Check out these great deals from the Caribbean, Maldives, and the Galapagos. Book with us by January 31st and bag another $75 discount per person from us.
JANUARY, 2021 January 30-February 6, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. FEBRUARY, 2021 February 13-20, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. February 17-24, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Deep South Maldives. Save $680! $2695 pp after discount. (Domestic flight included). February 20-27, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. February 24-March 6, 2021 (10 nights), Emperor Explorer – Deep South Maldives. Save $1040! $3545 pp after discount. (Domestic flights included). February 27-March 6, 2021 – Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. MARCH, 2021 March 6-16, 2021 (10 nights), Emperor Explorer – South Central Maldives. Save $1040! $3255 pp after discount (Domestic flight included). March 13-20, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. March 13-20, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. March 20-27, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. March 20-27, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. March 22-29, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. March 28-April 4, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of Maldives. Save $650! $2065 pp after discount. APRIL, 2021 April 3-10, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. April 3-10, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. April 17-24, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. April 18-25, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount April 25-May 2, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount. April 26-May 3, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. August 28-September 4, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. MAY, 2021 May 1-8, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. May 1-8, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. May 2-9, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 8-15, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. May 9-16, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 16-23, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 23-30, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 31-June 7, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. JULY, 2021 July 10-17, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. AUGUST, 2021 August 15-22, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount August 22-29, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount August 29-September 5, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount SEPTEMBER, 2021 September 4-11, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. September 18-25, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. OCTOBER, 2021 October 10-17, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 17-24, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 24-31, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 30-November 6, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. October 31- November 7, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount NOVEMBER, 2021 November 6-13, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. November 7-14, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount November 28-December 5, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount DECEMBER, 2021 December 4-11, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. December 12-19, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $650! $1890 pp after discount December 18-25, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. December 18-25, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $900! $5995 pp after discount. December 20-27, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $800! $5195 pp after discount. ** Terms and conditions: 2021 Year of Savings Specials are valid only for new reservations booked and deposited after January 8, 2021. The specials cannot be combined with other discounts, credits, or group policy. Not applicable on existing bookings made before January 8, 2021. Explorer Fleet Covid Booking Guarantees We’d like to assure all of our guests that, if any of the following conditions apply within 2 weeks of departure and you are not able to join your scheduled trip, we will provide you with a 100% credit of the amount paid in order to reschedule your trip aboard another departure on the same vessel/itinerary within the next 24 months:
