News
Grand Bahama: Reef & Wrecks
As well as our exciting shark dives that you can read about in our previous two posts about Grand Bahama, there are plenty of colourful reef dives, as well as some great wrecks to explore. We got to fit in three reef dives and two wreck dives on our underwater tour of the island. The reef systems here vary between patchy bommies, creating bursts of colour coming up from the sandy sea bed, and finger-shaped reef systems, with gullies between each finger. Plenty of hard and soft corals, anemones and sponges fill any space available and a variety of reef fish make this their home.
We dived Picasso’s Gallery, Reef Caribe, Theo’s Wreck and the Papa Doc wreck with Reef Oasis Dive Club, and also Plate Reef with UNEXSO. The reefs were teaming with life, both big and small, and we were treated to tiny Flamingo Tongue Snails, as well as Hawksbill Turtles and Caribbean Reef Sharks.
Theo’s wreck is a signature dive on Grand Bahama, and in fact was one of the first dives we did when working on Grand Bahama some 15 years previously. It lies at 30m on a sandy bottom and is a large wreck that you can swim through and around quite easily on a dive. Alas, we had an unusual ripping current on our dive on this trip, making photography nearly impossible, and in the end, it forced us to finish the dive early and head back to the boat. Even on our disrupted dive, we managed to enjoy a brief glimpse of dozens of Horse-Eyed Jacks swimming alongside us as we ascended. Papa Doc wreck is a more relaxed dive on a much smaller wreck. Here, we had plenty of time to explore, enjoy some close encounters with a curious shark and visit the reef close by, all in a single dive.
There are plenty of great dives in Grand Bahama, and we were very lucky to include the reefs, wrecks and shark dives in our itinerary. Before we moved on from Grand Bahama, we had a dry day before flying to fill. Find out what we got up to in our next post.
For more information about diving Grand Bahama:
Images & Text by Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown: www.frogfishphotography.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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