News
Dive into Africa
The vast African continent includes some of the world’s most iconic scuba diving adventures. 38 of Africa’s countries have a coastline and the continent offers a huge diversity of diving due to it being bordered by the Indian Ocean in the East and Southeast, the Red Sea in the Northeast, the Mediterranean in the North and the Atlantic Ocean in the West and Southwest.
What better way to spend a holiday than discovering the incredible wildlife of Africa above and below the water? From stunning coral fringed islands to incredible shark encounters, Africa offers some of the finest dive travel adventures worldwide. Read on for a few of our favourites below…
Haliotis – São Vicente, Cape Verde
Tel: +238 522 7781
Email: saovicente@haliotis.pt
Web: www.haliotis.pt/en/centros/cabo-verde/
Cape Verde is an underestimated diving area on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean that will surprise you with such an incredible biodiversity and quantity of life that it seems as if you are in an aquarium!
From colorful fish shoals, huge stingrays, sea turtles, crazy camouflaged frogfishes to the frequently spotted sharks and even mantas rays, combined with warm waters, good visibility and a huge variety of dive spots, it makes the diving here indescribable!
Haliotis dive center is situated in Hotel Oasis Porto Grande – a 4 star Hotel in the center of Mindelo on São Vicente, the most cultural island of Cape Verde where music, art and a party atmosphere is present at every corner.
We offer daily diving and snorkeling trips, snorkeling with sea turtles, try dives and PADI courses all year around.
We offer an unbeatable combination of quality equipment for renting, nice facilities, modern rib boat with two engines to guarantee safety, and a professional and dynamic team of PADI Instructors and Divemasters that will do everything to provide the best experience ever. Always with safety and fun as the main goal, which will make your stay in São Vicente unforgettable!
Facebook: @haliotissaovicente | Instagram: @haliotisdivecentercaboverde
Wining and Diving – South Africa
Image: Frogfish Photography
South Africa’s coastline is wild and rugged and has some of the best marine encounters and diving in the world! It is also home to some superb vineyards and so this is a top destination for Wining & Diving! If you have enough time, then try to fit in several destinations on a tour; take in the Sardine Run, go Great White Shark cage diving, snorkel with Blue and Mako Sharks, try to find Sevengill Sharks in the kelp forest, meet the raggies and oceanic shark species near Aliwal Shoal and make sure you dive with the Cape Fur Seals just down the road from Cape Town…..
Ocean Tribe – Diani Beach, Kenya
Tel: +254 700 934 854
Email: info@oceantribe.co
Web: www.oceantribe.co
Ocean Tribe offers scuba diving trips and PADI diving courses in Diani Beach, Kenya. Local diving includes fantastic coral reefs and wrecks, all located within a 15 minute boat ride of the dive centre. In addition to standard reef life, Diani is famous for numerous green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles plus guitar rays, and between December and April, chances to see whale sharks and manta rays. Consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the world, Diani is a must see for divers combined with an African safari trip.
For divers searching for the land and underwater adventure of a lifetime, Ocean Tribe offer bespoke dive and African land safari trips for the chance to see some of the World-famous wildlife. Including hotels and lodge accommodation, dives and a few days in the savannah viewing the spectacle of Kenya’s game followed by the underwater world we know and love, this is not to be missed!
Facebook: @DiveProAfrica | Instagram: @oceantribekenya
St Helena – The Secret is Out!
Image: Frogfish Photography
St Helena is one of the most remote islands in the world, often referred to as the Secret of the South Atlantic, where it lies 1,200 miles off Namibia and 2,500 miles off Brazil. How we got to visit this incredible island is a story in itself…..
Ocean Spirit Diving – Pereybere, Mauritius
Tel: +230 5905 2479
Email: info@osdiving.com
Web: www.osdiving.com
In the centre of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is on the largely unexplored Mascarene plateau, and only 9% of this paradise has been charted by divers. An independent state which was previously a British colony, Mauritius is an English, French and Creole-speaking Island renowned for its British efficiency, elegant French flair and Creole exuberance, tempered with gentle Hindu harmony.
