Every Each year, between the months of May and July, millions of sardines migrate north from the cold water off South Africa's Cape Point. Cuddling close to shore they make their way up along the coastlines of the Transkei (northern Eastern Cape) and KwaZulu-Natal is commonly known as the annual Sardine Run - described as one of the greatest show on earth, it is the epitome of underwater wildlife adventure. As the dolphins herd the sardines into a tight ball and push them towards the surface, garnets falls like snow balls from the sky to feast. This is a special focus expedition designed for optimum interaction opportunities.

Full board, transfer from Durban, twin share 3 star comfort accommodation, photographic tips, and 9 day sardine run charter. Our Beyond the Ordinary expedition is co-coordinated by our photographic associates and marine wild life aficionado based in Durban.  Limited spots book early. I have been leading this expedition since 2005 - small group with our own spotter micro light.

Sardine Run Highlights from Josh Stewart : Slide Show of Sardine Run by Michael AW : Sign up here

Ocean Geographic Maldives Beyond the Ordinary Expedition

17-27 April 2012

Watch the Video

Beneath the Indian Ocean is a long huge ridge, inundated by numerous far-reaching fractures. The ridge divides into two long arms east of Madagascar. One arm snakes around Africa and links up with the Atlantic Ridge while the other arm extends to south of Australia and eventually links up with the East Pacific rise. Between East Africa and Western Australia, the midpoint of the Indian Ocean is the atolls of the Maldives. Lying at the tips of a great-submerged mountain range that stretches from the Lakshadweeps Island to the Chagos islands, great migratory currents swish through the atolls, leaving behind rich plankton.  Like an oases in the Sahara, pelagics congregate at the atolls to feed and to procreate.  Hammerheads, whalesharks, tunas and orcas are frequent visitors.  Tidal currents flushing through the channels bring a constant food source into the atolls, sustaining spectacular coral growth, which in turn supports a realm of reef fishes in extraordinary abundance. The fish diversity of the Maldives is documented to be over a thousand species in 100 families.

 The reefs of Maldives are among the nature’s underwater wonders where reef fishes to thrive in astonishing abundance, in density unrivalled anywhere in the world. Without the threat of spear guns, dynamite, cyanide, reef fishes swim blithesomely among divers and snorkellers. Making pictures underwater in the Maldives is akin to shooting in the world’s largest aquarium teeming with fish life; many species are predictably found in enormous numbers. Not only is the profusion of fish life amazing, but also the predictability of seeing the same fishes at the same site within soft corals in colours of rainbow is the trademark of underwater Maldives. The Maldives is the fishpond of the Indian Ocean. 

Our beyond the ordinary expedition to the Maldives in 2012 are focus to visit some of the best sites visited by Michael AW during his Rainbow Sea production – these sites are off the standard live-aboard route – from Male we will sail south to Felidhoo Atoll – dive some of the deep water soft coral walls and caverns, explore the seldom visited Mulaku Atoll then to Thaa Atoll to look for whale sharks feeding in the night.  We will then move north through Dhaalu and Faafu atolls for explore some of the finest reef system in the Maldives. If time permit, we will dive some of the signature sites of South Ari Atoll. This is a special expedition open only to active and current Ocean Geographic members only.

 

 

 

 

 

The Expedition platform is the Maldives latest state of the art live-aboard, the MV Maldivian Princess. Exquisitely designed and furnished, the Maldivian Princess offers boutique styles live-aboard diving experience. Palatial cabins are equipped with LCD TV, en-suite and the spacious lounge is set up with wi-fi Internet, generous space for camera work, presentations and fine dining experience. Diving supported is on spacious dedicated dhohi, three to four dives per day and nitrox is free.    

Cost: US $3,500* (11 days/ 10 nights/ full board – twin sharing) : Sign Up Now

Bahamas - Dolphins, Sharks and Mermaid  29 Feb - 9 March 2012 - FULL

The is the definitive expedition with the most enchanting big animals of the ocean; Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), Great Hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran), dolphins and a mermaid. Yes a mermaid!!  Michael AW, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, will present a stupendous 10 days photography extravaganza with the amazing dolphins and sharks of the Bahamas. With award winning photography tips from Michael AW, expand your skills to capture electrifying scenes of enthralling interactions with Tigers, Lemon, Caribbean and if you are lucky the Great Hammerhead shark as well. This was one of my all time most enjoyable trip with sharks and dolphins. USD 3580 pp only 8 spots  10 day live-aboard on a sharks and dolphin specialty vessel. Email for application form

ecial Expeditions

Explore the New National Treasure - Ocean Geographic Cenderawasih Bay (Papua) Expeditions 2012

Special Expeditions - 11 Sep to 20 Sep : 3 Oct to 12 Oct : Images from 2011 Shoot

 The whale sharks found in Cenderawasih Bay are the new National Treasures of Indonesia – occurring nowhere else in the world in such conditions, whale sharks are predictably found the bay.

