Belize – Liveaboard November 19-26, 2022

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Belize – Liveaboard –

THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!! 

Please select another group trip to join Gigglin’ Marlin or call for an individual trip booking with Tonya – 281-445-3483.

Length of trip 8 Days / 7 Nights

Departure 19 Nov 2022 Boarding between 3 – 6 pm Belize

Return 26 Nov 2022 Check-out at 8 am Belize

Dives Approximately 27 dives in total

Experience Open Water – No minimum logged dives required.

Location Belize

Vessel Belize Aggressor IV

Trip Leaders Doug Jones and Heidi Erickson

Deposit $600
Click here to reserve your spot with a $600 Deposit!

$2845.00 per person double occupancy in Deluxe Cabin 

$3045.00 per person double occupancy in Master Cabin

Effort will be made to help find room mates for those who are traveling solo and want a roommate.  However, if we are unable to find a roommate for you the single occupancy price is $4662.00 in a Deluxe Cabin.

The Location:

Belize is a wall diver’s paradise. Sheer walls like Painted Wall, Half Moon Caye Wall, and Quebrada are adorned with huge crimson gorgonians and giant orange elephant ear sponges. Moray eels, spiny lobsters and tiny arrow crabs hide in every crack, crevice, cave, and tunnels of these beautiful coral formations. These are just a few things you will see at Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef.

Marine life: Dolphin, Tarpon, Sharks, Eagle Rays, Walls and Reefs with abundant marine life and multiple macro critters.

Itinerary Extras: Port fee: $110 includes cruising tax & park fee at the end of the charter when settling your bill. These may be paid by Visa, MC, USD or BZ cash. Travelers’ checks are not accepted onboard. Taxes and fees paid onboard the yacht is subject to change without notice.

Arrival/Boarding/Departure:

Doug and Heidi will provide their flight information in Q1 2022.  Everyone does not need to be on the same flight, but it often helps.  As of October 29, 2021 flights on Southwest Airlines from Houston Hobby to Belize City are $308 ROUND TRIP economy and $388 business class.

Please see further logistics information below.

Guests will be met by a crew member in uniform at the Belize City (BZE) International Airport and transferred to the yacht. Guests may board Saturday between 3 pm – 6 pm. At 6 pm, the yacht departs for its night anchorage to prepare for diving Sunday morning. After a full week of diving, the Belize Aggressor IV returns back to the Radisson Ft. George docks in Belize City Friday afternoon after lunch. Check-out is Saturday morning at 8 am. Transportation is provided back to the Belize City International Airport Saturday morning.

Every Saturday at 6 pm, the luxurious Belize Aggressor casts off from the Radisson Ft. George docks for liveaboard scuba diving, located in the heart of downtown Belize City for a week of hassle-free diving to Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and the famous Blue Hole. The mystical Blue Hole, a collapsed freshwater cave system is approximately 1000 feet across and over 400 feet deep. The Blue Hole was made famous by ocean pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau who declared it one of the Top Ten Dive Sites in the World. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso, to the Blue Hole to chart its depths. Once descended into the Blue Hole guests will see beautiful vertical stalactite formations.

Belize liveaboard scuba diving begins Sunday morning and ends Friday before lunch when the Belize Aggressor III or IV returns to port. Sunday through Thursday, there is unlimited diving throughout the day and a night dive each evening. Friday, a half-day of diving is offered. A trip to this Central American paradise isn’t complete without a visit to Belize’s Mayan ruins, a cave tubing ride through the jungle, or a canopy tour through the treetops. Tours are offered on Friday afternoon, but an extended stay is recommended to fully enjoy the wonders of Belize and its corner of the Caribbean. Guests may enjoy the Radisson Ft. George Hotel pool and bar area free of charge on Saturday.

Cozumel, Mexico – Oct 15-22, 2022

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Oct 15-22, 2022 – Fall TRIP!

Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort

The BEST diving in the WORLD! Join us!

