News
Scuba Travel’s latest dive holiday deals
Check out the latest dive holiday deals from UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel:
Egypt
- Boat: Whirlwind
- Date: February 2nd 2020
- Price: £1245
Departing from Sharm El Sheikh allows you to dive some of the most beautiful areas in the northern Red Sea regardless of the weather. Enjoy the colourful reefs of Tiran, always buzzing with life, the incredible walls of Ras Muhamed and the majestic Thistlegorm. You will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin-share cabin). Included in your package are up to 22 dives over the week, 12lt tank, air fills and weights. Please prebook nitrox and 15lt tanks before travel. Flights are direct with EnterAir from Gatwick (Indirect Manchester are available at a supplement) and transfers are also included. At the end of the week, you will have day use of a hotel and buffet lunch while you wait for your flight home.
Click here to email Scuba Travel and receive more information about this amazing liveaboard. Dive the reefs of Tiran, Ras Mohammed, and the incredible Thistlegorm.
Click here to book this great trip!
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Egypt
- Resort: Camel
- Date: Winter Specials
- Price: from £745
Camel Dive Club – Sharm el-Sheikh – from £745. Including flights!
Camel Dive Club and hotel have been at the very heart of Naama Bay in Sharm el-Sheikh for over 30 years and their hard work has been recognised repeatedly by winning a host of Trip Advisor and Divers awards over the years. The facilities for divers and non-divers have evolved greatly, but Camel remains one of the friendliest hotels with a reputation for the quality of recreational and technical training.
Ever popular with families and solo divers alike, experience the superior service for your next diving holiday in Egypt.
Direct flight options are available with Easyjet and Thomson via a number of regional airports. Ask your travel consultant for a quote
Click here to email Scuba Travel and receive more information about this great resort.
Click here for more information about Camel Dive Club Winter Specials!
Maldives
- Destination: Maldives
- Date: Winter Specials
- Price: from £995
Maldives liveaboard holidays have never been more affordable than with Scuba Travel’s handpicked selection of boats for all budgets, with year-round departures. From open plan traditional style boats to modern, luxurious liveaboards, there’s a trip for you. We’ve got great options for individuals or groups looking for their next adventure. Or if you prefer elegant living with world-class diving, then step on board our high-end liveaboard holidays. Non divers and snorkellers are always welcome too!
Ask an Expert: Whilst we all love the Maldives no one does it more than Scuba Travel’s Melissa. She has also been on or visited all the liveaboards we offer and so many resorts that we lost count. If you are planning a liveaboard, resort or a combination of the two, she is the expert to speak to. Just call 01483 411590, or email dive@scubatravel.com and ask for Melissa and she will help you organise your perfect Maldivian getaway.
Her favourite offers at the moment:
- 10th May – Serenity – Best of the Maldives – £1225
- 6th Sep – Carpe Vita – Best of the Maldives – £1175
- 11th Oct – Virgo – Best of the Maldives – £1045
Click here to see all our Maldivian offers!
Indonesia
- Destination: Bali
- Resort: Scuba Seraya
- Date: Winter Specials
- Price: from £795
Scuba Seraya Winter Specials – From £795 plus flights!
Scuba diving in Bali is an experience you will never forget! Bali is sometimes overlooked in Indonesia, but diving here is a must for anyone that loves opulent reef diving. And Scuba Seraya has built a reputation as the area’s premier dive centre. Stay here and you dive world-class sites such as the Liberty Wreck (regularly in the top 10 wreck dives of the world!) as well as critters galore.
Scuba Seraya sits next to world-class dive sites, and as such, this really is a diver’s resort. But you do not have to forgo your creature comforts! There are a freshwater pool and beachside massage service for those chill out days. The beach is for the exclusive use of guests. The restaurant is right by the sea and serves freshly prepared Indonesian and Western meals. The whole atmosphere at Scuba Seraya is understated elegance. Relax and forget about the world as you dive from your very own corner in paradise.
Click here to email Scuba Travel and receive more information about Scuba Seraya in Bali. Otherwise, call 01483 411590 and ask for Mario, Scuba Travel’s Indonesia specialist.
Click here to see all our Scuba Seraya offers!
