The Philippines, an archipelago of enchanting islands in Southeast Asia, invites you to explore its diverse underwater wonders. The Scuba News Travel Team is thrilled to present exclusive liveaboard deals designed to immerse you in the vibrant marine landscapes of Malapascua & Visayas. Dive into the details of these exceptional offers:

• Philippine Siren – Malapascua & Visayas
  • Departure: 17 Jul 2024
  • Price: from €2,690.00
  • DEMA Specials! Book before November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 30% discount on this extraordinary dive adventure. (Mactan – Mactan)

The Philippines, known for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, promises an underwater spectacle like no other. From the thresher sharks of Malapascua to the vibrant reefs of Visayas, each dive is a journey into a realm of unparalleled beauty. These exclusive liveaboard deals not only grant you access to this tropical paradise but also provide substantial savings for your extraordinary journey.

Secure your spot now and be ready to explore the exotic wonders of the Philippines. Click, book, and set sail with The Scuba News Travel Team for an adventure that promises a kaleidoscope of colors beneath the waves. Your Philippine underwater odyssey awaits!

Take a look the wealth of liveaboard options available at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

Are you ready to embark on an underwater journey of a lifetime? The Scuba News Travel Team have scoured the depths of the internet to bring you the most enticing scuba diving liveaboard travel deals. Get ready to explore vibrant coral reefs, encounter fascinating marine life, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Dive into the details of these exclusive offers that promise not only unforgettable experiences but also unbeatable savings!

Indonesia – Explore the Hidden Wonders

1. Aliikai Voyage – North & Central Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 05 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,656.00
   • Itinerary: Leisurely exploration, snorkeling, and 1-2 dives per day (Sorong – Sorong)
   • Last Minute Special Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)
2. Ecopro Duyung Baru – Komodo
   • Departure: 07 Sep 2024
   • Price: from €2,784.00
   • Early Bird Special! Book now and save 25% on your Komodo adventure! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
3. Emperor Harmoni – Best of Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 10 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €3,591.00
   • Dive into the beauty of Raja Ampat with an exclusive 30% OFF. Limited time offer! (Sorong – Sorong)
4. Indo Siren – Komodo National Park
   • Departure: 11 Jun 2024
   • Price: from €4,302.00
   • Secure your spot in Komodo National Park with a fantastic 20% Early Bird Deal! (Bima – Labuan Bajo)
5. Komodo Sea Dragon – Unleash the Adventure
   • Departure: 06 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €1,134.00
   • Also available for full charter booking. Dive deep into Komodo National Park and enjoy a 20% discount! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
6. Samambaia – Raja Ampat North
   • Departure: 11 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,567.00
   • Last Minute Special! Book now for an incredible 20% OFF on new bookings. (Sorong – Sorong)

Bahamas – Discover the Mysteries of the Deep

• Bahamas Master – Grand Bahama and Beyond
  • Departure: 19 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €4,513.00
  • Seize the Early Bird Deal! Book now and enjoy a 20% discount on your Bahamas adventure. (Freeport – Freeport)

Egypt – Unveil the Secrets of the Red Sea

• Blue Horizon – Daedalus & St Johns
  • Departure: 03 Jun 2024
  • Price: from €1,087.00
  • Dive into the Red Sea with a special DEMA Show Offer! Save 20% for a limited time only. (Marsa Ghalib – Marsa Ghalib)
• Blue Melody – Best of Wrecks & Brothers
  • Departure: 05 Apr 2024
  • Price: from €862.00
  • Explore the underwater wonders with a 20% discount. Act fast, this DEMA Show Offer won’t last long! (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Freedom III – Dive into History
  • Departure: 03 Dec 2023
  • Price: from €480.00
  • Explore Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohammed & Tiran and enjoy a 20% discount. Contact us for details! (Umbi – Umbi)

Maldives – Paradise Awaits

• Blue Voyager – Best of the Central Atolls
  • Departure: 09 May 2024
  • Price: from €1,758.00
  • DEMA Show Offer! Secure your spot in paradise with a 30% discount for a limited time only. (Male – Male)
• Honors Legacy – Best of Maldives
  • Departure: 14 Sep 2024
  • Price: from €1,617.00
  • Take advantage of the Early Bird Special! Book now and save 20% on your Maldives adventure. (Male – Male)

