News
Diving with… NEW Euro-Divers Dhigali, Raa Atoll, Maldives
In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Natalie Skipworth
What is the name of your business?
Euro-Divers Dhigali
What is your role within the business?
Dive Centre and Watersports Manager
How long has the business operated for?
1 Month!
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
12 years, PADI IDC Staff Instructor and Freediving Instructor
What is your favorite type of diving?
Wreck diving and drift dives
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
We are based on a brand new luxury resort in an untouched area of the Maldives. 1 hour away we have the world famous UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Hanifaru Bay where you can find manta rays and whale sharks feeding together, and dive some of the most unexplored reefs in South East Asia.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
Kinolhas Reef – because it splits into two sections so is suitable for both experienced and beginner divers depending on which section of the reef you choose you dive. You have a great chance of spotting reef sharks, octopus, eagle rays, napoleons and much more.
What types of diving are available in your location?
Drift dives, channel dives, thila dives, house reef, manta spotting and whale sharks.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
Seeing the beginning of a brand new resort and dive centre.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
Any kind of ray or shark.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
Watch this space! We have just opened so every day is exciting!
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
Inclement weather during monsoon season!
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
Every day! We are always cleaning up the reef and surrounding area. We will also be taking part in the Dive Against Debris Day in September.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
Full of exciting possibilities. More young people are starting to get involved and with all the new innovations in comfort and luxury, people are continuing diving later in life. I would consider making learning to dive a little less theory-based and more practical, with longer in-water sessions to achieve greater levels of mastery before certification.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
Diving here is a unique opportunity to experience some of the best and most untouched diving the Maldives has to offer. Try fluo night diving or snorkeling, ride at top speed on a diver propulsion vehicle, snorkel with mantas and whale sharks, all on a world class made to measure high speed dive boat.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
You can check out our website at www.euro-divers.com, email me on Dhigali@euro-divers.com, call on +9606586060, or message on Facebook after liking our page Euro-Divers Dhigali
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
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.
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