Praia do Barra is one of Mozambique's most popular beaches, right at the tip of the peninsula in Inhambane Province. The nearby waters are famous for their huge populations of whale sharks and manta rays. Photo courtesy of Riëtte Stoltz

A trip only a few kilometres outside of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique and a large port city, leads to a number of quiet hidden beaches perfect for snorkelling, diving and fishing. And across Maputo Bay, just far enough to be beyond the horizon, are islands like Portuguese and Inhaca, where isolated retreats provide hours of opportunity for quiet walks and tranquil reflection.

Alternatively, when you feel like sinking your feet into something other than sand, there’s a world of African wildlife waiting in the south of country. Right on the South African border, 100 kilometres south of Maputo, lies Kruger National Park, one of the best places in Africa to spot the ‘Big Five’ – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinoceros – animals that old-time hunters used to risk life and limb to shoot.

Of course, there are plenty of things to see and do in Maputo itself. With impressive colonial architecture, the city lends itself to wandering along cobblestone streets, sipping coffee at local cafés and perusing colourful downtown markets. A tour of the Mafalala district opens windows onto Mozambique’s more recent and turbulent past, putting the country’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity into historical perspective.

A beautiful sunset behind the Matola Rio Bridge. Linking the Matola suburbs with Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, the bridge is heavily used by both commuters and by travellers on their way to neighbouring Swaziland and South Africa. Photo courtesy of Riëtte Stoltz

As Mozambique continues to navigate its post-war development, effort is being put into building better infrastructure, like the good mix of Mozambique accommodation. Many Maputo hotels, like the Cardoso Hotel, realise the importance of connecting business development with community development and are actively involved in the local Maputo non-profit sector. A number of Mozambique spas and resorts are gaining popularity as well. Resorts like Indigo Bay balance diving and other water-sport activities against community involvement, an important part of creating successful ecologically and socially minded enterprises.

Natalie Tenzer-Silvia and her team at Dana Tours, the new whl.travel local partner in Mozambique, are no strangers to the community development that is so central to Mozambique’s success. In addition to organising a number of Mozambique tours and running their own Mozambique transport company, Dana Tours is actively involved in hosting volunteers through programs that connect North American students with hands-on learning experiences in Mozambique orphanages.

In Mozambique, a mother does her washing in the river near the Pequenos Libombo dam with her baby asleep on her back. The dam, near the Swaziland border, is a popular spot with the local community. Photo courtesy of Riëtte Stoltz

Dana Tours has been in operation since 2002 and Natalie is very excited to be expanding her business with the whl.travel family. “One of the attractions of joining whl.travel is that I will be dealing with the clients directly,” says Natalie. “So often we don’t get a feel for what the client really wants because there are agents in between us who don’t really know much about Mozambique and what it has to offer – though this is no fault of the agent. There is not much available in the way of tourist information about Mozambique. By dealing directly with the client, we can elicit exactly what he expects to accomplish, and ensure that we realise his dreams.”

The new Mozambique Web portal at www.tourmozambique.travel joins a growing list of whl.travel websites in Southern Africa.

A gorgeous sunset at Kagaba Beach, in Lughu Bay, which is the gateway to Solomon Islands' East Rennell World Heritage Site (Lake Te'Nggano). Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Can this precarious balance be achieved? Can an island like Rennell, which is the highest raised coral atoll in the world, expand its tourism offering while still maintaining its precious ecological integrity? After all, there is more to Rennell’s natural heritage than its inherent value to the environment; it is also Rennell’s main tourism asset.

The Vision of Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Attempting to strike this balance are the local leaders at Rennell World Heritage Site Tours. They established their tour company with the clear goal of enlightening local stakeholder (including business owners, the provincial government and the national government) about Rennell Island’s potential as a national tourism asset and of turning it into a significant contributor to the country’s economy. They aim to raise Rennell’s profile as a popular destination in the Solomon Islands and in the South Pacific. At the same time, the new tour operator is careful to capitalise on existing infrastructure and attractions so as to leave the island’s special natural conditions as unaltered as possible.

A boat transfers tour passengers to Tuhugago Beach after a morning of bush trekking from Niupani Village on Rennell Island, part of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

As its name makes clear, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is a local specialist in adventure circuit tours on Rennell Island, including trips to Lake Te’Nggano World Heritage Site (also known as Tegano and Tungano, the largest freshwater lake in the South Pacific). Their guides are very experienced in the terrain and know how to make each visit comfortable and memorable. They take great pride in exploring the unexplored with their guests, so much so that some of the sites they visit have never even been photographed, meaning their guests may be the first to frame them.

Low-Impact Activities and Lodging

The itineraries of trips organised by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours focus on immersive and low-impact activities. On the Lake Te’Nggano tour, for example, guests enjoy swimming in the lake, interacting with the friendly local people and just enjoying the singing of the birds in the early morning. In fact, given its huge number of endemic bird species, all of Rennell is a prime birdwatching destination.

On the Solomon Islands' Rennell Island, a trail from Tuhugago Beach leads into the lush foliage of the interior. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

On the Niupani Village to Tuhugago Beach tour, bush treks lead guests to scenic vista points such as the unforgettable Tuhugago Lookout. Closer to (and below) sea level, adventurous travellers can glimpse the underwater world while swimming and snorkelling in the clean crystal sea at the Tuhugago and Kagaba beaches. Anyone interested in diving can even opt to explore the underwater shipwreck of the US WWII PBY Catalina at Hutuna Village.

On their tours, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is careful to partner with ecolodges that are owned and operated by local people. Meals consist mainly of fruit and Rennellese local-style cuisine, including the plentiful and fresh seafood. Toilets and bath facilities rely on basic but effective rainwater catchment systems, also used for drinking and cooking.

A fuzzy lake bird looks back at travellers trekking to Niupani Village on Rennell Island of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

“A True Natural Laboratory”

East Rennell (Lake Te’Nggano) was listed by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site in 1998. It is the only one belonging to Solomon Islands in this subregion of the Pacific, which also includes sites in Australia and New Zealand, as well as two other official sites – Easter Island and Henderson Island – under the auspices of Chile and the U.K., respectively.

East Rennell is described by UNESCO as “a stepping stone in the migration and evolution of species in the western Pacific, and an important site for the science of island biogeography.” Due to the great biodiversity, not to mention its status as the largest insular lake in the Pacific and as the largest raised coral atoll in the world, “East Rennell is a true natural laboratory for scientific study.”

To explore the natural heritage of Rennell Island, contact Rennell World Heritage Site Tours.

“For a long time most of the villagers have made a living from fishing. They have always fished the entire coast of Belize. Even those who don’t take part in the traditional lifestyle still make their income from the sea. With their close relationship to the reefs, Sartenejans quickly notice changes to the reef and fish,” says the narrator on an informative video put out by the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD).

Out with a local fishermen in Sarteneja, Belize. Photo courtesy of Travel Off the Radar

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is impressive, covering 560 miles from Cancun to Honduras. In Belize, where the reef stretches for a remarkable 186 miles, a company called Blue Ventures has taken a creative and effective approach to conservation.

Beginning in January of 2010, Blue Ventures, already in its eighth year of operation, began a project with the Belizean community of Sarteneja, the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) and other organizations to understand the impact the local coastal communities have on the nearby reef.

Fishing and marine environments provide a huge source of income and nourishment for nearby residents, and while some are tempted to take extreme conservation measures, SACD clarifies in a video on the Blue Ventures website: “In this community, when people hear the word conservation, they think ‘no fishing.’ That’s not what SACD wants. Conservation can allow fishing to continue, but there are always better ways to do it. There are best practices to ensure the sustainable use of these natural resources.”

Working at the manatee rehabilitation program. Photo courtesy of Travel Off the Radar

For six weeks, volunteers with the Belize project are able to conduct research with Blue Ventures and their partner organization, the SACD. The mission behind the research is to eventually develop a sustainable environmental management plan for the region that not only increases the quality of life for the residents of Sarteneja, but also increases and sustains a healthy level of marine biodiversity.

Depending on schedules, volunteers undergo 7-15 days of their science training program, learning techniques of monitoring and identifying species. If you have not received your PADI certification, courses for PADI Advanced Open Water certification are given within two weeks of arrival.

Sign up for a spot on one of the trips they have coming up in November; more dates are also available in 2012. Blue Ventures also has training and volunteer programs for their research sites in Madagascar. If you aren’t sure which would be the best fit for you, read about each one on their website.

At the marina of Ein Sohkhna, Egypt, private yachts come to dock from all over the world. In the background is one of the most luxurious hotels in the area: Porto Marina El Sokhna. Photo courtesy of Ahmed Kaoud

The quality of the beaches of Ein Sokhna stands head and shoulders above that of some of the other more isolated Red Sea resorts, especially when it comes to accessibility. In fact, Ein Sokhna’s proximity to Cairo, site of many key highlights on any Egyptian travel itinerary, adds considerably to the variety of exciting local things to see and do in Ein Sokhna itself. It’s perfectly feasible to spend the morning taking in the majestic wonder of the pyramids and then make the short drive for an afternoon dip in the crystal-clear waters of the gulf.

Ein Sokhna is no exception to the inescapable pull of the ancient world in Egypt though. Nearby are the Monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul, which are thought to be some of the oldest monastic sites in the world and are a key stop on any Ein Sokhna tour. According to religious texts, the Mount of Galala El Bahareya, also close at hand, is the site from which Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea to freedom in the Sinai Peninsula.