Trip Leaders: Tonya & Bill Merritt

Dive the beautiful Caribbean water with your current dive buddies or make new ones! This trip is suited for all diving levels and non-divers too. We can complete Open Water check out dives, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course and many specialties including Deep Diver, Drift Diver, Boat Diver, Surface Marker Buoy Diver to name a few! Let us know what you are interested in!

This package includes hotel accommodations of 8 days/7 nights at Fiesta Americana Hotel, 6 days of 2 tank boat dives, Nitrox & 1 night boat dive, meal plan (7 restaurants, dessert & ice cream bar, room service), alcohol and other drinks, airport transfers, complimentary Covid testing at the hotel and a cocktail social at Villa Gigglin’ Marlin Del Mar located in Costa Del Sol in Cozumel.

DELUXE ROOM

Diver – $1883 pp based on Double occupancy – Deluxe Room

Diver – $2492 pp based on Single occupancy – Deluxe Room

Non Diver – $968 pp based on Double occupancy – Deluxe Room

MASTER SUITE ROOM

Diver – $2191 pp based on Double occupancy – Master Suite Room

Non Diver – $1269 pp based on Double Occupancy – Master Suite Room

Other Options may include: Cenote Diving, Cavern Course, Whale Shark Snorkel, Dolphin Encounter, Fishing Charter, Spearfishing Charter, and Mopeds around the islands!

Not included: airfare, tips, hotel eco-tax (can’t prepay, approximately $10-13 USD, paid at check in), COMPLIMENTARY COVID TESTING, optional Covid Insurance paid directly to the hotel and any extra excursion you choose.

Flight Suggestions:  United or Southwest are great options out of Houston, but American is good out of Dallas. For your transfers, send your airfare to:  barbie@gigglinmarlin.com 

You can fly into CUN – Cancun Airport – but it is not recommended unless there is not a flight option for that day into Cozumel (CZM).

Click here to reserve your spot with a $500 Deposit!

Please write the room type and single/double/triple occupancy on the Trip Notes Tab on the Reservation Form.

Cozumel, Mexico with Lifewaters – August 12-19, 2023

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Cozumel, Mexico

August 12-19, 2023 (Sat-Sat)

Gigglin’ Marlin Dive & Swim, Lifewaters and SDI Scubility Buddies are all partnering up for an Amazing Week of Diving!!  Meet up with old friends, meet new dive buddies and experience the ease of accessible diving with the pros!  Cozumel is the best diving spot in the world! We had an incredible time last year and we want you to join us this year!

Hotel Cozumel

$1270 pp Diver in Standard Room – Double Occupancy – Non-Diver Rate: $660 pp
$1538 pp Diver in Standard Room – Single Occupancy – Non-Diver Rate: $928 pp
$1243 pp Diver in Standard Room – Triple Occupancy – Non-Diver Rate: $633 pp
$1596 pp Diver in Junior Suite – Double Occupancy – Non-Diver Rate: $986 pp
$2063 pp Diver in Junior Suite – Single Occupancy – Non-Diver Rate: $1453 pp

Package Included: hotel accommodations, airport transfers, 4 days of 2 tank boat diving and 1 day of 1 tank boat dive with El Cielo trip on Thursday afternoon, Nitrox Tanks, all meals and drinks (including alcohol) at Hotel Cozumel, group t-shirt and a group picture.

Not Included in package:  airfare, eco hotel tax (approx. $10 per room per week, paid at check in), rental equipment (paid to Gigglin’ Marlin prior to the trip), courses and dive tips ($100-200pp), transportation/fees associated for any activity or excursion off Hotel Cozumel property.

Complete your Open Water Course, Advanced Course or Specialties in the gorgeous Caribbean Ocean!  Let us know what you are interested in!

Add Ons:

Rental Equipment – BCD ($50/wk), Reg ($65/wk), Computer($55/wk), Wetsuits ($35/wk) – let us know what you need prior to the trip.