Galapagos – Explore the Enchanted Isles

• Galapagos Aggressor III – Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin
  • Departure: 04 Jan 2024
  • Price: from €4,991.00
  • Dive into the Galapagos with a 25% discount. Uncover the wonders of Wolf & Darwin. (Baltra – Baltra)
• Galapagos Master – Master the Galapagos 7-Night
  • Departure: 27 May 2024
  • Price: from €5,091.00
  • DEMA Special! Book by November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 20% discount on this exclusive 7-night adventure. (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)

Djibouti – Discover the Hidden Gem

• Lucy – Seven Brothers/Tadjourah
  • Departure: 25 Nov 2023
  • Price: from €1,599.00
  • Dive into Djibouti’s hidden wonders with a 20% discount. Limited time offer! (Djibouti Marina – Djibouti Marina)

Micronesia – Dive into a World of Wonder

• Palau Siren – Full Moon Spawning
  • Departure: 04 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €5,205.00
  • Enjoy an unforgettable experience with a 20% Early Bird Deal. Dive into Palau’s full moon spawning! (Koror – Koror)

Philippines – Immerse Yourself in Beauty

• Philippine Siren – Malapascua & Visayas
  • Departure: 17 Jul 2024
  • Price: from €2,690.00
  • DEMA Specials! Book before November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 30% discount on this extraordinary dive adventure. (Mactan – Mactan)

Solomon Islands – Dive into the Heart of the Pacific

• Solomons Master – Best of Solomons
  • Departure: 27 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €3,969.00
  • DEMA Special! Book now and save 30% on your exploration of the Best of Solomons. Limited time offer! (Honiara – Honiara)

Thailand – Explore Exotic Dive Sites

• The Phinisi – Best of Thailand
  • Departure: 11 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €2,437.00
  • Dive into the beauty of Thailand with a 20% DEMA Special. Valid until November 30, 2023. (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

Don’t miss out on these incredible offers! Secure your spot now and get ready to plunge into a world of underwater wonders. Click, book, and dive into the adventure of a lifetime with The Scuba News!

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

See all of the Worldwide Liveaboards curated by The Scuba News Travel Team at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

• The world-wide partnership will see diving products made available on Klook
• Klook is currently the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) in Asia Pacific collaborating with PADI
• PADI and Klook will give 33 lucky winners the opportunity to earn a scuba diving certification 

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) and Klook, Asia’s leading travel and experiences platform, today announced a world-wide partnership that will see PADI’s diving products globally integrated on Klook’s platform. Today, PADI has more than 7,200 diving products that span from certification courses, snorkeling, fun dives and more across the world. 

PADI is the world’s largest purpose-driven diving organization and Klook is currently the only OTA in Asia Pacific collaborating with the organization. Consumers can now book diving experiences in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, China and Singapore on the Klook platform, with more destinations to come online in the following months. 

Every year, about one million people go through the lengthy, detailed and technical process of planning a dive trip to get certified – from selecting the perfect dive site and haggling for dive packages to coordinating travel and no-fly times. The integration of diving products on Klook’s platform through API will help shorten a booking journey that could have taken days to just under 5 minutes. Consumers will be able to easily compare prices, check availability, read reviews, book and receive immediate confirmation – in a seamless way on one platform.

“Joining forces with Klook is set to simplify the journey to becoming a certified PADI Scuba Diver” says Manuel Kraemer, Vice President of Business Development for PADI Worldwide. “With 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in 184 countries worldwide and with more than 7,200 products already bookable online on PADI.com, our collaboration is poised for an exciting expansion. As we progress, this extensive selection will become available for booking on Asia’s leading booking platform. Today, on Klook, you can seek adventure and save the ocean on nearly any holiday destination around the world”.

With a willingness to spend more on experiences, specifically nature and outdoor activities, young Asian travelers will want to make the most of their vacation and seek to include experiences like scuba diving into their plans. In 2023, China, Japan and Korea recorded the highest number of new PADI certified divers in Asia. In 2024,  the Asia Pacific diving tourism industry is set to not only fully recover but exceed the market size in 2019, and as demand continues to grow, the region’s revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2022 – 2030.

Chuan Sheng (C.S.) Soong, VP, Corporate Development, Klook said, “We’re excited to announce this strategic partnership with PADI, and to bring greater access with a seamless booking experience to the diving community. There is tremendous enthusiasm and dedication for diving across Asia Pacific and we want to bring more joy to this community with our platform. At Klook, we continue to expand our offerings to create more exciting, unique and holistic experiences for our customers. This presents the perfect opportunity to inspire a completely new segment of travelers to the captivating beauty of the underwater world.”

