PRE-TRIP INFORMATION Alphonse Dive Centre Welcome to Your Ultimate DIVING Experience... www.alphonse-island.com AUGUST 2017
THE ALPHONSE GROUP Get Ready for a Trip of a Lifetime... YOUR ARRIVAL DAY... On arrival you will be met by the Alphonse Island management team and transported to the hotel, indemnities will be signed followed by a comprehensive briefing on what to expect during your stay. We will then show you to your accommodation to settle in and unpack. Once unpacked, your diving gear will be collected from the veranda of your accommodation and taken down to the dive centre. Later that afternoon you will make your way on your bicycle to the dive centre to meet the team. Here you will complete the necessary paperwork including certification, insurance and logbook checks and be sized for your gear should you not have your own. Our dive team will brief you about our dive sites and start putting together a plan for your week as well as answer any questions that you might have. Those who arrive early and are not too jet-lagged are welcome to make a check dive that afternoon or get to know the island and rest up before the diving begins. YOUR DIVING DAYS... Breakfast is served from 06h30 10h00 for diving and leisure guests and morning wake-up calls can be booked. You may opt for this if you chose to join on one of our exciting dawn dives at 06h00 after which you have time to return for breakfast. Otherwise our dives typically have a meeting time of 09h00, 14h00 and 18h30. You may choose to dive double tanks and enjoy the scenery during your surface interval or go for single dives each side of your lunch on the island which is served between 12h00 and 14h00. Those with a particular agenda, such as photographers needing minimal current, may wish to make a personalized dive schedule based on the tides during their stay. We also offer the opportunity to spend the full day on the water subject to availability and make three dives from one of our dive boats. This is a great option for adventurous folk who want to join in our exploration of the far south of the Alphonse Group in unchartered waters. Anybody wishing to night dive can book in for a later evening meal at the hotel restaurant expecting to be back and dry at 21h00. Alphonse Island Bijoutier Island St Francois Island Eagle Island D Arros Island Sand Cay Marie Louis Islands ALPHONSE GROUP OF ISLANDS Poivre Islands SOUTHERN SEYCHELLES OUTER ISLANDS Rémire Island St Joseph Island Desroches Island 1 hour private flight to Alphonse Alphonse Island ±15-20min boat trip Bijoutier Island ±40-45min boat trip mahé POPULAR DIVE SITES ISLAND CONSERVATION SOCIETY ALPHONSE GROUP OF ISLANDS St Francois Island www.alphonse-island.com 1
DIVING IN The Alphonse Group BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT S IN STORE With a plethora of dive sites waiting to be explored, Alphonse Island is the ultimate dive destination... With 30 utterly astonishing dive sites, sheer drop-offs covered in soft corals, expansive hard coral plateaus and an exceptionally healthy and diverse fish population can all be seen. The diversity is what will make your diving experience at Alphonse Island an extraordinary one, unlike any other in the Seychelles. Limited numbers of divers and small group sizes. Oceanic atolls rising from thousands of metres of water provide precipitous drop-offs and the chance to see a variety of marine life both big and small. Warm water [27-29 C] with phenomenal visibility [20-40m+]. Spectacular coral reef, home to a diverse range of species [macro, reef and pelagic]. The 30 dive sites [suitable for all categories of divers] constantly growing due to the exploration of the vast reef areas. Easily accessible five to 30 minutes from the dive boat mooring. Dynamic, professional team of international instructors with several years of local diving experience. Registered PADI Dive Resort offering a variety of courses, including Specialty Scuba Courses. - Obtain or upgrade your diving certification, a full PADI [Open Water and Advanced]. - PADI Discover Scuba Diving [DSD] [one-hour theory, a pool session and a shallow dive to 12m]. - PADI Bubble Maker [suitable for children as young as eight years]. - PADI Rescue Diver & Divemaster. Highly educational learn about coral reef ecology and conservation through a variety of specialty courses conducted by our resident marine biologist. Top quality, well maintained gear and equipment, incl. Nitrox. BCD s I regulators I aluminium cylinders I dive computers I torches I wetsuits I fins I masks I weights Two diving boats licensed to carry 10 divers with equipment. Rigged with navigation and communication electronics and all required safety equipment. Comfortable shading with a step ladder on the back for easy boarding. www.alphonse-island.com 2