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Check out these fleet savings. Take another 5% off when booking through Indigo Safaris. EXPLORER FLEET JANUARY - SAVE UP TO $1000 ON CARIBBEAN & $2400 ON GALAPAGOSJan 2-9 / $1000 off - Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Islands / $1695-2095 pp after discount Jan 9-16 / $800 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1495 pp after discount Jan 11-18 / $2200 off - Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $3295 pp after discount Jan 23-30 / $2400 off - Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $3995 pp after discount Jan 24-31 / $500 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2040 pp after discount Jan 30-Feb 6 / $800 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1495 pp after discount FEBRUARY - SAVE UP TO $700 ON THE CARIBBEAN & $1040 ON MALDIVES Feb 13-20 / $700 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1595 pp after discount Feb 17-24 / $680 off - Emperor Explorer, Deep South Maldives *domestic flights incl / $2695 pp after discount Feb 20-27 / $700 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1595 pp after discount Feb 24-Mar 6 (10N) / $1040 off - Emperor Explorer, Deep South Maldives *domestic flights incl / $3545 pp after discount Feb 27-Mar 6 / $700 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1595 pp after discount MARCH - SAVE UP TO $600 ON CARIBBEAN & $1900 ON GALAPAGOS Mar 6-16 (10N)/ $1040 off - Emperor Explorer, South Central Maldives / $3255 pp after discount Mar 13-20 / $600 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1695 pp after discount Mar 13-20 / $1900 off - Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $4495 pp after discount Mar 20-27 / $1900 off - Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $4495 pp after discount Mar 20-27 / $600 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1695 pp after discount Mar 22-29 / $1700 off - Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $3795 pp after discount Mar 28-Apr 4 / $680 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2035 pp after discount APRIL - SAVE UP TO $600 ON CARIBBEAN & $1900 ON GALAPAGOS Apr 3-10 / $1900 off - Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $4495 pp after discount Apr 3-10 / $600 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1695 pp after discount Apr 17-24 / $600 off - Caribbean Explorer II, St. Maarten - Saba / $1695 pp after discount Apr 25-May 2 / $500 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2040 pp after discount Apr 26-May 3 / $1700 off - Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $3795 pp after discount MAY - SAVE UP TO $600 ON CARIBBEAN & $1900 ON GALAPAGOS May 1-8 / $600 off - Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Islands / $2095-$2495 pp after discount May 1-8 / $1900 off - Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $4495 pp after discount May 2-9 / $300 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2335 pp after discount May 8-15 / $600 off - Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Islands / $2095-$2495 pp after discount May 9-16 / $300 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2335 pp after discount May 16-23 / $300 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2335 pp after discount May 23-30 / $300 off - Emperor Explorer, Best of the Maldives / $2335 pp after discount May 31-Jun 7 / $1700 off - Humboldt Explorer, Galapagos Islands / $3795 pp after discount AGGRESSOR FLEET Roatan Aggressor 50% off save up to $1648 on a master cabin Jan 9 - 16, 202, Jan 16 - 23, 2021, Jan 30 - Feb 6, 2021, Feb 6 - 13, 2021, Feb 13 - 20, 2021, Feb 20 - 27, 2021, Feb 27 - 6, 2021 Was $2995 now from $1498 in a standard cabin Belize Aggressor III SAVE 50% Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef 9 Jan - 16 Jan 2021 Was US$3,195 Now US$1,598 Bahamas Aggressor SAVE 50% Exuma Cays and Southwest Eleuthera 2 Jan - 9 Jan 2021, 9 Jan - 16 Jan 2021, Jan 30 - 6, 2021m Feb 13 - 20, 2021 Was US$2,895. Now US$1,448 Pay 7 Stay 10 in the Caribbean from $2895 Turks & Caicos Agg II: Sept 11 - 21, 2021 • Sept 22 - Oct 2, 2021 Bahamas Aggressor: Sept 4 - 14, 2021 • Sept 15 - 25, 2021 Belize Aggressor III: Aug 28 - 7, 2021 • Sept 8 - 18, 2021 Egypt Red Sea Aggressor III US$1800 off!! Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone 26 Dec - 2 Jan 2021 Was US$2,499, Now US$699. Only a few male share spaces left Other trips at $999 Red Sea Aggressorr III Feb 20 - 27 • Feb 27 - Mar 6 • Mar 6 - 13 • Mar 13 - 20 Mar 20 - 27 • Mar 27 - Apr 3 • Apr 3 - 10 Red Sea Aggressor II Dec 19 - 26 • Dec 26 - 2 • Jan 2 - 9 • Jan 9 - 16 • Jan 16 - 23 • Jan 23 - 30 • Jan 30 - 6 • Feb 6 - 13 • Feb 13 - 20 • Feb 20 - 27 Galapagos Islands Galapagos Aggressor III Save US$2000 per person Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin 14 Jan - 21 Jan 2021, 11 Feb - 18 Feb 2021, 18 Feb - 25 Feb 2021 Was US$6,595 Now US$4,595 Maldives Maldives Aggressor II Save US$1000 per person Best of Maldives 20 Dec - 27 Dec 2020 Was US$2,975 Now US$1,975 Maldives Blue Force One SAVE 15% Central Atolls Classical Route 9 Jan - 16 Jan 2021, 23 Jan - 30 Jan 2021, 30 Jan - 6 Feb 2021 Was US$1,990 