During the mid-90s the Inula was sailing in Pemba and Zanzibar, and was one of the pioneering dive boats in Africa. The new home of Inula is Panama, from where it regularly visits the island of Coiba in Panama and the island of Malpelo (Colombia). German adventurer and around the world sailor Arvid Martinkat is a very interesting host for these remote diving tours.
Accommodation and Facilities
The 24 meter (79 feet) long and 8.5 meters (28 feet) wide catamaran is built from fibreglass. The boat offers room for 9 divers. Cabins 1 & 6 have 2 separate beds side by side and windows, the two small double cabins 3 & 5 are fairly narrow with bunk beds. These cabins can be booked as a single cabin, if needed. Cabin No. 2 can also be booked as a single cabin. There are 2 toilets on board ? one has a bathroom and hot shower. An outdoor shower is also available.
The galley of the catamaran is spacious and well equipped; the food is delicious. A small library, TV with DVD player and a stereo are available. The deck provides enough space for sun bathing.
The Inula is equipped with latest electronics and navigation equipment. It?s 230 m2 sail area, is supported by 2 engines, 2 GPS, radar, weather fax, radio, satellite phone, 2 generators, a desalinator for drinking water, a life raft, life jackets, complete first aid equipment, oxygen and EPIRBs.
Itineraries
The excursions start and end in the port city of David in Panama. Boarding time is about 12 noon on the first day of your cruise, the dive cruise ends on the morning of the last day. Please plan an extra day before and after the cruise to be on the safe side, so the occasional late luggage doesn?t become a drama.
The 6 nights Panama tour includes 5 full days of diving. The 11 night trip to Malpelo, includes 6 days at Malpelo, and 2 days around Panama. The 14 night itineraries provide for 6 days of diving at Malpelo and 5 days on the south coast of Panama.
Dive service
Diving is suited for advanced divers who are confident to deal with varying difficult open water conditions including strong currents. Diving is offered either off the dinghy or off the Inula directly. Two to four days dives are offered per day. Mostly you dive in buddy teams but in unusually strong currents, bad weather and at some selected sites, you will be diving in a group for safety reasons. A dive guide will be leading the dive. Be prepared for some long, mind-blowing drift dives and once in a while some blue water dives.
Mixed Gas and Rebreather diving
The Inula is mixed gas and rebreather friendly. Nitrox 32 - 50, Soda Lime, 100% oxygen up to 160 bar, trimix, and various small scuba tanks are available on board at extra cost. The 11 litre (80 cu.ft.) scuba tanks on board are fitted with DIN or INT valves. Some 15 litre scuba tanks are available. Water temperatures in Malpelo vary from 29°C (84°F) on the surface to 17°C (63°F) in isolated cold currents. We recommend a 5-7 mm wetsuit.
We think...
On Inula you can expect spectacular diving, great sailing and unspoilt nature. The catamaran offers a nice, personal atmosphere.
As a sailing catamaran, Inula is a very different boat from most other boats in our programme. If your love remote diving paired with a passion for adventure and sailing, this is the perfect trip for you.
Dive trips in the open sea can lead to significant movements of the catamaran, this applies to the crossing to Malpelo and partly also for the anchorage at Malpelo. All Guests should have remedies for seasickness with them, but particularly those who are suffering easily from seasickness should have plenty in the luggage!
