News
Latest dive deals from Scuba Travel
If you’re in need of a holiday, check out the latest dive deals from UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel…
This 30th of November. Martyn Guess photo workshop onboard Whirlwind. Only £1295
Join our onboard photo expert Martyn Guess for a week focused on getting more out of your camera! Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin-share cabin). This trip is based in the Northern Red Sea with up to 21 dives over the week but the itinerary will vary, depending on the photo opportunities. All marine park fees, 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package – please prebook nitrox and 15lt tanks before travel. There will be evening presentations and 1:1 sessions with the photo pro. Flights are with Easyjet or Thomas Cook 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, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. Scuba Travel can also assist with purchasing excess baggage from the airline prior to travel.
Click here to book your spot on this great workshop
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Great macro, turtles and beautiful reefs with Atmosphere Resort and Spa. This 24th of September. Only £1995 including flights
SAVE £200. Discover macro, muck magic and the turtletastic Apo island with the brilliant team at Atmosphere resort. Enjoy 7 laid back nights diving in the heart of Dumaguete plus 1 night in Manila. your dive package includes 10 dives, free nitrox and prepaid park fees. Your accommodation package includes 7 nights on a BandB basis in a deluxe suite (2 people sharing) – half board and full board upgrade plans available. You also have free internet access. Special dives (Apo island, mandarin, night dive and dives with the resident marine biologist), kit rental, spa services, land excursions are all paid in resort.
Airport transfers are included. Excluded are any excess baggage charges and the Philippines departure tax (750PHP).
Click here to book this holiday or call us on 01483411590
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
This 22nd of September. Experience the Best of the Maldives onboard the brand new Emperor Explorer. Only £1295
Save £300! Brand NEW for 2019, Emperor Explorer is a contemporary, spacious liveaboard that offers 4 dives a day and free nitrox! Manta, sharks, eagle rays and so much more on this classic Maldives itinerary – dive the seasonal hot spots from a dhoni tender with an average of 4 dives a day (except first and last), up to 22 dives total.
You have 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin/double share cabin) – main deck and upper deck cabin upgrades available. 12lt tank and weights, as well as recreational nitrox, are included. To pay on board are alcoholic drinks, fruit juice, fizzy drinks, additional kit hire and any onboard souvenirs. Do let your travel consultant know if you would like to prebook any courses or kit hire on board, or have any dietary requirements.
This holiday excludes international flights to Male. Scuba Travel is 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.
Click here to book this holiday or call us on 01483411590
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
This 27th of September dive the incredible Tulamben region in Bali from Scuba Seraya. Only £1695 including flights
Save £300 – Dive Tulamben and the incredible critter dives of Bali with the team from Scuba Seraya! Your Bali adventure includes 7 nights in a maisonette on a full board basis (excluding drinks). Enjoy 10 boat dives in the morning (Tulamben region) plus unlimited, unguided shore diving for 5 afternoons. Flights are typically from Heathrow but we can book most major scheduled airlines including regional departure options.
Scuba Seraya is an intimate resort with only 12 rooms, set in lush gardens on the beachfront. Soak up the Balinese sun in your veranda, with partial sea or volcano views.
Scuba Seraya sits next to world-class dive sites, and as such, this really is a diver’s resort. But you do not have to forgo your creature comforts! There are a freshwater pool and beachside massage service for those chill out days. The beach is for the exclusive use of guests. The restaurant is right by the sea and serves freshly prepared Indonesian and Western meals. The whole atmosphere at Scuba Seraya is understated elegance. Relax and forget about the world as you dive from your very own corner of paradise.
Click here to book this holiday or call us on 01483411590
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
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.
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
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.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
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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