News
Caribbean Dive Operators collaborate to Launch Saba’s First Trimix Course
Located in the Northeast Caribbean, just 28 miles southwest of St. Martin, the small island of Saba is just the tip of an undersea volcano. With a land mass of only 5 square miles, you might think that not much happens there, but in actual fact, there’s lots happening in Saba – most of it underwater.
Beneath the surface, Saba is a labyrinth of lava flows, caverns, deep sea pinnacles, sea mounts and mind blowing wall dives. If you like big marine life, Saba has it. Hammerheads, whale sharks, mantas, eagle rays, turtles, eels, huge schools of fish, and much more. With so much great deep diving available, two local dive operators Octopus Diving and Saba Deep have decided to get together to run Saba’s first Trimix course.
Tony Waterfield of Saba Deep and Chris Davies of Octopus Diving and Caribbean Technical Diving first met when Tony hired Chris to service his scuba compressor. Tony was delighted to find out that not only was Chris a great compressor mechanic, he was also a certified IANTD Technical Diving Instructor. What cemented the partnership was that Chris is located on the nearby island of St. Martin, just a short 1 hour ferry ride away. As luck would have it, Tony was looking to do a Trimix course and Chris wanted to do a Trimix Instructor course.
To teach the course, Chris brought in his diving mentor Rich Stevenson of Diving Marine Solutions in the UK. Rich, a certified Trimix Instructor Trainer, also an accomplished underwater cameraman, has been quoted by CBS news program “60 Minutes” as being the “world’s most accomplished underwater cameraman”. Together they conducted Saba’s first Nomoxic Trimix Course. With private villa accommodations in the “Haiku House” provided by the Queen’s Garden Resort, not only was the course a great learning experience, it was great to experience some of the best accommodations and the finest cuisine that Saba has to offer. During the course both Chris and Tony soon discovered that Nomoxic Trimix is the idea gas for diving Saba’s plunging walls and deep coral pinnacles.
“The beauty of Nomoxic is that with 20% oxygen in the mix, there is enough oxygen to sustain divers on surface and due to its helium content, at 60 meters, Nomoxic has an END (equivalent narcosis depth) of only 36 meters where nitrogen narcosis isn’t a problem. Diving this gas will allow our customers to comfortably experience the deep walls and pinnacles of Saba and the deeper wrecks of Saint Martin,” says Chris Davies.
For further information on diving in Saba or St. Martin contact Octopus Diving at:
info@octopusdiving.com www.octopusdiving.com or phone +1-914-487-1315.
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.
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.
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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