News
Diving with… Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo, Maldives
In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Antoine Jegat
What is the name of your business?
Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo
What is your role within the business?
Dive Center & Watersports Manager
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
12 years, OWSI
What is your favorite type of diving?
Drift / wreck / macro / fluorescent night diving.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Vilamendhoo is simply splendid as white beaches, palm studded gardens, tropical lush vegetation and turquoise blue lagoons surround the island on all sides. The island is situated at the south of Ari Atoll between two channels and is about 900m in length. The transfer takes 25 minutes by seaplane.The 4 star Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa has been completely adapted to the needs of our guests and now features 184 single or double bungalows with perfect comfort and integration in the natural ambiance of the island.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
Broken Rock. This is a well known dive site in South Ari Atoll. A 2m wide canyon splits this small Thila (underwater reef) from the west towards the east. The canyon is the main attraction as its is covered with soft corals. On the north side at 25 to 30m, there are two big coral blocks with overhangs and beautiful fan corals. The top reef with intact hard corals is a perfect place to spot the huge variety of marine life present on this dive site.
What types of diving are available in your location?
Drift diving in channels, wreck dives, house reef diving, fluorescent night dives and diving with underwater scooters.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
Nudibranches
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
Beach and lagoon clean-ups.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
Our diving center is centrally located on a private jetty, a few meters away from the reef on this famous diver’s island. Vilamendhoo is located directly between two channels, making the spectacular house reef very versatile and it therefore ranks amongst the best in the Maldives for diving and snorkeling.
The location on the eastern reef of South Ari Atoll guarantees a good supply of fresh water for excellent coral growth and plenty of fish. With over 50 dive sites and a fantastic house reef with ten entry points, Vilamendhoo is the perfect diver’s paradise for beginners and experienced divers.
Even the wreck ‘Kudhimaa’ is only a 30 minute boat ride away and is one of the regularly visited dive sites. South of the island you find a protected Marine Area, Khudarah Thila, an exceptional place for divers and of course the national park at the outside reef. Three times a week full day trips are offered to search for whale sharks in this area throughout the year.
Find out more about Euro-Divers at www.euro-divers.com. Follow Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo on their Facebook page or email the team at vilamendhoo@euro-divers.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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