Escape the Winter Blues And Head for the Big Blue of The Tropical South Pacific!

Sick of the Red Sea and the Caribbean? Start thinking about new and exciting locations in the unspoilt South Pacific where the spectacular marine life and clear and unpolluted waters are the main attraction. Sure you might have to spend an extra few hours on an aircraft, but that’s quickly forgotten once the excitement of a new location sets in and you’re taking photos in a totally new and exciting marine environment.

The fact that you don’t live in New Zealand is no problem in this day and age. After all, what you need is:

• Sound advice and knowledge on what best suits your needs and budget, not just on 1 South Pacific country, but on all 13 countries, which include over 43 exciting dive locations throughout the Pacific and Asia.

Check out Flying times from North America or Singapore to South Pacific.

Dive Fish Snow Travel is your one stop South Pacific and Asia Dive Holiday Shop for group or Individual dive packages, accommodation, transfers, gateway hotels, rental equipment, domestic and international airfares.

For group or individual divers, we can quote you in any major currency. Being New Zealand's largest specialist dive travel agent to the South Pacific, our prices and group rates are better than buying direct plus you get the benefit of 19 years dive travel service and knowledge of over 6000 dives absolutely free.

Next Step: Check out our website and drop us an email with your ideas and questions. We are here to help and customize an itinerary that will suit your individual needs.

Special Dive Fish Snow Travel Charter on "MV Big Blue Explorer"
29 June - 10 July 2006

Palau  is rated as one of the world's best diving destinations by scuba aficionados. And why not? ...Palau has unspoiled reefs, caves, and walls with the most amazing array of marine life you can ever imagine. Gardens of coral lie just beneath the clearest waters, there are lakes filled to the brim with "sting less" jellyfish.  Forests, waterfalls and caves that have never been ravaged by man, and hundreds of islands of the purest beauty abound all along the pristine archipelago.

It is common to see 30 - 50 gray reef and whitetip sharks, eagle rays, hundreds of schooling barracuda, thousands of blue trigger fish, moray eels, lion fish, schooling humphead parrotfish, nudibranchs, several turtles and a leaf fish all on one dive.

Click here for more information.

Cost:
ex Cairns NZ $5350 per person. Standard Cabin
Includes airfares ex Cairns, 6 full days unlimited diving, all meals onboard, 2 nights accommodation in Palau and Cairns.
Upgrade to Deluxe Cabin Cost: NZ $5650

Ex Palau (boat only cost)
USD$2050 per person Standard Cabin
USD$2250 per person Deluxe Cabin

Ron and Christine Blake, directors of Dive Fish Snow Travel, have been keeping their eye on this new and very exciting dive location for three years now.

They were very tempted to go there last year as the “In The Know” divers were coming back with rave reports of the diversity of these virgin undived reefs with over 3000 species of fish and over 300 species of untouched coral. Basically 3 major currents/seas meet at Raja Empat from the Celebes Sea (Philippines, Indonesia and Sipadan Islands), Papua New Guinea and the Timor Sea off the Australian coast where it supports an incredibly prolific assortment of marine life.

But calling on 19 years of dive travel experience, Ron knew it would take time and a lot of dives to work out where the best dive sites are, given the moon phase, currents, time of year and general weather conditions. It is now the right time, right place and the operator now has 3 seasons learning about the best dive sites.

Dive Fish Snow Travel have run charters with owner/skipper, Greg, for trips in the Komodo region. Greg now has a new boat with all the teething problems sorted out, so we see the next trip having everything going for it – better boat, 3 seasons experience (approximately 9 months) worth of exploratory dives and lots of first hand diving knowledge.

Join Ron and Christine and be among the first to dive this pristine area.
Details are still being sorted as we go to print, but as this is our last newsletter for the year, we wanted you to be in the know before this trip sells out as already 5 of the 14 places are sold.

Approx. NZ $5500 to NZ$5800 ex New Zealand
or Approx. US$ 2750 for Boat and Domestic Airfare

Includes:

• Airfares ex Auckland via Singapore
• 2 nights accommodation pre and post diving
• 10 days on a liveaboard with approximately 35-40 dives.
• All meals on board

Note: Raja Empat is part of Indonesia and as such, has a travel warning. We will probably fly via Singapore, overnight in Singapore, then fly to the boat via Manado (approximately 4 hours). I don’t see a bunch of divers in an unknown part of the world on a dive boat as a likely target. However you need to be aware of the travel warning and make up your own mind regarding the risk.

