News
Sunny holiday specials from Scuba Travel
The recent sunshine has made the Scuba Travel Team slightly twitchy as they are all desperate to get in the water! Lucky Caroline and Mario are currenly enjoying the delights of the Philippines and have had some amazing encounters with Thresher sharks already. Martyn Guess is also in the Philippines on a critter hunt! And Sue is in the Galapagos and having some jaw dropping experiences. Angela is off to PNG at the end of this month and just can’t wait. Melissa is off to the Philippines for two weeks soon as well…
But don’t worry, there will always be a team of people at Scuba Travel HQ to take your calls and help you book some magical holidays. With their first hand experience of diving destinations, you are guaranteed expert advice and guidance on picking the perfect holiday for you! How about one of these special offers?
Only a few spaces left on Hurricane, Southern Red Sea, this May – only £1195
The first few trips are back and everyone is delighted with the boat, crew and diving!
Hurricane stands out in the Egyptian Red Sea – and not just because she is one of the few steel hulled vessels. Many Red Sea liveaboards are compared to Hurricane but few are as enduringly popular. She has won the prestigious “Liveaboard of the Year” award no less than 5 times (including 2017 & 2016). Read Martin’s trip report here…
- 16th May – Simply the Best Itinerary £1195 – 2 spaces left
- 23rd May – Shark Quest Itinerary £1195 – 2 spaces left
- 30th May – Shark Quest Photography £1195 – 4 spaces left
Avoid long transfers with a direct flight to Marsa Alam. All fees, 12 L tank & weights and FREE NITROX are included in your package.
Introducing Siladen Resort & Spa, Indonesia – from £2195 inc flights
Scuba Travel is delighted to have partnered up with Sildaen Dive Resort & Spa in Manado, Indonesia.
Luxury dive resorts don’t need to cost the earth. The boutique Siladen resort sits on 300m of white sandy beach in the heart of Bunaken national park and prides itself on the 5 star experience at a price that you can afford. This is a hidden oasis of perfection that effortlessly combines dive escapism with serious eco friendly credentials. While away the hours underwater with over 50 dives sites in world famous Bunaken only a short boat ride away. And when the diving is done, soak up the breathtaking sunsets from your sun lounger on the beach facing the Manado Tua volcano.
Your holiday to Siladen includes flights from Heathrow to Manado with Singapore Airlines, airport transfers, 7 nights garden view villa (full board, 2 people sharing) and 17 air boat dives. Local taxes are prepaid.
Galapagos Sky, 8th December – Save £1000, only £5995 inc flights
Diving holidays in the Galapagos are truly legendary and the Galapagos Sky is recognised as one of the very best liveaboards worldwide. With land extensions possible, there is no end to the wonder of the Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos have earned a mighty reputation as one of the ultimate liveaboard diving destinations and not without reason. This low-lying volcanic chain was not only Darwin’s inspiration. It is home to diving the like of which you cannot find elsewhere on the planet. The marine life is completely unique with sharks, rays, sea lions, iguanas and penguins. Watch tuna, salema, snapper, rainbow runners and sail fins dart around the reef… if you can tear your eyes off the ocean’s larger inhabitants. This is every diver’s wish list come true before your eyes.
Shorebased in Marsa Alam – May dates, from only £495 inc flights
The Marina Lodge is only 10 mins from Marsa Alam airport and with the team at Emperor Divers on hand on site, this a diver’s hotel in a prime location at the heart of the Southern Red Sea.
- 16th May – Go diving in Marsa Alam inc flights – Half Board and 6 dives for £495
- 23rd May – Go diving in Marsa Alam for £555
Dive from the well-located Port Ghalib with the indefatigable team at Emperor Divers, based at the Marina Lodge hotel right on the harbour’s edge. Your holiday package includes 7 nights on a half board basis. The standard holiday package includes a 6 dive pack (2 boat dives a day for 3 days) with Emperor but this can be adpated this to suit your exact needs so do ask!
Scubaspa, Maldives, 29th June – Save £500, only £2095 inc flights
Total relaxation is guaranteed with first class comfort and service. Whether you are there for the diving, spa and yoga or just to get away from it all, this is an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime on board a genuinely luxurious vessel.
Divers will love ScubaSpa. There are never more than 22 divers on the liveaboard at any one time so you get all the benefits of the vast mothership with small dive groups, split between the experienced dive guides. The dive dhoni is second to none, with practical side and rear entry points for ease in and out of the water. Tanks are well spaced, with plenty of room between divers. As you would expect, the boat crew are all highly professional
Oman Aggressor, Summer 2018 – Save £750, from £1845 exc flights
Fantastic introductory offer to dive the hot new region in Oman. Diving highlights are undoubtedly the opportunity to see the resident population of humpback whales but the islands are a paradise of untouched dive sites where whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, reef sharks and big balls of reef fish wait on pristine unspoilt reefs.
Guest feedback so far has been fantastic. The guests love the boat, crew and food! Plus abundant marine life. Reports of snorkelling with baby whale sharks, spotting humpbacks, swimming with dolphins and diving with huge shoals of fish!
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer call 0800 0728221, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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