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Dive holiday offers from Scuba Travel
Check out the latest dive travel offers from our friends at UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel…
Egypt
Whirlwind
Save £155 onboard Whirlwind this 4th of May
The trip offers up to 22 dives over the week. Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin share cabin). All marine park fees, 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included in your package. Wrecks and Reefs is the ideal itinerary whatever your experience level. A popular route for those new to the Red Sea, the varied depths across dive sites suit all abilities – from novice to tekkie. Visibility is crystal clear and the warm blue waters are perfect for even the longest dive times.
After the check dive, this tour starts in style. Tiran and Ras Mohammed are rightly two of the best-known areas for diving in the Northern Red Sea. The coral gardens play host to thousands of coloured fish. The wrecks of the Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Giannis D and Carnatic only add to the excitement. These 19th and 20th-century wrecks have, over the course of time, formed artificial reefs but each is still packed with unique artefacts that tell their story.
But hurry up, there are only 3 places left (1 free cabin + 1 female share)
Book now your spot for only £1195
Hurricane
Book one of the last 4 spaces left on this great trip for only £1145
May is one of the best months of the year to visit the Southern Red Sea. The cooler water brings many pelagics closer to the reefs and the so why not sail away onboard the ever popular, Hurricane and save £250 on this great trip to Daedalus Rocky and St. Johns
Daedalus, the first of the big wall dive sites looms large. Daedalus is the place for exhilarating drift dives and the first shark sightings. Be it hammerheads, grey reefs or thresher sharks there is plenty of reason to keep a watchful eye to the blue. At Rocky and Zabagad slender coral towers and plunging drop offs are the order of the day. St Johns is only a short hop away where diving is a thrilling mixture of sunken reef tops, steep walls and shallow cave systems. Returning north does not mean the end of this itinerary. The succulent coral gardens of Fury Shoal and Wadi Gamal are just as spectacular and finish the week with an exclamation mark.
Direct flight to Marsa Alam, all fees, 12L tank & weights and FREE NITROX are included in your package.
Maldives
Carpe Vita
Save £300 on the Maldives Seasonal Sensation onboard Carpe Vita
The Maldives Seasonal Sensations itinerary wends its way between Male and Baa atolls, cherry picking the highlight dive sites for that season. Timing is everything – dive the east side of the atolls, when sites that are at their seasonal hottest for sharks, manta and gorgeous coral reefs.
Carpe Vita offers up to 4 dives daily (except for on the day of arrival and day before departure) including one or two night dives and all diving is from a dhoni tender, with 12lt tank and weights included. You have booked a standard cabin on board on a full board basis (twin/double share cabin) – cabin upgrades available. Tea, coffee and drinking water are included in your package, as well as non alcoholic beverages and 2 glasses or beer or wine with dinner. All trips are fully guided with 2 expert guides. Excluded are additional alcoholic drinks, nitrox (7 night package $150). The green tax has been prepaid. If your itinerary requires a domestic flight this will be included in your holiday – simply ask your consultant at the time of booking. International flights not included
Emperor Atoll
Dive some of the iconic Maldivian sites on a budget
Emperor Atoll is a traditional Maldives liveaboard. If you are looking for an affordable way to access the full range of dive sites in this world class destination, then look no further. She might be smaller than some of her sister ships, but her charm lies in her open, airy layout and warm welcome.
Experience some amazing shark encounters on the Sharktastic trip or enjoy the magnificent mantas and whale sharks that made the Maldives one of the top destinations from £1195 plus international flights.
Indonesia
Mermaid 2
Save £350 on the Raja Ampat Discovery onboard Mermaid 2 this 28th of February
Experience one of the bests destinations in the world and dive the unique reefs of Raja Ampat onboard Mermaid 2 with this great offer
Raja Ampat may be difficult to find on a map but it is a scuba diving experience quite unlike any other and one of the all time great Indonesian dive destinations. This is a vast expanse of sea, peppered with literally hundreds of tiny islands and coves, which means the only way to truly explore Raja Ampat is on a liveaboard and Mermaid 2. The biodiversity is off the charts with walls, reefs, pinnacles, caves, mangroves and black sands, each creating a unique ecosystem. Areas such as Fam and Kawe boast an enormous quantity of schooling fish. Regular shark sightings at Fiabacet and Uraine are an undeniable highlight. Mansuar is the place to head for mantas and turtles. Epaulette and wobegong sharks can also be seen, rushing across the seabed at Waigeo. Snorkel with the resident dolphin pod in between dives! Macro lovers will be in paradise at Bantana or Kri where muck diving is the order of the day with a myriad of bright, colourful critters – some of which have only been recently identified by science! Pygmy sea horses, mimic octopus, cockatoo wasps, Coleman shrimps… there is no end to what miniature marvels await.
