Wreck Divers’ Heaven!

• Wreck divers paradise
• An underwater museum with 37 WWII wrecks, with all the machinery of war intact
• Great liveaboard dive vessel

Truk is a wreck divers paradise, suitable for the more experienced diver.

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 stored 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.

Nature and time have transformed this eerie graveyard of shipwrecks into artificial reefs 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.

The wrecks are now home to myriads of small colourful reef fish, and to the Jacks, Dogtooth tuna and Barracuda who love to eat the reef fish. And where you find medium size pelagics, you’ll also find the “razor gang” of sharks and wahoo close by.

For more on the history of Truk Lagoon and the WWII battle for it’s possession, click here

Also Visit our Truk Home page for

Truk Lagoon's Interactive Wreck Diving Map

“SS Thorfinn”

The best way to dive the wrecks is from the liveaboard dive vessel, “SS Thorfinn”. This 58m steam powered vessel  accommodates 22 guests in 11 air-conditioned state rooms, with the crew of 21 catering to your every whim and fancy. Comfortable cabins, a relaxing lounge and sun deck, 2 dining areas and 2 dive areas round out the onboard amenities. It even has a giant spa pool on the aft deck.

Each double cabin features vanities, multi system TV/VCR's, indirect lighting, full length closets, queen sized beds with adjacent singles, bright carpeting with modern decors, and ensuite bathroom in most cabins.

The diving includes 4-5 dives per day, and  with 37 wrecks to choose from, you could get up to 28-30 dives during the week.

More Details »

• The Rock Islands - 200 jungle-topped knobs of limestone dotted across 35km of ocean.
• Jellyfish Lake –  a mountainside lake full of stingless jellyfish.
• Incredible diving with  over 1,300 species of fish and more than 700 species of coral, many not seen in any other part of the World.

The Republic of Palau is Micronesia's western most island chain, consisting of  over 200 islands spread over  200km of ocean.  3 ocean currents converge in its waters to bring in some of the most varied and dazzling marine life in the world.

Dubbed a “Living Eden” by National Geographic,  Palau is World renowned for its' marine bio-diversity and abundance of large pelagic animals.  Her marine eco-systems include barrier reefs, fringing reefs, seagrass beds, marine lakes and mangrove forests.

 Drift diving along the dramatic sheer walls, plateaus and thriving coral gardens of the outer reef, it’s quite common to see 30 - 50 grey reef and whitetip sharks, eagle rays, hundreds of schooling barracuda, thousands of blue trigger fish, moray eels, lion fish, schooling humphead parrotfish,  nudibranchs,  tiny seahorses,  elusive  mandarinfish,  several turtles and a leaf fish all on one dive. Top it all off  with enough ship and plane wrecks from WWIII days to keep the “wreckies” more than happy, and Palau has something for every diver.

The most popular dive site is “Blue Corner”, a corner jutting out from a reef ,  that’s so good, you’ll dive it several times during your holiday, starting at different spots along the wall. Anchor yourself to a part of the wall and  be stunned by the amazing pelagic life schooling and marching past.

For something a little different, “Chandelier Cave” is a limestone cavern with 3 air filled chambers, magnificently coloured flowstones and crystalline stalactites. As you exit the cave you may catch a glimpse of a mandarin fish - one of the rarest and most beautiful fish in Palau.

And then there is the “Big Dropoff (Ngemelis Wall)” , which features some of the most beautiful soft corals and sea fans you’ll ever see, as well as many small reef fish, including the unusual square spot anthias and thousands of pyramid  butterfly fishes. There are also some turtles, beautiful anemones, clown fish, and the occasional shark.  The deeper water is often patrolled by gray reef sharks, rays, turtles and large schools pyramid butterfly fish.

