News
Latest Travel Deals from Sportif Dive Holidays
UK-based Tour Operator, Sportif Dive Holidays latest offers: save up to £200pp to Zanzibar, Oman, Caribbean, Philippines, Maldives, Manado and Lembeh with HALF Price diving and FREE dive packs.
ZANZIBAR from £849pp SAVE £200
Arabian Nights – Paje Beach, Zanzibar
For your diving holiday to Zanzibar, the Arabian Nights Hotel offers excellent value. The hotel is directly on Paje beach with a bar, swimming pool, and in walking distance to local restaurants and the PADI 5* Dive centre next door. Ideal for all levels, from gentle lagoon diving to thrilling drift dives, wreck, pristine coral and mantas!
SPECIAL OFFER
7 Nights BB from £849pp SAVE £200
INCLUDING return flights and transfers
HALF PRICE DIVING – Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price Limited Availability
Depart 05 March 2019 – LAST MINUTE from £899 (SAVE £200)
TOBAGO – Caribbean from £899pp SAVE £100
Shepherds Inn – Tobago, Caribbean
For your diving holiday to Tobago the Shepherds Inn offers excellent value, an on-site restaurant, bar, swimming pool, beach. The hotel is also in walking distance to local restaurants and sandy beaches. Superb drift diving, wrecks and more. Ideal for non-divers too!
SPECIAL OFFER
7 Nights BB from £899pp SAVE £200
INCLUDING return flights and transfers
INCLUDING 2 FREE Dives – Pay 10 dives get 2 Free! Limited Availability
Departs LAST MINUTE 06 November, 05 December 2018, February/March/May/June 2019
PHILIPPINES – Puerto Galera from £899pp SAVE £150
El Galleon – Puerto Galera, Philippines
The El Galleon Diver resort has a PADI 5* DCD Dive centre and jetty on-site, plus pool, spa, restaurant, sociable bar and 30 excellent dive sites – critters, reef, wrecks and more!
SPECIAL OFFER
7 Nights BB from £899pp SAVE £150
INCLUDING return flights and transfers
HALF PRICE DIVING – Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price + FREE Nitrox Limited Availability
DIVE GROUP DISCOUNT – PAY 5 = 1 FREE* of Charge (*Dive Packs) Limited Availability
Depart LAST MINUTE 11 November, 03 December 2018, February / March 2019
OMAN from £995pp SAVE £200
4* Sifawy Boutique Hotel – Muscat, Oman
For your diving holiday to Oman, the Sifawy Boutique Hotel is 40km south of Muscat with an on-site PADI dive centre, swimming pool and all day dining restaurant. The dive centre is located at the hotel with pristine dive sites on offer.
SPECIAL OFFER
7 Nights HALF BOARD from £995pp SAVE £200
INCLUDING return flights and transfers
HALF PRICE DIVING – Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price Limited Availability
Depart May 2019 – LAST MINUTE November/December 2018 from £1,095pp
MALDIVES from £1,499pp SAVE £200
Gan Island, Maldives, Indian Ocean
For your diving holiday to the Maldives, Equator Village is an excellent value island with an on-site restaurant, bar, swimming pool, beach and PADI scuba diving centre. Mantas galore!
SPECIAL OFFERS
7 + 1 Nights ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUDING return flights and transfers from £1,499pp SAVE £200
Depart LAST MINUTE to June 2019
INDONESIA from £1,499pp SAVE £100 including 10 dives!
SPECIAL OFFERS
7 nights FULL BOARD from £1,499pp INCLUDING flights and transfers
INCLUDING 5 DAYS DIVING (10 dives T/W)
+ FREE UPGRADE to Sea View Room (subject to availability)
+ FREE 5 night/dawn dives tanks, weights
+ FREE daily cocktail (1 per person)
+ FREE spa treatment (1 per person)
Limited Availability
Manado + Lembeh, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
10 Nights FULL BOARD from £1,899pp SAVE £200 INCLUDING 16 Dives!
INCLUDING return flights and transfers.
Departs LAST MINUTE to June 2019 Limited Availability
To book call Sportif Dive Holidays on +44 (0)1273 844919, email dive@sportif.travel or visit www.sportifdive.co.uk.
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