News
Just back from Sharm… and it’s even more beautiful than before!
We have just got back from an excellent trip to Sharm el Sheikh that had us diving some of the most well known and beautiful reefs in the world, and we were amazed to find that we rarely saw other divers underwater. We shore dived the house reef in front of the Hyatt Regency (also know as Middle Reef), boat dived the incredible sites of Ras Mohammed and the Strait of Tiran, took in some of the more local dive sites and also went on a day trip to Dahab, which for us was a real trip down memory lane!
It is a great time to book a trip to Sharm. New direct flights from the UK are being announced all the time with TUI, Egypt Air and Easyjet all offering well priced flights that will get you there in around 5 hours from a variety of airports. Whilst many of our readers have never stopped going to Sharm – because the superb diving and friendly faces make it worth going to however hard the journey – the routes have meant some long stopovers and tiring journeys. Happily these are now a thing of the past.
The reefs, even in the winter, are full of life and vibrant in colour. The sea was calm and clear on our trip, although at this time of year the water temperature is a cool 21 degrees and you need a 5mm wetsuit.
For the first time ever we experienced rain in Sharm, but it was a quick storm that blew over in an hour or so and it soon returned to business as usual with bright sunshine warming us after the dives. On our final day, we were thrilled to get the chance to see four Risso’s Dolphins, relaxing on the surface on our boat ride back to the jetty.
We met old friends and made plenty of new ones too. We cannot wait to return in the summer! Our flight times allowed us six days of diving in a single week trip, with a fantastic bonus day of diving due to an evening flight with TUI back to Manchester. You can read more about this soon in the next – Spring 2020 – issue of Dive Travel Adventures and in upcoming blogs here on Scubaverse.com.
Finally we would like to thank the Hyatt Regency and the Fayrouz Resort, and Red Sea Diving College and Anthias Divers for looking after us so well. We miss you already!
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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