A reminder that, on 15th of June 2015, Indonesia updated its Visa policy extending visa exemptions for 30 additional countries hoping to boost foreign tourism to Indonesia.

Nationals of 45 countries now do not need to get a visa on arrival (VoA), nor will they have to pay the visa fee of US$35. Not only will it save people from these countries money but will also speed up the entry process. You will still get a stamp in your passport, your stay will still be limited to 30 days and, most important, you still need your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the time of arrival but, all in all, great news.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to start planning your next Indonesia visit.

The Amazing Wild East: From Maumere to Alor
We all like well known names and places, they make us feel secure…..but so often we miss outstanding opportunities simply because we do not recognise the names, and this cruise is just one of those occasions. Everyone has heard of Komodo but not many know about the incredible diving in Indonesia’s straits to the east of Komodo.

If you like adventure, great diving and to be surrounded by pristine Nature, join Ondina for this fantastic dive cruise to the Wild East of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda islands at a superb price, you will not regret it! Book fast!!

Offer: 8 night sailing cruise aboard the lovely SMY Ondina, 24 dives
Dates: 21 to 29 September
The Route: Maumere Bay, once the site of a renowned UW world championship, to Alor island through Adonara, Lembata and Pantar, the Komodo sister straits and the reputed Kalabahi Bay in Alor, the kingdom of the Mandarin fish

Price: 1.430 euros/person sharing a cabin (Normal Price: 1.680 euros/pax = 250 euros off).

Nitrox: Free

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for more info and to book.

Bali International Airport is now open and operational though some airlines have delayed departures. Following a further eruption of Mount Raung, the airport was closed on Sunday 12 July from 11:30 am, reopening at 4 pm.

Lombok Airport has remained open since Saturday 11 July with international and domestic flights operating.

There is a possibility Mount Raung will erupt again in the coming days. Dependent on the wind direction, this could lead to some airports closing for safety reasons.

Passengers scheduled to fly are advised to contact their airline as many flights are currently subject to delay.

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific today, Friday 10 July, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake was relatively shallow at a depth of about 20km, the USGS said.

There was no immediate indication of a tsunami warning being issued, according to the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Waring Center.

Bali International Airport, Lombok, Jember and Banyuwangi Airports are all currently closed due to an ash cloud rising from Mount Raung in eastern Java, which erupted approximately 150 kilometers west of Bali International Airport. We have been informed that the international airport, closed since midnight 09 July, will remain closed until 21:30 pm on 10 July 2015. No indication has been made when Lombok, Jember and Banyuwangi Airports will reopen.  

Flights due to arrive yesterday evening were either cancelled or diverted to Jakarta or Surabaya where they are being held. Flights due to arrive today into Bali are either held at the departing destination or cancelled.

The ash cloud may clear over the next 24 hours as winds are forecast to turn – however, there is a possibility the volcano may erupt again coming weeks. There have been no reported casualties.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as required.

Book six nights and the wonderful Thalatta Beach Resort on the island of Negros in the Philippines and get the seventh night for free.
 
Stay for 7 nights, half-Board or full Board, any time from now until 31 October 2015 and pay for only 6 nights.
 
DIVING:
– Book 5 dives, get 1 extra dive free
– Book 10 dives get 2 more free
– Book 15 dives get 3 more free
– Book 20 dives get 4 more free

Thalatta is located close to some of the Visayas’ best diving, including the famous Apo Island.

Offer valid for stays between now and 31 October 2015.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book now and to make your travel arrangements to and around The Philippines.

Only 6 spaces left! Book now and enjoy a 25% off to discover the Central and North Raja Ampat onboard the luxurious Euphoria liveaboard.

Date: 01-15 July 2015

Offers:
– 25% off from standard rate per person, based on twin/double sharing
– 1 child can come for free, up to 10 years old and non-diving

Special events: local tribal trips, barbecue on the beach, trips to Balak-Balak and Wayag Hills, pearl farm tour

Contact Symbiosis for further details

Send us your favourite photo and win your next dive holiday to the amazing Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Your photo can win you 4 nights/3 days of diving at Eco Divers Lembeh!
Make sure all your friends vote for your picture, have the highest rated photo and go on a diving trip for FREE.

The three highest voted pictures will receive the following prizes:

1ST PRIZE:
A package of 4 nights/3 days of diving at Eco Divers Lembeh for one person.
The prize includes (but it is not limited to):
– 4 nights accommodation in an air-conditioned room (double/twin sharing)
- 3 days of boat diving on air (up to 3 guided day-dives per day), with cylinders & weights
- Airport transfers


2ND PRIZE: 3 days of diving on air (up to 3 guided day-dives per day) with Eco Divers Lembeh for one person.

3RD PRIZE: One day of diving on air (up to 3 guided day-dives per day) with Eco Divers Lembeh for one person.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for full details and to arrange your trip.

Happy to offer 10% discount off all remaining spaces aboard both Mermaid I and Mermaid II for Komodo dive cruises in May, June and July 2015.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now to book your berth.