If this sounds like your type of dive adventure, drop us an email or give Ron or Christine a call and put your name down on the list. We will keep you updated once all details and costs are confirmed. There will be no need for a deposit until then.

For more information contact christine@divefishsnow.co.nz or call Christine on DDI +64 9 918 5520.

Diving in Santo has never been cheaper!
From 1 Nov - 20 Dec 2005 and from 5 Jan - 1 March 2006
you can save 40% off accommodation and diving costs.

Santo- home to one of the world's largest shipwreck “SS President Coolidge”,  Million Dollar Point, reefs and magnificent marine life. Above water, the Blue Holes, Champagne Beach,  the Santo Markets, bush walks and lush tropical scenery beckon.

Stay in either Deco Stop Motel or the Aore Island Resort and dive with Allan Powers. Together, they’ll give you a fantastic dive holiday and incredible savings.

Costs:
Deco Stop Motel in a studio room. NZ$1895 NZ$1495
Includes : 6 nights incl. return airfares ex AKL, 9 dives, 1 night at Hideaway Island Vila & Insurance
Aore Island Resort, beach or garden view  twin/double room. NZ$2605  NZ$1795
Includes : 6 nights studio room incl. return airfares ex AKL, 9 dives, 1 night at Hideaway Island Vila & Insurance

Call us or email : steve@divefishsnow.co.nz DDI : 09-9185524 to get this special deal.

From 04 November there will be a new airline flying to Niue. Air NZ will take over  this service, departing Auckland Friday night, returning the following Friday.

Niue is a very special South Pacific Atoll destination, situated 410 km east of Tonga across the dateline.  It is one single island: the largest coral land mass in the world,  an uplifted coral atoll atop an old undersea volcano and rises off the sea bed out of the very deep Pacific Ocean. 

Niue is blessed with great natural beauty inland, and a unique rugged coastline and small reef that provides superb fishing, diving and snorkeling.  The surging Pacific Ocean has created soaring archways, deep chasms, cool caves, fascinating rock pools and intimate swimming coves around the island.  As a fringe of coral reef clings to Niue’s sides before plunging to abyssal depths, there are no sandy beaches.  Nor are there streams or rivers on the island;  the rain filters through the porous coral out into the warm Pacific Ocean completely devoid of any silt runoff.  This allows the surrounding sea to be crystal clear (it doesn’t get any clearer) with water visibility often up to 70 meters.

The Namukulu Motel has been fully operational in its new location for several months. Mostly brand new, sparkling clean, comfortable, well-designed and furnished, with stunning sea-views and a new swimming pool.

Niue Dive have relocated their operation next to the Matavai Resort, and it’s business as usual for them.

From July to September the humpback whales put on their usual wonderful show as they migrated through Niuean waters. These “denizens of the deep” cruise by so close to shore that they can easily be spotted from the decks of the Matavai Resort – an awesome spectacle.

Niue is 1 of 2 locations in the World where you snorkel with Humpbacks, reliably. Space is very limited and you should book early.

Visit Niue Page

Wananavu Resort, situated on the northern tip of Fiji’s mainland offers luxurious accommodation, fantastic views and awesome coral diving.

To celebrate  their  recently completed  multimillion dollar refurbishment, Wananavu is offering special rates through to May 2006.

The cost of a 7 night package including airfares and 10 dives is now NZ$1775 - NZ$1995 depending on the standard of bure. These are saving of upto $950 per couple.

Call us or email: steve@divefishsnow.co.nz for this special offer.

The weather is warming up and it’s time to start thinking about summer diving in NZ. Dig out your dive equipment and make sure it’s all in good order before you hit the water. Take your tanks to your local dive shop and get them filled and checked before the holiday season rush. And while you’re there, check out their range of equipment – might be time to buy a new wetsuit or mask.

Get out there and enjoy the great NZ diving over the summer. There are some great places to dive around this magnificent country of ours.  And if you get the chance, check out the brand new wreck dive in Wellington. 

