Well, the news is out and it isn’t just a nasty rumor. David, DeDe and the boys are really leaving Santa Cruz for a life in Baja! Don’t panic, they aren’t leaving forever, just enough time to construct a special place that they can share with us all (see Baja Project for more information). Come August 1st they’ll be loading up the last of the building supplies and heading south for a five month adventure. Please join us in wishing them the very best at a bonfire bon voyage celebration at Seabright Beach on July 24th.

The scuba manufactures have gone to bat again for all you “gearless” divers. They know that over half of you won’t continue diving unless you buy your own gear. Now, with their help, you can get the gear and the training you want. Come in and talk to one of our sales associates about the rebate programs both Aqua Lung and Scubapro are offering. But don’t wait too long, they expire soon. Put these offers together with our HUGE Parking Lot Sale (June 4–5) and you can’t lose.

We are excited to announce that Jeremy Lambert has joined the Aqua Safaris team. Jeremy first started diving in 1994 off the coast of Okinawa, Japan during his tour with the Marine Corp. Jeremy is currently getting acquainted with the Monterey Bay and has plans of becoming a SCUBA instructor. Please be sure to say hello to Jeremy the next time you’re in.

Hats off to Jon Collier, the group dive leader for the Cozumel Carnival adventure in February. Cozumel didn’t let ’em down! The trip reviews were awesome and the participants look forward to a repeat performance in Feb 2006. With one small change, they will be spending a few extra days on the mainland, because a week of great diving, wonderful food and outrageous entertainment just simply wasn’t enough. To join in on next years adventure, visit our Cozumel page.

After nearly 20 years of visiting the wonderful Bay of Conception, we have finally purchased a little piece of the paradise. The property is located in the bay, about 10 miles south of the city of Mulege. (For those past participants, it's Playa Naranjos Beach far end past the One Eyed Indian's place). This will allow us to continue to offer a Baja cooperative adventure but with more comfort. Come see the progress in October! As part of the project we have a 30 KW diesel generator that needs a little help—call David if you have any interest and expertise.

Parking Lot Sale

Get ready for summer, our Huge Parking Lot sale is June 4th and 5th and everything in the store will be on sale from 10% to 70% off. In addition will be offering a huge selection of used gear at fantastic prices. Used Regs and BCs starting at $49 each. Congratulations to Nicole Gould and Lek Chee who won regulators in the raffle at our last sale in February.

Earn money doing what you love! Participating in this NAUI leadership classes will open many doors for you. Whether you simply want to improve your own diving skills or have an interest in leading dive tours or teaching SCUBA, we can help you achieve your goal Aqua Safaris will be conducting a NAUI Instructor’s Training Course (ITC) on three 3-day weekends (Friday through Sunday) starting July 8th. Already an instructor with another agency? We offer a cross over certification too. Call the shop for details on how to sign up.

In addition, we are hosting a Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor Training on July 14th–16th. E-mail Jim Gateger for details at hsa@hsascuba.com.

The 13th Annual Day on the Beach is coming up on July 16th. This is a great opportunity to share your SCUBA diving skills and make possible what some believe to be impossible. Help those having had accidents and illnesses experience the freedom of “zero gravity” and weightlessness in the underwater realm. The event will take place at Cowell’s Beach from 12 noon to 5 pm.If you would like to volunteer please call Aqua Safaris to sign up.

Join us on one of the great Channel Islands trips we have planned on the Vision. On July 29th and 30th we have a 2 day trip, and on Sept 29th–Oct 1st a three-day Lobster Opener. Unlimited diving, all inclusive food and air. Predictably good visibility. This is California diving at it’s best. The 2-day trip is only $299 and the 3-day is $449. Space is going fast, call now to reserve your spot.

Escapade Adventures

We have quite a following on our monthly Escapade charters in Monterey. Come join us in the fun. On June 18th we will be celebrating all those diving dads! To reserve a spot for your favorite father call or come by the shop.As an added service to you, we’d be happy to book you on the boat anytime your dive schedule doesn’t match up with our charter.

Join us on a great trip to the Maldives for world class diving this December. Help support those whose lives continue to be affected by the economic devastation caused by the lack of tourism following the Tsunami last December. We need you to come play with us and celebrate the New Year with a bang as we party it up in Dubai and London as add-on adventures.

August 20th–27th, $2095 + Airfare

“Eat, dive, sleep” is the motto of liveaboards. Could there be anything better? We don’t think so, that’s why we’ve chartered the Kona Aggressor II for seven days of diving, eating, sleeping, and more diving! We’re excited to announce that Corey, our store manager, will be leading this trip. She’s fondly known by many as “flipper chic.” Kona is known for dolphins, and she isn't going to miss out on the opportunity to snorkel with the spinners!

Most divers find themselves in the water 4 or 5 times a day. Remember you are on a floating resort, only one giant stride away from colorful reefs crowded with spectacular life. Water temperature is around 80°. The lava that oozed for decades has created remarkable arches and underwater formations that is now home for many indigenous critters found only in these waters. It’s a photographer’s haven.

