Do you feel like an explorer and want to experience a diving adventure on one of the most isolated islands on the planet? This destination is for you! Especially since you will be accompanied in your exploration by freediver and photographer Fred Buyle.
The mysterious islandLost in the middle of the South Atlantic halfway between South America (Brazil) and Africa (Angola), this British island with a lunar, intense, and arid landscape except at the summit where the vegetation is more significant, is in fact a volcanic reef bordered by paradisiacal beaches. The nearest land, the famous island of Saint Helena where Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned, is about 1,200 km further south. Ascension Island, whose main town is Georgetown, with an area of 90 km², was discovered in 1501 by Portuguese explorer Joao de Nova Castelia under the name Conception and then rediscovered in 1503 by Afonso de Albuquerque on Ascension Day, which gave it its name.
This island under military protection is a new destination for diving and free diving, with completely preserved marine environments. It is accessible only once a week with a Royal Air Force plane limited to 10 civilian seats per flight from the base of Brize Norton, near London.Head under waterSimilar to that found in the Caribbean, the marine fauna present all around the island, particularly the fish, is very abundant, colorful, and diversified: angelfish, groupers, moray eels, jacks, black triggerfish, reef sharks such as the Galapagos shark (Carcharinus galapagensis), manta rays, barracudas, wahoos, marlins, and tunas. It is also possible to see dolphins and whales. On the beaches and along the coastal zone, red crabs are numerous on the rocks regularly washed by the waves. But the jewel of the island is the many green turtles (Chelonia mydas) which, from December to June, come to nest on the beaches returning from Brazil. During this period, they can be observed each night on all the beaches of Ascension Island. Certainly unforgettable memories!
The program of the stayIt is the tour operator Seal Adventures that offers this new destination. Two options are possible for organized stays in 2017: accompanied by the freediving champion Fred Buyle, or not. The stay with Fred Buyle consists of a freediving coaching based on the approach to fauna and underwater photography.
The following are planned:
– 3 to 5 days of underwater exploration around Ascension Island;
– 1 to 2 days of scuba diving, with 2 immersions per day;
– 1 day of island exploration with the conservation department.
For more details, consult: www.sealadventures.fr/
Practical information
Best time to visit : all year round.Time difference : -1 hour in summer and 0 hour in winter.Temperatures : from 20 to 31 °C in the air, from 22 to 28°C in the water, the hottest period is from December to April.Minimum level required : all levels starting from 100 dives in the sea, immersions of 15 to 30 meters.Formalities : valid passport, entry permit, and mandatory medical insurance, no mandatory vaccines.Rates : for an exceptional destination, exceptional rates… Starting from 4800 € per person without Fred Buyle, and 6760 € with Fred Buyle.
What is included in the price of the stay: the rental car, nights at the Obsidian Hotel in Georgetown, all meals (excluding drinks), and all immersions. Note: regulators and BCDs are provided, no nitrox. What is not included in the price of the stay: the Paris-London flight and the transfer to the Royal Air Force base.Dates 2017 :
– with Fred BUYLE from 15/02 to 22/02
– without Fred BUYLE from 15/03 to 22/03 and from 12/04 to 19/04
For more information on stays and rates: contact Seal Adventures
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