Family Fun:
Take your kids with you  and get them snorkeling – or maybe consider buying your kids or grand kids a dive course or mask snorkel and fins for a Christmas present  to start them off on a lifetime of pleasure with you!

Take lots of photo and odd Cray and scallops, and leave only bubbles, enjoy.

WAITANGI WEEKEND 03 – 06 FEBRUARY 2006
3 DAYS LIVEABOARD DIVING TRIP.
EXPERIENCED DIVERS ONLY!

Ron and Christine Blake, directors of Dive Fish Snow Travel and experienced dive trip tour leaders, are leading this “Off the Beaten Track” trip to the Poor Knights, departing from Tutukaka.

Ron did his first dive at Poor Knights in 1974 and now knows this Marine Reserve intimately. February is prime time for diving at the Poor Knights, so we have chartered the “Pacific Hideaway” for 3 fantastic days + 3 nights of prime liveaboard diving, at NZ best marine reserve.

Features of this trip:

• 3 – 4 dives per day (except Monday which is 3 dives max)
• No time limits on your dives, provided you stay within your own safety limits and observe safety stops.
• Photographers and snorkellers welcome
• Good food and coffee (all meals per day included)
• Boarding at Tutukaka from 6.30pm on Friday night.
• A common drive  to explore the more advanced dive sites most other commercial operators don’t cater to.
• If the weather and  sea conditions are favourable and the team is in favour, the Mokihinau Islands may be included. It’s only 2 hours away and Ron rates “The Mokes” as one of his all time favourite New Zealand dive locations. He’d love to share some of his favourite dive sites with you.

Includes:

• 3 days, 3 nights.
• 11 dives
• All meals including snacks and hors d’oeuvres (except Friday night)
• Few wines courtesy of Dive Fish Snow Travel

Transport to/from Tutukaka is at your own cost. However we can arrange carpooling if required. Transport from/to Auckland Airport/Tutukaka can be arranged for a nominal cost.

Last year this trip sold out FAST. Contact Mike to reserve your place NOW. Ph:DDI (09) 918 5528 or email mike@divefishsnow.co.nz.
You snooze, you lose!

The kingdom of Thailand is a beautiful country with a fascinating history. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty, warm seas and fine beaches,  fascinating culture and religion, inspirational temples, ancient ruined civilisations. spicy and coarse food, low cost living and a lively nightlife. 

It is also renowned for it’s spectacular diving. The Andaman sea around Phuket, and especially the offshore Similan and Surin Islands, with its warm clear waters crammed with colourful, tropical fish-life and corals, set around stunningly beautiful tropical islands, boasts some of the best diving in the region. Whale sharks,  leopard sharks and mantas can be found in profusion, and the underwater scenery is stunning!

Day trips from Phuket plus Liveaboard trips from 2 –7 days  are offered by many different operators.
Thailand is a great place to combine a holiday with some amazing diving, and its great for non diving partners. Best time to dive Thailand is from November to April, so make your plans now! Contact Steve for more information.

This is going to be an amazing trip. Ron and Christine (tour leaders) and the rest of the group are looking forward to the big fish action and adrenalin diving that Cocos Islands are renowned for, plus the tours to wildlife parks,  river trips, local markets and the whole South American culture.

COCOS ISLANDS & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

While we tend to offer tour lead trips to these world class dive and wildlife destinations every other year, you don’t need to be part of a group to travel here. The team at Dive Fish Snow Travel know the Cocos and Galapagos Islands well, so if you’re looking for some seriously world class big fish action diving, drop us an email. We’re only too happy to answer your questions and book your next Cocos or Galapgos adventure.

Ron And Christine, Directors of Dive Fish Snow Travel, have just returned from checking out fantastic Sipadan Island and can report that it definitely deserves its reputation as one of the World’s best reef diving locations.

There is lots of fish action (big and small), turtles (average 15 – 20 per dive), nice soft corals, interesting macro, plus fascinating marine life not common, or even found,  in the South Pacific.

It’s definitely worth traveling the distance to get there. Why?

1. World class reef diving
2. Great value with stunning accommodation options
3. Excellent for non divers, plus a stopover in Kuala Lumpur provides fantastic shopping and great restaurants - cheap but with excellent service.

