SingleDivers.com

2016 Trip Suggestions.... YEP!!! 2016!!!

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:59:28 +0000

The earliest we could do Cocos would be 2016 if we had enough people interested.

2014-02: Palau Feb 17-24, 2014 either with Truk or by itself!

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:11:22 +0000

Hey gang...we are going back to PALAU!!! You will be able to book Palau by itself or with our Truk Trip. Please see the different routings below. This trip will be opened up this coming week but the dates are firm and pricing is estimated to be about $1500 for 8 nites and 6 days of 3 tank dives/specialty dives/snorkels INCLUDING Jelly Fish Lake and more! Price includes

8 nites Hotel, Palau
Breakfast daily
6 days of 2-tank boat diving including lunch with Fish N Fins
Jellyfish Lake snorkel one afternoon
Chandelier Cave dive one afternoon
2 afternoon third dives
Unlimited tanks for shorediving
Traditional Palau BBQ/Cookout
Nitrox
Logo T-shirt
Tanks, weights and belt included
Transfers and tax included

AIR ROUTINGS FOR TRUK AND PALAU:

Please note the following air routings for Palau, Truk & Palau and Truk only. You are free to book ANY routings you like but these will be the group routings. IF YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY or STAY LATER PLEASE LET US KNOW SO WE CAN SET UP DAY ROOMS AND/OR EXTRA LAND BASED NIGHTS. I will have rates for that shortly and will help people with roommates etc.

Palau Only:

UNITED 003 16FEB LAX HNL 1000A 145P

UNITED 201 16FEB HNL GUM 305P 650P (land on 17FEB)

UNITED 157 17FEB GUM ROR 755P 910P

UNITED 158 24FEB ROR GUM 210A 515A

UNITED 200 24FEB GUM HNL 715A 640P (land on 23FEB)

UNITED 534 23FEB HNL LAX 1010P 526A (land on 24FEB)

Price: $1,811.90 as of 5-1-13 (waiting on refreshed pricing)

Truk & Palau:

UNITED 003 08FEB LAX HNL 1000A 145P

UNITED 201 08FEB HNL GUM 305P 650P (land on 09FEB)

UNITED 136 09FEB GUM TKK 745P 935P

UNITED 155 17FEB TKK GUM 240A 420A (Can get a day room for the 16th and the day in Guam)

UNITED 157 17FEB GUM ROR 755P 910P

UNITED 158 24FEB ROR GUM 210A 515A

UNITED 200 24FEB GUM HNL 715A 640P (land on 23FEB)

UNITED 534 23FEB HNL LAX 1010P 526A (land on 24FEB)

Price $2,544 as of 5-1-13 (waiting on refreshed pricing)

Price $2,370 per person with Visit Mic Pass as of 5-1-13 (waiting on refreshed pricing)

Or you can avoid the hotel night in Truk and full day in Guam by leaving the boat early and flying to Palau on 15FEB. (This means you lose the last day of diving so I will not be doing this again but others are welcome to do so.)

UNITED 154 15FEB TKK GUM 221P 355P

UNITED 185 15FEB GUM ROR 1040P 105A (1 stop in Yap)

Same Price as 5-16 departure

Truk only:

UNITED 003 08FEB LAX HNL 1000A 145P

UNITED 201 08FEB HNL GUM 305P 650P (land on 09FEB)

UNITED 136 09FEB GUM TKK 745P 935P

UNITED 155 17FEB TKK GUM 240A 420A

UNITED 200 17FEB GUM HNL 715A 640P (land on 16FEB)

UNITED 534 16FEB HNL LAX 1010P 526A (land on 17FEB)

Price $2,018.90 as of 5-1-13 (waiting on refreshed pricing)

Or

UNITED 003 08FEB LAX HNL 1000A 145P

UNITED 201 08FEB HNL GUM 305P 650P (land on 09FEB)

UNITED 136 09FEB GUM TKK 745P 935P

UNITED 172 17FEB TKK HNL 1049A 250A (4 stops on island hopper)

UNITED 460 17FEB HNL LAX 730A 257P

Price $1,876.90 as of 5-1-13 (waiting on refreshed pricing)

SEVERAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JERRYMXZ & EV780...

INTERESTED LIST:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Susan aka Resqdew
3. Wendy aka Sealioness (Palau only)

DIVE & ADVENTURE TRAVEL EXPO May 4-5, 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:42:39 +0000

Dive...Swim and Snorkel to THE DIVE & ADVENTURE TRAVEL EXPO May 4-5, 2013
Doors open at 10am May 4
Check out what is in store for you this year! Seminars and Dive Safety Clinics, Kids area, Try Scuba, Saturday Night Film Festival Sponsored by NCUPS, and more....
SEMINARS AND DIVE CLINICS
Hourly Seminars begin at 1030am and run the weekend with incredible presentations by dive legends and aspiring photographers and ocean stewards. Presentations include:
- Ask The Dive Travel Expert by Richard Woulfe: Rich Travels (who is giving away an incredible vacation getaway during his seminar)
- Diving Safety by Dan Orr: Divers Alert Network
- Hyperbaric Decompression by Doc Wong: Pacific Grove Fire Precinct
- Shark Fin Bans by Christopher Chin: COARE
- For a complete seminar list, here is a link to the Seminars:

Need another reason to attend the seminars? WIN Door Prizes! Exciting Giveaways include:
- 1 week on the NEW Thailand Aggressor
- 1 week at the Marco Vincent Resort - Philippines
- 1 week at the Lalati Resort - Fiji
- 7 Night Dive Package Combo - Indonesia
- Full Set of dive equipment including Seasoft drysuit, Undergarments, Scuba Pro Regulator, Aqua Lung BCD, Mask, Fins and Snorkel - A package worth nearly $8,000!
- 2013 Saturday Night Film Festival
Be Inspired and Entertained!
- Meet John Fifer, President of NCUPS and ReefID, as he Emcee's our evening presentation.
- Join Mark Blum, Barb Roy and Marc Shargel as they inspire us with their photography and videography.
- Saturday May 4 Starting at 5pm with a Cocktail Reception at the Hyatt Regency Hotel - Magnolia Room
- Dive & Travel Expo partners with NCUPS and SeaLife UnderwaterCameras to celebrate the winners of the 48th Annual SEA Competition, an International Amateur Underwater Photo & Video competition. The entrants and winners of this competition will be displayed and shown at the Dive & Travel Expo, held May 4-5, 2013 in Santa Clara, California.
TreasureHunt TRY SCUBA
Plunge into the balmy tropical waters of the Hyatt Regency pool to TRY SCUBA FREE! Try scuba at the Northern California Dive and Travel Expo! Need a Dive Buddy? Bring a friend and/or loved one to Try Scuba and see what they could be doing in their free time!!
Kids can WIN too!
- Do you know an Aspiring Young Artist? We have partnered with Beneath the Sea to encourage young minds to create a poster for OCEAN PALS 2013. This years theme: SHARKS! Click this link for rules and entry form!
- Try Scuba Free @ the Hyatt Regency (next door) - Kids ages 12-18 can sign up on the show floor and check out SCUBA in warm comfy water
Quick Links
The Dive Expo Official Web Page
50% Off Admission Price to the Expo
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday May 4, 2013
10a.m. - 5p.m. Dive Expo Show Floor Open to the public
10:30a.m.-3:30p.m. Hourly information seminars
6 p.m. Cocktail Reception (all invited)
6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. Saturday Night Film Festival

Sunday May 5, 2013
10a.m. - 4p.m. Dive Expo Open to the Public
10:30a.m. - 3:30p.m. Hourly information seminars
TRY SCUBA @ The Hyatt Regency during the show!

Download your coupon for 50% Off the price of admission to the Dive & Adventure Travel Expo by visiting your local dive shop, or by clicking this link!! Don't miss your chance to save! Offer Expires: May 5, 2013

2013 June 15 AZ Happy Hour @ Loop 101 & Tatum

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:02:07 +0000

That's right! We had such a good time in March, we are doing it again!
And we have a few new/returning members we haven't met yet, so we have to fix that!

Saturday, June 15, 2013
Desert Ridge Marketplace, Loop 101 & Tatum
Rock Bottom Brewery
2pm-4pm

Please RSVP in this thread so we can be sure to have enough space saved!

Hope to see you all there!!

Attending:
1. Traci aka Sqbagal
2. Tim aka Buzo Guero
3. Steve aka Desert_Fish
4. Belinda aka Damselfish (firm maybe )
5. Darla aka Abq Starfish
6. Sherri aka Seabrz777
7.

2014: Mar or April BONAIRE REDEUX!!!

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:57:01 +0000

Hey gang! Help us decide the date for our 2014 BONAIRE REDUEX!!! We still have one more year on our Single's Week Contract and can do it either March 8-15, 2014 or April 19-26, 2014 or April 26-May 3, 2014. The April dates are low season so that helps to keep the pricing the same as 2013 but Easter is on April 20th so this may interfere with ticket prices.

Its too soon to look at pricing for Easter 2014 but pricing looks good for March. (It may end up being spring break for some but that usually does not affect Bonaire too much.)

The OFFICIAL Bonaire April 2013 Trip Report!

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:39:02 +0000

I put some pics in the Bonaire 2013 photo gallery and will add more later to match what I put on Facebook.

I had a great time and will probably be back sometime this summer since I have a nephew starting to dive and figure this would be a good place to dive with him.

ADDED BY SD STAFF....Time to TELL THE WORLD WHAT A BLAST WE HAD!

Please post your post trip reports HERE! YEP...in this thread!

And post pictures in our Forums Gallery HERE and on our Facebook Page (after you like us) HERE!

We had a blast and we hope you'll join us for our Bonaire Single's Week in 2014 anticipated dates will be April 28-May 3!!! (The last on our contract!) Please VOTE HERE!!!

2013-12: Dec 28-Jan4 NYE in Saba & St Kitts LIVEABOARD

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:54:37 +0000

Click HERE for current AVAILABILITY on this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
Click HERE for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com

Click HERE to Like Us on FaceBook to share pics & more...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We're Celebrating the New Year in Saba and St Kitt's aboard's EV's liveaboard...Dec 28th to Jan 4th, 2014. (Fly into SXM and out of SKB)

Top 10 Reasons To Dive With SingleDivers.com in Saba & St Kitts for New Year's Eve:

5 BOAT DIVES DAILY!!!

ALL Inclusive Meals & Snacks!!!

ALL INCLUSIVE DRINKS INCLUDING ALCOHOL!!!

ONLY 9 Rooms on the whole boat with up to 18 Divers MAX*!!!

SPECTACULAR WALLS AND PINNACLES IN SABA AND REEF AND WRECKS IN ST KITT'S!!! (Saba, known for its submerged offshore pinnacles, is the 5 square mile top of a dormant volcano towering 3,000 feet above the surface and surrounded by volcanic sand the profusion of marine life here attests to the early institution of Saba Marine Park in 1987 & St. Kitts offers arguably the widest variety of sites – finger reefs, recent wrecks and a variety of drop-offs that capture the imagination.)

THE ONLY DIVING GROUP WHERE BEING SINGLE AND SOLO IS A GOOD THING! EVERYONE WILL BE TRAVELING SOLO...COME HANG WITH OTHER BUDDYLESS DIVERS AND RING IN THE NEW YEAR!!!

The NE Caribbean offers a blend of Dutch, British, French and native cultures on some of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean;

TWO SINGLEDIVERS.COM MEMBERS ARE WORKING ON THE BOAT AS CREW SO IT WILL BE EXTRA SPECIAL!!! />/>/>

The schedule provides for up to 3 island tours during the charter with ample time for our guests to explorer forts, rain forests, duty-free shops and museums

YOU CAN SAVE LOTS OF MONEY BY BOOKING WITH US VIA OUR EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS AND A CHANCE TO WIN 50% OF YOUR TRIP FREE!!! (Yep! That's right...we'll draw at midnight and one lucky person will WIN 50% of their trip price up to $900!!) />/>/>

PRICING:

All cabins are $1895 d/o (THE SAME PRICE AS 2011) or $3147 s/o
Two cabins have a queen/Double bed so we will be offering a "Sleep Together Discount of an add'l $150 per person off the price to share this bed
All early bookings paid in full by April 30th will get $50 off the price of the trip and (5)chances to win 50% of their trip price on NYE up to $900. (See Discounts for full details)
All early bookings deposited by Sept 1st will qualify for special 'main level' cabins
Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash form of payment.
SEE MORE DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY BOOKING & MEMBERS BELOW!!!

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

7 nights/ 8 days
5 days with up to 5 tank boat dives
Breakfast, lunch & Dinner & Snacks between dives (served buffet style)
All Drinks including water, soda, juice, house wine, domestic beers & assorted liquors
Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
Personal Gear Lockers for your gear and LOTS of hanging space for your wetsuits/skins
Welcome Beverage upon arrival & group orientation meeting after last group of divers arrive

NOT INCLUDED:

Transfers from Airport to the boat and back
Friday evening meal
Optional island tours
Rental gear, instruction and retail charges
Crew gratuities
Trip cancellation insurance
Dive accident insurance
St. Maarten or St. Kitts departure taxes
Port taxes, immigration and marine park diving fees $115 payable on board
Fuel surcharge currently $125 payable on board (subject to change but locked in 30 days prior to trip)
Nitrox $150

OPTIONAL: * Note - All optional add-ons must be paid for in advance for these prices. Additional costs may apply if you sign up on the boat.

Nitrox $150
Rent-A-Buddy/Dive Mentor $50 per day or $150 for the trip
Photo Sticks, mirofiber towels, Diver GPS, GoPros, LavaCore specials, and other goodies for this trip! (PRICING TBA)
Island Tours (Price TBA)
Rental Gear - TBA

QUALIFICATIONS TO MAKE THIS TRIP:

1. All skill levels are acceptable for this trip however keep in mind that diving the pinnacles of Saba are most comfortable for divers AOW or equivalent and above. Starting depths are past 60 ft which is the depth limit of OW (open water divers) - If you have ANY questions about making this trip safely and comfortably please email kamala@singledivers.com or call 864-557-6079.)

2. All single, married but buddyless, solo travelers AND couples are welcome! We are a very fun group and while the lions share of our divers do not travel with a spouse or travel companion... we will target at least 1 couple to remedy the bed/room configuration we have with this boat. (I will be accepting applications for someone to share one of the queen/double beds with me!)

3. All trip participants will need to be premier members of our site so that we can effectively communicate with you and help to manage your trip/vacation more easily. Its only $35 a year and you'll get $25 back after EVERY trip you take with us if by mailing in the Rebate Form. To become a premier member click on the MEMBERSHIP tab along the top of the forums and follow the prompts.

DISCOUNTS:

1. Early Pay in Full Discount: Sign up and pay in full by April 30th and get $50 off the price and get (5) chances to win 50% off your trip up to $900, + Free Autographed Scuba CD by our very own Pup Morse, and a chance to Win Free Oceanview Upgrade and Free Nitrox.
2. Early Booking and Deposit Discount #1: Sign up and deposit by May 30th for (1) chance to win 50% off your trip up to $900.
3. Early Booking and Deposit Discount #2: Sign up and deposit by September 1, and you will be entered to win an Upgrade to Main Level Cabins
4. Active Military Discount: $25
5. Membership Discount #1: Save $75 by getting your trip docs (SD waiver, survey, ins statement, EV boat waiver) submitted within 21 days.
6. Membership Discount #2: Get a $25 rebate after the trip by submitting for your premeir membership bonus within 30 days after the trip.
7. Sleep Together Discount: Take $150 off the price of the trip per person if you will share a room that has one queen/double bed in it. We have (2) cabins on this boat that have that configuration.

PAYMENT TERMS & PROGRESS PAYMENTS:

ASAP: $500 non-refundable deposit (except via trip insurance) in order to secure a spot. No spot will be secured until money is rec'd via our Secure Payment Gateway. (See link along top, on home page and in my signature line.
4-17-13 $500 non-refundable deposit due at booking to hold a spot payable only via SD's payment link..
4-30-13 Pay in FULL by April 30th, 2013 for EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT of $50 off trip price AND Chance to win 50% off your trip price up to $900
6-24-13 $500 progress payment due
8-24-13 $500 progress payment due
10-24-13 $495 or FINAL TRIP PAYMENTS DUE
11-24-13 ALL OPTIONAL ADD-ONS DUE such as nitrox, extra days etc

Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days days prior to departure. Missing payments can forfeit your spot to the next person on the waiting list.

Insurance:

DIVE Insurance is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP (less than $100) to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are covered for an entire year of diving.

We recommend:

Diver's Alert Network please use reference #1603080 Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID1603080.

Dive Assure please reference us via the drop down menu. Click here for Dive Assure for either a 'one time' policy OR an annual policy that is BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage!
TRIP INSURANCE IS OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. If you miss the Flight to SXM you MAY be able to catch a flight the next day but the boat will have left and you'll have missed the trip! If you choose to self-insure that is fine but you also choose to accept all losses accordingly as SD.com nor any vendors will be responsible for losses due to non-insurince.