Ocean Geographic team conducted a reconnaissance trip to West Papua in November 2010 followed by a 10 day expedition in 2011; we encountered regular appearances of up to 12 whale sharks in a day ranging from 3 metres to 11m in length! Yes – babies, young adults and breeding females all in one location and all at the same time. These sharks are supposedly residents of the bay and are very tame, allowing people to swim in close proximity while they consume fishes from the fishing pontoons.  In 2011, over the course of just four days in water interaction at two pontoons, 23 sharks were encountered. In conjunction with Ocean Geographic’s SOS’s projects, two expeditions are planned for Cenderawasih Bay in 2012.

Cenderawasih Bay Marine National Park's location can easily be discerned from the map of Indonesia; it occupies the northern coastal area of West Papua resembling the shape of a large bird’s neck. The marine park encompasses 80 square kilometres, making it the largest in Southeast Asia. There is a huge range of marine life in Cenderawasih Bay Marine National Park comprising of all variations of coral reef; fringing reef, barrier reef, atoll, patch reef, and shallow water reef mounds. The fringing reefs are the most abundant and they are indeed the last of the few remaining pristine reefs in the world.

Until recent times, the bay was geologically isolated from the flow of the Pacific tides; this isolation has somewhat consecrated Cenderawasih with a wide variety of endemic species. Researchers have noted the interesting occurrences of many habitually deep-dwelling fish species found here in relatively shallow water. The wide variation of reef formations along with the resident population of the ocean’s largest fish, the whale shark, prompted Ocean Geographic Honorary Editor Dr. Gerald Allen to call Cenderawasih “the Galapagos of Indonesia’s Reefs”. To date Gerry has discovered five new species of fish, including a new dottyback and garden eel. Their current count of fish species has increased from 884 species to 955. 

Though the expedition predominantly will survey coral reefs and muck sites for critters such as pygmies, tiger shrimps, frogfishes and octopi we will also explore a few well known wrecks - WW II ships and planes. However without a doubt, the highlight of the expeditions will be to locate the bay’s resident whale sharks that have learned to feast upon fish nets filled with ikan puri – small anchovies around fishing pontoons (bagans in local language). This perhaps is like a protein enrichment program for the habitually plankton eating sharks. According to whale shark scientists, Brent Stewart and Morgan Riley, this behaviour is out of the ordinary for these giant sharks. What is most extraordinary is that while elsewhere in the world, fishermen are culling these sharks for their fins, the bagan fishermen here seem to be friends with these sharks, encouraging their visits by offering them bucket loads of ikan puri.  It is our intent to learn more about the resident population of whale sharks and as well ensure meaningful conservation efforts are made to protect the wellbeing of both fish and local stakeholders.

Expedition Platform – the exquisite fine diving & fine dining live-board - MSY Seahorse; expedition staff comprise of photo pro and researcher. Limited spots available; USD 3830 per person twin sharing;  Sign Up Here

*OG members discount applicable. :

Read about the first account of Ocean Geographic Recce Trip - http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1855341&go=gaztrish

More about Cenderawasih Bay

Location: Southwest quarter of Cendrawasih Bay, Irian Jaya

Coordinates: 0143'-03°22' S and 134°06'-135°10 E

Status: National Park  

Established: September 2, 1993 (Decree of Ministry of Forestry of Republic of Indonesia No. 472/Kpts-II/1993)

Size (km2): 1,453.5

IUCN Category: II

Features: The Park comprises the southwest quarter of Cenderawasih Bay which lies to the east of the isthmus connecting the Vogelkop Peninsula to the mainland.  The park falls within the administrative districts of Manokwari and Nabire.  Access is by sea from the towns of Manokwari and Nabire, which lie 95 Km and 38 km north and east, respectively.  Air transport is available from Manokwari, Biak and Nabire.

 The reserves support a wide spectrum of relatively undisturbed coastal and marine habitats, of which the extensive coral reefs rank amongst the finest in the world. The marine habitats, particularly contain a number of rare and commercially important species, provide the basis for the local fishing industry and have a high potential for visitor use and research.

