Houston's Premier Scuba and Dive Shop Oceanic Ventures Inc.

(713) 523-3483 (dive)
5808 Newcastle Drive
Houston, TX 77401

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Grand Cayman Family Trip – July 2022

Grand Cayman – Sunset House

July 30 to August 6, 2022

Overview

Join us for a Grand Cayman Summer Adventure to Sunset House, with Charles & Amy Alarez as your trip leaders.  This is a perfect get-away for Summer.  There is lots of great diving, beautiful relaxing setting, simple accommodations, unlimited beach diving, with tons of other fun things to do on island.

Your trip leaders will be happy to share the underwater experience with topside adventures from start to finish.  We will even start the day of arrival with a quick beach check-dive, so we are ready for the rest of the week.  Oceanic Ventures guests have several specials with this package only: including a 3 tank safari day, a dive to the famous wreck of the Kittiwake, beach night dives on one of Ann’s favorite beach night diving spots and free nitrox!!! Maybe even do some shopping while you are there or maybe just a ton of diving!!!  The hotel will arrange for a shared fee-transfer each night to a local restaurant for the group if you want to join them so no rental car or taxi’s needed.

There is amazing shore diving from the Sunset House beach as well as very good night diving and night snorkeling!!  The Mermaid, Amphitrite a 9 foot bronze statue resides right offshore of the resort.  There is a protected ocean pool entrance from the shore.

What is included?

  • * 8 days/ 7 nights/5 days of boat diving,
  • 4 two tank days and one 3 tank day Safari dive with lunch,
  • Sunset House Courtyard Rooms,
  • made-to-order breakfast,
  • RT air transfers to the hotel, 
  • unlimited beach cylinders, weights, 
  • water on board,
  • hotel taxes/resort fee, 
  • trip brochure and packet,
  • trip shirt, and 
  • travel leader.

Special Oceanic Ventures Connoisseur Club Benefit

  • one day of three tank safari with lunch
  • free nitrox

Other activities that can be arranged… 

Shopping in town, City and cultural tours

What is not included?

international air ticket, marine park fee, Kittiwake tag, Kittiwake upgrade dive, extra boat diving, tips for local dive staff, bar tab, lunch & dinner, additional land tours, other activities, diving equipment system, add-on specialty diver classes, private dive master for junior divers under 16 (estimate $150 per day per family buddy team), trip insurance, dive insurance and shopping. 

What other things should I be aware of?

  • All guests must complete an OVI Travel Application and a Sunset House Liability Waiver
  • COVID 19 Vaccination: Vaccinated travelers may enter the Cayman Islands with a negative PCR test. Unvacinated travelers will require a two week quarantine upon entry.
  • Flight Suggestions:

United: non-stop

July 30 UA 551                   IAH 12:42 pm to GCM    3:35 pm

Aug 6 UA 1854                   GCM 4:40 pm to IAH       7:42 pm

Southwest Airlines : thru FLL

July 30  SW 3833/ 1236                 HOU 7:15 AM  to GCM 12:20 PM via FLL

Aug 06   SW 1216/3430                    GCM 1:15 pm to  HOU 9:55 pm  via FLL

Dive Mom – “Tell Me More!”

COVID Information

The traveler must be free from COVID before departure. A COVID test is required before departure and a test is required to return to the United States. These requirements are subject to change

The Fine Print…

Please see the Terms & Conditions page for a listing of our travel policies. Additionally, please see the Master Liveaboard terms and conditions. By depositing on the trip, you agree to both sets of terms and conditions. All prices are subject to change until booked and ticketed. All moneys are due in full on deposit even if not paid in full and some penalties may ably for cancellations based on the operators policies and group penalties.  As with most small island properties and vessels, cancellations are more of an issue so they have limited ability to fill unused spaces.  We highly recommend trip insurance to help avoid any unnecessary problems and should be purchased within 14 das of the initial deposit to receive the most benefit.  No refunds for missed flights or changes in plans. Trip insurance and diving insurance can be found at http://oceanicventures.net/travel-insurance/.  Both Dive Assure/DAN and Travel Guard have a family plan.  Diving Accident and Medical Insurance is required. Vessel and OVI travel releases are required.  Please plan to bring a copy of your logbook, c-card, and diving insurance.  

Passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity prior to passport expiration.  No refunds for missed flights or boats.