In line with PADI’s mission to explore and protect the underwater world and Klook’s goal to bring the world closer together, PADI and Klook are launching UNIVER-SEA-TY, a pilot program to inspire newcomers to dive and give them the ‘fins’ to explore the magical underwater world. To kick start the program, 33 lucky winners will be given a chance to earn an Open Water Diver certification with PADI in their dive location of choice. 

There are three ways to enter the contest: 

• Via Tik Tok – Use the “Let’s Dive” scuba diving filter to take a video of yourself showing/telling us how much you want to dive 
• Via Instagram – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends
• Via Facebook – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends

Winners will be notified in December 2023 via the respective social media channels and receive an E-gift card to book their complimentary Open Water Dive Certification that they can redeem within the year. 

In a thrilling development for diving enthusiasts, Aggressor Adventures is set to launch the luxurious Philippines Aggressor II. This elegant 26-passenger liveaboard dive yacht is all set to offer seven, ten, and eleven-night all-inclusive excursions that promise to explore the mesmerizing reefs and atolls of the Visayan and Sulu Seas in 2024.

On April 6, 2024, the Philippines Aggressor II will embark on her inaugural “Tubbataha Reef” itinerary charters, setting sail from Puerto Princesa, Philippines. These exclusive seven and ten-night excursions will take divers to the Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and will continue through June 2024. As June arrives, the yacht will then journey to the Visayan Sea, offering guests a unique transition charter that allows them to explore both Tubbataha and the Visayas region.

From June through February, the Philippines Aggressor II, along with her sister ship, the Philippines Aggressor®, will be exploring dive sites near Cebu, Malapascua, Apo, and Bohol Islands during the “Best of Visayas” and “Visayas South” itineraries. Visayas charters will typically depart from Mactan, with special occasions occasionally seeing departures from Dumaguete.

Aggressor Adventures Chairman and CEO Wayne Brown expressed his excitement about this extraordinary addition, stating, “With such high demand for this extraordinary destination, we are pleased to launch a second yacht in the Philippines. The diversity of the marine life in the Philippines is simply unparalleled. Manta rays, thresher sharks, whale sharks, and other pelagics make your adrenaline levels surge, while the profound macro creatures provide awesome photo subjects. The Visayan and Sulu Seas are home to pygmy seahorses, frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish, and countless other-worldly, tiny, marine creatures.”

Crafted by Almaroon Yacht Builders, the new Philippines Aggressor II yacht is a remarkable vessel, measuring 140 feet (43 meters) in length and 26 feet (8 meters) in width, with four spacious decks. Among its top features are five upper-level staterooms with balconies that offer panoramic views of South Pacific sunsets. The yacht also boasts eight deluxe lower-level staterooms featuring twin berths and ample personal storage. All staterooms come equipped with a media player, climate control, and ensuite full bathrooms. Additional amenities include a hot tub and wet bar on the fly bridge, an indoor lounge, a restaurant serving chef-prepared meals, and state-of-the-art scuba facilities that include Nitrox tank fills and two dive tenders.

For those eager to embark on these unforgettable adventures, reservations for Aggressor Adventures can be made through local dive retail centers, travel agents, or online at aggressor.com. You can also contact them by phone at 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.

Dive enthusiasts and adventurers, mark your calendars for an extraordinary journey through the Philippines’ most spectacular marine wonders aboard the Philippines Aggressor II. This new liveaboard dive yacht promises an unparalleled diving experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse and breathtaking underwater playgrounds.

The Philippines is a hidden gem for divers, boasting exquisite coral reefs and vibrant marine life. Explore the underwater wonders of the Philippines with these liveaboard deals:

Infiniti – 14 Dec 2024 – from €1,892.00 – Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu) – Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Malapascua & Leyte: Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Malapascua and Leyte, known for their incredible biodiversity and world-renowned dive sites. Encounters with thresher sharks, manta rays, and colorful reef inhabitants await. Infiniti’s limited-time 20% discount makes this adventure even more appealing.

Resolute – 01 Feb 2025 – from €1,751.00 – Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas) – Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Apo Reef & Coron: Apo Reef is the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system and offers a vibrant underwater experience. Explore sunken World War II wrecks in Coron and dive into the rich marine life of Anilao, Batangas. The Early Bird Special on Resolute provides a generous 35% discount on this incredible journey.

