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Surf’s Up with Carpe Diem in the Maldives

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Surf’s Up with Carpe Diem Cruises new week-long surf and paddleboard safaris across the Maldives

Answering the rise in demand from independent surfers to explore Maldivian waves, the award-winning liveaboard Carpe Vita adds four surf safari weeks in 2019.

For the past decade, Carpe Diem Cruises in The Maldives has been offering week-long and 10-day dive safaris across the atolls on three luxury liveaboard yachts. In recent years, an increased number of private charters from Australian tour operators have brought a kite surfing and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) community into the mix, and the experience has begun to catch on.

Previously we have received individual enquiries and occasional requests from kite surfers and surfers for a safari across the atolls, which are difficult to accommodate on an isolated case-by-case scenario when the specific cruise focus is diving and snorkelling. In the last year, we’ve seen a sharp rise in requests for specific kite surfing and paddleboard safaris, showing a clear rising demand and new niche market that we are ideally positioned to cater to, with three dedicated cruise yachts designed for that specific leisure market,” explains Agnes van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives.

Renowned for it’s marine life and private island resorts with white sand beaches, The Maldives has slowly been raising it’s profile as a surfers paradise and a new destination for a growing SUP community travelling to The Maldives from around the world. Due to the nature of the surf breaks visited on Carpe Diem Cruises over a week, these are suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers, whereas it’s possible for complete novice paddleboarders and kitesurfers to develop their skills on the surf safari trips.

Based on the success of the private charters with our Australian tour operators, which we will continue to work with, The Maldives is definitely on the global surfers travel radar,” adds Agnes. “The annual Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy each August has most definitely helped raised that profile, with top world-class surfers and big names visiting and participating. For now, The Maldives is still a relatively new destination for the independent surfing and paddleboard traveller who has covered all the typical destinations and seeks something new.

Carpe Diem Cruises attracts like-minded travellers with their adventure cruises, inviting guests to embrace opportunity with a seize-the-day approach to travel. The new (Kite) Surf and SUP Safaris in 2019 are allocated to four weeks in May and July on the award-winning Carpe Vita vessel. Voted in 2017 as one of the Top 10 Liveaboards in the World, the Carpe Diem Cruises surf safari weeks will cater to 12 surfers, with 10 en suite cabins. The boat also has a fully licensed bar, communal lounge area with a TV, and a Jacuzzi on the top deck.

During the new surf weeks on Carpe Vita itineraries will include morning and afternoon surfing, travelling to different surf breaks where the action is each day with our onboard Maldivian surf guide, exploring the central atolls around North and South Male. Starting and ending from the capital’s international airport island, access to the breaks will be via a separate dhoni that accompanies the main yacht throughout the trip. Priced at USD 2,555 per person, departure dates for 2019 are currently set at May 5, July 7, July 14, July 28 and each week includes:

  • 7 nights on board Carpe Vita
  • Roundtrip Airport to Yacht transfers
  • Meet and Greet at the airport
  • Welcome drinks
  • Captain, crew and support surf dhoni
  • 3 meals daily, plus between-surf snacks
  • 2-3 surfs daily
  • Reusable water bottle (also to take home)
  • Drinking water, tea and coffee
  • Unlimited use of the Jacuzzi
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Sandbank BBQ (weather permitting)
  • Anniversary and birthday cakes & amenities
  • DVD and Book Library.

Travellers looking to extend their stay in the Maldives can do so at the Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll with a combined cruise and stay package.

For more information, please enquire with your local travel agent or direct with Carpe Diem Maldives at info@carpediemmaldives.com.

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Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition

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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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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.

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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.

curacao

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.

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

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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!

santa divers

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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