News from Siladen Resort & Spa - Indonesia
* * * Inon Underwater Photography Workshop with Lisa Collins * * *
March 5-13, 2021
It has been a while since we last shared information about Siladen Resort & Spa, and we thought it was about time to let everyone know what’s going on. It has been over six months since we waved goodbye to the last guests to stay with us, and we are yearning for the day that we can wait on the beach for the first guests to arrive back.
Dive Travel Awards
On behalf of all the Siladen Family we would like to say Terima kasih banyak — thank you very much!
Your nominations made the resort eligible for the 2020 Dive Travel Awards! Between a staggering 1100 dive resorts, your nominations got us in the Top 25! This is already a great achievement, but the resort is asking for your help one more time and let's see if we can win this thing! Thanks to all of your votes, the resort came in first place in 2017 and 2018, and came a close second in 2019, and we hope we have done enough to pick up the gold medal once again! Being named best dive resort in the world is as prestigious an award as it sounds, and it would mean even more considering how difficult this year has been.
Inon Underwater Photography Workshop with Lisa Collins
Lisa will be giving hands on teaching, presentations, personal feedback and help with photo editing in this 8 night workshop, from 5th to 13th March 2021.
During the week Lisa will be teaching a range of subjects from creative macro techniques, flash positioning to avoid backscatter, creative lighting for wide angle and shooting the sun.
Siladen and Bunaken are the perfect locations to help you improve your underwater photography – with the professionalism of the PADI 5 star dive centre set up for underwater photographers, the vast amount of dive sites and subjects available in Bunaken for underwater photography, all set against one of the most beautiful and luxurious resorts in Indonesia, first place award winners year after year for best Dive Resort.
Dewi Nusantara - Indonesia's Premium Liveaboard
Cenderawasih Bay Group Specials
Pay for 5 - 6th Diver is FREE
If you have met some great dive buddies on your travels and talked about taking a future trip together why not have an Indonesian reunion. Travel all together on Dewi Nusantara as a small group in summer 2020 or 2021 taking advantage of this great offer!
Pay for five spaces and get the sixth space free on all Cenderawasih Bay cruises in July & August 2020/2021!
* * * Contact us for additional discounts * * *
Cenderawasih is so much more than whale sharks! It is remote wilderness, endemics, world war wrecks, stunning topography and remote villages with friendly tribal locals. It is also a fabulous snorkelling destination if you have non diver friends or partners that usually have to stay at home when you go on a dive trip.
Current Availability: Year 2020
Cruise 2016: 22nd Jul-2nd August 2020 Cenderawasih Bay (Manokwari to Manokwari)
Cruise 2017: 3rd-14th August 2020 Cenderawasih Bay (Manokwari to Manokwari)
Cruise 2018: 15th-26th August 2020 Cenderawasih Bay (Manokwari to Sorong)
Price per person (11 nights)
Deluxe US$6999
Master US$8499
Plus US$255 port/park fees & US$275 long distance fees
Current Availability: Year 2021
Cruise 2112: 1-11th July 2021, Cenderawasih Bay (Sorong to Manokwari)
Cruise 2113: 13-23 Jul 2021 Cenderawasih Bay (Manokwari to Manokwari)
Cruise 2114: 25th July-4th August 2021 Cenderawasih Bay (Manokwari to Manokwari)
Price per person (10 nights)
Deluxe US$6699
Master US$8118
Plus US$255 port/park fees & US$295 long distance fees
August 24 to September 8, 2019
CONTACT US NOW...!
We have 4, 7, 10 and 14 night packages from
$1039, $1709, $2399 and $3239
Packages include:
- Hotel room
- 3, 5 or 11 dive days (2-tank)
- Participation in photo contest
- Seminars and workshops
- Evening Media Presentations
- Shark split photo
- Land/culture Photo opportunities
- Private Beach BBQ
- Land, culture & island tour
- Local dinner buffet/meal;
- Breakfast
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- Hotel Taxes
- Wake-up service with coffee and tea
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard
Citizen Science Expedition - November 4-11, 2017
In Search of Mobula Rays - $2200 Per Person Quad Occupancy
Contact us by email for complete details about this amazing adventure with marine biologists Marta D. Palacios and Frida Lara Lizardi.
Pearl of Papua Liveaboard
Raja Ampat 2018
We have limited availability on the Pearl of Papua for two trips in 2018 to Raja Ampat. Dates available are January 9 to January 16 and April 19 to April 26, 2018. Rate for the Standard Cabin is $2310 USD per person plus $125 USD Park fees. Contact us by email for special discounted rates on this great liveaboard.
Explorer Ventures Adds 2 New Ships to Their Fleet
M/V Raja Manta Explorer
The team at Explorer Ventures has expanded their fantastic liveaboard dive operation. Now you can book an Explorer Ventures charter on either of their two new ships in the Indonesia waters.
Contact us for a discounted package on this great ship...! Toll free 866-690-3483 or email us today.
With a major makeover in 2016, the Raja Manta Explorer is a boat designed for divers, by divers. Offering exciting itineraries through Ambon, Banda, Sangalaki, Raja Ampat and other extended itineraries, the 37 meter vessel is stable, strong and reliable making it perfect for long range travel to the most desirable dive sites. With 8 double & twin shared-bath ensuite cabins and 3 shared cabins with wash basins, the Raja Manta Explorer can comfortably accommodate up to 22 passengers. There is a large salon with a digital media center, sound system and widescreen plasma TV for your entertainment, an expansive sundeck that spans the length of the boat and a large outdoor dining area. A blend of Western and Asian cuisine awaits you after every dive. With up to 18 well-trained crew, excellent service above and below water are ensured.