Now US$1,690 DIVE THE WORLD 25% OFF ALL THESE TRIPS - email for prices April 24 - May 2 Socorro Aggressor May 1 - 8 Roatan Aggressor May 2 - 9 Maldives Aggressor II May 20 - 27 Galapagos Aggressor III June 17 - 25 Socorro Aggressor July 15 - 22 Indo Aggressor July 17 - 24 Kona Aggressor July 23 - 30 Indo Aggressor Aug 7 - 14 Roatan Aggressor Aug 14 - 21 Belize Aggressor IV Aug 15 - 22 Palau Aggressor II Aug 21 - 28 Bahamas Aggressor Sept 4 - 11 Philippines Aggressor Sept 12 - 19 Rock Islands Aggressor Sept 18 - 25 Belize Aggressor III Oct 16 - 23 Turks & Caicos Aggressor II Dec 4 - 11 Kona Aggressor II Dec 9 - 16 Galapagos Aggressor III Dec 18 - 25 Belize Aggressor IV Dec 18 - 28 Okeanos Aggressor I Dec 25 - Jan 1 Turks & Caicos Aggressor From the end of February to the middle of March, I spent three weeks on St Helena escorting three groups of divers and snorkellers to one of the remotest permanently inhabited islands in the world. Although my third visit, and my longest, in three years, the island continues to enchant with its mix of history, stunning and varied landscapes, endemic and iconic fish life, and friendly village atmosphere. ![]() The first group contained a number of fish specialists, super keen to add to their list of unusual sightings. They weren't disappointed. After the first two dives Alain Diringer, author of several fish ID bThe first group contained a number of fish specialists, super keen to add to their list of unusual sightings. They weren't disappointed. After the first two dives Alain Diringer, author of several fish ID books, said "well that's about half of them in two dives!". St Helena is home to 50 identified indigenous species of marine life, with more in the process of being classified. Some of the more common endemics are visible on most dive sites, and the St Helena Butterflyfish, a.k.a. the Cunningfish (for its ability to nibble bait off a hook without taking the hook), is on every dive, in hundreds of thousands. On most sites there is a spot with vast clouds of them, mesmerising divers. It feels like floating in snowflakes as the fish wibble and wobble individually but swaying as a group. Their abundance at this time of year is due to their reproductive cycle; they spawn around the end of December to mid-January. ![]() As well as hypnotising divers, they provide sustenance for many species. In the gallery there is shot of a grouper who has caught one the wrong way round (tail first), scorpionfish sit on the sand, sometimes next to each other, waiting for lunch to swim in front of their grumpy-looking mouth, trumpetfish are present in numbers I have never witnessed elsewhere, small schools of large Almaco jacks prey on them regularly, and soon after the spawning season, Chilean Devil Rays swim through the clouds of eggs and tiny juveniles, mouth open. The Chilean devil rays here are impressive, the size of a small manta ray, the males reaching up to 3.7 metres disc-width. They were prone to turning up on the wrecks and off the tips of ledges all along the leeward coastline. Each week we had half-a-dozen encounters, occasionally with two individuals trying to mate, as it is the mating season for everyone here. ![]() The stars of the show, the adult Whale sharks, come here to mate, and, according the world’s leading whale shark specialists from the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Georgia Aquarium, this is the only spot in the world where we think this happens. It must happen elsewhere too, but they have no idea where. Despite being the biggest fish in the oceans, we know very little about it, and St Helena has become one of the key areas for research. What we do know is that their arrival here coincides with the annual Skipjack tuna and Pompano spawnings, the results of which the Whale sharks love to gobble down. We also green turtles mating on the surface several times. On each of our twice weekly Whale shark snorkels (and each of the four snorkels the non-divers did), we got to spend an hour swimming alongside these 9-metre-plus docile giants. Twice we found them in James Bay, by the yacht moorings, and they also put in an appearance on a few of the dives. The snorkellers were treated to large schools of pantropical spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, and Rough-toothed dolphins, mating green turtles, and more Chilean devil rays. Ona trip to Egg Island they also encountered Madeiran storm petrels, Red-billed tropic birds, Brown and Masked boobies, Brown and Black noddies, and Sooty and Fairy terns. ![]() St Helena also has its own endemic bird; the St Helena Plover, a.k.a. the Wirebird. We found it up on the open ground just past Longwood, Napoleon’s last residence, on the open plain that once held 6000 Boer War prisoners of war between 1900 and 1902. Our one day 4x4 island tour also took in the varied landscapes of the