In This Issue:
Note from
Peter...
Tips On Finding
Whale Sharks
Save $ 1,000
On Selected Trips
Meet the
"Manta Man"
Trivia Contest
Parting Shot
2012 Show
Schedule
Have You Seen The Shadow Of A Whale
Shark?
For the last 9 years, I've been amazed at the ability of our
Galapagos dive guides to find Whale Sharks.
And increasingly frustrated that, try as I might (and I do try,
frequently), I just can't seem to see them sooner or faster than the
guides.
So a couple of years ago I asked our guides what was their
secret? They told me (different guides at different times) that is
was the ability to see the "shadow" of the whale shark before you
see the whale shark itself.
So I've been hunting for the shadow for 5 years at least, and must report I've never seen it yet...
and the guides are still consistently beating me to the punch when it comes to sighting these
magnificent fish! More tips on finding whale sharks in ths issue as well!
Email Us
So, next time you're in Galapagos, watch out for the "shadow" of the whale shark, and if you
don't see it, you can always try to find the green flash at sunset. That I have seen!
Visit Our
Web Site
It's also my pleasure to report that we have openings on several trips in the future, and we'd like
to say "thanks" to our SkyMail readers by offering them the first option on saving $ 1,000
per person, per trip on the "amazing opportunities" llsted below.
Thanx and as always... keep an ocean mind,
Peter A. Hughes, President, DivEncounters, Inc., (877)
323 - DIVE or (305) 262 - 3483, email
Tips On Finding Whale Sharks
(more info)
June to November of every year is Whale Shark
Season in the Galapagos Islands. While we can see
Whale Sharks almost all year round, during the "season"
we see a dramatic increase in encounters.
These are the largest fish in the sea; only the great
whales (mammals) are larger. A juvenile is 15 to 20 feet (3-4m) long. A good sized adult will
easily be 30 feet (10m) in length, and "big ones" (females are the biggest) will approach 40 ft
(12.5m).
$AVE with
Alliance Awards
During the season, whale sharks are not hard to find. In fact, most will simply slowly swim by or
even drift by, pretty oblivious to divers as long as they are not disturbed. So quite a few of them
find us, not the other way around.
But, other than the "in your face" encounters, they are a little hard to spot. Their coloring helps
them blend in, and they almost always approach from blue water. Usually from whatever
direction you're not looking!
While we could write all about underwater topography, currents, and plankton drifts, the real
secret to finding more whale sharks is simple: Follow Your Dive Guide!
Our Galapagos guides will see them faster, know how to approach them, and even (it seems)
know when they will turn away. If you want great pics, exciting video, and amazing encounters,
don't study the currents. Keep an eye on your dive guide!
We rarely have open spots on the M/V Galapagos Sky during Whale Shark Season, but we do
have some openings, and the opportunity to save $ 1,000 on these trips! See below.
Four Amazing Opportunities - Save $ 1,000 Per Person!!!!!!
M/V Galapagos Sky has openings on the following trips. Each person who books a spot on any
of these trips will earn a $1,000 discount off the regular trip price.
2012 Whale Shark Season: It is extremely unusual to have openings in Whale Shark
season in any given year. First come, first served.
Oct. 28 - Nov. 4, 2012
Dec. 9 - 16, 2012
2013 Manta Season: Another set of amazing opportunities as we move into Manta
Season, with warmer water, tons of hammerhead actions, and diverse encounters with multiple
species of rays including the Giant Manta.
Jan. 20 - 27, 2013
Feb. 3 - 10, 2013
So, put yourself in this picture AND SAVE $ 1,000: call or email our office for more details.
Meet Manta Man
One of the more fascinating marine experts we've met onboard the
M/V Galapagos Sky is Brazilian Guilherme Kodja, aka the "Manta
Man".
He's in charge of The Manta Ray Project in Brazil, and for the last
six years has spearheaded efforts to photo ID, tag, and satellite
monitor manta rays.
Along the way, Guilherme has become an expert in all things manta
and ray (all members of the ray family) and loves to share them with
fellow divers.
We could not think of a better person to invite back on board to give a seminar on rays to begin
Manta Season, 2013. Guilherme will give a series of short talks on manta rays, mobula rays,
and a variety of other topics on our January 6 - 13th, 2013 cruise - and is free for all guests.
Next month: We'll share Guilherme's full story, more info on his seminar, and how that giant
manta is swimming on that building in Brazil...
Galapagos Trivia Challenge
Last issue, we asked readers:
Giant tortoises are a signature of the Galapagos Islands. It is
also fairly well known that the islands were named for them. Which of the following is
NOT true.
1. They may weigh up to 500 lbs.
2. Lifespan is often in excess of 100 years.
3. They have no natural predators.
4. They may exist without food for nearly a year.
The correct answer is #3 - While mature giant tortoises are fairly secure, their eggs and
immature tortoises are under siege from a wide range of predators, many of which have been
accidentally introduced into the Galapagos ecology in the early days of exploration.
THIS MONTH'S TRIVIA CHALLENGE: .
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea. While they are
extremely gentle fish (and plankton eaters), they are also
very "thick skinned". Literally. How thick?
1. 1.5 inches
2. 2.0 inches.
3. 2.75 inches.
4. 4.0 inches.
Email Us your answer. The first person to correctly answer the question will Win a $ 100
Donation to the Marine Conservation Institute.(please visit their website and learn more about
the Institute's work)
Plus we'll provide the correct answer and winner next month. Good Luck.
Update: DivEncounters Alliance - When Experience Counts
Founded by Peter A. Hughes in 2011, the Alliance is a group of independent live-aboard
operators dedicated to providing you with superb dive encounters on every vacation.
Alliance partners are located in the "Who's Who" of top notch
diving destinations around the world:




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M/V Galapagos Sky - Galapagos Islands
M/V Solmar V - Socorro Islands & Guadalupe
Undersea Hunter Group - Cocos Island & Malpelo
M/V Orion - Maldives
Now Sailing: M S/V Waow - Indonesia
New: M/V Atllantis Azores - Philippines
Why Dive With The DivEncounters Alliance? Taken individually or collectively, these liveaboards represent more than 125 years of dedicated performance in finding and delivering the
best diving in the world. But there's even more...
You may also take advantage of our Alliance Awards Program simply by
being a guest on any Alliance cruise. Your first cruise with any Alliance
vessel on any trip ( *** New Update: any cruise dating back to Jan. 2010***)
qualifies you for discounts, free Nitrox, on board cash credits, free hotel
rooms, and cabin upgrades, just to mention a few of the benefits.
Call or email our office for more details. For more info on the Alliance, click here.
Parting Shot: Three Generations of Divers, Diving!
Last month Peter was honored by Divi Hotels for his contributions to diving as they celebrated
their 60th hotel anniversary. Peter set up the first dive operation there in 1975 which became
the prototype for successful dedicated dive resorts around the world.
Pictured here: The perfect family vacation experience, three generations diving together at Divi
Flamingo w/ Peter – left to right: Grand Ma, Grand Pa, Abigail & ‘Lexi (just certified by Ken &
Vicky, Tennessee Scuba,) Peter, Mom & Dad … and a great time was had by all!
2012 Trade & Consumer Dive Show Calendar
Stop by and chat w/ Peter, Ali, and the Galapagos Sky team at any of the following 2012 Trade
or Consumer Shows:
Oct. 27- 28, Dive 2012, Birmingham, UK
Nov. 14 - 17, DEMA, Las Vegas, NV