Combo Gray Whales & Blue Whale Adventure – Baja Peninsula, Mexico

February 25 – March 3, 2014 Group Trip

Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia

COST: USD 2850.00 per person twin sharing

Here is the perfect whale watching tour option for those who want to see the Baja Peninsula, but who want as little driving time as possible. Gray whales at the best whale watching location in the world, Laguna Ojo de Liebre and then blue whale watching at one of the finest locations we know of for reliable sightings of blue whales, Loreto, BCS.

For more details, please visit our website:

http://www.divediscovery.com/group-trips/2014/mexico.php

Milne Bay diving has resurrected. Tawali Resort & Spirit of Niugini have come back to life. They have been off the radar for a few years due to poor management. They have been sold and new ownership is making changes and we are happy to advise that they are working hard to offer services to this amazing diving area!!

Black Sand Resort: Lembeh resort, a wonderful small boutique resort with specialized offering for keen photographers looking for small specialized attention and great guides!

“Six bungalows (2 x twin, 4 x double).  Still the best House Reef in the strait.  No sand fleas.  No bar yet.  At this time only serving beer, but we are about to start serving wine soon.”

Consider: They are the closest location to the best muck sites, fast transfer times to the sites.  Maximum 4 divers per speedboat, incredible House Reef, personal attention as they are a small resort, great views, few mozzies (unlike many resorts in Lembeh), open to breezes, great food and excellent guides.

Our newest Destination!

The country has long held travelers in awe: The tango, beef, gauchos, soccer, Patagonia. The classics alone make it a colossal wanderlust cocktail.

Argentine Culture the Tango is possibly Argentina’s greatest contribution to the outside world, a steamy dance that’s been described as ‘making love in the vertical position! Take Tango Dancing lessons in Buenos Aires!

Highlights of Argentina (all year, though best September to March): 2 nights Buenos Aires, 3 nights Puerto Madryn/Peninsula Valdes, 2 nights Calafate, 3 nights Bariloche, 1 night Buenos Aires.  Total: 11 nights

Argentina: Wine & Waterfalls: 2 nights Buenos Aires, 2 nights Puerto Iguazu, 3 nights Mendoza, 1 night Buenos Aires Total: 8 nights

Optional Valdes wildlife add on – 3 day, 2 night tour to Peninsula Valdes

Trekking in Patagonia:  2 nights Buenos Aires, 2 nights El Chalten, 2 nights El Calafate, 1 night Torres del Paine, 1 night El Calafate, 1 night Buenos Aires.  Total: 9 nights

Trekking in Patagonia (extended version) – 13nts, Option to extend and do full W trek in Paine (which is in CHILE).

All tailored to fit your greatest desires. Check our website for sample tours and details!

http://www.divediscovery.com/argentina/

Bilikiki is currently getting her annual maintenance and the crew and managers are off on holidays in preparation for the 2013 season beginning in March. It’s our 24th year in the Solomons and sure to be as great as ever. It’s looking like a busy year, but there are still a few spots available throughout the year, there is space in April, if you’re looking for a trip in the immediate future with only a small number of fellow divers and the normal great April weather….

Email us or call 800.886.7321/415.444.5100

THE LATEST EDITION OF BILIKIKI ENIUS

• April is Also Prime Time
• Like the Smaller Stuff?
• Like the Bigger Stuff?

April is Also Prime Time

We are often asked what is the best time to visit Solomon Islands. Being 9 degrees south of the equator the water and air temperatures vary only 2 – 3 degrees all year. But I just completed a 10 night trip on Bilikiki with on board managers Sam and Kellie, who are now completing their 7th season with Bilikiki Cruises and the subject of April and May came up. “Why is it that April and May are generally lightly booked when it is a great time of year? The seas are flat and the diving is great!” was the comment from Sam & Kellie. Well, I can’t really answer the why, and while May 2013 is fully booked there are 3 charters in April that only have a few divers on each. Bilikiki Cruises guarantees all departures regardless of numbers, so if you are looking for prime time with fewer divers on board, please contact us.

Like the Smaller Stuff?

The following are excerpts from Bilikiki’s Managers Log:

“Mbike wreck was outstanding, a pair of different colored ornate ghost pipefish & totally covered in Nembrotha nudis. Best cuttlefish show I have seen for a long time at Velvia with 1 female laying eggs while being protected by 1 male and another male lurking around. To top off the trip the Bargibanti Pygmy seahorses have returned to Petrol Point ( the dive site previously known as Patricks Point). I was so happy to see them as we have not had any pygmys there since March.  3 Barginantis seem to have made the fan their home; let’s hope they stick around for a while.  Ornate ghost pipefish at the PT Base & wreck of the Ann.  This trip was filled with awesome dives and great critters.”

Like the Bigger Stuff?

More excerpts from the Managers Log:

“The seas were so flat we got out to Curacao Shoals and the amount of fish out there was mind blowing! Schools of barracudas, jacks, oceanic triggerfish, surgeon fish, fusiliers, plus sharks and an eagle ray. 🙂  Mary Island continues to be magical with schooling jacks & barracudas posing for the photographers while Devils highway provided manta rays and (we saw) a huge tawny nurse shark at Velvia.”

PHOTOS EXCEPT HEADER COURTESY OF STEVE JONES