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Indonesia - Paradise Dancer - North Sulawesi
The Paradise Dancer is the largest yacht in the Dancer Fleet coming in at 57 meters (188 feet) in length. Constructed out of wood, she is a three masted motor schooner inspired by the majesty of the US Schooners circa 1800. The interior style is that of a “floating boutique resort” and features high end amenities guests expect of the Dancer Fleet!
All of the state rooms are larger than traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an average liveaboard cabin) and each cabin has private ensuite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master and Commander Suite " at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, and table with chairs that reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired her. Charters are 11 nights, 9 & 1/2 days of diving, 3-4 dives per day. From April through the September, Paradise Dancer will cruise out of North Sulawesi ( Bunaken Marine Park, Bangka Straight, Sangihe Islands, and Lembeh Straight, a top critter destination). Using the size and range of this newly constructed, luxury live-aboard dive yacht, the Paradise Dancer takes divers on a 320 nautical mile voyage that “Goes Beyond” the Lembeh Strait and explores Bangka Island, the Sangihe Island chain and Bunaken National Marine Park
before spending several days exploring the world famous Lembeh Strait. Located off the northern tip of Sulawesi, Bangka and its surrounding islands are quite exposed and often get strong currents which come from all directions. Big pelagics come in to feed here and the reefs are alive with color. Sites closer to shore feature steep pinnacles and boulders dressed in colorful corals that provide shelter to schooling fish such as snappers, fusiliers, and surgeon fish.
The Sangihe Archipelago is a chain of 40 steep and lush volcanic islands that lie 136 miles (220 km) off Sulawesi and connects Indonesia with the Philippines. The areas best feature is its natural seclusion and untamed nature. Here from deep oceanic trenches rise towering volcanic islands including the still active Siau volcano. This rainforest island rises to over 4,600 ft (1400m) above sea level. Nights can be a special effects spectacle as red-hot lava spews from the vent at the cone’s summit.One of the most amazing geological features of this archipelago is a dive at Mahangetang—an active underwater volcano near Siau. Rising 1,300 ft (400m) from the sea floor, the vent lies just below the surface. The surrounding area is desolate and strewn with huge boulders while hundreds of tiny bubbles race to the surface as gasses escape from deep inside the volcano. Close inspection reveals tiny sea stars, algae, small worms and sprouting corals - all signs of a new coral reef in the making. According to the vessel's managing partner, Guido Brink, "Our goal is to build the finest liveaboard yacht in the region and then put it in the best diving locations during the best diving season for that area."
Photographs Courtesy of Peter Hughes