With large umbrellas and reclining chairs sinking into some of the softest sands of the whole Red Sea, the beaches of Ein Sokhna are some of Egypt's best. Photo courtesy of Dusa Stankovic

There is nevertheless no denying that Ein Sokhna’s primary draw is the beach, where revellers can enjoy all the standard water sports, including deep-sea fishing and sailboating over the white-capped waves that break across fabulous dive-worthy coral reefs.

Thanks to a gradual increase in the number of foreign travellers looking to bask along the Red Sea, Ein Sokhna accommodations have kept pace with with steadily rising demand. There are several resort complexes and several more under construction, the larger of them complete with bazaars and malls that are great for souvenir shopping or sampling typical Egyptian cuisine. The Stella Di Mare Sea Club Hotel, for example, has all the extras one could desire on a pampered holiday, including an ideal location overlooking the Red Sea. There are even archery lessons and Latin dance classes!

Shortly before sunset, this lagoon in Ein Sokhna, Egypt, is a secret hardly known even to locals, a perfect place to relax and let the city pressures melt away just one hour by car from Cairo. Photo courtesy of Ahmed Kaoud

Now launching this new whl.travel destination in Egypt, Sherif Abd Elwahab of WHL Egypt said “We are searching the world, not only to sell quality travel products but also to find new innovative ideas. Launching our Ein Sokhna site is a step forward, as we consider Ein Sokhna one of the most important destinations, one from which shore excursions for cruise ship passengers are arranged to Cairo’s well-known attractions. Fortunately, we are an experienced group of travel companies and together we make an outstanding team for assisting travellers with all their Egypt needs.”

www.ainsokhna-shoreexcursions.com is the latest Egyptian travel portal to join the whl.travel family and operates alongside Cairo, Luxor & Aswan, Safaga and Sharm El Sheikh.

Lençóis Maranhenses, the national park located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão, is an area of outstanding natural beauty and wonder created by a balance of extremes. A six-month dry season, during which strong winds shape miles and miles of sand dunes, is counterbalanced by a six-month rainy season that fills aqua-tinged lagoons and nourishes lush green vegetation set amidst the sand. The result is a desert-like environment with over 70 kilometres of beaches, but one that still provides enough fresh clear water and rich vegetation to support a wide variety of birds, animals and fish.

Local residents of Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses National Park boat down the Alegre River in Santo Amaro. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

A trip to this delightful and delicate corner of Brazil appeals both to the traveller on a quest for adventure and to the vacationer in search of peace, quiet and balance. Either way, there is plenty to see and do in Lençóis Maranhenses.

Adventure seekers will find tours in Lençóis Maranhenses that include excursions in 4X4s specially equipped to handle the remote dunes, which reach heights of up to 10 metres. For less extreme interaction, travellers can stroll the long stretches of clear beaches around the town of Barreirinhas, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon or birdwatch on a riverboat cruise.

Two other highly-recommended activities in Lençóis Maranhnses are just looking up and looking down: up at dusk to watch a vibrant sunset fade into a clear, starry sky; down onto the wind-swept dunes from the window of a scenic flight.

Never miss a sunset in Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, just before the night explodes with stars. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

Though there is a relatively low number of visitors to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) and the tourism infrastructure is still developing, the area is by no means desolate. A number of cosy and rustic Lençóis Maranhenses hotels are well integrated into their surroundings, including in the nearby fishing villages of Mandacaru and Cabure, which thrive during the rainy season, and the towns of Atins and Cabure, which offer beautiful beach walks. Pousada do Rio, for example, prides itself on the small but mindful steps it takes toward achieving balance with the dunes that surround it. By redirecting waste away from the river, the hotel contributes to the sustainability of the enveloping ecosystem.

whl.travel is thrilled to introduce Sandra Rodrigues and her team at Sacada Turismo as the local expert connection to Lençóis Maranhenses. The Sacada team prides itself on understanding the fragile and nuanced balance underlying the incredible beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses; their aim is to build a tourism structure which reflects that balance. They want visitors to come away with a deeper understanding of the region and its ecological importance. They also practice the sustainable tourism they preach by supporting eco-friendly recycling organisations and endorsing partners who share similar values.

The daughter of locally known chef and owner of the Restaurant da Luzia in Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, feeds a baby goat in the village of Akins. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

“We are very happy to use the whl.travel site, firstly for a positive exchange with tourists from around the world, and secondly to help small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in Maranhão,” commented Rodrigues. “Our goal is to meet a significant number of tourists with speed and friendliness, meeting all their needs and desires. Above all, we want to keep a good relationship with the community. We hope that our destination, Lençóis Maranhenses, will soon have an economic growth of sustainable and equitable manner, and that the local community will experience significant social development, with new opportunities for the vast majority of its population.”

Travel in Lençóis Maranhenses is now possible through www.lencois-maranhenses.travel, which joins a long list of established and successful whl.travel portals in Brazil.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

O Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses está localizado no nordeste do Brasil, mais precisamente no estado do Maranhão. O parque ocupa uma área de grande beleza natural, uma maravilha criada pelo equilíbrio das extremidades. A temporada de seis meses de seca, durante o qual os ventos fortes formam quilômetros e quilômetros de dunas de areia, é contrabalanceada por uma temporada de seis meses de chuva, cujas águas provocam o surgimento das admiráveis lagoas, regando também a vegetação rasteira situada entre as dunas. O resultado disso tudo é uma combinação única de desertos e lagoas,  a imensidão de um oásis, de mais de 70 quilômetros de praias e uma grande biodiversidade.

Uma viagem a este agradável e delicado canto do Brasil contagia tanto viajantes em busca de aventura quanto turistas em busca de paz, tranquilidade e equilíbrio. De qualquer maneira, há muito que ver e fazer em Lençóis Maranhenses.

Visitors cross the Negro River of Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, in order to reach Queimada village. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

Turistas em busca de aventuras em Lençóis Maranhenses vão encontrar opções de passeio que incluem excursões em jipes 4×4 especialmente equipados para percorrer as diversas duas que podem chegar a 10 metros de altura. Os turistas menos aventureiros podem passear pelas longas e extensas praias de aguas claras ao redor da cidade de Barreirinhas, mergulhar nas águas cristalinas da Lagoa Azul ou apreciar a paisagem através de um passeio de barco.

Outras duas atividades altamente recomendáveis nos Lençóis Maranhenses são esperar pelo entardecer para ver um por do sol desaparecer vibrante e claro, seguido de um estrelado céu; a outra é se aventurar e ver a grande obra que o vento faz nas dunas através da janela de um voo panorâmico.

Embora haja um número relativamente baixo de visitantes nos Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses e a infraestrutura turística ainda não seja bem desenvolvida, a área não é totalmente desolada. Existe uma série de rústicas e acolhedoras pousadas nos Lençóis Maranhenses, que são bem integradas com seus arredores, incluindo as aldeias de pescadores nas proximidades de Mandacaru e Caburé, que prosperam durante a estação chuvosa, e as cidades de Atins e Caburé, que oferecem passeios por belas praias.  A Pousada do Rio, por exemplo, orgulha-se de pequenos passos tomados, mas que são conscientes para atingir o equilíbrio com as dunas que a rodeiam. Redirecionando os resíduos para longe do rio, a pousada contribui para a sustentabilidade do ecossistema que a envolve.

A whl.travel está contente em apresentar Sandra Rodrigues e sua equipe da Sacada Turismo como a conexão de especialistas locais em Lençóis Maranhenses. A equipe Sacada orgulha-se de entender o equilíbrio frágil e sutil que esta incrível beleza dos Lençóis Maranhenses esconde, seu objetivo é construir uma estrutura de turismo, que reflita esse equilíbrio. A agência quer visitantes que visem um entendimento mais profundo da região e da sua importância ecológica. Eles também praticam e pregam o turismo sustentável através do apoio a organizações amigavelmente ecológicas de reciclagem, contribuindo com parceiros que partilham valores semelhantes.

“Estamos muito felizes em usar a whl.travel, em primeiro lugar devido a possibilidade de ter uma troca positiva com turistas de todo o mundo, e em segundo lugar por poder ajudar os pequenos e médios empreendedores do Maranhão”, comentou Sandra. “Nosso objetivo é atender um número significativo de turistas com rapidez e cordialidade, atendendo todas as suas necessidades e desejos. Acima de tudo, queremos manter um bom relacionamento com a comunidade. Esperamos que o nosso destino, Lençóis Maranhenses, em breve tenha um crescimento econômico de forma sustentável e equitativo, e que a comunidade local experimente um desenvolvimento social significativo, com novas oportunidades para a grande maioria de sua população.”

Lençóis Maranhenses se junta a uma longa lista de destinos da whl.travel no Brasil.

In Nam Trung Bộ (the South Central Coast) of Vietnam, smiling at the South China Sea is the coastal city of Nha Trang. Given its location, this vibrant metropolis of around 300,000 people is well known for its perfect beaches and various water sports and activities, including as the country’s scuba diving capital. On land, too, it is blessed with stunning mountains and rivers, a backdrop justifying claims that Nha Trang Bay is one of the most beautiful in the world., now a popular stop for jet-setters.

Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to see the pristine countryside of Nha Trang. Photo by Henry Volles

Although Nha Trang has been the site of human settlement for centuries, the French first officially settled it in the early 20th century, transforming a deserted area rich in wildlife into a centre for trade and commerce. This paved the way for the slow development of tourism infrastructure, including many Nha Trang hotels and other establishments that make it the resort town it is today.