EXPERIENCES on Alphonse When you are not out exploring the plethora of magnificent dive sites Alphonse will keep you enthralled in picture-perfect surroundings... DIVING What You Can Spot Sightings range across the board from reef to pelagic fish, big predators and tiny macrolife... SOME REGULAR SIGHTINGS: green turtle I hawksbill turtle I manta ray yellow margin triggerfish I bluefin trevall bumphead parrotfish I eagle ray I moray eel barracuda I bigeye trevally I bluelined snapper humpback snapper I fusilier I bohar snapper batfish I emperor angelfish Top predator sightings: dogtooth tuna I napoleon wrasse I giant sweetlips potato cod I giant grouper I hammerhead shark bull shark I silvertip shark I tawny nurse shark whitetip reef shark I grey reef shark Macro SIGHTINGS: anemonefish I nudibranch I leaf scorpionfish tasseled & devil scorpionfish I porcelain crab cleaner shrimp I flatworm I longnose hawkfish whip coral goby/shrimp I peacock & tiger mantis shrimp I pipefish I peacock anemone shrimp ALPHONSE Activities Alphonse Cycle Tour** Bijoutier Island Visit Blue Water Fishing Dolphin Viewing Guided Fly-fishing Alphonse ICS Walk** Reef Flats Expedition** Spa Therapies Sunset Lagoon Cruise St Francois Nature Hike Independent Activities** Cycling & Running Paths Snooker & Table Tennis Giant Chess Tennis Paddle boards Stand-up paddle boards Kayaking Snorkelling Island Specialities** Sundowners on the Beach Flats Lunch ** COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITIES ON ALPHONSE ISLAND. PRIVATELY BOOKED ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS WILL BE CHARGEABLE. All activities are weather and tide permitting. Dining Area Smoothie Café in the Veggie Garden Entertainment area with Snooker Table & Table Tennis Beach Bar & Lounge Area with Wi-Fi Sunset Bar Swimming Pool ISLAND FACILITIES Azure Spa Tennis Court Giant Chess Board Boutique Extensive Watersports Centre Tackle & Gear Shop Island Conservation Society Research Centre Tortoise Sanctuary ACCOMMODATION AMENITIES Our Beach Suites & Bungalows all come equipped with the following: Air-conditioned I Ceiling Fan I Safe with Keys I Mini-bar Landline Telephone I Beach Towels I Laundry Service Beverage Station with Nespresso Machine I Shaver Outlet I Hair Dryer Mosquito Net (on request) I Private Bicycles I Sun Loungers www.alphonse-island.com 3
IMPORTANT POINTS Please Take Note... Accident Medevac Insurance All guests are required to obtain From Scene of Accident Medevac Insurance. Details must be submitted prior to arrival on the Island. TRAVEL & DIVE INSURANCE You are required to obtain travel insurance that will cover any costs incurred due to flight or trip delays for any reason. Diving insurance such as Divers Alert Network [DAN] or equivalent is necessary to dive on Alphonse. It may be covered in your normal travel insurance but ensure that you check what depth it includes. Divers wanting to dive to 30m or 40m must hold the qualification [Advanced and Deep Speciality, respectively] and insurance to that depth. DAYLIGHT HOURS The sun rises quickly at around 06h15 and sets with equal swiftness at about 18h30. This varies by only minutes throughout the year, giving nearly a full 12 hours of daylight for 365 days a year. DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine. CELLULAR / MOBILE PHONES / INTERNET No mobile signal / connectivity on the island. Each Bungalow or Chalet has a landline phone service, operated via satellite. There is free Wi-Fi in the bar and lounge area. CHILDREN Children of all ages are welcome at Alphonse Island. Children one to 23 months stay complimentary. Fun and educational activities for children in a stimulating environment. Special menus with nourishing and appropriate options for developing palates. Child minders available [at an additional charge]. ELECTRICITY The Island has 24-hour electrical current [240 volt, 