News
Buddy Dive Resort partners with Fort Young Hotel to open Buddy Dive Dominica
Buddy Dive Dominica Slated to Launch August 1, 2015
Scuba divers can now experience the services and standards they are used to at Bonaire’s Buddy Dive Resort in Dominica.
Proclaimed as one of the World’s Best Dive Resorts in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards, Buddy Dive Resort has announced a partnership with Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel to open an on-site facility, Buddy Dive Dominica.
“Buddy Dive has the reputation of keeping the needs of divers in mind, making it easy, comfortable and convenient for everyone. We’re thrilled to be able to bring our dive expertise and services to Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel,” commented Martien van der Valk, Owner of Buddy Dive Resort. “Buddy Dive Dominica will be a full service operation that combines the best of both worlds; extensive dive knowledge, facilities and resources, while providing divers with personal attention from the friendly dive staff that will become the familiar faces guests are greeted by on their next visit.”
Buddy Dive Dominica will consist of a full stocked dive retail shop, teaching facilities, rental gear room, lockers, rinse tanks and outdoor showers. The dive operation will offer first class diving on Dominica. From boat diving at Champagne Reef or Toucari to night diving on Fort Young Hotel’s house reef – these are just some of the exciting diving that will be offered at Buddy Dive Dominica.
“Announcing the partnership with Buddy Dive Resort is very exciting for Fort Young Hotel,” commented Gregor Nassief, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fort Young Hotel. “Fort Young Hotel is Dominica’s leading full service hotel and has attracted a variety of business, adventure and dive travelers for many years. Joining forces with Buddy Dive and creating a world-class dive operation provides divers worldwide with the opportunity to experience Dominica’s magical diving while enjoying the comfort and service of Dominica’s leading hotel.”
Buddy Dive Dominica will be offering their Dive Into Nature package, which will showcase Dominica’s volcanic vents, plunging sea walls, colorful reefs and soft corals. The package includes 7 nights/8 days stay at the Fort Young Hotel, complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, 5 days 2-tank boat dives, unlimited resort diving, 5 dive excursions and the marine park fee. Dive Into Nature can be booked through Buddy Dive Central Reservations office at dominica@buddydive.com or for international reservations +599 7175080 (ext. 572) or for US/Canada reservations 1-866-GO-BUDDY.
About Buddy Dive Resort
Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire’s leading dive hotel, is known for its personable staff, spacious accommodations and a dive operation that has something for every diver. Today, the Resort is complete with eleven modern buildings housing spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments, a full service dive center, activity desk, two swimming pools, restaurant, pool bar, vehicle rentals and the famous drive-thru air and Nitrox fill station. Built with active people in mind, Buddy Dive Resort knows exactly what is needed to make guests comfortable both during their busy day of diving and exploring. Buddy Dive Resort was recognized as one of the World’s Best Dive Resorts in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information visit www.buddydive.com.
About Fort Young Hotel
Fort Young Hotel, Dominica’s leading hotel, is ideally located overlooking the ocean on the outskirts of Roseau, the capital of this rugged island in the Eastern Caribbean. The Fort Young’s unique architecture and rich history of the 32 original rooms coupled with the 38 Oceanfront and Deluxe rooms and three suites provide a combination of old world charm and spacious modern luxury. Offering an on-site Dive Shop, Excursion Desk, Duty Free shopping as well as Massage & Wellness Center and Conference Rooms, the Fort Young Hotel is the perfect getaway for divers and non-divers alike looking for top service, Diving and Eco-Adventure. Guests can dive some of the best reefs in the Caribbean from the private jetty, and trek off into the rainforests that stretch up the hills behind the hotel. Or just relax in a rooftop Jacuzzi, indulged with a spa treatment, or dine on local specialties in the newly refitted seafront restaurant the Palisades, so named since the word describes the original wooden fortifications, which were built on the very same spot as the restaurant’s terrace is today. References to the Fort’s deep connections to Dominica’s history can be found throughout the Fort Young Hotel. For more information visit www.fortyounghotel.com.
About Dominica
In a region saturated by tourism, Dominica remains one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean. Known as the “Nature Island” due to its abundance of natural splendors: 365 rivers, the second largest boiling lake in the world, volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, and black and white sand beaches. Much of the island is protected under national parks, one of which has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. Regarded as one of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean, Dominica is a paradise for explorers and adventurers, both above ground and underwater. Champagne reef and Scott’s Head drop off are just a couple of the many underwater highlights for divers.
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs
Creature Feature: Dusky Shark
In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.
This month we’re taking a look at the Dusky Shark, a highly migratory species with a particularly slow growth rate and late age at maturity.
Dusky sharks are one of the largest species within the Carcharhinus genus, generally measuring 3 metres total length but able to reach up to 4.2 metres. They are grey to grey-brown on their dorsal side and their fins usually have dusky margins, with the darkest tips on the caudal fin.
Dusky Sharks can often be confused with other species of the Carcharhinus genus, particularly the Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis). They have very similar external morphology, so it can be easier to ID to species level by taking location into account as the two species occupy very different ecological niches – Galapagos Sharks prefer offshore seamounts and islets, whilst duskies prefer continental margins.
Hybridisation:
A 2019 study found that Dusky Sharks are hybridising with Galapagos Sharks on the Eastern Tropical Pacific (Pazmiño et al., 2019). Hybridisation is when an animal breeds with an individual of another species to produce offspring (a hybrid). Hybrids are often infertile, but this study found that the hybrids were able to produce second generation hybrids!
Long distance swimmers:
Dusky sharks are highly mobile species, undertaking long migrations to stay in warm waters throughout the winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, they head towards the poles in the summer and return southwards towards the equator in winter. The longest distance recorded was 2000 nautical miles!
Very slow to mature and reproduce:
The Dusky Shark are both targeted and caught as bycatch globally. We already know that elasmobranchs are inherently slow reproducers which means that they are heavily impacted by overfishing; it takes them so long to recover that they cannot keep up with the rate at which they are being fished. Dusky Sharks are particularly slow to reproduce – females are only ready to start breeding at roughly 20 years old, their gestation periods can last up to 22 months, and they only give birth every two to three years. This makes duskies one of the most vulnerable of all shark species.
The Dusky Shark is now listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), but further action is required to protect this important species.
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus obscurus
Family: Carcharhinidae
Maximum Size: 420cm (Total Length)
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods, can also eat crustaceans, and small sharks, skates and rays
Distribution: Patchy distribution in tropical and warm temperate seas; Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean.
Habitat: Ranges from inshore waters out to the edge of the continental shelf.
Conservation status: Endangered.
For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website
Images: Andy Murch
Diana A. Pazmiño, Lynne van Herderden, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Claudia Junge, Stephen C. Donnellan, E. Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla, Clinton A.J. Duffy, Charlie Huveneers, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Paul A. Butcher, Gregory E. Maes. (2019). Introgressive hybridisation between two widespread sharks in the east Pacific region, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 136(119-127), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.04.013.
Blogs
Join Pharaoh Dive Club for Red Sea Splash Family Summer Camp in August 2024
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
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