Palau Diving Map »

Your dive trip begins with our preferred dive operator taking you on a spectacular 45-minute ride through Palau's beautiful inner lagoon to the first outer reef dive site. Surface intervals between dives are either spent on beautiful rock island beaches or at amazing snorkelling sites along the outer reefs, with time for lunch, snorkeling, island exploration, beachcombing or just relaxing under sun or in the shade.

Following the second dive (or third dive), the return trip takes you through the stunning rock islands with possible stops along the way to snorkel at Jellyfish Lake, Soft Coral Arch, Giant Clam Beach, or one of Palau's many beautiful marine lakes. Bring your camera!

Another great way to dive Palau is from the liveaboard “Big Blue Explorer”.

The ultimate way to Dive Palau

The “Big Blue Explorer” is a 167’ ocean going yacht designed to get divers  to all the best dive sites around the myriad of islands that make up Palau.

All cabins have an ensuite, are fully air-conditioned and include hair-dryers, bathrobes for use on board,  gourmet dining, indoor and outdoor dining areas, fresh room towels daily, fresh towels after each dive and hot water showers.  There is a jacuzzi on deck, a sundeck with lounge beds and covered relaxation areas. A world phone is available, there is an on board boutique, DVD & video entertainment, E-6 processing available, carpeted cabins and 16 attentive service oriented crew .

Non diving activities:
There’s heaps to do on Palau, apart from the diving. With a wealth of beautiful scenery, ancient culture, traditional villages, historical sites, tropical flora and native fauna,  there is plenty to see and do outdoors.

You can visit WWII sites and native villages, trek through the rainforest, admire the panoramic views form the top of a lighthouse, kayak crystal clear waters between the Rock Islands, snorkel in Jellyfish Lake, go fishing or sailing.

Accommodation

PALAU PACIFIC RESORT

A deluxe resort with world-class amenities set on it’s own private pristine white sand beach. It features a great swimming pool, restaurants, a beachside bar, shops, fitness center and spa, with well appointed Ocean Front, Ocean View or Garden View rooms .

PALAU ROYAL RESORT

The 160 Ocean view & Harbour view rooms all overlook the Swimming pool and beach. Other amenities include restaurants, bar, tennis courts, fitness center, spa and gift shop.

PALASIA HOTEL PALAU

A hi-rise hotel in the center of Koror  with swimming pools, a fitness centre, restaurants and bars. All Suites, Town View or Bay View rooms feature air conditioning, cable TV, and fridge.

• Large, resident population of manta rays
• Healthy corals
• Tropical fishes, Invertebrates and Turtles
• Rare species like Mandarin Fish, Ornate Ghost Pipefish, and many more.
• Sharks! Sharks! And more sharks!
• Caverns and Swim-throughs

Yap is a lush tropical island located 9 degrees north of the equator. An uplifted portion of the Asian Continental Shelf,  it is surrounded by a broad shallow lagoon and nearly 144km of barrier reef.

Yap is famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins and reef fish are found in abundance. While the clear waters and sheer drop-offs provide plenty of incentive to explore the underwater delights of Yap, it’s the manta rays that divers go to see.

There is no other place on earth where they can be seen on such a consistent basis year round.  Nothing can quite compare to the sight of a 4-metre manta hovering just a metre away from you. The mantas come in great profusion to visit cleaning stations – an area of coral heads where mantas and sharks visit daily to be cleaned, similar to a car wash. The cleaner fish hurry about the giants’ bodies, gills and mouth removing parasites as they go.

But there's a lot more to diving in Yap than just Manta Rays. More than 200 species of hard and soft corals form the reefs of Yap. The outer reefs abound with species of tropical reef fishes, invertebrates and corals. Add in the abundance of larger species like mantas, sharks, and turtles, and it is a paradise for the underwater photographer or videographer.
In a place with so many fantastic dive sites, it’s hard to pick out our top 3 favourites. But these ones would be right at the top of the list:

Manta Ridge
 Yap's most famous site virtually guarantees Manta Ray encounters. Divers drift up Miil Channel on the incoming tide, with the bottom  90’ foot  below and the channel wall rising straight up to break the surface.  You’ll pass several sharks as you  move down the channel edge to the coral mound that marks the Manta cleaning station. The small pinnacle rises to about 3’, and here huge Mantas, some of them 12 feet across the wings, make their grand entrance, swooping toward divers in staggered, single file.