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
Philippines
- Destination: Malapascua
- Resort: Exotic Island Dive Resort
- Date: Winter Specials
- Price: from £695
Malapascua Island has an impressive reputation for such a small location. The diving in Malapascua is most famous for its thresher sharks, but it is also one of Scuba Travel’s staff favourites. Looking for laid back long haul diving at affordable prices? Then look no further! The experienced dive team have an impressive reputation for finding the sharks. Discover beautiful reef diving on the local sites or take a day trip to one of the picture-perfect islands of Gato or Calanggaman. Step ashore and forget your everyday stresses and strains as the friendly staff welcome you to their slice of paradise!
Ask an Expert: Many of us love Malapascua, but Mario has already been there twice and is planning to go back again for a third time later in 2020. If you’re looking at going to Malapascua and have questions or want help with organizing transfers, flights, hotels or extensions. Mario is the guy to talk to.
Just call 01483 411590 or email dive@scubatravel.com and ask for Mario.
Click here to find out more about Malapascua Winter Specials!
Oman
- Liveaboard: Oman Aggressor
- Date: Winter Specials
- Price: from £1395
Oman Aggressor Winter Specials
Oman has featured in the press a lot the last days and a lot of that has focused on the positive developments in the country during the last 40 years. and there’s no denying it, Oman is a hot, upcoming destination!
For divers, there are two thrilling island chains to discover. The Daymaniyat Islands are the jewels of diving in the Gulf of Oman. This string of small, rocky islands north of Muscat is encircled with awesome coral reefs down to 30m and an abundance of pelagics, rays and schooling fish. Want humpbacks? Then head to the Hallaniyat Islands. In the spring months, the resident humpback whales can be encountered, along with giant groupers, moray eels, honeycomb moray eels, dragon morays and thousands of reef fishes. Coupled with the world-famous onboard Aggressor service, and much-loved food and drinks package, and you will discover why everyone is so excited about this new destination.
Oman Aggressor sleeps only 22 divers across a whopping 45m liveaboard. The saloon area is the hub of life when not diving or snorkelling. This is a modern, airy communal space, where the all-important meals are served. The menu aboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of Omani feasts and local cuisine. There is a complete photo video centre for anyone with a camera, a large sun deck with shading, a jacuzzi, chaise lounges and deck chairs and bar. The dive deck is on the main deck level,
These trips do not include any international flights to Salalah SLL or Muscat MCT. Scuba Travel is able to add flights with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for a competitive quote for any flight option.
Click here to email Scuba Travel and receive more information about Oman Aggressor.
Click here to book this holiday or call Scuba Travel on 01483 411590!
* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer call 01483 411590, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.com.
Fire on Monroe Bravo is the latest book in the Jack Collier series by Fred Lockwood. Our story begins with our lead characters, Jack and Sandro, owners of Marine Salvage & Investigation Company, arriving on the Monroe Bravo Oil & Gas Platform in the North Sea. Having secured a contract for their vessel the MV Stavanger to act as support ship to the platform for TransGlobal Oil, our protagonists are on a celebratory visit.
However almost as soon as they arrive a series of explosions rock the platform, causing huge damage, loss of life and the very real danger of a massive human, ecological and financial disaster.
As the danger mounts for both our heroes and the surviving workers, Jack and Sandro will have to escape the inferno, all while trying to save the platform and the men still trapped unable to help themselves.
The disaster sets the scene for the unfolding story lines following the fate of the platform and our main characters, the police investigation into a suspected terrorist act and the actions of TransGlobal Oil as they attempt to navigate the pubic outcry and financial repercussions.
In his eighth book, Fire on Monroe Bravo, Fred Lockwood delivers an explosive thriller, with plenty of above and in-water drama, and our heroes fighting for survival, what more can you ask for?
We thoroughly recommend this read and look forward to the next in the series. For more information about his book series, you can check out the reviews of his previous books here on Scubaverse.
- Title: Fire On Monroe Bravo
- Author: Fred Lockwood
- ISBN: 979-8325324536
Available in a paperback version and for Kindle from Amazon and book stores.
In June we were incredibly fortunate to be invited to dive in Alonissos, a small Greek Island in the Sporades island chain located in the North Aegean Sea. While I have long been a big fan of the Greek Islands as a great holiday destination, I had not had the opportunity to do any diving on previous visits and Mike and I were extremely excited to see what Alonissos had to offer both above and below the surface!
