by Wendy Simon | Mar 7, 2024 | blog
Spending a month in Raja Ampat was a wonderful way to start 2024! Two 10-night voyages on the oh so lovable Coralia split by 3 nights at Papua Explorers Eco resort. Snorkeling Etc. took over Papua Explorers for those nights and it was very festive to 26 snorkelers...
by Wendy Simon | Jun 30, 2023 | blog
Can I just say, I love my life! I feel so incredibly fortunate to do something I love so much, with such wonderful travelers that savor adventure, beauty and nature as much as I do. Stepping out of the day to day life is challenging but once you are in the...
by Wendy Simon | Mar 20, 2023 | blog
Palau is a small country but it’s a biggie on my list of most awesome places to snorkel. How many other small island nations can you go and snorkel with mandarin fish, swooping mantas in every direction, thrilling channels with schools of fish, jacks and sharks....
by Wendy Simon | Dec 1, 2022 | blog
pure joy Sargassum Frogfish it’s raining fish Forgotten Islands, The Banda Sea, Raja Ampat and Wonderful Wakatobi. Six Weeks of Absolute Bliss… Twenty-four nights on the luxurious Coralia liveaboard through the Forgotten Islands to Raja Ampat, followed by...
by Wendy Simon | Apr 15, 2022 | blog
In March 2022 Snorkeling Etc operated two trips in Cuba. The first 12 day trip included 4 nights touring in Havana and Trinidad and then 7 nights on board the JAII in the Gardens of the Queen, a remote marine protected area. The second trip focused on just the Gardens...
by Wendy Simon | Feb 8, 2022 | blog
Cuba is so lively and vibrant, both on land and in the water! Old Havana In January we first spent 4 days experiencing the arts, music, dance and cuisine of Havana and Trinidad. It was meaningful and touching to see community projects and most of all to interact with...
by Wendy Simon | Nov 1, 2021 | blog
Back from a dreamy three weeks snorkeling in French Polynesia. Once it became clear the October Banda Sea and Raja trips couldn’t operate, I chartered a 65 foot catamaran for an exploratory trip through the Tuamotu islands of Rangiroa, Apataki, Toau and Fakarava. We...
by Wendy Simon | Aug 13, 2021 | blog
The bad news was due to Covid and border closures the July 2021 trips to Komodo and Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia couldn’t operate. The good news was I was able to offer alternative arrangements to Belize. And it turned out to be very, very good news. Happiness...
by Wendy Simon | Apr 30, 2021 | blog
The April Sea of Cortez April trip was magical. It was extra sweet to get away and be in nature during the pandemic. Our fun companionable pod reveled in the beauty of the Sea of Cortez as we ”glamped” under a full moon, hiked through cactus studded and snorkeled...
by Wendy Simon | Dec 9, 2020 | blog
First trip since the pandemic shut down the world! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and it’s true. I felt like kissing the sand, the sea and the stars at our private camp on World Heritage site, Isla Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez. What a...
by Wendy Simon | Mar 30, 2020 | blog
When our group left for Palau on March 11, there was concern about Covid-19 but our world had not yet been turned on it’s head. Life in Palau was peaceful and calm and we spent our days happily immersed in the underwater beauty surrounded by beautiful reefs,...
by Wendy Simon | Jan 30, 2020 | blog
Is there a better way to start a year than gliding over stunning soft coral reefs exploding with dazzling marine life? Not for me, there is nowhere I rather be! Our lucky group of 16 celebrated life and the New Year on the Seven Seas liveaboard in Raja Ampat. soft...
by Wendy Simon | Nov 18, 2019 | blog
30 days, 3 distinct epicenters of biodiversity, 29 intrepid travelers. This all adds up to one epic, unforgettable, unrepeatable totally remarkable adventure. If a little is good, a lot is better. Almost all the travelers enjoyed 2 of the 3 segments and 6 of us...
by Wendy Simon | Sep 28, 2019 | blog
Still reveling in whales afterglow after being back from Tonga for 3 weeks. We were on the very comfortable Nai’a liveaboard for 9 days. The Fijian crew were exceptional, the food was incredible and really the whole experience was out of this world. I’m still...
by Wendy Simon | Jun 15, 2019 | blog
Havana skyline Classic Cars, Havana It’s hard to say which part of traveling in Cuba was the best because it was all fabulous. During our 4 days in Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad we explored Old Havana on foot, took a salsa lesson, saw a dance troupe, visited...
by Wendy Simon | Apr 14, 2019 | blog
Manta vibrant reef Even though I’ve been to Raja Ampat a dozen times my enthusiasm and appreciation for the region just grows stronger with each trip. The beauty and diversity of the coral and marine life is simply staggering. I ran two back to back trips in...
