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Dive holiday offers from Scuba Travel
Check out the latest dive travel offers from our friends at UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel…
8th June – Book 6 spaces for only £1192.50 per person
With only 12 places onboard, Tempest is a spacious and comfortable choice for discerning divers. Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin share cabin). This is a classic itinerary in the Northern Red Sea with up to 22 dives over the week. All marine park fees, 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package – please pre-book nitrox and 15lt tanks before travel. All trips are fully guided with two expert guides. Flights are with easyJet from Gatwick and transfers are also included. At the end of the week, you will have day use of a hotel and buffet lunch while you wait for your flight home. Excluded are the Egyptian entry visa, alcohol, nitrox, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. Please let your travel consultant know if you would like to prebook any PADI courses on board or have any dietary requirements.
Click here to book this offer!
SharkQuest on 9th May for only £1195
Come face to face with pelagics in the Southern Red Sea and save £200 with this amazing early bird offer. Dive with the most experienced team, on board the stable steel hulled Hurricane. Avoid long transfers with a direct flight to Marsa Alam.
Dive the famous Daedalus Reef, Brothers Islands, Rocky or Elphinstone dependant on the best shark activity – night diving is prohibited in some of these areas so expect around 18 dives in total. All fees, 12 L tank & weights and FREE NITROX are included in your package. All trips are fully guided with two expert guides. Flights are with Thomson/Thomas Cook from Gatwick and transfers are included. At the end of the week, a day use room and lunch at a hotel is included while you wait for your flight home. The only costs not included are the Egyptian entry visa, alcohol, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. This holiday is suitable for advanced divers with a minimum of 50 dives and comfortable in the blue.
Click here to book your place!
Save £155 on the Wrecks and Reefs trip on 15th June
Sail away this 15th June on the ever popular, award winning Whirlwind. This is a classic itinerary in the Northern Red Sea with up to 22 dives over the week. Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin share cabin). All marine park fees, 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package. Flights are with easyJet from Gatwick and transfers are also included. At the end of the week, you will have day use of a hotel and buffet lunch while you wait for your flight home.
Wrecks and Reefs is the ideal itinerary whatever your experience level. A popular route for those new to the Red Sea, the varied depths across dive sites suit all abilities – from novice to tekkie. Visibility is crystal clear and the warm blue waters are perfect for even the longest dive times. Water temperatures typically range between 20 and 28 degrees throughout the year. Diving can be accessed whatever the season, either by boat or RIB. Currents push nutrients rich water from north to south, giving you plenty of opportunity for exhilarating drift dives. Travel times between dive sites are short leaving more time for relaxing. Few other dive destinations can offer the same quality and quantity of top dive sites. This itinerary will fill your log book with both wrecks and reefs that are envied the world over.
15th September – visit the Maldives and save £100
Wind your way between Male and Baa atolls, cherry picking the highlight dive sites and including snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay on board the exceptional Carpe Vita. From May 2019 enjoy a relaxing 3 dives a day with the Carpe Vita team including one or two night dives. All diving is from a dhoni tender, with 12lt tank and weights are included and free recreational nitrox. You have 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin/double share cabin) – cabin upgrades available. Tea, coffee and drinking water are included in your package. All trips are fully guided. To pay on board are soft and alcoholic drinks, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. The green tax has been prepaid. Please let your travel consultant know if you would like to prebook any diving courses on board or have any dietary requirements.
This holiday excludes international flights to Male airport transfers. Scuba Travel are able to add flights with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for a competitive quote for any flight option. Do not book any flights until your boat space is confirmed by Scuba Travel. Transfers operate at fixed times.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Click here to reserve your place onboard Carpe Vita!
8th June – experience the fantastic Oman Aggressor and save £900
A truly magical itinerary for divers that love reef diving and abundant biodiversity. You have 10 nights in a deluxe stateroom on a full board basis, including all soft drinks and a limited selection of local beer and wine with your evening meal. There are master cabin and suite upgrades available. simply ask your travel consultant at the time of booking. 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package. All trips are escorted with 2 expert divemasters. There is a USD200 Port/Marine Park fee per person to be paid on board. Excluded are the Oman entry visa, alcohol, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs.
Please let your travel consultant know if you would like to prebook any PADI courses on board or have any dietary requirements. Dinner on Friday evening is not included, although the crew will assist with recommendations and reservations. Transfers will be pre-booked but have to be paid for locally in cash USD35 per person per way – the transfer time will be advised locally.
This holiday does not include any international flights to Muscat airport MCT. Scuba Travel are able to add flights with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for a competitive quote for any flight option. Do not book any flights until your boat space is confirmed by Scuba Travel.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
31st May – save £300 at Malapascua Exotic Dive Resort
Thresher sharks are not the only great diving you will discover with Exotic Divers in Malapascua – reefs, sea snakes and macro life all await in these azure waters. Once you arrive in Cebu you will be picked up and taken by land and boat to Malapascua island. Your holiday package includes 7 nights in a deluxe room on a full board basis (twin share) – optional room grades available. As standard your package includes 10 dives. Please do ask your travel consultant if you would like to pre-book additional diving. The local marine park fees are 150php per day. Special day trips are organised and subject to a small supplemental charge paid locally. Flights are typically with Cathay Pacific, Singapore or Emirates airlines On leaving Cebu airport there is a terminal tax of approx $10 – this must be paid in local currency at the airport.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Click here to book your place!
