Join Diversified Divers for an incredible live-aboard trip to
Mona Island
The Galapagos of the Caribbean
January 1, 2011- January 8, 2011
The Galapagos of the Caribbean
January 1, 2011- January 8, 2011
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Well be hosted by Nekton Diving Cruises as we cruise Isla Mona, Isla Monito and Isla Desecheo. Mona Island, considered by many as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, features fascinating animal life including rare birds, iguanas and prolific marine life.
The underwater world of these unique islands is closer in feel to Eastern Pacific diving except the water is much warmer (80 degrees, or better) and you will see hard and soft corals, as well as an incredible number of sponges, sea fans, sea whips, etc. presented in a way very different from typical Caribbean dive sites. Youll also be rewarded with abundant sea life including sea turtles too numerous to count, sharks on nearly every dive and fish life of every description.
Only 6 Spaces remain for this trip.
Dive one of the most pristine and exciting Caribbean destinations!
Dive one of the most pristine and exciting Caribbean destinations!
While each 7 DAY Mona Passage 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
Your week begins by arriving in Mayaguez, or at the modern San Juan International Airport, which is serviced by several airlines with regular jet service. Since Puerto Rico and the Mona Islands are commonwealth territory of the United States, typical immigration and customs hassles are non-existent for US citizens. If you choose to fly to San Juan, there are several transfer options for the 3 hour ride to the west coast port of Mayaguez. You may rent a car, arrange for a private transfer, or ride in a shared van with other Nekton guests. Taxis are available from the Port of Mayaguez to the quaint shops and cafes of old Mayaguez. Dinner is served onboard and boarding begins at 7:00 pm. Later that night the vessel gets underway for the first destination of Isla Desecheo.Sunday
Isla Desecheo is a tall mountain-like island with steeply rising slopes and a low-lying shoreline including a couple of beautiful protected coves. The lee side or western shore diving includes shallow patch reefs with profiles to 10 feet. This will be your first introduction to the prolific basket sponges of this unique area. Everywhere you look, you will see basket sponges of all sizes in both individual stands and mass colonies. Your first morning dives will typically be on the choppier north side, weather permitting, at a very dramatic site called Hobbit House. Here you will enjoy many swim-throughs under island-born boulders morphed by centuries of reef building. The end result is an enchanting odyssey not soon forgotten. The morning will pass all too quickly as even two dives will not seem like enough to fully explore this area. The afternoon will usually see the vessel move to the Eastern sites with easy, shallow day and night dives as well as kayaking, and snorkeling.Monday
The morning is usually spent on a deep mini-wall with the mooring on top at 80 feet and the mini-wall dropping to below 130. Enjoy a majestic 45 degree face of hard and soft corals teeming with life. Finish up the day on OMC reef. Start conserving your dive energy for the high energy diving on Mona Island and Isla Monito. Tuesday
Your day starts with a first look at Mona Island diving on the southwest side of the island. Here is your first introduction to the numerous turtles of the area including the endangered Hawksbill and Leatherback. Be sure to look for tags under their front flippers as the four island rangers, the Department of Natural Resources and the Puerto Rican Universities do a great job of tracking the local populations. The afternoon brings the boat to that One Particular Harbor with great shallow diving.Wednesday
The boat repositions to the northeast side of Mona Island for a day of cliff diving - Isla Mona style! Enjoy expansive underwater caves, fallen boulders as big as a house, and intense fish populations. Feel the reverberation of the Atlantic swells unloading their energy on the cliffs above. Diving on this day is a little more advanced in that one prefers to swim to and from the wall in the calmer waters below the wave zone and avoid getting caught up in the washing machine working on full spin above. Thursday
Enjoy a morning drift dive off Isla Monito for some colorful and dramatic cliff diving. Isla Monito, the smallest and most vertical of the islands, is so steep and deep that mooring or anchoring is not possible. There is the possibility of seeing just about anything here where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea.Friday
Morning dive at The Isthmus (80) and afternoon dives at Boqueron Reef (50-65) along the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. A beautiful sandy beach lined with palm trees and a quaint town has made Boqueron a favorite for locals and cruising yachtsmen alike. The bay is shallow, protected and accommodates scores of sailboats. Enjoy an evening ashore where youll find many inexpensive restaurants and bars and a couple of more civilized options. This is a great spot to unwind from a week at sea. Enjoy some music and a cheeseburger in paradise or Johns recommendation, lobster sauce pasta at Galloways. Remember dinner is on your own on Friday evening in Boqueron. Saturday
The boat arrives back at the dock.Disembarkation is at 8:00 am.
