Reiseablauf 18. bis 29. Juli 2025

Die Tour startet und endet in Faial. Für Transfers vom Flughafen Horta zur Unterkunft ist gesorgt. 11 Übernachtungen und einige aufregende Tage auf dem Meer stehen auf dem Programm.

Aufgrund unvorhersehbarer Wetterbedingungen wird der tägliche Ablauf am Abend vorher mit der Basis und deinem Reiseleiter besprochen. Pläne ändern sich schnell und ein großes Maß an Flexibilität ist von Vorteil! Die inkludierten Aktivitäten werden an den Tagen mit den dafür passenden Bedingungen stattfinden und es sind genug freie Tage eingerechnet sollten die Wellen einmal nicht mitspielen. Zusätzliche Ausfahrten können auf Wunsch vor Ort organisiert werden, wenn noch freie Tage bleiben und Interesse besteht.

Casa BuonVento, Faial

Casa BuonVento, im Herzen von Horta auf der Insel Faial, Azoren (Portugal) gelegen, ist ein altes Haus aus dem frühen 20. Jahrhundert. Es wurde 2017 vollständig renoviert, wobei die ursprüngliche „Seele“ und der Charme des Hauses respektiert wurden, ohne den Komfort zu beeinträchtigen. Die Zimmer, die alle unterschiedlich sind, sind mit maßgefertigten Möbeln dekoriert, die mit Geschmack und Fantasie kreiert oder restauriert wurden. Einige Zimmer bieten einen Blick auf den Pico-Berg und das Meer. Den Gästen steht eine gemeinschaftlich genutzte, voll ausgestattete Küche (Geschirr, Besteck, Geräte) sowie ein kleiner Loungebereich mit Sofa, TV und Büchern zur Verfügung.

In fußläufiger Entfernung zum Haus finden Sie Cafés und Restaurants für jeden Geschmack. Das Peter Café Sport mit seinem Scrimshaw-Museum, der Hafen mit seinen farbenfrohen „Murales“, Porto Pim, Monte Queimado und Monte da Guia, wo Sie einen sehr angenehmen Blick auf die Bucht von Porto Pim genießen können. Ebenfalls zu Fuß erreichbar sind ein Einkaufszentrum und ein Lebensmittelgeschäft.

Die Azoren

Die autonome Region der Azoren gehört zu Portugal und ist in drei geografische Regionen geteilt. Die Inseln Santa Maria und São Miguel bilden die östliche Gruppe, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico und Faial die Zentralgruppe und Corvo und Flores die westliche Gruppe des Archipels. Madeira, die Kanaren und die Kap Verdischen Inseln repräsentieren zusammen mit den Azoren das Gebiet von Makaronesien (Inseln des Glücks).

Laut Legende sind die Azoren die Überreste des sagenhaften Inselkönigreichs Atlantis (Platons versunkene, phantastische Welt), und schon Mitte des 14. Jahrhunderts wurden neun Inseln mit nahezu der exakten Position der Azoren in Büchern und auf
kartografischen Karten erwähnt und dargestellt. Doch erst nach den portugiesischen Seefahrtexpeditionen Heinrich des Seefahrers wurden die Azoren endgültig in die europäischen Land- und Seekarten aufgenommen.

Es steht nicht genau fest, ob es der Seefahrer Diogo de Silves im Jahre 1427 war oder ob Gonçalo Velho Cabral 1431 den azorischen Archipel entdeckte. Auch gibt es mehrere Theorien, wie die Azoren zu ihrem Namen kamen. Die am meisten verbreitete beruht auf der Verwechslung der vorgefundenen «Milhafres» (Rotmilane/Mäusebussarde), die fälschlicherweise für
«Açores« (Habichte) gehalten wurden. Sicher ist, dass Heinrich der Seefahrer die Besiedlung der Inseln förderte. Zuerst ließ er zwischen 1431 und 1432 Tiere auf den Inseln aussetzen, und 1439 kamen die ersten Siedler. Die Besiedlung der Azoren erstreckte sich über das ganze 15. (östliche Gruppe und Zentralgruppe) und 16. Jahrhundert (westliche Gruppe). An dieser schweren
Aufgabe beteiligten sich auch Juden, Mauren, Flamen, Italiener, Engländer, Franzosen und afrikanische Sklaven. Aus ihnen ging während der Jahrhunderte ein Volk hervor, dem Vulkanausbrüche, Erdbeben, Isolation, Piratenangriffe, politische Kriege und Infektionskrankheiten nichts anhaben konnten. Der Widerstand während der spanischen Besetzung ab 1580 und die Unterstützung der Liberalen im Bürgerkrieg (1828-1834) belegen die Tapferkeit der „Azoreaner“.