Symbiosis Custom Travel is pleased to offer Special Rates on the following dive sailing cruises aboard the lovely Tambora in Raja Ampat and the Moluccas, eastern Indonesia

Departures:
 
Cruise 2015-10 Beneath Cliffs & Cloves
Dates: 16-28 May from Ternate to Sorong
Price: US$3,475 instead of regular US$4,630 (approx. 25% OFF)
 
Cruise 2015-16 Four Kingdoms of the East
Dates: 09-19 Sep from/to Sorong
Price: US$3,535 instead of regular US$3,900 (approx. 10% OFF)
 
Cruise 2015-17 Beneath Cliffs & Cloves
Dates: 22 Sep – 04 Oct from Sorong to Ternate
Price: US$3,900 instead of regular US$4,630 (approx. 15% OFF)
 
Contact Symbiosis now to book your berth.

Book any dive trip aboard The June Hong Chian Lee Junk departing in November or December 2015 before the end of this month and enjoy a 10% discount.

Offer only valid for new individual bookings made before 30th of April 2015.

The junk offers liveaboard dive cruises to the best of Thailand’s dive sites in the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock (famous for whaleshark sightings).

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now to book your berth!

Huge discounts for last minute bookings of these two exceptional dive cruises to some of Indonesia’s most exciting dive locations, including the now famous Raja Ampat islands off the tip of West Papua, and the lesser known… but no less enthralling… islands of North Maluku.

Raja Ampat and Halmahera

Vessel: SMY Tambora

Dates:
01-13 May from Sorong to Ternate: US$3,475 instead of regular US$4,630 (approx. 25% OFF)
16-28 May from Ternate to Sorong: US$3,475 instead of regular US$4,630 (approx. 25% OFF)

Book quickly, contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now.

A great opportunity for young people to enjoy some of the world’s very best diving on the worlds richest reefs, together with other young folk from around the world at a special discounted price.

Price: €2,333 instead of €4,600 for 2 weeks diving
Dates: 20th June – 04th July 2015
Where: Raja4Divers, Pulau Pef, West Papua, Indonesia

Dive the world richest reefs:
Raja Ampat is the hotspot of biodiversity and home to 75% of all known coral species! It is not only about diversity of species, but also of habitats.

Colourful soft and hard coral gardens, walls and slopes, sea-grass beds, blue water mangroves, caves and caverns, muck critters but also the giants of the big blue, adrenaline filled drift dives, glass calm water and superbly fishy reefs.

From giant Manta rays to tiny Pygmy seahorses, the Raja Ampat has it all and the dive resort Raja4Divers on Pulau Pef is the place to stay!

These two weeks include 3 dives by boat per day and unlimited diving at our house reef. Night dives are also possible.

Boat rides to the dive sites are included and Nitrox is free of charge for everybody with an Enriched Air certification card.

For these two weeks, limited rental gear is also free. Please advise at least 60 days in advanced what you would like to rent.

Share a luxury water bungalow with old and new friends:
You will share one of Raja4Divers authentic Papuan water bungalows which accommodate up to 4 people with your friends or new mates. The bungalows are huge – bedroom: 56m2, terrace: 24m2, bathroom: 30m2.

Pay only €2333 for 2 weeks Raja Ampat:
Special offer only for all under the age of 30 – everybody else comes another time!

Bring a group and pay less still.
Group of 8: 7 pay, 1 goes for free
Group of 16: 14 pay, 2 for free

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for full information or to book.

Cenderawasih Bay is renowned for its whalesharks, although there are also numerous other excellent dive spots to explore. Unlike most whaleshark sightings that normally involve a single animal, gently cruising with mouths agape sucking in plankton and small fish, in Cenderawasih Bay divers will encounter groups of whalesharks that come to fishing platforms to feed off the tiny fish that escape the fishermen’s nets. An extraordinary sight and great photo opportunity.

Cenderawasih, however, features much more than large pelagics with multiple sites sporting some of Indonesia’s finest macro diving too.

Dates:
– 05 to 12 June, 2015 : still available : 10 pax (8 pax in Sea Horse Standard Cabin and 2 Pax in Manta Suite Cabin)
– 28 June to 05 July, 2015 : still available: 12 pax (5 pax in Sea Horse Standard Cabin, 4 pax and 2-3 pax in Manta Suite Cabin)

Vessel: Pearl of Papua

Discount: up to 35% off published rates.

Prices include: Day and night dives, professional dive guide, regular air fills, tanks, weights, weight belt, all meals and snacks, mineral water, tea & coffee, soft drinks, port clearance, airport or hotel pick up and drop off.

Prices exclude: International & domestic airfare tickets, dive equipment rental, nitrox use (USD 5 per dive), on board telecommunications, alcoholic beverages, laundry, hotel stay before/after the cruise, marine park fee (USD 100/pax/trip), fuel surcharge.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book. Symbiosis can also advise on and arrange flights, hotels and many other activities for your visit to Indonesia.