We are currently working on costings, but expect a 9 day package ex NZ to be around NZ$3500 - $3700 per person depending on the grade of accommodation. This includes: return airfares ex Auckland, 16-18 guided boat dives, unlimited house reef dives, all meals at the resort,  transfers and park fees.

Other Activities : Great jungle trips to see orangutans and  7-10 different varieties of monkeys. Cost, approximately $300-$400 per person for a 2 day trip including domestic airfares, 2 nights accommodation, most meals, jungle cruise, orangutans park, nature trips, park fees, own tour guide and transfers.

Or shop til you drop in Kuala Lumpur  for 2 days for a spot of retail therapy. 2 nights in a very nice 4 star hotel in the heart of K.L will cost approximately $180 per person: saving on purchases will pay for accommodation.

You can dive Sipadan from March to November. The  peak diving season is July - Sept and you need to book early for those months! It's a very popular destination and recognised world wide as a Premium Dive Location.

For more information contact christine@divefishsnow.co.nz or call Christine on DDI (09) 918 5520.

ARE YOU PLANNING A 2006 WINTER DIVE HOLIDAY?

Sorry to burst your summer bubble, but if you want a dive holiday next winter, you need to think about it NOW! The good resorts at the good dive destinations are already starting to fill up over their prime diving time, and some are already full. We are not just saying this to get you to book: we're saying it now so you don't miss out! Contact us by the end of January.

Places we know will be very full: And you need to book early

Tonga and Niue : during the humpback whale season July – Sept

Fiji : Taveuni in Aug/Sept

Solomon Islands: Premier Wreck location. Often dive operation are small and don't cater for large numbers. Often groups book early go to the Solomon's, this often means locations are booked out early, and putting detailed itineraries to 2 or 3 dive locations within the Solomons can be difficult, so you don't back track.

Vanuatu : Cheap Virgin Blue flights are flying from Australia to Vanuatu. This will mean Santo is likely to be a sell out during the peak of winter.

Act sooner, not later, to get what you want

Take a look at these useful information pages on our website.

• Can't decide where to go ? - A very helpful guide showing different diving activities in different locations.
• Compare our prices - A page describing the various marketing tactics other travel agents play in fooling their customers
• Helpful Price Guide - This page is a guide that will help you with your holiday planning

Free Unbiased and Objective Advice on where to dive

Any one can look at the Dive resort website or a brochure. There are thousands of them and they all have one thing in common - they all claim to be the best! So how do you know if they really are as good as they claim ? Here at Dive Fish Snow Travel, we offer a lot of quality locations that we have personally checked out. If they don't meet our standards, we won't sell them. We will only offer what best suits your requirements and budget.

We have the expertise and first hand knowledge to give you truly unbiased and objective advice on where to go for your next dive holiday.

If you have some holiday images you would like to share with others, email to us with your name(optional) and location and we will place on our website's Photo Gallery under our Client's Photos. Email all your photos to anndie@divefishsnow.co.nz with subject: "Underwater Photography"

Click here to visit our Diving Photo Gallery

Dive Fish Snow Travel Highly recommend, the once a year quality publication of the best dive feature articles published in NZ.

Dive Annual 2006 - $9.95 + p&p overseas
NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
96 pages, full gloss colour, 240x320mm.
Stunning images and awesome adventures worldwide. The exotic, rare and unusual, pumped with a rush of adrenaline then followed by a warm fuzzie fix.

Tiger sharks in Africa; Whales in Fiji;  Wrecks in Palau, Solomon's, Marshall Islands; Galapagos Sealions; Diving  Poor Knights, Doubtful Sound, Tonga, Australia, Bali, Tanzania; Spearfishing at the Three Kings;  British Wildlife and Antibes Photographic winning images, St Benedict’s cavern; Sacred Waters; Submarines;  Rarotonga’s Birds.

Order your copy on-line at www.DiveNewZealand.com, or phone Dive New Zealand magazine on 09-521 0684, fax 09-521 3675.

or Annual Subscription for Dive New Zealand Magazine.

Other Christmas Ideas

The team at Dive Fish Snow Travel wish you all a very happy and safe festive season.

Enjoy the time with your families and the chance to relax a little.

Blow lots of bubbles.

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 Vanuatu for 7 days in Hideaway Island traveling Air Vanuatu 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 2005 www.divefishsnow.co.nz - all rights reserved
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