The Philippines’ underwater world is teeming with life, and its stunning coral reefs are a sight to behold. These liveaboard deals present you with an opportunity to discover the Philippines’ underwater paradise at discounted rates. Whether you’re an experienced diver or new to the sport, the Philippines has something to amaze and inspire all underwater enthusiasts. Dive into the turquoise waters of the Philippines and embark on an unforgettable journey.

See more worldwide scuba travel deals at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Are you ready to dive into the depths of the world’s most captivating underwater paradises? The Scuba News has scoured the internet for the best liveaboard travel deals this week, and we’ve got an array of thrilling adventures to tempt your inner explorer. Whether you dream of encountering vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, or underwater caves, we’ve got you covered. From Indonesia to Egypt, and the Maldives to Djibouti, here are the hottest liveaboard deals on offer.

Indonesia: Dive into the Heart of the Coral Triangle

Aurora – 20 Apr 2024 – from €4,430.00 – Raja Ampat – Halmahera – Lembeh (Sorong – Bitung) – (20% OFF)

Indonesia, the epicenter of marine biodiversity, is a diver’s paradise. Raja Ampat is famed for its jaw-dropping coral gardens, Halmahera boasts diverse marine life, and Lembeh’s muck diving is a photographer’s delight. Aurora’s 20% discount brings you closer to these underwater wonders.

Damai II – 04 Jun 2024 – from €3,578.00 – Alor (Kupang – Kupang) – Explorations Specials! Valid for new bookings. (20% OFF)

Alor’s untouched reefs and vibrant schools of fish await on Damai II. The Explorations Special offers the chance to discover this lesser-known gem with a 20% discount.

Ecopro Duyung Baru – 06 Aug 2024 – from €1,757.00 – Komodo (Labuan Fajo – Labuan Fajo) – Early Bird Special! (25% OFF)

Komodo’s fierce currents and incredible biodiversity make it a must-visit. Ecopro Duyung Baru’s Early Bird Special offers a 25% discount for those eager to explore this extraordinary destination.

Djibouti: A Hidden Gem in the Red Sea

Elegante – 16 Dec 2023 – from €900.00 – 7 nights/6 days Goubet Al Kharab/Gulf of Tadjourah (Djibouti – Djibouti) – €475 OFF! Rates Include Discount. Valid for new bookings.

Explore the pristine waters of Djibouti and experience the unique landscapes of the Gulf of Tadjourah at a discount of €475 on Elegante’s enchanting journey.

Maldives: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Emperor Explorer – 10 Dec 2023 – from €1,936.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Discover the Maldives’ underwater magic at a special price with a 20% discount on Emperor Explorer’s unforgettable 7-night trip.

Emperor Voyager – 16 Dec 2023 – from €1,796.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Emperor Voyager invites you to experience the “Best of Maldives” with a 20% discount on this limited-time offer.

Honors Legacy – 17 Aug 2024 – from €1,633.00 – Best of Maldives (Male-Male) – Early Bird Special! (20% OFF)

Get ahead of the game and enjoy a 20% discount with Honors Legacy’s Early Bird Special as you explore the Best of Maldives.

Theia – 06 Feb 2024 – from €2,798.00 – Deep South (Huvadhoo – Male) – (20% OFF)

For those looking to dive the uncharted depths of the Deep South in the Maldives, Theia offers a 20% discount for a limited time.

Thailand: Dive into the Andaman Sea

Giamani – 12 Dec 2023 – from €2,340.00 – Similan Surin (Chalong – Tablamu) – Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Thailand’s Similan Surin is a scuba paradise. Giamani’s Special Autumn Sale provides a 20% discount to explore this underwater Eden.

Philippines: Exquisite Coral Reefs and Vibrant Marine Life

Infiniti – 14 Dec 2024 – from €1,892.00 – Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu) – Valid for a limited time only. Contact us for details! (20% OFF)

The Philippines beckon with its remarkable marine biodiversity, and Infiniti offers a 20% discount for a limited time to explore Malapascua and Leyte.

Resolute – 01 Feb 2025 – from €1,751.00 – Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas) – Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Resolute’s Early Bird Special offers a generous 35% discount for those who want to explore Apo Reef and Coron’s underwater wonders in the Philippines.

