News
Maya Blue takes cenote diving in Yucatán to the next level
“Good things take time” so the proverb goes and Javier Salas and his team have taken their time to create a dedicated facility for divers of all levels which is unique to the entire region: The newly opened “Maya Blue” dive centre located in the small town Xpu-Ha between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
The 420 sqm area also hosts “Dark Zone Diving”, the tec and cave diving counterpart to Maya Blue, the “Rebreather Academy” and a 140 sqm shop with quality brands such as Fourth Element, Razor, Shearwater, Hollis, Apeks and more. The on-site “Bat House Café” offers culinary delights and was designed according to the most modern ecological guidelines.
“We’ve been gathering expertise and knowledge about the peculiarities of cenote and cave diving here for quite some time, after all we’ve been working with the best guides and providers for so many years,” explains Javier Salas, owner of the new dive centre. “Maya Blue is a PADI 5 star dive resort, designed to offer itineraries through our unique cenotes which suit every level of education.”
“Dark Zone Diving” (DZD) is reserved for technical divers, especially certified and new cave divers. At DZD, trainers and explorers recognised throughout the scene rely on first-class equipment from leading manufacturers for training, education and support, without being bound to a particular system or philosophy.
With Javier Salas being one of the first official Razor instructors, Dark Zone Diving offers GoSidemount training at all levels and also is an associated partner of TDI, IANTD and PADI Tec Rec. There are air-conditioned multimedia training rooms available, as well as a mixed gas blending system and many other amenities.
Image: Tom St George
And for those, who always wondered how it feels to dive bubble-free, long and deep, just drop by the “Rebreather Academy”, where you can test different systems to find a suitable one for you.
The new facitilies in Xpu-Ha are purpose-built to enjoy the whole range of diving as well as Yucatán’s one-of-a-kind ecosystem to the fullest.
For further information on Maya Blue please visit their website by clicking here.
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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