News
Celebrate 20 years of Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures in Komodo in 2020
Komodo on the Arenui
In 2020 Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures will be 20 years old! Celebrate their anniversary on the island of Komodo, traveling on the world-famous and luxurious liveaboard, the Arenui.
The trip will be leaving port on June 26th, and returning on July 5th 2020. Every year Family Dive Adventures tries to make each year better than the last, and for their 20th Anniversary celebration there just had to be a trip on the Arenui!
The Arenui believes in combining world-class dives, with a truly relaxing and luxurious liveaboard experience. On board, you can have it all from gourmet food, personalized service by its 22 member staff, to amazing colorful critter-packed, large schooling fishes and large pelagic encounters. You don’t have to compromise on this special adventure.
Where are you going?
Komodo is one of Indonesia’s most famous diving destinations. Manta rays, sharks, immense schools of fish and colorful reefs are just a few of the stars of Komodo.
Komodo is relatively remote but if you want an adventure and incredible diving it should be at the top of your bucket list. Expect to find an array of dive sits perfectly suited for drift diving. Water temperature can be chilly, sometimes dipping below 77°F (25°C), so bring extra layers of neoprene or a hood on top of a basic 3mm suit to stay warm. It is possible to dive year round due to the dry weather.
The north area of Komodo National Park is a good place for shark spotting at underwater seamounts. Visibility is usually quite good at 66-100ft.
One of the most interesting dive sites is Makassar Reef. This is a 1.2mile (2km) channel with a unique seascape featuring craters and dunes of small rocks which have been shaped by currents. It is often said that it looks like the surface of the moon. For macro lovers, Komodo National Park has plenty to offer as well. Sheltered dive sites boast myriad critters hiding amongst slopes and walls of healthy hard and soft corals.
What you’ll see
Komodo is famous for its larger inhabitants; think manta rays, sharks, eagle rays, large schools of tuna, jacks, trevallies, bump head parrotfish, and Napoleon wrasse – but the abundance of smaller fish is phenomenal – prepare to be amazed. Komodo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Who can go
This trip is for certified divers only.
The cost: From $6,300 per person (There is upgrade charge of $565 per person)
What’s included
- The shore activities/excursions according to the program
- Soft drinks and all meals on board
- Diving activities (generally 4 dives per day)
- Tanks, weights and weight belt
- Transfer from/to embarkation/disembarkation airport
- Port Clearance Fee
- Park and Diving Fees
- Fuel Surcharge
- Government Taxes
Exclusions
- International and domestic air transportation
- Hotels and meals before and after the cruise
- Alcoholic drinks
- Nitrox refills
- Dive equipment rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belt)
- Massages and Spa treatments
- Travel insurance
- Onboard purchases
- Private tours
- Laundry
- On-board telecommunications
- Crew gratuities
- VAT
How to get there: (Labuanbajo-Labuanbajo)
This cruise starts or ends in either Labuanbajo (LBJ). For reaching/leaving Labuanbajo, they recommend using Bali as the hub as there are regular direct flights between Bali and Labuanbajo, using the airline Garuda (1 hour 35 minutes flight time). You can also use Bali as the connection city if you need to come from or go to other domestic cities such as Jakarta or Manado, or even for regional and international flights.
For more information visit the Kids Sea Camp website by clicking here.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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