North Amirantes Expedition (6 nights on board)
Possible de February to May and October to December!
THIS EXPEDITION FROM MAHÉ IS AIMED AT EXPERIENCED DIVERS WITH A LEVEL ALLOWING CERTAIN DIVES TO 42 METRES (ADVANCE LEVEL OR MINIMUM EQUIVALENT REQUIRED).
On board the Explorer 2 – Basilisk, this itinerary allows you to discover the coral atolls of the Amirantes group with the 1st island, Desroches, which is located at 12h-14h from Mahé. The rest of the program will take you from atoll to atoll, Poivre, Saint Joseph, Rémire, Afrikan Banks, D’Arros… The immaculate whiteness of the sand, the green of the islands in the blue lagoon of the Indian Ocean, you will never be tired of this spectacle!
We sail at night to maximise the number of dives during the day.
The dive sites are remote and unspoilt as this part of the Indian Ocean only sees a handful of divers each year. This is because it is a highly protected and strictly regulated area seen as one of the last sanctuaries in the world. The access is to these sites are limited by the government. In fact, some of the sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites. This means that each dive site offers an incredible diversity of marine life.
Dives are made at the bottom of the coral reefs, drifting, at depths between 12 and 30 meters but also in the lagoons.
The last dive of the day is usually carried out on a coral reef or in a channel at depths if possible of not more than 12 metres to help decompression.
The night moorings are selected for their comfort (calm waters) and the beauty of atolls allowing swimming and snorkeling, with corals and fishes, or even a night dive.
Change of scenery garanteed!
7 days – 6 nights on board – 18 dives
Day 1
Mahé - Desroches
Boarding between 8am and 11am, installation in your cabins, security briefing and presentation of the program. Lunch on board. En route to Les Amirantes, 2 dives in the south of Mahé: Brizard and Dragon teeth: an overview of the major dive sites of the granite plateau. Night navigation towards Desroches.
Day 2
Desroches
From tunnel to overhang, from circus to canyon, from cave to vault, let's go and explore the 3 spots of Big Cave, Airport Reef and Secret Passage. If you’re lucky, you may see the rare robust ghost fish…
Day 3
Desroches
Today 4 dives are waiting you: Big Wall, Cathédrale, Manta Point and Boulders for a night dive.
Jour 4
Desroches - Poivre
After 2 hours of navigation, you will see Poivre Island lagoon rising on the horizon. Prepare to do 3 dives on the eastern and southern sides of the coral reef as well as a night dive on Etoile Island.
Day 5
Saint-Joseph
Today 3 dives are waiting you: Big Wall, Cathédrale, Manta Point and Boulders for a night dive.
Jour 6
Saint Joseph - D'Arros
You may have the chance to meet the 'resident' group of manta rays... otherwise the grey sharks will still be there, on patrol on the drop! 3 beautiful dives await you.
Day 7
D'Arros - Mahe
After a night navigation, you will wake up not far from Mahé to enjoy your last 2 dives: Shark Bank and the beautiful wreck of the Aldebaran! Disembarkment around 3pm.
Indicative program, subject to changes depending on weather conditions.
Prices and conditions
Amirantes Expedition (7 days / 6 nights on board – 18 dives)
7590 € / Person
(Departure with minimum 4 people )
That's included
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- 18 dives
- Full board dive cruise based on a shared double cabin
- Mahe transfers Airport/boat/airport
- Government taxes, access permits and marine park
- Wi-Fi on board
- Non-alcoholic beverages (water, juice, coffee, tea)
- One cocktail (with or without alcohol) per day
- All diving equipment (BCD, regulator, fins, mask, weights, tank, torch, dive computer)
- Fins/mask/snorkel for snorkeling
- 1 dive guide (max 6 divers per guide)
- The number of dives may be increased or decreased for specific reasons (e.g. weather conditions, surface intervals, no deco limits, etc.).
- In any cases the price will not be changed, no discount if less dives, no extra charges if more dives.
That's not included
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- International and domestic flights
- Local transfers
- Single cabin: +250€/night
- Personal expenses, tips and drinks (alcohol, soda, coffee) not included
- Optional excursions payable on site: Fond Ferdinand, Source d’Argent, bike rental in La Digue and other excursions on the islands
- Landing on Curieuse, Coco Island and the coral islands: about 40€
- Nitrox : 150€/person for all the dives (you need to be certified)
- Diving certifications N1, N2, Deep, Nitrox 250€ per course
- Access and use of the decompression chamber or oxygen therapy station
- Cancellation, rapatriation and diving insurances
Payment
-
- 50% of the total amount payable at registration
- The balance is due 1 month before departure
Cancellation
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- More than 60 days before departure: Cancellation/refund fee of 80€
- Between 60 and 45 days before departure: 30% of the total amount will be charged
- Between 44 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total amount will be charged
- Between 29 and departure day: 100% of the total total amount will be charged