This holiday does not include international flights.
Murex Bangka Resort
Dive the amazing Bangka Island and save £150 on selected dates from £1845
Save £150 – Dive Bangka island Manado with the pioneering team from Murex. With a 15 boat dive package explore the reefs and pinnacles, teeming with life, big to small. Your holiday includes flights from Heathrow to Manado with Singapore Airlines, airport transfers and 7 nights garden view bungalow on a full board basis (2 people sharing). Local taxes are prepaid. Water, tea, and coffee are available free of charge, Not included are any drinks not included in your board basis, laundry, land excursions, Diving extras such as special trips, private guiding, kit hire, courses and nitrox.
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Philippines
Kasai Village
Explore some of the best diving areas in the Philippines
Kasai Village Dive resort and spa is nestled in one of Cebu’s diving meccas – Moalboal. Pescador is only a short ride away. Dive over 30 sites with options for new divers through to technical divers. House reef and boat diving await and there are a range of action packed day trips for those dry days! Under the water or above it, this is an exclusive getaway perfect for those looking to escape the daily grind and demanding crowds.
Prices start from £2295 and are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking.
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer call 0800 0728221, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.com.
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs
Creature Feature: Dusky Shark
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.
This month we’re taking a look at the Dusky Shark, a highly migratory species with a particularly slow growth rate and late age at maturity.
Dusky sharks are one of the largest species within the Carcharhinus genus, generally measuring 3 metres total length but able to reach up to 4.2 metres. They are grey to grey-brown on their dorsal side and their fins usually have dusky margins, with the darkest tips on the caudal fin.
Dusky Sharks can often be confused with other species of the Carcharhinus genus, particularly the Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis). They have very similar external morphology, so it can be easier to ID to species level by taking location into account as the two species occupy very different ecological niches – Galapagos Sharks prefer offshore seamounts and islets, whilst duskies prefer continental margins.
Hybridisation:
A 2019 study found that Dusky Sharks are hybridising with Galapagos Sharks on the Eastern Tropical Pacific (Pazmiño et al., 2019). Hybridisation is when an animal breeds with an individual of another species to produce offspring (a hybrid). Hybrids are often infertile, but this study found that the hybrids were able to produce second generation hybrids!
Long distance swimmers:
Dusky sharks are highly mobile species, undertaking long migrations to stay in warm waters throughout the winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, they head towards the poles in the summer and return southwards towards the equator in winter. The longest distance recorded was 2000 nautical miles!
Very slow to mature and reproduce:
The Dusky Shark are both targeted and caught as bycatch globally. We already know that elasmobranchs are inherently slow reproducers which means that they are heavily impacted by overfishing; it takes them so long to recover that they cannot keep up with the rate at which they are being fished. Dusky Sharks are particularly slow to reproduce – females are only ready to start breeding at roughly 20 years old, their gestation periods can last up to 22 months, and they only give birth every two to three years. This makes duskies one of the most vulnerable of all shark species.
The Dusky Shark is now listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), but further action is required to protect this important species.
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus obscurus
Family: Carcharhinidae
Maximum Size: 420cm (Total Length)
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods, can also eat crustaceans, and small sharks, skates and rays
Distribution: Patchy distribution in tropical and warm temperate seas; Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean.
Habitat: Ranges from inshore waters out to the edge of the continental shelf.
Conservation status: Endangered.
For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website
Images: Andy Murch
Diana A. Pazmiño, Lynne van Herderden, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Claudia Junge, Stephen C. Donnellan, E. Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla, Clinton A.J. Duffy, Charlie Huveneers, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Paul A. Butcher, Gregory E. Maes. (2019). Introgressive hybridisation between two widespread sharks in the east Pacific region, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 136(119-127), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.04.013.
Blogs
Join Pharaoh Dive Club for Red Sea Splash Family Summer Camp in August 2024
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
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