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Diving with… Craig Yon, Dive Saint Helena, South Atlantic Ocean

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In this ongoing series, we speak to 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?

Craig Yon

What is the name of your business?

Dive Saint Helena

What is your role within the business?

Director and Founder

How long has the business operated for?

10+ years

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

17 years, Padi MSDT 306289 /8 Instructor Specialties.

What is your favourite type of diving?

Deep Diving and Videography.

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 have a friendly operation giving you the best St Helena has to offer which very few divers have experienced!

What is your favourite dive in your location and why?

The wreck of the RAF Darkdale; its an old war grave wreck, yet still intact with a lot of history behind it. Very good for photography.

What types of diving are available in your location?

Reef, wreck, cavern, swim throughs, pinnacles, overhangs, pelagics and, best of all, snorkelling with the Whale Sharks.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

Introducing new divers to our wonderful ocean and offering visitors an experience of a lifetime.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

The Chilean Devil Rays.

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

Yes! The introduction to nitrox and the arrival of a recompression chamber.

As a centre what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Lower diver numbers due to the cost of flights to St Helena.

Is your centre involved in any environmental work?

Yes we work very closely with the local marine department. We are also involved with other organisations like Blue Marine Foundation and for several years we have worked with Georgia Aquarium carrying out Whale Shark research. We are also involved in local clean up projects along the coastline.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkelling industry overall? What changes would you make?

Personally, I think it is already well managed, However I would like to promote free diving a little more.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

I have dived in quite a few places in the world and really believe that St Helena should be ranked as one of the top 10 best dive destinations worldwide.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business? 

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered.Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Experience a night Dive at the West Rock Shipwreck with Euro-Divers

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shipwreck

There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.

Here’s why:

Setting the Scene

The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.

Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.

shipwreck

The Dive Begins

Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.

As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.

We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.

Underwater Galaxy

As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.

Post-Dive Bliss

Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.

Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.

For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.

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Exclusive Red Sea Diving Safari for Family & Friends on VIP ONE

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vip one

Imagine a week of world-class diving, luxury, and adventure—all aboard your own private liveaboard! VIP ONE offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and exceptional diving in the stunning Northern Red Sea.

vip one

June, July & August are THE best times of year to dive the Red Sea- with 29 degrees water temperature, less boats, the legendary Ras Mohammed National Marine Park is buzzing with life. Guaranteed schooling fish, perfect conditions with 16 hours of daylight to maximise your diving opportunities!

vip one

Charter the entire yacht for just €10,000 (up to 10 passengers) – that’s only €1,000per person for an unforgettable 5-star diving experience!

For more information or to book, email info@vipone.com.

www.vipone.com

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