News
UK schools find the Costa Brava very fishy
Oyster Diving’s Mark Murphy shares his experiences on a dive trip with a difference, accompanying a group of school teachers exploring Spain’s Costa Brava under and above water…
While most people were putting their feet up over the Easter holidays, myself and a group of teachers from Wellington College, Ratcliffe College, Rye St. Antony, BEDES, Headington College, TASIS, Warden Park and Bradfield College headed to Spain to explore the depths of Costa Brava. The trip was organised by Oyster Diving, the UK based PADI 5 Star scuba diving and travel centre that specialises in courses and holidays for schools and colleges.
Funded by the Costa Brava Tourist Board, we spent 4 days being shown the delights of Spain’s premier underwater locations, as well as many fascinating land-based activities.
With a mixture of new and experienced divers we began our journey with a night’s stay in Hotel Cala Joncols, hidden at the Northern end of the Costa Brava, close to the French border.
Hotel Cala Joncols is a relaxed retreat located at the tip of a national park, 20 minutes from the nearest village. Run by Michael and Alexis, this idyllic resort is small and family-owned and provides a genuine Spanish cultural experience. Michael and Alexis couldn’t do more to make your stay more personal and enjoyable. From the décor that compliments the landscape of the vines, pine trees and olive trees, to the amazing food prepared by the resident chef, this is a taste of true Spain.
On our arrival we were greeted with a tour of the estate and endless amounts of Spanish tapas that included fresh fish, shellfish, local meats and paella. The resort is becoming famous amongst wine connoisseurs for aging wines from the area 27m under the sea, creating a unique taste.
The following morning, we met Jan, the owner of the dive centre attached to the hotel. Jan has been diving here for 16 years, so imparted much of his local knowledge upon us. He and his team took great care of us ensuring that everyone had kit that fitted perfectly.
After setting up our kit, we boarded the boat from the beach and 10 minutes later we were entered the clear blue Mediterranean waters close to a small rocky outcrop. Underwater there was plenty to see including Octopus, Wrasse and Groupers. The typography was stunning with ledges and nooks and crannies that many species of marine life call home.
The more experienced divers, who have travelled to many exotic places in the past, were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quantity of the local marine life, often not associated with diving in other parts of the Mediterranean.
Off the beach there also provides diving opportunities and offers a great place for students to complete their dive courses in the confines of a large, protected bay.
After the dive we headed by mini bus, via a quick tour to the Salvador Dale museum, to the next destination, Calella de Palafrugell, approximately 1 hour from Girona. Calella is a small fishing village that is picture-postcard-perfect. The area boasts small, white fronted houses nestled around a golden sandy beach, the Pyrenees mountains providing the stunning backdrop. Calella is not to be confused with the Calella close to Barcelona that I visited on a ‘young persons holiday’ in 1987.
The next morning, we were greeted by the friendly and experienced instructors Angel and Melissa from Poseidon, the local dive centre. This charming local PADI centre is located right on the beach. You can board their dive boat straight off the beach to explore the local wrecks and reefs, or simply do what we did and stroll straight off the sand, which was greeted by some bemused looks from the tourists topping up their tans.
The shallow clear waters are perfect for students to practice their skills and complete their training courses. Swimming out a little further, the local marine life was lit up by the bright, sunny sky against the contrast of sea grass, rocky outcrops and blue sea. Scorpion fish, large schools of colourful fish varieties patrolled the small rocky pinnacles looking for their next meal. A few teachers managed to catch a glimpse of an Octopus and Dr. O’Loughlin from Wellington College conducted his own reef clean-up by collecting the few bits of litter and debris that lay on the seabed.
During the summer, the dive centre offers a barbecue on the beach. It’s a great opportunity to look up at the starlit sky and swap stories about the days diving.
After hanging our kit up to dry we were treated to a 4-course lunch at hotel Garbi which is a 5-minute walk from the dive centre. Hotel Garbi is an ideal place to put up students as it offers affordability, practicality, comfort and charming grounds. We inspected the clean and ample-sized rooms, had our photos taken on the hotel balcony that overlooks the village and ocean, and checked out the other facilities to ensure that school children would be kept entertained when they weren’t in the water. Table tennis, a heated swimming pool, pool table and breath-taking coastal walks were all things schools could endure!
After lunch we hopped back on the bus and went for a late afternoon dive on the Medes Islands. These islands are famous amongst the French, Italian and Spanish divers, but as yet haven’t been discovered by the masses of UK divers. The island became famous after it became the first of 20 protected national marine reserves. In the 15 years since it was established it has allowed the marine life to thrive.
We descended into the blue, went through a large tunnel that had plenty of ambient light and followed the reef wall. This dive site is for more experienced divers but is one of the best dive sites to be found in the Med as it offers big schools of fish, huge groupers and Octopus. They are all tolerant of divers and their cameras, and if you come between May and June there is a really good chance of seeing sunfish.
After the dive, our VIP status continued as we were introduced the Mayor and met some of the other local friendly dive centre owners. They shared the delights of the area and how schools from France and Spain make this such an appealing trip for their children, returning year after year.
On our final day we were treated to a tour of Girona, an ancient City steeped in a fascinating history. For Game of Thrones fans, this was a chance to see the backdrop for some of the most iconic scenes.
The Costa Brava tourist board couldn’t have been better hosts and really made us feel very welcome. Oyster Diving have already arranged to take Ratcliffe College and Warden Park back to the Costa Brava in October half-term and next Summer. The students will finish their PADI open water theory and pool skills in the UK and then complete their certification in Spain. This allows for a few extra days of exploring the reefs with their new life-long diving qualification.
Oyster Diving are looking forward to taking another group of school teachers to the Costa Brava next year to show off the delights and benefits to schools and their students. If you are interested, then you can get in touch with Oyster Diving at info@oysterdiving.com, or for general information about scuba diving courses and trips visit their website www.oysterdiving.com.
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
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
For certified Divers: Discover stunning dive sites, encounter manta rays, seasonal mola-mola (sunfish), and a dazzling array of marine life.
For beginners: Embark on your scuba journey with beginner programs like Try Scuba and Basic Diver, Open Water and Advanced certifications.
Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
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As a valued Scubaverse follower, you get an exclusive 10% discount on any Dive & Stay or Learn & Stay package booked at Pure Dive Resort for 2024. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore breath-taking reefs, and create unforgettable memories in this diver’s paradise.
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info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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