$40/wk – 100 cu. ft tank

$20 – Turtle Release Donation

$15/day for Premium Drinks Package – paid at the hotel upon check in

E-Learning Nitrox Specialty Course – complete the online portion prior to the trip:  www.gigglinmarlin.com COURSES, then ONLINE COURSES, select online courses on PADI site, select enriched air nitrox.  Pay PADI the course fee and then $50 to Gigglin’ Marlin to complete the hands-on portion in Cozumel.  There is also an option for the Nitrox course through SDI.  Contact Tonya on both options. 281-445-3483

Reserve Now

 

 

Palau, Micronesia – Palau Siren Liveaboard – March 10-20, 2023

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Palau – Liveaboard

Dates: March 10-20, 2023 (10 nights on the vessel; not including travel days)

Location: Palau, Micronesia

Vessel: S/Y Palau Siren

Trip Leaders: Doug Jones and Heidi Erickson

The Location:

With intriguing blue holes, spectacular drop-offs, caverns, caves and channels, Palau is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most thrilling dive destinations.  Diving in Palau should be at the top of everyone’s dive to do list!

Awaiting you in Palau are more than 1400 species of fish, 500 species of healthy coral and large pelagics. Whale sharks, eagle rays, turtles, reef sharks and hammerhead are a few examples of the astonishing spectrum of marine life this Micronesian archipelago has to offer.

 

The Vessel:

The Palau Siren is a 130-foot handcrafted ironwood and teak liveaboard built for divers.  The vessel welcomes a maximum of 16 guests in 8 cabins with individually controlled air conditioning and in-suite bathrooms with hot water.  The covered outdoor dining area provides a great setting for all your meals and the spacious air-conditioned saloon offers a cocktail bar, comfortable seating and a large flat screen TV.  The vessel has 2 high-bottom skiffs for maneuvering to dive sites, a nitrox compressor, equipment rental, kayaks, laundry and massage services.

Logistics and Itinerary:

Arrival airport: Koror Airport (ROR)

Departure airport: Koror Airport (ROR)

Airport and local hotels transfers to and from S/Y Palau Siren are included.

March 10, 2023, Board S/Y Palau Siren

March 20, 2023, Depart Palau Siren for Airport (or local hotel)

Pricing:

Premium Double Cabin $5500 per person; $2500 per person deposit to reserve booking.

$9075 – Single Rate Cabin

If you are traveling solo and desire a roommate, we will endeavor to find a roommate for you but if there is not a roommate available you will need to pay the single Rate.

Flight Suggestion:

Heidi and Doug’s flight information is:

March 7, 2023 UA 2229  7:32 am Departs Houston (IAH)

3 connections

Denver, CO, US (DEN)
Tokyo, JP (NRT)
Guam, GU, US (GUM)
March 9, 2023 UA157 8:40 pm Arrival Koror, PW (ROR)

March 21, 2023 UA 158 2:15 am Departs Koror, PW (ROR)
3 Connections
Guam, GU, US (GUM)
Honolulu, HI, US (HNL)
San Francisco, CA, US (SFO)
March 21, 2023 UA 2357 1:40 pm Arrival Houston, TX, US (IAH)

In Country Hotel – 2023 hotel rates are currently not available.  We will likely suggest that you book the Palau Central Hotel (https://palaucentral.com/) for any nights you spend in Palau before boarding the Palau Siren (Heidi and Doug will be there one night).  The Palau Siren will also suggest a short stay hotel for us for the 16 hours between disembarking from the boat and leaving the country.  This suggestion will likely be the Palau Central Hotel but we will learn more as time gets closer.

Please send your Flight Information to:  barbie@gigglinmarlin.com.

 

Trip Description and Details:

Departing from Koror, the S/Y Palau Siren will spend 10 days diving a selection of sites including German Channel, New Drop Off, Ulong Channel and Blue Corner. The order in which we dive is based upon the currents, weather conditions and moon phase as we wish to bring you to the best sites at the optimum time to dive them.