Click here for a free quote from CSA Travel Protection or to purchase online!

TRIP INSURANCE VS GAMBLING LOSSES:
Hey folks if you are gamblers and opt to NOT take out trip insurance that is great! However please understand that neither the resort/dive operator nor SingleDivers.com can help you out with your gambling losses. SD.com accepts a huge amount of liability to fill ALL the trips we run OR EAT THE SPOTS. />/>/> I can assure you that I have paid plenty of gambling losses over the years. But I won't gamble with my life (I have both DAN and DIVE ASSURE for Dive Insurance) and I won't gamble with my trips...(I have the annual policy by DIVE ASSURE which covers ALL MY DIVE TRIPS!)
So the choice is yours....bet on no hurricanes, no accidents, no illness, no deaths in the family, no job loss, no immediate death/injury to yourself* ...and laugh in the end when your bet pays off. But when it does not...PLEASE />/>/> PLEASE />/>/> PLEASE do not expect the resort nor dive operator nor SingleDivers.com to refund your money because your bet did not pan out. />/>/>
NOTE: One of the reason's we have you finalize your extras and pay for everything by 30-60 days out is so you have more flexability getting trip insurance. Please take a moment TODAY to do this important task. />/>/>*If you think it can't happen to you please think again...sadly it happens A LOT!!

The BOAT:

Check out where we'll be staying...

THE DIVING...

SAMPLE TRIP ITINERARY:
While OUR personal Saba & St Kitt's Week Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us! KEEP CHECKING BACK AS MANY ACTIVITIES ARE STILL BEING LINED UP FOR THE AMAZING WEEK OF FUN IN THE SUN AND CRITTERS IN THE SEA!!!
Days Prior to start of our trip: If you wish to arrive early or want to combine other diving or touring adventures in conjunction with this one let us know. We can add days to the FRONT or the END of your week as well as several days of local site seeing if you like or just an extra night to be sure you catch the boat!

Saturday Dec 28,2013: This will be the official ARRIVAL date in San Martin SXM. You can arrive up til midnight. Group Orientation and the evening of our first Welcome Happy Hour!

Dec 29-31, 2013 and Jan 1-2, 2014: These 5 days will be our group package of up to 5 tank dives off the boat. The first dive starts at 7:45am and the boat will return after each dive allowing you the luxury of sleeping in or skipping a dive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included daily and are available on the boat. REMEMBER...your first drink is your last dive!
Entertainment & Activities: This week allows for several tours on the islands we visit. They will be in the afternoons and we'll post which days they will be on later. You will miss your afternoon dives if you go and see the islands via the optional island tours.

Saturday: Welcome Orientation and Welcome Socialization
Sunday: 5 dives & Social Mixer...
Monday: 5 dives and LOTS OF NIGHT DIVE OPTIONS..
Tuesday: 5 dives
Wednesday: 5 dives and its NEW YEAR'S EVE...We'll celebrate in style AND still go diving the next day!
Thursday: The last day of our diving pkg and the first day of 2014 and a great way to start your new year off right diving all 5 dives!
Friday: We usually have an early dawn dive or two and then we head into port where we'll gear and pack and then enjoy dinner on our own seeing St Kitt's while docked at shore for our last night together.
Jan 04, 2014: This is our travel day home.

AIRFARE:
You will fly INTO SXM and out of SKB. There are no real restrictions upon arrival or departure times EXCEPT you can not board the boat until 3pm and you must leave the boat by 9am. Most divers choose to book their own air so they an use miles, their preferred carrier or because they have more time to search out deals. If you wish for SingleDivers.com to research and/or book your airfare ticket for you we are happy to do so for a $30 research & booking fee.

AIR & WATER TEMPS:
Month: December/January
Water: 76-78 depending on the winter's severity
Air Temperature During Day: high 70's degrees F

VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION: [/size]
St Martin and St Kitts are easy to fly in and out of for Americans and most Europeans. You only need a passport for legal entry and exit WITH 6 months left on it after your return and adequate pages to allow it to be stamped. HOWEVER GETTING YOUR DOCS INTO THE BOAT TIMELY IS NECESSARY TO SET UP PRE-CUSTOMS CLEARANCE SINCE WE WILL BE VISITING 3 COUNTRIES ON THIS TRIP![/size]

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:

1) Post in this thread that you plan to join us and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE LINE OR AT THE TOP OF THIS TRIP POST/TOPIC.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit or get the early payment deals with payment in full by April 30, 2013.)To join an SD trip you must be a premier membership which is $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it.

2) Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey.

3) Fill out the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release. - DON'T FORGET YOUR MEDICAL ENVELOPE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (details at the bottom of the Med Waiver)

4) Fill out the Insurance Summary form (All Forms can be found under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips &
activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)

5) Send your deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you
need to make special arrangements about payments, please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you.

6) PLEASE USE THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #4 or #5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be diving nitrox and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation or the type of room you want may no longer be available when you finally clarify for us.

7) You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip
insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
c. I will not purchase trip insurance and will accept all losses accordingly. - THIS TRIP DOES NOT REQUIRE
TRIP INSURANCE BUT IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

8) Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or
going on a tour, etc.

9) Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main
trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.

10) Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for
custom questions or special requests.

11) PLEASE EMAIL ALL DOCUMENTS TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM ONLY as I do not check trip documentation emails,
rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>

PAYMENT INFORMATION:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. [i](Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For the State us AA if using an international credit card.

SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so any payments via credit card or paypal will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

This trip may sell out quickly due to the great pricing we have so in order to ensure timely & accurate processing of payment receipts and therefore timely & accurate acceptance of members onto the trip, ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED

[i]If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.

The gateway will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already.

International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments IF the payment system does not work for you. (Remember use AA as the state and it should work). Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.

IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES YOU MUST MONITOR IF GOING ON THIS TRIP ARE LOCATED IN THE 2ND POST OR HERE

2013-10: Oct 26 - Nov 2, 2013 Roatan for Halloween

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:30:53 +0000

Click HERE to Like Us on FaceBook Group to share pics & more...

October 26 - Nov 2, 2013

JOIN US FOR OUR HALLOWEEN MONSTER BASH IN ROATAN!

This special pkg is THE SAME PRICE AS 2012 and is LOADED with 3 boat dives a day for 5 days, breakfast, lunch and dinner, sodas, water, and local/house alcohol, transfers and UNLIMITED SHORE DIVING! THE HOUSE REEF IS NEXT TO CALVIN'S CRACK ONE OF THE BEST DIVE SITES ON THE ENTIRE ISLAND!! WE WILL BE STAYING AT THE LUXURIOUS HENRY MORGAN'S MEDIA LUNA FOR SINGLES WEEK AT INCREDIBLE PRICING!!! This will be the LARGEST Single's Week ever...Don't Miss our "FOURTH ANNUAL ONLY" SPECIALS INCLUDING THE SAME PRICING AS 2012, LIVE MUSIC BY PUP MORSE THE SCUBA COWBOY, CONTESTS, PRIZES, LIONFISH WORKSHOPS AND HUNTING, PHOTOGRAPHY, CERTIFICATION CLASSES,and MORE!!! />/>/>

NOTE: All trip participants will need to be premier members of our site so that we can effectively communicate with you and help to manage your trip/vacation more easily. Its only $35 a year and you'll get $25 back after EVERY trip you take with us if by mailing in the Rebate Form. To become a premier member click on the MEMBERSHIP tab along the top of the forums and follow the prompts.

Build your own package FOR THE SAME PRICING AS 2012:

$1159 - D/O Diver Inc.Taxes & All Inclusive
$927 - D/O Non-Diver Inc. Taxes & All Inclusive
TBD approx $166 - D/O Extra Day with 2 tank diving & food

$1391- S/O Inc.Taxes & All Inclusive
$1159 - S/O Non-Diver $1159 Inc. Taxes & All Inclusive
TBD approx $199 - S/O Extra day of 2 tank dives & food

Package Includes:

7 nights 5 days 3 tank boat diving
Unlimited Shore diving & Night Shore Diving
Breakfast, lunch & Dinner including Beverages with your meals (served buffet style)
All Drinks including water, soda, juice, house wine, domestic beers & domestic liquors
Transfers from Airport to the resort and back
Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
Lockers for gear
Welcome Beverage upon arrival & group orientation meeting after last group of divers arrive
Costume Contest with Huge Prizes - Yes it will be a FULL BLOWN MONSTER BASH THEME and we'll have prizes for the best TRADITIONAL Halloween Costumes and the MOST UNTRADITIONAL Halloween Costumes!!! So get creative!!!

Optional Add-Ons: * Note - All optional add-ons must be paid for in advance for these prices. Additional costs may apply if you sign up on the island.

Nitrox $140 (unlimited including all shoredives & 3 boat dives per day
Rent-A-Buddy (Dive Mentor Program) $50 per day or $150 per week
TBD approx $50 - Night Dive
TBD approx $150 - Shark Dive
TBD approx $200 - Dolphin Dive
TBD approx $65 - Zip Line
TBD approx $50 - Lion Fish Class

TBD approx $13.50 per day - Regulator Rental
TBD approx $13.50 per day - BCD Rental
TBD approx $13.50 per day - Wetsuit Rental
TBD approx $16.80 per day - Dive Computer OR FREE IF YOU USE OUR COCHRANS and participate in DAN Research
TBD approx $23.52 per day - U/W Light
TBD approc $11.20 per day - Mask/fins/snorkel Rental

Discounts:

Early Pay in Full Discount: Sign up and pay in full by April 23rd for $100 off S/O, Free Autographed Scuba CD, and a chance to Win Free Oceanview Upgrade, Free Nitrox, Free Night Dive, and /or Free ZipLine Tour.

Early Booking and Deposit Discount: Sign up and send your deposit by August 1, and you will be entered to receive an Oceanview Upgrade

Active Military Discount: $25

PAYMENT TERMS & PROGRESS PAYMENTS:

ASAP: $300 non-refundable deposit (except via trip insurance) in order to secure a spot. No spot will be secured until money is rec'd via our Secure Payment Gateway. (See link along top, on home page and in my signature line.)

4-15-13 $300 non-refundable deposit due at booking to hold a spot payable only via SD's payment link..
4-23-13 Pay in FULL by April 23rd, 2013 for EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT
6-21-13 $400 progress payment d
8-21-13 FINAL TRIP PAYMENTS DUE
9-21-13 ALL OPTIONAL ADD-ONS DUE

Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days days prior to departure. Missing payments can forfeit your spot to the next person on the waiting list.

Insurance:

DIVE Insurance is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP (less than $100) to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are covered for an entire year of diving.

We recommend:

Diver's Alert Network please use reference #1603080 Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID1603080.

Dive Assure please reference us via the drop down menu. Click here for Dive Assure for either a 'one time' policy OR an annual policy that is BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage!
TRIP INSURANCE IS OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. If you miss the Flight to Roatan RTB you MAY be able to catch a flight the next day but MANY run full and ONLY ONCE A WEEK so you may have to wait several days if not a week to get to the island! If you choose to self-insure that is fine but you also choose to accept all losses accordingly as SD.com nor any vendors will be responsible for losses due to non-insurince.

Click here for a free quote from CSA Travel Protection or to purchase online!

TRIP INSURANCE VS GAMBLING LOSSES:
Hey folks if you are gamblers and opt to NOT take out trip insurance that is great! However please understand that neither the resort/dive operator nor SingleDivers.com can help you out with your gambling losses. SD.com accepts a huge amount of liability to fill ALL the trips we run OR EAT THE SPOTS. />/>/> I can assure you that I have paid plenty of gambling losses over the years. But I won't gamble with my life (I have both DAN and DIVE ASSURE for Dive Insurance) and I won't gamble with my trips...(I have the annual policy by DIVE ASSURE which covers ALL MY DIVE TRIPS!)
So the choice is yours....bet on no hurricanes, no accidents, no illness, no deaths in the family, no job loss, no immediate death/injury to yourself* ...and laugh in the end when your bet pays off. But when it does not...PLEASE />/>/> PLEASE />/>/> PLEASE do not expect the resort nor dive operator nor SingleDivers.com to refund your money because your bet did not pan out. />/>/>
NOTE: One of the reason's we have you finalize your extras and pay for everything by 30-60 days out is so you have more flexability getting trip insurance. Please take a moment TODAY to do this important task. />/>/> *If you think it can't happen to you please think again...sadly it happens A LOT!!

The Resort:

Check out where we'll be staying...HERE.... this takes a couple of minutes to load but is REALLY a great look at where we'll be and diving in October! The Media Luna specific portion of the video is at the end but the intro is mostly Media Luna when you see the spectacular ocean view shots and resort shots. The multicolored lobby is Henry Morgan and the full beach front with the long dock is HM but the secluded shots of the ocean and diving are all Media Luna. Its a shame some of the better footage was not specifically under the hotel break out. I have been to all 3 resorts and Media Luna is by far the best!

Dive shop with lockers for gear very close by and use of hotel swimming pool
Complementary internet access in the lobby
THE HOUSE REEF IS CALVIN'S CRACK ONE OF THE BEST DIVE SITES ON THE ENTIRE ISLAND!!
Quote
More on the Hotel:The Media Luna Hotel is made up of a plethora of detached villas that are luxurious and spacious, separated from the lobby and entertainment area of the hotel to ensure maximum relaxation and privacy. The lobby and entertainment area is a relaxing and serene place to check emails, get a drink or just watch the ocean. The pool is situated between the hotel and the aqua water of the North end – home of the islands BEST DIVE SITE. Media Luna is very relaxing and tranquil..far away from all your worries and cares. Stay and dive or just relax and you too will see why so many guests return.

Accommodation: At Media Luna Hotel and Beach Resort we have Single rooms with a King size bed, Double rooms with two Queen size beds, Triple rooms with 1 King size bed and 1 single bed and a luxury, private Suite for those special occasions. Each room is furnished with a spa like private bathroom and hot water and equipped with a fridge, hair dryer and the all important air-conditioning and satellite television – although we do hope you will be outside enjoying the Caribbean weather most of the time. Each of the Media rooms has a private balcony/pat with hammock, hard wood floors and comfortable furniture if you want to spend some time in your room. The rooms have been designed with a natural spa type look and feel, natural colors with dark woods will surround in relaxation!
* Private bathroom with hot water
* Private balcony with hammock or seating area
* Air-conditioning
* Satellite television
* Fridge (mini-bar)
* Telephone (TBD)
* Hair dryer
* Private safe

Dining at Media Luna Resort: Meals are served buffet style and usually offer an array of local foods prepared in a variety of ways. It is convenient, easy and layed out so you can enjoy nightly entertainment while dining! Enjoy a relaxing dinner then watch spectacular sunsets on our spacious pool deck or after your night dive. Have special food needs? NO PROBLEM!!! NOTE: Media Luna now has a new chef from Italy who specializes in vegetarian and non-meat options as well as traditional dishes for all tastes and preferences. I did not get a chance to enjoy the new chef's cooking when I was at Media Luna last Nov but those who did said he was excellent. In general Roatan serves food with a European style and flair. As more Americans visit their resorts they expand their menus to more US styled meals. You won't go hungry but you might not gain 10 pounds either...all in all that's not too bad! - kamala

The Bars: Media Luna has a full service bar right next to the restaurant and just off the lobby. The bartenders are friendly and will serve you mixers if you bring a bottle or two from Duty Free. The snack bar is part of the bar area for a mid day munchie.

Shore Diving Some of Roatan's best diving is right off the shore right off the resort. Night Diving We can do a boat night dive for $TBA per person. We need a minimum of TBA people. Max Depth: 20-130ft but mostly very easy wall and drift diving as well as easy return to the boat dives Water Temp: ave 84+ degrees F Air Temp: High 80's to low 90's degrees F Weather: Late October & early November is EXTREMELY nice weather wise in Roatan.

Entertainment by Pup Morse the Original Scuba Cowboy!

Costume Contest

SAMPLE TRIP ITINERARY:
While OUR personal Roatan Single's Week Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us! KEEP CHECKING BACK AS MANY ACTIVITIES ARE STILL BEING LINED UP FOR THE AMAZING WEEK OF FUN IN THE SUN AND CRITTERS IN THE SEA!!!
Days Prior to start of our trip: If you wish to arrive early or want to combine other diving or touring adventures in conjunction with this one let us know. We can add days to the FRONT or the END of your week as well as several days of local site seeing on this amazing island.

Oct 26,2013: This will be the official ARRIVAL date in Roatan,Group Orientation and the evening of our first Welcome Happy Hour! Depending on your flight times...you may have enough time to do a complementary shore dive to refresh after your flights.

