News
Book a dive break to Mafia Island and save £85 per person with Dive Worldwide
Dive Worldwide is offering a 10% saving on week-long stays at Mafia Island Lodge in Tanzania when booked by 31 July this year and taken between August 2016 and April 2017. With its on-site PADI 5* dive centre, divers can explore the vibrant reefs of Chole Bay in the heart of the marine park.
Mafia Island Lodge is located on a sandy beach in Chole Bay on the south coast of Mafia Island. Some 40 comfortable air-conditioned, en-suite rooms, with their own verandah, overlook the Bay. The resort offers a wide range of activities including table tennis, volleyball, snorkelling, sailing, nature trails and an internet café and the main lodge has a relaxing atmosphere with a large open restaurant, bar with pool table and lounge area. July to September offers the coolest weather whereas October to March is the hottest time to travel. The resort is a great choice for groups, and snorkelling is also welcomed for all.
The on-site PADI 5* dive centre provides shore and boat diving as well as a wide range of courses, with instruction available in eight languages. Boat dives are offered daily in the sheltered, shallow waters of Chole Bay. Here, divers can enjoy some of the richest reefs in the world with a fascinating variety of hard and soft corals and diversity of tropical fish. A dream destination for photographers at the nearby shore sites of Nudi City and Frogfish Town, divers can expect to see seahorse, ghost pipefish, rays, octopus, gunards and other sea life living on the bommies, soft corals and sandy seabed. Larger marine life can be found at Kinasi Pass with its resident grouper, rays and schools of colourful fish. The diving highlight is undoubtedly the annual whale shark aggregation (between October and March) where small males can be seen feeding in the channel.
Outside the Bay, there are diving opportunities along Dindini and Juani walls where experienced divers can observe sharks and turtles. If conditions allow, it is possible to take a day trip to Southern Sandbanks where plenty of fish and rays can be seen on its gentle sloping reefs.
Special Offer Price
From £1,925pp based on 2 sharing (saving £85pp), including 7 nights half board accommodation, 8 dive packs with tanks and weights, 1 excursion (mangrove walk or village tour), return international flights from the UK and transfers.
Terms of Special Offer
- Save 10% at the Mafia Island Lodge.
- Valid for travel up between 1 August 2016 and 30 April 2017.
- Book by 31 July 2016.
For more information, visit www.diveworldwide.com or call +44 (0)1962 302087.
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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