Connect with us
background

News

Winning Trip: A blog from the Scubaverse holiday competition winner

Published

on

When I opened an email from Scubaverse advising me I had won the Scubaverse diving holiday to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, little did I think that I would be on a Royal Brunei Airlines flight a mere eleven days later. Thanks to the efficiency of In Depth Tourism Marketing, my husband and I found ourselves enjoying a trip of a lifetime where everything had been organised for maximum enjoyment and minimum stress.

Our trip began with a night in Singapore. New to this city, we took the advice of the friendly Furama Hotel concierge and went to Clarke Quay for a Singapore Sling and a bite to eat. Singapore is fascinating: spotlessly clean, safe and vibrant, it comes alive at night when the skyscrapers light up the skyline.

Next morning’s transfer to Mersing in Malaysia was an enjoyable and comfortable car ride through palm oil plantations and jungle. Headed for Rawa Island Resort, by lunchtime we had arrived by boat and were enjoying a delicious buffet.  Owing to its close proximity to agricultural land, Rawa’s dive sites do not enjoy the best visibility, but there is an abundance of soft corals and a plethora of marine life. It was encouraging to see entire families being taught to dive together by Orca Scuba, as it is very safe, relatively shallow and non-taxing diving. Orca Scuba also took us to wreck and coral reef dive sites by boat and shore dives around the jetty, but the best dives were actually shore dives at the north end of the island where there are even more corals. The dives with Orca Scuba were not part of the prize, but my husband and I were happy to pay for them ourselves.

After four nights on this tropical paradise, we returned to Mersing and were taken back to the Furama Hotel in Singapore. This time, armed with local knowledge gleaned from fellow divers, we headed straight to the Fullerton Hotel’s roof top bar “The Lantern”. Drinks here were not cheap, but we had the perfect viewing point for the Marina Bay Sands Hotel’s light and laser show, a sight I am glad we did not miss.

The next day we flew from Singapore to Brunei and, yet again, everything went smoothly and exactly to plan. Poni Divers in Brunei collected us daily for boat dives, and in two days we had dived three, coral-covered boat wrecks, an oil rig and a coral garden. The diving off Brunei is wonderful: colourful, full of life and with good visibility. Puffer fish, sting rays, huge shoals of fish and every type of coral are in abundance. I would thoroughly recommend adding Brunei to any diver’s wish-list of places to visit, especially as it is still relatively unknown and therefore in pristine condition.

The ten days we spent on holiday were spectacular! Thank you to Scubaverse, In Depth Tourism Marketing, Royal Brunei Airlines, The Furama in Singapore, Rawa Island Resort, Orca Scuba, The Radisson in Singapore, and Poni Divers in Brunei.

Lucy McCorkindale

Blogs

Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition

Published

on

curacao

Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.

Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities

With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.

curacao

Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators

This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.

curacao

Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure

Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.

curacao

Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages

This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.

It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!

Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.

For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.

curacao

Continue Reading

News

Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

Published

on

santa divers

Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

santa divers

Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

santa divers

Continue Reading

E-Newsletter Sign up!

Instagram Feed

Popular