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Grandfather Frost (the Russian Santa Claus) and Snow Maiden (his granddaughter and helper) did not miss us out. We sung and danced until morning! On a New Year's Eve a snowstorm blew up: the force 10 gale made all the participants feel the presence of the northern winter and the harshness of the expiring year. But as the New Year arrived things died down. After this, we went diving, snorkeling with white whales, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling to an open-cast mine. We also went tobogganing from a hill and fishing in a lake. |
New Schedule and Prices for the next Ice diving season 2012 are now published. Hurry and make an early booking for the best prices.
They don’t get visitors in these parts that often. That’s because these beluga whales live under three feet of ice in the freezing waters of northern Russia’s White Sea. But when some underwater photographers arrived, they certainly weren’t shy - as these stunning images show. The whales are not endangered but under threat from pollution and loss of habitat. They are thriving, however, at this whale sanctuary, where a natural bay under the ice provides a haven from the strong currents of the wider ocean. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1244149/What-doing-Amazing-underwater-photos-beluga-whales-meeting-divers-Arctic-rehabilitation-farm.html#ixzz0dpkqz0FK
Our first open seal pup expedition in the mouth of the White Sea has taken place with great success. For the first time, MSU club members, who were not zoology or environment experts (let alone hunters), visited the drift ice where harp seals give birth to their white pups. To see a full photoreport of the "Observing Seal Pups" Expedition
The White Sea ice diving season has begun, with a diving club weekend trip to the Arctic Circle Dive Centre. As always, the Russian North gave us vivid impressions and good feelings, delighting us with its fairy-tale beauty, peacefulness and closeness to nature. Despite the surprises of the weather (the low temperature and severe blizzards), the ice diving programme was carried out successfully. To see a photoreport, press here:
In early October, the Arctic Circle Dive Centre gained some more white whales, with three belugas arriving as part of the development of the White Sea branch of Saint Petersburg’s Utrish Dolphinarium.
Semyon, a senior former resident of the Utrish dolphinarium, who has been enjoying a well-earned retirement in the White Sea at the Arctic Circle Dive Centre for almost two years, now has three females for company. The animals are currently being domesticated and adjusting to their new home.
From the beginning of July till beginning of August Three Children's Biology Programmes took place at the Arctic Circle Dive Centre on the White Sea. The Programmes took the form of a children's camp with exercises, sports and biology-based activities.
The schedule of Ice diving programmes 2009 is availiable online now. We are already taking reservations for the 2009 season. Looking forward to diving with everyone.
WSJ's Mark Schoofs ice dives in the White Sea in Northern Russia and gives a peek into an underwater world full of sea creatures. Watch the Wall Street Journal video online. Read the article 'Beneath the ice' by Mark Schoofs.
The RuDIVE Group and Arctic Circle Dive Centre have completed a successful expedition to the North Pole. This unique and unprecedented event opened up a new page in the history of Arctic exploration, and pushed back the boundaries of diving.
In march 2008, record breaking free diver Julia Petrik was photographed “hitching a ride” on a 3 metre Beluga Whale through sub-zero icy waters. This amazing feat was captured on camera by Dan Burton and has been published at the beginning of April in 5 major national newspapers in the UK. To view the online publication click on one of these links: Telegraph The Times The Daily Mail The Mirror The London Metro
The annual international Golden Dolphin diving exhibition runs from 14-17 February this year at the Gostiny Dvor exhibition hall. The exhibition programme includes an underwater photography and video competition, seminars on gear, a show programme, and much more. As always, the RuDIVE stand will be right in the middle of the exhibition hall.
In the mid-February, Simon Pridmore, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Delta P Technology (the manufacturers of the VR3 computer) will visit the Arctic Circle Dive Centre. During the trip, VR3 computers will be tested in the tough conditions of the Russian North. If you have any questions, requests or comments on VR3 computers, please send them to us, and we will ask Simon to answer them.
The ice-diving season has started in the White Sea. An ice-diving course for a group of British divers began on 3 February.
The Arctic Circle team wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your coming year be filled with lots of luck, fun, sun, ice and dives.
With the onset of winter, the ice is gradually covering the White Sea. Two Beluga Whales, Stepan and Philya, who were introduced to their natural habitat (a special enclosure divided from the open sea by a net) last February as part of a joint project between the Arctic Circle Dive Centre and the UItrish Dolphinarium, are thriving and are waiting for you. To see photos of white whales whose home is the area near the Arctic Circle Dive Centre, and who have developed a good rapport with divers
The Safari tracks orcas so passengers can observe and dive with them. Finding schools of Earth's largest predators is never easy, but the result is worth hours of observing the horizon. To see photo report of diving safari with Orcas .
Arctic Circle recently enjoyed a historic event. For the first time in the history of relations between Russia and Norway, a Russian live-aboard with divers sailed in the Norwegian Sea. To see the photo report and more details of diving safari in Norway



