Andaman Islands

We have organized a trip to the Andaman Islands on the beautiful live-aboard boat, the Siren. (see picture below) The boat is booked for a 10 day, 9 night tour from 29th March to 7th April 2010.

S/Y Siren

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Indian Ocean in Indian territorial waters between Thailand and India.

Although the Andaman Islands are a collection of 500 islands and islets, covering an area of just over 8,000 sq km, only 26 are inhabited and the area is practically un-dived. The larger islands are fairly mountainous and blanketed with dense rainforest. A high proportion of these forests are protected with a confusing network of tribal reserves, six national parks and coastal belts, and no less than 94 wildlife sanctuaries.

Many of the islands in the Andaman area are surrounded by fringing reefs, really only accessible by live-aboard diving.  The reefs are often several hundred metres wide and separated from the shore by a lagoon of similar width. There are also more steeply sloping reef walls & coral pinnacles or knolls.  Divers can follow around the undulating hills of raven black volcanic lava, which makes for some unusual diving. There are also plenty of shallow reefs suitable for snorkeling.

Large pelagics are plentiful in these waters such as sharks, large schools of hammerheads often patrol the Andaman waters away from the reefs, Grey, Whitetip, Nurse and Leopard sharks are found closer inshore, and Silvertip and Oceanic Whitetips are sometimes glimpsed.

Another feature of diving the Andaman Islands are the impressive cleaning stations where giant barracuda hover silently, waiting for their teeth to be picked. Enormous manta rays, bumphead parrotfish and napoleon wrasse are also often seen, sometimes by the dozen. There is some more information on some of the potential dive sites at the end of this information.

Not found anywhere else to my knowledge is the chance to see feral elephants swimming in the sea.

The 34 metre sail and motor vessel Siren was originally called Sampai Jumpa Lagi but has been renamed Siren as it is easier to say. She has been designed and built by Worldwide Dive and Sail on the island of Sulawesi. She is a traditional Indonesian ‘gaft-rigged Phinisi’ handcrafted from ironwood and teak. Thus she has been custom-made with all the luxury facilities for the modern diver. Worldwide Dive and Sail considers safety essential on their yachts so the S/Y Siren has been designed and constructed based upon Lloyds Standards, the leading international body of maritime safety standards.

The easiest way to get to our Live-aboard is from India. A standard international flight to Chennai (Madras) and then a smaller plane from Channai to Port Blair, the capital of the Andamans.

The cost of the boat is £TBC. Included in this price is diving, food, soft drinks and beer. Gear hire if required (Needs booking in advance) except computers and torches which are available at extra cost.

On top of this we need to get there;There are two easy flight options, there is a direct British Airways flight from Heathrow to Chennai which at the time of writing is priced at £500 or if you want to break the flight into two you can fly with Emirates for about £50 more. This option can also include an ovenight stay in a hotel (at extra cost). The latest departure would be on Friday the 14th March. The earliest return would be leaving India on the 25th March to arrive back on the same day.

On the flight options above We also need a night in a hotel in Chennai at each end of the trip, a night in a hotel in Port Blair after leaving the boat, and the return flights from Chennai to Port Blair with associated transfers. £350 at time of writing.

Not included but necessary
A VISA before you go, travel insurance, tips, park fees
Extras such as massage and laundry

Tigers and Taj Mahal Tour

I Have organised a fantastic tour in India after the diving. We will transfer from Chennai to Delhi and spend the day exploring some of the treasures of the city. In the evening we will get a sleeper train and in the morning transfer to Bandhavgarh National Park Tiger reserve and stay in the Kings Lodge for 5 nights.The park has the highest density of tigers of all India. As well as tigers there are leopards, bears and numerous other animals such as, ruddy mongoose, hanuman langur (monkey), wild boar, gaur (indian bison), barasingha (swamp deer), sambar, chital, muntjac (barking deer), hyena, wolf, jackal, Indian fox, dhole (wild dog), and sloth bear. We will track the Tigers with local guides with the aid of Jeeps.Elephants can also be used. After the tigers we will then transfer to Agra for the day to see the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. After sunset at the Taj Mahal we will return for the night to Delhi and fly home the next morning, 1st April. The cost of the tour on a sharing basis is £1250, including internal flights, trains guides, and full board at the tiger reserve.

Visas and passports. UK nationals need a visa to visit India. This has to be obtained before travelling. Your passport must have at least six months before expiry. Other nationalities should check.
Insurance is not included but is a must, both to cover diving and general travel emergencies.

Features of the S/Y Siren

7 sails
An expansive leisure deck area
A spacious air-conditioned saloon with cocktail bar, 42 inch flatscreen & computer server supporting the inter-cabin network, covered outdoor dining area
9 large air-conditioned cabins each with their own personal computer, audio-visual entertainment system and ensuite bathrooms with hot water. All rooms are lavished with luxury extra’s including bathrobes, hair dryers, towels, individually controlled mood lighting and individual controls for your air-conditioning unit

Hot towels after night dives, Laundry Service, Massage Service
Free Enriched Air Nitrox
2 high-powered Zodiacs accompany the S/Y Siren, Waterskiing and Wakeboarding
Kayaks, Fishing Tackle
Specialized features for Underwater Photographers & Videographers include:
Each cabin is fitted with an individual computer and multiple power sources to facilitate the needs of digital photography. The computer features high-end specifications and 20” high-definition flat screens, which is integrated with the yachts network server in the saloon
Workstations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras including prep and storage areas
Large rinsing tanks with fresh water changed three times daily

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Ghandi