News
Check out these 2024 group trip specials from Sea to Sky
Sea To Sky have announced some very special group trips for 2024. Not only can you enjoy some fantastic diving around the world, you can also continue your diver training while you’re there if you wish too.
Red Sea Diving Safari
June 2nd – June 12th
Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of breathtaking coral reefs, surrounded by incredible people, at the ultimate diving destination?
Sea to Sky partner with Red Sea Diving Safari, offering an unforgettable and one-of-a-kind diving adventure.
With the option of unlimited house reef diving at Marsa Shagra, you possess the freedom to dive at your own pace, whether you prefer an immersive or more relaxed experience.
Join Sea to Sky in June for their amazing trip and explore the 2km of pristine house reef, with 6 diving profiles to choose from.
The trip cost includes:
- 7 nights of Royal tent accommodation (shared) or chalet upgrade
- 5 days of unlimited house reef diving
- Transfers from Marsa Alam Airport
- Full board, with three meals daily, inclusive of unlimited soft drinks, tea, or coffee and CAKE !!
- 2 orientation dives on your first day
Jeremy from Sea to Sky will also be completing some PADI courses on site for anyone that is keen to progress their diving. This promises to be an exceptional and unique diving experience that combines relaxation, adventure, and the wonders of the Red Sea.
Dahab
12th – 19th May 2024
Sea to Sky have an exclusive group trip to Dahab 12th – 19th May 2024, suitable for all levels of diving.
Experience the thrill of diving alongside Jeremy and PADI Course Director Dom Gibbings for five days of extraordinary diving,
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by—dive into an unforgettable experience with amazing people. Reserve your spot now!
Our package includes:
Seven nights at the beautiful red C Villas in a studio apartment (shared) * there are 2 bedroom villas available
Return Airport (Sharm) transfers with an a/c minivan
10 dives (two dives per day)
Transport for the whole group to and from the dive centre each dive day
A trip into the desert for a Bedouin Dinner accompanied by Camels
One mid-stay clean with fresh sheets and towels
Breakfast box to get you started
Blue Hole dive
Gabr El Bint boat dives (included in your dive package) including lunch
What’s not Included:
Flights
Meals
Equipment Hire
Evening transport into the Bay area (Taxis appx: 50EGP each way)
Join us for this amazing trip to Dahab for only €1125.00 per person
Legacy Luxury Liveaboard
BDE Special August 24th – 31st
Only 10 spaces remaining
Legacy, the luxury liveaboard in the Red Sea and Sea to Sky’s official partner for 2024 and beyond.
When you step onto Legacy, you’ll be welcomed into a realm of absolute comfort, tranquillity, and sophistication.
Embark on the BDE route, aptly known as the Golden Triangle, for a legendary journey into the heart of pelagic encounters in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Drop Sea to Sky a message for the proposed itinerary and full brochure.
August 24th – 31st Ex Hurghada
€1400.00 per person shared twin – Suites are now fully booked
Check in Saturday 1700hrs
Check out Saturday 1000hrs
Inclusions
3 meals per day plus snacks, hot beverages and soft drinks
12 Litre tanks and weights
Nitrox
3 to 4 dives per day
Exclusions
Rental equipment
Alcohol
Private Transfers
Crew Tips
Marine Park and Marina fees €100.00
Oman
December 8th – December 29th
Experience Oman in December with Sea to Sky!
Khasab, Oman, is a town and the local capital of the Musandam Governorate, which is an exclave of Oman situated on the tip of the Musandam Peninsula. This region shares a border with the United Arab Emirates and is separated by the Strait of Hormuz.
Sea To Sky will be in Khasab in December 2024. Join them for a week’s diving in one of the most unique destinations in the world and experience Omani hospitality and amazing diving.
Sea to Sky will be in Khasab between 8th December and 29th December 2024, so why not join them for a week? Jeremy and the team will be guiding the dives amongst the fjords of the Middle East.
In a typical 5-day diving package, you’ll enjoy the following inclusions:
- Transfers to and from DXB/Khasab/DXB, with an approximate transit time of 2 hours.
- Accommodation, including bed and breakfast, at the exclusive Atana Musandam hotel, conveniently located just 100 meters from the dive centre.