Note: All guests spaces are reserved upon deposit.  But unless a minimum number of guest sign up for the trip by the deadline dates, an Oceanic Ventures trip leader will not be attending.

Adventure Date

July 30 to August 6, 2022

Airfare

Airfare is not included in this trip. Your destination is Georgetown Grand Cayman

It is best to fly with the group so please let us help you plan this part of the trip.

Transit Arrangements

None are required for this trip. However if you want to arrive early or stay longer, we can assist you with these arrangements.

Fare

All per person double and Club membership. First booked, first choice. Only 15 guest spaces available

  • * $2,195 pp/Club – garden view room
  • *There is also an ocean view apartment booked.  Ask for pricing. (based on availability.)
  • $400 discount for non-diver on garden view,
  • $300 discount for non-diver in ocean view.  
  • $175 pp upgrade for ocean view rooms 
  • $600 single upgrade in the Courtyard room/ $850 upgrade for Ocean view room

Deposit & Final Payment

  • * $1,500 plus trip insurance
  • * Final payment due – August 1, 2022
Tell me more
Oceanic Ventures Travel Application

Travel Notes

  • * An Oceanic Ventures Application/Travel Release is required at time of booking
  • * A boat Release is required by the final payment date
  • * We cannot guarantee a roommate unless you are booking together with someone, so plan on a single supplement
  • * As with most small operations, cancellations are more of an issue so they have limited ability to fill unused spaces. We always recommend trip insurance to help avoid any unnecessary problems. There are no refunds for missed flights or changes in plans. Travel Insurance (ie: comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance) purchased at the time their reservation is made, may help protect guests from financial disappointment if they are prevented from making their scheduled trip due to illness or family illness, or in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the airline or yacht from making its scheduled trip.
  • * The United States is requiring a COVID test prior to re-entering the country. The boat will handle getting everyone COVID tested prior to boarding your return flight.
  • * Passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity prior to passport expiration
  • * We require diving accident insurance. For your convenience below are links to Dive Assure . Both organizations offer Travel Insurance and Dive Accident Insurance and be purchased via our web site at https://oceanicventures.net/travel-insurance/.  Both Dive Assure and Travel Guard have a family plan. Dive Assure is diving insurance and also has a travel insurance option.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend travel insurance to help cover you for unknown events that may occur. You should purchase it within 14 days of your deposit to receive the most benefit from the policy. We also recommend that you have coverage to help you in the event you need to leave for weather or other emergencies.

Thank you for letting us assist you with your family’s diving adventures!

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Ocean Positive Trunk Show – March 2022

Join us as we introduce the new styles of Fourth Element’s Ocean Positive swimwear and sun protection. The US Sales Manager, Michele Tomitillo as well as Dive Mom and Zaide will be on hand to help you find the perfect ensemble for your next adventure! This is your opportunity to see all of the swimsuits, rash guards, and leggings and to find your perfect size and fit. The Ocean Positive line is sold as separates so getting a more personalized fit is easier than with any other swimsuit line.

What is a Trunk Show?

A “Trunk Show” is your opportunity to see all of the Fourth Element Ocean Positive product line in one place. Some of the items are not yet available in the United States. There is an opportunity to try on the various sizes and styles and to either take it home after the show or you will be able to order your perfect outfit.

Will there be beverages and food served?

It is an event at Oceanic Ventures so of course there will be beverages and lite bites being served during the event. Don’t ask us what yet, our caterer, Eric, has not told us what he is preparing. But there will be some wine and adult beverages as well as night-diving (alcohol free) beverages available.

What is so special about Ocean Positive Swimwear?

Other than the stunning designs and wonderful ocean themed colours, these suits were designed by divers for divers. There are no clasps or large string ties to interfere with your wetsuit seals or to make them uncomfortable to wear under your wetsuit.

Additionally, they are made from recycled ghost nets and dissuaded nylon products. This means that purchasing them helps the oceans in a positive way.

‘Ghost nets’ amount to over 600,000 tonnes of lost gear every year. The main hazard is to marine life – from invertebrates to large marine mammals. They continue to fish long after they have been abandoned, and account for countless lives lost. The netting, very slow to degrade, scrubs coral, creating a desolate seascape where they are dragged over the reef by shifting currents.

