Inaugural Bermuda Dive Festival brings ocean lovers together
Divers, snorkellers, lionfish hunters, conservationists and even sustainable seafood aficionados are invited to a three-day festival aimed at uniting all who have a passion for the ocean.
Bermuda Dive Festival is the idea of Andrew Kirkpatrick and James Doughty, of Burnt House Productions, and Sam Bennett, the owner of Eco Dive. It takes place today through Sunday, bringing together local and overseas enthusiasts.
The inaugural event includes Scuba diving and snorkelling expeditions, yoga breath work sessions, luxury catamaran cruises, a fish identification course and a beach bonfire, all of which will generate “Instagrammable” content led by Mr Kirkpatrick’s Burnt House Productions.
Celebrity participants will be on the island to participate, including ocean-to-table chef and influencer Valentine Thomas who has 310,000 followers on Instagram, and William Drumm who recently shot the album cover for Billie Eilish featuring the American singer/songwriter plunging into the ocean.
Scuba Diving International, a Scuba certification entity, and Divers Alert Network, which provides diver insurance, will also have representation at the event, which is supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
Mr Kirkpatrick said the festival would help to put Bermuda on the global stage.
He said: “This is not just for the dive community; it’s for free divers, snorkellers, scientists and anyone who enjoys boat life — it’s a celebration of our ocean culture.
“This is our first event but we are looking to grow it. We are looking to do for diving what Art Basel did for art in Miami.
“There will be a lot to learn about what’s on our doorstep.
“Bermuda College will also be attending to discuss what career paths are available in the ocean realm whether it’s in science, conservation, tourism …
“Then there is the experiential component such as morning yoga at Azura, an amazing lunch on a barge and a barbecue at The Loren.”
Friday:
Morning: Photo and video workshop and fish identification course. Free at the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences [Sold out]
Afternoon: Two-tank dive at East End [Sold out]
Saturday:
Morning: Two-tank dive with Blue Water Divers at a West End site to be determined. Cost is $170 per certified diver and $95 for snorkelling passengers. Check-in at 9:15am at Island Tour Centre, Dockyard. Dive from 10am to 2pm. For bookings and inquires, contact www.divebermuda.com/book-now/
Afternoon: Ocean-to-table dining experience hosted by Valentine Thomas at The Loren. Tickets $255 per guest. Event starts at 7pm. E-mail bda.events@thelorenhotel.com to book
Sunday:
Morning: Sunrise yoga and breath meditation at Azura. Start time to be determined. For bookings and inquires contact: andrew@burnthouseproductions.com
Afternoon: Snorkel and luncheon with Valentine Thomas hosted by The Loren and located at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club [Sold out]
Evening: Night dive and beach bonfire sponsored by Gosling’s. Venue is Elbow Beach starting at 6pm hosted by Sea Venture Diving. Open bar $30. Open bar and night dive package [dive gear not included] $50. For bookings and inquires contact: andrew@burnthouseproductions.com
Bermuda Dive Festival aims to promote online content that is generated throughout the three days at Diving Equipment and Marketing Association, the trade association for the international Scuba diving industry.
Mr Kirkpatrick added: “At Dema, we can connect with dive houses and get group bookings to come here.
“We are making Bermuda impossible to ignore.
“We all love the ocean and this is an opportunity to bring everyone together. Bermuda diving is quite unique with its healthy coral reefs, wrecks and swims that are accessible either on the water or from the shore.
“There is so much going for the island.”
A website listing events has been created ahead of the festival.
More information is available at www.bermudadivefest.com and on Instagram @bermudadivefest
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