Nature/Wildlife
We live busy lives, often in urban settings, so when the time comes for a vacation, many of us know that the best thing to do is to turn to nature. Nothing blows the cobwebs away more than a trek in the mountains or communing with creatures in the deep forest. Whether peering into a volcano, riding horseback along a trail, or spotting wildlife on a river cruise, something deep within us needs to feel connected to the natural world. All regions of the world present opportunities for enjoying nature.
In cooler temperate climates you may seek out snow-capped mountains such as the Alps, while equatorial regions offer the dense jungles of Asia or the vast plains of Africa. Anywhere animals live free offers us the chance to witness their majesty and understand better our place in the natural order. We can give ourselves privileged memories of seeing lions, elephants and gorillas on safari, or witness orangutans, monkeys and birds in the trees of the rainforest. The oceans and coastlines of the world offer opportunities for encounters with whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and more. Nature is always good for the soul.
West Papua: The King of Bio-Diversity
The world of science has recently shown an extraordinary interest in the dive region of Raja Ampat in West Papua Province. Dive with blacktip reef sharks in Raja Ampat. Photo courtesy: Sea Safari Cruises While every dive destination claims to have great marine...
New Fish and Coral Species Found During Raja Ampat Expedition
Some of the world's most experienced tropical marine scientists, led by The Nature Conservancy, completed a 3 week expedition to the Indonesian islands of Raja Ampat, where they confirmed that the area contains the richest coral reefs in the world. Diving at Blue...
Raja Ampat Marine Park: Crown Jewel of the Coral Triangle
The Raja Ampat, or Four Kings Archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. A wobbegong in Raja Ampat. Photo courtesy: Solitude The area includes the 4 large islands of Waigeo, Batanta,...
Komodo Fish Culture Project
The Nature Conservancy's Coral Triangle Centre has successfully handed over its fish culture project to an experienced Indonesian enterprise, PT Karamba Mertha Buana. This company has the necessary technical know-how, financial capability, willingness to work with...
The Komodo National Park: a Hidden World Beyond the Dragon
Scenic view of the Komodo National Park. Photo courtesy: Teman Sandwiched between the larger islands of Flores and Sumbawa, the hilly and desolate Komodo National Park offers you the chance to dive some of the most awe-inspiring reefs in the world and catch a glimpse...
Reef Alert – Coral Reefs Under Threat
Coral reefs around the world are under siege - FACT. Threats from over-fishing, urban coastal encroachment and rising sea temperatures are destroying sensitive corals and devastating the marine life they support. Bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo...
Bunaken National Marine Park – Sulawesi’s Legendary Wall Dives
Snorkelling on the incredible walls of Bunaken The park was formally established at Bunaken in 1991 and was among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park measures in at just under 80,000 hectares of land (3%) and sea (97%), located in Manado...
Bali’s Marine Protected Areas – Where Community and Conservation Create Sanctuary
Indonesia's most popular tourist island has 2 official marine protected areas: The Bali Barat National Park The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area Bali Barat Bali Barat National Park The Bali Barat National Park, or West Bali National Park, covers 190 km² of which...
A Brief History of Pulau Sipadan – From Obscure Island to World’s Top Dive Site
Rising majestically from the deep blue heart of the Celebes Sea, Sipadan Island is often hailed as the crown jewel of diving. But long before it was consistently ranked among the top dive sites on Earth, this oceanic volcano had a rich and tumultuous history. Its...