News
Underwater getaways from Scuba Travel
Check out the latest underwater getaways from our friends at UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel…
Emperor Serenity – Best of the Maldives – Save £480, from £1295 excluding flights
This 40 metre boat easily accommodates 26 guests in 13 well-appointed en-suite cabins, all with air-con. There are 5 lower deck cabins, each with double beds and a single too, as well as 3 double only cabins. On the main deck, you find 3 cabins with double beds and a single, and the same again on the upper deck. Check out Emperor Serenity here.
The Best of the Maldives does just what it says on the tin – you dive the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives in a single week of sublime liveaboard diving across Male and Ari atolls. This is a dive holiday in the Maldives to remember that hits all the seasonal hot spots of North Male, South Male and Ari Atoll.
Find out more here… and also find out more about the early booker special – January 6th 2019 for only £1495!
Hurricane Shark Quest – From only £1150
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…
- 23rd May – Shark Quest Itinerary – £1195 2 spaces left
- 30th May – Shark Quest Photography – £1195 3 spaces left
- 13th June – Shark Quest – £1150!
- 1st November – Shark Quest – £1395
Your holiday includes flights from Gatwick to Marsa Alam, all fees, 12L tank & weights and FREE NITROX
Introducing Siladen Resort and Spa, Indonesia – Save £300, from £2195 inc Heathrow Flights
Scuba Travel are delighted to have partnered up with Siladen 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 beach lounger 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.
Explore Mexico – 7 nights Allegro Cozumel, from only £1795
Cozumel is a world class, drift diving destination, famous for its astonishing drop offs, vast sponge formations and schooling fish. Jacques Cousteau was right – this is one of the best spots in the world for divers. Drift the glorious Cozumel reefs with the expert team from Pro Dive. The standard package is based on an all inclusive basis with 2 people sharing a superior room with a Yucatan diver package with free nitrox – this is 4 local dives, 2 dives in the Cenotes and 2 at Cozumel.
Explore Mexico – 14 nights Mexico, from only £2195
Combine Cozumel with Playa del Carmen in this amazing 14 night itinerary with the expert team from Pro Dive. This special package is based on an all inclusive basis with 2 people sharing a superior room with 10 local dives plus 2 days – four dives – in the Cenotes.
Shorebased in Marsa Alam – From £555 including flights, 23rd May includes flights, half board and 6 dives
The Marina Lodge is only 10 mins from Marsa Alam Airport and with the team at Emperor Divers on hand on site, this is a diver’s hotel in a prime location at the heart of the Southern Red Sea.
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. Our standard holiday package includes a 6 dive pack (2 boat dives a day for 3 days) with Emperor but we can adapt this to suit your exact needs so please do ask!
Emperor Atoll – September 2018, only £995
Emperor Atoll is a traditional Maldives liveaboard. If you are looking for an affordable way to access the full range of dive sites in this world class destination, then look no further. She might be smaller than some of her sister ships, but her charm lies in her open, airy layout and warm welcome.
Emperor Atoll sleeps just 12 divers across 6 cabins. Every cabin has the same layout with a double bed below and bunk above. All are ensuite with individual air con and a fan. Her small size makes her more stable than some larger wooden boats and the group size means she never feels crowded.
Oman Aggressor – Summer 2019, only £1845
A 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.
The guest feedback so far has been fantastic. The guest 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…
Whirlwind – From £1095, Northern Red Sea
Whirlwind is one of Scuba Travel’s favourite Red Sea liveaboards – and clearly fellow divers share their affection for her.
This is 5 star Red Sea diving at affordable prices… just one of the reasons that UK divers keep coming back to this superior liveaboard.
She has a well deserved reputation for the quality of finish on board, her long standing crew are the definition of attentive and she has all the award winning hallmarks of Tornado Marine fleet, from the decor to the tasty food!
Discover today how effortless diving can be when your liveaboard has been designed by divers, for divers.
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.
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
Gear News
Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD
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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