Live-aboard divers in search of the finest diving, any where, are inevitably drawn to an area of the world known, in diving and marine conservation circles, as "The Coral Triangle"... 

This magical area encompasses parts of New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Solomon Islands.   What makes the The Coral Triangle so unique? 

Simply, the incredible number and diversity of marine life found in these waters.   Over 600 species of corals (more than 75% of the world's coral species) and 3,000 different species of fish, with more being recorded each month
(source: The Nature Conservancy). 

The Coral Triangle covers a large oceanic area, and while the biodiversity is phenomenal across the region, the diving conditions are not always as kind...  In some of the areas you'll find tremendous concentrations of small and unique marine life that fuel every macro photographers' dream.  In others, you'll find spectacular coral formations, reef fish, and pelagic marine life.  So some good planning needs to go into every Coral Triangle adventure...

At Peter Hughes Diving, we have tried to balance the wishes of our diving guests and discover the very best, well rounded areas in which to place our vessels.  The M/V Star Dancer and Febrina operate out of PNG, and the M/V Komodo Dancer explores the pristing waters of the Komodo National Park, located in the very heart of the Coral Triangle.

When you dive the Komodo National Park, you can see and have it all.  Plunging walls and vibrant reef scapes, plus critters galore and muck dives, and marine life as diverse as giant mantas to some tiny stuff so bizarre you'll need our guides to help you find it and a good set of marine I.D. books to identify it!  Over 1,000 species of fish just in these waters, and over 260 types of corals.   Plus the unique (only here) Komodo Dragon, found topside on only two of the islands, and the largest living reptiles on earth.

Please take a minute to learn more about diving the Komodo National Park and the M/V Komodo Dancer by clicking through the slide show below.  Or by following a link after the slide show that takes you to the Komodo National Park and Nature Conservancy's web site. 

 SLIDE SHOW,

SAVE $ 500 per person, PLUS 2 Free Nights when you book Komodo Dancer!

That's right, save $ 500 off the regular trip price of either a 7 or 10 night cruise, PLUS earn an additional 2 Night Free Stay in Bali at the luxurious Puri Santrian Resort (or equivalent hotel):

Available only on the following 2007 cruises:

April 11-22 (10 night cruise)
May 14-21
June 4-11, 13-24 (10 night cruise)
June 25 - July 2
July 16-23

Please call or email (dancer@peterhughes.com) to book your Komodo Dancer vacation, and visit the fable Coral Triangle of Indonesia on board our luxury live-aboard.  We can also assist you with getting the best possible air fares to Bali. 

Note:  New Bookings only, may not be combined with other discounts or promotions. If the Puri Santrian hotel is not available, and equivalent property will be substituted.  Offer is subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

Writers and Photographers:  WE'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WERE KIND ENOUGH TO WRITE IN WITH IMAGES AND STORIES. 

The winners and prizes for the 2006/2007 Photo/Writing Contest will be announced next month.

In the meantime, we are brainstorming ideas for this year's photo contest.  If you've got any thoughts to share, please do via email at:  phddivemail@waterpath.com