Silversea hones in on remote, top dive sites for scuba cruises

The 120-passenger Silver Discoverer, the latest addition to the line's expedition fleet, has 20 voyages featuring scuba diving opportunities for experienced divers in such regions as the Maldives, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Palau archipelago and the Andaman Islands. Participants can explore hidden caves, tunnels, coral fish and rare sea creatures. There is no charge for the diving program.

In addition to an on-board dive master, the cruises will carry experts including marine biologists, environmentalists, ecologists and geologists.

Among Silver Discoverer's scuba diving voyages are 'Australia (Great Barrier Reef) & Indonesia,' a 14-day program from Cairns to Balikpapan, departing Oct. 4, and 'Myanmar & Andaman Islands,' a 15-day voyage from Phuket to the Maldives, Dec. 2.

The 'Maldives, Seychelles (Aldabra) & Africa' voyage, 17 days, departs Dec. 17 and features a rare visit to the remote coral atoll of Aldabra. Virtually untouched by humans and teeming with marine life, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world's largest atolls and home to thousands of giant tortoises.

2017 scuba diving opportunities include 'Indonesia & Palau Archipelago,' 14 days, from Darwin to Koror, departing May 26, and 'Australia (Great Barrier Reef) & Indonesia,' 14 days, from Cairns to Bali, sailing Nov. 9.

Passengers wishing to dive will need an Advanced Open Water Diver license or equivalent to participate. They must bring their own BCD vests and regulators. Silversea will provide the weight belts, tanks, masks and fins free of charge on board Silver Discoverer.