The park consists of 80 km2  coral reefs, 1,305.3 km2 seas, 12.4 km2 coastal plain and 55,8 km2 islands bounded by 500 km coastline.  The park keeps a wide variety of important marine species, from Scleractinia corals to giant whales.  Many of them are endangered (see also CITES lists) and protected by Indonesian law.  There are five reef types in the park: fringing reefs, barrier reef, patch reef, atoll and shallow water reef mound.  The diversity of Scleractinia coral species in the park is enormous, including Acropora, Porites, Pocillopora and Favites families.  Salm et. al. (1982) reported 130 species (62 genus and subgenus).  Furthermore, Gilkes and Adipati (1987) reported 145 species of 67 genus of coral.  WWF survey in  1997 found 201 species of 64 genus and subgenus.

 The steep and incised topography of the western coastal mountains and the Wandamen and Kwatisore peninsulas to the south, reflects their position on the convergence of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates. Five major reef types are found, of which fringing reefs are the most extensive, bordering most of the mainland coastline and the major continental islands.

 The island of the Auri archipelago is composed of a steep-sided patch reef. Reef topography varies from gently shelving shallow water to vertical cliffs 40-5-m in depth.  The park includes habitat of Butterfly fishes (Chaetodontidae), Angel fishes (Pomacanthridae), Wrasess (Labridae), Parrot fishes (Scaridae), Surgeon fishes (Acanthuridae), Rabbit fishes (Siganidae), Trigger fishes (Balistidae) and other reef fishes.  Gilkes and Adipati (1987) recorded 209 fish species in the park, while the 1984 survey (WWF/KSDA/YPMD/Fisheries) recorded 305 species.  WWF survey in 1997 recorded 208 fish species.  Sharks and rays also inhabits the park, including White-tip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) and Black-tip reef shark (Charcariuns melanopterus).  Economic valued fishes inhabits the park includes Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, grouper (Serranidae), trevally (Carangidae), mackerel (Scomberomorussp.), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus sp.) and tuna (Eythunnus sp.)         

Gilkes and Adipati (1987) recorded 196 species of molluscs, includes 153 gastropods, 40 bivalves and 2 cephalopods.  There are six species of Tridacna clams found in the park: giant clam (Tridacna gigas), small giant clam (T. maxima), southern giant clam (T. derasa), scaly clam (T. squamosa), boring clam (T. crocea) and bear's paw clam (Hippopus hippopus).  The largest giant clam recorded in the park reached 1.5 in diameter.  There are also some gastropods such as triton trumpet (Charonia tritonis), horned helmet (Cassis cornuta) and top shell lola (Trochus niloticus) as well as rare green snail (Turbo armoratus).  Other snails such as cowries (Cyprea sp.), stormbid (Lambis sp.) and cone shell (Conus sp.) are abundant in the sea floor. 

 The park includes nesting habitat for green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).  The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) are known to feed in the bay. The islands of Nusambier, Iwari, Kuwom, Matas and Wairundi and several mainland beaches have been recorded as turtle nesting beaches.  In some beaches, sea crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is sometimes found.  

 The park also includes feeding habitat of three sea mammals, Dugong (Dugong dugon), dolphin (Delpinus delphis) and whale.  According to Salm et. al.(1982),  dugong inhabit the sea grass bed in the southern coast of Mios Waar island as well as some mainland beaches.  In 1982 aerial survey, 13 dugongs found in the west coast of the park.  

 Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is the largest living terrestrial arthropod (Helfman, 1979in Salm et. al., 1982).  Carapace reaches to 30 cm.  Hothius (1959, 1963) in Salm et. al.(1982) reported that some islands of Wairundi, Nukup and Auri is the habitat of the crab.  Islanders of the park called Manggaperba. 

 Over exploitation of marine resources, such as turtles and giant clams by local and itinerant fishermen is a serious problem throughout the park. Particularly badly affected is the Tridacna Reef where the giant clam population has been decimated. Other serious problems are the use of explosives by itinerant fishermen, which have degraded large areas of reef, and loss of vegetation on several of the Auri islands due to the felling of Casuarina for fuel. This has resulted in soil erosion and loss of nesting bird habitat.  

