News
Dive Worldwide launch three new remote trips
Critters in Indonesia, St Helena in Style and Paradise in the Seychelles
Whether you are after a romantic escape to the Seychelles, thrilling, technical diving in Indonesia or the first diving group holiday offered to St Helena, specialist operator Dive Worldwide has introduced a trio of fabulous new holidays which take divers to some of the world’s most spectacular and little-visited locations.
With the advent of year-round direct flights to the Seychelles offered by British Airways (introduced spring 2018), the Indian Ocean country is more popular than ever before, but the secluded Alphonse Island still allows divers to get away from the crowds and relax in solitude. Equally Ambon in Indonesia, Dive Worldwide’s most popular destination for the last two years, is one of the country’s most adventurous dive sites with curious critters to see, far from the tourist trail. Finally, guests have the chance to dive St Helena’s pristine waters on a new group trip led by Danny Copeland, previous winner of the Rolex Scholar Award.
Remote and romantic, Alphonse Island in the Seychelles is a luxury resort, newly-offered by Dive Worldwide, perfect for those looking for the ultimate in peace and tranquillity alongside world-class diving. Lying some 400km southwest of Mahé, and reached only by private flights, Alphonse is an authentic slice of tropical paradise and guests stay in luxurious suites or bungalows just steps from the beach. There’s a restaurant serving produce grown on the island, bicycles in each bungalow for exploring the nearby sandy beaches and kayaking opportunities. It is beneath the waters, though, where the resort’s true value is revealed with the PADI-affiliated dive centre offering up to three dives a day to the 30-plus sites around the island. Divers can expect marine encounters with green and hawksbill turtles, large groups of schooling barracuda and both eagle and manta rays.
Price: from £6,695pp sharing, including 8 nights’ accommodation (1 B&B in Mahé, 7 full board in Alphonse), private resort flights from Mahé to Alphonse, transfers, 10 guided boat dives and return flights from the UK.
This two-centred Indonesia holiday takes guests to the heart of the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse place on the planet, visiting both the region’s lesser-known and more popular diving areas. Divers begin this unique holiday in Ambon, a premier muck diving location where, for the few that travel here, the rewards are immense. The dive sites range from black sand and rubble to jetties and wrecks, all home to a prolific marine life including but not limited to rhinopias, octopus and seahorse with the psychedelic frogfish undoubtedly the star of the show. The holiday then shifts to Raja Ampat, an archipelago off the coast of West Papua that is a must-visit on any diver’s bucket list. Staying in over-water bungalows at Papua Paradise Eco Resort, guests have six nights to explore the area’s staggering biodiversity where the waters teem with some 1,300 species, including mantas, sharks and dugong.
Price: from £3,375pp sharing, including 12 nights’ full board accommodation (5 in Ambon, 6 Raja Ampat, 1 Sorong), 19 boat dives, tanks and weights, transfers and return flights from the UK.
Marooned in the waters of the South Atlantic, until recently St Helena could only be reached by postal ship making it expensive and largely inaccessible. However, the advent of a new flight service from Johannesburg has opened up the island and its pristine waters to the adventurous diver. Here there are over 750 species to discover, the highlight though, and the focus of the new trip, is the aggregations of whale sharks. Large numbers of fully grown male and female whale sharks mysteriously aggregate in St Helena’s warm waters every year, and guests will enjoy three snorkelling excursions with these massive animals, ensuring an incredible and intimate experience. Topside, guests stay at the luxurious Mantis St Helena, an impressive, historic building in the heart of Jamestown, which once served as the barracks for the East India Company. They will also learn more about the history and heritage of the island with a private tour of the plantation house and estates and visits to a coffee farm and distillery.
Price: from £4,195pp sharing, including 2 nights’ B&B in South Africa, 7 nights’ B&B in St Helena, some meals, 10 boat dives, 3 whale shark snorkelling excursions, 2 land tours, expert guiding by Danny Copeland, transfers and return flights from the UK. Depart 14 February 2019.
For more information, please visit www.diveworldwide.com or call the Dive Worldwide Team on 01962 302 087.
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.
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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