Der Archipel ist natürlicher Lebensraum für verschiedene Vogelarten, wie den Rotmilan, Gelbschnabelsturmtaucher, die Seeschwalbe, Ringeltaube und Schwarzdrossel. In der «Serra da Tronqueira» auf São Miguel ist der Azorengimpel (Priolo) wegen seiner Seltenheit besonders geschützt. Das einzige endemische Säugetier der Azoren ist die azorische Fledermaus.

Für viele verschiedene Meeresvögel sind die Azoren der erste Ruheplatz nach ihrem Flug über den Atlantik. Im weiten Meer um die Azoren gibt es ungefähr zwanzig verschiedene Delfin- und Walarten, von denen manche ihren permanenten Lebensraum hier haben, andere nur vorbei ziehen. Der Fischreichtum, Kolonien von Mollusken und Krustentieren verhelfen den Gewässern um die Inseln zu einer außergewöhnlichen, vielfältigen Unterwasserwelt.

„Inmitten der Natur“ – dieser Ausdruck ist typisch für die Region der Azoren. Dank seiner einmaligen Natur bietet der Archipel einzigartige Bedingungen für den Natur-Tourismus. Die biologische Vielfalt, der geologische Reichtum, die historischen Städte und die traditionellen Ortschaften bieten optimale Bedingungen für den Tourismus.

Die Insel Faial

Nur 4,5 nautische Meilen von der Insel Pico und ungefähr 14 Meilen von São Jorge entfernt bildet Faial mit den genannten Nachbarinseln die sogenannten „Triangle Island“ der Azoren. Bekannt als die Segel-Hauptstadt der nördlichen Hemisphäre hat
die Insel mit ihrem Hafen Horta eine starke Verbindung zum Meer und bietet vielen Yachten und Seglern Schutz auf dem Weg über den Atlantik. Die unzähligen Segelboote die dort im Hafen liegen machen den Charme der Stadt aus welche im Schatten des
erloschenen Vulkans Guia Hill liegt. Kein Besuch von Horta ist komplett ohne einen Besuch der berühmtesten portugiesischen Bar – Peter’s Café Sport. Mit Blick über die Marina und auf den Vulkan Pico geben die vielen Flaggen und Überbleibsel von Seglern im inneren des Restaurants einen Einblick in die Geschichte der Stadt. Der Flair der Bar ist einzigartig und sie ist der Treffpunkt der Insel für Einheimische und Touristen.

Die letzte große Eruption des Vulkans Capelinhos ereignete sich auf Faial (1957/58). Die Landschaft die durch diesen Vulkanausbruch auf der Westseite der Insel geformt wurde ist immer einen Ausflug wert. Im „Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre“ kann man sich über das Ausmaß der Zerstörung dieser Naturkatastrophe informieren.

Für Taucher ist einer der Hauptgründe für eine Reise nach Faial die Möglichkeit mit Blauhaien zu Tauchen oder Schnorcheln. Hier ist einer der wenigen Orte der Welt, wo man mit sehr hoher Wahrscheinlich diese Jäger zu Gesicht bekommt – wenn auch meist geködert. Auch auf den anderen Inseln gibt es die Tiere allerdings sind die besten Tauchplätze dafür nahe den Inseln Faial und Pico. Die Condor Bank oder andere Erhebungen (Plateaus unter Wasser) eignen sich dafür die Tiere an die Oberfläche zu locken. Mit Glück tauchen auch immer wieder mal Mako Haie auf – verschwinden aber oft auch direkt schnell wieder.

The journey starts in the city of Tromsø in Norway. We recommend to arrive more than just one night before the expedition the get a glimpse of this beautiful arctic city! We can arrange hotels & tours as well as your international flights.

Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2025

The following is an approximate itinerary as the final itinerary, of course, depends on the sea, the weather and the animals.  Expert guides will accompany you on your whale watching adventures to provide information and guidance.

Day 1: Arrival and boarding
Arrival at Tromsø airport and transfer to the harbor. In the afternoon you will board your ship, settle in and explore the ship.

Day 2-6:  The search is on
Surrounded by the dramatic Norwegian fjords, you’ll spend 5 full days following schools of herring  … and pods of orcas & humpbacks. The bridge of the ship is a great place to look for whales and enjoy theamazing light and the awesome scenery.  Whenever the conditions are right and animals are in the vicinity, you can board the Zodiacs to snorkel and photograph the animals and feeding frenzies.