by Wendy Simon | Jan 11, 2019 | blog
I almost feel guilty, life shouldn’t be this good. I was fortunate to go to Wakatobi not just once this year, but twice! Due to the enthusiastic response to the my November trip, which quickly sold out, I added a second departure that took place over Christmas...
by Wendy Simon | Dec 30, 2018 | blog
Batfish hawksbill turtle Raja Ampat never ceases to wow me with the breadth of diversity and beauty underwater. It takes my breath away to be surrounded by a wall of schools and schools of fish swirling around me or to swim over a kaleidoscope of soft coral in every...
by Wendy Simon | Jul 10, 2018 | blog
Some voyages are just charmed. Everything was perfection on the June 2018 snorkel adventure through the Solomon Islands. Clear skies, calm seas, fabulous snorkeling and best of all, an adventurous, enthusiastic and extremely compatible group. Black Tip sharks The...
by Wendy Simon | Apr 6, 2018 | blog
How often can one say they saw a dolphins, turtles, mating octopus, mantas, eagle rays, mobulas and a whale shark within 24 hours? Oh and on top of that countless unicorn fish, banner fish butterfly fish, sweetlips, powder blue surgeonfish, red tooth trigger fish and...
by Wendy Simon | Mar 2, 2018 | blog
My two new favorite words are “Bait Ball”! We discovered the magic of bait balls in the German Channel, Palau during our time there in January. During incoming currents tons of nutrients are swept into the channel. This infusion of plankton brings in...
by Wendy Simon | Nov 12, 2017 | blog
Our group of intrepid travelers thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Solomon islands. Our voyage on the Bilikiki started in the Russell islands. From day one at Mirror Pond we were enthralled by snorkeling with countless chromis, anthias, butterfly fish, a school of...
by Wendy Simon | Jun 24, 2017 | blog
Our Komodo snorkel adventure was a kickin’ trip! We had a blast. Three days in a row of swimming with Mantas, getting up close and personal with Komodo dragons and snorkeling stunning reefs….what’s not to like? Our lively band of travelers reveled in...
by Wendy Simon | Jun 24, 2017 | blog
Our remarkable voyage from Maumere to Alor included some of the most unique underwater seascapes I’ve seen. This region is populated with active volcanoes these towering mountains offered dramatic backdrops to our snorkels. We cruised to Komba volcano in hopes...
by Wendy Simon | Mar 20, 2017 | blog
I was fortunate to spend a month in Raja Ampat from January 16-February 11, 2017. Don’t hate me, just come with me next time! I escorted two enthusiastic and buoyant groups. We had charmed voyages. Warm, clear, blue ocean conditions greeted us each day. Misool,...
by Wendy Simon | Dec 27, 2016 | blog
Every time I’m in Raja Ampat I’m filled with awe and a huge appreciation for the beauty of the area. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position to escort fellow avid snorkelers to experience reefs systems with voluptuous soft corals and a staggering...
by Wendy Simon | Dec 27, 2016 | blog
Exquisite soft coral What an epic voyage. We covered 520 nautical miles over 11 days. Thankfully the Weather and Sea Spirits were kind to us and we had smooth sailing and great conditions the entire time. Our extensive travels revealed amazing geographical and marine...
by Wendy Simon | Dec 27, 2016 | blog
Chromis Gold spot Rabbitfish Wakatobi reef Wakatobi is a snorkeler’s wonderland. From the moment you put your head underwater you enter a warm, clear, aquarium. The seascape changes as you swim out. First you encounter sea grass which is a nursery for juvenile...
by Wendy Simon | May 11, 2016 | blog
I chartered the luxurious and seriously decadent Carpe Vita for the month of April and operated three consecutive groups. The volume and variety of marine life we snorkeled with was astonishing. Every time we jumped in the water there were jaw dropping sightings. For...
by Wendy Simon | Feb 5, 2016 | blog
So many magical moments on our December expedition on the Pindito. We had amazingly calm seas, blue skies and fantastic marine encounters. Our super fun and enthusiastic group made the experience extra special. It’s raining fish! We started our journey in Ambon...
by Wendy Simon | Feb 5, 2016 | blog
Our group of 15 enthusiastic travelers all agreed that Wakatobi earns a 10 out of 10 when it comes to comfortable accommodations, excellent food and fantastic reefs. None of us wanted to leave after seven happy days of exploring the reefs. Our excursions to the outer...
by Wendy Simon | Jul 30, 2015 | blog
In July 2015, our group of 15 dedicated and enthusiastic snorkelers traveled to the remote region of Fiji called the “Bligh” waters. The luxurious live-aboard Nai’a was our home for 7 nights. Although we had unseasonably cool air and water temps...
by Wendy Simon | Mar 30, 2015 | blog
In March 2015 I organized and escorted two snorkel groups to Palau. Each group spent two nights at the lovely and luxurious Palau Pacific Resort and then we boarded the Tropic Dancer live-aboard for seven nights. The Palau Pacific Resort is really the only place to...
