News
Be won over with Regaldive
For those who like to visit the latest destinations, then diving holiday specialist Regaldive suggests a visit to Tobago, the Azores or Tanzania. Fast growing in reputation and popularity, these three destinations have seen visitor numbers soar in recent years – so what is it that’s winning over divers?
Offering great value for money and unforgettable experiences above and below the water, it’s no surprise that Tobago has grown in popularity over the past few years. Attracting a well-deserved reputation for enormous brain corals and thrilling drift dives, Tobago is home to the largest Brain Coral colony and best drift dives in the Caribbean. With over 20 dive sites located close by and attracting a huge array of marine life including sharks, rays, turtles, schools of tarpon, jackfish and the occasional whale shark, Tobago offers something for all interests. Seven nights’ at the small and friendly Toucan Inn cost from £789 per person, to include flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. A five day dive pack costs from £237 per person, to include two boat dives per day, air tanks and weights.
Proving to be another hot destination on the ‘must travel’ list, the Azores are home to a host of unique experiences and are fast developing a reputation for some of the finest diving on the planet. Best visited between July and October, the islands are home to many challenging dive sites, stunning underwater arches, tunnels, caves and cliffs. A haven for sub-tropical fish, the islands are also commonly frequented by beaked, sperm and fin whales, humpbacks, false killer whales, spotted, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, turtles and an array of different shark species. Seven nights’ at the Hotel Talisman on the island of Sao Miguel cost from just £649 per person, to include flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. A four dive boat dive pack costs from £109 per person.
For those looking to jump on a slightly more indulgent bandwagon, Tanzania is fast-becoming the destination for combined above and below the water experiences. Divers can admire manta rays, humpback whales, turtles, whale sharks and dolphins, while on dry land they can spot the Big 5 in the country’s world-renowned national parks. Safaris can be added on to dive packages through Regaldive. Seven nights’ at the Manta Resort overlooking the stunning Pemba Channel cost from £1,901 per person to include flights, transfer and all inclusive accommodation. A six dives dive pack costs from £170 per person, to include air tanks, weights, belt and guide, and a five day Serengeti Safari costs from £1,280 per person.
Andreas Elia, Managing Director of Regaldive commented “It’s great to see that Tobago, the Azores and Tanzania are now developing such well-deserved reputations amongst divers. Over the past year alone, here at Regaldive we have seen huge increases in booking numbers for these countries”.
He continued “With double the amount of people booking to travel to Tobago and Tanzania this year, and a 70% increase in the amount of people booking the Azores – it’s clear to see that these destinations really are the place to dive!”
For further information, or to book, visit www.regaldive.co.uk or call +44 (0)1353 659 999.
Shells of the World: A Natural History by M.G. Harasewych
Shells of the world is a guide to the world of marine, shelled molluscs. And what a varied and interesting world it is. Some of my favourite things to find on a dive are detailed in this book, including disco clams (or Electric File Clams as they are correctly names), the cephalopods, giant clams and sea hares. There are also many on my wish list, top of which is the Nautilus.
Each chapter provides a detailed description of the species, along with beautiful images. You can dive deeper and discover where they live, both with global distribution and the habitat they prefer. Learn about their diet, reproduction and diversity.
Having dipped in and out of this lovely book over the past few weeks, it has inspired me to learn more about this group of animals that we see on most divers, wherever we are in the world. Some of the shells are incredibly intricate and beautiful. I have always agreed with never collecting, or touching, marine life. The description of a certain set of cone shells should be a warning to those that are happy to pick up marine life! One of the cone shells has a local name called the cigarette snail. Why? Because once the venom is in your system from this animal, you only have time to smoke one cigarette before the affects of the venom are fatal!
What the publisher says:
Mollusks are invertebrate animals with a remarkable natural history and a rich fossil record, and their shells are prized for their breathtaking variety and exquisite beauty. Shells of the World provides a wide-ranging look at the incredible diversity of marine mollusks. An informative introduction outlines the lineages covered, followed by a directory section, split into classes, that profiles a broad selection of different taxa to give a sense of their sheer numbers and variety.
- Features hundreds of beautiful color photos, depicting both the live animals and their shells
- Discusses mollusk evolution, anatomy, life cycles, behavior, and ecology
- Describes unique characteristics, distribution, habitat, and size
- Provides valuable insights into the conservation of the world’s marine mollusks
- Ideal for malacologists and shell collectors everywhere
About the Author:
M. G. Harasewych is research zoologist emeritus and former curator in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is the author (with Fabio Moretzsohn) of The Book of Shells: A Life-Size Guide to Identifying and Classifying Six Hundred Seashells.
Book Details
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Hardcover
Price: £25
ISBN: 9780691248271
Published: 9th April, 2024
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and 
the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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