Thankfully many remnants of Nha Trang’s ancient history have survived, like the Po Nagam Cham Tower and the Long Son Pagoda, just a couple of the many things to see and do in Nha Trang.

Nha Trang is a city for all types of travellers. and there’s a wide selection of exciting tours and activities to help make the best of it. For example, on the Island & Snorkelling tour, travellers start the day in the local aquarium and then go snorkelling around an island where they can see the marine species in their natural habitat. Many other tours also include visits to the local fishing communities and a deliciously fresh seafood meal.

Women perform a traditional Cham dance by the Po Nagar Cham Tower. Photo by Tan Vo

For anyone more keen on experiencing local life in rural communities, a boat ride down the scenic Cai River peaks in at the rural farm communities, village markets and handicraft shops. From scuba diving to countryside biking, there really is something for everyone in Nha Trang.

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com is proudly owned by Quyen Doan and Long Nguyen of An Kha Tourist Co. Ltd., the new whl.travel local connection in Nha Trang. “We feel good to have finally launched the site,” Long enthusiastically shares. “A lot of work has gone into this and we believe that our site is on par with the other fine whl.travel sites out there. Working with whl.travel has been fun; they are supportive and the team is great!”

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com is the latest destination in Vietnam, following those in Saigon, Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Danang, Chau Doc and Can Tho.

Travellers test their balance on traditional Vietnamese rowboats around Mieu Island, south-east of Nha Trang. Photo by Tan Vo

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Tiếng Việt / IN VIETNAMESE:

Nằm ở duyên hải Nam Trung Bộ Việt Nam, thành phố biển Nha Trang long lanh bên bờ biển Đông. Với vị trí tự nhiên ban cho, thành phố năng động với khoảng 300.000 dân này nổi tiếng với những bãi biển lý tưởng và sự đa dạng về các hoạt động thể thao dưới nước, và nơi đây cũng là thủ phủ lặn biển của Việt Nam. Trên cạn, Nha Trang cũng được tạo hóa ban tặng những dãy núi hùng vĩ và dòng sông thơ mộng, một khung cảnh minh chứng cho vịnh Nha Trang là một trong những vịnh đẹp nhất thế giới, và nay là điểm dừng nổi tiếng cho giới thượng lưu đi du lịch bằng chuyên cơ.

Mặc dù nhiều thế kỷ qua đã có người sinh sống ở đây, nhưng để thành phố này phát triển từ một vùng hoang sơ và đa dạng sinh học thành một trung tâm giao dịch và thương mại thì không thể không nhắc tới công lao của người Pháp những năm đầu thế kỷ 20. Từ đây đã khởi đầu cho sự phát triển vững vàng về cơ sở hạ tầng dịch vụ du lịch, trong đó có nhiều khách sạn tại Nha Trang cùng với những đầu tư xây dựng khác giúp cho Nha Trang thành một điểm du lịch nghỉ dưỡng như ngày nay.

This giant boat is actually Tri Nguyen Aquarium - a great place for kids to learn about the marine species off the coast of Nha Trang. Photo by Tan Vo

Nha Trang thực sự may mắn với nhiều di tích lịch sử cổ đại vẫn tồn tại qua bao năm tháng, như Tháp Bà Po Nagam và Chùa Long Sơn, và còn có nhiều thứ khác nữa để khám phá ở Nha Trang.

Nha Trang là thành phố dành cho các dạng du khách khác nhau, với nhiều lựa chọn tour và hoạt động hấp dẫn giúp bạn tận hưởng một kỳ nghỉ mỹ mãn nhất. Ví dụ như tour tham quan đảo và lặn biển, du khách bắt đầu chương trình tour từ hồ cá Trí Nguyên và sau đó đi lặn quanh một hòn đảo nơi bạn có thể tận mắt ngắm các loài sinh vật biển trong môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng. Rất nhiều lựa chọn tour du lịch khác kết hợp tham quan làng chài và bao gồm thưởng thức bữa ăn hải sản tươi ngon và thịnh soạn.

Cho những ai quan tâm trải nghiệm cuộc sống dân dã thôn quê, thì một chuyến đi thuyền xuôi xuống sông Cái thơ mộng ghé thăm nông trại, chợ quê và cửa hàng thủ công mỹ nghệ là một điều không thể bỏ qua. Từ tour lặn biển đến tour đạp xe tới các làng quê, Nha Trang luôn mang lại một trải nghiệm lý thú cho tất cả mọi người.

Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang was built in commemoration of the monks and nuns who died whilst fighting the former southern regime. Photo by Tan Vo

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com tự hào được sở hữu bởi Quyên Đoàn và Long Nguyễn của Công ty TNHH Dịch Vụ Du Lịch Ân Kha, thành viên mới của whl.travel tại Nha Trang. “Chúng tôi rất vui vì cuối cùng đã đưa trang web vào hoạt động ,” Long nhiệt tình chia sẻ. “Không thể kể hết công sức và nỗ lực dành cho việc xây dựng nên trang web này, chúng tôi tin rằng trang web của chúng tôi sẽ tự tin sánh đôi với các trang web khác của whl.travel đang hoạt động rất hiệu quả. Làm việc chung với whl.travel thực là vui, các bạn ấy rất hỗ trợ và đội ngũ nhân viên của họ thật tuyệt vời!”

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com là điểm đến mới nhất tại Việt Nam, tiếp theo sau Sài Gòn, Phú Quốc, Huế, Hội An, Đà Nẵng, Châu Đốc và Cần Thơ.

Once a quaint fishing village, Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, has watched as traces of its sleepy origins fade into yesteryear. Although the pace of life is still welcomingly calm on off days, easy village rhythms have been replaced by the modern buzz of vacationing crowds that flood in on holidays and weekends. This should come as no surprise for a place unanimously declared the country’s best beach for 10 years running. After all, where else is there such an incredible combination of a near-equatorial coastal location, natural pools a stone’s throw from the beach and ecological trails all within close proximity to the major state capital of Recife.

During low tide, natural swimming pools are easily reached on foot from Brazil's Porto de Galinhas village. Photo courtesy of the Secretary of Porto de Galinhas

In an effort to maintain its reputation as THE best beach in Brazil, the area’s infrastructure has been strategically developed to keep pace with the influx of holidaymakers. There is a plethora of Porto de Galinhas hotels, plus plenty of resorts ready to accommodate suntanned and beach-beaten guests looking to relax indoors. One option with a good reputation is Ecoporto, which is run by a welcoming couple from Southern Brazil. This pousada (Brazilian guesthouse) is located far enough outside the bustling town centre to escape the noise, but still within strolling distance of its restaurants and shops.

There are tons of things to see and do in Porto de Galinhas. Top of the list for most visitors is lazing on the idyllic white sands as waves break over the surrounding reefs, although gazing at beautiful fish in natural pools and diving to explore lost shipwrecks are both available as options. One truly amazing experience is observing seahorses in their natural habitat on a kayaking trip through the Maracaípe mangroves before paddling out to where the Maracaípe River meets the ocean.

Alternatively for those who like to feel the wind in their hair and the sand beneath their feet, jumping on a three-hour or full-day Buggy Tour is a wonderful way to explore the beaches in the area, while allowing the freedom to stop at will for a stroll on the shoreline.

Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, means 'Port of Chickens'. In the 18th century, when the slave trade was outlawed in Brazil, the traffic continued in this port town. The code for explaining that a shipment had arrived was 'new chickens were in town.' Courtesy of Pedro Paulo Capelossi

No matter what you do, most days are finished off in the same way – with caipirinha drinks at a local watering hole.

The whl.travel local connection in Porto de Galinhas is Pedro Paulo Capelossi and his team at Trip Noronha, who also cover the Brazilian island paradise of Fernando de Noronha. “I am pleased to finally bring the local community and small inns of Porto de Galinhas the technological tools to reach a market they never could before,” said Capelossi. “Our mission, in addition to bringing quality information to travellers, is to encourage sustainable tourism in this region where it is still not a common focus for many tourism providers and accommodations.”

As with any booming tourist destination, many suppliers in Porto de Galinhas are driven by the ever-mighty bottom line. However, in the name of truly responsible tourism, Pedro seeks out tour providers and accommodation operators working toward improving the sustainability of this gorgeous beach destination by hiring local people, recycling, utilising green energy systems and improving awareness of the local culture.

As an avid diver, Pedro’s responsible practices extend to his concern for Brazil’s oceans. Over the years he has completed over 5,000 dives and accompanied over 20,000 divers. Trip Noronha has also been involved with noteworthy projects like the Spinner Dolphin Project and conservation efforts for rehabilitating overused dive sites in Fernando de Noronha.

www.portodegalinhas.travel is the latest addition to the ever-growing network of destinations covered by whl.travel partners all over Brazil.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Outrora uma exótica aldeia de pescadores, Porto de Galinhas assistiu com o tempo os traços das suas origens singulares desaparecerem no passado. Embora o ritmo de vida ainda seja tranquilamente convidativo em certos dias, a aldeia teve os compassos substituídos pelo buzz moderno das férias e multidões que a inundam em feriados e fins de semana. Isso não deve ter sido nenhuma surpresa para um lugar que por unanimidade foi escolhido como a melhor praia do país por 10 anos seguidos. Afinal, aonde mais existe esta combinação incrível de um local paradisíaco, com piscinas naturais a poucos passos da praia e várias trilhas ecológicas? E tudo nas proximidades de uma capital de estado.

