News
Deepblu, the Social Network for Divers, is Here
Taipei-based Deepblu, Inc. have launched Deepblu BETA, the first social network built for the diving community. Divers can showcase their diving feats, interact with the ocean community at large and plan their next dive trip.
With the launch of Deepblu, the previously wildly scattered diving community now has a single platform to gather, discuss and share underwater moments. Deepblu has all the functionality of a modern social network, with options to create a profile, follow friends and organizations, discuss, comment, like and share.
“Looking at the ways people currently interact in the diving industry and by extension the entire marine community, it’s easy to see how fragmented it is,” co-founder and CEO James Tsuei explains, “Our ultimate goal is to unite divers, dive businesses and conservationists alike around Deepblu and make diving more exciting for everyone with a passion for the ocean.”
All the Functionality of a Modern Social Network
Deepblu allows users to create a profile to interact with others on the platform. This profile includes all the diver’s certifications as well as a digital dive logbook, an overview of all diving adventures the diver wants to share with their buddies or the public.
Deepblu dive logs can be created manually, or automatically with a compatible dive computer such as Deepblu’s own COSMIQ+ or a 3rd-party computer via the open-source software Subsurface. Deepblu dive logs are beautifully designed, and divers can enrich them with underwater photo – and videography, creating a visually appealing timeline of their dive. It is also possible to add stories and descriptions of gear and diving conditions. Finally, divers can have their instructors digitally certify their dive logs, and tag their diving buddies.
Users can follow other profiles to explore the photos and dive logs of friends and see what celebrity divers and organizations are up to. A trending page brings up the hottest stories in the world of diving. Meanwhile, divers can discuss various diving topics in one of the many Community Groups for freediving, coral identification, wreck diving, and many more. Users can even create their own groups.
Deepblu is available through web browsers on the desktop or the fully redesigned mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Connecting Divers and Businesses around Planet Deepblu
One of Deepblu’s most exciting features is still in the testing phase and slated for release in January 2017. Aptly named Planet Deepblu, this interactive and quickly growing map of over 10.000 dive spots the world over aims to make it more convenient for divers and dive businesses, such as resorts, rental shops, instructors, liveaboards and conservationists to find each other.
Planning a dive trip used to be a tedious and cumbersome job, so divers will be relieved to find that Planet Deepblu’s fluid user interface makes it a breeze to plan, while businesses large and small will have a much easier way to reach the community and advertise their services.
“We are really excited about what we are setting up with Planet Deepblu,” Tsuei says. “Come January, our users will be able to pick their favorite destination, choose the accommodation with the best reviews and offerings, select the best place to rent their gear from and even the instructor they choose to learn from or dive with.”
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
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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