Murex Manado Summer Buddy Special
Save £400 per person. Great value diving in Manado and Bunaken, Indonesia. Over 20 boat dives discover rich coral reefs and magical macro with the welcoming team from Murex Manado. Your holiday includes flights from Heathrow to Manado with Singapore Airlines, airport transfers and 10 nights deluxe cottage on a full board basis (2 people sharing). Local taxes are prepaid. Water, tea, and coffee are available free of charge, To pay locally are any drinks not included in your board basis, laundry, land excursions, Diving extras such as special trips to Bangka, private guiding, kit hire, courses and nitrox will all be billed in-resort. UK passport holder can obtain and FOC visa on arrival.
Click here to book this amazing holiday!
NO SINGLE PERSON OFFER
Minimum 10-night stay at Murex Manado and or Murex Bangka (can be 5 & 5 or any combination)
24th May – save £350 and visit Komodo onboard Mermaid II
Komodo dragons, manta and sharks await beneath the seas of Komodo Island with the highly experienced team on Mermaid 2! Your trip starts on arrival in Bali where you will be met and taken to your hotel for the night (B&B, twin share). You will be advised locally of your transfer time the following day to join Mermaid 2 (typically between 12:00-14:00).
This trip package is based on a twin deluxe cabin (full board). All trips are fully guided by expert dive guides and include 12lt tank, weights, full board, and soft drinks. 15lt tanks are free but must be pre-booked. There are usually a total of 20 dives over the course of your liveaboard. Excluded are the Komodo Park fees 175 euro, alcohol, additional kit hire, nitrox 96 euro and any souvenirs or private guiding services. At the end of your trip, you disembark around 08:00. You will be able to wait at the Mermaid guest lounge (all 4 Diving, Sanur Beach) until your transfer to the airport – your final transfer time will be advised locally.
Flights are usually with from Heathrow but this can vary and regional departures are available on request. Please note the final trip cost will depend on flight availability at the time of booking and seasonal liveaboard rates. All transfers are included. UK passport holders no longer need to pay for a visa on arrival in Bali.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
17th August – save £1000 on the Bahamas Aggressor
10 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 7 – Dramatic walls, lush coral reefs and exciting animal encounters, especially the big fish! The Bahamas is high octane diving for all experience levels. Your Aggressor package is based on a full board basis in a deluxe cabin. A 12lt tank and weights, soft drinks and a selection of local alcoholic drinks are included in your package. Pack in up to 5 dives per day. All trips are fully briefed by expert guides. You have to pay the port fees locally, currently $158 for a 10 night liveaboard. Due to local regulations, transfers are not included, but taxis are readily available. Excluded are the departure tax, nitrox, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. Dinner on Friday night is not included.
This is a BOAT ONLY holiday. The cost does not include any international flights to Nassau international airport NAS. Scuba Travel are able to add flights with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for a competitive quote for any flight option. Do not book any flights until your boat space is confirmed by Scuba Travel. Do be aware that if your flight routes through the USA you must have an ESTA prior to travel. Local regulations prohibit pre-booked transfers – the crew will assist on arrival with taxis and give directions (approx $35pp each way).
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Click here to book this incredible offer!
Join Josef Litt, on his Galapagos escorted trip next 17th January
The trip of a lifetime fully escorted by Galapagos expert and published author Josef Litt. Experience ocean views as you dive through the Galapagos on board the elegant and spacious Majestic Explorer. Your liveaboard holiday is based on a twin share cabin – twin or queen bed double options – and on a full board basis, including alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, premium alcoholic beverages available for an additional charge. A 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package with 18-20 dives on average. All trips are fully guided with expert guides. The last night Sunday dinner is not included in your cruise. The crew will help with reservations and recommendations. To pay locally are the departure tax, the Galapagos park fees ($100), chamber tax ($35), tourist card ($20), fuel surcharge ($150) and nitrox ($150) on board.
This holiday does not include any international flights to Ecuador but is inclusive of your flight to Baltra from Guayaquil to join Majestic Explorer and a night in a Guayaquil hotel on either side of your liveaboard. Please ask for a competitive quote to add international flights from the UK to your reservation.
Do be aware that if your flight routes through the USA you must have an ESTA prior to travel.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Click here to join the this once in a lifetime trip!
Save £1750 and dive Cocos Island onboard Argo on 13th May
Visit one of the last shark wildernesses of the world on board the premium liveaboard in Cocos, Argo. Your trip of a lifetime starts as you arrive at Cocos Island (approx 30-36 hours). Here you will enjoy 3 exciting dives a day plus 3 must-see night dives. Your liveaboard package is based on a twin share cabin (full board including soft drinks). All trips are fully guided and include 12lt tank, weights and free Nitrox. During the trip, an excursion will be made to the island. The Cocos Marine Park fees $490 must be prepaid and will be added to your holiday before travel. Onboard there is a mandatory search & recovery charge of $35, along with additional drinks, kit hire, souvenirs and tipping. Transfers in San Jose are included from the list of approved hotels. There is a departure tax on leaving Costa Rica (approx $35).
This holiday excludes international flights to San Jose Costa Rica (SJO). Scuba Travel strongly recommend you add a night in Costa Rica before and possibly after your liveaboard, depending on your flight times. These can be added to your booking, with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for a competitive quote. Do not book any flights until your boat space is confirmed by Scuba Travel. Do be aware that if your flight routes through the USA you must have an ESTA prior to travel.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Click here to book this incredible offer
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.
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.
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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