A highlight of the trip includes a visit to “Manta Ray Village,” where the crew lowers large lights into the water to attract plankton, which in turn attracts the manta rays. This night dive will be like no other you’ve ever done.

So don’t delay in signing up for this trip, you could be swimming with spinner dolphins, cruising with turtles and enjoying the end of your summer as you live the life style of the rich and famous! Cost is only $2.095 (excluding air), and space is limited.

Aqua Safaris will be making its regular trip to Mulege, Baja California. This could be our last “grass shack” Baja trip as we are breaking ground on a small resort hotel near Mulege. Celebrate fall, join us on an adventure to Mexico's Baja Peninsula and play in the sunny Bay of Conception. Enjoy camping on beautiful sandy beaches, eat hearty and make life-long friends! Drive down and enjoy 10 days of travel, diving, skin diving, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and fun in the sun! Only $499 per person (all inclusive), stay an extra week for only $199 more! So much fun in the sun in beautiful Baja Mexico can be packed into 10 days plus and only 7 days off work. Don’t be left behind, come play. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. Don’t miss out. Pressed for time? You can fly down for about $450 and we will pick you up at the Loreto airport.

Maldives—The Indian Ocean

December 17th–27th, 2005 $3,450 Incl Airfare

The Maldives draws divers from all corners of the world. Emerald lagoons and perfectly white beaches, all surrounded by a deep blue sea are unique features. A diver's paradise located off the coast of India. Come help support this Tsunami swept nation in need of our tourist dollars. Let’s enjoy this world-class diving destination and in doing so help reduce the impact of the disaster.

We will be diving from the liveaboard MV Carina and fully explore this beautiful, exciting location far off the beaten path. A Christmas Adventure to be remembered. If you have the time, come with us as we visit Dubai and London for a second week of cultural adventure.

Cozumel Mexico

Feb 25th–March 4th

Cozumel is well known as one of the premier diving destinations in the Caribbean. Carnival Week on Cozumel is one of the most colorful and biggest celebrations in Mexico. It is a week of parades, dance, costumes, music and street carnivals. Almost all work stops and everyone joins in the dancing and celebration. Schools, clubs, and community organizations spend weeks making floats, costumes, and practicing their dances and music. The competition increases every year and the result is evident in the elaborate costumes and floats. Definitely a diving adventure. We stay at a beautiful hotel right on the beach. Daily, our private dive boat pulls up in front of our hotel to take us to beautifully colored reefs. You'll experience current (drift) diving at it's best. You'll be diving incredible walls and swim your way through magnificent caverns as sea life dances around you. The night diving is unbelievable. Imagine warm water, spectacular colors, and bottom times of an hour or more. Get certified or upgrade your certification on this trip.

Make plans today to join us on this grand celebration. It's definitely a trip you won't forget and don't want to miss - only $1,795 for RT Air, hotel and 5 days of diving, all the food you can eat and all the drinks that you want.

Wakatobi Indonesia

June 30th–July 7th, 2006 $2240 + Airfare to Bali

Come with us on this exquisite dive destination to one of the top rated dive resorts in the world. Private beach, bungalows and unlimited world-class easy diving and great food. First we arrive in Bali and are whisked away on an exclusive charter flight to Wakatobi. In a distant corner of Indonesia, about 2 hours by air from Bali, on a small island the locals call Onemobaa, you’ll find yourself in one of the most extraordinary marine parks in the world. Spend a week enthralled with some of the world’s best diving. Pamper yourself at this year's #1 rated dive resort.

The Epicenter of Biodiversity.

Situated at the core of the ocean’s highest coral reef biodiversity, the 372 square-miles that comprise the Wakatobi National Marine Park was considered to be “probably the finest diving site in the world” by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. Today, it is ranked as one of the premier coral reefs in the world. With 85% of the world’s coral reef species located in the region, the display of diverse marine life is unparalleled. Marine Life.

The adventure begins only 80 meters from the resort’s powder white beach where a lush drop-off stretches along several distinct dive sites. Lionfish, clownfish, rays, batfish, crocodile fish, jawfish, ghost pipefish, waspfish, schooling jacks, turtles, mandarin fish, leaf fish, and four species of pygmy seahorses inhabit the reef. Even the elusive blue-ringed octopus makes a rare appearance. Brilliant soft corals, oversized gorgonians, vibrant sponges and delicate tunicates in every hue create an intricately woven tapestry of color and texture. Shallow depths enable divers to enjoy unusually long bottom times during which they may explore a thriving marine environment. At night, the resort’s famous “House Reef,” one of the world’s best shore dives, explodes with riotous color.

Since you’re so close come with us for five more days in Bali. Enjoy the splendor and hospitality of the legendary Balinese culture: 2-hour massages, fantastic restaurants and shopping at unbelievable prices. Stay with us at a wondrous resort immersed in local culture. This Bali add-on trip is only $685 additional.