50 cycles AC] with British plug points. A European electrical current adapter [3-point, square-pin] is necessary. ALPHONSE DIVE SEASON The diving season coincides with the weaker winds of the north-west monsoon from October through to the end of May. Within that period currents, visibility, species abundance and temperature may vary and our knowledgeable dive team plan your dive sites around these fluctuations. FLIGHTS LUGGAGE On inter-island charter flights check-in luggage is strictly limited to 15kg [33 pounds] per person, and 5kg [11 pounds] carry-on luggage. It is not possible to load extra luggage beyond your limit; it would have to be repacked and left on Mahé until your return. On request, the Alphonse Team in Mahé will assist you with the storage of excess luggage while you are on Alphonse Island. We also suggest you use lighter soft-shell bags. Should you plan to bring heavy underwater camera gear and are able to provide us with advanced warning at the time of booking with an exact weight, we will try to accommodate for it on the flight manifest. Gratuities Tipping is never mandatory. Should you wish to show your appreciation to the staff the below amounts are a guideline [based on average tips given]. General Hotel Team: ± USD250 per person per week or USD35 per day. This is to be left at reception upon departure for equal distribution. Diving Team: ± USD20 per dive for the diving team, which is given to the respective manager at the end of the week and will be divided up by the dive team and skippers. Fishing Guides: ± USD85 per day or USD500 per week. Activity Centre Team: ± USD10 per day for the activity team if you have joined any activities, which can be left at reception upon departure for equal distribution. WATER There is a desalination plant on Alphonse Island and water from the faucet is safe to drink. Mineral water is only stocked when specifically requested prior to arrival. INDEMNITIES You will be required to sign an indemnity form once on location. Divers booked on courses must complete the Medical Statement prior to diving, this is provided prior to arrival in case you need to arrange medical clearance for diving from your physician. PAYABLE SERVICES AT MAHÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Air Seychelles VIP Services Fast-tracking through airport and special convenience services. Salon de Vallée de Mai Departure Lounge for the comfort convenience of clients awaiting air connections upon departure. This service is complimentary to business class travellers. Meals in Mahé will be for your own expense. Accommodation, Transfers and Tours in Mahé are an additional cost which can be arranged independently or by Alphonse Island. Conservation Donations There is a conservation donation of USD175 per week [USD25 per day] for anglers on a St Francois fishing package and USD70 per week [USD10 per day] for leisure guests. This will be included on your confirmation invoice and is settled prior to arrival. All packages exclude this conservation donation which is given to the Island Conservation Society for the preservation of nature in the Seychelles. MALARIA The Seychelles & Alphonse Island are Malaria Free. MEDICAL CARE A qualified medical person [nurse] is on call to deal with any emergencies. SAFETY There are no cyclones, busy roads or dangerous animals and the ocean around the island is tranquil and calm. TIME ZONE GMT +4 hours. [+3 Hours during Northern Hemisphere Summer]. SUN PROTECTION Due to its proximity to the equator, the sun in the Seychelles is exceptionally strong, with the white sand increasing its effect. It is not advisable to lie in direct sunlight during the first few days of your vacation. A strong sunbathing lotion or sun block is recommended, as is wearing a hat, protecting your head from direct sunlight. For water sports, [such as snorkelling], a T-shirt [rash vest] is recommended. VACCINATIONS & INOCULATIONS None required for entry. However, you may want to check with your local immunization and inoculation clinic for their recommendations on health precautions for travel to the Seychelles. Cancellation Policy Should you need to cancel your trip, at this stage of the booking, a fee of 100% shall be levied. This cancellation must be confirmed in writing. A 10% fee shall be levied if cancellation is made more than 180 days prior to arrival. A 10% fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same season. A fee of 50% shall be levied if cancellation is between 180 and 90 days prior to arrival. A fee of 100% shall be levied if cancellation is 90 days or less prior to arrival. INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS RATES INCLUDE Three meals daily Charter flights to and from Alphonse Room amenities, non motorised and land based activities Soft drinks during activities Complimentary scheduled communal excursions Snorkelling equipment [Loss of gear will be charged per item] Watersports equipment [Stand up paddle boards, kayaks, peddle boats] Water, tea and coffee Fly fishing rod and reel rental Public Wi-Fi VAT RATES EXCLUDE Conservation donations Beverages Motorised activities Additional excursions Laundry and items of a personal nature International flights, Mahé accommodation and ground transfers Gratuities Telephone charges Spa treatments Boutique and shop purchases Babysitting / Child-minding www.alphonse-island.com 4
DIVE Equipment All SCUBA dive equipment is provided by the dive centre. Our gear is regularly serviced on-site by our qualified technician and is maintained in good condition throughout usage. We use ScubaPro TOne or Rebel and Mares Rover standard Buoyancy Control Devices [BCDs] which have solid backplate, large Velcro pockets and quick release adjustments. Our BCDs are sized from children s to XL to cater for all. Our regulators are standard ScubaPro MK2+R095/R295, with a metric unit console and are serviced every 100 dives. Divers can enjoy our neutrally buoyant 12L aluminium cylinders which have additional weight and therefore you will use 1-2kg less than usual on your weight belt. Smaller 7L and 10L cylinders are available for children. Our cylinders are visually inspected yearly with hydrostatic tests every four years. Our on-site technician maintains our compressors and makes regular air-checks to ensure you are breathing the purest air. We offer a range of wetsuits from 3mm shortie to 5mm long, either our own Alphonse brand, ScubaPro or Mares. We have a broad range of fin sizes and offer either closed heel or open-heel with booties from a selection of brands. Our masks include children to adult sizes with single or double lenses, typically Cressi Sub or ScubaPro Scout. Snorkellers may also opt for the full face snorkel and life-vests for nervous swimmers. Reef hooks, SMBs & Accessories DIVE EQUIPMENT Owing to the unpredictable currents around Alphonse and our remote location, all divers are provided with a Surface Marker Buoy in their BCD pocket which they can inflate should they lose the group and surface separately. For the more advanced divers we also provide reef hooks which can be used in strong currents to sit and watch the fish swirl by or by photographers wanting a steady position for that special shot. You may wish to bring some of your own accessories however we have a number of the following spares should you forget yours: computers, torches, de-fogging agent and compasses. We also stock slates, landyards, ear drops, mask straps, dry bags, swimwear, sunscreen, caps & visors and rash vests in our dive shop. You can enjoy our Ocean Positive Range by Fourth Element and support efforts to clean discarded fishing nets from the ocean which are in turn made into useful eco-nylon swimwear. Check List Whilst all of your dive equipment will be provided and extras can be purchased here, we recommend that you bring the following for your stay: 1 x Personal SCUBA mask 1 x Polarized sunglasses 1 x Sunscreen [SPF 30+] 1 x Lip block [SPF 30+] 1 x Mosquito repellent 1 x Hat or cap 1 x Drybag 1 x Wetbag 1 x Soft tissue for drying & cleaning lenses 2 x Fast drying rash vest 2 x Swimwear 1 x Headlamp or torch 1 x Rain jacket [lightweight] General loose fitting, quick drying clothing for the humidity OUR SHOP OFFERS A RANGE OF CLOTHING SUITED FOR DIVING THESE WATERS We look forward to welcoming you to our Island Paradise... Should you need any further information please refer to the Alphonse Dive Fact Sheet or feel free to contact us. Tel: +248 422 97 00 / +248 422 90 30 E-mail: diving@alphonse-island.com / reservations@alphonse-island.com Facebook: alphonseislanddiving / alphonse.island www.alphonse-island.com ALPHONSE ISLAND IS PART OF THE BLUE SAFARI COLLECTION 5