News
Escape the Winter with the latest holiday offers from Scuba Travel
Need a holiday? Award winning UK-based tour operator Scuba Travel has some fantastic liveaboard and land-based offers to escape the winter weather.
Bali – Scuba Seraya – 6th January – £1595
Standard package includes flights from Heathrow, seven nights in a maisonette on a full board basis (excluding drinks), 10 boat dives in the morning (Tulamben region), plus unlimited, unguided shore diving in the afternoon.
Scuba diving in Bali is an experience you will never forget! Bali is sometimes overlooked in Indonesia, but diving here is a must for anyone that loves opulent reef diving. Scuba Seraya has built a reputation as the one of the area’s premier dive centres. Stay here and you will dive world-class sites such as the Liberty Wreck (regularly in the top 10 wreck dives of the world!) as well as critters galore.
Find out more about this trip here.
Sudan – MY Voyager – 23rd February – only £1495
Serious shark action in the deep south of Sudan on the luxurious MY Voyager – includes flights via Dubai andtransfers, departure from Port Sudan, seven nights full board, 12lt tank, air fills and weights. All trips are fully guided with two expert guides.
Sudan is a remote destination, still visited only by a handful of divers each year. Now you can dive this exciting, untouched part of the Red Sea from the decks of the luxurious 40m liveaboard MY Voyager.
Sha’ab Rumi, the Con Shelf, Sanganeb and Wingate’s Umbria are some of Sudan’s finest dive sites and the Sudan North itinerary focuses on these undeniable highlights. The walls are deep and plateaus an ideal stage for shark watching. Add to this the beautiful wreck dives at the unique Umbria and Con Shelf II and you are guaranteed an incredible Sudan diving experience.
Find out more about this trip here.
Maldives – Serenity – 6th January – save £350 now £1995
Save £350 on this new contemporary liveaboard. After landing in Male you will be taken to the boat and the adventure begins. You have seven nights on board on a full board basis with an average of three fully guided dives a day. Nitrox, 12ltr tanks and weights included.
Wend your way between Male and Baa atolls, cherry picking the diving highlights and including snorkelling at Hanivaru Bay. Diving is from Emperor Serenity’s large 19.8m dhoni tender, giving you more living space on board and getting you to the perfect dive spot every time. Serenity is rebreather-friendly and offers free Nitrox and four dive guides. Non-divers are very welcome and get a free snorkelling kit + $50 voucher to spend on board.
Emperor Serenity is a contemporary liveaboard, newly built for 2016, with four distinct cabin options; al fresco dining and multiple relaxation areas throughout.
Find out more about this trip here.
Philippines – Kasai Village Resort – 3rd December – only £1895
Package includes flights to Cebu, transfers, seven nights full board in a pool view room and 18 boat dives.
Kasai Village Dive resort and spa is a boutique resort nestled in one of Cebu’s diving meccas – Moalboal. Pescador is only a short ride away. Dive over 30 sites with plenty of options for new divers through to technical divers. Cebu is home to a myriad of wonderful macro critters including pygmy seahorses, mandarin fish and blue ringed octopus. Sardine bait balls at Moalboal attract larger predators and you can even snorkel with whalesharks at Oslob.
Find out more about this trip here.
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer, 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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