You can watch the highlights from the spacious deck or join the Zodiac excursions for up-close whale watching and excellent photography opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to go ashore to visit some of the historical fishing villages situated in the fjords.  But, the top highlight is the in-water experience with the whales, orcas & herring!

During the darker hours you will enjoy the warm and cozy comfort of the expedition yacht while your expert guides entertain you with presentations and educational information on wildlife and cinematography and films. Excellent food is served three times a day, with a warm meal during lunch and diner.  Beer and wine are available.

Also, of course, the winter months mean displays of the Aurora Borealis. With a bit of luck you might be treated to some of this delight.

Day 7: Disembarkation
The ships usually arrive back in Tromsø the night before disembarkation.   After breakfast and farewell to your crew, it is unfortunately time to disembark.  The guides can arrange a transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you choose to extend your stay in Norway.

M/S Freya

M/S Freya is a heavy duty expedition ship built in 1981 to Lloyds Ice Class 1A. Being 45 meters long and 10 meters wide, she is a big ship with lots of space.

The ship comfortably accommodates 12 guests in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. And our 9 experienced and friendly expedition leaders and crew will complete your arctic adventure.

Freya offers 9 cozy guest cabins as deluxe twins, deluxe singles and a superior suite. All are located on the main deck and upperdeck, with private bathroom, plenty of
space for storage and have minimum 1 window. Superior suite is larger with seating area, 2 windows and choice of a kingsize bed or 2 twins.

Delicious meals are served in the restaurant area on the main deck, where there is also a bar.
Relax in the sofa lounge, after using the hottub and sauna, or stroll the massive deck for impressive views.

There is no better way to end the day than in the hottub located on the topdeck. Here you have impressive panoramic views of the fiords and the arctic sky with northern lights. Or go for an arctic dip and the indoor sauna to get really heated up.

You will have a private space for hanging your suit and storing gear in a heated and ventilated room. So your gear will be dry and warm for you to put on every morning.

Welcome to Tromsø

Easy Diving Eco-Resort

Cagayan Islands

Greenwood Beach Resort

With just 16 rooms, which provides a relaxed and intimate atmosphere for their international clientele. Its location is pristine: a large Clubhouse is only 30 feet away from one of the most gorgeous, Pink-Sand beaches in the entire Bahamas. Here guests can enjoy their meals on our Ocean View Terrace or inside the bright and colorful dining room.

In the evening guests come together and share their daily adventures and sip a beer at the bar.

The Bahamas

Diving in the Bahamas offers a captivating experience amidst clear waters and diverse marine ecosystems. With vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including reef sharks and colorful tropical fish, the Bahamas provides ample opportunities for all types of divers. From exploring iconic blue holes to encountering majestic creatures like eagle rays, the underwater world of the Bahamas offers memorable adventures in a stunning natural setting.

Diving into Cat Island’s azure waters unveils a mesmerizing encounter with oceanic whitetip sharks amidst vibrant coral reefs. The sleek predators, known for their distinctive white-tipped fins, glide gracefully through the blue expanse, offering a glimpse into their mysterious world. Amidst the coral labyrinth, teeming with life, schools of fish dart among vibrant hues, seeking refuge in their intricate shelters.

Cat Island’s reefs serve as vital ecosystems, supporting a diverse array of marine life. Each crevice harbors its own ecosystem, creating a tapestry of biodiversity that captivates divers. Amidst the balance between predator and prey, the oceanic whitetip sharks reign supreme. As you ascend, the memory of encountering these apex predators amidst the vibrant reefs serves as a reminder of the fragility and beauty of marine ecosystems, urging us to protect and preserve them for generations to come.

ACCOMODATIONS

We have selected three 4 star hotels in Tokyo, Osezaki, Atami and Tateyama to ensure a comfortable yet affordable resting base between our travels and the dives. Accommodations in Japan are only bookable a year before itinerary dates so the eventual accommodation might change, but we guarantee accommodation will be of the same lodging standard.

JAPAN

MIKOMOTO

Mikomoto Island is esteemed for its notable population of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini), drawing diving enthusiasts globally to observe these majestic marine species in their native environment. Submerging into the depths adjacent to Mikomoto’s coastline, divers are presented with the remarkable spectacle of numerous hammerheads gracefully traversing the waters. Things can get adventurous: blazing current and changing visibility are often the case. Dives last 35 mins!

SHARK CITY

Tateyama is a well-known diving destination that is often referred to as “Shark scramble” or “Japanese hound shark traffic jam” and is the only shark feeding area in Japan. It’s a fantastic photography and video opportunity, and being swarmed with tons of harmless hound sharks is a stellar wildlife experience too.