Oct 27 to Oct 31, 2013: These 5 days will be our group package of 3 tank dives off the boats. The first dive starts at 7:45am and the boat will return after each dive allowing you the luxury of sleeping in or skipping a dive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included daily and are available on premises.
Entertainment & Activities: This week is full of entertainment and activities. In order to squeeze it all in we will prepare a very full calendar of events for you including both afternoon and evening events (BUT THEY WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR PACKAGE DIVES):

Saturday: Welcome Orientation and Welcome Happy Hour
Sunday: Social Mixer and other festivities!
Monday: TBD
Tuesday: Optional Night Dive for those interested...either shore or boat! Let us know if you wish to do a night dive! Other festivities for those NOT Night Diving!
Wednesday:World Famous MONSTER BASH Costume Contest...after all it's HALLOWEEN! FREE DIVE TRIPS & MORE AS PRIZES!!!)
Thursday: The world famous Fire show and after wards our very own Pup will sing the night away!
Friday: Comedy night (Both local and imported action... YOU!) and a charity benefit crab race to keep you on your toes AND raise money for the local orphanage!

Nov 01, 2013: This is an optional day of diving which you can take advantage of or take off for activities and sightseeing or just cleaning gear, packing or relaxing.

Other Activities:

Throughout the week you can do local sightseeing, tours and activities such as kayaking, hiking, sight seeing and exploring the island. We will spend a great deal of time on the island as we experience the amazing diversity of this fun Caribbean isle.
At some time during the week we'll go to the orphanage or foster home and try to personally bring our school & life supplies to the children. These interactions with the kids are usually very moving and powerful...don't miss it! Since this will be our last night we'll plan something FANTASTIC for our evening activities to celebrate the fantastic week of diving and fun.

Nov 2, 2013: This is departure day and the end of our exciting week in this fun Caribbean isle. Do keep approx $37 for your exit tax out of the country in case it is not included in your airline ticket.

DAYS AFTER NOVEMBER 2nd: For those who opt for the add'l extra days your departure date will vary but the process will be the same. We will help you find a roomie for extra days...just let us know!

TOURS/EXCURSIONS

An amazing shark dive that includes a shark feeding and seeing these amazing animals up close and VERY personal! If you love diving or just if you're fascinated by sharks you can't leave Roatan without doing the shark dive. 3 dives daily with up to 20 sharks per dive.

You're on vacation, so why not spoil yourself a little with a spa treatment? There is an Elisir Day Spa in each of the HM Resorts hotels and resorts. Here you can really relax and unwind and receive a little pampering with a facial or a body massage or perhaps you need to catch up on some personal grooming and you've finally found the time. Whether you're after a simple leg wax or an indulgent 90 minute spa treatment, Elisir will not disappoint. Our professional beauty and massage therapists are here to de-hair, de-stress and generally make you feel relaxed and wonderful. The ELISIR Spa offers a complete series of treatments – nails, facials and body massages as well as a wide range of aesthetic and anti-aging remedies of the highest quality and experience. Such age defying techniques follow the strictest guidelines recommended by Vagheggi Phyto cosmesi cosmetics.

A Canopy tour is often called by other names in different countries, either a treetop walk or a flying fox or zip-line experience. Come experience the wilds of Roatan with a tree top view you'll never forget!
!

A butterfly and tropical bird sanctuary at West End, Roatan. You have to 'see' it to believe it!

Watch the dolphin show each day or if you want a more personal experience and something you will never forget, sign on for the Dolpin Swim & Snorkel.

There are a few different options for horse back riding in Roatan but they all offer pretty much the same thing.

HM Resorts offers complimentary sea kayaks and many of the dive shops offer sea kayaking tours if you prefer the security of a guide.

Roatan's Marine Park is a conservation group who educate people of the needs to keep our oceans clean. The Roatan Marine Park takes in volunteers for water and fish surveys as well as monitoring the dive shops in the area to ensure they are not damaging the reef.

Gumbalimba park offers something for everyone with tame tropical birds and monkeys to play with and feed, kayaking and sailing or horseback riding will keep the whole family entertained.

Punta Gorda is a village on the north side of Roatan where the traditional folclor dancing is performed by the Garifuna ladies – they put on a great show.

Exactly what it sounds like – a farm of iguanas. Here you can handle Iguanas which used to be a popular meat for stew on Roatan – but these days they're protected.

If you want to explore the Island on your own just rent a car at any of our resorts with your Guest Relation. Budget Rent a Car offers a great service for all our clients at HM Resorts.

See the island by renting a scooter or a motorcycle. We also rent: cell phones to call home, DVD movies and DVD players, as well as 3G modems to stay in touch online. For your convenience, we are located in West Bay and in West End.

AIRFARE:
Most divers choose to book their own air so they an use miles, their preferred carrier or because they have more time to search out deals. If you wish for SingleDivers.com to research and/or book your airfare ticket for you we are happy to do so for a $30 research & booking fee.

AIR & WATER TEMPS:
Month: October/November
Water: Mid to low 80's
Air Temperature During Day: 80's to 90's degrees F
Air Temperature At Night: mid to high 70's degrees F

VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION:
Roatan is a country that is easy to fly in and out of for Americans and most Europeans. You only need a passport for legal entry and exit WITH 6 months left on it after your return and adequate pages to allow it to be stamped.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:

1) Post in this thread that you plan to join us and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK BELOW.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $300 non-refundable deposit or get the early payment deals with payment in full by April 23, 2013.)To join an SD trip you must be a premier membership which is $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it.

2) Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey if you have not traveled with us before.

3) Fill out the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release.

4) Fill out the Insurance Summary form (All Forms can be found under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips &
activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)

5) Send your deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you
need to make special arrangements about payments, please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you.

6) We need to know if you need rental gear, will be diving nitrox and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much
of this information as possible with your initial reservation or the type of room you want may no longer be available when you
finally clarify for us.

7) You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip
insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
c. I will not purchase trip insurance and will accept all losses accordingly. - THIS TRIP DOES NOT REQUIRE
TRIP INSURANCE BUT IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

8) Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or
going on a tour, etc.

9) Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main
trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.

10) Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for
custom questions or special requests.

11) PLEASE EMAIL ALL DOCUMENTS TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM ONLY as I do not check trip documentation emails,
rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>

PAYMENT INFORMATION:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. [i](Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For the State us AA if using an international credit card.

SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so any payments via credit card or paypal will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

This trip may sell out quickly due to the great pricing we have so in order to ensure timely & accurate processing of payment receipts and therefore timely & accurate acceptance of members onto the trip, ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED

[i]If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.

The gateway will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already.

International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments IF the payment system does not work for you. (Remember use AA as the state and it should work). Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.

IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES YOU MUST MONITOR IF GOING ON THIS TRIP ARE LOCATED IN THE 2ND POST OR HERE

2013 Long Beach Scuba Show

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:51:41 +0000

Is anyone headed to the Scuba Show this year? June 8-9, 2013 in Long Beach, CA. Great fun, friends, new gear & info on dive destinations to bring back to SD for future trips! And, some informative seminars, too. Road trip :-)

Marvelous Maldives Trip Report - Published Article

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:59:23 +0000

Hello SDers, here is the next best thing to a trip report. If you missed the Magical Maldives trip, you missed one of the best trips ever!

I still have more pics and video to post. I did post all the pics on Facebook but still need to upload the video.

I really enjoyed diving with everyone on the trip and hope you like the article and pics in Currents, a journal for SCUBA professionals.
Gabrielle's Article and Pics Pages 4-9

2013-09: Phoenix Dive Show & HH Sept 21-22, 2013

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:00:15 +0000

HELLO PHOENIX!!!!

Save the Dates...we are coming to town for the First Ever Phoenix Dive Show Sept 21-22, 2013!!

Full details will be available soon but expect to learn about diving innovations in equipment, travel and training at this show. AND OF COURSE MORE ABOUT SINGLEDIVERS.COM!!!

We'll need volunteers to help get the Wench around...help at the booth and help plan another one of our AMAZING HAPPY HOURS in conjunction with the show!!!

So Traci aka sqbagal and Tim aka Buzo Guero start planning now...and tell your friends!

THOSE PLANNING TO JOIN US AT THE SHOW (INCLUDING THOSE ABLE TO HELP IN THE BOOTH FOR FREE ADMISSION):

1. Kamala aka WreckWench - Will work both Sept 21-22
2. Traci aka sqbagal
3. Tim aka Buzo Guero
4. Belinda aka Damselfish (available both days)
5. Steve aka desert_fish
6. Sherri aka Seabrz777

THOSE PLANNING TO US AT OUR AWESOME HAPPY HOUR SATURDAY 9-21 AFTER THE SHOW:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Traci aka sqbagal
3. Tim aka Buzo Guero
4. Belinda aka Damselfish
5. Steve aka desert_fish
6. Sherri aka Seabrz777

2013-09: Aug 31-Sep 7, 2013 Turks & Caicos...our 5th and FINAL YEAR here!!!!!!

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 06:33:49 +0000

Turks & Caicos...Jewel of the Caribbean!! Aug 31-Sep 7, 2013... Another exciting and very fun liveboard experience awaits you! We have booked the Explorer Ventures Liveaboard for our 5th and FINAL all inclusive adventure...INCLUDING alcohol and sodas Scheduling 5 dives daily, including night dives, the vessel boards in Providenciales each Saturday and offers 5� days of diving each week. You'll explore the 5 different black coral species at Black Coral Forest, the reef sharks of Provos Shark Hotel, the deep-water gorgonians of G-Spot, and the spotted eagle rays of Double D, along with a multitude of other dive sites along the region's plunging walls.

For $1795* d/o or $3027 s/o Lower Stateroom; $1995* d/o or $3357 s/o Main Stateroom or for $2195* d/o or $3687 s/o VIP Stateroom - plus airfare - you'll have a unique dive vacation unlike any other AND you'll be diving on very pristine sites reachable only by a liveaboard! And if you book and pay in full before Mar 11, 2013 you'll get an additional $200 off the VIP if s/o or $100 off the "Sleep Together Discount" if 2 people in each of these 2 rooms (since there is only one bed) or $50 off Main Stateroom or $50 off the Lower Stateroom.

Click HERE for current AVAILABILITY on this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
Click HERE - TBA for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...

THE BOAT:
The Salon:
The Dive Deck:
and the Sun Deck:

*$2195 pp d/o or $3687 s/o -- VIP Stateroom
King bed, desk and chair, dresser, hanging closet, wardrobe, large window, TV, private ensuite bathroom (King Sized Bed only so only for a couple or s/o). Staterooms 1 & 2

*$1995 pp d/o or $3357 s/o -- Main Deck Stateroom
Twin or queen beds, desk and chair, dresser, hanging closet, large window(s), private ensuite bathroom. Staterooms 3-7

*$1795 pp d/o or $3027 s/o -- Lower Deck Stateroom
Twin beds, dresser, hanging closet, port lights, private ensuite bathroom - Staterooms 8-10

PRICE SUMMARY:
VIP Stateroom (has only 1 bed): ~~$2295~~ $2195 pp d/o, or $3687 s/o.

Main Stateroom (has 2 beds): ~~$2095~~ $1995 pp d/o, or $3357 s/o.

Lower Stateroom (has 2 beds): ~~$1895~~ $1795 pp d/o , or $3027 s/o.

Plus: Nitrox $150 + $125 per person fuel surcharge* (payable on board) + $85 per person port/departure fees* (payable on board) + approx $30 in taxi transfers (paid directly to taxi drivers)

*Subject to change [/size]until 30 days prior to departure

Who's Going: (SEE POST #3 FOR FULL LIST OF WHO IS GOING)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
� 7 nights/5 diving days d/o room up to 5 dives per day
� SD Famous "Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone" Parties
� Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
� ALL onboard meals and snacks, refreshments, water, juice, tea, coffee + All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
� SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
� Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours
� Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
� Airfare to Turks and Caicos (PLS is the airport code) - Arrive anytime 8/31 (or earlier), boat departs wee hours of 9/1.
� Friday night Dinner (In town with the group or on your own)
� Approx $30 round trip taxi fares, payable to taxi at time of service
� $85** Port Charge (Payable on boat)
� $125** Fuel surcharge (Payable on boat) � Diving gratuities (usually 15% of base pkg) for dive masters, boat captains and boat crew � 3% non-cash fee on all payments per transaction that are made via credit card and/or PayPal
� Departure tax of approx $35, payable in cash, upon leaving, unless it was included in your ticket price
� Optional Sightseeing in Turks & Caicos or even add'l boat or Shore Diving locally (see tripadvisor.com for what to do and we'll use the thread to help plan groups of people sightseeing or doing extra diving.)
� Nitrox upgrade ($150 for the week payable by 90 days out (Payable to SD.com)
� Trip Insurance is OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED If you miss the boat you've missed the trip! (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
� Dive Insurance is MANDATORY. We recommend both Diver's Alert Network for Dive Insurance Only pls use reference ID # DAN 1603080 or Dive Assure (choose SingleDivers.com via the drop down menu for Business & Global Partners) where you get your Dive Insurance and Trip Insurance in one policy.
� SD's Rent-A-Buddy: Have your own private DM as your dive buddy and coach. Want to polish your skills? Reinforce what you just learned in your certification dives? Improve your air consumption? Then hire a dive coach/private guide for your trip! $50 per day or $150 for 5 days diving.
� Departure taxes (approximately US$35 and should be in your airline ticket fee)

** (Due to the volatile nature of fuel prices & port fees, this amount may increase or decrease upon 30 days' notice, and the actual surcharge/fee applicable to a certain trip may be different.)

OPTIONAL:
Single Supplement: Due to the unique nature of this trip, the Single Room Upgrade for the VIP Stateroom for $3,687. Or, see our 'Sleep Together Discount' and get the VIP Stateroom for $2195 per person (min of 2 people). The Main Stateroom s/o is $3,357, and the Lower Stateroom is $3,027
� Nitrox$150 for the week

DISCOUNTS:
� First DIBS BOOKING for PREMIER MEMBERS until MAR 11th!
� Price discounts if paid in full by Mar 11th: $200 VIP s/o or $100 VIP d/o (NEED 2 PEOPLE TO SLEEP TOGETHER), $50 Main Deck Stateroom or $50 Lower Deck Stateroom
� $25 Mail-In Rebate for SD premier or charter membership redeemable after the trip if filed within 30 days (Click here for the form & details!
� Additional $50 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom.
� FREE Scuba CD by Pup Morse if paid in full OR deposited by March 11th, 2013
� Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
� Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via credit card or PayPal. Echecks via SD's Payment Link in my signature incur NO additional charge.

PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. $500 due at booking to lock in a spot (payment must be rec'd within 7 days to be valid or your spot will be released)
b. Mar 11, 2013: Last Day for $200 VIP s/o or $100 VIP d/o (NEED 2 PEOPLE), $50 early payment in full discount for Main or Lower Staterooms
c. April 10, 2013: $500
d. May 10, 2013: $500
e. June 10, 2013: $795 VIP or $595 Main or $395 Lower + Nitrox + any extras.

Note: Trip must be paid in full 90 days prior to departure. Extras must also be paid in full 60 days prior i.e., Nitrox, extra nights etc.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. (Please note that many non-US bank originating credit card must still use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures must be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. YOU CAN TRY YOUR CARD BY ENTERING AA AS YOUR STATE AND THE CHARGE MAY GO THRU OK. If you need to use the form you'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - PLEASE email trips@singledivers.com for the password to the forms forum.)

SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so any payments via credit card or PayPal will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access using the Link in my Signature Line OR using the Link found on Every Page of Forums. It is not a shopping cart BUT it will total your trip choices AND add the 3% non-cash convenience fee if you are paying via credit card.

ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED AND WILL QUALIFY FOR THE EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.

Please add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via PayPal (either via credit card or check payment) or any credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already and do not incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee.

