Changing the game with Eco-innovation

RAJA AMPAT in Indonesia is a dream destination for all divers thanks to its the rich marine life and Eco system. Raja Ampat is a marine protected area, however, like anywhere else in the world, dive operations and trips are using fuel powered speed boats, polluting and damaging the environment, one dive after another.

MahaRaja Eco Dive Lodge wants to change the game with Eco-innovation and is introducing electric dive boats, equipped with Torqeedo engines, for #diving and #snorkeling trips. Launched in March 2018, MahaRaja Eco Dive Lodge is the newest kid on the block in #RajaAmpat, with the vision of pioneering a new era of eco-tourism.

It offers an exclusive tropical holiday experience to their guests, all with appreciation, respect and care for the ocean, nature, people and life. Created by a group of friends, passionate about the ocean, nature, traveling and people. After falling in love with Raja Ampat, they changed their lives to create a place where they could share their passion with their guests and immerse them in a full eco-lifestyle on a private island.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Down Under . . .

TWO of Australia’s natural World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest – feature in a brand new package offered by Majestic Whales Encounters, which will see travellers swim with dwarf minke whales, snorkel on the famous reef, and stay in a luxurious rainforest treehouse. 

The ‘Swim with Dwarf Minke Whales’ 10-night package is the first Queensland trip offered by Australian company, Majestic Whales, which is known for its #whaleswim #holidays in Tonga and now expanding into other whale-rich waters, including Norway and #Queensland. 

Beginning on June 28, 2019, the package aims to coincide with dwarf minke whales’ annual migration to the waters known as the Ribbon Reefs – the only place in the world where you can swim with them. Their inquisitive nature brings them close to boats, divers and snorkelers, often swimming just a metre away as they playfully lift their heads out of the water to observe the boats, tail-slap the water and breach. 

www.majesticwhaleencounters.com.au

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK
Picture Credit: pintrest

Most popular activites in Portugal

THE most popular activities in 2017 were the boat trips, with the trips to Benagil caves being the favourite choice. Located between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, Benagil’s beautiful sea cave is listed in the world’s “Top 10 Coolest Caves” according to the American online newspaper The Huffington Post. Benagil’s cave is actually one of many caves along Lagoa’s coastline but is certainly the most stunning, attracting thousands of visitors. Algarve Fun also provides boat visits to Benagil and other caves from 20 euros per person.

Also kayaking and snorkeling activities have grown in popularity in 2017 with a younger, active and sporty demographic of tourist being attracted to the Algarve for its challenging activities that combine sports and the sea. On Algarve Fun’s website you’ll find kayaking and other activities available along all the Algarve coast. 

Since the company's foundation in 2014, the most popular attractions in Algarve still are the water/theme parks, boat tours and increasingly so watersports. Albufeira is still the busiest city for tourism but the west coast and Lagos is also growing in popularity especially for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, biking and other adventurous activities.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Underwater in the Palm Beaches

BEST known for its 47 miles of pristine beaches, The Palm Beaches is also home to an abundance of marine life, which creates world-class #diving and #snorkeling experiences unique to #Florida. A collection of 39 cities and towns stretching from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, The Palm Beaches is the closest place in North America to the Gulf Stream current, an oceanic conveyor belt of warm, clear water that attracts sea turtles, tropical fish, sailfish, goliath grouper, dolphins and even gentle whale sharks.

The destination is also home to 151 artificial reefs, including 45 scuttled ships. One of the newest is the storied cargo ship Ana Cecilia, which was sunk off the Lake Worth Inlet in 2016. Snorkelers can also enjoy easy access to an Underwater Snorkel Trail, a free shore dive location teeming with reef dwellers and colorful tropical fish.

www.thepalmbeaches.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Galakiwi guiding the way

FACING Waves is a unique and inspiring #paddlesports TV series broadcast in 44 countries around the world. The TV series takes you to the worlds most interesting paddling destinations, connecting with locals to share stories and adventures. Facing Waves is about more than pure adventure thrills, as each 30-minute episode also aims to highlight the beneficial impact of tourism on local communities.

For the #GalapagosIslands, Facing Waves will follow a group of Galakiwi adventurers around the islands for 10 days. With the support of the Ministry of Tourism and permits from the Galapagos National Park, a film crew will capture the spirit of adventure and responsible land tourism in the Galapagos Islands.

By visiting San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz the wide range of ecosystems, wildlife and activities will be on full display for viewers to see the wonders of the Galapagos.

 

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Tour the Galapagos Islands on a stand up paddleboard

SAN CRISTOBEL based Galakiwi Adventures has launched the most in-depth #SUP tour of the #Galapagos Archipelago.

Tim Cooney, said "We've had SUPs in our office in the Galapagos for many years, but felt it was finally time to offer them on our public tours. This new tour is all about enjoying the beautiful water in the Galapagos. We have packed this trip full of SUP, snorkel, swim and kayak options."

This 10-day Galapagos SUP tour includes some activity on the water almost every day. It is suitable for people with any level of SUP experience, as each SUP activity can be substituted for kayaking.