Gilman Tip
The pristine coral growth along the southernmost point of Yap's barrier reef attracts a large number of fish. Bumphead Parrotfish, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, moray eels, groupers and Copper Sweepers can all be seen as divers drift along in the swift current. The vertical wall is carpeted with hard and soft corals. Pilot Whales have also been spotted here.

Yap Caverns
Whitetip Reef Sharks can be found resting on the white sandy floor in 60 to 20 feet at this site. There are a number of cleaning stations in the area, frequented by sharks and Trevally Jacks. Grey Reef Sharks can be found at 80 feet near the northwest side of the caverns. An array of well lit caverns, swim throughs and pinnacles are easy to explore.

Non diving activities:
Diving aside, Yap is the most intriguing island in Micronesia. It is a land steeped in ancient traditions, fascinating legends, and peopled by one of the most distinctive cultures in the Pacific.   Attractions like the huge ancient stone money discs and stone money banks, along with the marine life and mangrove forests highlight a visit to this unique outpost of Micronesia.

The Accommodation

Manta Ray Bay Resort

The Manta Ray Bay Resort is a fantastic dive resort, designed by, and built for, divers.

The decor of the entire hotel is marine life with each of the rooms individually decorated in tropical elegance. Each room bears a fish name, and is decorated accordingly, with photographs and paintings of that fish, hand-carved door, hand carved key chains and handmade bedspreads. You could be in the Starfish Room, the Turtle Room, the Puffer Fish Room, the Manta Room… the list goes on.

Each of the 35 well appointed, non smoking rooms  offer air conditioning, refrigerators (upon request), IDD telephone, Internet Access and in-room TV and DVD player.

Resort amenities include:

• Infinity Pool & Pool Deck
• Private Plunge Pools
• Private, Rooftop Jacuzzi
• The Restaurant & Bar located on the main deck of the “Mnuw”  a turn of the century South Seas Schooner anchored in front of the Resort.
• The Taro Leaf Spa
• On site brewery

The Land of Giant Stone Money

When you’ve had your fill of diving, there’s a lot to see above water on Yap. Renowned for it’s giant stone money, the huge disks of stone, some over 3.5 metres in diameter are still used today in major transactions.

In a land of rich culture ,Yapese traditions are still taught to all children. The islanders are determined to ensure that their culture does not succumb to westernization. While the island has modern facilities, many Yapese still live an idyllic traditional lifestyle.

Every village has a Men's House constructed of large logs, bamboo, and thatch where the men meet in the evening to tell stories and educate the village boys in the arts of fishing, sailing and crafts.

Take a tour  to see banks of stone money, and visit a local village to see the Men's Houses, faluw, constructed in the traditional style, and witness traditional childrens’ dances renacting history.

Pohnpei is the most westernized state  in Micronesia, and also the largest and tallest island. Its peaks get plenty of rainfall annually and this creates more than 40 rivers that feed the lush upper rain forest. Pohnpei's waterfalls range from pleasant to spectacular, creating a refreshing and breathtaking experience for those venturing to the base of the falls.

A trip to the ancient ruins of Nan Madol is a must on any visit to Pohnpei.  This city of ocean-filled channels once housed a thriving, royal civilization. Huge basalt pillars form the residences of kings and sorcerers. These remnants of an ancient Pohnpeian civilization are still being studied and explored. They can be visited as part of an overall nature tour or studied in depth all day with one of Pohnpei's knowledgeable history guides.