International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments. Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II generally involve breakfast from 7 am to 8 am (cold breakfast is available for late risers), followed by two morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested. Please note also that this itinerary is an example only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion.
While each T&C cruise may vary due to weather and sea conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the adventure you could experience!
Saturday: Arrival can be anytime ON SATURDAY. The boat will depart late Saturday nigth or in the wee hours on Sunday.
Your adventure begins as you arrive in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The word Turks derived from the Islands' pirate history, when 17th and 18th century pirates used the islands as hideouts and preyed upon the passing Spanish treasure ships bound for Europe. The term "Turk" for a pirate stemmed two centuries earlier when the Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and Turkish corsairs harried European Atlantic shipping, thus translated "Turks" Islands becomes "Pirate" Islands!
Though transfers are not included in the package, you will usually be met at the airport by a local driver who will be aware of the boat's location. Due to tides, weather conditions and her size, the vessel's weekend location and schedule is tide-dependent, and she may be located either in Caicos Marina or anchored offshore. If you are not met at the airport and are unsure where to meet the boat, simply ask your cab driver to call the boat's cell phone number or VHF Channel 16 and ask for instructions. Cab rides can vary from $15 to $30 per person depending on the time of day and number of people. Since you may be picked up by dinghy at a beach, you will be more comfortable if you wear sandals or deck shoes and either shorts, or trousers or pants that can be rolled up.
If you are staying overnight on Providenciales prior to boarding: While the vessel normally docks at Caicos Marina, tides and/or weather may dictate an early departure. Please be sure that your application form has included your hotel information on Providenciales, and call the vessel prior to checking out of your hotel to determine where and when to board. Normally, the boat is available for boarding after 3 p.m.
If you experience travel difficulties and are delayed, please contact the vessel on Saturday and notify them.
3:00pm Guests may begin to board the Explorer II. The vessel will normally be located at Caicos Marina but may depart early due to tides or weather. If you are staying on island, please check in with the vessel on Saturday morning to determine when and where to meet the boat. If you are arriving on Saturday, you will usually be met at the airport.
Sunday - Friday Morning:
Exploration begins in the waters around the island. The diving here ranges from shallow water reef dives to deep blue water drop-offs. There are quite a few impressive swim throughs as well. The reefs along the wall are very healthy and have lots of colorful sponges, corals, and tunicates. Small shrimps and crabs are attached to many of these corals, which provide an excellent site for macro photographers. You will also find colorful tropical fish, schools of blue tangs, hawksbill turtles, large grouper, reef sharks, nurse sharks and many more.
Enjoy at least 4 - 5 dives per day, including a night dive. A typical day goes something like this:
6 - 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:00 a.m. Dive briefing on sundeck followed by open diving
10:00 a.m. Mid-morning snack
11:45 a.m. Back onboard
12:00 noon While lunch is Served, boat moves to afternoon dive site
1:00 p.m. Dive site briefing on sundeck followed by open diving
3:00 p.m. Mid-afternoon snack
5:45 p.m. Back onboard
6:00 p.m. Dinner is served
8:00 p.m. Dive deck opens again for night dive
10:00 p.m. Depart for tomorrow morning's new dive site. Friday night:
The boat makes the passage back to Provo Turks and Caicos Islands.
Saturday:
0700/0830 Continental breakfast
0900 Depart the Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, you may leave your luggage aboard for pickup later. However, cabs are very expensive and it can be costly to return to the vessel.
Due to the necessity of readying the vessel for our next cruise, we must strictly enforce the 9 am departure.

Additional Tours or Diving in T&C: If you want to book add'l tours after our trip let us know! We'll have a full list of them posted soon. AND you can take FULL ADVANTAGE Of YOUR TICKET TO PLS and dive in T&C for 2-7 days after the trip.

THE VESSEL:
The Explorer II recently emerged from a refit/renovation in February 2007. The flagship of our growing fleet, the incomparable custom vessel was purchased by Explorer Ventures in December, 2004. The vessel was designed from the ground up and built as a corporate charter and liveaboard dive vessel in 1995. The newly-refurbished luxury vessel carries up to 20 passengers and 8 crew. All staterooms throughout the vessel have port lights or windows, individually-controlled air-conditioning, and private ensuite bathrooms. A comfortable full-width salon, located forward of the spacious dive deck, provides seating for all guests at once, a wet bar, and an entertainment area with VCR/DVD and CD stereo. The boat deck, one level up, has ample room for sunning and relaxing; the flybridge includes a barbeque, wet bar, and comfortable seating for up to 15. The two VIP staterooms located on the upper boat deck, as well as the two forward staterooms on the main deck, are equipped with TV/VCR. The dive deck of course include nitrox, individual gear bins, rinse tanks, camera table, recharging facilities, and ramp-style stair access to the swim platform for easy access into the water. The Turks & Caicos Explorer II comfortably accommodates 20 passengers in 10 double staterooms, each of which have private bathroom facilities, individually-controlled air conditioning, hanging closet and wardrobe. The air-conditioned main salon on the main deck includes dining tables, TV/DVD, video library and lounge area. A large sundeck with lounge chairs and buffet area is located aft of the upstairs deckhouse, which contains two additional passenger staterooms, pilothouse, and Captain's cabin. A large, awning-covered flybridge with wet bar, barbecue and seating for 12 to 15 is accessed from the sun deck as well. The dive deck is equipped with a bathroom, individual gear lockers, camera table, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, freshwater showers, and a separate fresh water rinse for both scuba and underwater camera equipment. There are two large stairways accessing the dive platform, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water. The Turks & Caicos Explorer II is also equipped with a satellite telephone for outgoing calls worldwide.

To view videos of diving with this vessel, click on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVyDt63kmY...eos=DEFP9BOuHvs

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3Z-6Mv44sCY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq9UDHc0QX0...player_embedded

COMMUNICATIONS & HOW TO BE REACHED WHILE TRAVELING:
Explorer II has a satellite phone for incoming and outgoing calls. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls on the satphone.

You can be reached aboard the Explorer II from North America via Iridium phone at 011.88.163.185.9096 or cell 1-649-242-8267.

Vital messages may be passed to guests by calling the operations office at 1-800-322-3577.

When calling from Provo, it is easiest to call the cell phone at 242-8267.
[i]
Internet access is not available aboard

TEMPERATURES & CONDITIONS:
The weather in Turks & Caicos is remarkably consistent year-round. The air temperatures range from the 70s (F) or higher in the winter months to the low 90s during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. Water temperatures range from a low of about 72 degrees F in winter to a high of about 82 degrees F in summer. There is normally little appreciable current at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 75 and 150 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 3 mm wetsuit in summer, and a 5 mm wetsuit with hooded vest in winter.

AIRFARE & TRAVEL DATES:
Travel dates are anytime on Aug 31 and anytime on Sept 7th. You may want to arrive on the 30th to ensure you make the boat. Providenciales is well served by jet service from Miami and New York and Charlotte on a number of airlines, including American Airlines, USAirways, JetBlue, and Air Jamaica, as well as from London by British Airways. Weekly charter flights from Canada and other US cities is also frequently available.

ARRIVAL:
If you experience travel difficulties and are delayed, please contact the vessel and notify them via 242-8267.
DEPARTURE:
The Explorer II arrives back in Providenciales at midday Friday. Transportation will be provided for a casual dinner on Friday evening; passengers spend Friday night and have Saturday breakfast on board; there will be sufficient time to catch a flight out at any time on Saturday. There is a departure tax approx $35, payable in cash, upon leaving, unless it was included in your ticket price.

MEALS
Aboard the Explorer II, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salads, and quiche. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk.

CURRENCY
The U.S. dollar is the official currency; travelers checks and most major credit cards are accepted widely throughout the island.

WHAT TO BRING
Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn't require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits (you may consider slacks, dress shorts or sundresses for dinner ashore). In the winter months, a sweater, long pants and windbreaker for the evenings can be a good idea. Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. Sun screens, sunglasses, a visor or hat is recommended. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. If you have favorite CDs or DVDs, feel free to bring them.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.

If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.

ON BOARD CHARGES:
Though all meals (except Friday's dinner), beverages, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), incoming and outgoing telephone calls, photographic and scuba instruction, rentals, crew gratuities, a temporary fuel surcharge, departure tax, and a hotel tax. The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or cash. Personal or traveler's checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to provide cash for credit card charges more than invoice amounts.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1. Post in this thread that you plan to join us and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our NEW SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK AT THE TOP OF EACH PAGE OF THE FORUMS OR ON THE HOMEPAGE OR USE THE LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) You MUST tell us which OPTIONS you want. We'll then put your name on the 'checks in the mail' list. (Please send your payment asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free or if you want to upgrade, premier membership levels are available for as little as $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it AND YOU WILL QUALIFY FOR THE EARLY BIRD BOOKING WINDOW & DISCOUNTS ON FUTURE TRIPS. PLEASE NOTE THAT TO FACILITATE THE BOOKING PROCESS & PRE-TRIP COORESPONDENCE ALL TRIP GOERS NEED TO BE PREMIER MEMBERS. Click here to learn more.
2. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
3. Send your deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you.
4. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be diving nitrox and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation.
5. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance. THIS TRIP DOES NOT REQUIRE TRIP INSURANCE. You will need to verify if you have trip insurance, or will be procuring trip insurance, or conversely not procuring trip insurance. - .and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
c. I will not purchase trip insurance and will accept all losses accordingly. THIS TRIP DOES NOT REQUIRE TRIP INSURANCE, BUT IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
6. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
7. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
8. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
9. Also note that for FASTER service please email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests.
10. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>
11. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 3 weeks or 21 days of the trip, documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.

PLEASE obtain TRIP insurance - IT IS OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS THE BOAT�.YOU MISS THE TRIP! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc .

Click here for a free quote or to purchase online!
or
Click here for Dive Assure for either a 'one time' policy OR an annual policy that is BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance, providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates & coverage!

PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts�it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.
or
[color="#4169e1"]DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in one convenient package
TRIP INSURANCE VS GAMBLING LOSSES:
Hey folks if you are gamblers and opt to NOT take out trip insurance that is your decision! However, please understand that neither Explorer Ventures nor SingleDivers.com can help you out with your gambling losses. SD.com accepts a huge amount of liability to fill ALL the trips we run OR EAT THE SPOTS. />/> I can assure you that I have paid plenty of gambling losses over the years. But I won't gamble with my life (I have both DAN and DIVE ASSURE for Dive Insurance) and I won't gamble with my trips...(I have the annual policy by DIVE ASSURE which covers ALL MY DIVE TRIPS!)
So the choice is yours....bet on no hurricanes, no accidents, no illness, no deaths in the family, no job loss, no immediate death/injury to yourself* ...and laugh in the end when your bet pays off. But when it does not...PLEASE />/> PLEASE />/> PLEASE do not expect Explorer Ventures or SingleDivers.com to refund your money because your bet did not pan out. />/>
NOTE: One of the reason's we have you finalize your extras and pay for everything by 90 days out is so you have more flexibility getting trip insurance. Please take a moment TODAY to do this important task. />/> *If you think it can't happen to you please think again...sadly it happens A LOT!!

2013-10: St Louis Marriott HERE WE COME!!! Oct 4&5, 2013

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:04:41 +0000

Calling All St Louis and nearby members....SingleDivers.com will be in your hood... diving hood that is at the St Louis Dive Show!!!

When: October 4 & 5, 2013

Where: St. Louis Marriott

Location:10700 Pear Tree Lane · St. Louis, Missouri 63134 USA

Cost: Tickets are $16.00 OR watch for the SingleDivers.com email which will get you in the show for 50% off, bringing the price down to $8.00 per person

THOSE WANTING A 50% OFF TICKET PRICE EMAIL:

1.

THOSE WANTING FREE ADMISSION FOR HELPING AT THE BOOTH:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Jen aka ItsScubaJen
3. Jon aka fishlips
4. Susan aka Resqdew (Tentative as of 07 Mar)

THOSE JOINING OUR ST LOUIS HAPPY HOUR:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Jen aka ItsScubaJen
3. Jon aka fishlips
4. Susan aka Resqdew (Tentative as of 07 Mar)

2013-05/06: Dominica Redeux 2013 May 25-Jun1 or Jun1-Jun8...One or Both!

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 02:08:27 +0000

DOMINICA BABY!!! MEMORIAL DAY WEEK FOR $1250 + airfare (Airport Code either DOM or SXM if using our charter air contract)!!! Join us May 25 to Jun 1 2013 and/or Jun 1-8, 2013 for 7 nights 5 days 2 tank boat diving + unlimited shorediving (can ONLY be extended IF you add extra days to the front end of the 1st week or the backend of the 2nd week AND you have someone who wants to book the same dates as you OR you do a single occupancy for any days we can't find you a roomie)! DOMINICA WAS SO AMAZING...WE HAD TO DO IT AGAIN...AND AGAIN. So join us this Memorial Day Weekend AND/OR the first week of June!!! />/>/>

Click HERE for current AVAILABILITY on this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
Click HERE - TBA for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...

HURRY!!! WE ARE TAKING THE ENTIRE HOTEL AT CASTLE COMFORT for May25-Jun1 and MOST of the resort for Jun1-Jun8
That Means all 9 Double Bed Rooms for 18 SPOTS & 5 King/Queens for 5 singles (or more if couples wish to share a queen/king bed) for a total of 23 PEOPLE MAX (possibly more if we have any couples)!!!
And for week 2 we'll have 5 spots less.

Availability: LIMITED BY ROOM TYPE SO MUST SPECIFY WHEN BOOKING:
9 Double Bed Rooms of which 8 spots are oceanview (+$105)
10 spots are garden view
1 King/Queen Oceanview (+210)
4 King/Queen spot/rooms are gardenview

Due to this FABULOUS DIVING VENUE & GREAT PRICES these spots will not last long! Join us for Memorial Day x 2 in Dominica! This holiday pkg is LOADED with 2 boat dives a day, UNLIMITED SPECTACULAR SHORE DIVING, (1) Guided Night Shore Dive, Breakfast, 2 FREE Dinners, 5 FREE Lunch Vouchers up to $10 per day, taxes and transfers! The pkg includes a wonderful get away at a resort with the BEST resident dive shop ON THE WATER AND PART OF THE HOTEL! CASTLE COMFORT has it ALL!!! />/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/> Come find out why EVERYONE INCLUDING SINGLEDIVERS.COM RAVES ABOUT THIS PHENOMENAL DESTINATION!!! Due to the popularity of this great English speaking location for such a great price these spots will not last long! This will be a SELL OUT TRIP! Early booking specials will last for 7 days until Feb 23, 2013. Now's a good time to upgrade...and you'll get $25 back if you file for it after this trip (Form in the forms forum)! Castle Comfort Dive Lodge will be our Home Away from Home for the week!

FULL PRICING & OFFICIAL AVAILABILITY BY ROOM/PKG TYPE: (See post #3 for ongoing updates)

May 25-Jun 1, 2013

Double Occupancy Garden view:
$1250 Diver
$949 Non-Diver
10 spots total - SEE POST #3 for available spots.
Double Occupancy Ocean view:
$1355 Diver
$1054 Non-Diver
8 spots total SEE POST #3 for available spots.
Single Occupancy Garden view King/Queen:
$1613 Diver
$1247 Non-Diver
4 spots total SEE POST #3 for available spots.
Single Occupancy Ocean view King/Queen:
$1823 Diver (or 2x$1355 if a couple)
$1457 Non-Diver
1 spot total with SEE POST #3 for available spots. (Or 2x$1355 if a couple)

PRICE INCLUDES:
• 7 nights/5 diving days d/o or s/o in GARDEN VIEW OR OCEAN VIEW rooms
• 1 FREE Guided Night Shore Dive
• Breakfast included daily
• 2 FREE Dinners
• 5 Lunch Vouchers worth $10 each for use in Castle Comfort Restaurant on dive days (you simply pay any balance...sorry no refunds from the amount if not used in full)
• Transfers from Airport to the resort and back
• Hotel Taxes & Service Charges
• Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
• SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
• Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available

OTHER TRIP PERKS:
• Dive shop onsite and use of hotel swimming pool
• Orphanage or Foster Home School Supplies Delivery
• SD Famous 'Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone' Parties
• Restaurant for Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner conveniently located in hotel
• Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours (Don't forget to bring a bottle of your favorite booze(s)

NOT INCLUDED:
• Airfare to Dominica DOM - NOTE: SD has contracted for as many spots as possible on our travel dates to enable you to 'get' there. Please choose one of the following options for air. (See full details under "Optional Pricing")
• Food and beverages except for group Dinners/meals as stated above
• Optional Sightseeing Tours in Dominica: See below.
• Nitrox upgrade ($133 for the week's 10 pkg boat dives payable before the trip or $13.30 per tank if doing extra days of diving and/or night dive)
• $2 per tank mandatory marine park fee to be billed to your room.
• Rental, instruction and retail charges (SD will most likely have an instructor on this trip so consider doing that cert you've always wanted!)
• Resort and Diving gratuities usually 15% of base pkg (these monies go to the divemasters, boat captains and the boat crew as well as the hotel & wait staff.)
• TRIP Insurance is OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. If you miss the Flight to Dominica DOM you MAY be able to catch a flight the next day but MANY fun every other day or they run full and may have to wait an extra day(s) to get to the island! If you choose to self-insure that is fine but you also choose to accept all losses accordingly as SD.com nor any vendors will be responsible for losses due to non-insuring. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
• DIVE Insurance is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for. We recommend both Diver's Alert Network please use reference #1603080 or Dive Assure (Choose SD from the Global Partners Dropdown) and get your Dive Insurance and Trip Insurance in one policy pls reference us via the drop down menu to serve you better in the event of an emergency. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
• 3% non-cash fee on all payments per transaction that are made via credit card and/or all non-cash transactions

OPTIONAL ADD ON PRICING:

•Nitrox pricing: $133 for the pkg dives
(Not worth it for the shorediving as it is so shallow) but you can pay $13.30 per tank billed to your room for extra nitrox tanks

•Night Boat Dives: $66 if paid in advance need 6 people

•Extra Night + 1 day of additional 2 tank dives Add-On Price to this diving pkg: $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o
(can't guarantee d/o for extra days but will help you find someone to share with)
NOTE: You can only book extra days before the first week and after the 2nd week so we can fill both weeks.