In Malakal Harbour we dive the Iro Maruwreck and Chandelier Cave. Whilst at Ulong divers can expect a speedy drift along the reefs with schools of snappers and trevally at dive site such as Ulong Channel and Siaes Corner. Divers can enjoy the spectacle of spawning bumphead parrotfish and grey reef sharks are known to breed here with many juveniles often be spotted amongst the groups.  There is the opportunity to visit the furthermost island dive sites to the north at Badeldaob Island, however this will be based on conditions at the time of trip departure.

The Cruise Director will schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and either a sunset or a night dive. The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:

Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1

Full Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing

Dive 2 Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3

Snack

Briefing for Sunset or Night dive

Dinner

Typically guests have a late evening flight on the day of disembarkation and we can therefore schedule 4 dives for your final dive day. However, we request guests check their own flight times and ensure they leave a minimum of 18 hours between their final dive and their flight home. The Cruise Director is happy to listen to requests from guests to visit or remain at certain sites and providing it is possible and the schedule allows, then guest’s requests are respected.

Marine Life: Schools of grey reef and white tip sharks congregate at Blue Holes / Blue Corner. German Channel is the place for manta ray action at the cleaning stations. Several mantas may be seen here as divers rest on the bottom to watch the display or swim in the shallows as the mantas approach. At Peleliu Island schools of snapper congregate to spawn near “the Cut” meanwhile lucky divers may meet bull sharks, silver tips and black tip reef sharks.

Weather permitting one to two land excursions will be planned.  One will be the world famous jellyfish lake!

Aboard the Palau Siren we have 2 dive tenders and can split groups depending on experience level and site preference. Dives are led by our 3 western instructors and groups are typically no more than 6:1, though you may prefer to dive just with your buddy – the choice is yours! Many of the channels have strong currents and reef hooks are an essential piece of diving equipment, however diving in Palau is suitable for all levels of experience.

RESERVE NOW

South Africa-Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town – Dec 2023-Jan 2024

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South Africa Safari and Apex Predator Diving 14 day Vacation

Monday, December 27, 2022 to Jan 13, 2023 (includes travel dates)

Kruger National Park – 4 days – 2 1/2 days of safari tours with Guides, 2 – 4×4 Game Drives, Sundowner Drive, Year’s Eve Celebration in the Safari!

Flight from Johannesburg to Durban (southern coastal town).

Accommodations in Belvedere Estates

Dolphin Coast of Kwazulu Natal – 1 day

Diving Aliwal Shoal – 2 days – 3 dives and 1 Bait Dive: hundreds of Raggie Tooth Sharks, Oceanic Black Tip Sharks, Tiger Sharks. Mako Sharks, and Dolphins

Protea Banks Diving – 3 days – 5 Dives and 1 Bait Dive:  Hammerhead Sharks, Bull Sharks, Guitar Sharks and large rays

Flight from Durban to Cape Town

Cape Town – 4 days

Simons Town  – Cape Fur Seal & 7 Gilled Cow Shark Dives

Cape Town Tour including Robben Island Tour, , Red Bus City Tour, Table Mountain Cable Car, wine tasting

Gansbaai – Caged Great White Shark Diving!

Meals Included:  12 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners

Activities planned for Non Divers too!

These are 2020 rates, so the new rates will be a little higher.

$5600 pp Diver Rate, based on double occupancy (prices are subject to fluctuate due to their currency)-

$4587 pp Non Diver, based on double occupancy (prices are subject to fluctuate due to their currency)

$1288 pp Single Supplement Add On (prices are subject to fluctuate due to their currency)

20 spaces available

$500.00 Deposit to reserve your spot!

