News
Red Sea, Komodo and Cocos liveaboard deals from Scuba Travel
UK-based tour operator Scuba Travel are offering some great deals on some great destinations over the coming months.
Here are the details:
25th May / Hurricane / £845
- Save £330 Direct
- Flights to Marsa Alam
- 18 fully guided dives
- FREE NITROX
Sail the southern Red Sea on Scuba Travel’s Simply the Best Itinerary. Hunt out hammerheads at Daedalus and dive awesome wrecks Aida and Numidia.
Sail the southern Red Sea in complete comfort. Hurricane is a stable steel hulled vessel with fast engines. Look into the blue for sharks, manta and dolphins as you drift along pristine drop offs. Spend more time diving and less time travelling with Scuba Travel’s direct flight to Marsa Alam.
Simply the Best is exactly that – simply the best scuba diving of the Egyptian Southern Red Sea. The itinerary focuses on the reef systems of the Brothers and Daedalus, which together make up the Northern Marine Park and the steep wall dives of Elphinstone. The Egyptian Marine Parks are protected areas and places of magnificent beauty underwater. The lighthouses have warned passing ships throughout the years of the dangers that hide beneath the waves, but for divers this is a playground. Drift dives, daring drops offs, pelagic encounters and even wreck dives. Dive after dive, Simply the Best is a a fine addition to your log book and a must see itinerary for your next Red Sea liveaboard holiday
Find out more about this trip here.
14th May / Brothers Wreck Special / Only £895
Save £445. Mistral, a 5 star Red Sea liveaboard, gives a smoother ride.
The best Red Sea wrecks from the Brothers to the Thistlegorm… and everything in between.
Dive the Rosie Moller, Ulysses and Salem Express.
This fantastic itinerary is best suited to experienced divers. The Brothers Wreck Special takes wreck diving in the Northern Red Sea farther to include the Brothers wrecks. You even stop at Safaga and on Hurghada’s wrecks. It really does combine unmissable wrecks and astounding diving for a more advanced itinerary that will amaze.
Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin share cabin). This is wreck-tastic itinerary diving the Northern Red Sea and Brothers Marine Park wrecks with up to 18 dives over the week. All marine park fees, 12lt tank and weights are included in your package. All trips are fully guided with 2 expert guides.
Find out more about this trip here.
2nd June / Komodo National Park / Now £2475
Save £400. Komodo dragons, manta and sharks await beneath the seas of Komodo Island. Your trip starts on arrival in Bali where you will be met and taken to your hotel for the night (B&B, twin share). You may have a domestic flight or simply a land transfer to join Mermaid 2. Scuba Travel’s trip package is based on a twin deluxe cabin (full board). All trips are fully guided by 2 expert dive guides and include 12lt tank, weights, full board, and soft drinks. There are usually a total of 20 dives over the course of your liveaboard. At the end of you trip you will return to Bali. Depending on your international flight times you may require an overnight in a Bali hotel. Flights are usually with from Heathrow but this can vary and regional departures are available on request.
Deluxe Cabins aboard Mermaid II with only 16 divers on board. Plentiful pelagics – sharks, sharks and more sharks plus outstanding macro and reef diving.
Includes an on-land Komodo park tour to see Komodo dragons. Komodo National Park is well known for the ferocious looking dragons but it is also growing in reputation as being a must do dive destination in Indonesia. The unique ecology of the area, formed by volcanic activity, has shaped a diver’s paradise underwater with muck dives, walls and more marine life than you could ever see in a single liveaboard holiday. Sail off into the sunset as your Komodo liveaboard wends its way between the hundreds of islands that dot the horizon. Dive after dive reveals the immense bio diversity from vast pelagics to microscopic macro and vibrant reefs that are so characteristic of this corner of Indonesia.
Find out more about this trip here.
21st June / Cocos Expedition / Only £4250
Save £1000. Dive this Remote pristine location in the Pacific famous for the vast numbers of hammerhead sharks. Silkies, Galapgos sharks, silver tips and even tiger sharks also await.
The smallest of the Undersea Hunter boats is ideal for discovering the unique marine life of Cocos. Your trip of a lifetime starts on arrival in San Jose where you will be met and taken to your hotel for the night (B&B, twin share). The next morning you will be transferred to Puntarenas where you board Argo. Scuba Travel’s trip package is based on a twin share cabin (full board). All trips are fully guided by 2 expert dive guides, and include 12lt tank, weights and free nitrox. There are usually 4 dives per day at Cocos including night dives. At the end of you trip you will return to San Jose for your last night in a hotel (B&B, 2 people sharing) before your final airport transfer the following morning. Flights are usually with Iberia (from Heathrow) but this can vary.
Find out more about this trip here.
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer, visit www.scubatravel.com.
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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