Now, all over the world, dive teams are removing these ghost nets from the wrecks and reefs, often at great depths, and bringing them up to the surface where they can be recycled and spun into nylon yarn. The recycled yarn is combined with LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ to provide a long-lasting fit and resist degradation from chlorinated water, the heat and sunscreen lotions up to 10 times longer than unprotected fabrics.

By choosing products made with recycled materials you are helping the oceans in a positive way.

I want to RSVP for the event…

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Shackleton’s Ship Endurance Found after 107 Years!

According to the Smithsonian Magazine…

During Ernest Shackleton’s 1915 Antarctic expedition, his ship Endurance was crushed by ice. After 106 years, scientists announced last week that the vessel had finally been found.

A team of undersea explorers located the wreck roughly 10,000 feet deep at the bottom of the icy Weddell Sea, just east of the Antarctic Peninsula. As soon as the ships’ rediscovery was announced, scientists jumped at the opportunity to see what life forms have made their home on Endurance.

“The ship is cool, but look at those things living on it,” says Huw Griffiths, a marine biogeographer at the British Antarctic Survey, who was not part of the discovery expedition, to Vox’s Benji Jones.

Undersea cameras revealed the ship’s diverse collection of sea life, including sea stars, sponges, anemones, and sea squirts. Scientists also spotted a deep-sea squat lobster, which has never before been recorded in the area, per Jonathan Amos for BBC.

…Read More

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Oceanic Ventures Staff Party – March 2022

By tradition, we host our staff Christmas party in January, We found that the holiday season was so busy that propel just could not make it to the party so about ten years ago we moved it to January. Of course that was until COVID. Last year, we finally held it in July. This year we tried for January but if you will remember, it rained most of January which made an outdoor party a little messy. That meant our fall back was February which turned out to be in the middle of the Omicron outbreak in Houston. So, once more we moved it…March became the time for the holiday party.

Unfortunately, by moving the party, some of the staff had other plans that interfered and prevented them from attending. However, for the staff members that were able to come, we had a fabulous time! A potluck of sorts, we smoked 40 pounds of chicken and had a variety of appetizers and side dishes. We had the inaugural fire in the fire pit that Joe Henry built and had s’mores with dark chocolate disks and homemade graham cracker cookies and marshmallows provided by the El Presidente Intercontinental Hotel in Cozumel (thanks Carla)!

Our Holiday party features a blind gift game. It is so fun seeing what others brought and what becomes the popular item to steal (Coad’s Fourth Element changing mat is always the first thing to be stolen and then there were some really nice liquor kits that were passed around).

Remember, if you want to come to this party, you have to be on staff! We have another Dive Guide class starting in May so you have time before the next party.

The Group
40 Pounds of Smoked Chicken
Jeff, Mike and Zaide
Alex, Rick, Joel and Travis
Nick, Jessica, David, Cora, Nicole, Coad and Barney
Alex, the Gift MC
Around the Fire Pit

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Solomon Islands to Reopen!

Ann and I were on a phone call with the operations manager and the sales and marketing manager for Master Liveaboards last night talking about our various travel bookings over the next few years. One of the more exciting things to come out of that conversation is the scheduled re-opening of the Solomon Islands! According to government officials, the Islands will re-open to tourism without a quarantine requirement.

The Solomon Islands Government will require that all visitors be fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID test prior to entering the country. At the present time, the United Sates is still requiring a negative COVID test before re-entering the United States.

This is fantastic news for us, This means that our scheduled Solomon Islands liveaboard trip for October is running and the boat will be in-country in time for our trip!

If you are unsure as to where in the world the Solomon Islands are located, you will find them in the Coral Triangle near Australia. You may recognize the name of the main island in the chain, Guadalcanal.

Diving in the archeligo, is very special. There are loarge schools of fish, giant Napoleon Wrasses, sharks, baracudas and jacks. But not to be outdone, there are small interesting fish, corals and nudibranchs. And let’s not forget the people. They are warm and friendly and love welcoming visitors to their island home.

If you love handicrafts, they you will be in heaven. The locals are expert carvers and jewelry makers. Often time they are even willing to barter their art for things you may have in excess like t-shirts, backpacks and flashlights.

Join us for an adventure!

We hope you can join us for a special adventure to one of the most special dive destinations in the Pacific.

Find Out More About the Adventure…

Need A Little More of a Push?

If you would like to discover more about the Solomon islands, here is a short video from a previous trip…