News
Consider the Caribbean for your next dive holiday
When it comes to the top places to scuba dive in the world, the Caribbean doesn’t even make some of the lists! Maybe one or two dive sites are considered really amazing, such as Grenada’s Bianca C wreck for its sheer size, or some of the drift dives in Tobago. But please consider these great reasons why you might like to take your scuba gear to the Caribbean for your next dive holiday.
- The Caribbean Does Do…
- Amazing beachside resort destinations.
- Tranquillity (Some complain that many of the Caribbean islands are too quiet, like Antigua for example).
- OK flight times (relatively speaking).
- Relaxed attitudes and friendly locals.
- All inclusive specials.
- Tours beyond what your family could get bored with.
- Scuba Diving courses in fantastic conditions.
Indeed you may be like many scuba divers I have met whose partners don’t dive. So give them a holiday too – you might consider getting your kids certified (mostly all PADI in the Caribbean apart from Cuba) and the conditions for learning are perhaps the best available, with calm waters and pools to get familiar with breathing underwater. In short, you have options beyond your morning diving to spend the rest of the day with your family and have a great time. This can be really hard to do in the scuba diving destinations that are considered the best. The Cocos and Galapagos of this world are full of big fish (pelagics) for a reason! You need to do those holidays on a liveaboard and you will not take the family unless you are lucky and the whole family dive (and you can afford to take the whole family with you!). So let me suggest some islands and why you might visit them:
Antigua – blessed with a lot of beaches to rival any in the world and a yachting centre in season unparalleled. You can rent a car and drive around the island visiting the places of note. Antigua is a less developed island and that is part of its charm and why many return year after year. It’s ideal to get married in Antigua as you will appreciate your romantic time together in the most idyllic of spots to get that special moment on camera.
St Lucia – There are so many things to do in St Lucia your problem will be in choosing. From hiking on foot or by mountain bike to kayaking or enjoying a good Caribbean Jump Up, you can go from dawn to dusk with a few rums inbetween. There are some good wrecks to dive here. The culture is hard to nail down and the accent of the locals will perplex you – it spills over into the food.
Barbados – Surfing is a great activity to try after scuba diving in the morning – a variety of diving to suit all abilities for a few days and for those of you who are less experienced, you will not get bored.
Tobago – One of the better diving islands for advanced divers and beginners alike (beginners will have to miss out of some of the more advanced dives due to the strong currents that can be fun). It is also an island full of activities and amazing picturesque beaches. There are also the following islands to check out: Grenada, St Martin, St Kitts and Nevis (you start to wish you had a boat)! I warn you – the Caribbean is addictive!
For more from Calvin about diving in the Caribbean, visit www.caribbean-diving.com.
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.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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