Em um esforço contínuo para manter a sua reputação como a melhor praia do Brasil a infraestrutura da região foi desenvolvida para manter o ritmo com o fluxo de turistas. Existe uma infinidade de hotéis em Porto de Galinhas, além de resorts prontos para acomodar os que procuram relaxamento. Uma opção com boa reputação é Ecoporto, que é gerido por um casal do sul do Brasil. Esta pousada está localizada distante o suficiente do centro da cidade para escapar da agitação, mas ainda assim a curta distância dos seus restaurantes e lojas.

The locals have capitalised on the town's catchy name and craft chickens can be found all over the village, even though the name is rooted in a time of slavery. Courtesy of Pedro Paulo Capelossi

Há várias coisas para ver e fazer em Porto de Galinhas. No topo da lista para a maioria dos visitantes é espreguiçar nas areias brancas enquanto as ondas quebram sobre os recifes ao redor, contemplar belos peixes nas piscinas naturais ou mergulhar para explorar nasvios naufragados são passeios disponíveis. Uma experiência verdadeiramente surpreendente é observar os cavalos-marinhos em seu habitat natural em uma viagem de caiaque pelo mangue de Maracaípe antes de remar para fora, onde o Rio Maracaípe encontra o oceano.

Alternativamente, para aqueles que gostam de sentir o vento em seus cabelos e a areia sob seus pés, um passeio de buggy de três horas ou um passeio de Buggy o dia todo é uma maneira maravilhosa de explorar as praias da região.

Não importa o que você faça, pois na maioria das vezes os dias terminam da mesma forma – com caipirinha em um bar!

Agora, além do portal WHL de Fernando de Noronha, Pedro Paulo Capelossi, da Trip Noronha compartilhou conosco como ele está “satisfeito de finalmente trazer ás comunidades locais e pequenas pousadas de Porto de Galinhas, as ferramentas tecnológicas para alcançar um mercado nunca antes explorado. A nossa missão, além de trazer informações de qualidade aos viajantes, é promover o turismo sustentável na região, pois ainda não é uma prática comum de muitas pousadas e prestadores de turismo locais”.

Com o crescimento do turismo em Porto de Galinhas, as grandes operadoras turísticas começaram a comercializar o destino de forma desordenada, e é aonde a verdadeira essência do turismo sustentável entra em jogo. Pedro procura trabalhar com fornecedores que tenham a preocupação em desenvolver um turismo sustentável a fim de preservar o destino, contratando mão de obra local, reciclagem de lixo, utilizando energia solar, evidenciando os aspectos da cultura local. Pedro é um instrutor de mergulho experiente, com mais de 5000 mergulhos e já acompanhou mais de 20.000 mergulhadores de todo o mundo. A Trip Noronha apóia e já auxiliou projetos como o Projeto Golfinho Rotador, e também participou da exploração de novos pontos de mergulho para reabilitar pontos de mergulho já saturados em Fernando de Noronha.

www.portodegalinhas.travel tem muito orgulho de participar de uma extensa rede de destinos já lançados no Brasil.

In 2010, Kate and William enjoyed a two-week getaway on Desroches Island in the Seychelles. The island is home to only about 50 people and one luxury hotel (the pool of which is pictured above).

Perhaps their decision was influenced by their earlier visit, which went smoothly and resulted in no indecent photos. After all, Desroches Island is an ideal location for keeping intruders at bay, thereby reducing security concerns. For this reason, not to mention incomparable beauty, many destinations in the the Seychelles receive their fair share of celebrities, from tennis stars and footballers to movie stars and, of course, royalty. The rich and famous keep coming back, although the Seychelles is also a destination to be enjoyed by anyone looking for a royal reception.

The Royal Spotlight

Just a short time ago, the world witnessed what has already been called ‘the wedding of the century.’ The prince and his new wife officially invited 1,900 people to the grand occasion, although an estimated 2.5 million spectators were also on hand in London to celebrate, and countries across the globe declared bank holidays so that people could watch it live on television.

With such a huge audience craving information, private details of the wedding were leaked to the public, from the total price of the spectacle to the names on the exclusive guest list. However, until the morning of the royal couple’s arrival in the Seychelles, the honeymoon remained a very private affair.

On Fregate Island in the Seychelles, guests can expect grand views of the coast while dining like royalty

Will it stay that way? In a society where information about the personal lives of celebrities can earn big bucks, there always seems to be someone ready to risk everything for a glimpse behind the curtain. The Duke of Cambridge is no stranger to the intense scrutiny he and the Duchess face in everything they do. Their 10-day honeymoon is no different. Inquiring minds want to know everything: how is the romance going, what they are eating, whether they have argued. What juicy details can be learned?

All the more reason to trust in the security and discretion of the Seychelles, to protect William and Kate from any zoom lenses that might try to disturb their newlywed retreat.

Where in the Seychelles?

Of all the different islands and hidden coves of the Seychelles, where would the honeymooners choose? Major destination include the two largest islands of Mahe and Praslin, as well as La Digue with its famous Anse Source d’Argent beach; but we were always doubtful that the royal couple would visit any of these three high-profile locations.

Instead, E! has reported that the honeymooners did indeed choose to return once more to the lesser island of Desroches, a hideaway with a mix of security, luxury and privacy perfect for a king and queen in the making. Moreover, unlike many Seychelles islands that are rocky and granitic, Desroches is coralline, making it perfect for top-shelf scuba diving!

The resort hotel on Desroches Island in the Seychelles specialises in supreme luxury and intimacy for its honeymooning guests

It’s no wonder that a lover of the outdoors like Prince William chose to bring Kate to Desroches for two weeks in 2010. With only 50 inhabitants and one luxury hotel of 20 rooms on the island, they undoubtedly found the peace and quiet they were looking for. We hope the same spirit of R&R suffuses the royal honeymoon!

Three Other Seychelles Islands Worthy of the Shortlist

The prince and his bride may already have found a perfect refuge, but we hope they will also one day consider visiting other gorgeous and unpopulated Seychelles islands. The three special locations below would certainly help prolong any storybook wedding with the ‘honeymoon of the century.’ All are tiny, privately owned, one-hotel retreats with few inhabitants that provide the perfect combination of isolation and luxury. Even if William and Kate can’t make it, the welcome to all visitors is guaranteed to make anyone feel like royalty.

Denis Island – This sliver of a coral atoll measures just 1.31-square-kilometres. It is one of the first islands in the archipelago to be eco-friendly, carbon neutral and free of rats. Covered in wild and endemic rainforests, Denis Island is a rare ecological wonder. The few human inhabitants are mostly conservationists and manmade structures are limited to a lighthouse, a small chapel, a small airstrip and the island’s one hotel, The Denis Island Resort, with 25 guest chalets. Apart from lazing around on the brilliant white beaches, guests can also sail, wind surf, play tennis, scuba dive and go deep-sea fishing.

The Island of Fregate's Mount Signale rises 125 metres above sea level, creating a throne-like perch for fine dining and sea gazing in the Seychelles

Fregate Island – As one of the granitic Inner Islands of the Seychelles, Fregate is only slightly bigger than Denis, at 2.19–square-kilometres, but its Mount Signale rises to 125 metres. On this island, any couple, royal or not, could explore a virgin rainforest brimming with wildlife. Set in this pristine ecosystem are only 16 villas and one presidential villa. Along the shoreline, the island’s Anse Victorin was voted ‘The World’s Best Beach’ by The Times newspaper. Even a king and queen would be hard pressed to find something more fitting.

North Island – Another granitic Inner Island of 2.01-square-kilometres, North Island is only 27 kilometres north of Mahe. The resort here is part of a larger conservation effort the goals of which are to protect endemic species and eliminate invasive ones. The island’s 11 villas, as well as all other structures on the island, are made of repurposed overgrowth. For any William and Kate interested in making an environmental statement in addition to enjoying total seclusion and luxury, North Island is well worth a visit!

Thinking about a honeymoon in the Seychelles? The Seychelles is a classic destination for both weddings and honeymooners. Resorts are keen to offer special packages to anyone tying the knot- or couples celebrating their honeymoon with royal flair.

How is biodiversity measured? Conservation International, an organisation that “empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity” has established a way to identify the world’s biodiversity hotspots, or areas that have especially high numbers of endemic (native) species, based largely on two factors: the number of plant species endemic to the area (must be greater than 1,500 species) and the acute need to protect the area from habitat loss beyond an already measured 70 percent of the original.

In these fragile areas, the acute priority placed on conservation means that visitors and travellers must handle with care. Unchecked tourism is part of the rampant human encroachment on nature that threatens the planets’ bio-diverse ecosystems and its health. When practiced responsibly, however, tourism can be a driving force behind conservation efforts.

We encourage travellers to explore these biological treasure troves, but to do so responsibly. Some of the best ways to do this are on guided tours with local tourism professionals committed to conservation principles and making as little impact as possible. These guided tours also deliver high levels of learning, adventure and fun!

We are pleased to offer our five favourite ways to experience biodiversity hotspots around the globe.

A mirror image of the healthy corals of the Solomon Islands. Keep them healthy with a scuba dive tour that cares. Photo courtesy of Tina Aydon

Scuba Diving the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands enjoy healthy reefs that represent a small part of the Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot in the southwest Pacific. Divers visiting the town of Gizo on Ghizo Island, which is famous for its submarine seascapes, discover a variety of healthy, warm-water reefs teeming with fish that have not been loved to death. At Njari Island, off Gizo, as many as 279 fish species have been counted on a single dive. With Dive Gizo, the whl.travel local connection in the Solomon Islands, daily dive tours are limited to eight passengers at each site to ensure there is no great impact on the marine life. The dives, including some wrecks, suit both novices and masters, and promise great photo ops.

As part of a biodiversity conservation initiative in the area, a partnership between WWF-SI (World Wildlife Fund for Nature Solomon Islands) and Dive Gizo was launched in 2003 to protect eight reef sites around Gizo from careless anchorage; the easy solution was to deploy marine buoys. Dive Gizo is also a member of the Gizo Marine Conservation Area (GMCA) Management Committee, which has established nine marine protected areas covering an area of approximately 43 square kilometres. As well, the Dive Gizo diving staff belongs to the marine biological team that collects baseline and ongoing coral monitoring data for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network.

The Amazon Tree Climb in Manaus Brazil will get your own limbs working and your adrenaline pumping all way up to the canopy layer. Photo credit Government of the state of Amazon, Brazil

Amazon Tree Climbing in Manaus, Brazil

As the largest tropical rainforest system in the world, the Amazon is a place of unparalleled biodiversity. In fact, more than one third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest. Where is one of the best places to get a sense of this almost preternatural environment? The city of Manaus, in the north region of Brazil serves a magical gateway into a unique world.

Given the surroundings, Manaus is headquarters to a number of rainforest tour activities, from kayaking and river cruises to canopy tours. Now, even Amazon tree-climbing is an option! Outfitted with climbing gear, visitors can hoist themselves up through the branches and up to the jungle canopy the way researchers do to collect data. Even better, with Selenetur Travel, the whl.travel local connection in Manaus, concern for the rainforest is top priority. Tours groups can be no larger than six so no harm befalls the trees, and bilingual instructors inform about the ecosystem and the surrounding wildlife. This blissful encounter with nature leaves climbers with a renewed impulse to conserve it!

Carlos Augusto, one of the trip coordinators, says, “Our trees are previously inspected and the climb sites are carefully chosen. We opt for primary forest areas, which gives us a better chance of observing the wildlife in its natural habitat. Our wish is to share the magic and beauty of the Amazon forest with our guests, so that they may understand and respect this fragile ecosystem.”

In Luang Namtha's Nam Ha National Protected Area in Laos, award-winning conservation-minded ecotourism projects are underway. See it through the mists of the area's refreshing waterfalls. Photo courtesy of Stanislas Fradelizi

Waterfall Trekking in Luang Namtha, Laos

Luang Namtha Province lies in the northwest of Laos, sharing borders with both China and Myanmar. Around 85 percent of its 9,325 square kilometres is mountainous and approximately 50 percent is covered by forests, making for landscape with high levels of biodiversity. Home to more than 20 ethnic minority groups, 37 large animal species, 297 bird species and 60 fish species, Luang Namtha has been recognised as having enormous potential for ecotourism.

The 2,230-square-kilometre Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA) is a primary tourism attraction in Luang Namtha. Lying at the intersection of the Indochina and Himalayan bioregions, the bio-diverse area is a protected area of international significance. The importance of the Nam Ha NPA is in relation to tourism in Luang Namtha – primarily as a result of a major ecotourism project undertaken by UNESCO and the Lao National Tourism Authority called the UNESCO-NTA Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project.

Designed to create an economically viable national model for locally managed community-based culture and nature tourism, the project has demonstrated that properly planned ecotourism can be used as a tool for heritage conservation and rural development, involve local communities in tourism management and operations, and raise substantial public sector revenue. In 2001, the UNESCO-NTA Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project won a United Nations Development Programme Award in 2001 in addition to a British Airways’ Tourism for Tomorrow commendation.

One refreshing way to explore the Nam Ha NPA rainforest is a one-day waterfall trek that leaves from the small town of Vieng Phouka, located two hours by car south of Luang Namtha town.

On an early morning in the first week of April, a solitary canoe makes its way along what is normally a forest road in Soomaa National Park, Estonia. Photo courtesy of Aivar Ruukel.

Canoeing the Fifth Season Floods in Estonia

Soomaa National Park, which surrounds the Estonian ‘summer capital’ of Pärnu is a naturally quirky place, principally because it protects some of the world’s rarest ecosystems – peat bogs and wetlands (the word soomaa means ‘land of bogs’). Estonia is a wet country with almost 25 percent of the territory consisting of different kinds of wetlands, arguably the most important of which are the ancient and disappearing peat bogs. Their ecological importance has been distinguished as, among other accolades, a CORINE biotope area and one of Europe’s most valuable wilderness areas certified by PAN Parks, and turned it into an European ecotourism hotspot.

Another quirk about the Soomaa region is its ‘fifth-season’ spring floods. Each year, usually in April, spring melt-off raises water levels by about five metres, submerging everything – forest floors, meadows, fields, roads and even village houses – for two to three weeks during which a boat is just about the only way to get around. This is not a catastrophe but a much-anticipated season and a popular time for canoe trips into the national park. Some tours navigate the swamped forests – even right up to the doors of houses – using haabjas, or traditional hand-carved dugout canoes made from huge aspen logs.

From the relaxing rhythm of a canoe, Fifth Season observers can take a good look at some of the wetlands flora and fauna. Although not officially designated as a ‘biodiversity hotspot’ by Conservation International, the Kuresoo bog is ranked particularly high in species diversity. Soomaa is also a natural home for eagles, black storks and other rare birds, as well for carnivores such as wolf, lynx and brown bear.

Sri Lanka's Sinharaja Forest Reserve boasts the highest concentration of endemic species in a country fabled for its endemism. Photo courtesy of Ethan Gelber

Hiking Through Primary Rainforests in Sri Lanka

The gorgeous rainforests of Sri Lanka are on the list of the planet’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots most at risk of destruction. Sadly, at the top of the list of Sri Lankan rainforests most at risk is Sinharaja (meaning ‘lion king’) Forest Reserve, the largest Gondwanan rainforest in South Asia. It is relatively small – barely more than 110 square kilometres – but if taken with contiguous forest reserves, it represents the largest single block (about 475 square kilometres) of wet-zone primary forest in the country. Naturally, it is the green heart of Sri Lanka’s unique and enormously important biodiversity, boasting the highest concentration of endemic species in a country fabled for its endemism.

Preserved from loggers by virtue of its difficult terrain and finally put beyond their axes in only 1977, Sinharaja is now also one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, the greatest threat to Sinharaja is the unchecked devastation of the ecosystem it shares with surrounding woodlands, some officially counted in a semi-protected forest buffer zone. Bewilderingly, in the 15 years from 1990 to 2005, despite legal protections, 900 square kilometres, or approximately 35%, of the 1990 total forest coverage within 20 kilometres of the park was destroyed. Along with them went who-knows-what in the way of biodiversity.

The best way to appreciate what’s left and continue to call attention to its irreplaceable bounty is simply to visit. Paths within the protected area can only be covered on foot and in the company of a guide. While tours can be arranged in advance, qualified and knowledgeable guides are available for hire (for an affordable fixed price) at the Kudawa and Deniyaya entry points.

Sri Lanka is peppered liberally with other brilliant ecotourism indulgences across a wide variety of ecosystems. For example, why not try a boat ride on the mangrove-fringed Madu River, home to at least 60 species of bird?

A dramatic arial view of Palawan's coast, where drastic landforms thrust upward from the emerald waters surrounding this island of the Philippines

The province of Palawan is a spectacular untamed region found on the western fringes of the Philippine Archipelago. Almost nowhere else can one simultaneously encounter two such intriguing, dynamic and diverse habitats as reefs and tropical rainforests. Rich in teeming jungles, tousled mangrove swamps and vibrant coral reefs, Palawan is truly one of the best examples in Asia of a species-rich, biologically diverse ecosystem. In fact, the variety of flora and fauna found in this region have intrigued ecologists and conservationists for generations; Palawan is home to 232 endemic species, one of the highest densities of unique species in the world.

Verdant Jungles

Palawan is where travellers will discover an almost uninterrupted canopy of foliage formed by the meeting of interlacing branches of trees, a green so dense that only an indistinguishable glimmer of the sky can be seen. Even the extreme tropical sunlight barely penetrates to the ground, subdued and broken into scattered fragments of light. It is a world in which we seem to be intruders.

The canopy of a Palawan forest is so thick that even the bright Philippine sun barely reaches the forest floor

The varied habitats of this exciting island host a tremendous variety of organisms, like the Palawan mouse deer, who share this enchanting island with endangered endemic animals like the calamian deer, the tarsier, the scaly anteater and the Palawan peacock-pheasant. The island’s mangroves are home to the Philippine crocodile, while offshore beds of seagrass are the habitat of the rare dugong.

Underground Rivers

Palawan offers a wide range of ecological wonders, including the longest navigable underground river system in the world, located within Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a complete mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines.

A guide prepares his boats for a tour of Palawan's Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the biggest underground river systems in the world

Located about 51 kilometres north of Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital of Palawan, the park is best explored via a guided underground river tour on board a paddled outrigger boat that takes visitors through 8.2 kilometres of winding tunnels and cathedral-like caverns.

In 1999, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was recognised by UNESCO, earning status as a World Heritage Site. The subterranean river system was also nominated as a finalist to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Stunning Reefs

A half-day cruise to the east, 98 nautical miles off the coast of the headlands, is the vast Tubbataha Reef National Park, home to some of the most beautiful and diverse coral reefs in the world. Diving to the depths of the Sulu Sea, one finds an impressive undersea canyon wall, with vivid arrays and wondrous varieties of marine life that rival Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is a veritable explosion of bright orange and vivid blue corals that inhabit this underwater rainforest. It is where I have witnessed a school of jackfish swirl in a vortex of silver blue, surrounding a solitary Philippine sea turtle in a subaquatic dance of nature.

For the lucky diver in Palawan's Tubbataha Reef National Park waters, schools of silver jackfish form their shiny swirl

The Tubbataha reef is underwater sanctuary for an astonishing diversity of marine species. So important is this submerged Eden in the balance of the underwater ecosystem that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1993. Every year, only between the months of March and May, the Tubbataha Reef National Park opens its watery gates to welcome divers to experience the wonders of this one-of-a-kind kingdom beneath the sunlit sea.

Getting There

Travel to Palawan is easy from the Philippine capital of Manila. Palawan’s vibrant city of Puerto Princesa can be reached by air in an hour or by sea via a 20-hour ferry trip. A varied choice of domestic airlines or direct chartered flight can then be made depending on the desired destination. Airline flights will take visitors directly to the heart of the province, where connecting trips by land and sea to nearby principal tourist sites can be arranged.

A shaded table waits for those who are out to discover why Palawan's beaches have been recognised as some of the finest in the world, not just the Philippines

For more information about Palawan, including accommodations, tours, activities and loads of insider tips, contact Go Discover Travel, your whl.travel local connection in the Philippines.

A remote Colombian island located 30 miles off the mainland, the mysterious and isolated former penal colony of Gorgona is today home to a uniquely evolved ecosystem complete with endemic species inhabiting a jungle wilderness.

Humback whales visit the shores of Gorgona, Colombia each year between August and October

Gorgona was the site of a prison until the mid-1980s, when the government of Colombia formally recognised the island’s outstanding ecological diversity and declared it a national park. Whales now calve their young here in the peaceful surrounding waters – there are no nearby shipping routes – while on land commonly spotted fauna include the blue anole and the brown booby.

Today, this wildlife, as well as the superb natural features, first-rate diving and whale watching are the island’s strongest draws for tourists. All movement on the island must be in the company of a guide, required in part due to the island’s protected status, but also for the safety of visitors, so a Gorgona tour or an excursion from the dedicated dive centre provide great opportunities to explore the forests, coves and ruins, and perhaps even spy some of the shier species. The name Gorgona is derived from the Greek myth of the serpent-haired Medusa, as the island is home to a number of species of poisonous snakes.

While the areas not inhabited by humans continue to be filled with the cries of monkeys and other fauna, human settlement has been allowed in a manner consistent with the new protections in place. Simple, tranquil and sustainable accommodation – including some now-converted jail structures and rustic cabins like the Cabins in the National Park – has been specially established for both visitors and park workers.

Aviatur, the new whl.travel local connection, is the exclusive operator for trips to Gorgona, in cooperation with the Colombian government, which takes the preservation of this national treasure very seriously. No new construction is permitted and all visitors to the island must be approved in advance, most guests travelling as part of specially organised packages to this remote paradise. The experts at Aviatur are also responsible for the operation of other national parks in Colombia, evidence of their commitment to the importance of sustainability and the preservation of their Colombian national assets.

If spending time on a historic island wilderness overflowing with natural splendour, Gorgona is an ideal slice of the planet.

Other whl.travel destinations in Colombia include Cartagena and Santa Marta.

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

The island of Gorgona, Colombia is a scuba diver's paradise, surrounded by numerous smaller keys

Una remota isla colombiana localizada a 30 millas del continente, la misterioso y aislada antigua colonia penal de Gorgona es hoy hogar únicamente de un evolucionado y complete ecosistema con especies endémicas habitantes de una jungla salvaje.

Gorgona fue sitio de prisión hasta mediados de los 80s, cuando el gobierno de Colombia formalmente reconoció la sobresaliente diversidad ecológica de la isla y la declaró Parque Nacional Natural. Ballenas hoy paren sus crías en este pacífico entorno acuático – no hay rutas de barcos en la proximidad – en tanto que en tierra la comúnmente moteada fauna incluye la lagartija azul y el piquero cafe.

Hoy ésta vida silvestre, como también la espléndidas características naturales, buceo de primer nivel y el avistamiento de ballenas son las más fuertes señales para los turistas. Todo movimiento en la isla debe estar acompañado por un guía. Requerido en parte por el estatus de área protegida de la isla, pero también por la seguridad del visitante, así que un tour en el Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona o una excursión al centro dedicado al buceo provee grandes oportunidades de explorar los bosques, ensenadas y ruinas y quizá hasta espiar alguna de las tímidas especies. El nombre Gorgona se deriva del mito griego de la medusa con serpiente en lugar de sus cabellos, toda vez que la isla es hogar de un número de especies de serpientes venenosas.

Mientras que las areas no habitadas por humanos continuan ocupadas con las crisa de los monos y otras especies de fauna, los asentamientos humanos han sido permitidos de una manera consistente con la protección del lugar. Acomodaciones simples, tranquilas y sostenibles – incluyendo algunas estructuras de la cárcel y cabañas rústicas remodeladas como las cabañas del parque nacional – han sido especialmente establecidas tanto para visitantes como para trabajadores del parque.

Aviatur, el nuevo contacto de mayoristas de viaje es el operador exclusive para los viajes a el Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, en cooperación con el gobierno de Colombia, que toman la preservación de este tesoro nacional muy seriamente. Ninguna nueva construcción es permitida y todos los visitantes de la isla deben ser aprobados con anticipación, muchos huéspedes viajan como parte de algunos de los paquetes especiales organizados para este paraíso remoto. Lo expertos en Aviatur son también responsables por la operación de otros parques en Colombia, evidencia de su compromiso con la importancia de la sostenibilidad y la preservación de sus activos nacionales colombianos.

Si pasar tiempo en una histórico Parque, rebosante de esplendor natural, El Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona es una parte ideal del planeta.

Otros destinos del mayoristas de viaje en Colombia incluyen Caratagena y Santa Marta.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Uma remota ilha colombiana localizada a 50 km do continente, misteriosa e isolada ex-colônia penal de Gorgona abriga hoje um ecossistema exclusivo com espécies endêmicas que habitam uma região de selva.

The former penal colony of Gorgona, Colombia is now the perfect island on which to unwind

Gorgona foi local de uma prisão, até meados dos anos 1980, quando o governo da Colômbia reconheceu formalmente a acentuada diversidade ecológica da ilha e a declarou um parque nacional. Baleias agora dão a luz a seus filhotes nas águas tranquilas de Gorgona – não existem rotas de navegação nas proximidades – enquanto em terra frequentemente são vistos exemplares da fauna que incluem o Anole Azul e do Atobá Marrom.

Hoje, essa fauna, bem como os admiráveis recursos naturais, mergulho de primeira e as baleias são os maiores atrativos que convidam os turistas a ilha. Todo e qualquer movimento na ilha deve ser feito na devida companhia de um guia, exigido em parte devido ao status de proteção da ilha, mas também para a segurança dos visitantes. Por isso os passeios em Gorgona ou uma excursão a partir do centro de mergulho dedicado oferecem grandes oportunidades para explorar as florestas, grutas e ruínas, e talvez até admirar algumas das espécies mais tímidas. O nome Gorgona é derivado do mito grego da Medusa, ja que a ilha é o lar de diversas espécies de cobras venenosas.

Embora as áreas da ilha não habitadas por serem humanos sejam preenchidas com os gritos dos macados e outros animais, alojamentos têm sido permitidos de uma maneira consistente com as novas regras de proteção do lugar. Acomodações simples, tranquilos e sustentáveis – algumas incluem algumas estruturas da antiga prisão como as rústicas cabines – foram criadas especialmente para visitantes e trabalhadores do parque.

Aviatur, a conexão da whl.travel em Gorgona, é a operadora exclusiva de viagens à Gorgona, em cooperação com o governo colombiano, que tem preservado esse tesouro nacional com muita seriedade. Não são permitidas novas construções e todos os visitantes da ilha devem ser previamente aprovados, a maioria dos clientes viaja como parte de pacotes especialmente organizados para esse paraíso remoto. Os especialistas da Aviatur são também responsáveis pelo funcionamento de outros parques nacionais na Colômbia, a prova de seu compromisso com a importância da sustentabilidade e da preservação do seu património nacional colombiano.

Para passar o tempo em uma ilha histórica cheia de esplendor natura, Gorgona é uma fatia ideal do planeta.

Os outros destinos da whl.travel na Colombia incluem Cartagena e Santa Marta.

In 1984, a team from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) discovered the remains of a 3,400-year-old Bronze-Age boat, the oldest wreck yet unearthed. In 2006, the 360 Derece (Degree) Research Group, in collaboration with the INA, produced an exact replica of the original ancient boat, which was then sailed to the Chicken Bay dive site close to Kaş and deliberately sunk.

The wreck, which has begun the slow but steady process of being reclaimed by the ocean, is now home to a wide variety of marine life and provides an incomparable experience for divers – there is simply no other location like this in the world! The cool silence of the ocean depths coupled with the ancient lines and curves of this sturdy craft give the impression of stepping back in time.

A tour of the site is an excellent way to spend several hours, before resurfacing into the bright, warm sunshine and heading back to shore to recharge your batteries with an evening meal as the sun slips below the waves.

