News
Get away on a Maldives liveaboard this Friday and other great deals from Scuba Travel
Fancy a cheeky pre-Christmas dive trip to the Maldives? UK-based tour operator Scuba Travel can make it happen. Join the Carpe Diem liveaboard this Friday and escape the festive mayhem (at least for a little while!).
Here are the details:
LAST MINUTE Maldives / Carpe Diem Liveaboard / 9th December / Only £1995
Save £500 on this classic Maldives itinerary on board Scuba Travel’s exclusive liveaboard Carpe Diem. You have 7 nights on board on a full board basis, an average of 3 fully guided dives a day and all diving is from a dhoni tender.
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. Carpe Diem combines superb service, exceptional diving and on board comfort at affordable prices. If it is mantas, whalesharks and speedy drift dives you are looking for, then jump aboard Carpe Diem for a voyage through the beautiful Maldives. World famous dive sites await, all from the comfort and convenience of this superb Maldivian liveaboard.
To find out more about this trip call the Scuba Travel team now on 0800 072 8221.
Maldives / Emperor Serenity Liveaboard / 6th January / Only £2195
7 nights full board on the luxurious New Liveaboard Emperor Serenity. Average of 3 fully guided dives a day from a dhoni tender. Marine Park Fees, 12 ltr tanks, weights and Nitrox are all included.
The Maldives Seasonal Sensations itinerary wends its way between Male and Baa atolls, cherry picking the highlight dive sites. Timing is everything – dive the east side of the atolls, when sites that are at their seasonal hottest for sharks, manta and gorgeous coral reefs. Make this time of year stand out for all the right reasons. Though the visibility is often decreased, the increased plankton means it can be the best time and place in the Maldives to see manta rays and whalesharks… more than making up for the reduced viz.
Find out more about this trip here.
Galapagos / Humboldt Explorer Liveaboard / 5th February / Save £1000 – now only £4495 inc flights
On the 1st night you stay in a hotel in Guayaquil then fly to San Cristobel the next day to join Humboldt Explorer for 7 nights. Full board inc local alcohol. 15 Fully guided dives.
There is nowhere on earth quite like the Galapagos. Your holiday will be filled with memories to last a lifetime – thrilling dives, exotic vistas – and these will be only a small part of your experience. Make your wish list Galapagos diving holiday stand out from the rest with the Galapagos Extreme itinerary. This very special trip spends even longer at the shark mecca Wolf and Darwin.
Find out more about this trip here.
Djibouti / Lucy Liveaboard / Whaleshark Encounters / 13th January / Only £2095
Save £350 – 6 nights on luxury 37m liveaboard Lucy on a full board basis, including tea, coffee and water – around 16 dives a week plus several whaleshark snorkelling sessions. Last night will be in a Djibouti hotel.
Djibouti is famous for the annual whaleshark sightings. Each year, these magnificent creatures are spotted in the Bay of Tadjoura from late October to mid February. Grab your snorkel and fins – whalesharks are waiting for you! Divers and snorkelers are welcome. This is a remote location and there’s no better way to explore its rugged coastline than on board the region’s newest liveaboard Lucy. Let this welcoming crew show you the very best of Djibouti’s coral reef in between exhilarating encounters with whalesharks and dolphins in the warm waters of the Gulf of Aden.
Find out more about this trip here.
Red Sea – Egypt to Sudan / Royal Evolution Liveaboard / 14 nights / Only £2295
Return Flights from Gatwick to Marsa Alam. Spend 13 nights on board on a full board basis and 1 night in a hotel either before or after your trip. Includes Egyptian visa, 12lt tank and weights, and up to 4 fully guided dives a day.
Royal Evolution stands out as a Red Sea liveaboard that operates one of a kind itineraries diving Egypt and Sudan. The opulent diving is matched by the boat herself, yet the advantages of being on board are not just limited to your comfort… Royal Evolution is also one of few steel vessels in the Red Sea making her incredibly stable. Her powerful engines cope easily with the distance between remote dive sites. See more of the Red Sea than ever before with one of the most attentive boat crews in the Red Sea.
To find out more about this trip call the Scuba Travel team now on 0800 072 8221.
Indonesia with Martin Edge / Bunaken Oasis Resort / 1st September / Only £3575
Package is 7 nights full board (incl laundry) at the 5* Luxury resort on Bunaken Island. Dedicated photo workshop with Martin Edge. 3 boat dives per day plus unlimited house reef diving, free nitrox. Return flights with Singapore.
The beautiful Bunaken national marine park is famous for the sheer variety and colour of coral. This trip will focus on doing justice to the incredible marine-scapes, with the expert tuition of Martin Edge. Predominately a wide angle workshop, with special emphasis on lighting and strobe work. It’s time to discover how to really give your shots that wow factor.
To find out more about this trip call the Scuba Travel team now on 0800 072 8221.
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.
-
News2 months ago
Iconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
News3 months ago
Book Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News3 months ago
DYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News3 months ago
Exploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News3 months ago
Try BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months ago
Book Review: Coral Triangle Cameos
-
Blogs2 months ago
Dive the Egyptian Red Sea this Autumn with Regaldive
-
News3 months ago
2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced