News
Dive Worldwide takes the plunge in 2014 with new ‘Just Conservation’ program
Following on the heels of its sister company Wildlife Worldwide, Dive Worldwide have introduced an entirely new programme of marine conservation holidays for 2014. With five projects and more in the pipeline, the Just Conservation programme allows ordinary people with an enthusiasm for marine life to work alongside renowned scientists and research teams for the sustainable benefit of some the planet’s most threatened sea creatures. By taking the plunge (quite literally), visitors will make a real difference to a range of on-going marine studies, gaining hands-on experiences and new skills; perhaps using hydro-sound equipment to identify whale noises, or a decoy to monitor the behaviour of great white sharks. Choose from studying mantas in Indonesia or Micronesia, great white sharks in False Bay, blue whales in Quebec or sperm whales in the Azores.
Two of the projects – those that monitor manta rays – require experienced divers. The others just require genuine enthusiasm, curiosity about marine life, and a desire to learn more.
Great White Shark Study in False Bay
Under the guidance of shark legend Dr Alessandro De Maddalena, uncover the mysteries of the great white shark in South Africa, studying the world’s most controversial marine creature at False Bay, the best breaching location. With the help of a decoy from the safety of a boat and cage diving with a snorkel, spend the trip observing, identifying and recording this predator, which has become rare having been hunted by man for their fins and teeth.
Price: 11 days from £3,265 including flights and self-catering accommodation in resort. Departs 24th & 31st August 2014. Group size 1-11.
Monitoring Mantas in Raja Ampat
Explore the underwater paradise of Raja Ampat in Indonesia with The Manta Trust, a new partner for Dive Worldwide. From a luxurious liveaboard vessel, take on the role of research assistant, monitoring manta rays and helping to protect these endangered species. Manta rays face a number of threats, not least the demand for their gill plates placed by Chinese traditional medicine. Dive up to three times per day, using underwater photography to identify, record and name the Mantas.
Price: 11 days in Raja Ampat from £4,865 including flights and full board accommodation. Departs 4th Jan 2014. Group size 1 – 10.
Alternatively head to Micronesia to research mantas in Yap with The Manta Trust, where time is divided between a superb liveaboard in pristine waters and on shore diving. As no other liveaboards visit the area, it is possible to explore waters where no divers have been before.
Price: A 14-day Manta Research in Yap trip costs from £5,295. Departs 30th June & 17th July 2014. Both manta trips are for experienced divers.
Sperm Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins in the Azores
Assist a team in the Azores, led by Dr. Lisa Steiner, with an ongoing study of both the sperm whale and the intelligent, charismatic bottlenose dolphin. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, hunt at depths of 4,000 metres, making them the deepest diving whales in the ocean. The aim of the research is to study their behaviour and breeding season as they migrate north. While in the archipelago, don’t miss the chance to dive with blue sharks, one of the best destinations for a close underwater encounter.
Price: 6 days from £1,340 including flights, B&B hotel accommodation and full board at sea. Departs June – August 2014. Group size 1-12.
Blue Whale Research in Mingan Islands
Travel to the MinganIsland region in Quebec to study the elusive blue whale – the most imposing animal on earth – with experts who are highly experienced in cetacean research. A rare opportunity to experience the authentic life of marine biologists in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, study the natural habitat and behaviour of the blue whale and other cetaceans: partake in data collection and photo identification; witness skin biopsies; and use the hydro-sound system to identify sounds. Follow the migration path in a variety of locations between mid-June and mid-September.
Price: 9 days from £2,895 including flights and full board guesthouse accommodation. Group size 1 – 6.
There are both tailor-made opportunities with flexible departures and group trips on set departures.
All prices are per person based on two sharing.
For more information Call Dive Worldwide on 0845 130 6980 or visit www.diveworldwide.com.
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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