News
PADI’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Gifts That Show Your Love Runs as Deep as the Ocean
This Valentine’s Day let that special someone know that in high tide or low tide, you will be by their side.
From once-in-a-lifetime experiences to gifts that show the planet some love, PADI®, the world’s largest underwater adventure organisation, has curated a Valentine’s Day gift guide for couples whose first true love was the salty sea.
Here are PADI’s top picks on how to show them that you love them more than the grains of sand on the beach, the fish in the sea and the waves in the ocean.
1. Take Your Love to New Depths: PADI Open Water Diver eLearning Course
Couples that dive together stay together! There’s nothing quite as special as sharing a life-changing adventure that stands the test of time. So, this Valentine’s Day, why not give a gift that keeps on giving and take your love to new depths by starting your PADI Open Water Diver certification journey together. Give them something they’ll cherish for a lifetime: a PADI Open Water Diver eLearning course. The two of you can start the online course together at your own leisure and then complete your certification at a local or overseas PADI Dive Center or Resort, where you will work with a dedicated PADI Instructor to develop basic skills and confidence together. As dive buddies, you and your partner will get to share an enhanced sense of trust and teamwork, improve your communication skills, share a passion and gain a passport for a lifetime of underwater exploration together.
€196.00 | Purchase at padi.com/courses/open-water-diver
2. Book a Romantic Valentine’s Date: PADI Luxury Dive Resort Holiday
Plan an unforgettable date by whisking your special someone off to a literal heart-shaped island or overwater bungalow where the two of you can truly be in the moment.
The top heart shaped reefs you can dive around include:
- Heart Reef, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
- Tavarua Island, which is a private atoll in Fiji
- Tupai Island, where the white sand beaches and coconut trees form a heart-shaped lagoon in French Polynesia
Dive Centre that can help people seek adventure at these islands:
- Heart Island: Lady Musgrave Experience
- Taveuni Island: Sub Surface Fiji
- Tupai Island: Eleuthera Bora Diving Center
Some luxurious PADI Dive Resort splurges include:
- Paradise Cove Resort in Fiji offers adult-only villas just steps away from vibrant coral and their five-star wellness spa.
- Scubaspa Ying is a superyacht that doubles as both a PADI liveaboard and luxury spa, taking couples throughout the Maldives for diving with manta rays, sunrise yoga and alfresco champagne dinners.
- Anse Chastanet in St Lucia offers unique experiences for couples both on land and in the crystal clear waters, where you can start the day cycling through the jungle and end it diving protected marine reserves.
- El Mangroove, Autograph Collection in Costa Rica provides couples with the ultimate ‘pura vida’ experience, with a barefoot luxury property only steps away from adventures with bull sharks, and giant manta rays at nearby Catalinas Islands.
- Angsana Velavaru Resort & Spa in the Maldives is an all-inclusive private island resort that offers a chance to both stay in overwater bungalows and comes with 4 boat dives and yoga sessions per couple.
Pricing Varies | Book your holiday at travel.padi/romatic-getaways
3. Splurge on Sustainable, Marine-Inspired Jewelry: PADI Gear Collection
For those whose heart belongs to the ocean, make their Valentine’s Day gift extra special this year with ocean-inspired jewelry that gives back. Who needs a diamond ring or necklace when you can gift a piece of jewelry that supports saving the ocean!
Purchase at padigear.net
4. Snuggle Up in Sustainable Loungewear: PADI Gear Clothing
These days, a romantic date night can be as simple as snuggling up for an evening at home. So why not upgrade your loungewear to be sustainable as well with sweats made from ocean-bound recycled plastic to shirts that help protect our coral reefs.
Purchase at padigear.net
5. Show the Ocean Some Love with Our Ocean-First Marketplace
PADI loves the enormous power each of us has to protect our blue planet. Every day, with every purchase we make, we vote for the kind of world we want. PADI Loves is a curated marketplace featuring sustainable, eco-conscious products for those of us who love water… and the planet. From recycled plastic reusable bottles to reef-safe sunscreen, we feature brands that share our own ocean ethos, and enable us to protect what we love.
Visit: https://www.padigear.com/pages/padiloves
More Gift Ideas:
PADI have created a gift guide for those who love the oceans, making it easier to show your loved one – and our planet – love this Valentine’s Day. From the smallest creature of the sea to everyone else on your list who holds a special place in your heart:
Get Inspired: PADI Gift Guide
Header Image: Markus Roth
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.
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