island, the Governor’s residence of Plantation House and the oldest living terrestrial mammal on the planet, Jonathan the tortoise (189 candles on his last cake), the now-defunct flax mills, the myserious Bell Stone, and numerous fortifications including Sandy Bay and the massive High Knoll Fort. Overlooking Jamestown, the view from the top of the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder leading to the Ladder Fort on the west side of town, and Munden’s Battery to the east, were favourite short walks each week. For two groups, I also arranged private visits of Longwood House and Plantation House on spare afternoons, and others walked up to the highest point of the island, Diana’s Peak (822 metres ASL). ![]() Dinners at the Mantis Hotel were as popular as ever, and I got the chef to concoct “Saintviche”, a local derivative of the South American fish dish, Ceviche. Getting coriander is almost impossible, there is little local agriculture, despite the island’s temperate climate with good rainfall, as the steep terrain makes mechanised farming impossible. Lime is also not commonly imported, so we used lemon, grapefruit, mint, parsley and some just-caught tuna. The result was universally popular, and hopefully it will be added to the menu on the next update. Fresh fish is abundant, yellowfin and skipjack tuna and wahoo are the most common, and we also sampled Soldierfish, Bullseyes, and Grouper at Annie’s. I also bought some fresh spiny and slipper lobsters from our excellent skipper, Duffy, and had them grilled at Annie’s. All in, the lobster dinner cost us £11 for two half lobsters, salads, and chips. Next year’s trips are filling up already, so if you want to join, don’t dally. We have a budget week in self-catering accommodation five minutes from town, and a week in the Mantis Hotel in the heart of Jamestown, that can be found here. We also create bespoke itineraries tailored to your requirements any time of year. St helena underwaterst helena Top SideSANTORINI, MOZAMBIQUEWe moved off the islands to the mainland, and had a night to check out the beautiful boutique retreat called Santorini, 12 kilometres from Vilanculos. With just five suites in the main villa and lots of lounges and salas to chill in, it is a great place for couples to relax and unwind after a safari. There are also 2 private 2-bedroom villas available, Villa da Praia and The Chapel. The villas sit on a hilltop, looking out over Kingfisher Bay, deserted beach as far as you can see, the island of Benguerra on the horizon, a few dhows sailing across the bay. Activities include SUP, kayak, sun downer cruises, snorkelling and visiting the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, catamaran cruises, and fishing. Scuba diving can be arranged, Fat tire bikes will be available soon. Or you can just relax with a book and let your butler bring you a glass of wine. &BEYOND, BENGUERRA ISLAND, MOZAMBIQUE&Beyond Benguerra Island is a mix of classic chic in the spacious and beautifully appointed 'casinhas" and simple safari elegance with it's dhow bar on the beach, evening beach dining by paraffin lantern light, and star-gazing around the fire. The casinhas all have their own infinity pool, shaded outdoor lounge on a private deck, beach loungers, and a shaded outdoor double bed swing. The food was absolutely top-notch, Ines' vegetarian needs were deliciously catered for, and our butler Gilario was charming and on the ball. For our last meal they set up a private beach lunch on the wild side of the island, at the foot of the Red Dune, and we had as far as we could see of the 11k of coastline to ourselves. At azura benguerra, mozambiqueSome images from our stst at Azura Retreat Benguerra Island, our current location on a 7-week recce across southern Africa. Azura prides itself on its cuisine, and rightly so, it is delicious. We have a butler called Jonas assigned to look after us when we are not checking out the marine life. This barefoot luxury resort has been built with local materials, by 450 subsitence fishermen islanders trained by rhe resort in building techniques, from making the bricks, raising the roofs, and crafting the furniture. The resort now employs 100 locals, has built a primary school for 400 kids, sponsors secondary school education for island kids on thr mainland, and has just built the island's first clinic all through the Azura Rainbow Fund. Ever dreamt of diving dramatic walls or coral gardens without another dive operation around? If you are going to Africa, Pemba could be the place for you. Some shots from a couple of days diving from Kendwa, Zanzibar with a 60mm macro lens on a Panasonic GX-8. It was quite the scorpionfish family festival. |
AuthorPhotographer, conservationist, dive and field guide, teller of bad jokes. Archives
December 2024
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