Further information available on:

National Park Authority

Tel/Fax. (+62-986) 212437

About the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus); it is biggest fish in the sea, a charismatic marine megafauna that brings excitement and adventure to dive enthusiasts as it supports thriving tourism industries in Ningaloo Marine Park in Australia, Belize, Philippines, Mexico, Seychelles, and Christmas Island. Unfortunately, the planet's largest fish is on the verge of extinction. Whale sharks are extremely vulnerable to over exploitation by man for several reasons. They have a slow growth rate, only reaching maturity at around 30 years old and living as long as 60 - 100 years. Their reproduction rate is also very slow - long intervals between pregnancies.  In Taiwan and India documented catches have declined from the 1980's to 2000's.

Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, Banda, Ambon, Gunung Api* 

Ocean Geographic Coral Reef Visual Assessment Expedition

5-17 April 2011  (12 nights/13  days)

Slide Show of Raja Ampat /Fak Fak 2008

PREAMBLE

The Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, Banda Sea area are the bull eyes of marine biodiversity; supported by scientific facts it is heartland of the richest reefs system in the world. After several scientific surveys conducted by teams from Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy coral expert John Vernon affirmed that Raja Ampat has a higher density of species than elsewhere in the world.   “Never before in the world have researchers found 400 coral species in one dive, as they did in Raja Ampat," he has said. To date, collectively, coral experts documented 540 species of scleractinian (hard) corals which equate to 75% of the world total.

 World top ichthyologist Dr. Gerry Allen broke his own record three times in Raja Ampat/Triton Bay for numbers of species recorded on a single dive. Before diving in the Raja Ampat area his record was 204 different species recorded in Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. In 2001, during his Raja Ampat expedition, he documented 283 species of coral fish at Cape Kri, an experience he had never previously encountered. Then, during the 2002 Nature Conservancy expedition, near the island of Kofiau, he set a new record by documenting 284 species during one dive but in a recent expedition he once again broke world record with a 330 species count in a site off Triton Bay which equates to about one species every 10 seconds! To many intrepid scientists and professional underwater photo journalist such as David Doubilet, Alex Mustard, Dr Gerry Allen, Dr Mark Erhman, Michael AW, Raja Ampat and Triton Bay is the final frontier, the last remaining coral reefs to be found in pristine condition harboring the world’s most prolific marine life. The area is comprised of 4.6 million hectares of reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and rocky coastline and it has one of the world lowest resident human population with minimal industrial development.

 The OBJECTIVE - As part of Ocean Geographic ongoing photographic project to build up a visual index of the marine environment of the region, the visual  assessment tour  of the 2011 expedition aim document for global climate change research.

Who Should Participate?

Whether you are just a passionate diver or underwater photographer you will have a stupendous time and a great learning experience exploring this final coral frontier; we will show you the best sites and explore some new one as well. As this is a visual assessment expedition, we will dive the best sites and at the best time of the day for optimum enjoyment and photographic opportunities. There will be Impromptu presentations marine scientists on board will share with you their work and experience. Of course if you are photographer Michael will be happy to share with you some of their imaging tips and secrets.

The Expedition Leader: Michael AW

Since 2003 Michael AW has made seven expeditions to Raja Ampat & Fak Fak and 38 dive expeditions to Indonesia. In 2003 Michael and Leandro Blanco produced a broadcast documentary for the provincial government to lobby for conservation of the region. The photographic assessment were included two pictorial volumes of the Richest Reefs of Indonesia in 2003 and 2006.  In 2008, Michael AW together Dr Cabell Davis and Eric Hogan conducted a brief survey of Triton Bay, Misool and North Raja Ampat for the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institute.

The Expedition Platform – MSY Seahorse

Specially crafted, this beautiful wooden hulled Indonesian Pinisi schooner is well equipped for scuba expedition; large sundeck, large table area for cameras at front of boat, comfortable air conditioned lounge area for meals. You will have a choice of cabins with double or twin beds, individually controlled air conditioning, en-suite with hot showers.

Food: Indonesian, Spanish and International cuisine;  lots of meat and other solid fare. Roast dinner and chocolate desert to die for. Vegetarians are well catered for on request – the chefs are open to requests. Meals are served. 

The Day Routine: mostly 4 dives a day. Wake Up / Light Breakfast / Dive 1 / Breakfast / Dive 2 / Lunch follow by siesta / Dive 3 / Snack, evening or Night Dive – dinner and presentation. 

Divers will be split into two/three groups and are taken to dive sites in small tenders; dive procedure is flexible subject to condition and experience. Nitrox available at no additional charge but nitrox certification is essential. Expedition package: Live-aboad 12 nights / 13 day, twin sharing, meals, soft drinks, all dives and nitrox included.

USD 3880  per person – ex Kaimana. Fuel surcharge may  apply : email for application form.

Photographic tips and reefs interpretation included.