News
Dive Ninjas becomes first Ally for Dolphins Certified Ecotourism Operator in Baja
Dive Ninja Expeditions, pioneering the sustainable exploration of Baja’s wild frontier, sets a new standard for ecotourism operators in Mexico and around the world, by joining Ally for Dolphins’ initiative to make the industry more transparent for the growing population of eco-conscious travelers.
Freediving with wild dolphins in Bimini, Bahamas with Dive Ninja Expeditions & Neal Watsons Bimini Scuba Center
Thousands of travelers come to Mexico every year to experience the incredible marine life that call these abundant waters home. As these travelers become more aware of their environmental footprint, tour companies are becoming more ‘eco-friendly.’ However, there is no accountability.
Freediving with Atlantic Spotted Dolphins in Bimini – Dive Ninja Expeditions
“I have personally seen passionate ocean-lovers unknowingly book ‘whale-watching eco-tours’ with a company that also offers swimming with captive dolphins. There is no transparency, and too many options. We are happy to be a part of a solution to this problem, so that consumers can more easily choose an operation with practices that align with their own beliefs and principles.”
—Ellen, Instructor at Dive Ninja Expeditions
There are over 40 dolphin aquariums in Mexico alone, many associated with resorts, large tour companies, and corporations hiding behind a mirage of conservation, and ecotourism marketing. Not only does Dive Ninjas not support wild animals in captivity in any way shape or form, they also promote sustainable practices such as: reef-safe sunscreen, sourcing from local communities, refusing single-use plastic, recycling, and so many more.
Freediving with Atlantic Spotted Dolphins in Bimini – Dive Ninja Expeditions
Hoping to be the first of many operators and businesses certified in Baja, Dive Ninja Expeditions wants to bring awareness to the great work that Empty the Tanks is doing for dolphin captivity. In addition, they have curated a once-and-a-lifetime experience to swim with wild dolphins in Bimini, Bahamas this summer to experience these curious, sentient beings in their natural habitat.
Freediving with Atlantic Spotted Dolphins in Bimini – Dive Ninja Expeditions
Before or during your next holiday, when choosing a restaurant, tour operator, or hotel stay, check the Ally for Dolphins website for approved operators, to ensure they support ecotourism and put the welfare of dolphins and all cetaceans first. You can get involved in the movement to “Empty the Tanks,” by asking your favorite dive center to join Ally for Dolphins. Collectively, as consumers, we have the power to make profound changes by aligning our demands with our dollars.
Visit www.diveninjaexpeditons.com for more information.
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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