The Diving

The diving around the island is superb. Pohnpei's jagged coastline is intersected by numerous channels that carry nutrients into the vast lagoon. These nutrients attract marine life and make Pohnpei one of the most varied marine environments in Micronesia. The island's hard coral reefs and colourful drop-offs are enchanting. Sea anemones, soft corals and colourful gorgonian sea fans dot the walls. Sharks, sea turtles and manta rays are seen at many sites around Pohnpei.

A short boat trip can be made to two neighbouring atolls, Ant and Pakin, that exude the aura of paradise unspoiled. Here, the true meaning of pristine diving comes to the fore. Whether it be riding a raging current out to sea through an island pass or exploring a deep fan laden chasm, the atolls are a fantastic experience.

There are several excellent dive sites in Pohnpei, but our pick would be:

Mwand Wall & Pass

This stunning dive features a wealth of corals. Branching Green Tubastrea Coral Trees compete with Red Whip Coral and multi-hued soft coral trees. Crinoids decorate the beautiful gorgonians found below 30 metres. Divers can also see large fish such as Napoleon Wrasses and schooling fusiliers, as well as small creatures. A large variety of nudibranchs, blennies, anthias and butterfly fish inhabit the reef.

Kehpara Island

A variety of underwater terrain surrounds Kehpara, including a channel for drift diving and a wall with Golden Sea Fans, anemones and sponges. Sightings of Silvertip Sharks are not uncommon, along with patrolling Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks. Macro photographers will find a wealth of interesting critters such as lobster, shrimp and flatworms.

Poahloang Pass

The sloping inner reef is punctuated with cracks and crevices. Look for molluscs, crustaceans and moray eels. The healthy upper reef is home to anemones, sea turtles, Sweetlips, and several species of snapper.

Palikir Pass

With an ever-present school of 30 to more than 100 Gray Reef Sharks, this passage dive is considered one of the most active and exciting. Just outside the entrance of the channel is a deep reef at about 37 metres and is the best area to observe the sharks.

This Special Feature Newsletter on Micronesia is

We have created these useful and informative dive guides. We hope you find them useful.

Looking for information on Dive holidays?

Don't waste your time searching for information over the internet.

If you want to know where the best dive locations are, which dive operator to dive with , which airline has the cheapest flights + best schedule, and how to dive your $ further, call us..

All the best Resorts All the best advice All the best tips All the best deals

http://www.divefishsnow.co.nz/dive/

Our Service is Free to you

Some things are better done by the professionals like:

• a leaky hot water system you will leave it to a plumber.
• electrical fitting in the house you will leave it to an electrician
• legal matters you will leave it to a lawyer

and you pay for their work and services.

So why book direct when you can get all the services of a professional Dive Travel Agent for free, for the same cost as booking direct.

Yes, with all the Professional Travel Agent Services, you do not pay any more than booking direct. Plus we do all the work for you and guide you through choosing the best diving destination that suits your personal needs and budget.

Our team of specialist dive travel consultants are also passionate divers. It’s a hell of a job, but someone has to dive all the top dive resorts, check out the dive sites, accommodation so you can Benefit from our 1st hand knowledge and personal experience.

With so many websites and brochures to go through, it’s nice to talk to some who actually makes it their job to offer you unbiased and objective advice, not just on 1 location, but on hundreds of locations, so you benefit from our experience and knowledge. That’s why we say

We really have been there, done that. Between our dive team of Ron, Steve, Mike, Christine & Markus, they’ve dived over 100 resorts in 25 different countries. Add this to their years of diving and travel consulting experience. So when you talk to us, you're talking with professionals.

You are receiving this newsletter because either you or someone on your behalf has signed up at divefishsnow.co.nz. To Unsubscribe just 'Reply' to this email and type 'unsubscribe' in the Subject. To be in the Draw and win a trip to Solomon Island you need to be in our subscribers list at the time of the draw.

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

©Dive Fish Snow Travel 2009 www.divefishsnow.co.nz - all rights reserved