News
May Madness deals and more from blue o two
UK-based tour operator blue o two have released their latest special offers, including Red Sea liveaboard holiday deals from only £599 including flights to Hurghada and Maldives liveaboard offers now starting from as little as £1595 including flights.
Here are the details:
RED SEA
M/Y blue Horizon – Red Sea
29 Apr – 06 May: Simply the Best £999 – MAY MADNESS! WAS £1099, NOW £999 (SAVE £100!)
06 May – 13 May: Northern Wrecks & Reefs £649 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1249, NOW £649 (SAVE £600!)
13 May – 20 May: Strait of Tiran & North £799 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1299, NOW £799 (SAVE £500!)
20 May – 27 May: Simply the Best £799 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1199, NOW £799 (SAVE £400!)
27 May – 03 Jun: Daedalus & St Johns £999 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1349, NOW £999 (SAVE £350!)
17 Jun – 24 Jun: Simply the Best £799
M/Y blue Melody – Red Sea
29 Apr – 06 May: Strait of Tiran and North £999 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1149, NOW £999 (SAVE £150!)
13 May – 20 May: Simply the Best £799 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1299, NOW £799 (SAVE £500!)
20 May – 27 May: Deep South £995 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1249, NOW £995 (SAVE £254!)
03 Jun – 10 Jun: Project Shark: Daedalus and St Johns £799
17 Jun – 24 Jun: Best of Daedalus £849
01 Jul – 08 Jul: North & Brothers £899
15 Jul – 22 Jul: Project Shark: Simply the Best £899
29 Jul – 05 Aug: Strait of Tiran and North £799
M/Y blue Fin – Red Sea
06 May – 13 May: Northern Wrecks and Reefs £599 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1249, NOW £599 (SAVE £650!)
20 May – 27 May: North & Brothers £749 – MAY MADNESS – WAS £1099, NOW £749 (SAVE £350!)
03 Jun – 10 Jun: North & Brothers £799
08 Jul – 15 Jul: Northern Wrecks and Reefs £799
15 Jul – 22 Jul: Northern Wrecks and Reefs £799
M/Y Red Sea Adventurer – Red Sea
27 May – 03 Jun: Deep South £845
10 Jun – 17 Jun: Best of Daedalus £949
17 Jun – 24 Jun: North & Brothers £849
08 Jul – 15 Jul: Simply the Best £849
15 Jul – 22 Jul: Strait of Tiran and North £799
29 Jul – 05 Aug: Northern Wrecks & Reefs £899
MALDIVES
M/Y blue Voyager
30 Apr – 08 May: Pelagic Encounters (7 nights) WAS £1995, NOW £1595* (SAVE £300!) – MAY MADNESS DEAL
07 May – 15 May: Pelagic Encounters (7 nights) WAS £1995, NOW £1595* (SAVE £300!) – MAY MADNESS DEAL
25 May – 02 Jun: Pelagic Encounters (7 nights) WAS £2495, NOW £1595* (SAVE £900!) – MAY MADNESS DEAL
M/V Sea Spirit
21 May – 29 May: Central Atolls (7 nights) WAS £1895, NOW £1395* (SAVE £500!) – MAY MADNESS DEAL
30 Jul – 07 Aug: Central Atolls (7 nights) £1949*
06 Aug – 19 Aug: Central Atolls & Beyond (12 nights) £2899*
03 Sep – 11 Sep: Central Atolls (7 nights) £1999*
INDONESIA
Lembeh Resort
16 Jun – 27 Jun 2016: ‘In Focus Indonesia’ with Saeed Rashid (10 nights) £3195*
PHILIPPINES
Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort
04 Sep – 14 Sep 2016: ‘In Focus Philippines’ with Saeed Rashid (10 nights) £3095*
GALAPAGOS
M/V Galapagos Master
02 Jul – 11 Jul 2017: Master the Galapagos (7 nights) £5749*
TRUK LAGOON
M/V Truk Master
08 Feb – 18 Feb 2017: Truk Lagoon (10 nights) £2949**
16 Aug – 27 Aug 2017: Truk Lagoon (10 nights) £2949**
FRENCH POLYNESIA
M/V French Polynesia Master
10 Sep – 20 Sep 2017: Tuamotu Archipelago (10 nights) £3879**
*Package price is subject to change due to fluctuations in flight prices. Final package price will be confirmed at time of booking. **Excludes flights (boat only price).
Spaces are limited so check availability at www.blueotwo.com and call the blue o two travel team now on +44 (0)1752 480808 or email divingholidays@blueotwo.com to guarantee your space today.
Terms & conditions apply – visit www.blueotwo.com/Terms-and-conditions for more details.
News
Dive into Adventure: Limited Space Available for January Socorro Liveaboard Trip with Oyster Diving
Socorro Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins – 8-16th January 2025
Oyster Diving is offering an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary dive destinations – Socorro Island. With only one male space left for this January’s liveaboard adventure, divers are invited to join an exclusive trip to explore the waters of Socorro, renowned for its remarkable marine life and incredible dive experiences.
Unmatched Diving in Socorro
Socorro is home to a unique population of giant oceanic mantas that actively seek interaction with divers and snorkelers, making it one of the best places in the world to encounter these majestic creatures. But the adventure doesn’t stop there – the waters surrounding Socorro are also teeming with marine life, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, over 10 other species of sharks, playful bottlenose dolphins that love to interact with divers, large schools of pelagic fish, and, during the season, humpback whales.