Extra Night with NO DIVING including tax Add-On Price to this diving pkg with NO diving: $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o
(can't guarantee d/o for extra days but will help you find someone to share with)

•Single Supplement Standard Rooms: - See pkg prices above which includes the taxes
•Oceanview Upgrade: $105 per person D/O or $210 S/O which includes the taxes - See pkg prices above which includes the taxes

Dive Equipment Rental Pricing:
Plus Add (10%) VAT and
BCD $10 per day
Regulators $10 per day
Mask//fins/Snorkel $10 per day
Dive Lights $14 per day
Dive Computer $14 per day

DISCOUNTS:
• Sign up and pay for this trip in FULL by Feb 23 2013 and receive an early bird booking discount of $50 cash at time of booking if paid in full OR receive a FREE Whale & Dolphin Tour worth $59.
• Sign up and pay for this trip and Air Pkg in FULL by Feb 23 2013 and get first dibs on one of the air slots we have on our BVI Air Contract. NOTE: These details are in the 3rd post and will be tracked there as well.
• $25 REPEAT SD Dominica Diver Discount (if you went last year you qualify for an add'l $25 off the trip price)
• Add'l $25 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom.
• Price includes a cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card. (E-checks via our payment link do not incur this fee nor do they cost you anything via our Secure Online Payment GateWay however credit card payments still do!)
• $25 rebate eligible within 30 days after trip for SD premier and above membership levels (See my signature for link to the forms forum. If you are new to the site send an email to trips@singledivers.com to get the password. PLEASE follow the directions on the form for proper submission & processing.)
• Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member, however you must ask SD for help. Note: Manifest, airline and other passenger change fees may apply even if you sell your spot.)

Want to stay longer?? You can add 1 more night/day +1 more day of 2 tank diving: only $TBD regular price $TBD SD Price d/o or $TBD regular price $TBD SD Price s/o Or $TBD d/o Room Only and $TBD Room Only s/o

Who's Going: CLICK HERE!!! or See Post #3

*Special thanks to Bruce aka ScubaShafer for these amazing images!

SCHEDULED 7 Night /8 DAY ITINERARY:
While OUR personal Dominica Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us!

Days Prior to start of our trip: If you wish to arrive early or want to combine other diving or touring adventures in conjunction with this one let us know. We can add days to the FRONT or the END of your week as well as several days of local site seeing on this amazing island.NOTE:
May 24th, 2013:
This may be the day that many of you start traveling to Dominica.(See below)
May 25th, 2013: Most of you will have to fly into either St Martin SXM or another city serviced by BVI Airlines or via LIAT Airline via Antigua or other cities serviced by LIAT. Most will have to overnight in one of these connector cities ONLY those who can get to St Martin by 3pm AND secure one of our charter spots can make it to Dominica and back in one day of travel. If you are unable unable to rout via St Martin (SXM) on our FLIGHT RESERVATIONS we will use the forums to help you find roomies in teh cities you are overnighting in.
SATURDAY May 25th, 2013: This will be the official ARRIVAL date in Dominica and the evening of our first group Dinner!
May 26-30, 2013: These 5 days will be our group package 2 tank dives off the boats. (2 dives starting at 8:45am until 1pm.) There is AMAZING shorediving many believe the best on the island in FRONT of our hotel! Breakfast is included daily and is available at 7:30am on premises as is lunch. You each have a $10 Lunch voucher for 5 days of lunch at Castle Comfort. We subsidized the local lunch fare to help everyone be together to plan afternoon diving teams. Or you can then take a quick siesta, shop, relax or head up or down the beach after the day is finished. Dinner is on your own in one of Dominica's MANY AND DELICIOUS eating establishments and follows our resident Happy Hours. TWO Dinners will be included in the pkg current set for our first day of arrival the 26th and Friday June 1st. We are sandwiched in by 2 hotels with restaurants and its a $1 bus fare to downtown.
May 26 Sunday OR May 29 Wednesday: Our Whale & Dolphin Tour will be at 2pm SHARP today. We will try to charter the whole boat! Dominica is the WHALE WATCHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!!! - Come see why!
May 31st, 2013: This day will be free for activities and sightseeing or just cleaning gear, packing or relaxing.
Other Activities: Throughout the week you can do local sightseeing, tours and activities such as kayacking, hiking, sight seeing and exploring the island. We will spend a great deal of time on the island as we experience the amazing diversity of this Caribbean Gem. At some time during the week we'll go to the orphanage or foster home and try to personally bring our school & life supplies to the children. These interactions with the kids are usually very moving and powerful...don't miss it! Since this will be our last night we can use our last group dinner to celebrate the fantastic week of diving and fun or make other arrangements and use the group dinner a bit earlier!
June 1, 2013: This is departure day and most flights back to the US will not be early enough to complete your travel in one day UNLESS YOU GET ONE OF OUR GROUP FLIGHTS. Do keep approx $35 for your exit tax out of the country.
Additional Tours: If you want to book add'l tours during our trip let us know! We'll have a full list of other options posted soon.
DAYS AFTER JUNE 1st: For those who opt for the add'l extra days YOU MUST DO THEM BEFORE THE TRIP UNLESS YOU ARE DOING THE 2nd WEEK OF THE TRIP.

More about Diving with Whales & Sharks, on Dominica:, said:
More Species seen here than ANYWHERE with 95% Success in Whale Sightings! Dominica is blessed with an abundance of both resident and visiting cetaceans - pods of Spinner and Spotted Dolphins, Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, False Orcas and at least a dozen other species. Whales and Dolphins are sighted so frequently in these waters that Dominica is widely considered to be one of the best areas in the Caribbean for encounters with these fascinating creatures. We are the only company that have directional hydrophones to locate and listen to these animals. Join us on our whale-watching excursions. Watch as they break the surface of the water. Listen to the rhythmic sounds of their clicking communication as you relax on our fast, hydrophone-equipped catamarans. See if YOU can identify the over 20 different species of WHALES alone found in the warm waters of Dominica!!! THIS IS A MUST DO EXCURSION!!!

Shore Diving
As mentioned the shore diving opportunities are endless and some of the best our in front of the hotel! So you will be able to DIVE DIVE DIVE!!!
Night Diving
We can do a boat night dive for $66 per person if paid in advance if we get a minimum of 6 people.
Conditions
Max Depth: 20-130ft but mostly very easy and shallow diving Water Temp: ave 82+ degrees F Air Temp: High 80's to low 90's degrees F Weather: May & June are EXTREMELY nice weather wise in Dominica. And it has LOTS of BATFISH!

TRANSFERS:
Transfes are included from the Dominica Airport to the hotel. The ride from the airport to the island is approx 1 hour.

AIRFARE:
Your Airport City to SXM: Most divers choose to book their own air so they an use miles, their preferred carrier or because they have more time to search out deals. If you wish for SingleDivers.com to research and/or book your airfare ticket for you we are happy to do so for a $25 administrative fee.
SXM to DOM: You can fly via Liat and have a host of airport options. Prices range from $236 to $277 round trip. If you wish to fly on BVI Airlines for $250 (SD.com has a block on many seats to help you get to Dominica) you can book spots on our limited contracts which will enable most people to get to DOM in one day! Those paying in full for the trip can book spots first...then those who deposit and post their template on the site...can put dibs in for any remaining spots after the "paid in full's" have done so. NOTE to book a seat using our contract air you must book a round trip flight.

AIR & WATER TEMPS:
Month: May & Jun
Water: low to mid 80's
Air Temperature During Day: 80's to 90's degrees F
Air Temperature At Night: high 70's degrees F

VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION:
Dominica is a country that is easy to fly in and out of for Americans and most Europeans. You only need a passport for legal entry and exit WITH 6 months left on it after your return and adequate pages to allow it to be stamped.

PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
• Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
• Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
• SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
• SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. (Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For State use AA if using an international credit card.)
• SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so all paypal and credit card payments will incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway can be accessed by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. 2-15-13 $500 non-refundable deposit due at booking to hold a spot payable only via SD's payment link HERE!
b. Pay in FULL by Feb 23, 2013 for either $50 cash discount taken at time of booking & payment in full or (1) FREE Whale & Dolphin Tour valued at $59.
c. If you are a repeat SD Dominica Diver from a previous SD Dominica Trip then take another $25 off.
d. 03-23-13: $750 if d/o gardenview or ANY PACKAGE BALANCE OWED if you choose another pkg option. (SIGN UP MUST include pkg option AND week for booking to be valid.)
d. 04-23-13: ALL EXTRAS DUE...Nitrox fee of $133, $59 Whale & Dolphin Tour fee, extra days and any add'l tours booked are due.
Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure. Missing payments can forfeit your spot to the next person on the waiting list. IF YOU NEED EXTRA TIME LET US KNOW!

Note: Trip & Nitrox/Tank Rentals and all extras must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure or they can be released to the next person on the waiting list.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1, Please register/upgrade to a premier member to join our trip. (This allows us to privately contact you but share that contact with all trip goers while keeping your contact information hidden.)
2. Send your $500 deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you. Use the payment link in my signature line or on our home page.
3. Post in this thread that you plan to join us USING THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #2 and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free however you need to be a premier membership to join the trip which is only $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it. Click here to learn more.
4. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be staying extra days and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation. Just put "maybe" or "waiting for info" etc. if you don't know yet.
6. You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance AND Trip Insurance for this trip and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
7. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
8. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
9. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10. Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests. (Please allow more time for replies from Kamala as she may be traveling leading a trip.)
11. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>/>/>/>12. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 45 days of the trip documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.
13. Note: Trip forms here.

TRIP INSURANCE VS GAMBLING LOSSES:
Hey folks if you are gamblers and opt to NOT take out trip insurance that is great! However please understand that neither the resort/dive operator nor SingleDivers.com can help you out with your gambling losses. SD.com accepts a huge amount of liability to fill ALL the trips we run OR EAT THE SPOTS. />/>/>/>/>/> I can assure you that I have paid plenty of gambling losses over the years. But I won't gamble with my life (I have both DAN and DIVE ASSURE for Dive Insurance) and I won't gamble with my trips...(I have the annual policy by DIVE ASSURE which covers ALL MY DIVE TRIPS!)
So the choice is yours....bet on no hurricanes, no accidents, no illness, no deaths in the family, no job loss, no immediate death/injury to yourself* ...and laugh in the end when your bet pays off. But when it does not...PLEASE />/>/>/>/>/> PLEASE />/>/>/>/>/> PLEASE do not expect the resort nor dive operator nor SingleDivers.com to refund your money because your bet did not pan out. />/>/>/>/>/>NOTE: One of the reason's we have you finalize your extras and pay for everything by 30-60 days out is so you have more flexability getting trip insurance. Please take a moment TODAY to do this important task. />/>/>/>/>/> *If you think it can't happen to you please think again...sadly it happens A LOT!!

Who's Going: CLICK HERE or check out post #3

Ongoing Trip FAQ's & Additional Pictures:CLICK HERE or check out post #2

PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS A DAY….YOU MISS A LOT! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc.

Click here for Dive Assure (the company I use) for either a 'one time' policy OR policy options that are BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage meaning THEY PAY DIRECT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AND WAIT FOR A REFUND!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

[b]DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in a number of inexpensive configurations!

or

[b]Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

2013-07: Barbados Turtle Tagging & MORE July 13-20, 2013

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 01:28:19 +0000

LOCK IN 2011 PRICING FOR 2013 AND WIN A FREE TURTLE RESEARCH EXPEDITION JUST FOR REGISTERING FOR THIS TRIP BY FEB 17th!!! Simply register and pay at least the deposit for this trip by Feb 17th and you will receive a free Turtle Research Expedition. Or be refunded the difference if you've already paid for one! AND you lock in 2011 pricing and get $50 off the price of the trip if you pay in full by Feb 17th midnight! Those paying full will ALSO get first dibs on the 18 limited nitrox tanks NOW AVAILABLE in Barbados! />/>

Click HERE for current AVAILABILITY on this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message) And click HERE for "Important Stuff you need to know Before booking a trip with us"
Click HERE - TBA for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...

BARBADOS BABY HERE WE COME!!! JULY 13-20, 2013 FOR $1299 + airfare!!! (SAME PRICE AS 2011)Join us July 13-20, 2013 for 7 nights 5 days 3 tank boat diving + (can be extended IF you have someone who wants to book the same dates as you or you do a single occupancy for any days we can't find you a roomie)! FINALLY WE ARE RETURNING TO BARBADOS...we are not sure when we'll do it again so join us this July for Fun in the Sun!!! />/>

HURRY!!! WE ARE TAKING MOST OF THE EXCLUSIVE MANSION AT GIBBS BAY RESORT....we have 8 Double Bed Rooms for 16 SPOTS & 4 King/Queens for 4 SINGLES (or more if couples wish to share a queen/king bed) for a total of 20 PEOPLE MAX (possibly more if we have any couples)!!! Availability: LIMITED BY ROOM TYPE SO MUST SPECIFY WHEN BOOKING: 8 Double Bed Rooms and 4 King/Queens. Due to this FABULOUS SPECIAL SUMMER PRICING these spots will not last long! Join us for July in Barbados! This summer pkg is LOADED with 3 boat dives a day, tanks & weighs, Breakfast, afternoon tea and snack, 2 FREE Dinners, access to local lunch next to dive shop, taxes and round trip airport transfers! The pkg includes a wonderful get away at a resort with the BEST resident dive shop on the West Side of the Island! HighTide Watersports has it ALL!!! />/>/>/>/>/> This is great venue for NON-DIVERS and lots of our members RAVE ABOUT THIS EXCELLENT DESTINATION!!! Due to the popularity of this great English speaking location for such a great price these spots will not last long! This will be a SELL OUT TRIP!

Gibbs Bay Inn will be our Home Away from Home for the week!

FULL PRICING & OFFICIAL AVAILABILITY BY ROOM/PKG TYPE:
7 Nights 5 days of 3 tank boat dives + Turtle Tagging/Research + Breakfast daily + Afternoon tea & Cookies/Sandwiches daily + (2) SD Parties & Dinners + Nearby access to restaurants, bars and fun hangouts + and swimming pool + School/LIFE Supplies Distribution to a local orphanage/foster home + Hotel Taxes + Service Charges + Transfers from Airport to Hotel and back

PRICING:
Double Occupancy Diver: $1299 per person
Double Occupancy Non-Diver: $750 per person
Single Occupancy King/Queen: $1799 (even cheaper than 2011) per person
Single Occupancy King/Queen Non-Diver: $1299 per person

Want to stay longer??
1 more night/day + 1 more day of 3 tank diving + breakfast: only $229 d/o or $306 SD Price s/o
Room + Breakfast Only: $80 d/o and $160 s/o

PRICE INCLUDES:
� 7 nights/5 diving days of 3 boat dives daily d/o or s/o in lovely colonial mansion rooms
� Breakfast included daily
� 2 FREE Dinners
� Daily afternoon tea & cookies/small sandwiches at the hotel
� Dive shop with lockers for gear very close by and use of hotel swimming pool
� Orphanage or Foster Home School Supplies Delivery
� SD Famous 'Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone' Parties
� Transfers from Airport to the resort and back
� Hotel Taxes & Service Charges
� Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
� Restaurant for Breakfast, tea and our 2 group Dinners conveniently located in our hotel Also includes a well stocked wine and beer pantry
� SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
� Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours (Don't forget to bring a bottle of your favorite booze(s)
� Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available

NOT INCLUDED:
� Airfare to Barbados BGI
� Food and beverages except for group Dinners/meals as stated above
� Optional Sightseeing Tours in Barbados: TBA
� Nitrox -THERE IS LIMITED NITROX AND AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST 6-9 people who pay in full and request them.
� Rental, instruction and retail charges (SD will most likely have an instructor on this trip so consider doing that cert you've always wanted!)
� Resort and Diving gratuities usually 15% of base pkg (these monies go to the divemasters, boat captains and the boat crew as well as the dive store staff.)
� TRIP Insurance is OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. If you miss the Flight to Barbados BGI you MAY be able to catch a flight the next day but they run full and may have to wait an extra day to get to the island! If you choose to self-insure that is fine but you also choose to accept all losses accordingly as SD.com nor any vendors will be responsible for losses due to non-insuring. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links) � DIVE Insurance is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts�it is CHEAP (less than $100) to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for. We recommend both Diver's Alert Network please use reference #1603080 or Dive Assure and get your Dive Insurance and Trip Insurance in one policy pls reference us via the dropdown menu. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
� 3% non-cash fee on all payments per transaction that are made via credit card and/or all non-cash tranactions

OPTIONAL TOURS/EXCURSIONS/PRICING:
Extra Night + 1 day of additional 3 tank dives + Breakfast Add-On Price to this diving pkg: $229 d/o or $306 s/o (can't guarantee d/o for extra days but will help you find someone to share with)
Extra Night + Breakfast NO DIVING including tax Add-On Price to this diving pkg: $80 d/o or $160 s/o (can't guarantee d/o for extra days but will help you find someone to share with)
Non-diver discount: See prices in main portion of post.
Nitrox pricing: $12 per tank or $180 for trip (Limited number of tanks so only 6-9 people can dive nitrox on this trip)
Single Supplement Standard Rooms: - See pkg prices above which includes the taxes
Night Boat Dives: $35 + one pkg dive or $70 if doing it as a stand alone diver...need 5 people
Dive equipment rental: Wet suit, regulator/octopus, computer, Buoyancy compensator, mask/snorkel/fins. Please inquire in advance to ensure adequate supplies.

