Diving Holidays with a focus on Conservation
Added to website: 11 January 2005
For Members of the Coral Cay Conservation Society (£25 per annum)
Red Sea Liveaboard 6-12th May 2005
The week-long trip will be guided by a qualified tropical marine biologist. Divers will have the opportunity to develop their Indo Pacific coral reef species identification skills at the same time enjoying a full diving programme in the company of like-minded individuals. The program includes structured lectures and discussions on tropical marine biology, ecology and the threats facing these delicate and biodiverse environments. All participants will receive a reef biology handbook.
The week’s activities will contribute to Coral Cay Conservation’s Science Programme and PADI Aware. By the end of the course Members will be able to identify fish, coral and other species for assessments of biodiversity and will have acquired a broad knowledge of reef biology that will make their future diving more enjoyable. At the end of the course Members will be presented with a CCC Certificate.
Divers will have the opportunity to collect data on key indicator organisms and contribute to the global Earthdive database (www.earthdive.com: CCC Society Members also receive 6 month’s free membership which plays a key role in the global assessment of the health of the World’s oceans).
Destination
The Northern Red Sea out of Hurghada on a modern live-aboard dive vessel.
Vessel
On charter through the award-winning holiday company Regaldive, the liveaboard is a 33m LOA modern superior quality vessel launched in 2002. There is air conditioning in the corridors and salon. There are 21 guest berths.
Dive Facilities
A PADI instructor is provided to lead the dive programme. Nitrox is available. Subject to demand there may be an opportunity for Members to take a free PADI Nitrox course (extra charge for PADI course materials - payable locally) so that advantage can be taken of this facility. Dive sites will include reef systems and subject to weather conditions, selected wrecks. With the latter, the extent of coral growth will be reviewed against the age of the wreck and the diving and other pressures.
Experience needed
Those wishing to dive should be accredited to PADI Open Water standard (or equivalent). Regaldive recommend a minimum of 15 logged dives or Advanced Open Water to participate in some of the Northern Red Sea wreck dives but there will be scope to adjust the programme to suit the composition of the group. No formal science training is needed to follow the lecture programme however an interest in conservation and related issues will make the experience more enjoyable and worthwhile.
Programme
Departure date is 6 May for one week.
- Day one:
- Arrive Hurghada. Go aboard and organise accommodation and gear. Introductory briefing.
- Day two-seven:
- Six days educational programme and diving.
- Day seven:
- Return Hurghada and one night in hotel prior to return flight (24 hour pre-flight dive free period).
The Coral Cay approach
Each year Coral Cay Conservation staff share their passion for diving and conservation with the many volunteer scientists - around 600 each year - that travel on CCC’s longer expeditions. Joining the Red Sea trip, which is led by Coral Cay’s marine biologists, gives you the opportunity to sample the Coral Cay approach within the duration of a short holiday.
Cost
Including air flights, transfers, diving, free Nitrox (for those pre-qualified or taking the Nitrox course), full board, non-alcoholic drinks and the conservation educational programme, the cost for the week is £780. The fee includes a small donation to the Coral Cay Conservation Trust, the parent registered charity whose work the Society supports. Regaldive, CCC’s partner for the Red Sea, is fully bonded by the Civil Aviation authority with an ATOL licence.
How to sign on
- Join the Coral Cay Conservation Society. (£25 per annum). An application form can be found in the CCC Trust brochure and below (or simply add the annual fee to your deposit as specified below and we will send you details of the Society and its activities when we confirm your reservation).
- Pay a deposit of £80 (plus the Society annual fee of £25 if applicable) to the CCC Expeditions. Payment must be received by 30th Dec. 2004 to guarantee your place.
- Later we will ask you to complete Regaldive’s normal booking form including details of your diving experience and qualifications.
