News
Celebrate the Sea Festival 2018
One of the richest underwater photography shoot-outs in the world takes place from 1-3 April 2018 in Manado, Bangka and Lembeh, with prizes totaling over $35,000 value in both novice and open categories. The overall winner will be named ‘Master of the Competition’ with a cash bounty of around USD 5,000. The cash prize for each category winner is around USD 2,000. The competition finale and awards will take place in Singapore on 7 April 2018.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, ‘Her Deepness’, is heading to Manado for the ‘Celebrate the Sea’ Festival from 30 March to 5 April 2018. The first 100 attendees (reserving with Ocean Geographic using the Quick Booking tab at https://goo.gl/9ur2kY) will receive a Van Gogh Ocean edition print “Heart of the Reef” personally signed by Dr. Earle and specially created for the festival by Michael AW. Festival packages start from $130 and all-inclusive participating resort packages, including dives, start from around $500.
The mission of the 13th ‘Celebrate the Sea’ Festival is to inspire the ban of both single-use plastic and shark fin soup in Manado. By attending the festival, participants effectively become part of the solution, contributing to the preservation of our ocean environment. The festival in Manado will celebrate the splendor and richness of the marine bio-diversity of the Bunaken National Marine Park, Bangka Island and the Lembeh Strait. The underlying objective of the festival is to spotlight threats from climate change and pollution in this remote, coral triangle region.
As with previous ‘Celebrate the Sea’ Festivals, the lineup of ocean luminaries for 2018 is impressive including ‘Her Deepness’ Dr. Sylvia Earle, Craig Leeson, producer of a Plastic Ocean; Kristin Hoffman, composer and singer of ‘Song for the Ocean’, National Geographic photographers David Doubilet & Jennifer Hayes; Ocean Geographic science editor Alex Rose; feature editor Gill McDonald and chief editor Evonne Ong. Together with a host of our honorary associates, including Howard Shaw, Doug Perrine and Matthew Smith, there will be an impressive array of scientists, artists, innovators, photographers and passionate marine advocates.
A major festival highlight is the International Underwater Photography Shoot-Out Competition from 1-3 April 2018, one of the richest shoot-outs in the world with prizes totaling over $35,000 in value in both novice and open categories. Many resorts in the area are supporting the competition in order to draw attention to this beautiful, rich and diverse diving location.
The overall winner will be named ‘Master of the Competition’ with a cash bounty of around USD 5,000. The cash prize for each category winner is around USD 2,000. The 2018 festival will take place alongside the 5th annual ‘Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year’ competition. A regular feature is also the children’s art competition, aimed at inspiring the energy, enthusiasm and curiosity of the future ambassadors of our planet.
During the festival, Kristin Hoffman will be shooting a new music video for ‘Song for the Ocean’ – https://goo.gl/MVYdPV. All participants are invited to play a part in this production – this is your chance to help inspire a greater love for our ocean. Find out more at https://goo.gl/wWZ38A
The festival opens at 13:30 on 31 March 2018 in the central Manado Megamall Auditorium. There is a packed schedule of keynote speakers and presentations up to the opening ceremony at 18:30. The opening ceremony is also in the Megamall complex and hosted by the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi. The International Underwater Photography Shoot-Out Competition then takes place at local participating resorts from 1-3 April.
On 4 April the participants relocate to the modern 4* Mercure Tateli Beach Resort which has spectacular views over the Celebes sea and classic volcano-shape of Manado Tua in Bunaken National Marine Park. Lunch is followed by another round of absorbing presentations by keynote speakers and a display of the finalists in the ‘Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year’ competition.
The Manado festival culminates in the closing ceremony and dinner at 18:30, once again hosted by the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi. The exciting finale of the 2018 Celebrate the Sea festival will be in Singapore on Saturday, 7 April from 18:00 at a celebration party and presentation evening involving most of the notable speakers and personalities from Manado.
The winners of the International Underwater Photography Shoot-Out Competition and OG Pictures of the Year competitions will be announced and showcased, and the ‘Master of the Competition’ will be named and crowned.
For more information please visit the website.
Blogs
Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition
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.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
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.
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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.
News
Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity
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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