News
Diving with…Simon Mackay, Abyss Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
In this ongoing series, we speak to 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?
Simon Mackay
What is the name of your business?
Abyss Fuerteventura
What is your role within the business?
Owner / Instructor
How long has the business operated for?
Abyss has been in operation since 2001 and I’ve owned it since November 2012.
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
My first dive was at the age of 16 (BSAC course with the Army) in 1988 then became instructor (PADI MSDT) in 2011 and Deptherapy PRO instructor 2012.
What is your favorite type of diving?
Sidemount and wrecks .. it’s a great combination.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
At Abyss we only dive in small numbers (max four per group). The dive centre is run by myself and my wife so we only ever have small dive groups and we try to fit the dives to what the divers wants and needs.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
El Jablito is a great site as we have an abundance of wild life. It’s good for beginners to old hands alike, and we regularly spot angel sharks.
What types of diving are available in your location?
We have both shore and boat diving available here but sadly no drifts or wrecks on Fuerteventura.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I love teaching and each day is different from Open Water one day to Sidemount speciality the next.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
I guess it has to be the Angel shark but barracuda come a close second.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
There has been some chatting among the dive centres here on Fuerteventura about the possibility of our own wreck on the island.. it’s something we really could do with ..
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
We strive to ensure we comply with all the Spanish and Canarian Laws and rules but we still see freelancers not abiding by the same laws and still diving in the same locations as us.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
We actively encourage divers to do clean up dives at least once a month at our local dive site, as well as reporting angel shark sightings to the Shark Alliance so they can build data on why they are in decline.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
The move to E-learning is a good green initiative to cut back on waste and transportation of materials that get used once and often thrown away. More could be done between the dive industry, government bodies and the general diving public to ensure the industry remains safe and standards are maintained.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
With Fuerteventura only 4 hours from the UK, it’s nearly as close as some UK inland dive sites from your home town .. but the difference is we have year round sun .. with water temperatures of 17-24 degs, and if you have non-diving friends (do they even exist I only know divers lol) then we have miles of golden sandy dunes to top up the tan.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
- info@abyssfuerteventura.com
- www.abyssfuerteventura.com
- https://www.facebook.com/Abyssfuerte/
- https://twitter.com/abyssfuerte
- https://www.instagram.com/abyss_fuerteventura/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlLJ2bKLLQAg3WeB5aXQng
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g580322-d3308309-Reviews-Abyss_Fuerteventura-Corralejo_La_Oliva_Fuerteventura_Canary_Islands.html
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.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
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