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Gift the give of a holiday this Christmas with Scuba Travel
Stuck for what to get the diver in your life for Christmas? Why not treat them to Scuba Travel Vouchers so they can put them towards their next diving adventure. Choose from £25 or £50 denominations. Spend your gift vouchers on some of these fantastic special offers…
Maldives I 14 January I Orion I Best of The Maldives – £1425 (Boat only)
Encounter manta, sharks, eagle rays and so much more on this classic Maldives itinerary on board the popular Emperor Orion. This is a dive holiday in the Maldives to remember that hits all the seasonal hot spots of North Male, South Male and Ari Atoll. Dive the many channels, drifts and pinnacles, encountering the reef residents as you go. The exact order of things is left deliberately flexible to ensure that no matter what time of year your holiday to the Maldives takes place, the breathtaking world underwater is unveiled in all its perfection.
As all diving takes place from the 19.8m tender dhoni that follows Orion, your liveaboard is pure living space. Your first port of call on board is the sitting area and reception room. Move forwards to the dining area with bar. Dive briefings usually take place here, as well as buffet meals. On the upper deck you will find the jacuzzi, a small shaded seating area Pull up a chair at the end of the day and chat over the day’s diving delights with fellow divers. Chill out in the sunshine on the wide fly deck sun loungers and mattress beds.
Package includes return Male airport transfers, 7 nights full board including a glass of wine with dinner, an average of 16 fully guided day dives and 1 night dive over the week, plus FOC nitrox
Raja Ampat I 7 January I Mermaid II – Save £350, only £3895
Dive the wish list destination Raja Ampat with one of Scuba Travel’s hand picked liveaboards. This is the ultimate Indonesian dive adventure, packed with big fish to macro and mind blowing bio diversity. The Raja Ampat Discovery is the dream itinerary if you want to try something new. With so much still to be explored, you can witness new dive sites and undiscovered marine species. Photographers should make this a must see destination. Diving conditions can vary enormously from site to site so it is advisable to be an Advanced diver and comfortable with drift dive procedures.
Mermaid II easily accomodates 18 guests; the focus on board is not about opulent luxury, but rather on being dive friendly and comfortable as you cruise the big fish hot spots of Indonesia. She’s a sturdy steel hulled liveaboard. Her crew are experienced in both regions and the friendly welcome you receive on board is just one of the reasons many divers return to Mermaid II year after year.
Package includes return flights, 8 nights full board and 26 fully guided dives.
Manado I 11 January I Bunaken Oasis – Only £2995
A stunning 5 star luxury dive resort with easy access to over 50 superb dive sites, the variety of diving at Bunaken Oasis resort is incredible. This is a purpose built luxury dive resort and as such, everything you need is right here on site. Choose between 3 boat dives per day or 2 morning boat dives and an afternoon spent exploring the house reef.
The team at Bunaken Oasis resort are all experienced dive professionals who have worked at some of the world’s most famous and finest dive resorts. Now they have come together to form a team dedicated to your dive satisfaction, whether you want a guide, a spotter, or to continue your dive education. Many visitors to Bunaken Oasis resort are photographers – the dive boats have large rinse tanks and there is a generous camera room on site.
Package includes flights, transfers, 7 nights full board in a traditional cottage, 3 guided boat dives a day, free nitrox and free house reef diving.
Red Sea I 25 January I Mistral I Shark Quest – £1095
Shark Quest dives the southern Red Sea according to its seasonal best, including the Brothers or Daedalus. The goal? To see more sharks and rays. Dive fewer sites for longer for the most inspiring and exciting pelagic sightings possible. We all love the thrill of diving with the big fish but timing matters… What you can see, and where, in the southern Red Sea changes throughout the year. We trust the local knowledge and experience of our dive teams. Building on their know how and recent sightings, they will select one of the big marine parks to dive to give you the best chance of diving with pelagics.
Mistral is the very latest liveaboard in a long line of award winning vessels from Tornado Marine Fleet and her quality is evident from bow to stern.
This package includes return flights, 7 nights full board, 12L tanks and weights and free NITROX plus day use in a hotel on the last day.
Red Sea I 17 February I Emperor Echo – an AMAZING £495 (Boat only)
What a fabulous price for this value Red Sea Liveaboard! Wrecks and Reefs is the itinerary for any diver wanting to see the best of the Northern Red Sea, no matter what experience level. With world class wreck dives and breathtaking reef dives every day, why not take a trip to the best of both worlds.
Emperor Echo is the latest addition to the Emperor Red Sea Fleet, built for those looking to ‘eat, sleep, dive… and repeat’; the communal areas are comfy and welcoming and all rooms are ensuite.
This package is Boat Only so does not including flight but is for 7 nights full board, 12L tanks and weights and free NITROX plus day use in a hotel on the last day.
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer, or purchase some Christmas gift vouchers for a loved one (or yourself!), call 0800 0728221, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.com.
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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