Expect in September that Mikomoto and Tateyama both will be a little colder, at about 21°c at depth.

This is because both these locations are in the Pacific current.

Atami and Osezaki will be warmer, at about 25°c.

Getting There

Manado ‘Sam Ratulangi’ international Airport (MDO) has regular international flights to / from Singapore operated by Scoot Air ( a low cost airline of the Singapore Air group ). It’s also connected to Jakarta, Denpasar-Bali, Makassar and Surabaya by Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Batik Air or CitiLink, all offering daily flights, 7 days a week.

The trip from / to the international airport takes approximately 1 1/2 hour each way. Our driver will meet you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. He will assist you with your luggage and the transfer is done by private car. After an approximately 1 hour car ride you will reach Pantai Surabaya, there you will switch from car to our private speed boat. An approximately 30 minutes boat ride will take you to the Coral Eye jetty where our team will be waiting for your arrival. Our private transfer is available 24/7. We provide a complete transfer upon request from any place around North Sulawesi by private car and private speed boat. Please contact us directly for tailor made transfers in between resorts or hotels in North Sulawesi. A surcharge for this service may apply.

Day to Day

We have 20 dives to spread out over 7 days, that means we will be in the water A LOT. Waking up early to get the first dive in, take breakfast, do another dive, have lunch, and then go out for the last dive of the day is how your days will usually look.

In between there’s enough time to relax, explore the roadless island, and just disconnect from the outside world.

Two island trips to the nearby wonders of Bunaken and Lembeh are included as well to give you the maximum exposure of the region and its differences in divesites.

Itinerary

Guests will be picked up from Puerto Madryn, which has direct flight connection with Buenos Aires (we can help you book flights!).

To make sure we make the best use of our 5 day permit, we are staying 8 days at the hotel to shift our planning in accordance with weather circumstances.

The diving days start with easy breakfast at the hotel, after which we drive with the car to the harbour, where we will embark on the dive boat and try go and find the whales. We come back in the late afternoon.

Snorkelling with the whales happens in groups of 2. Important: no pictures with both divers and whales in frame can be taken.

On the non-diving days, we will drive out around the region to go and spot wildlife and explore: tons of animals inhabit this region such as mare, elephant seals, penguins, guanacos, armadillos and many more.

Del Nomade Hosteria Ecologica

Peninsula Valdes, located on the Atlantic coast of Argentina, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique geological features. Stretching over 3,600 square kilometers, this rugged peninsula juts out into the ocean, forming a sheltered haven for a diverse array of marine life. One of its most famous inhabitants is the southern right whale, which migrates here annually to breed and calve in the calm waters of Golfo Nuevo. Visitors flock to Peninsula Valdes for the chance to witness these majestic creatures up close, either from the shore or on guided boat tours.

Apart from its significance as a breeding ground for marine mammals, Peninsula Valdes also boasts diverse terrestrial habitats, including grasslands, scrubland, and salt flats. These environments provide crucial habitats for numerous species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, making it a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Additionally, the peninsula is home to important conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered species such as the southern elephant seal and the Magellanic penguin. With its stunning natural beauty and ecological importance, Peninsula Valdes stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and protecting our planet’s biodiversity.

ITINERARY

From your home country, you will need to fly to Sorong Airport (SOQ) which is located in West Papua – Indonesia. Sorong Airport can be reached from the following Indonesian international airports: Jakarta, Denpasar, Manado, or Makassar/Ujung Pandang. We always recommend to arrive in Sorong a few days or at least one night before to be on the safe side. We are happy to assist with all internal flights, accommodations etc. in Indonesia. Contact marcel@behind-the-mask.com if you would like any assistance.

DIVE SPOTS

The itinerary chosen will be “Best of Raja Ampat”: that means the best spots for the weather forecast at the time! We discuss with the captain and the crew the best route to go to get to see the absolute best in pristine conditions. Here are some of the highlights of Raja:

Cape Kri. If you want to see  large fish and to be enveloped by fish then roll in here, both desires will soon be satisfied.  Groupers, sharks, snappers, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, dogtooth tuna, trevallies. They are all here in numbers.
Cape Kri is a great place to spot wobbegongs, the curious carpet shark, but you should also admire gorgonian fans to look for pygmy seahorses grasping its branches.

Misol Island. Is located in the southern part of the Raja Ampat area and  is home to an astonishingly colourful reef-scene. Soft corals dress up slopes, walls and canyons in a colourful palette No big schools here but cuttlefish, pipefish, Indian lionfish, nudibranchs, soft corals and critters. Unmissable by night.

The Jef Fam Group. Is in the central region of Raja Ampat, so it’s quite probable  that you’ll visit it whether we are joining a southern or northern cruise route. It’s quite a large area with some impressive cabbage corals, sheet corals and mushroom corals What makes Jef Fam special is its diversity of marine encounters and  is the best place to find wobbegongs. You can also see huge giant clams, Spanish mackerel, great barracuda and manta rays.

Manta Ridge. Is one of the best dive spots in Raja Ampat to regularly see mantas  in  impressive numbers, it is a popular central site, thanks to a cleaning station which delivers some awesome manta ray action to the few lucky enough to be there.  In current, you may have to hook into place before enjoying the show which includes some black mantas, bumphead, parrotfish and turtles all unconcerned by the audience.

Your memories of diving in Raja Ampat will stay with you forever.

TIARÉ

Built from salvaged Indonesian woods, the classy Tiara offers a mix of modernity and tradition with a variety of places to snuggle in and enjoy your down-time. The very large top deck sun lounge allows for sunbathing or enjoying the scenery.  Downstairs on the main deck, the living area on the bow is equally as spacious. Soft sofas and Indonesian day beds are a great place to socialize, have a nap, read a book or just daydream.  It’s also the setting where you find beautiful wooden tables & cushioned benches for your alfresco meals

The interior restaurant is in the deck house mid-ship on this deck and has a bar stocked with imported wines and a selection of other drinks, an ice machine, a coffee machine, a wine fridge, a juice extractor, an herbal tea station and a drinks fridge.  Dinner can be served here as an alternative to the main deck exterior dining area depending on weather conditions and your personal preference.  An chic but comfortable air-conditioned lounge, with all the requisite audio-visual equipment, adjoins the restaurant.  Restaurant and lounge are surrounded by picture windows to ensure that you can continue to enjoy the spectacular surroundings.

Also located on the main deck is the dive deck which has individual setup areas and hot showers.  Photographers will appreciate the indoor camera room which has plenty of storage space … and, of course, the onboard PCs for editing photos or videos.

The six cabins are all located on the lower deck and two of the cabins are set up with the possibility of being family cabins, each with capacity for 2 adults and a child.

For between-dive activities or for non-divers looking for some sporting fun, Tiare offers snorkeling gear, the use of 2 kayaks, a stand-up paddle board and a towable water tube. There are also shore excursions and visits to Indonesian villages where possible.

The dining room is at the front of the main deck where delicious buffet style Asian and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with comfortable lounges, big windows, bar fridge, and complimentary fresh roast coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Multimedia entertainment centre including large flat screen TV for briefing and movies, large library and a full selection of marine life books.

There are two outside decks–the shade covered party deck with its comfy cushioned lounge suite around nearly the whole deck and the sun platform in front of the wheelhouse give you the choice to sun bake or not !

RAJA AMPAT

The best time to dive Raja Ampat is from October to April. During this time you will be able to explore the Northern and Southern Part of Raja Ampat. The water temperature in Raja Ampat is between 27 – 30 Celsius. We recommend 3mm long wetsuit to dive in Raja Ampat unless you are warm quickly.

THE MARINE PARK

The Raja Ampat Marine Park covers a large area with more than 1’500 islands listed. Therefore, a liveaboard is an ideal way to explore this fantastic destination. Here you will explore one of the last frontiers of unspoiled diving and snorkelling. The archipelago’s pristine reefs are not only vibrant, but the region also proves to have the highest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Raja Ampat holds more than 1’320 fish and 550 coral species and all that is yet to be discovered. Raja Ampat is the epicentre of global marine biodiversity and considered to have the best coral reef diving on the planet. From unusual wobbegong sharks to majestic giant mantas to tiny pygmy seahorses, Raja Ampat has it all! If you are snorkelers or have non-diver family members or friends and you are not sure if this will be a trip that they would enjoy, we have good news: there are many activities for you too!! There are plenty of excellent sites in this fabulous destination, which not only great for diving but also for snorkelling. This marine park is listed among the world’s best-snorkelling destinations. This area is also remarkable for its stunning above water scenery. The famous natural landmark of Raja Ampat is of the mushroom-shaped limestone formations covered in dense vegetation rising out of the turquoise seas. A visit to Pianemo or Wayag viewpoints for extraordinary views and photo opportunities of these iconic natural wonders. During our trip to Raja Ampat, we will also visit local villages on some islands and explore the beautiful lagoon by speed boat.