News
Salcombe Brewery gives generous support to Seahorse Conservation

Salcombe Brewery Co. is delighted to announce it has partnered with The Seahorse Trust to provide much needed support for these endangered creatures. Since June, Salcombe Brewery Co. has donated 5 pence for every bottle of Seahorse sold.
Owner of Salcombe Brewery Co., John Tiner, says: “At the launch of Salcombe Brewery Co. we adopted the seahorse as our logo as we are lucky enough to be based in an area which is a breeding ground for both British species of seahorse. However, worldwide these enchanting animals are under threat and so it seemed the obvious next step to support the trust’s conservation efforts and raise valuable funds for them through the sale of our much-loved Seahorse beer.”
Seahorse (ABV4.4%) is a popular amber ale, handcrafted in Devon, overlooking the estuary that is home to this protected species. It is a sweet and smooth beer with a gentle spicy hop character, hints of burnt toffee, caramel and a smoked malty finish. Taking its name from the Salcombe Brewery Co. logo, Seahorse has always been a firm favourite with drinkers both locally and now further afield nationwide. It has also recently won a Taste of the West Award. John Tiner comments: “It is a great opportunity for us to capitalise on the ever-growing popularity of Seahorse to spread the word about these endangered creatures and support their conservation.”
The Seahorse Trust was set up in 1999 to preserve and conserve the natural world, especially the marine environment, using Seahorses as their flagship species. Seahorses are a unique fish species that occupy the coastal areas of most of the world and it is these fragile eco-systems that are most under threat. Neil Garrick-Maidment from The Seahorse Trust comments: “We are thrilled to have joined forces with Salcombe Brewery Co.. Every penny that they donate will directly help the trust in its efforts to study seahorses in the wild and to launch conservation programmes to ensure we have seahorses in the wild forever. We would like to say a massive thank you to Salcombe Brewery Co. for their generous support.”
Salcombe Brewery Co. takes pride in its local roots and values its coastal environs and as such, its partnership to support seahorses is just one of a number of its environmental commitments. Salcombe Brewery Co. has already made steps to become plastic free in its onsite shop, no longer providing plastic bags but offering cotton or jute bags instead. Their event bars have also turned their back on plastic and use only compostable cups. With a strong commitment to being ‘plastic clever’ they are constantly looking for ways of reducing and replacing plastic in all aspects of their business. Seahorse sits alongside the much loved beers in the Salcombe Brewery range, which include Salcombe Pale Ale, Lifesaver, Devon Amber, Shingle Bay and Salcombe Gold.
For more information about The Seahorse Trust visit their website by clicking here.
For more information about Salcombe Brewery Co. visit their website by clicking here.
News
PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Blogs
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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