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Beyond the Ordinary Tours cater
exclusively for wildlife enthusiasts and underwater
photographers. 90 percent of dive sites are thoroughly
surveyed and proven popular with photographers and
bio-diversity scientists. Because you will wish to be
familiar with the animals and learn more about their
behavior, some sites are dived 2 –3 times. Photographers
will have plenty of opportunities to reload and
change lenses.
We restrict our numbers,
which improves the quality of your marine life
experience – animals are less likely to be frightened
away. Photographers will have ample space for the
optimum photo opportunities. Because we want you to
enjoy the experience both underwater and above, we only
select first class operations for accommodation, dive
operations and live-aboards.
However some of the best diving is in remote corners of
the world, the operation may not be 5-star, but the
service and diving will be.
Photographers will have ample space for the optimum
photo opportunities. If you signed up for trip that are
designated as photographic trip, you will have the
option to participate in our unique
Essential Digital Photography Workshop and Tour–
cater for both film and digital photographer.
Regardless on all expedition, I will be happy to advise
on-the-spot tips for photography and answer any
questions as accurately as possible. On most trip, an we
will have a biologist or naturalist to provide marine
life interpretation, discussion on behavior, sex and
lifestyle of marine animals. Beyond ttours is
all about sharing experiences, and bringing back better
pictures…be it with your camera or just in your mind.
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The AWTIMATE Mantas & Whale sharks
Expedition - Maldives
September 2009 – 12 days
Watch the
Video
Of all the locations in the
world, Socorro, Yap, Raja Ampat, PNG, Kona,
Komodo, Mozambique, the Maldives is without
doubt the capital of mantas interaction –
for last 20 years of so I have visited them
all… some for many times, but the one we
recently shot in the Maldives – is like
nowhere else in the world. My recent 10 days
shoot was among the top five most memorable
in my life…we are talking of over 10,000.
When the tide, moon, sun, wind are align,
for a couple of days I was sucked into a
vortex of 200 mantas…whale shark hang on the
surface to feast on the broth of living
wriggling planktons. Superlative takes on
new meaning; I was out of this world.
Okay here is the deal - the
cruise director and vessel have known and
dived this location for the last 3-4 years
and have deliberately kept it on low
profile. That is until National Geographic
published a couple of spread on it few
months ago; so it is no longer a secret. The
madness and rush will ensued in following
years. For now, the secret is in the timing
and how to strike it best; …so it is a 12
days live-aboard expedition on the Sea
Queen. After reviewing with the Lisa, David
– the cruise directors and scientists
documenting the site for the last 3 years,
we identify two periods for the ultimate
experience. One in September and one in
August; the September being the better of
the two; there will always be mantas and
whale shark but to be in the vortex, we need
to increase the odds with the science. For
this 12 day cruise there will be
opportunities to dive a couple of atolls
that have just open up for marine tourism –
yes – no other boats, no other divers and
did I tell you of the new animal that Lisa
the cruise director found during our recent
trip; a Pipehorse with head of a pipefish
and tail of a seahorse and bulging eyes – it
is the cutest and weirdest critters ever.
Pygmies takes a back seat!
Cost: US $3,880 (12 nights/
full board – twin sharing * you can get off
earlier if you wish but a sea plane flight
can be organize at additional cost.
Email for
application form
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Sardine Run Expedition, South Africa
25
June to 5 July 2010 (11 days) -
only 8 spots - get
application form
now
Every 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. Email:
one@michaelaw.com
for
application
Gallery - Sardine Run 2007
: Gallery -
Sardine Run 2008
Watch flash movie
:
Watch WMV - 2006
expedition
:
Watch Real Video 2006
expedition
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Bahamas - Dolphins, Sharks and Mermaid 24 March
- 2 April 2010
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! Teaming up with the divine sharks
diving veteran Amanda Cottons (www.acottonphoto.com),
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 Amanda’s enthralling interactions with
her Tigers of the sea.
24 March to 2 April 2010. (Book Early – only 5
spots remaining) 10 day live-aboard on a sharks
and dolphin specialty vessel.
Email:
one@michaelaw.com
for
application
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KOMODO U/W Digital
Photographic Safari Tour on MV Siren
July 2009 - more info
Fak Fak &
Raja Ampat -
Ocean Geographic Visual Assessment Tour
with Michael AW & Leandro Blanco
17 February – 1 March 2009 (11 day/10 night)
Slide Show of
Raja Ampat /Fak Fak
2008
PREAMBLE
The Raja Ampat and Fak Fak 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 2009 expedition aim to
contribute to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism
and Culture initiative of nominating the Raja
Ampat & Fak Fak region as a new World Heritage
Site.
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 where Leandro and
Michael AW will share with you their work and
experience. Of course if you are photographer or
a videographer, Michael and Leandro will be
happy to share with you some of their imaging
tips and secrets.
The Expedition Leader: Michael AW & Leandro
Blanco:
Since 2003 Michael AW has made six expeditions
to Raja Ampat & Fak Fak; 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. See complete biography
of Michael AW & Leandro Blanco.
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: Liveaboad 10 nights / 11
day, twin sharing, meals, soft drinks, all dives
and nitrox included.
AUD 3800 per person – ex SORONG. Fuel surcharge
will apply
Photographic tips and reefs interpretation
included.
DEPOSIT – AUD$1000
Balance due 30: 11: 2008
Email:
michael@oneocean.com
for booking form
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Fiji
Sharks Dive Photographic Adventure
1 - 8 April 2007 - 7
Nights Shark Diving Package – USD 1580*
Rated as the
; *The best
shark dive in the world” – Ron & Val Taylor
Without a doubt this is the definitive shark
dive adventure in the world – imagine
predictably close encounter with Tiger
shark, Bull shark, Silver-tip, Grey Reef,
Tawny Nurse, White-tip, Sicklefin Lemon
shark, Blacktip Reef Shark all from one site
in the wild. If you love sharks and serious
on preserving them, be sure to join this
tour to Shark Reef – a marine protected area
dedicated to protect sharks in Beqa Lagoon,
Fiji. Huge Queensland groper, Napoleon
wrasse and school of gianormous jacks are
all part of this trip. Of course, if you
become tired of big-fish action, we can also
spend a couple of days diving with
ornamental reef fishes and multi-coloured
soft corals.
Shark
Week package: 7
Night Shark Diving Package includes 5 days
of 2-tank diving – daily photographic tips
and critiques. Include at least 4 days
diving on the BIG FISH ENCOUNTER. If
requested BIG FISH ENCOUNTER dives can be
included for the 5th day at no
extra charge, however the 4 days
pre-scheduled cannot be cancelled. Sharks
Behavior Interpretation and photography tips
Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles to
and from Nadi or Suva International Airport
on 1 April and 8 April included
Accommodation and Food -
7 nights at Lagoon Resort in an
air-conditioned Standard Room (twin share),
7 day meal plan with Island Breakfasts,
Lunch and Three Course Dinner each day.
Optional:
Beyond the Basic Digital Photography Course
@ only USD180 (usual USD500)
Cultural Village Tour – USD50
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