- Five days of diving, featuring three dives per day for four days, with the last diving day offering two dives.
- One night dive and one wreck dive are included in the three daily dives.
- A half-day Dhow cruise on one of the dive days.
- A traditional Omani beach BBQ on a day agreed upon with the client.
- Fresh fruit, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water provided on the boat.
For more information on any of these trips or to book, contact Sea to Sky now:
Email: hello@mysetaosky.co.uk
WhatsApp: + 39 379 236 7138
Website: www.myseatosky.co.uk
In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.
As we’re currently in butterfly season, this month we decided to concentrate on the Butterfly Rays!
Within the family Gymnuridae, there are two genera and 12 species of Butterfly Ray. These species are morphologically different to lots of other rays because of the width of the disc and pectoral fins – in contrast to many other species of Butterfly Ray, their bodies are much wider than they are long, especially considering their very short tail. This gives them the appearance of gliding or flying across the sand.
Gymnura altavela – Spiny Butterfly Ray
Gymnura australis – Australian Butterfly Ray
Gymnura crebripunctata – Longsnout Butterfly Ray
Gymnura japonica – Japanese Butterfly Ray
Gymnura lessae – Lessa’s Butterfly Ray
Gymnura marmorata – California Butterfly Ray
Gymnura micrura – Smooth Butterfly Ray
Gymnura natalensis – Backwater Butterfly Ray
Gymnura peocilura – Longtail Butterfly Ray
Gymnura sereti – Seret’s Butterfly Ray
Gymnura tentaculata – Tentacled Butterfly Ray
Gymnura zonura – Zonetail Butterfly Ray
Spiny Butterfly Ray, Gymnura altavela. Playa La Granadella, Spain, Mediterranean Sea.
Today we’re taking a look at Gymnura altavela, the Spiny Butterfly Ray. Like all Butterfly Rays, the Spiny Butterfly Ray is a demersal species, meaning it spends the majority of its time on the bottom of the seabed. Butterfly Rays are known for their burying behaviour in the sand, a technique they use to camouflage themselves when they are resting during the day. This protects them from predators, in some areas larger sharks. It also aids them in their ambush hunting technique – by hiding themselves under the sand they are able to easily snatch up their dinner – usually crustaceans, molluscs or other small fish – as they swim by unawares. This behaviour can leave tell-tale butterfly-ray shaped imprints in the bottom of the seabed.
Spiny Butterfly Rays can grow up to 260 cm (disc width (wingspan)), although average is around 200 cm. They give birth to live young, and each litter consists of 1-8 pups. This species has also been found to aggregate, likely for mating. One study found that aggregations of primarily females in the coastal regions off Gran Canaria may correlate with the shifting water temperature.
It is estimated that the species has undergone a population reduction of 50-79% over the last 33 years. This is primarily due to fishing pressure – the Spiny Butterfly Ray is targeted and bycaught in both industrial and artisanal fisheries types using a variety of gear types. The species is now Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean and Southwest Atlantic.
Scientific Name: Gymnura altavela
Family: Gymnuridae
Maximum Size: 260 cm (disc width)
Diet: crabs, shrimps, various invertebrates, fishes, small crustaceans, and molluscs.
Distribution: throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Habitat: muddy and sandy substrates down to 150m.
Conservation status: Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean and Europe, Endangered Globally.
For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website
Banner Image: ©Tomas Willems. Main image: ©Andy Murch
DiveAlertPLUS is a specially designed, small, lightweight pneumatic signalling device that uses quick-connect/disconnect hose couplings to become an integrated part of your power inflator.
It uses a small amount of air from your SCUBA tank to make a piercingly loud sound in air or water. It can be heard a mile away from where the diver in need is above water.
How it works
The DiveAlertPLUS uses chrome-plated brass couplings to attach to your power inflator. Squeezing the device engages the actuator valve stem causing a small amount of air to flutter a stainless steel diaphragm emitting a piercingly loud sound. The subsurface/underwater signal is produced by a percussion “buzzing” noise made by a piston hitting a stainless steel diaphragm much like a drum.
To Learn more about the DV1 an DV3 DiveAlert click on this link to their website: https://www.divealert.com/index.php/divealert-plus
Sea & Sea is the home of DiveAlert and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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