RENTAL PRICING said:
BCD $TBD
Regulators $TBD
Wetsuits $TBD
Mask/Snorkel $TBD
Snorkel Set $TBD
Fins $TBD
Dive Lights $TBD
Tank $TBD
Package Special (2 or more pieces) $TBD

DISCOUNTS:
� Sign up and pay for this trip in full by Feb 17, 2013 and take $50 cash off at time of booking if paid in full AND receive a FREE TURTLE RESEARCH TRIP worth $50.
� Get a FREE TURTLE RESEARCH TRIP if pay deposit by Feb 17th
� Pay in full by Feb 17th and be one of only 6-9 people who can dive nitrox on this trip!
� Add'l $25 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom.
� Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member, however you must ask SD for help. Note: Manifest, airline and other passenger change fees may apply even if you sell your spot.)
� Price includes a cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card. (E-checks via our payment link do not incur this fee nor do they cost you anything via our Secure Online Payment GateWay however credit card payments still do!)
� $25 rebate eligible after trip for SD premier and above membership levels (See my signature for link to the forms forum. If you are new to the site send an email to trips@singledivers.com to get the password. PLEASE follow the directions on the form for proper submission & processing.)

SCHEDULED 7 Night /8 DAY ITINERARY:
While OUR personal Barbados Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us!

Days Prior to start of our trip: If you wish to arrive early or want to combine other diving or touring adventures in conjunction with this one let us know. We can add days to the FRONT or the END of your week as well as several days of local site seeing on this amazing island.
July 13, 2013: This will be the official ARRIVAL date in Barbados and the evening of our first group Dinner!
July 14-18, 2013: These 5 days will be our group package 3 tank dives off the boats. 2 dives starting at 8:45am to 1pm the break for lunch and the 3rd dive will be at 2:30pm. Breakfast is included daily and is available at 7:30am on premises along with an afternoon tea & cookies/sandwiches. Lunch can be obtained from a local place near the dive shop for about $15bze or $7.50. The pkg includes 3 boat dives but if you prefer to take a siesta, shop, relax or head up or down the beach after the morning dives are finished just let us know so we don't put your gear on the boat. Dinner is on your own in one of Barbados's nearby eating establishments and follows our resident Happy Hours. We can even arrange for the private chef at the resort/mansion to cook for you if you like the fresh catch of the day. TWO Dinners will be included in the pkg currently set for our first day of arrival the 13th and Friday July 19th. (The second date may change depending on local festivies.) The house has its own wine and beer pantry and its a $1 bus fare to town.
July TBA: Today will be our Turtle Research Trip. The researchers will join us for a day of diving and we'll get to help in tagging, identifying and even naming any turtles we catch that have not previously been tagged!- How Cool is That!?!
July 19, 2013: This day will be free for activities and sightseeing or just cleaning gear, packing or relaxing.
Other Activities: Throughout the week you can do local sightseeing, tours and activities such as kayaking, hiking, sight seeing and exploring the island. We will spend a great deal of time on the island as we experience the amazing diversity of this Caribbean Gem. At some time during the week we'll go to the orphanage or foster home and try to personally bring our school & life supplies to the children. These interactions with the kids are usually very moving and powerful...don't miss it! Since this will be our last night we usually plan to use our last group dinner to celebrate the fantastic week of diving and fun or if we need to make other arrangements we'll use the group dinner a bit earlier! AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...we'll have the Turtle Researchers back to talk to us about their efforts and sell some t-shirts!
July 20, 2013: This is departure day and the end of our exciting week in this Gem of the Caribbean. Do keep approx $35 for your exit tax out of the country in case it is not included in your airline ticket.
Additional Tours: If you want to book add'l tours during our trip let us know! We'll have a full list of other options posted soon.
DAYS AFTER JULY 20th: For those who opt for the add'l extra days your departure date will vary but the process will be the same.

More on the Hotel:Gibbs Bay Inn is an historic mansion house dating back to the last century on the site of a former Barbados plantation. It was formerly the home of prominent Caribbean designer Oliver Messel, who created its distinctive architecture with slender Greek columns and flattened arches. Today it is home to a simple, easy, relaxed family run Inn providing comfortable accommodation and value for money. The Inn has 25 double rooms set around a pool and provides the perfect backdrop for a wonderful family holiday. We offer a hearty breakfast to set our guests up to enjoy their day, along with a traditional English afternoon tea.
Based directly across the road from the beautiful Gibbs Beach you can be assured that some time spent at Gibbs Bay Inn will certainly match your expectations. Accommodation: The plantation house is very versatile and flexible. We have large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. Four-poster beds for couples, interconnecting rooms for children and spacious family suites with kitchen, dining and sitting areas with comfortable sofas. We serve a full Island Breakfast and a traditional English afternoon tea or alternatively you can enjoy our one, two, three or four bedroom suites within the Inn and go it alone.
The Caf�: Open between 8.00am and 10.00am for breakfast, where a selection of pastries and fruit, through to a full Island breakfast is freshly prepared by the house cook. The Pantry: Opens at 4.00pm daily and serves a traditional English afternoon tea which includes sandwiches, cakes and cookies.
The Porters Lodge: Right at the entrance to Gibbs Bay Inn, where you can arrange sun loungers on the beach, collect beach towels, pool toys, snorkels & flippers. You will always find a strong man ready to carry a bag or open a gate.

Shore Diving There is no shorediving due to the reef being so far away from the beach.

Night Diving We can do a boat night dive for $35 per person plus one of your pkg dives or $70 stand alone. We need a minimum of 5 people.

Max Depth & Temps: 20-130ft but mostly very easy and shallow diving Water Temp: ave 82+ degrees F Air Temp: High 80's to low 90's degrees F Weather: July is EXTREMELY nice weather wise in Barbados.

TRANSFERS:
Transfers are included from the Barbados Airport to the hotel and back.

AIRFARE: Airport code is BGI. Most divers choose to book their own air so they an use miles, their preferred carrier or because they have more time to search out deals. If you wish for SingleDivers.com to research and/or book your airfare ticket for you we are happy to do so for a $30 administrative fee.

AIR & WATER TEMPS:
Month: July
Wate5: low to mid 80's
Air Temperature During Day: 80's to 90's degrees F
Air Temperature At Night: high 70's degrees F

VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION:
Barbados is a country that is easy to fly in and out of for Americans and most Europeans. You only need a passport for legal entry and exit WITH 6 months left on After your return and adequate pages to allow it to be stamped.

PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
� Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
� Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
� SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
� SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. (Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For State use AA if using an international credit card.)

� SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so all paypal and credit card payments will incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway can be accessed by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:

$500 due at booking to secure one of only up to 20 spots for this trip
Pay in full by Feb 17th for $50 cash discount and $50 FREE Turtle Tagging Trip.
Pay in full by Feb 17th and get priority dibs on the limited number of nitrox tanks (enough for 6-9 people only...book while supplies last!)
Pay deposit by Feb 17th for FREE Turtle Tagging Trip.
SAVE $75 Document Processing Fee By Submitting Your Docs Within 21 Days of Signing up for this Trip. If signing up within 45 days of the trip pls submit within 3 days to avoid the fee. (If docs are not submitted within 21 days of signing up or 3 days if within 45 days of departure, we'll add the fee to your final invoice.)
April 13, 2013: $400 due
May 13 , 2013: $399 Balance due + ALL EXTRAS DUE such as tours, nitrox, etc.

Note: Trip & Nitrox/Tank Rentals and all extras must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure or they can be released to the next person on the waiting list.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1, Please register/upgrade to a premier member to join our trip. (This allows us to privately contact you but share that contact with all trip goers while keeping your contact information hidden.)
2. Send your $500 deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you. Use the payment link in my signature line or on our home page.
3. Post in this thread that you plan to join us USING THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #2 and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free however you need to be a premier membership to join the trip which is only $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it. Click here to learn more.
4. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be staying extra days and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation. Just put "maybe" or "waiting for info" etc. if you don't know yet.
6. You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance AND Trip Insurance for this trip and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
7. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
8. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
9. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10. Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests. (Please allow more time for replies from Kamala as she may be traveling leading a trip.)
11. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>
12. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 45 days of the trip documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.
13. Note: Trip forms here.

TRIP INSURANCE VS GAMBLING LOSSES:
Hey folks if you are gamblers and opt to NOT take out trip insurance that is great! However please understand that neither the resort/dive operator nor SingleDivers.com can help you out with your gambling losses. SD.com accepts a huge amount of liability to fill ALL the trips we run OR EAT THE SPOTS. />/> I can assure you that I have paid plenty of gambling losses over the years. But I won't gamble with my life (I have both DAN and DIVE ASSURE for Dive Insurance) and I won't gamble with my trips...(I have the annual policy by DIVE ASSURE which covers ALL MY DIVE TRIPS!)
So the choice is yours....bet on no hurricanes, no accidents, no illness, no deaths in the family, no job loss, no immediate death/injury to yourself* ...and laugh in the end when your bet pays off. But when it does not...PLEASE />/> PLEASE />/> PLEASE do not expect the resort nor dive operator nor SingleDivers.com to refund your money because your bet did not pan out. />/>
NOTE: One of the reason's we have you finalize your extras and pay for everything by 30-60 days out is so you have more flexability getting trip insurance. Please take a moment TODAY to do this important task. />/> *If you think it can't happen to you please think again...sadly it happens A LOT!!

Who's Going: CLICK HERE or check out post #3

Ongoing Trip FAQ's & Additional Pictures:CLICK HERE or check out post #2

PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS A DAY�.YOU MISS A LOT! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc.

Click here for Dive Assure (the company I use) for either a 'one time' policy OR policy options that are BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage meaning THEY PAY DIRECT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AND WAIT FOR A REFUND!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts�it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

[b]DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in a number of inexpensive configurations!

or

[b]Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

2013-07: .July 3-8,2013 Dive with SHARKS & WRECKS in NC's Graveyard of the Atlantic

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:53:44 +0000

ScubaDiving Magazine has highlighted the top 10 wrecks off NC HERE Check it out and come join us diving the GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC!!!

[/color]

Click HERE for current AVAILABILITY on this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
Click HERE - TBA[/url] for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...

Follow the diver who followed the fish who followed the conning tower of the U352 to North Carolina's Graveyard of the Atlantic!!! But hurry...we only have 18 spots and they WILL fill FAST as we celebrate our nations />/>/>!!! NOTE: Spots may be limited by either 'drive in or fly in'. We will keep you posted if we have to limit one pkg option or the other and/or add a small surchg of $15-45 per fly in diver to make the local transfer from RDU work out.

Dates & Pricing:
This year's FireWorks on History NC Wreck and Shark Diving trip is July 3-8, 2013 with July 4-7 as diving days and July 3rd and July 8th as travel days giving us 4 full days of DIVING

$850 Drive In's (one less day hotel and no xfers)
$989 Fly In's
s/o 5 nights add $280 (This is for fly in or Drive In wanting an extra night)
s/o 4 nights add $250 (This is for drive in's only)

INCLUDED in the 4 dive day/5 night NC pkg:
SD's unique special touches noted in blue - we are unlike the others!

Over twenty years of experienced hosting by the "Wreck Wench" with "Diver Down"
4 days 2 unlimited recreational Tank Boat Dives each Day
Five (5) nights double occupancy lodging at the Fisherman's Inn Hotel (100 ft from the boat) (DRIVE IN PKG INCLUDES 4 NITES HOTEL, NO TRANSFER)
R/T Transfers from Raleigh Airport to Atlantic Beach and back (if needed)
SD's Famous "Meet & Greet" Happy Hour and Introduction Party!
Fabulous Fresh Catch, Steak & Multi-Entree Dockside Cookout Dinner and Drinks (both alcoholic and non) on First or Second Night ONLY of each trip. - MOST LIKELY JULY 4th!!!
Dinner reservations made for all divers each night at one of the great local establishments!
Trip price includes Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, water, soda & juice served on the boat daily!
Limited lead available so must specify in advance, and you will need to bring your own weight belt.
Grey SD T-Shirt typically with funny saying on the back commemorating the trip!

NOT INCLUDED:

Airfare/Transportation to RDU and back. (Or Atlantic Beach if a drive in diver.) Airline Prices varies from $350+ so get your ticket soon!
Dinner for 4 of 5 nights
Dive tips...typically $25 to $30 per day
Fills nor rentals see pricing below NOTE: Fills only for divers bringing their own tanks otherwise use the rental pricing.
*Due to the volatile nature of fuel prices, a fuel surcharge may be added upon 30 days' notice.

OTHER/OPTIONAL (Not Included):

Air or Nitrox EAN 30% Fills:$12 per tank or $72 for trip (assumes you arrive with 2 filled tanks)
Air or Nitrox EAN 30% Rentals (includes gas): $17 per tank or $136 for trip (sign up early for tanks limited supply of 120's & 100's)
SD's Rent-A-Buddy: Have your own private DM as your dive buddy and coach. Want to polish your skills? Reinforce what you just learned in your certification dives? Improve your air consumption? Then hire a dive coach/private guide for your trip for $75 per day or $150 for the trip. MUST TALK TO WW ABOUT THIS. ALL DIVERS MUST HAVE 40+ Dives and be AOW or EQUIVALENT TO GO ON THIS TRIP!!!
Extra Days: - $65 for d/o (if available...rooms are very limited on holiday weeks) includes hotel taxes or $125 for s/o includes hotel taxes.
DIVE Insurance: - is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
TRIP Insurance: - It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. You will need to advise if you have trip insurance, will get it or will not get it for this trip to register. (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links) Additional Sightseeing & Deep Sea Fishing* excursions: Historic Beaufort, Atlantic Beach and Morehead City offer a host of shopping and fun activities on 'the boardwalk'. We can also visit Fort Macon which is the only fort to be commissioned twice in US History...first in the Civil War and then in WWII. We can visit BlackBeard's Museum in Beaufort during the morning before we leave. (*Can be accommodated if we lose a day of diving OR you plan to stay a day later or arrive a day early.)

*Due to a very short diving season May to Oct; variable weather; and very few dive operators; the diving alone in NC is $125-$130 per day making it the most expensive per day diving destination...but as you'll see...WELL worth the price to dive on "History" I assure you!

Hey gang! ONLY 18 TOTAL can do this trip!!! Plan to join us for fireworks on history...perhaps a little lobstering...a bit of lionfish hunting and a whole lot of diving with sharks on NC's MOST FAMOUS WRECKS! Diving on History in North Carolina on our Nation's />/>/> is a "bucket list" dive you have to do at LEAST once!!! But I'll warn you...when you find out that there is WARM Caribbean water (80 to 85 degrees F) with HUGE animal encounters and the most incredible wrecks that you can dive on or in...you may just get 'hooked' like some of us near and dear to you...ahem...me! />/>/>/>/>/>

QUALIFICATIONS To Join This Trip:
1. We require all trip goers to be premier members to facilitate ease of booking and pre-trip communications and support. (See hot link at top of trip for how to register or upgrade your membership. Or email charlies@singledivers.com for help.)
2. (Please note that we ask for 40+ dives and adv open water or equivalent in experience as these wrecks are 80-125ft in depth with square profiles. The water temps are 78-85 degrees at depth and vis is 70-150 ft. No wreck certification is required however the standard nitrox blend is 30%. Most wrecks do NOT have penetration opportunities and you must be specially trained to attempt a wreck penetration. Many of the wrecks have light passthru's where you can swim in and out to the light on the other side. Most of the wrecks are scattered due to frequent storms or if inshore cable layered to prevent hazards to shipping.) The boat is quite accommodating to recreational and tech-light divers. Stage/pony bottles are ok. You will have between an hour and 1.5 hr surface interval and we will spend most of the day offshore with 1.5 to 2 hr transit times to the boat. The boat leaves daily at 6am.

TRANSFERS & MEETING TIMES:
July 3rd: (All 'fly in' divers need to arrive in RDU Raliegh airport by 3pm July 3rd for group van pickup. Divers from the local drive in area need to arrive anytime on July 3rd before 10pm. Dinner in Atlantic Beach/Morehead City area will be approx 7pm. Fly in's will Depart Monday July 8th. Drive in's will depart Sunday July 7th (unless they wish to add an extra night of hotel on the 8th)
July 4th: The boat departs at 6am daily for diving. Please have your stuff on the boat by 5:45am DAILY. This will be our first day of diving this year so we'll do our cookout today rather than fight the crowds and have long waits at local restaurants. After enjoying our fabulous fresh catch cookout along with steak and other main course favorites we'll sit back with a cold one and watch the fireworks from the dock!
July 8th: For those flying we will leave from Atlantic Beach at 10:30am to arrive RDU approx 2:30-3:00 pm in order to have time for lunch along the way & flights departing 5pm or later from RDU on Monday July 8th.[/b]
Note: Departures earlier than 5pm must be approved by SD.com!

