Upcoming Overseas/Long Range Trips

Taiwan and Anilao, Philippines Diving Expedition 2024

March 28 - April 8

We have designed a special two-part dive & eco trip for spring 2024: Taiwan and Anilao, Philippines. For the Taiwan part of our expedition, we will venture into the southern coast of Taiwan. This area is known for its majestic coastline butted against jagged mountains. We will take a boat to visit some pinnacles full of sea fans and corals that are unique to Taiwan’s cooler tropical waters. Among the places we will visit are the Kenting National Park, Eluanbi Lighthouse, Hengchun, and ChuHuo (Eternal Flame). We will also have a glimpse of Taipei with its rich culture and night market, known for its local cuisine. 

At Anilao, we will stay at Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, a beautiful resort only minutes away from dive sites. Our 6 days, 5 nights stay at the resort includes 4 diving days (3 guided dives per day) and shore dives upon request. The deluxe rooms, each adorned with its own balcony area with sea views, are well furnished with all the amenities you would expect of a modern resort. Located in the Coral Triangle in a protected marine area since the 1970’s, Anilao is known for its beautiful reefs and incredible marine biodiversity. Perhaps you have heard of it being referred to as a paradise for underwater photographers. The reefs of Anilao are very healthy. At every dive site, you will find a variety of soft and hard corals, sponges, colorful reef fish, and all sorts of critters. Be ready to spot critters such as frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, pipefish, shrimps, and a variety of nudibranchs.

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Socorro Island Diving Expedition 2024

May 21 - May 30

Incredible… is probably the most accurate word to describe the Revillagigedo Archipelago, more commonly known as Socorro. This region is home to volcanic pinnacles with gnarly currents that bring big fish action - mantas, tunas, whale sharks, and numerous mammal encounters like dolphins and whales. Without question, the best manta encounters in the world are found here, where divers have close intimate connections with these gentle giants. Socorro has one of the largest underwater biomass compared to the rest of the world, and is the largest marine protected area in North America. Located 290 miles from the tip of Baja California, Socorro is considered the lesser-known brother islands to the Galapagos, but not as often visited. Truly, these islands are the wild wild Pacific. We will be visiting during the best season, with 100ft+ visibility, no hurricane threat, and comfortable subtropical temperature range. Ocean Safari will make the voyage to explore Socorro Islands with one of the most experienced local operators in Mexico. Come join us aboard the solidly built and beautiful 130ft liveaboard, M/V Valentina, with her top-notch service and amenities. Let’s adventure into one of the most spectacular underwater wonders of the world; this 10-day experience will be a once-in-a-lifetime expedition!

 

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Magdalena Bay Sardine Run Diving Expedition 2024

October 13 - October 20

Just off the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita protect a dynamic stretch of ocean known as the Magdalena Bay. The dense forests of mangroves and vast expanses of white sand dunes surround the bay around 200 kilometers of channels and lagoons in breathtaking scenery. Through the combination of deep ocean upwelling as well as the California current and northerly current flowing up the pacific coast provides the bay with some of the most biologically productive waters in the world. These healthy, nutrient-rich waters give us the opportunity to witness the magnificent Mexico Magdalena Bay Sardine Run. Join Ocean Safari aboard the Luxury Liveaboard Nautilus Gallant Lady, a majestic 116 ft yacht, as we travel up the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur to dive around the sardine bait balls with striped marlins and sea lions that chase them as well as a surprisingly intact WW1 submarine and the wreck of the steamship Independence. Each panga trip out for diving promises an exciting adventure teeming with wildlife seldom undertaken by many others.

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Spice Islands, Halmahera, Outer Raja Ampat Diving and Eco Expedition 2024

October 23 - November 8

Indonesia’s archipelagos are known to have some of the best diving in the world. The Spice Islands, formally called the Maluku Islands, span the Banda, Molucca, and Halmahera seas between Sulawesi and New Guinea. This stretch of ocean is famous for coral reefs teeming with endemic marine life, geologically complex sceneries, and its long history as a central figure of the European spice trade. Close by, just east of Halmahera Island in outer Raja Ampat, the Misool District and Dampier Strait sits on the edge of the “Bird’s Head Seascape” which boasts over 70% of the world’s coral species and 1,800 different species of reef fish. Aboard the world-renowned boutique liveaboard, Arenui, we’ll be exploring some of the most majestic waters in Indonesia through critter dives, drift dives along steep reef walls, coral gardens, and so much more as we make our way from Ambon to Halmahera to Sorong. Along the way, we’ll also be able to hop on land to visit some remote island villages and experience their rich culture firsthand. Join Ocean Safari as we venture through the unforgettable wonders of the world’s most biodiverse waters aboard one of the most luxurious vessels at sea. 

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Raja Ampat & Lembeh Strait Diving Expedition 2025

January 10 - January 23

Raja Ampat & Lembeh Strait Diving Expedition 2025

The Ocean Safari Dive Team is gearing up to explore the breathtaking & colorful waters of Northern Raja Ampat and Northern Sulawesi. As part of the famous Coral Triangle, this region is a vibrant hotspot of marine biodiversity, unlike any other place in the world. Starting our journey from Sorong, West Papua, we’ll explore the dazzling geological formations bejeweled with schools of fish and 64% of the world’s coral species aboard the first class liveaboard, Arenui. After 7 days of spectacular reef diving, we’ll fly west to Manado and visit the world’s best muck diving destination in Lembeh for 4 days. We will stay in a 5-star seaside resort, overlooking the  strait filled with unique sea creatures found nowhere else in the world. In addition, we will also be hopping on land to experience the rich remote island cultures and learn in depth about the famous history of the region. Join Ocean Safari on a journey across the most biodiverse waters in the world. You definitely don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! 

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Best of Borneo & West Sulawesi, Indonesia 2025

August 29 - September 10

We will embark on an epic journey that will take us between the islands and reefs rising up from the Makassar Strait aboard the world-renowned boutique liveaboard, Arenui. Each island has its own unique character. We can see entire schools of manta rays at Sangalaki that are drawn here to feed on plankton. As well as turtles, Derawan has elusive treasures to be found; here we search for hidden critters. Maratua hosts massive marvels, such as sharks, barracudas and more mantas! At Kakaban island, plunge into the saltwater lake full with non-stinging jellyfish in the middle of the island. Dive the incredible walls encircling the island of Kakaban. In the shallow waters encircling Samama, we scan for an abundance of macro critters, hiding in plain sight. Moving on, we cross over to the Sulawesi side of the Strait. We will follow the coastline to see the many picturesque islands and bays. We can expect to dive large reefs with immense soft and hard coral coverage, incredible pelagics, including sharks on almost each dive.

 

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