Luxury Aboard the Nautilus Belle Amie
Diving in such an extraordinary location is made even more special by the Nautilus Belle Amie. Launched in 2015, this modern, spacious liveaboard yacht is designed with divers in mind, ensuring comfort and luxury throughout the trip. The boat offers various suite options, including twin rooms and superior double suites, all with the ambiance of a boutique hotel. Divers will spend 8 days aboard the Belle Amie, with all meals, guided dives, and soft drinks included.
Pricing and Availability
This exclusive Socorro liveaboard trip is available for the following prices:
- Twin Room (2 people sharing a Stateroom): £3360 per person
- Superior Double Suite (2 people sharing): £3860 per person
Both prices include Socorro Island fees. A port fee of $35 is payable upon arrival.
Additional Costs:
- Return economy flights: Approx. £1,000 – £1,300 per person (prices confirmed prior to booking)
- One night hotel B&B accommodation before the liveaboard: Approx. £100 per person
Book Now
With only one spot left, this opportunity to explore Socorro’s spectacular underwater world is sure to fill up fast. Interested divers are encouraged to get in touch with Oyster Diving Holidays to secure their place today.
For more information and bookings, please contact:
Oyster Diving Holidays
Phone: 0800 699 0243
Email: info@oysterdiving.com
Don’t miss your chance to dive with mantas, sharks, dolphins, and humpbacks in one of the world’s most pristine marine environments!
Marine Life & Conservation
12 Days of Zero-Waste Fish-mas
This holiday period, the Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading ocean membership charity, invites you to make some simple changes to eating fish this Christmas to help our seas.
Dr Kenneth Bodles, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “During the festive season, our consumption increases, but so does waste. Sustainability isn’t just about where food comes from – it’s also about how you use it. By reducing waste and making the most out of your seafood, you’re not only taking steps to be more ocean-friendly, but can also help to cut costs during what is often one of the most expensive times of the year”.
The Marine Conservation Society has compiled twelve tips on how to consume seafood sustainably with zero-waste this Christmas:
Buy whole fish instead of fillets
Instead of fillets, consider buying whole fish such as salmon, hake, or lemon sole. By adopting a “nose to tail” approach with cooking, whole-baked fish not only feeds a crowd, but also helps to minimise waste and maximise sustainability by using up every part of the animal, including bones, skin, and fat.
Make fish stock
Leftover fish bones or shells can be put to good use by boiling them to make a nourishing fish stock or bisque. This can be frozen and preserved for later use and makes for a flavourful base in a soup.
Make your own fish pâté
Avoid waste by turning leftover fish, such as smoked mackerel or salmon, into a delicious pâté by blending with cream cheese and lemon. Perfect when paired with crackers.
The sustainability of salmon and mackerel varies depending on where and how it is caught or farmed. For more information on green-rated options, check the charity’s Good Fish Guide.
Buy frozen
By purchasing seafood that is frozen or vacuum-packed, this helps to reduce waste by extending the shelf life of your food.
Fish pie
If you’re wondering what to do with leftover cooked fish, why not opt for a classic fish pie with mashed potatoes, leeks, and a cheesy sauce? A sure crowd pleaser on Boxing Day.
Use the head
Don’t forget the fish head! The meat is incredibly tender and flavourful. The charity recommends a cod’s head curry or recreating Fallow’s renowned cod’s head in siracha butter.
By stretching your ingredients further, not only is this a more sustainable way to enjoy seafood, but also cost-effective by repurposing leftovers and cooking creatively.
Boxing Day brunch
Mix leftover kippers or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs for a tasty, zero-waste, Boxing Day brunch.
For best choice, make sure you buy kippers, or herring, from the North Sea and the North Irish Sea.
Zero-waste storage
A top tip from the Marine Conservation Society to avoid waste is freezing fish offcuts to save for future use.
Crisp up the skin
Even leftover fish skin can be turned into a quick savoury snack by crisping it up in an air fryer with a little olive oil and salt.
Anchovies two ways
Leftover anchovies can either be blended with butter to make a delicious anchovy butter or tossed into pasta for a hit of umami flavour.
The charity recommends opting for anchovies caught in the Bay of Biscay for best choice.
Fishcakes
For an easy, zero-waste meal, leftover seafood trimmings can be mixed with mash and fried in breadcrumbs to make fishcakes.
Pickled mussels
Try pickling mussels in 1:1 vinegar and water, with a dash of sugar for a sustainable, zero-waste snack that can be enjoyed well beyond the festive season.
Mussels farmed in the UK are a seafood superhero. Grown using low-impact methods and harvested by hand, they get all the food they need from the sea around them. This makes them one of the most sustainable, ocean-friendly, and cost-effective seafood options.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £6.6M towards the Marine Conservation Society’s vital work in making seafood more sustainable.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Fish is a festive favourite for many, but making sustainable choices when it comes to how we buy and eat seafood makes all the difference for our ocean. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has helped the Marine Conservation Society further its sustainable seafood work, so that we can all enjoy healthier, better protected seas.”
The Marine Conservation Society encourages you to make sustainable seafood choices a year-round habit, not just for Christmas. To check how sustainable the seafood on your plate is, you can visit the charity’s Good Fish Guide. The Guide helps consumers and businesses identify the most sustainable seafood using a simple traffic light system, based on where and how species are caught or farmed. Green is the best choice, amber means improvements are needed, and red indicates fish to avoid buying.
Zero-waste gift idea
Why not embrace a zero-waste Christmas by gifting a membership to support marine conservation? It’s a meaningful, low-waste gift that helps protect our ocean for generations to come. Memberships start from as little as £5 a month – the price of a sandwich and drink from your local coffee shop.
Find the latest sustainable seafood advice for wild-caught and farmed seafood on the Good Fish Guide, downloadable to your phone from www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide.
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