight of your life in the ocean.

There are 2 excellent dive operators at Beqa, one operating from The Pearl Resort, and the other from The Lagoon Resort.  Whether you’re a novice or experienced diver they  both offer a diving adventure to remember - world class dive excursions and first class service with modern dive boats, rental equipment, and professional staff.

The accommodation: Lagoon Resort was built in 1988 as a casino for wealthy Arab sheiks.  Located between the 18-hole golf course and the canal leading to Beqa Lagoon, it is  one of the more elegant, exotic, romantic location in Fiji. 

The resort has a large swimming pool, two restaurants, a bar, conference rooms, small library, and a games room with a full sized billiard table.

All of the 21 elegantly presented rooms have spectacular views of the lagoon or canal.   All rooms are spacious and have extra large beds, marble bathrooms, air conditioning, ceiling fans, colour television, direct dial telephones, Sky TV, internet, refrigerators, hairdryers and tea and coffee making facilities.

Beqa Package

Cost: $1999 per person : ex AKL

Includes:

• Return Airfares Ex-Auckland
• Return Airport Transfers
• 7 Nights accommodation, share twin/double basis
• 10 dive package, includes tanks, weight belts

Prices do not include Airline Taxes approx $213

To book this package Call us 09-479 2210 or NZ Toll Free: 0508-348 334 or
Email: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

Visit our Webpages on Beqa Lagoon, Fiji »

It’s been a long 10 months since first surviving a ‘too-close’ encounter with a Micronesian reef, through to a very delayed delivery from a major Philippine ship repair facility, but the “SS Thorfinn” is now safely back at Truk Lagoon doing what she does best – offering fantastic week long liveaboard dive adventures to Truk’s WWII wrecks.

Almostly completely reconstructed, the new, improved “Thorfinn” has added new comforts and facilities onboard. The wrecks are all still there waiting for you to visit, and the Thorfinn better than ever before: now is the time to visit Truk.

The Truk Lagoon ocean floor holds an entire Japanese fleet frozen in time, where it sank in February 1944.  Complete with sake cups and skeletons, jeeps and tanks tied on board, and fighter planes still waiting in their holds, the wrecks have been declared an underwater museum. These days the battle scars, WWII ruins and underwater wrecks attract dive enthusiasts to these remote islands.

From their watery grave, these ghostly skeletons give shape to a unique underwater museum.  Giant ships of war rest in eerie silence among bombs, torpedoes, guns, tanks, planes, telegraphs, china, bicycles, shoes, trucks and giant 18” warheads.

Nature and time have softened and transformed this graveyard into living shipwrecks of incredible colour and marine life.  Brilliant soft corals in all colours, anemones, daisy corals and sponges now cling to rusted remnants of military glory and many species of tropical fish play amongst once lethal weapons.

Back in Action Special: Dive Fish Snow Travel Kiwi Charter Travel: Aug/Sept 2009.
Enquire for Details.

Visit our Webpages on Thorfinn »

Awesome Interactive map of wreck sites

The prime time to snorkel with these truly amazing leviathans of the deep is mid July – early October.

But you need to BOOK NOW. There is a limited number of boats with a license to snorkel with whales and there just about all full. Plust it's prime diving time as well, so the accommodation and flights filling up fast over this time.

Visit our Webpages on Tonga Diving »

Reading this will save you time, money and stress.

Let’s face it – we all want value and the best prices when we buy a holiday. By all means, check out the Internet in your holiday planning stages, but before you commit to anything, consider this:
 
All International Dive holidays consist of various important components:

• Airfares – international and domestic
• Accommodation
• Diving
• Transfers
• Dive Insurance

Get the best deal for your diving holiday. This will save you time and money»

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Regards - "THE DIVE TEAM" - Dive Fish Snow Travel Auckland
PHONE: (09) 479 2210 -
TOLL FREE: 0508 348 334
EMAIL: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

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