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O’Three Ambassador Blog: Wet or Dry?

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Part 2 of the Croatian Road Trip……What would win,  drysuit or semi-dry for Mediterranean tech diving?

Read Part 1 here.

Got there! We had a very warm welcome from Shark Diving, and it was great to see old friends again. Weather was looking favourable for the whole week, something that was lacking last year. Not such good news was that their catamaran with lift had been severely damaged and sunk during a springtime storm. Recovered, it is now on the quayside while the insurance company argue about costs. There was a more traditional boat for our use but no diver lift this year. It would have been nice to have known this before our arrival; I suspect the centre were concerned we would cancel.

Swim through on the Hans Schmidt

Swim through on the Hans Schmidt

Apart from that it was good to be getting our kit together in preparation for the first dive. This year we were going to be diving wrecks we hadn’t previously visited but also returning to the Baron Gautsch, The (Old)Vis and the Kalliopi. We would be doing two dives per day.

Blenny, from one of the many reef dives available

Blenny, from one of the many reef dives available

We would also be diving a newly sunk wreck confusingly also called the Vis (more about that later).

Ascent from the Luana, coming off the wrecks often went into very clear water

Ascent from the Luana. Coming off the wrecks often went into very clear water

First up was the Luana and also the first outing for my new OThree 6×5 semi-dry with a tech vest. As I had mentioned in the previous blog post, one of my tasks this week was to compare this semi-dry with my drysuit. My plan was to start using the Semi-dry and to do at least half the dives with it, more if it was up to the job!

Chunky nudibranch's on the seabed beside the Baron Gautsch

Chunky nudibranchs on the seabed beside the Baron Gautsch

One pleasant side effect was that I found I could drop 4kg’s of lead from my rig, a real bonus. Luana was an upright wreck in about 53m. Visibility was not as good as last year which was disappointing and unfortunately was the same for the whole week except one dive. It was a milky 10m on the wrecks, occasionally a bit less. Frustratingly ascending at the end of the dive often moved into really clear water.

Not the same as last years catamaran with lift it was ok for our needs

Not the same as last year’s catamaran with lift; however, the dive boat was OK for our needs.

The first dive using the semidry was fine, although I was bit chilly on the deepest part of the dive where the temperature was about 16°C. I felt I was vindicated in my choice of suit. The thermocline was at about 30m so I very quickly got to warmer water on the ascent. I did a second dive in shallow water giving me a chance to take some wildlife macro shots.

Scorpion fish waiting for prey

Scorpion fish waiting for prey

It unravelled a bit on the second day, two wrecks. On the first dive I arranged with my buddy to get in and wait at the ship’s bow until he caught me up. This was a big mistake as I was sitting around in the cold just getting colder. My buddy arrived, we did the dive. It was a just real pleasure to get back to warmer shallow water on the ascent. I felt I had brought the situation upon myself but it did remind me of the drawback of a semi-dry for this sort of diving. It was better for the second dive but I began to have second thoughts about the semi-dry.

Selfie with me showing off the 6x5 semidry & the rather milky viz on the (new) Vis

Selfie with me showing off the 6×5 semidry & the rather milky viz on the (new) Vis

Third day found us chugging out to the new Vis wreck. This had been purposely sunk in April of this year as an attraction for divers. A ship built in 1956, it was Yugoslav President Tito’s flagship. We weren’t sure about this dive beforehand but I have to say it was a highlight of the week with lots to see.

Vis engine room

Vis engine room

The wreck was sunk in about 35m with the highest point about 20m. It had been prepared for sinking but much of the ship remains, including many portholes with intact glass. The engine room is vast; I think the traditional design of the ship was probably for steam engines, but it is fitted with diesels so there is this big space capped with a lantern skylight and walkways running around the sides.

Rows of portholes inside the wreck of the Vis

Rows of portholes inside the wreck of the Vis

Being relatively shallow this was going to be a long dive. Most of it was below the thermocline and I spent over an hour exploring this ship. By the time I was ready to ascend the penny had dropped: a semi-dry does not work for this sort of diving. I was shivering and I could tell my breathing was beginning to be affected. It took me some time to warm back up. The next day I was coming out of the cold and going back to my drysuit!

Funnel & Bridge of the Kalliopi

Funnel & Bridge of the fantastic Kalliopi, formerly Liberty Ship, Robert Dale Owen

Bliss, the discomfort of kitting up in the heat was nothing, a warm dive was just fantastic, and the verdict was in: just take the drysuit!

Bridge Telegraph on the Kalliopi, as divers we don't often see things like this!

Bridge Telegraph on the Kalliopi. As divers we don’t often see things like this!

Some of you will have seen my DIVER article about the 2015 Croatia trip, in which there were comments about a wreck called the Kalliopi last year. I had a poor dive; I didn’t listen to the briefing. This year the shotline was fixed to the good part of the wreck so there would be no excuses.

Steam Whistle in front of the Funnel, outline of lifeboat is on the seabed in the background

Steam Whistle in front of the Funnel. Outline of lifeboat is on the seabed at 60m in the background

It was the only dive of the week where we had good viz. It is an absolutely fantastic wreck dive with many untouched artefacts and so much to see. The images here speak for themselves. With hindsight I would have liked to have done several more dives on this wreck.

Looking up! best dive of the week!

Looking up – best dive of the week!

How do you sum up a week like that? 2400 miles of driving, some epic road trip stories (I will never forget the German Rock band in Ausberg railway station) then renewing friendships with our Croatian friends, great diving, fantastic alfresco meals in Croatia… it’s what this fantastic sport of diving is all about. Bring on the next trip!

othree-2015-logo-400pngRick is an ambassador for UK-based drysuit manufacturer O’Three. To find out more about O’Three, visit www.othree.co.uk.

 

Rick enjoys both close-up & wide angle underwater photography, but particularly enjoys the challenge of taking images of wrecks and happily admitting that getting good images of deep UK wrecks is a fickle process with many variables that he is still trying to master.

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

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santa divers

Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

santa divers

Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

santa divers

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Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives

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Maldives

Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.

maldives

Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface

Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Diving for All Levels

At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Exclusive Diving Offer

To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:

  • 35% discount on room rates.
  • Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
  • Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.

This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.

Maldvies

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Combinable Offers for Even More Value

This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Terms & Conditions

  • This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
  • The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
  • All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
  • Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.

To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.

 

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits

If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.

Maldives

Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Call: +960 650-1515

Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

 

Maldives

 

 

 

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