No place on earth can compare with the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Their place in history is secure by virtue of the revolutionary thoughts that were cultivated during a trip there by Charles Darwin as a naturalist on the HMS Beagle. He famously formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection while visiting the archipelago, his thought processes said to have been sparked by the incredible diversity of life surrounding him. The picturesque beauty of the islands’ rare flora and fauna continue to bring inspiration to travellers that follow in his footsteps and to the lucky residents, both human and nonhuman, that call this paradise home.

A fisherman in Puerto Ayora, in the Galapagos Archipelago, sorts his catch of the day, while some local pelicans patiently wait to see if there are any leftovers. Photo courtesy of Jorge Vinueza

The Galapagos Islands are unusual for many reasons, including that, in reality, there are no ‘indigenous’ people. The current human occupants are a conglomeration of nationalities that have come together and begun the process of creating – or evolving – a group identity.

As mainland Ecuador is nearly 1000 kilometres away, the tourism industry stakeholders – whether accommodation or tour operators – therefore place an emphasis, almost by necessity, on all things local. One example is the Hostel Casa Blanca, an establishment privately run by Jacqueline Vasquez and her two daughters, who also operate a small art gallery that features the work of local artists. In all undertakings the family strives to minimise its impact on the environment by reducing waste and using unwanted materials to make creative arts and crafts.

As a rule, tours of the islands must be accompanied by licensed guides. This is partly to prevent harm to the fragile ecosystem and partly to ensure that visitors get the absolute most out of their time. The highly regarded Gordon Rocks tour, for example, includes a chance to glimpse hammerhead sharks and provides an up-close and personal experience with Galapagos’ marine life. The islands are the perfect place to learn to scuba dive, with many unforgettable treasures lurking beneath the Pacific’s waves.

The most recent Ecuadorians to join the whl.travel network, Yacu Amu Experiences is eager to spread the word about these constantly evolving islands. “We are very excited to be partnering with whl.travel to connect small hotels and tour operators in the Galapagos Islands with independent travellers. This new project supports our strong belief that small, owner-operated tourism businesses are the basis of a sustainable economy in the islands. Tourism provides residents with a viable alternative to extractive activities such as large-scale commercial fishing that negatively impact the unique ecosystems of Galapagos.”

www.galapagos-tours.travel is the first whl.travel destination in Ecuador.

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

No hay lugar en el planeta que pueda compararse con las Islas Galápagos. Su lugar en la historia se estableció en virtud de los revolucionarios pensamientos cultivados por Charles Darwin durante su visita a las islas como naturalista a bordo del HMS Beagle. El formuló su famosa teoría de la evolución basada en la selección natural luego de visitar el archipiélago, el proceso de su pensamiento dijo fue motivado por la increíble diversidad de vida que le rodeaba. La belleza pintoresca de la rara flora y fauna de las islas continúan hoy en día inspirando a los viajeros a seguir sus pasos, así como también a los afortunados residentes, que llaman su hogar a este paraíso.

Only found in one place on Earth, the marine iguana is found throughout the Galapagos Archipelago. Though Darwin described them as the "most disgusting, clumsy lizards," they make up for their looks with their most fascinating ecological niche. Photo courtesy of Galapagos Safari Camp

Las Islas Galápagos son especiales por muchas razones, incluyendo el hecho de que, en realidad, no existe gente indígena nativa de las islas. Los habitantes actuales son un conglomerado de nacionalidades que se han unido y empezaron el proceso de crear – o desarrollar – una identidad grupal. Debido a que el Ecuador continental se encuentra a unos 1000 km de distancia de las islas, los actores principales de la industria turística- ya sean alojamiento o tour operadores – hacen énfasis, casi por necesidad, en todo lo local. Un ejemplo es el Hostal Casa Blanca, un establecimiento privado manejado por Jaqueline Vásquez y sus dos hijas, quienes también operan una pequeña galería de arte que presenta obras de artistas locales. Todas las empresas familiares buscan minimizar su impacto en el medio ambiente reduciendo el desperdicio y reciclando materiales para crear artesanías.

Como una regla general, los tours en las Islas Galápagos deben ir acompañados por un guía naturalista del Parque Nacional Galápagos. Esto es en parte para evitar daños en el frágil ecosistema y en parte para asegurarse de que los visitantes disfrutarán al máximo su estadía en las islas. El altamente considerado viaje a Rocas Gordon, por ejemplo, incluye la oportunidad de dar una mirada a los tiburones martillo y brinda un acercamiento y una experiencia personal con la vida marina de las Galápagos. Las islas son el lugar perfecto para aprender a bucear, con un sin número de tesoros inolvidables que se encuentran bajo las olas del Pacifico.

El más reciente miembro Ecuatoriano de la red whl. travel, Yacu Amu Experiences, está deseoso de difundir estas islas en constante evolución. “Estamos muy emocionados de asociarnos con whl.travel para poder dar a conocer pequeños hoteles y tour operadores en las islas Galápagos a los viajeros independientes. Este nuevo proyecto apoya nuestra fuerte creencia de que negocios pequeños operados por sus dueños, son la base de una economía sostenible en las islas. El turismo ofrece a los residentes una alternativa viable frente a las actividades de extracción como la pesca comercial a gran escala que impacta negativamente en este ecosistema único de las Galápagos.”

www.galapagos-tours.travel es el primer destino ecuatoriano en unirse a la red de whl.travel.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Não há lugar no mundo que se compara as Ilhas Galápagos no Equador. Sua história foi marcada por pensamentos revolucionários que foram cultivados durante a viagem de Charles Darwin como naturalista no navio HMS Beagle. Ele formulou a famosa teoria da evolução e seleção natural ao visitar o arquipélago. Seus processos de pensamentos deveriam ter sido provocados pela incrível diversidade de vida que o rodeava. A beleza pitoresca da flora das ilhas e da fauna rara continua trazendo inspiração para os viajantes que seguem seus caminhos e para os moradores, tanto humanos quanto não humanos, a chamada casa do paraíso.

These penguins, resident on Bartolome, are the only penguins native to the northern hemisphere. They are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and their entire population is inside the Galapagos Islands National Park and Marine Reserve. Photo courtesy of Galapagos Safari Camp

As Ilhas Galápagos são diferentes por várias razões, na realidade não existem pessoas indígenas. Os atuais ocupantes humanos representam um conglomerado de nacionalidades que se juntaram e começaram o processo de criação, evolução e uma identidade de grupo. O Equador Continental tem quase 1.000 quilômetros de distância, por isso as partes interessadas na indústria de turismo como os operadores se instalaram em alojamentos turísticos para dar destaque aos acontecimentos locais. Um exemplo é a Pousada Casa Blanca, um estabelecimento privado por Jacqueline Vasquez e suas duas filhas, que também operam uma pequena galeria de arte onde se expõe trabalhos dos artistas locais. Em todas as empresas desta família são desenvolvidos meios para minimizar o impacto ambiental através da redução de resíduos e utilização de materiais indesejados para fazer artes e ofícios.

Como regra geral, os passeios realizados nas ilhas são acompanhados por guias licenciados. Isso é necessário para evitar danos ao ecossistema e em partes garantir que os visitantes aproveitem muito o seu tempo. O conceituado passeio Gordon Rock, por exemplo, proporciona uma vislumbrante imagem de tubarões-martelo, é uma experiência incrível sobre a vida marinha de Galápagos. As ilhas são os locais ideais para aprender a mergulhar, tesouros inesquecíveis se ocultam, sob as ondas do Pacífico.

Os equatorianos mais recentes que adquiriram a rede whl.travel, como Yacu Amu Experiences, estão ansiosos para divulgar informações sobre estas ilhas que estão em constante evolução. “Estamos muito animados com a parceria da whl.travel para nos conectar aos pequenos hotéis e operadores turísticos nas Ilhas Galápagos, através de viajantes independentes. Este novo projeto apóia a nossa forte crença de que pequenas empresas de turismo, dirigida pelo proprietário, seja a base de uma economia sustentável no arquipélago. O turismo oferece aos moradores uma alternativa viável para atividades como a pesca comercial, que gera um impacto negativo ao ecossistema de Galápagos.

www.galapagos-tours.travel é o primeiro destino da whl.travel no Equador.

Once overrun with pirates and slave traders, the peninsula of Armação dos Búzios, or simply Búzios, began to receive a different kind of welcome attention during the 1960s, when Brigitte Bardot popularised its brilliant beaches. It has since been transformed into one of the best seaside resorts in Brazil, a trendy destination especially for Brazilians and Argentines.

The harbour of Búzios fills with fishing boats in the afternoon and offers lovely sunsets. There are several hotels with views overlooking this spectacle.

The well-developed infrastructure of Búzios has led to a plethora of Búzios accommodation options, plenty of exciting bars and a full range of restaurants. The lodging choices run from budget pousadas to the kinds of luxurious resorts for which this stylish city is famous, especially the world-class hotels that dot Búzios’ dazzling shoreline. For true pampering, for example, the Pousada Byblos Búzios is one of the lavish best, both for its superb amenities and the beaches out the back door.

Many visitors look forward to their Búzios vacation for simply doing nothing at all. Those with more gusto, however, will find a multitude of exciting things to see and do, most of them centred around the beach. The 23 sandy strands and 18 islands of Búzios promise something to suit every personality, from the calm inlets on the east coast of the peninsula to the chop on the west that mingles with the tides of the open Atlantic Ocean.

