2017 marks 20 years since the death of the famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau, the inventor of Scuba, whose diving TV documentaries brought life beneath the waves into the living rooms of millions around the world in the 1960s and 70s. In celebration of this life lived to the full, spring 2017 sees the UK-release of L'Odyssée, a new biopic filmed in several worldwide locations where the specialist operator Dive Worldwide offers underwater adventures for all, among them the Bahamas, South Africa and Antarctica. 

The biopic, starring Lambert Wilson as Cousteau, depicts not just Cousteau's underwater adventures and explorations but also offers an insight into his irascible nature and turbulent relationship with his second son, Philippe. It took five months to shoot and, at a cost of €20million, was filmed on location rather than in a CGI studio. For those seeking to follow in Cousteau and the film's wake, Dive Worldwide has a comprehensive programme of dive trips, from liveaboards to dive resorts, including the following filming locations to be seen in L'Odyssée: 

ANTARCTICA - Classic Antarctica

The perfect introduction to Antarctica, this 11-day adventure allows guests to experience the flora and fauna of the White Continent both above and below the water. After two days' sailing from Ushuaia in Argentina, past icebergs and an array of seabirds, the ship, Plancius, moors in the Newmayer Channel, the base camp for the next four days. Here, guests will enjoy exploring Wiencke Island on foot, by Zodiac and in kayaks and, on selected trips, have the opportunity to take part in polar dives, where wildlife encounters might include penguins, sea lions and leopard seals. After sailing through the Lemarie Channel passengers will step onto the Antarctic Peninsula spending a night at a local camp near Paradise Bay. 

Price: from £5,695pp based on 2 sharing, including 10 nights' full board liveaboard accommodation, shore excursions and activities and talks by naturalists. Voyage only, flights extra. 

BAHAMAS - Caribbean's Finest

With 1,000 recognised dive sites and over 700 islands to explore, the Bahamas are a diver's paradise. This week-long trip includes six days of diving, with 12 dives in total, and showcases the very finest experiences on offer in the Caribbean. Highlights will include: pristine reefs, multitudes of exciting wrecks, spectacular walls, blue holes, caves to explore and the chance to dive with dolphins. Based in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Nassau, guests stay at the Orange Hill Beach Inn, a charming hilltop resort just 50 steps from a white sandy beach. Upgrade the trip to include a shark diving adventure, as depicted in L'Odyssée, for just £155pp and experience the thrill of shark-feeding from close quarters. 

Price: from £1,795pp based on 2 sharing, including 7 nights' accommodation (room only), 6 days' diving, tanks and weights, return flights from the UK and transfers.

SOUTH AFRICA - Sardine Run Adventure

South Africa's sardine run is the largest gathering of predators on the planet and one of the world's most wonderful natural spectacles. Each June, off the KwaZulu Natal coastline where the Agulhas and Benguela currents meets, millions of sardine migrate north forming a giant smorgasbord that attracts bottlenose dolphins, dusky black-tip and bull sharks, seals and even occasionally orcas. The resultant feeding frenzy drives the shoals to the surface where they fall prey to dive bombing avian predators including cape gannets, skuas, storm petrels and albatross. Guests enjoy five days of Sardine Run action, getting up close and personal with almost every species of marine animal, and also spend time exploring the Aliwal Shoal, recognised as one of the top dive sites in the world.

Price: from £2,335pp based on 2 sharing, including 7 nights' B&B accommodation, 2 dives at Aliwal Shoal, 5 days' Sardine Run Action, tanks and weights, return flights from the UK and transfers.

For further information visit Dive Worldwide (diveworldwide.com, 01962 302 087).

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PRESS ENQUIRIES:    

Julia Spence, Hugh Collins and Tom Robins

Julia Spence Public Relations

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