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Blue O Two Offers 30% Off Select Galapagos Sailings in 2021

The Galapagos Master has modern and spacious cabins, with just 16 guests on each trip. The vessel also has a generous outside space for you to relax after a day of diving. Enjoy a deluxe local menu prepared on the boat by our experienced chef. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks throughout the day. So, if you are able to, why not take up our offer of 30% off? There has never been a better time to visit the Galapagos.

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a species of kelp (large brown algae)

Kelp forests help the climate

Kelp is an ecologically and economically important foundation species in California, where forests line nutrient-rich, rocky bottom coasts. It also might alleviate acidification caused by too much atmospheric carbon being absorbed by the seas.

A new interdisciplinary analysis of giant kelp in Monterey Bay off the coast of California shows that near the ocean’s surface, the water was less acidic, suggesting the kelp canopy does reduce acidity.

Waterproof D3 Ergo

The D3 Ergo is a further development of the Expedition Drysuit EX2. It has the same characteristics but has a strong tri-lam fabric instead of the EX2 breathable membrane. In addition, the D3 is derived from a military suit, and as such, it is designed for unrestricted mobility, both above and below the surface. Soft, flexible neoprene boots and a plastic zipper keeps the weight down. The whole suit—including valves, boots, seals and suspenders—weighs only 4.1kg. Waterproof.eu

Santi 303 Thermovalve

The Santi 303 Thermovalve is a new connector between an external battery and a heated undergarment. This valve replaces the standard inlet valve serving a dual function. The valve has a rotating head, which is able to turn 270 degrees, offering a much higher degree of freedom when routing the cable.

Inon LE330h LED flashlight

The Inon LED flashlight LE330h is equipped with one Cree LED module, delivering 90 CRI (Color Rendering Index) and 6500K color temperature. The flashlight has a light output of 330 lumens, a beam angle of 30 degrees (extendable to 60 degrees when using additional filter elements), and an operable duration of approximately 170 minutes. The light is designed for smaller underwater macro subjects, or as a focus assist light, but can be used as a torch at the surface as well. It is powered by three AA size batteries (Eneloop PRO is recommended). The LE330h is depth-rated to 80m. Its dimensions are 33.7 x 197.5mm, and it weighs 212.5g (125g underwater).

BigBlue “All in One”

The VTL10000P from BigBlue is branded as a “dual-beam video and tech light.” The wide beam of 120 degrees is for video and outputs 10,000 Lumen, while the narrow (10-degree) penetrating beam is for technical dives. Burn time at full power is 2.5 hours, and up to 25 hours at the lowest of five settings. Depth-rated to 100m. Comes with a Goodman handle and a yellow and a red filter.

Dripstone weight system

Attach weights directly to the harness without ever re-threading the webbing with this simple system from Dripstone. Weights are held securely by two independent pieces of bungee and a built-in anti-sliding mechanism prevents mounted weights from moving around. Works with any 2-inch webbing, including standard harnesses for sidemount, backmount and rebreathers. Mounts up to 5lb hard lead weights.

Weezle coat

If you tend to get chilly on a beach or a boat between dives, this “It’s a Wrap” coat from Weezle will come in handy. It is a warm, loose-fitting wind and shower proof coat with special wicking lining that will dry both yourself and your wet swim gear. This garment compresses like the Weezle Undersuit, which will allow you to pack it away into a small bag. The coat has a front zipper and two hand warmer pockets.

Healthy coral reefs naturally produce sediment -- in fact, that's what atolls are made of.

Are atolls rising to keep up?

Atolls are often only around two meters (6.6 feet) above sea level, but sea levels could rise by more than that by the end of this century, according to prevailing climate models. Four atoll nations -- the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Maldives, which are together home to more than half a million people -- were the most vulnerable on the planet to climate change but under threat was also those in the Caroline Islands, Cook Islands, Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Society Islands, Spratly Islands, Seychelles, and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The Mystery of Eels

The Javanese moray eel, also known as the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus)
The Javanese moray eel, also known as the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus)

Often on dives in the tropics, the divemaster will caress one of the big Javanese moray eels (Gymnothorax javanicus) looking out from the coral surroundings, until the animal undulates from his hole and wriggles around him, apparently because it enjoys being stroked. This provides evidence that there is more going on in the minds of these mysterious animals than most sources let on.