Reserve Now

 

Activity Package:

2 – 4×4 Game Drive in Kruger National Park

Sundowner Drive

Morning Guided Bush Walk

Protea Banks Baited Dive

Aliwal Shoal Batied Dive

Robben Island Tour

Deal Dive & 7 Gilled Cow Shark Dive

Red Bus City Tour

Table Mountain Cable Car

Great White Cage Dive

 

Not Included:

Airfare into Johannesburg and out of Cape Town

Nitrox

Some of the meals and extra excursions

 

Truk Lagoon, Micronesia – Liveaboard – November 23-30, 2024

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Truk Lagoon

Japanese War Ship Wreck Diving

Truk Odyssey Liveaboard

November 23-30, 2024

 

8 Cabins for 16 divers: $3749pp

Includes: Liveaboard boat-rooms, taxes, meals, airport transfers, Chuuk Dive Permit

Excludes: airfare, 1-2 nights at Blue Lagoon Resort depending on your airfare.

$500.00 deposit to hold your spot!

Reserve Now

Call Tonya for more information!

(281) 445-3483

 

2022 Flower Gardens Trips

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Come dive the Northernmost coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico with Gigglin’ Marlin. Some trips will have a GMD Trip Leader; however, we can book any trip that Texas Caribbean Charters offers. Boat departs from Freeport on the night before the trip date. Arrive at 7:00 pm for check-in & early boarding at 7:30 pm. The boat returns to Freeport around 6:00 pm on Sunday.

NEW PROCEDURES SINCE PANDEMIC:

ALL DIVERS AND STAFF ON THE Texas Caribbean Charters BOAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN AN ADDITIONAL RELEASE FORM PERTAINING TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND HAVE THEIR TEMPERATURE  TAKEN PRIOR TO BOARDING.  YOU WILL BE DENIED BOARDING IF YOU HAVE A FEVER.

FORMS LINK and CERT UPLOAD
Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Caribbean

Full payment is due at time of booking.

WE ARE NO LONGER TAKING PAYPAL PAYMENTS or CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FOR THESE TRIPS due to the number of cancellations.

Trip Cancellation / Refund Policy – Once you book the trip, the space is yours, no refunds, unless you find a diver to replace you.  However, if the trip cancels due to weather, then you can get a full refund back in the same form as you paid or you can roll your money to another trip.  If you are getting a refund and had paid with a Credit Card prior to Sept 12, 2022, then you will be charged the $50 credit card processing fee OR, as always, you can roll your money to another available date for the full value.

THE ONLY PAYMENT TYPES FOR THE FLOWER GARDENS TRIPS as of September 12, 2022 are:

  1. ZELLE to barbie@gigglinmarlin.com – fill out the online form, mark that you are paying Zelle and make the payment
  2. VENMO to @Tonya-Merritt-2 – fill out the online form, put that you are paying with Venmo and make the payment
  3. CASH – come to the store and pay cash.

Gigglin’ Marlin can book on ANY Flower Gardens trip even if it is not our designated trip.  Call us to check availability!

2022 dates 

September 24-25, 2022 – 2 Day Weekend (Sat/Sun)

October 15-26, 2022 – 2 Day Weekend (Sat/Sun)

October 29-30, 2022 – 2 Day Weekend (Sat/Sun) LAST TRIP

2022 Pricing 

2 Day Weekday OR 2 Day Weekend –   $735 Diving Air or $805 Diving Nitrox

3 Day Weekday – $905 Diving Air or $1000 Diving Nitrox

3 Day Weekend – $925 Diving Air or $1020 Diving Nitrox

4 Day Weekend, Weekday or Coral Spawn Trip – $1080 Diving Air or $1195 Diving Nitrox

Reserve Now

Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands – November 18-25, 2023

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Cayman Brac Beach Resort in Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Stay at the beautiful Cayman Brac Beach Resort!  Cayman Brac is known for its beautiful reefs (which are protected) and exciting wreck dives (including the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts wreck!).  There are also plenty of hiking trails and caves for those who wish to spend some of their time out of the water!  Weather permitting, one day will be diving on the Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman!

Cayman Brac Beach Resort was virtually rebuilt after being nearly destroyed by Hurricane Paloma in 2008. Another major renovation was completed in December 2015 which included updates to all 40 rooms, installation of a gigantic free-form pool, and opening of a 2-story bar whose top deck is perfect for catching sunsets.

November 18-25, 2023

Leaders: Doug Jones & Heidi Erickson

$1995 pp for Diver Double Occupancy Beach View

$2400 pp for Diver Single Occupancy Beach View

$1947 pp for Diver Triple Occupancy Beach View

$1924 pp for Diver Quad Occupancy Beach View

Non-Divers deduct $250 in room category

$200 Drink Package (3 drinks per day)

Included in the package: Airport Transfers, all meals, Wifi, welcome rum punch, cocktail reception, hotel, taxes, fees & gratuities, 6 days of 2 tank boat dives, 5 days of 1 tank afternoon dives, and Nitrox

Not Included:  both flights:  Flights, Dive Tips, Alcohol on the resort (pay by the drink) or $200 for 3 drinks a day package.

$500.00 deposit to hold your spot!

Reserve Now

Wakatobi, Indonesia – May 19-29, 2023

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May 19-29, 2023 – 10 day trip (plus travel time – leave May 16 or 17 depending on flight selected)- Wakatobi

Trip Leaders:  Mathis & Shannon Weatherall

We have space reserved for 12 people on this trip!

Fly Houston to Bali and stay 1 night then take a charter flight to Wakatobi for 10 days / 9 nights / 8 days of diving.

Package Includes: accommodations, diving, meals and diving package at Wakatobi resort, Private Charter Flight from Bali to Wakatobi.

Not Included: Airfare, Bali Hotel night(s) (or additional nights depending on your flights from Houston), alcohol, marine park fees and tips.

Option to add:  2-3 days in Bali on either end of the trip staying at a Southern Beach Resort – Monkey Reserve, Volcano, Balinese Dance, Lu ac Coffee Tour.  Let me know if you are interested.

2023 Pricing – (updated 6-29-22)

$ 6,645 pp + $910 Private Charter Flight – Ocean Bungalow Diver in Double Occupancy

$ 10,566 + $910 Private Charter Flight pp – Ocean Bungalow Diver in Single Occupancy

Non-Divers deduct $1000 off of rates.

Two Bedroom Villa is also available!  Let Tonya know if you are interested in this room!

Repeat Customer Discount available!!

$1000.00 deposit to reserve your spot!

Wakatobi Blog

Reserve Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip Cancellation Fee – Minimum of a $100 (depending on  the trip date and date of cancellation)

 

2022 – Rig Trips / Spearfishing Trips

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Join us as we head out into the Gulf of Mexico to dive on the Oil Rigs.  The Oils Rigs are an artificial reef habitat to many species of underwater creatures!  If trained and meet the requirements, you have the option to spearfish while on these trips.

Spearfishing season: April-October

Trip Dates:

TBD

Trip Details:
· A very experienced Dive Instructor leads the trip

· 2 or 3 Tank Rig Trip

· Going 40-65 miles out

· Spearfishing Optional (must be trained)

· Boat leaves out of Freeport

· Boat departs in morning and returns same night

· Dive Equipment Rentals (if needed), tank rentals and Nitrox mixes are in addition to the boat price.  Contact the store to reserve your gear and order mixes.

· Bring your own drinks and snacks

$499 pp – 1 day Trip

$799 pp – 2 day Trip

Call 281-445-3483 to book or on link below

Reserve Now

 

 

Photo by Erich Schlegel

 

Trip Cancellation Fee – Minimum of a $100 (depending on  the trip date and date of cancellation)

Call to register. 281-445-3483

Want to learn how to spearfish so you can join our trip? Enroll in our Spearfishing Course!

Enroll Now!