Two of the most popular beaches are João Fernandinho Beach and Azeda Beach, both fabled for their tasty seafood restaurants and thirst-quenching beverage outlets. Those all the rage with the surfers are Ferradura Beach and Geribá Beach, whose waves are known to spike up the adrenaline. At many locations, the water sports options also include kite surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, fishing or a relaxing schooner tour. Away from the beach, take advantage of Búzios tours that visit the area’s cities.

Travellers to Búzios have their pick of numerous exciting water sports. Seasoned surfers and athletes find challenges in the waves facing the Atlantic, but there are calmer waters for beginners too, along with experienced guides and tour operators to assist in the learning process.

Blue Ocean Tour is your whl.travel local connection in Búzios, as well as in Rio de Janeiro. When asked about www.buzios-hotels.travel, Luiz Renato Malcher, CEO of Blue Ocean Tour, remarked that “Búzios was (during my childhood) and still is (nowadays) always my first option for a holiday or a weekend away from Rio. Even during the week, I quite often like to work there at one of the cafés along the Orla Bardot. As a member of whl.travel, our intention is to inspire those who plan to have wonderful moments in a way that is both sustainable and responsible in Búzios.”

Búzios is the third whl.travel destination in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janerio after its capital city of Rio and the island of Ilha Grande. It is also one of dozens of destinations in Brazil that are part of the whl.travel family.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Uma vez invadida por piratas e traficantes de escravos, a península de Armação dos Búzios, ou simplesmente Búzios, começou a receber um tipo diferente de atenção durante os anos 1960, quando Brigitte Bardot popularizou suas brilhantes praias. Desde então, foi transformado em um dos melhores resorts à beira-mar no Brasil, um destino famoso especialmente para brasileiros e argentinos.

A infra-estrutura bem desenvolvida de Búzios oferece uma grande variedade de hotéis e pousadas em Búzios, várias opções de bares estonteantes e uma gama completa de restaurantes. As opções de alojamento vão desde pousadas que cabem em seu orçamento até os tipos de resorts de luxo para os quais a elegante cidade é famosa, especialmente no mundo hotéis de classe que marcam o deslumbrante litoral de Búzios. Para verdadeiros mimos, por exemplo, a Pousada Byblos Buzios é um dos melhores pródigos, tanto por suas comodidades soberbas quanto pelo fácil acesso às praias logo atrás da pousada.

A lifelike bronze statue of the famous French actress Brigitte Bardot sits on the Orla Bardot walkway in Buzios. She is credited with popularising the destination when she visited Brazil in the 1960s.

Muitos visitantes anseiam por suas férias em Búzios para simplesmente não fazer nada. Aqueles com mais entusiasmo, no entanto, vão encontrar uma infinidade de coisas interessantes para ver e fazer, a maioria delas em torno das praias. As 23 praias e 18 ilhas de Búzios oferecem algo para servir cada personalidade, das enseadas calmas na costa leste da península ao chop, a oeste, que se mistura com as marés abertas do Oceano Atlântico.

Duas das praias mais populares são Praia João Fernandinho e Praia Azeda, fabulosas tanto pelos seus deliciosos restaurantes de frutos do mar quanto suas ofertas de bebidas a beira-mar. A praia com mais ímpeto para os surfistas é a Praia de Geribá, cujas ondas são conhecidas por manter alta sua adrenalina. Em muitos locais, as opções de esportes de água também incluem kite surf, mergulho, jet ski, pesca ou um relaxante passeio de escuna. Longe da praia, aproveite as excursões Búzios que visitam as regiões da cidade.

Blue Ocean Tour é a sua conxão local da whl.travel em Búzios, assim como no Rio de Janeiro. Quando perguntado sobre www.buzios-hotels.travel, Luiz Renato Malcher, CEO da Blue Ocean Tour, expressou que “Búzios era (durante a minha infância) e ainda é (hoje em dia) sempre minha primeira opção para férias ou um fim de semana fora do Rio de Janeiro. Mesmo durante a semana, muitas vezes gosto de trabalhar lá em um dos cafés ao longo da Orla Bardot. Como um membro do whl.travel, nossa intenção é inspirar aqueles que planejam ter momentos maravilhosos de uma forma que seja sustentável e responsável em Búzios “.

Búzios é o terceiro destino whl.travel no estado brasileiro do Rio de Janerio depois da capital do Rio e de Ilha Grande. É também uma das dezenas de destinos no Brasil que fazem parte da família whl.travel.

Around Kaş, Turkey, the crystal-clear turquoise Mediterranean Sea, purified by local currents, offers excellent diving conditions

In fact, the Turkish diver community has declared the nearby rocky reefs to be the country’s best. In the waters of Kaş, lucky divers can thrill to a swim alongside a gentle giant sea turtle or the rare Mediterranean monk seal, both carefully protected. Schools of dolphins sometimes race a dive boat out of the Kaş marina. Groupers appear on almost every dive, along with schools of calamari and small barracuda.

Taking Responsible Diving Seriously

Kaş is small in size but big in promise. It has not undergone the development explosion frequently associated with Mediterranean coastal destinations, and both the local and the foreign ex-pat populations have been comparatively slow growing. You never feel the crush of a crowd, especially if you are awake in the early morning, when you may find the silence and nearly empty streets a bit disconcerting. Even in the busiest months, there is seldom a congested tourist activity.

Nevertheless, there are 14 active dive centres in Kaş, each with its own boat. They’re clustered here, because the Mediterranean Sea is well protected and the diving truly superb. Visitors from around the world frequently comment that Kaş is the cleanest dive destination they’ve experienced on the Mediterranean. There is no industrial activity in Kaş that would create big-city air or sea pollutants. Kaş also has a modern municipal sewage treatment facility and dumping into the sea from boats or from land is both strictly forbidden and enforced. Consequently visibility in the water around Kaş – arguably better than anywhere on the Mediterranean – is so good that it has to be experienced to be believed.

Loggerheads are the most common turtle in the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to conservation efforts, the thrill of sighting a loggerhead while diving around Kaş is no longer a rare occurrence.

Boats too, whether used for diving or other passenger needs, must meet quality standards for both equipment and crew or they face stiff fines and can be stopped from operating. Enforcement is carefully policed by an active Coast Guard (Sahil Güvenlik), also responsible for environmental protection (spot checks of dive boats for safety compliance are common) and as first responder in emergencies.

The Kaş diving centres themselves are well known in Turkey for their responsible practices, sometimes a surprise to visitors. All staff are trained in first aid and emergency underwater and boat procedures. Everyone is also particularly aware of the fragility of the underwater environment. “Take only photographs and leave only bubbles” is a popular expression used on dive boats. To protect sea habitats and protected marine animals from any harm, divers are told not to touch any aquatic life, found objects or the sea floor and boats are forbidden to drop anchor – they must use surface tie-ups adjacent to dive sites. Below and above the water line, dive centres work hard to mitigate the pollution that traditional tourism brings. Finally, Kaş dive centres train and employ local talent so visitors can enjoy the best of authentic Turkish hospitality.

A replica of the Bronze-Age Uluburun boat was purposefully sunk for all divers to enjoy for many years to come

Finding Underwater History

Because of the ancient historical significance of Anatolia (Asia Minor), diving in Kaş is full of the potential for discovery. For example, in 1984, a 3,400-year-old Bronze-Age boat, the oldest yet unearthed, was discovered and excavated by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA)  near Ulu Burun promontory, just a few kilometres from Kaş. The original boat is now located in the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

In 2006, as part of a cooperative effort between the 360Derece (Degree) Research Group and the INA, an exact reproduction of the original ancient Uluburun boat was constructed in Kaş, sailed to the Chicken Bay dive site close to Kaş and deliberately sunk. For sheer fun and historical excitement this ‘artificial’ Uluburun Wreck dive is a must.

Kaş and the surrounding area have other equally exciting and interesting dive sites, including:

• the Canyon, where a shallow 10-metre descent from the boat leads to a breathtaking drop into the deep blue of the canyon, which has a small cave at the bottom and a nearby steel shipwreck;
• the Lighthouse, where a sunken WWII C-47 Dakota aircraft lies in less than 20 metres of water;
• the extremely clear water around Besme Adasi (Island), a great playground for an abundance of sea life;
• Flying Fish reef, where the remains of an Italian WWII bomber aircraft at 60 metres (beyond the reach of sport divers) can be viewed from above when diving to 30 metres;
• the Dakarya shipwreck near Kalkan, otherwise known as the Duchess of York, a steamer built in the UK in 1893; and
• a Turkish cargo ship off the coast of Kekova, which sank during a storm in 2002.

In addition, there are many caverns, caves and tunnels.

Diving Instruction and Dive Tours

Dive courses in Kaş run from the very popular Discover scuba dive (one-on-one help from a dive instructor during a first and thrilling experience of a dive) for the curious and uninitiated to CMAS and PADI certifications at all levels – Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Divemaster. There are also specialty courses for the experienced divers and daily or weekly dive “packs”. For travel to dive sites beyond Kaş, day boat tours for groups can be arranged in advance.

An easy, safe and fun way to enjoy scuba diving in Kaş is to do a Discover Dive. No previous experience necessary!

The water temperatures in Kaş range from 19°C in January to almost 29°C in August. Visitors can – and do! – dive all year round, although the normal season runs from early April until the end of November. During the rest of the year (the winter season), two or three boats are still almost always available.