Hotel Info: Fisherman's Inn a classic NC beach town motel perfectly suited for divers. Located at 200 Atlantic Beach Cswy; Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 (252) 726-2273 Directions for driving here.

Discounts:
• SingleDivers.com Premier Membership Mail In After Trip Rebate <$25> (Please ask one of the trip coordinators for the password to access our forms.)
• Early Bird Booking Special #1: Steel 100's are limited to the first 10 people who pay IN FULL asking for them and Steel 120's are limited to the first 2 people who book and pay IN FULL wanting them. AFTER THAT ALL REMAINING TANKS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE WHO SINGED UP AND DEPOSITED FIRST. So book early if you want steel tanks rather than alum 100's or 80's. - NOTE: We are working to get more steel tanks but we can't guarantee we can.
• Early Bird Booking Special #2: PAY IN FULL by 2-14-13 for a chance to win a FREE TRILENGTH TRAVEL LIONFISH SPEAR!!
• Note: Prices reflect a cash discount. If paying via credit card or paypal please add 3% non-cash convenience fee.
• Add'l $50 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom with the USA.

PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
• Deposit is a $500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
• Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
• SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
• SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. (Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For State use AA if using an international credit card.)

• SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so all paypal and credit card payments will incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway can be accessed by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. $500 due at booking to secure one of only 18 spots for the NC trip
b. SAVE $75 Document Processing Fee By Submitting Your Docs Within 21 Days of Signing up for this Trip. If signing up within 45 days of the trip pls submit within 3 days to avoid the fee. (If docs are not submitted within 21 days of signing up or 3 days if within 45 days of departure, we'll add the fee to your final invoice.)
c. April 10, 2013: $300 due
d. May 3, 2013: $189 Balance due + ALL EXTRAS DUE such as tours, tanks or fills, etc.

Note: Trip & Nitrox/Tank Rentals and all extras must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1, Please register/upgrade to a premier member to join our trip. (This allows us to privately contact you but share that contact with all trip goers while keeping your contact information hidden.)
2. Send your $500 deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you. Use the payment link in my signature line or on our home page.
3. Post in this thread that you plan to join us USING THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #2 and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free however you need to be a premier membership to join the trip which is only $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it. Click here to learn more.
4. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be staying extra days and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation. Just put "maybe" or "waiting for info" etc. if you don't know yet.
6. You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance AND Trip Insurance for this trip and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
7. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
8. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
9. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10. Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests. (Please allow more time for replies from Kamala as she may be traveling leading a trip.)
11. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>
12. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 45 days of the trip documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.
13. Note: Trip forms here.

Who's Going: CLICK HERE or check out post #3

Ongoing Trip FAQ's & Additional Pictures:CLICK HERE or check out post #2

More Amazing Shots...

And perhaps we'll see some of THESE characters.../>/>/>
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PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS A DAY….YOU MISS A LOT! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc.

Click here for Dive Assure (the company I use) for either a 'one time' policy OR policy options that are BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage meaning THEY PAY DIRECT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AND WAIT FOR A REFUND!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in a number of inexpensive configurations!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

Can you Belize it?

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:45:37 +0000

Howdy,

Looking for recommendations for a liveaboard (or failing that dive resort) in Belize. Anyone had experience with any operators in the area?

Will have a non-diver with me so other activities would be nice.

Cheers.

Shad

2013 AZ HH

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:35:58 +0000

2013 Arizona Happy Hour!

Saturday, March 9, 2013
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Belle's Saloon @ Rawhide

Let's get together! Plan the next dive trip, talk about the last one and have some FUN!

Please RSVP to this thread so we can save enough space for all of us.

Attendees:
Tim aka Buzo Guero
Traci aka SqbaGal
Kathy aka Little Mermaid - that's right, she's flying in so you know it's going to be good!
Belinda aka Damselfish
Dorie aka Borntodiveit
Lorri aka Bubblesaplenty
Jackie aka .Jax.
Sherri aka Seabrz777
Scott aka DiveScoop
Judy aka Skeeter

Don't miss out! It's gonna be a blast!

See the attached flyer for directions to Rawhide's location in Chandler

SDHH213.pdf (139.8K)
: 42

2014-12: Dec 8-15, 2014 AVAILABLE Galapagos Dec 1-8, 2014 - FILLED

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:56:29 +0000

OUR FIRST TRIP IS BASICALLY FILLED - WAITING LIST ONLY. WHO WANTS TO JOIN US FOR DEC 8-15??? The Apex of Diving...the Galapagos! Dec 1-8, 2014 BASICALLY FILLED BUT ACCEPTING WAITING LIST APPLICANTS AND/OR Dec 8-16, 2014 NOW OPENING...OFFICIAL BOOKING Thread.

SEE POST #2 for GALAPAGOS IN PICTURES!!!

NOTE: That 2014 pricing has not been set but could be $100-$300 more than 2013 pricing which is $4295 per person.

Pay in full by Feb 3, 2013 and you can lock in 2013 pricing regardless of how much it goes up.
Please note that we plan to offer several days of sightseeing before this trip to ensure that all our luggage arrives and people are settled out for this "Bucket List" trip. We have 2013 pricing for the add-ons and estimate that the add-ons will not increase more than 10% over 2013 pricing but won't know until later this year.
As soon as the 2014 add-on pricing is locked in we will finalize the add-ons so people can book their international airline tickets to Quito or Guayaquil.
SD will book the local flights from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal for you once participants are locked in and the window for booking the int'l flights has opened up.

We did this trip in 2009 and my ONLY regret was that I did not have a camera...that regret is about to be rectified! Come and join me in one of the MOST AMAZING PLACES IN THE WORLD...GALAPAGOS!!!! Now Booking for 2014...See Below for Full Details!!!

DATES:

Option A 16 spots - BASICALLY FILLED - WAITING LIST ONLY: Dec 1-8,2014 + approx 1-3 days for add-on tours & safe luggage arrival
Option B 16 spots - WHO WANTS TO JOIN US ON THIS TRIP??: Dec 8-15,2014 + approx 1-3 days for add-on tours & safe luggage arrival

The LiveAboard dates are...Dec 1-8th, 2014 FIRM & FILLED - WAITING LIST ONLY and/or Dec 8-15, 2014 WHO WANTS TO JOIN US ON THIS TRIP???. (Yes we plan to have 2 trips due to popular demand and yes the dates run Mon to Mon BUT the full extended trip will be decided by the participants and will run longer to include sightseeing and tours...see below for details on the options available.)

PRICE:
Liveabaord: $4295 + 2014 PRICE INCREASE of ??TBD?? (approx $100-300)

Deposit Amount: $1000. The 2013 price is $4295 per person and the deposit to hold a spot is $1000.

Save $50: Save $50 if you can do either trip if we fill the first trip! (It will come off your bill once we fill the first trip and open the 2nd one.)

Lock in 2013 Pricing: If you book and pay $4295 in full by Feb 3, 2013 you can lock in 2013 pricing for your trip no matter how much the trip price goes up. If for some reason the price does not go up you'll receive a $150 rebate.

Estimated 2014 Pricing: 2014 pricing is estimated to be $100-300 more than 2013 pricing. PLUS THE FINAL PRICE OF THE TOURING/LAND/COMMUTER FLIGHT package of $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o

DISCOUNTS & SPECIALS:

Two (2) FULL weeks to sign up for our early booking discounts on Dec 1-8,m 2014 trip to the Galapagos...or hopefully both. Initially we are accepting bookings for the the Dec 1-8. 2014 THE CONFIRMED DATE BUT will honor the $50 savings if we fill the first trip you can do the 2nd date ...Dec 8-15, 2014 OUR DESIRED 2ND DATE
Bookings will be 'first posted & paid' in order to secure your spot.
ONLY SD.com premier members can sign up for our trips (follow the upgrade directions in the 'How to Sign Up for this Trip' post.)
$1000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot on this trip. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
Get $50 off the price if you are willing to do either date when you sign up and we ultimately book two dates. (We initially need flexibility in the dates and will lock in the participants of the first boat asap so we can open up a 2nd trip and will give you $50 off if you can initially do either date AND you'll be entered into a special drawing for FREE NITROX just by being able to be flexible in when you go.)
LOCK IN and PAY 2013 pricing if paid in full by Feb 3, 2013. So price will be $4295 regardless of how much the price goes up. (Price is estimated to be $100-300 more in 2014. If for any reason the price does not go up in 2014 you'll receive a $150 cash rebate.)
Anyone paid in full by Feb 3, 2013 will be entered into a drawing to win one of the limited Main Deck Staterooms.
Anyone deposited by Feb 3, 2013 will be entered into a drawing to win 2013 pricing for the trip they are signed up for.
ANYONE deposited by Feb 3 will have 1 chance at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device value $300!
Everyone signed up and deposited by Dec 1, 2013 will be entered into a drawing for a chance for FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable.)
ANYONE paid in full by Feb 3 will have 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device value $300!
While the boat has no discount for a back to back charter, SD will give you $100 off if you choose to do a back to back charter...in other words you do both trips (if we fill the first trip and can still lock in the 2nd trip)
If you are active duty military take another $50 off for joining us and thank you for your service to our country.
Get a $25 member rebate if you file for it within 30 days after the trip.
� Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
� SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.
Click HERE for AVAILABILITY for this trip!
Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
Click HERE for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...AND LIKE US on FACEBOOK HERE! />/>

PRICE INCLUDES:
Base Price of $4295 (plus 2014 increase) Includes:
� SD "Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone Parties"
� 7 nights/8 days aboard the vessel with in suite private bath & shower, sink/vanity, & toilet, air-conditioned, queen bed or 2 twins, ocean view, & flat screen televisions. A partially covered sundeck with jacuzzi and ample seating areas, a salon including a lounge area, a spacious dive deck with a large camera table are just some of the features.
� 3 meals daily, plus between-meal dive snacks
� 2-4 dives daily (the park does not allow night dives)
� All alcoholic (wine, beer and hard alcohol) and non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, juices, etc)
� SD.com T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
� Use of tanks (80cf), weights, and belts (Limited number of shorter 63cf tanks also available)
� Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners (when avail)

NOT INCLUDED:

Price of touring UNLESS we add this to the pkg so that we have economy of scale AND we can ensure we all arrive in time WITH luggage for this amazing trip. (See options under OPTIONAL PRICING)
Airport transfers (except same-day Galapagos arrivals)
Hotel accommodations
Flights to/from Galapagos
Last evening meal on Sunday night
Rental gear, instruction, nitrox and retail charges
Crew gratuities
Dive accident insurance (required..see end of post for links)
Trip cancellation insurance (required at time of booking or shortly thereafter...see end of post for links)
Premium alcoholic beverages
National Marine Park fees - $100 pp, cash only. Paid on arrival in Galapagos.
TCT Tourist card - ($10 pp, cash only) Paid at Ecuador airport of departure for Galapagos. Cash only.
Hyperbaric chamber fee ($35 pp, payable on board)
Fuel surcharge currently $150 and subject to change up to 30 days prior to departure.

OPTIONAL PRICING & ADD-ONS:
Nitrox: $150 (subject to change)
Int'l Air Booking Fee: $30 (the local in country booking fees are included in the trip price)
Ensure Bags Arrive + Touring Option: To ensure everyone makes the boat we suggest adding the following OR SIMILAR sightseeing, tours and overnight land package to the front & back end of this trip. Click HERE for pics and more details for 2013 options.

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EXAMPLE of 2013 Three (3) Extra Days of "Don't Miss the Boat Pre-Trip Touring & Sightseeing" Trip Itinerary (Quito arrival & departure)

Saturday Nov 29th: Quito Airport Arrival & transfer to Rio Amazonas Hotel
Sunday Nov 30th: Full day tour of Ecuador Overnight at Rio Amazonas Hotel
Monday Dec 1st Transferred for A.M. flight to Galapagos via Aero Gal
Mon-Mon Dec 1-8th: World class diving on the Galapagos Humbolt Explorer
Monday Dec 8th Return to Quito via Aero Gal for � day tour & overnight at Rio Amazonas Hotel (You may leave Quito on the 8th if you can book a flight after 10pm on the 8th)
Tuesday Dec 2nd: Transfer to airport for flight home. Flights can be as early as 5am.

2013 SAMPLE Pricing for Tours & Add'l Transfers:
All add'l transfers required ($15 per transfer x 4 transfers): US$50.00 per person
3 nights at the Rio Amazonas: US 130.00 double occ ($65 per person) or $US 120 single occ per night or total of $195 d/o or $360 s/o
Tours: (1) Full day US$120.00 per person and (1) � day US$95.00 per person
Aero Gal Flight: $500 via Quito or $450 via Guayquil (subject to change)

Airfare:
You will fly into Quito or Guayaquil Ecuador. THE GROUP IS MOST LIKELY DOING A COMBINED HOTEL/TOUR PACKAGE VIA QUITO sin the fares are better to Quito. AeroGal flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification, and flights often run late. The boat strongly encourages all guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. They also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 p.m MONDAY night which means that Tuesday the 20th is the only realistic flights you can make. However any flight on the 20th including 6am will work. Ticket holders are required to check-in a minimum of two hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal flight.

Baggage Limits:
There is a weight limit on checked-in luggage for flights to and from Quito and/or Guayaquil to the Galapagos of 44 pounds (20 kilos). An additional fee of up to US$2.00* per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Quito will be charged for luggage over the limit and US$2.00* per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Guayaquil. In addition, passengers are allowed a carry-on bag weighing no more than 17.6 pounds (8 kilos). This additional fee must be paid in cash at flight time. *These prices could change at anytime.

Arrival/Departure:
Passports with a minimum of 6 months remaining before the expiration date are required for all arriving foreign nationals. If in doubt about visas, contact the Ecuadorian Consulate for specific requirements from your country.

Transfers within the Galapagos are included in your package for same day arrivals, and you will be met at the airport in Galapagos by one of our tour guides. If you miss any of your flights and are not able to make it to Ecuador or the Galapagos on schedule, please contact Galasam, our Ecuadorian partner, at 011-593-9703-1382 or 011-593-9529-7471 and notify them of your updated arrival time should you have that information, and where you may be reached in the meantime. The vessel will leave port on Monday at approximately 2:00pm. Retrieving lost luggage after the vessel departs on charter is impossible. It can be retrieved when the vessel returns to port at the end of the charter.

The vessel arrives at its final destination port on Monday morning. The Sunday evening meal is on the island and is not included in the price of the trip. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. The departure tax from Quito and Guaayquil is now included in international flight prices.

Please note: Flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification and are completely out of EV's control, and flights often run late. We strongly encourage guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. We also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 p.m on the last Monday of the trip. Ticket holders are required to check-in a minimum of three hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal or Tame flight.

THE DIVING:
The diving is magnificent centering on large animals such as Whalesharks, Hammer Heads, Eagle Rays, Sea Lions as well as marvelous macro life.

Join this exciting diving excursion from either Guayaquil or Quito, (THE GROUP *MOST LIKELY WILL BE GOING VIA QUITO* but if you wish to book your own flights from Quito or Guayaquil you may do so) starting on mainland Ecuador and culminating in the big-animal action and pristine diving of Darwin, Wolf, Isabela Island, Cabo Marshall as well as the Sea Lions & Penguins of Cousin's Rock! We have booked the Explorer Ventures Humbolt Explorer Liveaboard for an all inclusive INCLUDING alcohol and sodas Galapagos first class adventure...Dec 1-8, 2014 and HOPEFULLY Dec 8-15, 2014. LiveAboard Dates are Dec 1-8 and HOPEFULLY Dec 8-15 Scheduling 2-4 dives daily, including night dives, the vessel boards each Monday and offers 4� days of diving each day on one of only a handful of vessels approved to dive the Galapagos!

The wonders of the Galapagos diving experience will be with you for a lifetime. Few will have the opportunity of diving some of the most remote and pristine seas in the world. No other place on earth boasts such a variety of sea and land life. Your seven nights and eight days will be filled with memories to last a lifetime - thrilling shark dives, diving with turtles and sea lions, informative shore-based naturalist guided tours, exotic vistas � and these will be only a small part of your experience aboard the Galapagos Humbolt Explorer. The crew of ten, plus 2 naturalist/dive guides, has a wealth of knowledge about these unique volcanic islands and are ready to share their experience with every guest, as well as provide you with the customer service and all of the amenities for which the Explorer Ventures Fleet is known.

The marine community of Galapagos is one of the most unique and exotic in the world. You will see penguins swimming with tropical fish and iguanas that feed underwater. The creatures of the sea exhibit the same bold curiosity and lack of fear characteristic of the terrestrial wildlife. Almost one quarter of the marine life in Galapagos is endemic to this archipielago-17% of its fish and 35% of its marine invertebrates are native and found nowhere else in the world. The underwater scene is rich in nutrients and teems with colorful life. Great schools of fish cruise the open water, at times so thick they nearly block out the sun. The reefs are an amazing profusion of invertebrate life. Swept by both cold-water currents from Antarctica and warm currents from the tropical Pacific, the marine life is a bizarre mixture of cold and warm water species.

