News
Join the first Azores Manta Conservation Experience liveaboard!

Every year, dozens of manta rays and sicklefin devil rays gather in the Azorean Sea, near the Island of Santa Maria. Where do they come from? Where do they go? Do the same individuals return every year? These are some of the questions that arise from the curiosity of the scientists and of all those who are passionate about these mysterious animals.
Increasing knowledge about these species, the Manta Catalog Azores conservation project, founded in 2012, observes and studies these iconic fish to better understand how we can ensure their conservation.
For the first time, it is possible to join the team leading this conservation project.
For one week, you will be able to swim in the fantastic underwater world of the Azores and learn more about the devil rays that exist in the area. Learn about techniques of photo identification, meet the scientists and contribute to the protection of these threatened species.
An immersive and unique experience that contributes to ocean conservation.
Dive into a one-of-a-kind liveaboard!
Details:
- September, 25 to October, 2
- Special price for first edition: € 3,000.00
- Collection and study of scientific data side-by-side with scientist
- Close interaction and exchange of knowledge with specialists
- Photo-ID Workshop with professional underwater photographer
- Dive with the manta rays at the Ambrosio Seamount
- Dive in several spots along the coast of the Island of Santa Maria
- Dive the iconic offshore Formigas Islet spots
- Leisure activities
- 8 days / 7 nights aboard a Catamaran
- 10 dives
- Maximum of 6 participants
- Accommodation, meals and transfers
Requires an Advanced Open Water certification level (Open Water certification might be accepted in cases of proven extensive diving experience).
For more information contact the team by clicking here.
News
Gozo Diving and Gozo Technical Diving join RAID

Great news for RAID divers around the world: Gozo Diving & Gozo Technical Diving have joined the RAID network and now offer RAID courses, and RAID-quality support in one of the classic Mediterranean dive destinations.
Malta is a well-known and highly rated diving destination. The water is warm (around 28 degrees), the visibility is epic (20-40 metres), and many sites have weak to moderate current. So, there are great dive sites for every level of experience, and these include fantastic and historic wreck dives.
Located on the Island of Gozo, RAID’s new dive centre, offer the complete range of recreational, technical and Instructor courses. The facilities include two classrooms, access to an onsite pool and a full CCR room. So, visiting divers and instructors can enjoy nitrox, trimix, as well as oxygen-compatible air fills, rentals of sidemount cylinders, twinsets, and stage cylinders, DPV rental and of course high-end teaching, coaching and experienced guiding.
Gozo Diving and Gozo Technical Diving has more than 30 years of experience in training, exploration and diving professionalism. Now fully aligned to offer the the complete spectrum of RAID courses, which means both experienced divers as well as those who want to start exploring the underwater world can come and enjoy the dive site attractions of Malta and Gozo knowing they’ll get the fun and full-service experience our agency and network of RAID dive centres are famous for.
To find out more, email: info@gozotechnicaldiving.com or visit their website at: www.gozotechnicaldiving.com
Photos: RAID Blog
News
DIVING talks 2022: 4 great reasons why you should attend!

International Dive Show DIVING talks 2022 takes place from 6-9 October in Troia, Portugal. Here’s four great reasons why you should attend…
1. The ‘Talks’ and the Speakers
What do you get when you have in the same room Dr Alessandro Marroni, Dr Óscar Camacho and Dr Simon Mitchell? Undoubtedly an incredible amount of knowledge in diving physiology and hyperbaric medicine. If you are a diver, you know the value of such a debate.
What do you expect to see in a Bill Stone presentation?
Wouldn’t you like to discuss with Thomas Stachura, Leigh Bishop or Armando Ribeiro their findings underwater in the expeditions that led to the discovery and identification of new shipwrecks?
2. The Exhibition: brands and trials
It’s about talking with ‘who knows’ and testing that piece of equipment even underwater if you want!
Friday, October 7, is BRANDS DAY. Try dive the Mares SCR Horizon, test your preferred scooter, and more. Bring shorts or a swimming suit. This is happening in the swimming pool. Join us on October 7. Diving Talks is also Brands Day!
3. DIVING talks is a family/ partner friend event
You don’t need to leave your family or partner behind.
If you want to attend, transform this trip into a partner or family trip to Portugal. There are many things they can do while you enjoy the Talks.
It is not that you need to have something planned. The peninsula is such a fantastic site to enjoy; there’s the beach if you want to relax by the sea, there are trails you can check out, or you can relax by the pool.
4. YOU CAN ACTUALLY DIVE!
If you have free time and want to explore Portugal underwater, DIVING talks can be the pretext for a ‘stay and dive’ side-program.
Diving talks partnered with Portugal Dive, a boutique dive concierge that organizes dive trips to Portugal; the mainland and in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos.
Diving recreational or technical, you can expect the European Atlantic’s most transparent waters full of life, schools of fish, the big pelagic, and even monk seals: all that and wrecks, inland caves, you name it.
Opt to arrive one-week earlier or leave one-week later, and chose the stay and dive program for your type of diving and preferences.
For more information, contact Arlindo Serrão via e-mail: arlindo.serrao@portugaldive.com or check out the following links:
- Website www.divingtalks.com
- Facebook www.facebook.com/divingtalks
- Instagram www.instagram.com/diving.talks
- Twitter www.twitter.com/divingtalks