News
New from Diverse Travel – St Helena
Dive holiday experts Diverse Travel have added the destination of St Helena to their programme.
St Helena is one of the remotest inhabited islands and most exciting dive destinations worldwide. A subtropical paradise nestled deep in the South Atlantic Ocean, this tiny island – just ten by five miles and with a population less than 4,500 – is quite literally a world away from anywhere else.
St Helena’s geographical isolation makes for an exceptional ecosystem. This is one of Earth’s finest natural playgrounds, packed with mountainous peaks and trails, hundreds of endemic wildlife species, and a globally significant ancient cloud forest.
Underwater, St Helena is equally blessed, and her crystal-clear warm waters boast an outstanding diversity of habitats and life. Shaped by ancient volcanic activity, the dramatic underwater landscape is characterised by rocky caves, arches, sea mounts and reef structures that host abundant marine life. Over 700 marine species have been spotted here, at least 50 of them are endemic to the island’s surrounding waters, including the so-called ‘Cunning Fish’ otherwise known as the St Helena Butterfly Fish. Sightings of dolphins, Humpback Whales, Devil Rays and turtles are also commonplace here.
Between December and April, Whale Sharks migrate to St Helena in large aggregations. The island is the only destination worldwide where male and female Whale Sharks are seen in such large, equal numbers. If snorkelling with Whale Sharks is on your must-do list, then St Helena is simply one of the best spots in the world to experience this.
St Helena’s crystalline waters are also the perfect frame for the island’s eight exciting wreck dives that tell stories of tragedy, loss and treasure across 400 years or more of history. From Jacques Cousteau favourite the Witte Leeuw to the war grave of the Darkdale, there is plenty to explore.
Above water, St Helena is also a treasure trove. The island is well-known as the place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, and history buffs will enjoy exploring its fascinating past in a legacy of fortifications, historic buildings and remains. St Helena is pristine and untouched by mass tourism, making hiking and outdoor pursuits here simply spectacular.
Diverse Travel Product Manager Phillip Connor says:
“St Helena is a really exciting destination for all lovers of the natural world. The island is positively brimming with opportunities for adventure above and below the water. St Helena is full of untapped potential as a dive and holiday destination and we are incredibly excited to share it with our guests.”
Tailormade dive holiday packages to St Helena start from £2845pp (March 2023) and include return flights London to St Helena via Johannesburg (one piece checked baggage), an overnight stay in Johannesburg, return Airlink flights to St Helena, hotel transfers, 7 nights at the historic Mantis St Helena hotel, Jamestown in a double / twin room including breakfast, 5 days of two tank dives with boat trips, tanks and weights, a Whale Shark experience snorkelling trip, plus ATOL and full financial protection as standard. Owing to connecting flights, St Helena is ideally twinned with South Africa. Why not experience the spectacular diving, wildlife and culture in both countries on a trip of a lifetime?
Visit www.diversetravel.co.uk/diving-holiday-destinations/st-helena-diving-holidays for more information about St Helena.
Get in touch with the Diverse Travel team on 01473 852002, email enquiries@diversetravel.co.uk or visit www.diversetravel.co.uk.
Header Image: Beth Taylor
News
Introducing the XDEEP Navy Signature Hoodie
The long-awaited XDEEP Signature hoodie is finally available! Apart from being super-trendy, it’s also quality stuff: made in EU of 100% premium cotton with solid japan-made YKK metal zippers.
The main features of this stylish hoodie are the following:
- 100% cotton
- Strong metal zipper
- High-quality print
- Made in EU
Furthermore, all XDEEP hoodies and t-shirts (including fabric) are manufactured in EU using top quality 100% cotton.
If you’re not sure what size to go for, check out this handy sizing guide:
Size | Length [cm] | Chest [cm] | Waist [cm] | Arm [cm] |
XS | 58 | 84-88 | 63-90 | 55 |
S | 60 | 89-93 | 67-95 | 57 |
M | 62 | 94-98 | 71-102 | 58 |
L | 64 | 99-103 | 74-110 | 60 |
XL | 66 | 104-108 | 78-115 | 61 |
XXL | 68 | 109-113 | 82-120 | 64 |
Length
Measure from the top of the collar to the bottom of the t-shirt.
Chest
Measure around the chest. Make sure the tape is close under the arms.
Waist
Measure around the waist.
Arm length
Measure from the armpit to the wrist.
The XDEEP Signature Hoodie is perfect for keeping warm and looking trendy at the same time.
To find out more about XDEEP products, visit www.xdeep.eu.
Nautilus are the distributor for XDEEP and other leading dive equipment brands in the UK. Find out more about Nautilus brands at nautilus.uk/our-brands.
News
SSI Continues Environmental Education Leadership with TWO New Specialty Courses
SSI announces the availability of two new unique specialties, “Coral Reef Restoration” and “Invasive Species Management,” as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship through the Blue Oceans initiative. These specialties aim to empower certified divers to actively contribute to the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. When combined with SSI’s ever-expanding Ecology Specialties, SSI continues to be the industry leader in conservation course offerings.
Coral Reef Restoration Specialty
Divers now have the opportunity to become certified in Coral Reef Restoration through SSI’s recognized instructors. This specialty equips participants with the diving knowledge and skills needed to engage in coral planting initiatives, contribute to coral health assessments, and actively participate in the preservation of these vital marine ecosystems.
Invasive Species Management Specialty
SSI recognizes the urgent need to address the threats posed by invasive species to aquatic biodiversity. The Invasive Species Management specialty is designed to train divers through SSI’s recognized instructors in identifying, safely removing, and managing invasive species, particularly in sensitive aquatic environments. Divers will play a crucial role in preserving native species and restoring ecological balance.
Ocean Guardian Digital Card
To celebrate the availability of these unique specialties, SSI is introducing the Ocean Guardian Digital Card, a certification card recognizing divers who complete the Coral Reef Restoration and/or Invasive Species Management specialties. This exclusive certification signifies a diver’s dedication to ocean conservation and identifies them as an Ocean Guardian.
SSI invites divers worldwide to join the Blue Oceans initiative, participate in these unique specialties, and become Ocean Guardians committed to protecting and restoring our oceans.
SSI’s Blue Oceans Initiative
SSI’s Blue Oceans Initiative sets the benchmark for conservation among the recreational diving community. Combining awareness and encouragement of opportunities to conserve our aquatic environments through diving activities, minimizing our impact through awareness and diving skills across all training programs, offering educational materials such as the Blue Oceans Program and our Ecology Specialties, and now, through Ocean Guardian, SSI is enabling its divers to create a direct positive impact on our aquatic environments.
If you are not yet an SSI Training Center or SSI Instructor but want to explore how you can benefit from offering SSI’s wide range of ecology conservation programs like these, call SSI at 1-800-892-2702 or visit us at https://my.divessi.com/become_trainingcenter to become an SSI Training Center, or check out how to get a FREE SSI Crossover Kit by clicking here: https://www.divessi.com/en/blog/free-ssi-crossover-kit-promotion-7120.html.
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