Egypt: The Wonders of the Red Sea

Red Sea Aggressor IV – 30 Mar 2024 – from €946.00 – Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Marsa Alam-Marsa Alam) – $1700 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Experience the splendors of the Red Sea with a $1700 discount on Red Sea Aggressor IV’s Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone itinerary.

Snefro Target – 25 Feb 2024 – from €849.00 – Sinai Classic (Sharm El Sheikh – Sharm El Sheikh) – Up to €250 OFF on selected cabins! Rates include discount.

Snefro Target offers up to €250 off on selected cabins to explore the timeless wonders of Sinai Classic in Egypt’s Red Sea.

Don’t miss these exceptional liveaboard deals to explore the world’s most stunning dive destinations. Book now and immerse yourself in a world of underwater wonders. Happy diving!

See more worldwide liveaboard deals at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

The name DRT stands for Diving, Resort, and Travel. DRT SHOW was founded by Mr. Jason Chong in 2009 to provide business partners greater support and encourage more people to become passionate divers who care about marine ecology. In 2010, the first DRT SHOW was held successfully in Hong Kong. 90% of exhibitors were from overseas, which proved that DRT SHOW had become the most international dive exhibition in Asia Pacific. Since then, DRT SHOW has been taking place in several Asian cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Okinawa, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Mumbai. Nowadays, DRT SHOW is truly the largest dive expo in Asia Pacific.

The Philippines, a tropical paradise of lush greenery and stunning beaches, is equally renowned for its exceptional scuba diving. This week, we’re excited to introduce you to liveaboard offers that will transport you to the heart of the Philippines’ most enchanting underwater destinations. Let’s delve into these fantastic deals and discover why the Philippines is a must-visit scuba diving hotspot.

Exclusive Philippines Liveaboard Offers

Infiniti – Malapascua & Leyte

• Departure Date: 16 Nov 2024
• Price: Starting from €1,897.00
• Offer: Valid for a limited time only. Contact us for details! (20% OFF)

Resolute – Apo Reef – Coron

• Departure Date: 04 Jan 2025
• Price: Starting from €1,755.00
• Offer: Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Philippines: A Scuba Diver’s Paradise

A Wealth of Marine Diversity

The Philippines, nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, boasts an astonishing wealth of marine biodiversity. Its warm tropical waters are home to more than 2,000 species of fish and a staggering variety of coral species. Divers can expect to encounter everything from colorful reef fish to intriguing critters like seahorses, nudibranchs, and frogfish. With its vibrant underwater life, the Philippines is a dream destination for macro and wide-angle photography.

Wreck Diving Excellence

For wreck diving enthusiasts, the Philippines is a treasure trove. The region is known for its numerous World War II wrecks, many of which have become artificial reefs teeming with marine life. Exploring these wrecks is like stepping back in time, making for a thrilling and historically significant diving experience.

Pristine Reefs and Vibrant Coral Gardens

The Philippines is adorned with pristine coral reefs and vibrant coral gardens that rival any in the world. From the Apo Reef Natural Park to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, these protected areas provide a haven for coral growth and marine life, creating a stunning backdrop for your underwater adventures.

Liveaboard Delights

The liveaboard vessels that operate in the Philippines offer a combination of comfort and convenience. With experienced dive guides, well-equipped dive decks, and comfortable accommodations, liveaboards provide the perfect platform for diving in this underwater paradise.

Infiniti Liveaboard

The Infiniti liveaboard takes you on an unforgettable journey to Malapascua and Leyte. These destinations are known for their magnificent dive sites and the opportunity to encounter thresher sharks, manta rays, and diverse macro life. The limited-time offer on this liveaboard experience is not to be missed.

The Philippines’ underwater world is a true gem for divers of all levels. Whether you’re seeking awe-inspiring marine life encounters, historical wrecks, or captivating coral gardens, the Philippines has it all. Take advantage of these exclusive liveaboard deals to explore the underwater beauty of this tropical haven. Grab your gear, book your adventure, and prepare to be enchanted by the wonders of the Philippines beneath the waves.