The Sporades are easily accessible via the airport in Skiathos (the first island in the chain), which is served by Jet2 flights from all major UK airports from May through October. Numerous ferries and charter boats make island hopping from Skiathos Town a breeze. After an hour boat ride, the picturesque port of Patitiri was a wonderful introduction to Alonissos, where we were met by our gracious hosts Kostas of Albedo Travel and Dias of Alonissos Triton Dive Center. Mike and I were delighted to be staying at the Paradise Hotel, aptly named for its stunning views over the sea and great location for walking to the waterfront.
Alonissos is beautifully situated in the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe. The surrounding seas offer fabulous marine life, including incredibly rare species such as the Mediterranean monk seal. They boast deep walls covered in gorgonians and sponges, stunning topography with caverns, swimthroughs and pinnacles, and the first accessible ancient shipwreck from 500BC!
In locations where historical sites have been reported, the waters are largely restricted, but with collaboration between government, underwater archeologists and dive centres, incredible underwater museums are being created for a truly unique diving experience. Alonissos is home to the first of these, the Ancient Shipwreck of Peristera Accessible Underwater Archeological Site. The chance to dive into history (along with reports of healthy reef life and amazing underwater topography) meant Mike and I were keen to get in the water.
Our introduction to the diving around Alonissos was at the Agios Georgios Pinnacles, in the channel between Alonissos and Skopelos. This fantastic site was named “The Chimney,’ and proved to have a huge amount to see. We got to a decent depth here (over 25m), and marvelled at a colourful reef wall with a wonderful swim through whose rocky walls were absolutely covered with life. As well as brilliant topography there was no shortage of macro life here. We saw numerous nudibranchs, five different species in total. The second dive at Mourtias reef nearby was a shallower dive along a nice wall with lots of crevices. Several moray eels and grouper called this site home. We enjoyed looking in the crevices for lobster and smaller benthic life, such as cup corals and tunicates.
Our itinerary allowed us two dives a day with afternoons left to explore the island with our hire car and evenings to enjoy the famous Greek hospitality. This proved to be a lovely mix of in-water and land based diversions.
The next days diving to the Gorgonian Gardens and Triton’s Cave was to be even better! These two stunning sites are nothing short of fabulous. The Gorgonian Gardens was a deep wall near to the Agios Georgios islands. The ever-present currents in this deep channel meant that the sea life was amazing … the namesake Gorgonian sea fans dotted the wall at a depth of 30 to 50 meters, getting ever larger the deeper we went. Above 30m was by no means less beautiful, with sponges, corals, scorpionfish, moray eels and some rare and colourful nudibranchs.
The second shallower dive of the day was to Triton’s Cave or the Cavern of Skopelos, on the east side of that island. The spectacular rock formations had wild striations both above and below the water making a truly epic topography. The cavern entrance was at 14m, and big enough for a buddy pair, winding up to 6m and passing two beautiful windows out into the blue. Emerging from the cavern, the light at the shallower depths and the incredible rock formations made for a fantastic gentle swimming safety stop and we all surfaced by the boat with massive grins.
Check out our next blog :Alonissos: The complete diving destination (Part 2)” to hear about our amazing dive on the 2500 year old Peristera Wreck!
Thanks to:
Alonissos Triton Dive Center https://bestdivingingreece.com/
Albedo Travel https://alonissosholidays.com/activities/
Paradise Hotel https://paradise-hotel.gr/
Alonissos Municipality https://alonissos.gr/en/
-
Blogs2 months agoDiving With… Nico, Ocean Earth Travels, Indonesia
-
News1 month agoMurex Bangka Announce New Oceanfront Cottages & Beachfront Dining
-
Blogs2 months agoA new idea in freediving from RAID
-
Marine Life & Conservation1 month agoIceland issue millionaire whale hunter a licence to murder 128 vulnerable fin whales
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoThe Shark Trust Great Shark Snapshot is back
-
News3 months agoCharting New Waters; NovoScuba Goes Global with the Launch of their Revolutionary Dive Training Agency!
-
Gear News1 month agoNew Suunto Ocean – a dive computer and GPS sports watch in one for adventures below and above the surface
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoBook Review: Plankton