Visiting Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal, this SUP tour is set to launch in January 2017, with departures every other week. Details about the new Galapagos tour are available on their website at www.galakiwi.com. To kick things off, Galakiwi is also offering a free day tour to Espanola Island for early bookers.

Picture  Credit: www.galakiwi.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Whale Shark tours in Cancun

WHALE Shark Tours & Cancun Snorkel Tours are joining forces with Caribbean Connection to provide the most exciting water tours in #Cancun.

Roddrigo Sidney The “WHALE SHARK DADDY” owner of Cancun Whale Shark & Snorkel tours has helped more than 40,000 adventure seekers since 2004 to enjoy the best Isla Holbox & Cancun has to offer for an exciting day “On The Water”, snorkeling with whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and myriads of other aquatic life in mother natures aquarium.

Whale Shark Daddy now joins forces with Caribbean Connection Cancun's premier tour operator to better serve their worldwide clients. Caribbean Connection has the most modern boats for all tour offerings with more than 20 years experience serving Cancun’s tour industry

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: By User:Zac Wolf (original), enhanced by User:madmax32 - en:Image:Whale-shark-enhanced.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2176880

Turneffe Island Resorts relaunches

TURNEFFE Island Resort a unique private island oasis offers adventure-seekers a personalized experience with unparalleled fishing, diving and snorkeling excursions. Spread across 14 acres, this hidden gem island at the southern tip of the #Turneffe Atoll is 35 miles off the coast of #Belize City and only 30 miles from the world-famous Great Blue Hole.

The resort specializes in all-inclusive fishing, diving and snorkeling packages for avid water enthusiasts. From the lengths of the saltwater Turneffe Flats to the depths of the Great Blue Hole, guests have easy access to Caribbean waters – and seasoned guides who grew up on the water of the centuries-old Turneffe Atoll channels, lagoons and reef.

“We are delighted to unveil the new Turneffe Island Resort on our 15-year anniversary. We’ve renovated the property, as we do after each season, but we’re especially excited to make a dramatic debut for guests, both returning and new, this season,” said Deborah Finkler, sales and marketing manager, Turneffe Island Resort. “We’ve enhanced our special adventure packages and have a brand new website to allow visitors to virtually experience all the luxury and adventure that the island and surrounding Caribbean waters can offer.”

The resort is known as one of the only places in the world where one can chase the elusive “Caribbean Grand Slam”, catching a bonefish, tarpon and permit, all in one day. Guests can also fish for snapper, barracuda and jack for a truly unforgettable fish story.

The resort offers multiple dives per day with Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)-certified guides, a weekly night dive and trips to one of the deepest dives in the world, the legendary Great Blue Hole, a collapsed 1000-year old oceanic cave, where divers head 130 feet underwater.

With direct flights from US cities Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York to Belize City, Turneffe Island Resort is remote, but not difficult to get to.

For more information on Turneffe Island Resort or to book your trip, please visit http://www.turnefferesort.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: By Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA - A stop on an atoll, CC BY 2.0 commons.wikimedia.org 24321078

Under the Sea in Latin America

CENTRAL and #SouthAmerica offer some of the best dive spots in the world with the crystal clear waters rich with wildlife and coral reefs perfect for snorkelling or scuba diving. According to LATA these are the best eight places to #snorkel or #scuba dive in Latin America

Great Blue Hole, Belize - The hole was made popular by French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau who declared it “one of the top ten dive sites in the world.” Meet nurse sharks, reef sharks and bull sharks.

Isle Holbox, Mexico - As part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve which is separated from the mainland by the Yalahau Lagoon, home to flamingos and pelicans and waters teeming with sea turtles and whale sharks.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - With unique wildlife, much of which is endemic to the archipelago you can enjoy close encounters with playful sea lion pups, turtles, sharks, rays and exotic fish.

Fernando do Noronha, Brazil - A volcanic archipelago found off Brazil's northeast coast here you can snorkel and scuba with sea turtles, rays, dolphins and reef sharks. Its largest island is a a protected national marine park and ecological sanctuary.

Little Corn, Nicaragua - Found off the eastern Caribbean coast of Nicaragua Little Corn is only 1.5 sq miles in size. There are about 20 dive sites around the island including the most popular 'Blowing Rock' commonly seen are huge reef sharks, turtles, curious eagle rays, barracuda, dog-tailed snapper.

Sea of Cortez, Mexico - A world heritage site the reason most people go here is to see the gigantic gray whales and their calves. Alternatively snorkel amongst sea lions, blue damselfish, and schools of king angelfish.

Ambergris Caye, Belize - Belize's largest island dive off the eastern shore and enjoy the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the 124m deep Great Blue Hole.

Los Roques, Venezuela - From shallow reefs to high coral walls and deep caves Los Roques has something for everybody especially its rich marine life.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Cwrgenec flickr.com/photos/25969987@N06/29821519711 Sea Turtle via photopin.com", ahisgett flickr.com/photos/37804979@N00/4386587491 Fish 4 via photopin.com, wstera2 flickr.com/photos/13836188@N04/4642337100 The Great Blue Hole via photopin.com