There is an enormous dive deck with ample space for gearing up. Warm towels, hot drinks and fresh fruits are available after dives. The Captain and dive crew have years of experience in Indonesia including Komodo, Alor, Banda Sea and Raja Ampat. Diving is conducted in small groups. There is a full range of rental equipment available, all tanks have din and yoke fitting and larger tanks are available for those requiring a little extra air. Many of the boat crew are certified scuba divers and share a passion for the underwater world.
Utopia Village Resort
Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras
Last Minute BOGO Sale
We have a last minute sale at Utopia Village offering a great BOGO deal. Book one diver and the second diver is 50% OFF. Travel dates November 7 to December 19, 2015.
- Diver package $1700 / $850 plus tax. Non-diver package $1400 / $700 plus tax.
- All PADI dive courses are 50% OFF
- Group of 4 divers: 2 pay full price, 3rd diver is FREE, 4th diver is 50% OFF.
- Solo diver, no problem….NO single supplement.
Manta Ray Bay Resort - Manta Mania 2016
Citizen Science Eco-Tourism Week - February 7-14, 2016
Get involved…! Join a manta ray conservation party on an upgraded luxury vacation package at Manta Ray Bay Resort. Yap is one of several research sites with Manta Trust - for one week leading manta ray and shark scientists will host a "hands-on" citizen science field research symposium and media event.
“This is an rare opportunity for divers to dive with manta rays together with the scientists who study them. You’ll get to see the type of equipment we use, how we gather information and how its processed. We planned this event to take place during manta mating season, the most active time of year where close interaction with multiple animals is nearly assured - we are hoping to get a lot of valuable information. During the day you’ll dive with mantas and over the pristine reefs surrounding Yap, in the afternoon you’ll attend workshops to learn about megafauna, and in the evening you get to see pictures of these amazing animals. Not only will you be learning about mantas but also their very close relatives the mobula, sharks and other marine mammals. We hope everyone will come away from this experience awed by the ocean and its creatures with a deep appreciation for Yap and love for it’s people and culture."
Join Julie Hartup, Guy Stevens, Vanessa Jaiteh, and Steve Lindfield for a week of diving, symposiums, and hand-on experiences with mantas and sharks around Yap.
Packages are $1699 for standard room, $1799 for ocean view and $1999 for deluxe ocean view. Rates are per person double diver occupancy. Contact us for complete details.
Package Includes:
- Manta ray awareness workshops, field research events and diving with leading scientists
- Shark feed specialty, mating Mandarin fish and night dives
- 1 three tank dive day with lunch in a Yapese village
- Complimentary Wake-up service w/ coffee & tea
- Culture Tour in a Yapese village center
- Private beach BBQ on Saturday
- Photo and video workshops
- Daily breakfast buffet
- Double occupancy room
- Airport transfers
- NITROX
- Taxes
Pindito Liveaboard to Raja Ampat - Save 25%
We have two cabins on the Pindito liveaboard to Raja Ampat on last minute special. Cabins available are "Obi" and "Tidore." Charter dates are 02-13 March 2015. The Pindito was originally launched in 1992 and is one of the most experienced ships in Indonesia. The ship was completely refitted in 2009.
Normal rate for this charter is $4870 per person USD, now $3652 USD per person. Save $1218 USD.
Additional costs: Port fee $80 USD, Raja Ampat Park fee $120 USD.
Charter includes:
- Transfers from/to airport Sorong to/from the MV Pindito
- Accommodation in a double or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
- Full board including all drinks on board (excluding wine)
- 3 dives per diving day and one down or night-dive (no diving on departure/arrival day)
- NITROX fillings for whole cruise
- All offered land excursions
Black Sand Dive Retreat
We are now booking this amazing resort in North Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. Packages include cottage accommodations, meals, boat dives, unlimited shore dives on the house reef, free wi-fi, morning and afternoon snacks. A 7 night package with 17 dives (air fills) is $1400 USD per person double occupancy, or $1554 with nitrox fills. Contact us for availability.
Black Sand Dive Retreat is a small six-bungalow quality dive resort located on a sheltered bay in a natural setting on Lembeh Strait, Indonesia’s Exotic Critter Capital. We specialize in personalized service both above and below the water, offering an exceptional dive holiday experience for our discerning guests.
The Resort: Each of our six coconut-wood bungalows offers excellent views over Kambahu Bay and Lembeh Strait and is equipped with both a/c and a ceiling fan for your comfort, with complimentary drinking water, coffee and tea close at hand. Each unit also has a walk-in closet to keep your bags and belongings organized and out of the way as well as a walled open-air “Bali-style” garden bathroom with a hot water shower to help reheat you after long repetitive dives. The accommodation includes three meals per day in our well-appointed restaurant with excellent chefs serving a mix of International, Asian and Indonesian cuisine. Snacks are also available after morning and afternoon dives. If you wish to get internet connection, our free-of-charge 24-hour wi-fi is available at the restaurant, which also has a well-stocked reference library as well as a TV Room in which guests can review their video footage, watch DVD films or international satellite television.
The Diving: Our strategic location means that most of Lembeh’s 40+ dive sites are within 5 minutes of the resort by speedboat. Our boats hold a maximum of 4 guests only. Our guides and GM have thousands of dives logged in the strait, which means that we know about and can find those special critters you desire. Nitrox is available and our spacious Dive Center has a dedicated camera room with individual charging stations. Right off our fine black sand beach is our spectacular House Reef, offering shallow, calm and current-free conditions on one of Lembeh’s very best sites. Open day and night, our guests commonly find marquee critters such as wonderpus, veined octopus, a number of frogfish species including the famed hairy frogfish, sea horses, devilfish, bobtail squid, bubble shells, monkeyfish, stargazers, stonefish, and numerous varieties of ghost pipefish, stingfish and waspfish, along with much more.