See more worldwide liveaboard travel options at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is a true tropical paradise for scuba divers. With its vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and pristine waters, this destination has something to offer every diver. This week, we’ve scoured the web to bring you some of the most enticing liveaboard dive deals in the Philippines, giving you a unique opportunity to explore the underwater wonders of this stunning archipelago. Whether you’re seeking to dive with sharks, explore wrecks, or marvel at colorful corals, the Philippines has it all. Dive into the beauty of the Philippines with these exclusive offers:

Infiniti – Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu)

• Departure: October 12, 2024
• Price: Starting from €1,898.00
• Deal: For a limited time only, embark on a journey to Malapascua and Leyte with a 20% discount. Dive into clear waters, encounter unique marine life, and witness some of the Philippines’ most stunning dive sites.

The Philippines’ underwater world is a treasure trove of marine diversity, with encounters ranging from gentle giants like whale sharks to tiny critters that call the coral reefs home. These liveaboard deals offer you the chance to explore the captivating underwater beauty of this tropical paradise at unbeatable prices. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, these offers cater to various budgets and schedules. Don’t miss out on these fantastic opportunities to dive into the depths of the Philippines. Book your Philippine adventure today and get ready to discover an underwater paradise that will leave you in awe!

See more worldwide liveaboard travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Are you ready to embark on the underwater adventure of a lifetime? We’ve scoured the internet for the best scuba diving liveaboard travel deals this week, and we’ve uncovered a treasure trove of discounts and special offers in some of the world’s most captivating dive destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a novice looking to explore the depths, there’s something here for everyone. From the pristine coral reefs of Indonesia to the exotic marine life of the Galapagos, these liveaboard deals are too good to pass up. Let’s dive right in!

Indonesia – Dive into Paradise

Aurora – Departing on January 10, 2024, you can explore the wonders of Raja Ampat Central/South from just €3,671.00. Plus, enjoy a 20% discount.

Damai I – For a last-minute adventure, join the December 3, 2023, trip from €4,496.00 and explore Alor to Komodo. New bookings get a whopping 30% discount.

Ecopro Duyung Baru – Plan ahead for a Komodo expedition on June 1, 2024, for just €2,467.00. Book early to get a 25% discount.

Ilike – Dive into Raja Ampat and Halmahera from March 26, 2024, for €3,792.00 and save 20%.

Jelajahi Laut – Don’t miss out on the October 28, 2023, adventure to Maluku & West Papua for only €4,326.00. New bookings can enjoy a 25% discount.

Mermaid II – Kick off the new year in style with a Raja Ampat adventure from January 2, 2024, for €3,040.00 and save 20%.

Scubaspa Zen – Dive into the Raja Ampat Expedition on January 8, 2024, for €3,919.00 and save 20%.

Maldives – Dive into Paradise Part 2

Blue Voyager – Explore the Southern Atolls on February 20, 2024, from just €2,659.00 and save 20%. Group specials are also available.

EcoPro Mariana – Book by November 30, 2023, for free Nitrox and a 25% discount in the Central Atolls.

EcoPro Moonima – Make the most of the Best of Maldives trip and enjoy free Nitrox and a 25% discount when you book by November 31, 2023.

Emperor Explorer – Dive the Best of Maldives for 7 nights starting November 26, 2023, for €1,799.00 and enjoy a 30% discount for new bookings.

Emperor Serenity – Join the Best of Maldives adventure on November 12, 2023, from €1,968.00, with a 20% discount for new bookings.

Honors Legacy – Get ready for the Best of Maldives from June 22, 2024, and save 20% with the early bird special.

Maldives Legend Sea Pleasure – Enjoy a special offer until December 1, 2023, and save 25%.

Sachika – Last-minute adventurers, don’t miss the Best of Central Atolls on November 4, 2023, with a 20% discount.

Scubaspa Yang – Another last-minute offer! Dive into the Best of Maldives on November 4, 2023, and save 25%.

Scubaspa Ying – Last-minute offer for Best of Maldives on December 9, 2023, and save 20%.

Sunseeker – Get the year started right with the Best of Central Atolls on December 30, 2023, and save 20%.

Theia – Plan ahead for the Central Route on January 6, 2024, and save 20%.

Egypt – Dive into History

Emperor Echo – Join the South and St. Johns expedition on December 14, 2023, for €836.00 with a 20% discount for new bookings.

Ghani – Experience the Golden Triangle Cruise from November 25, 2023, for €1,050.00 and save €200. Rates include discounts.

Red Sea Aggressor II – Dive the Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, and Straits of Tiran on March 30, 2024, and save a whopping $1,211.

Seven Seas – Explore the South and St. Johns on November 23, 2023, and save 20%.

