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We love diving with Murex in Manado, Indonesia. Aside from being the spot where the nickname "Opa Gila" was first created (it loosely means "Crazy Old Man"), the resort is wonderful, the staff is attentive, and the diving is spectacular.

We'll generally do two dives each day in Bunaken Marine Park where the walls are vertical and the fish are plentiful. Then, after a break for lunch on the boat, we'll usually come back across to explore some of the muck diving sites in Manado Bay where you can find all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. And we'll also spend one full day in the legendary Lembeh Straits where even more weird and wonderful creatures, some endemic to Lembeh, reside.

The other nice thing about this trip is that, because we go through Singapore, we have the option of adding on a few days of touring Singapore on to the back end on our way back to Los Angeles. Totally optional but Singapore's a really fascinating world-class city.

So it's really a great trip, especially when you realize that it's 9-days at Murex, all meals included, all diving, side trip to Lembeh, and all the fun you can handle. Be sure to reserve your spot on this one.

READ THE 2015 TRIP REPORT 

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How would you like a Whale Shark in your face . . . GUARANTEED??? (Well, almost guaranteed. I don't want to over-sell it.)

Isla Mujeres is the jumping off point for the largest known congregation of Whales Sharks in the world. They gather annually over the summer months in this area to feed and scientists estimate there may be as many as 80-0 individuals involved. And we can put you right in the middle of them. Mexican government regulations limit the interactions to snorkeling only but it's still pretty cool to have one coming at you, mouth agape, while you see three or four others passing by that one. And we'll go out looking for them on three of our six dive days there.

This trip is not just limited to Whale Shark snorkeling. We'll do our first day diving through the Cancun Underwater Museum, a series of sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor that depict a number of tableaus. We'll spend one day over on the Yucatan mainland exploring one of the cenotes near Tulum. And we'll do yet another day on a small wreck near Cancun as well as explore reefs near Isla Mujeres.

It's a really unique trip because every day we're doing something different. It's also a very relaxing trip because - except for Tuesday when we go to the cenotes - most days we're back at the hotel mid-afternoon, leaving lots of time for beach lounging, consuming margaritas by the pool, or taking a nap.

Especially for people who don't want a trip that's dive/dive/dive, or who have a non-diver in the mix, this is the perfect plan. Give us a call at 310/652-4990 to get signed up or to ask questions.

READ THE 2016 TRIP REPORT 

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In simple terms, the Maldives is one of the fishiest places we've ever been diving. The reefs are really healthy and thriving and, because it's the Indian Ocean, there are likely numerous species of fish that you've never seen before. We last visited in 2016 and it's high time we went back.

And one change we're making this time (this will be our 4th time visiting - and we'll again be diving from the mighty Manthiri) is that instead of exploring the southern atolls, we'll be heading north to the area of Baa Atoll and surroundings. One reason for this is that, at this time of the year, hundreds and hundreds of manta rays gather in this area to feed on plankton and to mate. And we're hoping to get a glimpse of that.

But even without that, our erstwhile dive guide Moosa Hassan tells us that these reefs are sometimes even more interesting than the southern ones. So we'll hope to get in great diving, new locations, and see some spectacular sites.

We're not sure of our specific routing yet (good chance we'll go through Singapore) but we'll overnight in Male on the way in and then have nine days on the Manthiri. When we get off the boat, we'll go straight to the airport for our flight out and will likely offer an additional 2-3 days land-based in whatever gateway city (Singapore, Dubai, even Moscow) that we fly through.

The Manthiri only hold 12 divers and many of the people who went with us in 2016 are coming again so space is filling quickly. If this is on your bucket list - and it should be - make sure to get your deposit in to lock down your spot.

READ THE 2016 TRIP REPORT  

SEE THE 2016 PIX

For 26 years, we ran trips out of La Paz exploring the Sea of Cortez on the wonderful Don Jose. Sadly, those trips ended for us after 2012, and we haven't gone back because there hasn't been a liveaboard plying those waters. Until now.

We are delighted to share with you that there will be a new boat down there called the Nautilus Gallant Lady, run by our good friends at Nautilus Explorer. The boat's larger than the Don Jose (the Lady is 116'x22') and takes fewer people (12 vs. 16) so we get the best of both worlds: bigger boat and less people.

We'll also be exploring new territory but still within the Sea of Cortez. Our old itinerary took us north of La Paz to places like Los Islotes, Las Animas, and El Bajo. But our new ship will be based south of Las Paz, halfway down to Cabo, and will explore the waters of the world's most successful marine protected area (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Cabo Pulmo.

This is a magnificent reef that routinely attracts Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, huge shoals of fish, and everything else you'd expect to find in a thriving eco-system. There will be plenty of new places and sites to explore and we'll have 4.5 dive days to do so, generally doing 4 dives each day (2 dives on the half day). We dive out of pangas, using the Lady as a mothership, so we'll have maximum flexibility and maneuverability.

Because we can only take 12 people (really 11 since Ken Kurtis will lead each trip and counts as one of the 12), we expect this will fill quickly but we're also open to the idea of doing back-to-back trips and staying down there to dive with a second group of 12. But the point is, get your $500 deposit in now to guarantee your spot and then we'll work out the rest of the details.

It's going to be great to return to the Sea of Cortez, one of our most popular trips over the years, and we look forward to having you with us (again).