9 days London to London [FB (Except D on Friday)]

Departing on alternate Saturdays from either St. Maarten or St. Kitts, the Caribbean Explorer II gives the opportunity to dive around Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Kitts - three islands not only steeped in history but also offering superb diving. Here are pinnacles, spur and groove reefs, rocks and wrecks encrusted with corals and sponges and inhabited by Black-tip Reef Sharks, Nassau Groupers, Eagle Rays and a host of colourful reef fish and invertebrates. Saba Marine Park encircles the island with numerous dive sites defined, as some believe, by the volcanic pinnacles supporting huge populations of reef fish and encrusting sponges. Gorgonian sea whips thrive in profusion, flamingo tongues cling to the many large sea fans, and turtles and Nurse Sharks are often found resting in the sandy areas.

St. Eustatius could be called a dumping ground for unwanted boats - Wreck City is a dive site not to be missed. A barge and an intact tug provide shelter for schools of Black-bar Soldierfish and a diverse range of other reef fish. Southern Sting Rays are regularly found in the sand of the seabed. Two hundred French, English and Dutch ships are reported to have sunk in a small area around St. Kitts! Divers continue to find lost anchors and, occasionally, cannons and musket balls from these mighty ships.

The Caribbean Explorer II comfortably accommodates 18 passengers in nine en-suite staterooms. The semi-enclosed, air-conditioned saloon on the upper deck includes TV, VCR, CD/DVD, video library, light table and lounge area. There is a large sundeck, photo/video lab and well equipped dive deck. Dives are from an easy-access dive platform and other onboard amenities include Nitrox.