Aqua Safaris SCUBA CENTER
   Let’s go diving!
postmaster@aquasafaris.com         831-479-4FUN (479-4386)
SCUBA Center Newsletters
 
Winter 2005


News for the New Year

The holidays are over and you have found that you didn’t get everything you wanted on your list. Not to worry, we can help. Our biggest SALE of the year is coming up! Mark your calendar for the first weekend in February and then be sure to stop in. You won’t want to miss out on entering our raffle. The prizes this year are awesome and plentiful.
New Year means new developments with gear. Aqua Lung has come out with a double hose regulator! No, we’re not going back in time to the days of Lloyd Bridges and the Sea Hunter. We’re stepping into the world of digital photography and videography. Using the Mistral regulator means that the photographer will no longer have to worry about those troublesome bubbles, as the exhaust is behind his head.
Another hot item is the D-9 computer. Finally a computer that has a digital compass built in. These are just a few items that are new for 2005, come by the shop and we’ll share other new and exciting gear for 2005.

What else is new for 2005, we’d be crazy if we didn’t mention our new rental gear! We now have both Scubapro and Aqua Lung regulators for rent. We’ve also included high performance regulators so that you can now “test dive” more than one type of regulator before you buy. While trying out one of the regulators, why not add the experience of diving DRY! Remember we offer a full line of DUI drysuits in our rental department.
Lastly, we welcome Abigail, our newest sales associate, to our team. She comes to us with 9 years of diving experience and still has the excitement of a new diver. Her goals include becoming an instructor and leading a dive adventure abroad. Next time you’re in, be sure to say hello to her.

SCUBA Socials

Being a diver, you'd have to agree that divers are good people and fun to be around. That’s why we’ve started our SCUBA socials. We’ve met a few times for a movie and dinner. It’s been great fun, (actually the movies have been flops—but the company rocks!). We promise to pick a winner for the next flick. We’re currently planning a trip to the Aquarium to visit the White Shark. Keep your eyes on the look out for the emails “SCUBA SOCIAL”. We’ll tell you where and when we are meeting. No need to RSVP, just show up if it works for your schedule. If you haven’t received an invite, it’s because we don't have your email. Give us a call and we’ll be sure to get you on the list for the next SOCIAL! It's a fun way to get to know other divers and share some stories along the way.

Valentines Day Dive

Are you looking for a special gift for your Valentine? How about two dives in Monterey aboard the Escapade? We've charted the Escapade again and this year we’re looking for those diving couples as well as “Swinging Singles”. The dive is scheduled for Saturday, February 13th—call today to get signed up. If you can't make this special dive, don”t worry. We”re continuing to make monthly charters. Take a look at the calendar. or call the shop and we’ll get you on board. Also, 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. Simply give us a call and we’ll be sure to get you wet!

Leadership Training

Interested in taking your hobby of SCUBA diving a step further? Why not sign up for our Dive Master or Instructor course? Participating in the 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 (see calendar).

A Special Thank You

It was very special to receive phone calls and emails from friends around the world concerned that our holiday travelers may have been in the path of the Tsunami. We want to thank all of you who were concerned and sent their warm wishes and positive thoughts. Fortunately for us, our group was in Fiji and Tonga for the holidays and did not experience even a ripple.

Tsunami Recovery
As with many disasters, it was hard to comprehend the magnitude of the damages. It didn’t matter how many times we saw the photos on CNN, it was slow to sink in. However, it quickly became more real as we received emails from friends who own and operate dive resorts & centers that experienced the tragic event first hand. One underlying theme that was found in all the communications was that they have suffered, but have a greater fear that the impact of the Tsunami will have lasting effects in the form of “financial blows”. Much of the area struck is already impoverished and depends greatly, if not exclusively on tourism. They fear that divers will cancel scheduled trips or avoid making plans to travel to this area completely causing even more devastation. In many cases entire families survive day-to-day on dive-related work. Many fear losing their meager way of life on top of the hardships and loss they have already suffered resulting from this disaster. We want to let it be known that we will continue to lead diving trips to these areas and make recommendations to others to do the same. There are a great many ways that one can contribute to the recovery of those who have suffered, but one clear and logical way is to offer continued financial income through tourism. Help diminish their fears and make tourism strong once again.

Wheelchair Dive

Aqua Safaris was thrilled to be a supporter of the wheelchair dive last September. Not only did we train some of the dive buddies but we also hosted a celebration BBQ. The day was a big success and thanks to all who helped.

We’re excited to share that another dive is in the planning for February 12th! Two more physically challenged divers are needed to join the group at no charge. If you know of someone or would like to help out, please contact DeDe. In addition, if you missed out on the “dive buddy” or “handicapped instructor” training, we have another training scheduled for the third week in July. Contact DeDe for details.

Memorial Day to Remember

We’ve chartered the Vision for a three-day adventure over Memorial Day Weekend. This trip is filling fast and space is limited, so don’t
wait to get yourself on board. See calendar for other charters for 2005. We’re also currently working on a charter to the Flower Gardens in the Gulf of Texas. Give us a call if you’re interested and we’ll be sure to get you the information. This too will be limited space and will fill up fast.

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Baja Mexico—March 18th–27th

Aqua Safaris will be making its regular trip to Mulege, Baja California. Come celebrate spring, join us on an adventure to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and play in the sunny Bay of Conception. Come and 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 and 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.

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Galapagos June 12th–19th, ’05  $2795 + Air
Come visit the site were the theory of evolution evolved, where change is almost tangible. A place where uniqueness can be witnessed both above and below the water. We’ve planned this 8 day, world class live-aboard trip for June to almost ensure encountering whale sharks. In addition, you’re almost guaranteed to swim with hammerheads and huge schools of pelagic fish. The sights around Darwin Island will impress even the most experienced diver. Not to mention the attractions you’ll observe from above. After 7 days of remarkable diving, 5 star service and gourmet food, you can visit the mainland of Ecuador.

Amazon Add-On
After you get off the boat, come play with us for an extra week in Ecuador. Explore the history and culture of this beautiful country. Cruise down the headwaters of the Amazon on a liveaboard river boat. Fish for piranha and check out the wildlife with a naturalist guide in the largest jungle in the world. All for only $1600 which includes intercountry flights, hotels, tours and the Amazon riverboat adventure.

If you want to join this adventure, sign up today, only three spots remain. Cost of the liveaboard dive excursion is $2795 (excluding air.). This will be a trip to remember, call to hold your spot today!
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Hawaii Kona Aggressor Liveaboard Diving August 20th -27th   $2095 + Air

“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.

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Maldives—The Indian Ocean
December 17th–27th, ’05 $3,200 Incl Air
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 a liveaboard and fully explore this beautiful, exciting location far off the beaten path. A Christmas Adventure to be remembered. If you have the time, come play with us in India for a second week of cultural adventure.

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Wakatobi Indonesia
May 2006 $2240 + Air 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 a private airplane 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.
Bali Add-On
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.

© 2005 Aqua Safaris, 6896 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062,   tel. 831-479-4FUN (479-4386),   e-mail postmaster@aquasafaris.com