Just another day in Porpoise Paradise!

16 March 2009

After a delightful dive at Neptune’s Cave we were motoring back to base when we spotted a large “shark like” fin on the surface. We switched direction to follow only to see more and more fins appearing all around us. We couldn’t decide whether they were whales or dolphins as their large grey and white bodies surfaced. We were joined by another boat taking lots of photos on their super lens cameras. Then we recognised the man behind the lens, it was no-other than the islands’ famous marine author Sergio Hanquet who seemed to be getting very excited by this sighting.

We observed the amazing mammals for approximately 15 minutes with the dolphins riding our bow and surfacing many times in very close proximity. We have since found out that they were Risso´s dolphins (Grampus griseus). The tail splashing and waving that one dolphin was displaying is typical for this species.

The 20 or so strong pod we spotted generally seemed to be mature individuals due to the large amounts of white on the normally grey/brown bodies they have as juveniles. There is a small community of the Risso´s dolphins here around the canaries but they are very seldom seen. Everyone on board was very impressed and felt honoured to be in the presence of such a magnificent creature.

London International Dive Show – Prizes for All

28 February 2009

The next London dive show is now within reach - the 28th and 29th March - and Oxygene will be right in the middle of the action, on stand 820. This time we will be making an offer that could result in lots of winners.

The deal is this: book your diving directly with us at the dive show and save 20% on our normal dive pack price. Or take advantage of the hassle free option of booking the entire trip with Scuba Travel UK (on the adjacent stand) and still get this 20% saving on the dive element of the package (not in conjunction with other offers). So grab your diary and work out your dates before the show and save €€€€s!

Scuba Travel UK special offers and extra protection

28 February 2009

To celebrate the launch of Tenerife as a new destination for Scuba Travel UK, our dive pack prices for March, May and June have been discounted when booked through Scuba Travel. Note that these guys have now added AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) to their ATOL credentials so that customers have the security of knowing that their holidays are 100% financially protected in the event of the unpleasant or unexpected, whether this is the whole package of flights, transfers, hotel and diving or just the landbased element i.e. accommodation and diving. For more details take a look at the Travel Schedule on Scuba Travels website.

Go Pro with Aqua-Marina Oxygene

28 February 2009

Aqua-Marina Oxygene will be running its next Instructor Development Course from 31 May to 6 June. On the 7th June we have EFR Instructor training, immediately followed while everything is still fresh in your head, by the Instructor Exam on 8th and 9th June.

The good news is that the PADI examiner comes to us so you don’t have to travel somewhere else for the exam. Afterwards, there is Specialty Instructor training on 11th and 12th June. We can arrange cheap accommodation on site (even cheaper if you’re happy to share an apartment!) so once you’re here there is no messing about – you can just focus on turning your dream into reality!

The cost of the OWSI plus EFR training is just 1,000 euros.

Tenerife’s Most Wanted

31 January 2009

The Canarian Institute of Marine Sciences has recently contacted all local dive centres to help in a project investigating the impact of escapees from fish farms. In particular they are interested in Gilt Head Sea Bream and European Sea Bass and have asked us to report sightings to them. Both species were introduced to the area via aquaculture and there is concern that they may be damaging the marine ecosystem and threatening some local species. So our divers will hear about this in the dive brief, and of course our advice will be to approach with caution!

Disability eased by diving

31 January 2009

We have been very interested and totally thrilled to see for ourselves that diving can really help with some disabilities. Christine has 2 fractured vertebrae but has just completed a 10 dive pack, and has reported improved mobility out of the water, as well as having lots of fun in the water. Chris is not our first disabled diver: we regularly welcome Wendy who also arrives in a wheelchair and improves so much that she sometimes leaves on foot. Admittedly we're not fully equipped to deal with every kind of disability but with a bit of help from the other divers and a fold up chair on the boat we get by!

Tony Backhurst first

31 January 2009

This week our first Tony Backhurst customer is with us. Peter reported that booking his holiday was a breeze, the guys at the sales office were totally professional and easy to deal with, plus he is confident that he got good value for money. What more can you ask?

Tony Backhurst backs Tenerife

31 December 2008

We are delighted that Tony Backhurst Scuba Travel, the UK’s premier dive tour operator, is now offering dive holidays with us in Tenerife.  So if you want to make a hassle-free and competitively priced booking for your trip here, just contact them via their website: www.scuba.co.uk. We are sure you will find the service just as friendly and professional as you get here with us – the perfect complement.

Merry Christmas!

25 December 2008

Merry Christmas to all our customers, past present and future.  We wish you all the very best for the festive season and a happy and, most importantly at this time, prosperous 2009!

Never Too Old

21 December 2008

We have been delighted to introduce one of our regular snorkelling customers, Philip Calvert, to diving this week.  At 76 he thought he was too old, but as an ex member of Chris Bonnington’s expedition team to Everest he is no stranger to taking on new challenges. Apparently he recently featured in an extreme mountain biking magazine when some cyclists were surprised to see him tackling a black run and took his photo. Go Philip!

Toasty Warm

21 December 2008

We are now selling Fourth Element Shell Vests which give the equivalent warmth of 2mm of neoprene without any extra buoyancy.  They are wonderfully light and stretchy, hypoallergenic and breathable so there is no comparison with their neoprene counterparts.  And, not  surprisingly,  they are flying out of the door.

TV Star

21 December 2008

Our instructor Paul recently made a TV appearance which took us all by surprise.  Actually it was nothing to do with diving or Paul, he just happened to be in Los Cristianos when the Fred Olson ferry crashed into the beach because its reverse gear didn’t work.  No serious damage or injuries resulted, so it was fun to see Paul on the small screen.