Please schedule flights AFTER 3:00 PM to allow time for arrival back to the San Juan airport.
REMEMBER DANs recommended waiting period between repetitive diving and flying.
Nektons Price = $1,695.00 per person/double occupancy, but ...
DIVERSIFIED DIVERS RATE IS AS FOLLOWS
DIVERSIFIED DIVERS RATE IS AS FOLLOWS
· If booked by 3/30/09, and paid-in-full by 07/30/10, the cost is $1,395.00
· If booked between 3/31/10 - 07/30/10, and paid-in-full by 07/30/10, the cost is $1,495.00
· All other bookings are $1,595.00
$400.00 Non-Refundable Deposit due at time of booking
See Payment Schedule, below
PACKAGE INCLUDES
· 7 nights & 5½ diving days aboard Nektons revolutionary twin-hull vessel, providing the smoothest ride in the industry and the easiest access for diving entries and exits.
· Double-Occupancy Room (single occupancy rate is available, call for details)
· Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt · Onboard meals and snacks, refreshments, coffee, iced tea, water and various juices
· Commemorative T-Shirt
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
· Airfare to Puerto Rico (SJU)
· Transfers to/from airport. Shared-Shuttle transfers can be set-up for $62.50 per person/one way, or $125.00 r/t (see attached). You can also rent a car or van (~$62.00) or take an intra-island flight to Mayaguez (~$60.00), which is where the boat is docked. You need to make sure your flight arrives into SJU no later than 4:00 pm on the 1st and departs no earlier than 3:00 pm on the 8th
· Sodas, bottled water and alcohol. While there is no bar service or carbonated beverages, you are welcome to bring your own. Just keep in mind that your first alcohol drink of the day means you've had your last dive of the day.
· $20.00 Port Charge
· $75.00 Fuel Surcharge
· $20.00 Communication Fee
· Nitrox upgrade ($195.00 for the week, payable in full at time of Nitrox reservation. Must be Nitrox certified. There are only 12 Nitrox slots available on a first-paid/first-served basis.)
· Gear Rental or additional certifications
· Crew gratuities
· Trip Insurance is OPTIONAL, BUT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. If you miss the boat you've missed the trip!
· Dive Insurance is MANDATORY. You will not be permitted to go on this trip without Dive Insurance. You must provide evidence of insurance at least 60 days prior to the trip. We recommend both Diver's Alert Network or Dive Assure.
PAYMENT TERMS AND SCHEDULE
$400.00 Non-Refundable Deposit due at time of booking
Book by 03/30/10, pay $995.00 balance by 7/30/10 - receive the Discounted Price of $1,395.00
Book by 07/30/10, pay $1,095.00 balance by 7/30/10 - receive the Discounted Price of $1,495.00
All other Bookings - $1,595.00
09/30/10 $75.00 (fuel charge) + $20.00 (port charge) + $20.00 (communication fee) + $125.00 (optional round-trip shuttle fee)
Nitrox $195.00 (optional), payable at time of booking Nitrox, on a first-paid/first-served basis
TRIP MUST BE PAID-IN-FULL 90 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
Don't Miss The Boat!
SPACE IS LIMITED
Cost is not Guaranteed Until Booked and Deposit is Received
Don't Miss The Boat!
SPACE IS LIMITED
Cost is not Guaranteed Until Booked and Deposit is Received
For further information, see our website:
DIVERSIFIED DIVERS SCUBA - Home Page
or feel free to send me a message.
DIVERSIFIED DIVERS SCUBA - Home Page
or feel free to send me a message.
Thank you,
Jeff.
Isla Desecheo
Isla Mona
Isla Monito
