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Emperor Voyager Maldives Trip Report, 3 – 10 September
“Everywhere we looked we saw nurse sharks. Brilliant. Back on board, some guests declared that this was THE BEST DIVE OF THEIR LIVES!”
With boat managers Eva and Patrick on board, guests were certainly in good hands for another excellent trip through the Atolls. With their guidance and the expert local knowledge provided by dive guide, Rauf, guests were guaranteed the trip of a lifetime.
LANKAN MANTA POINT
It is a very common question and one which our dive team are asked regularly; will we see mantas?! As we all know, the ocean is not a zoo, so it is entirely up to the luck of the draw. However, King Neptune was smiling upon us this morning, and when we reached the cleaning station we found five mantas already there! None of our guests had dived these waters before so needless to say they were suitably impressed. They were hypnotized by the almost ballet-like antics directly in front of them and above their heads as these wonderful creatures sailed in and out of the grooming salon. For those who managed to look away, there were several white tip reef sharks and even a free-swimming moray eel. A hungry turtle was seen plodding his way across the reef in search of breakfast. Out in the blue and further away from the show, a group of large dogtooth tunas were aggressively making hunting forays into the smaller fish who appeared as clouds all over the area. A simple and stunning dive and one that none of our guests will ever forget.
MAAYA THILA
Some guests adore night diving and all its differences to diving when the sun is up and shining. The nocturnal reef creatures, which venture out after dark, are many and varied. Some of our guests were happy to hear that we would be doing a night dive at the world famous Maaya Thila site. It is a truly fabulous dive – possibly even more so at night time when the daytime creatures have packed up and disappeared. Some of the bigger fish were definitely in hunting mode as they sped like bullets across the reef in the hope of catching some of the many present fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The white tip sharks were stealthier in their hunting methods and would silently move over the reef edge and catch their prey unaware. Fluttering past us were stingrays on the move, lionfish in small numbers, whilst the crabs and shrimps were plentiful. The night-time crustaceans were clumsy-looking in their movements but quickly disappeared into their shells or crevices as soon as anything got too close. The light of torches in the dark saw shoals of silversides moving as one, beautifully glimmering in the light – their scales playing in the light. Over another delicious meal prepared by our Sri Lankan chef, Dickson, the chatter over the dinner table was lively and animated.
MACHAFUSHI WRECK
Another first for some of our guests who had never dived on a wreck before. After a detailed briefing we jumped in and started our exploration of this super spot. We were delighted to find a large nurse shark sleeping under the hull, and also a fat stonefish very well camouflaged but easily spotted by Patrick. As we made our way across the bow of the wreck we found numerous pipefish, a few flamboyantly decorated nudibranchs and many clouds of glassfish. Hanging in the mild current and keeping an eye on us was a school of batfish, residents of the wreck. Guests over dinner declared that the wreck was their best dive of the day.
FIVE ROCKS and BARBARA’S 200th DIVE!
What a fabulous way to celebrate your 200th dive! Barbara was more than happy to dive at this wonderful spot. For those who stayed on the smaller thila at the site, they had plenty of macro life to see. The gorgeously luxuriously-velvet snail was spotted – one of our favourite marine creatures! They are unusual in shape and texture and not really seen too often here, so always a nice surprise to find one. We found a few flatworms and a variety of shrimps going about their daily business in the corals. Some of our divers decided to look for the bigger boys and headed to the larger thila where they were pleased to see sharks, giant trevallies, barracudas, stingrays and plenty of schools of colourful reef fish.
WHALE SHARK! Super spotting by dive guide Rauf who soon had everyone’s attention when he called out that tantalizing phrase – “Whale shark over there!” Everyone was in the water in record fast time and spent a few precious minutes with this amazing creature before other divers joined us. Everyone was happy that they had seen this incredible giant and Rauf was the Hero of the Day!
ALIMATHA
Just a few minutes of descending into the dark water, a welcome committee of three nurse sharks greeted us; they surprised and delighted the guests when they gently bumped and nudged into them before slowly making their way to the sandy bottom where they rolled over several times. Quite amazing and another new experience for most divers. Guests’ excitement levels were running high after this initial “welcome” and as we made our way to the jetty area they were gobsmacked to see so many sharks of every size swimming lazily around us. Everywhere we looked we saw nurse sharks. Brilliant. Back on board Emperor Voyager some guests declared that this was THE BEST DIVE OF THEIR LIVES! They will be back to join the Emperor Fleet in the very near future.
For Red Sea Holidays with Emperor Divers, visit www.emperordivers.com.
For Maldives Holidays with Emperor Divers, visit www.emperormaldives.com.
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
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With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages
This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.
It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.
For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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