Sharks circle year-round in the caverns under the Northern Islands and we dive in crystal clear clean water with 80m viz. In winter, seasonal up-wellings bring plankton and the viz can drop to 20m, and the ocean is full of shoaling fish, whales and dolphins. Endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles are here year-round.
Ocean Spirit is a PADI 5 Star Diving Centre and the only Project Aware Conservation Green Star centre in Pereybere, Mauritius, offering Shark diving, Wreck diving, dramatic drop offs and drifts, exquisite corals, rare macro and abundant marine life in a pollution free pristine environment.
Diving is all about socializing and making new friends, and at Ocean Spirit we make sure you will do exactly that. Our dive masters and instructors love diving, they know their fish and they share their passion. Beach barbecues, lunches and de-briefs mean that you will make new friends from all over the world.
Facebook: @oceanspiritdiving | Instagram: @divingmauritius
Diving the Wrecks of Mauritius
Image: Ocean Spirit Diving, courtesy of Jill Holloway
Over 480 ships have been wrecked off the coast of Mauritius over the last 400 years. Most of these wrecks are within easy reach of the dive centres in the North, and a Safari trip to Coin de Mire makes a great day’s diving…..
Octopus Divers – Praslin Island, Seychelles
Tel: +248 423 2602
Email: octopus.seychelles@gmail.com
Web: www.octopusdiver.com
Diving center located in Praslin, Seychelles, we offer daily diving trips, intro dives and Padi courses (from Scuba Diver up to Instructor).
Mention ‘Scubaverse’ when booking to receive the following special offer: Single Dive EUR 50 per person and Twin Tank Dive EUR 100 per person.
Facebook: @octopus.seychelles | Instagram: @octopusdivers.seychelles
Mantas and Whale Sharks gain protection in Mozambique
Image: Dr. Andrea Marshall
After 20 years of research and lobbying efforts, the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is thrilled to announce a major legislative victory for ocean life in Mozambique. A new commercial fishing law enacts sweeping protections for several threatened species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and all mobula species…..
Fun Divers Zanzibar – Nungwi, Zanzibar
Tel: +255 773 116 436
Email: info@fundiverszanzibar.com
Web: www.fundiverszanzibar.com
Fun Divers Zanzibar is the local expert for scuba diving and the only locally owned dive operation in Zanzibar. Our team of friendly Zanzibari grew up in the fishing village of Nungwi and previously experienced the reefs around northern Zanzibar as local fishermen for many years. As a PADI Dive Resort and a Divers Alert Network Industry Partner, we value our customers dive safety and are committed to professional dive training.
The marine reserves of Zanzibar Island (Unguja) offer a huge choice of sites to explore, and the variety of wall and reef dives suit every level of diver qualification. Common marine life sightings are dolphins, sea turtles, tropical reef fish, a large variety of macro marine life and extraordinary sea creatures. Learn why March to the end of May is the ultimate diving season around Zanzibar Island’s north coast.
Fun Divers Zanzibar arrange daily excursions to the best dive sites of Zanzibar Island, which can be reached in 5 to 45 minutes from the base at Nungwi Beach. Diving is guided only in small groups to allow an exclusive and personalised underwater experience. Quality branded dive gear from Scubapro and Mares is provided for hire for free.
Zanzibar Scuba Special
Local PADI Dive Resort Fun Divers Zanzibar is offering a 20% discount on pre-booking dive packages, try diving, scuba diving courses and snorkeling for February until the end of July 2022. Send your booking enquiry by email to info@fundiverszanzibar.com
Facebook: @fundiverszanzibar | Instagram: @fun.divers.zanzibar
All about Sharklife
Image: Sharklife, courtesy of PJ Prinsloo
There is nothing quite like seeing an apex predator in the wild and divers are very fortunate to have the privilege to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most striking predators. South Africa is home to a great number of shark species that attract thousands of tourists every year. Great Whites, Tigers and Bull sharks are just some examples of over 100 different shark species living in the oceans around the South African coastline…..
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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