News
Save up to £200pp on a stay at Vilamendhoo Island Resort in the Maldives
Kick off your summer with a trip to the Maldives, staying at the superb Vilamendhoo Island Resort. UK-based Tour Operator Dive Worldwide is offering a discount of £200pp on holidays booked by 28 February and taken between 1 June and 31 July 2018.
Located in the southeast corner of the South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo Island Resort is surrounded by tropical palm trees and sits alongside a turquoise lagoon and 900m wide sand beach. Facilities include two restaurants where buffet style meals are served as well as a choice of bars and two a la carte restaurants.
There are two swimming pools and a wide range of activities for adults and children available including water sports, diving, tennis, a playground, games room and gym.
The onsite dive centre (operated by Euro Divers) is located on a private jetty, just a few metres from the house reef. The reef has 10 entry/exit points around the island, suitable for snorkellers and divers on the unlimited shore diving package. There are over 40 dive sites to explore including reefs, wrecks and channel dives, and a range of PADI courses is available.
Experienced divers can explore the house reef from the shore for most of the week, but it is also possible to get out on the dhoni to some incredible dive sites such as Vilamendhoo Caves (home to rays and sharks) and Khudarah Thila, a protected area with abundant marine life and a very popular dive. There are plenty of channel dives where you can drift along looking out for large pelagic encounters, including turtles, sharks and rays. There are a few wrecks to explore and day trips to look for manta rays and whale sharks.
Special Offer Price: from £2,175pp based on 2 sharing (SAVING £200pp), including return flights from the UK, transfers, 7 nights’ full-board accommodation at Vilamendhoo Island Resort, and 6 days non-limit shore diving with tanks, weights and Nitrox (for qualified divers).
More details can be found here or call Dive Worldwide on 01962 302087.
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
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.
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
-
Blogs3 months ago
Gozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News3 weeks ago
Iconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months ago
NovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month ago
Book Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months ago
Book Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month ago
DYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month ago
Exploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News1 month ago
Try BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest