News
Scuba Tours Worldwide Announces Seven Atoll Shark Specials
Scuba Tours Worldwide are running two 12 day ‘Shark Specials’ aboard MV Sea Spirit which will take in the shark-diving highlights from seven of the beautiful Maldivian atolls. These are exciting, challenging safaris with a route that includes sites which are very rarely dived.
The first trip starts in Male atoll with divers joining MV Sea Spirit near the international airport and then travelling south to Cocoa Channel in South Male Atoll, the infamous Alimathaa nurse shark night dive, plus the excellent shark channels of Miyaru Kandu in Felidhoo Atoll, and Shark Channel in Meemu Atoll where silvertips are regularly seen amongst the schools of grey sharks.
You will also dive at Kurali and Vattaru where mantas are sometimes seen. The trip then crosses into Thaa Atoll and onwards to Laamu Atoll. The latter is famous for the north east channels where large numbers of grey sharks are frequently seen at this time of year. There is an ocean crossing down to Huvadhoo giving you the chance to dive the eastern channels of this atoll where large numbers of sharks are commonly seen. You can expect to see grey sharks in large numbers, white and black tip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, tawny nurse sharks and zebra sharks. Whale sharks might also be seen – although sightings are variable at this time of year. With luck, you should see scalloped hammerhead sharks and you might be lucky and see the less common pelagic species. Many species of ray are also common at these sites and it is expected that you will see round ribbontail rays, pink whiprays, Jenkin’s whiprays, feathertail rays, manta rays and maybe porcupine rays. Beyond Felidhoo Atoll there are few resorts and few liveaboards, giving these trips a “remote” feel. From Huvadhoo atoll, returning divers will then take a domestic flight back to Male. The return trip, starting in Huvadhoo, will make the reverse itinerary.
Most of the diving is made in channels and would suit adventurous divers who are used to current or who are up to learning how to dive in current: it’s all about technique. There will be plenty of drift dives as the Scuba Tours Worldwide crew don’t like swimming into current either, so they drop and make their dive descent up-current, drift to where the action is, and then drift onwards. As a high proportion of the dive is spent in the 25-30m range, the use of nitrox is highly recommended (the course can be completed on-board for unqualified divers who would like to use nitrox).
Trip dates: 25th Jan – 6th Feb and 8th – 20th March 2015.
Cost: £2,361pp plus international flights (which Scuba Tours Worldwide can organise from your local UK airport).
For more details go to www.scubascuba.com or contact the Scuba Tours Worldwide Sales Team on +44 (0)1284 748010 or email sales@scubascuba.com.
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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