News
Dive into the latest winter offers from Scuba Travel
UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel have some great value winter deals for divers. Check out the below!
Southern Red Sea – Shark Quest Photography I Whirlwind I 07 December I £1095 including flights
Keep your cool when the adrenaline is pumping. Evolve your photography and take stunning shark shots. Come face to face with pelagics in the Southern Red Sea, on board ever popular Whirlwind. Avoid long transfers with our direct flight to Marsa Alam. Dive the famous Daedalus Reef, Brothers Islands, Rocky or Elphinstone dependant on the best shark activity. Escorted by photo pro Mario an ex Red Sea dive guide, who will be on hand with a friendly approach to assist with any camera or editing questions you may have. On top of advice and tips, Mario will give a daily lecture covering techniques to photograph sharks, ambient light and photo editing.
Package includes: Return flights from Gatwick, 7 days full board, 18 fully guided dives and free nitrox.
Click here to find out more about this trip…
Northern Red Sea – Winter Warmer I Cyclone I 21 January I £995
Escape the winter blues with this relaxing photo itinerary escorted by Mario. This is a great trip to pin down those skills necessary to allow your underwater photography to progress. A trip like this gives enormous freedom to try out things repeatedly, and this is the best way to ensure that the learning sticks, and with every little milestone your confidence will grow exponentially. This is a dedicated photo itinerary in the Northern Red Sea and we have hand picked a select number of key sites to enable you to gain maximum time at locations that are the most photo friendly.
Package includes: Return flights from Gatwick, 7 days full board, and up to 22 fully guided dives.
Click here to find out more about this trip…
Best of the Maldives I Orion I 26 November I only £1195 (exc flights) I save £300
Set sail on this popular, hotel standard Maldives liveaboard on Scuba Travel’s Best of the Maldives itinerary which aims to mix up big fish manta and shark dives with scenic reefs dives, hunting out the smallest reef fish, morays and macro life that are so abundant. Due to the seasonal nature of the marine life, the exact dive sites visited on a Best of the Maldives trip may vary, but are all chosen by each of our liveaboards so you see the Maldives marine life at its most exciting. All will usually dive North Male, South Male, South Ari and North Ari dive sites, and may stop at one (or both) of Vaavuu and Rasdhoo atolls. Cleaning stations allow you to get up close and personal with massive Maldivian manta.
Package is BOAT ONLY and includes: 7 days full board and up to 17 fully guided dives (including 1 night dive).
Click here to find out more about this trip…
Best of the Maldives I Serenity I 10 December I save £300 I £1495
Save £300! Get all the thrills of big fish in the Maldives on board the exceptional Emperor Serenity – a contemporary, spacious liveaboard where fine accommodation and service is standard. This is always a popular itinerary with year round departures that delivers what it says on the tin – the Best of the Maldives. Dive the classic sites that made the Maldives so famous. Focusing on the hottest sites around Male and Ari atolls: Manta, sharks, eagle rays and so much more on this classic Maldives itinerary.
Package is BOAT ONLY and includes: 7 days full board and up to 17 fully guided dives (including 1 night dive).
Click here to find out more about this trip…
Philippines – Malapascua I 14 January I save £300 I only £1445 including flights
Malapascua is a tiny island in the Philippines with a big reputation that is all too well deserved with endless white beaches and lush tropical groves. A diving holiday in Malapascua mixes up big fish sightings with macro and muck diving against a backdrop of flourishing soft corals. The star of the show are the thresher sharks. Normally shy and elusive, the Exotic Resort has a proven track record for getting you closer and witnessing behaviours seldom seen before. Hammerheads and Manta can also be seen. When you are not looking for the big fish, spend an hour or two on one of the many gorgeous reef dives.
Package includes return Cathay Pacific flights to Cebu, land and boat transfer to Malapascua island, 7 nights in a delux room on a full board basis and 10 dives.
Click here to find out more about this trip…
Indonesia – Lembeh Resort I 21 January I only £1995 I save £200
The Lembeh resort is a boutique diver’s resort on Lembeh island itself with some of the best underwater photography facilities in the region. Life here revolves around the diving and it is especially popular with underwater photographers – muck, critter, macro and wide angle…. the Lembeh resort has it all. Experience critter diving in Lembeh Strait that is second to none!
If you are not underwater at Lembeh resort, you are relaxing… The restaurant serves a mouthwatering mix of local and international dishes, all freshly prepared. The spa is a must for aching muscles or if you are feeling adventurous, a wide range of land activities can be arranged locally.
Click here to find out more about this trip…
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer, call 0800 0728221, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.com.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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