Deep sea sights for snorkelers

MINGLE with exotic fish starting Feb. 1 on a nine-day snorkeling expedition to Micronesia and Palau, a region that is home to unspoiled coral beds close to land.

“It’s one of the few places you don’t need to be a diver to experience the incredible underwater world of hard and soft coral and an amazing array of tropical fish,” said Birgit Winning, director of the Oceanic Society.

From a base in Koror, Palau, the group will take day trips led by naturalists Rick MacPherson and Wayne Sentman to Turtle Cove, Soft Coral Arch, Ngemelis Wall, Jellyfish Lake and the Rock Islands.

Cost: $3,135 per person, double occupancy ($600 single surcharge). Includes hotels, airfare from Honolulu, excursions by private boat and some meals. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: The Oceanic Society Expeditions, San Francisco; (800) 326-7491, www.oceanic-society.org.

MEXICO

Ocean cruises in the gulf

Sail alongside marine creatures, and possibly whales, Jan. 15, 22, 29 or March 5 on seven-night cruises in the Gulf of California.

The 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour leaves from Cabo San Lucas and stops in Loreto and La Paz.

Cost: $2,699 per person, double occupancy ($1,285 single surcharge). Includes meals, accommodations and most excursions. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Cruise West, Seattle; (888) 851-8497, www.cruisewest.com.

CALIFORNIA

Skiing -- or not -- in Yosemite

SLALOM down the slopes with the Sierra Club on Feb. 18 on a three-day ski and party trip to Yosemite National Park.

Activities in the valley include ice skating, hiking, ranger-led snowshoe tours, back-country ski touring and snowshoeing, and downhill and telemark skiing at the Badger Pass area.

Past trips have attracted people of all ages, families, couples and singles.

The group will travel by bus with pickup points in Orange County, the South Bay and San Fernando Valley.

Cost: $410 for Sierra Club members, $455 for nonmembers (single surcharge not available). Includes transportation, lodging, Sierra Club guides, park fees, refreshments, happy hours and one dinner.

Contact: Keith Martin, Orange County Sierra Singles, Sierra Club, Huntington Beach; (310) 316-7617, angeles.sierraclub.org/ocss.

BHUTAN

Blessings and masked monks

Experience the Paro Tsechu, the largest Buddhist festival in the country, on a 14-day tour of the kingdom of Bhutan starting March 19. During the festival, March 24 and 25, masked monks in brilliant brocade robes will perform ritual dances depicting events in the life of a seminal 8th century teacher. There is a carnival atmosphere, but it is also a time for prayer and blessings.

The tour focuses on the highlights of western Bhutan, the city of Thimphu, the valley of Wangdi Phodrang, Gangtey and Phobjikha.

Cost: $3,850 per person, double occupancy ($300 single surcharge). Includes all meals, lodging, transportation, excursions and airfare from Los Angeles.

Contact: Tours of Exploration, Gibsons, Canada; (800) 690-7887, www.toursexplore.com.

HAWAII

Get going on the garden isle

Hawaii’s garden island, Kauai, is the backdrop for a host of activities during six-day tours that begin Feb. 20 and March 20.

Excursions are planned to Silver Falls Ranch, Wailua River, Waimea Canyon and other sites.

Horseback riding and sailing are among the activities, but there will be ample time for shopping or relaxing by the pool.

Cost: $2,848 per person, double occupancy ($950 single surcharge). Includes lodgings, most meals including a luau, excursions and activities. Airfare from Los Angeles to Lihue, Hawaii, is not included.

Contact: Austin Lehman Adventures, Billings, Mont.; (800) 575-1540, www.austinlehman.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012, or e-mail travel@latimes.com.