Schedule:
Days aboard the Explorer generally involve a 6:30 am dive followed by breakfast, a dive at 9:30, lunch at 12:00, and afternoon dives at dive at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Dinner is served at approximately 7:00 p.m. Under current National Parks guidelines no night dives are allowed.
Please note that these itineraries are examples only, and will change depending on local regulation, weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion. Currently each week the itinerary includes the same islands. The order of the islands, however, is dictated by the National Parks Foundation and may vary weekly.

San Cristobal/BALTRA Departures
All departures are expected to be out of Baltra, Galapagos Islands for 2014. A guide will meet you upon exiting the baggage claim area for transfer to the vessel. If the departure island changes, your airlines tickets from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands will automatically be changed to San Cristobal (so long as the tickets have been purchased through our partners/SD).

Monday: Baltra/North Seymour
Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning. Guests are met at the airport and taken to the Estrella del Mar. After boarding the vessel by 1:00pm, guests will depart for a short crossing to North Seymour for a check out dive and safety orientation briefing Lunch will be served during the crossing and dinner will be served after the check out dive. The vessel will make a late day departure to the next destination.

Tuesday: North Seymour Island
6:30, 9:30, dives. Sightings include turtles, hammerheads, sea lions. Afternoon/overnight transit to Darwin (20 hours).

Wednesday: Darwin Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Night at anchor. Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin Island honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, Mobula rays, and silky sharks. From June to November, whale sharks can almost be guaranteed in numbers of up to 8 different individuals in one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlin and killer whales adds on to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you'll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the biggest jewel on the Galapagos Crown.

Thursday: Darwin Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Evening crossing to Wolf Island (2.5 hrs). Experienced divers agree Wolf & Darwin offer some of the world's best diving. No land visits here, just some serious diving. At Darwin`s Northern Arch, the northern most point of the two Islands, schools of hammerhead sharks and groups of bottle nose dolphins often swim in clear view of divers. Divers often see whale sharks and giant manta rays.

Friday: Wolf Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles and silky sharks. Overnight transit to Isabela Island (15 hours). One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from, Wolf will astound dive visitors. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles is common. The ocean floor here is peppered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free swimming. Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna.

Saturday: Isabela Island, Cabo Marshall
6:30, 9:30, 11:30 and 3:00 dives. Sightings include giant manta rays, turtles, hammerheads, Mola Mola (ocean sunfish), black-striped salema. Evening or overnight transit to Cousin's Rock (6 hours). At Cape Marshall, on the eastern side of Isabela island, you encounter rocky volcanic cliffs, that drops down to the ocean floor as an almost vertical wall. You might see large animals like manta rays, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks mola mola (sun fish) and marine turtles, but also Chevron barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, wahoo and groupers. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrot fishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes and tiger snake eels.

Sunday: Cousin's Rock
6:30 dive � macro diving with excellent chance of seeing sea horses, frog fish, sea lions and fur seals. . Lunch and transit back to Santa Cruz (3 hrs). Land trip to see the giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz and possible visit to the town of Puerto Ayora. Possible dinner ashore

Monday: Baltra
Early morning panga ride in the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove. Breakfast; depart the vessel by 9 am . Transfer back to the airport for flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Departure:The Galapagos Humbolt Explorer arrives at its final destination port on Sunday afternoon and passengers spend Sunday night and have Monday breakfast on board. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. There is a departure tax which is not included in your airline tickets. NOTE: The group MOST LIKELY will be leaving via Quito.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1, Please register/upgrade to a premier member to join our trip. (This allows us to privately contact you but share that contact with all trip goers while keeping your contact information hidden.)
2. Send your $1000 deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you. Use the payment link in my signature line or on our home page.
3. Post in this thread that you plan to join us USING THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #3 and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $1000 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free however you need to be a premier membership to join the trip which is only $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it. Click here to learn more.
4. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be staying extra days and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation. Just put "maybe" or "waiting for info" etc. if you don't know yet.
6. You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance ~~or conversely not procuring trip insurance.~~ All participants must have Current Dive Insurance AND Trip Insurance for this trip and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
7. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
8. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
9. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10. Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests. (Please allow more time for replies from Kamala as she may be traveling leading a trip.)
11. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>/>/>
12. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 45 days of the trip documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.
13. Explorer Venture Application/Waiver: Please fill out this form and fax it to Explorer Ventures, or email it to trips@singledivers.com, and we will fax it for you. ApplicationReleaseGalapagos.pdf

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Booking Template - (Cut and Paste the Booking Template from Post #3 into a new post in this thread/trip details to sign up for this trip):

PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:

a. $1000 due at booking to secure one of only 16 spots for INITIALLY the FIRST DEC 1-8, 2014 Galapagos trip. ONCE THAT TRIP IS FULL WE WILL TRY TO GET THE 2ND DATE of DEC 8-15, 2014.(Talk to me if you are signing up for 2013 trips AND Galapagos. We will work with you on deposits.)
b. SAVE $75 Document Processing Fee By Submitting Your Docs Within 21 Days of Signing up for this Trip. If signing up within 45 days of the trip pls submit within 3 days to avoid the fee. (If docs are not submitted within 21 days of signing up or 3 days if within 45 days of departure, we'll add the fee to your final invoice.)
c. Feb 3, 2013: Last Day for LOCK IN 2013 PRICING early payment in full discount AND your chances to win a FREE DIVER'S GPS, NITROX, and more
d. Jun 1, 2013: $500
e. Dec 1, 2013: $750
f. Apr 1, 2014: 1500
g. Sept 1, 2014: 545 + any add'l amt owed for 2014 increase in price
f. Sept 1, 2014: ALL EXTRAS DUE Land/Tour pkg of $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o plus any extras ie. Nitrox $150, Instruction, Rental gear, S/O Upgrade, etc. due in full.etc.

Note: Trip must be paid in full 90 days prior to departure. Extras must be paid in full 90 days prior ie. tours, extra nights etc.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. [i](Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For State us AA if using an international credit card.)

SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so all paypal and credit card payments will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

This trip should sell out quickly due to the popularity of this venue so in order to ensure timely & accurate processing of payment receipts and therefore timely & accurate acceptance of members onto the trip, ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED

If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.

The gateway will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already.

International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments IF the payment system does not work for you. (Remember use AA as the state and it should work). Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.

HOW TO BE REACHED ON THE BOAT WHILE TRAVELING:

You can be reached aboard the Humbolt Explorer from North America via satellite phone at +(TBA). Outgoing calls may also be made. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls. (Not sure what the charge is.)

_______________________________________________________________

OTHER INFORMATION:

Boat Amenities:

Vessel: Humboldt Explorer
Registry: Pto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos Islands
Length overall: 111.5 ft (34 meters)
Beam: 21.3 ft (6.5 meters)
Draft: 8.2 ft (2.5 meters)
Tonnage: 169 ITC
Main engines: Detroit Diesel 6V92, 350 hp
Generators: 2x Perkins 73 kw
Maximum Speed: 10 knots
Fuel Capacity: 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters)
Range: 1,800 nm
Accommodations: 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. All rooms except rooms 3 & 4 (forward belowdecks) can be converted to either one queen bed or two twin beds. Up to 7 crew and 2 guides in crews' quarters.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems:2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment

Temperatures and Diving Conditions and Qualifications for these dives:
The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 70 � 85 degrees F from December through May and 60 � 75 (F) June through November. Water temperatures are slightly warmer in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75 (F) or higher in the rainy season (December-May) to the mid 60's (F) during the dry season (June � November), with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June - November and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hood are recommended. Your dives will be done from the pangas(dingys) with an easy backward roll in to the water. After your dive, your tank will be lifted back in to the panga and you will board via its stern ladders. All divers must be experienced divers (we recommend that you have more than 100 logged dives) and have logged at least one dive within the 6 months prior to boarding the vessel. To dive Galapagos, one must be an experienced diver with adequate skills. Galapagos is not suitable for novice or infrequent divers due to strong current, sea (swell), surges, cool waters, upwelling, poor visibility (at times), and large animals including the harmless Galapagos shark. Divers must have excellent buoyancy control and be totally self-sufficient to handle all gear. All dives are guided by an instructor/naturalist guide. All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff. All divers must have a submersible console and a computer. NO night dives are allowed in the Marine Park. Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 130' (110' on nitrox). All divers must carry a DiveAlert, a surface signaling device, and a electronic beacon while diving (all available for rent on board).

Money Matters:
Though all meals, most beverages, transportation between islands, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), incoming and outgoing telephone calls, photographic and scuba instruction, rentals, nitrox, premium alcoholic beverages, and crew gratuities.
The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using cash (PREFERRED), Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Diner's Club; traveler's checks are not accepted nor cashed. DO NOT BRING THEM.. Personal checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Ecuador; therefore, it is not necessary to purchase currency before arriving. Most major credit cards are accepted widely when shopping ashore.

Meals
Aboard the Humbolt, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salads, and quiche. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk.

What to Bring
Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn't require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits (you may consider slacks, dress shorts or sundresses for dinner ashore). In the winter months, a sweater, long pants and windbreaker for the evenings can be a good idea. Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty and fits more readily under the bed. Sun screens, sunglasses, a visor or hat is recommended. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. If you have favorite CD's or DVD's, feel free to bring them.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.

If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.

More about Darwin's Galapagos:
The Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomas de Berlanga, bishop of Panama who drifted across them while on a voyage from Panama to Lima, Peru. They were given their current name by Abraham Ortelier in 1574 after the giant tortoises. Galapagos is Spanish for a saddle a reference to the shape of the carapace (shell) of the saddleback tortoises found on some of the islands.

The Islands had been called Las Encantadas or bewitched islands. This was because of the strong currents that flow through and around them, so making navigation difficult and also due to the gaura or mists making it difficult at times to tell whether it was the islands or the ship that was moving. This name was in continued use by whalers and pirates for some time after the title of Galapagos was generally accepted.

There were no native peoples, though doubtless sea-faring races in pre-history had come across the islands, but kept on going for more hospitable places to build their communities.

Because of their isolation, the Galapagos quickly became a refuge for pirates and castaways. Treasures were buried, and stories grew up around them. By 1792, British whalers had reached the Galapagos and began to hunt for whales around them. Like many oceanic islands, the topography of the ocean floor suddenly sweeping upwards causes upwellings of deep nutrient-laden currents so resulting in a bloom of phytoplankton and so of animals that are a part of the food chain. The Galapagos are an excellent feeding ground for whales, with the Islands of Isabela and Fernandina being a calving place.

The whaling business was lucrative and unregulated, whalers took whatever they could until their holds were full. They also took the giant tortoises as living larders to provide fresh meat on the cruise. A typical whaling ship would take 500-600 giant tortoises in this way to be stored upside down in the holds to be slaughtered and eaten when fresh meat was needed. It is thought that the whalers caused the extinction of tortoise subspecies on the islands of Floreana, Santa Fe and Rabida. In total it is estimated that whaling ships removed 200,000 tortoises from the Galapagos.

One interesting relic of whaling days is still preserved on the islands, that is the whalers post-boxes. Whaling ships were away from port for usually at least 2 years and commonly more, so post-boxes were erected on islands where they might be seen by other whaling ships. Letters left in the boxes, often little more than a small barrel raised on a pole with a roof to keep the rain out, were left with a request that ships on their homeward journey would take the mail back with them and post them on arrival.

The whalers also caused further problems that would be around long after they left in the form of feral non-native animals. Black rats, cats, cattle, donkeys, goats, pigs and dogs are a legacy of whaling and other ships that called by. Sometimes the animals escaped, sometimes in the case of goats and pigs, they were deliberately let free to breed and establish a population that could be used for food by ship wrecked sailors in the future. These feral animals then competed with native fauna for food and habitat.

Author Herman Melville (of Moby Dick fame) visited the Galapagos aboard a whaler and later wrote about this visit in the story The Encantadas in 1855.

The Galapagos were largely ignored and considered unremarkable except to the occasional ship's naturalist until Charles Darwin landed in 1835 aboard HMS Beagle. Darwin was at the time a young man who had embarked on the exploratory voyage while in the midst of studying for the clergy. The voyage and especially the experience and collection of animal specimens from the Galapagos led to the development and crystallization of a set of ideas that would lead to Darwin's theory of evolution. Surprisingly perhaps, when Darwin arrived at the Galapagos, he was more interested in their geology than biology, though this changed when he started to look at what there was to be found there.

What fascinated Darwin the most was the geographical isolation and distribution of species. In Voyage of the Beagle, published in 1845, he documented his epic natural history journey. His discourse on the subject of evolution was not published until 1859, when the first edition of On the Origin of Species emerged in England and forever changed the study of evolutionary biology.

There were two to three hundred people living on Floreana at the time of Darwin's visit, he wrote:

"The staple article of animal food is supplied by the tortoises. Their numbers have of course been greatly reduced in this island, but the people yet count on two days' hunting giving them food for the rest of the week. It is said that formerly single vessels have taken away as many as seven hundred, and that the ship's company of a frigate some years since brought down in one day two hundred tortoises to the beach."

The Ecuadorian government used the Galapagos for penal colonies until the middle of the twentieth century. There were plans to further exploit the islands for their mineral resources such as coal and guano, but these foundered for the simple reason that there was insufficient for it to be viable. Salt was mined from a salt lake on Santiago and was used for salting locally caught fish and tortoise meat.

The oldest colony on the Galapagos was established on San Cristobal in 1869 and remains the seat of government in the Galapagos today. Other towns that are still in existence were established in the later years of the 19th century. Villamil on Isabela where coral was mined and burned to produce lime. Santo Tomas, 20 km inland also on Isabela was established to mine sulphur from the volcanic fumeroles in the area. These activities were supplemented by fishing and cattle ranching on the moist windward slopes of Sierra Negra.

Ecuador declared the Galapagos Archipelago a wildlife sanctuary in 1935. From about this time, eco-tourism began in the Galapagos, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, visited in 1938 for instance.

In 1942, the United States was permitted to construct a major air base on one of the islands, Baltra, to protect and defend the Panama Canal. After World War II, the United States returned this base and its airstrip to Ecuador. Legislation to protect the archipelago had begun in 1934, but war and politics prevented official protection to take place until 1959, when Ecuador established Galapagos National Park. In that same year, 100 years after the publication of On the Origin of Species, the Charles Darwin Foundation was established under the auspices of UNESCO and the World Conservation Union. The Foundation's stated goal is "to provide knowledge and support to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos Archipelago through scientific research and complementary actions." To achieve this goal, in 1964 the Foundation opened the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz.

The principal partner of the Charles Darwin Foundation is the Galapagos National Park Service, the government agency that manages the National Park, and, since the passing of the Special Law for Galapagos in 1998, the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The Charles Darwin Foundation helped to establish the GNPS in 1968, and over the years, the Park-Station partnership has become a model for how conservation science and management can work together.

PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS A DAY�.YOU MISS A LOT! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc.

Click here for Dive Assure (the company I use) for either a 'one time' policy OR policy options that are BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage meaning THEY PAY DIRECT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AND WAIT FOR A REFUND!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts�it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in a number of inexpensive configurations!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.

FAQ's & ONGOING INFORMATION FROM THE THREAD:
Please see the 2nd post of this topic/thread for ongoing updates in chronological order for ease of keeping updated.

ApplicationReleaseGalapagos.pdf (50.86K)
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AZ 2013 Happy Hour or HH as we call them PLANNING THREAD

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:25:34 +0000

.Jax., on 10 January 2013 - 12:14 PM, said:

Buzo Guero, on 10 January 2013 - 12:07 PM, said:

/> , Jacqueline!!! I am in AZ, myself. Great to see you, here!!! I joined SD a little under a year ago & just got back from my first trip to San Salvador. It was a BLAST!!! Frankly, you're closer to good diving than I am by about 90 minutes. My nephew, who is also a member of this site, is an instructor at Desert Divers in Tucson. We frequently go to San Carlos to scratch our itch. Hope to cross paths with you some time soon. Meanwhile, settle in, say hello & make some new friends. Everyone is warm & welcoming. There is also plenty in the forums to keep you busy. Maybe you can make the AZ Happy Hour that we're working on getting set up??? Jump right in!

/>

Is that the happy hour advertised on the Arizona ScubaDivers Facebook page? In Tucson?

If you are in Tucson, you are as close to the border as I am. I have to drive west to Nogales; you can come straight south on 19. I love Desert Divers!

I'm not certain, as I don't Facebook! /> We're just in the process of getting the HH set up, now.

I am in the Phoenix area, so, the extra 90 minute drive for me. Where, exactly, are you? My nephew lives in the Star Pass area of Tucson. His screen name is Lorenzo, if you'd care to reach out to him.

Take care.