Thailand – Dive into Exotic Waters

Giamani – Take advantage of the Special Autumn Sale for a two-day, two-night adventure departing on October 27, 2023, for €668.00.

The Junk – Dive the Similan & Surin Islands from December 11, 2023, and save 20%. This offer is valid until October 31, 2023.

The Phinisi – Explore the Similan & Surin Islands from December 21, 2023, and save 20%. This offer is also valid until October 31, 2023.

Philippines – Dive into Tropical Beauty

Infiniti – Join the Malapascua & Leyte expedition on October 12, 2024, for €1,898.00 and save 20%. This offer is valid for a limited time, so contact us for details.

Galapagos – Dive into Natural Wonder

Nortada – Dive with whale sharks in Isabela, Darwin, and Wolf Islands on October 27, 2023, and save 16% with this last-minute deal.

Micronesia – Dive into the Pacific

Palau Siren – Explore the Palau Islands on March 25, 2024, and enjoy a 30% discount as part of the monthly special. Act fast, as this offer is only valid for a limited time.

Australia – Dive into the Coral Sea

Spoilsport – Dive the Coral Sea Exploratory from November 2, 2023, for €2,487.00 and enjoy $500 off in early bird specials (except for the Budget Cabin).

With such fantastic offers in these incredible dive destinations, there’s no better time to plan your next underwater adventure. Whether you’re chasing manta rays in the Maldives or exploring the rich marine biodiversity of Indonesia, there’s a liveaboard deal waiting for you. Book now, and start counting down the days until your next scuba diving expedition!

See more Scuba Diving Travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Shore diving unlocks a world of awe-inspiring beauty beneath the surface. Unlike boat dives, which can be limited by schedules and crowded dive sites, shore diving offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace, whenever you desire, and with whomever you choose as your dive buddy. In this article, we’ll unveil the top ten destinations around the globe where you can experience the magic of shore diving, each with its unique charm and allure.

Whether you’re an experienced diver seeking new spots to explore or a novice looking for accessible and captivating underwater destinations, this guide has something for you. We’ll dive deep into each location, highlighting the unique dive experiences and marine life on offer. We’ll also cover the practical information you need, so you can spend less time planning and more time diving!

Prepare to be inspired for an unforgettable journey to some of the best shore diving on our planet.

1. Bonaire, the Caribbean.

Often referred to as the ‘shore diving capital of the world’, Bonaire is a haven for underwater enthusiasts. What makes Bonaire truly special is its accessibility to breathtaking dive sites right from the shoreline. You can step in and immerse yourself in vibrant coral gardens, where you’ll encounter a kaleidoscope of marine life, from colorful parrotfish to curious sea turtles.

The best time to visit is between December and April when the waters are calm, and visibility is exceptional. With dive sites suitable for all levels, including beginners, Bonaire is a must-visit destination for shore diving. 

On non-diving days, explore the island’s pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. Accommodation options range from beachfront resorts to budget-friendly apartments.

2. Roatan, Honduras.

Venture to Roatan, Honduras, and you’ll find yourself immersed in the wonders of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system. The island’s shore diving sites offer a diverse range of underwater experiences, from exploring colorful coral reefs to intriguing underwater caves. Roatan is a year-round destination with warm waters, but the best diving conditions are during April and May. 

Dive sites cater to various experience levels, making Roatan a suitable choice for both beginners and advanced divers. On your surface intervals, indulge in the island’s pristine beaches, visit Roatan’s sloth sanctuary, and join an island tour. Roatan offers a variety of accommodations, including eco-friendly resorts and charming boutique hotels.

3. Maui, Hawaii.

Maui, the jewel of the Hawaiian Islands, is a paradise for shore divers. Dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, including graceful manta rays and curious green sea turtles. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the water temperature is comfortable for diving – but honestly, diving in Maui is fabulous all year. 

With calm, sheltered bays and plenty of marine life, Maui is a great place to become an Open Water Diver and start your scuba diving adventures. On dry land, explore lush rainforests, visit volcanic craters, and experience traditional Hawaiian culture. Accommodation options range from luxury beachfront resorts to cosy vacation rentals and hostels, ensuring a comfortable stay for all budgets.

4. Marsa Alam, Egypt.

For a Red Sea shore diving experience, look no further than Marsa Alam. Sharm el Sheikh is the hub of Egypt’s dive scene but Marsa Alam is just as good, if not better, and has access to some of the best diving in Egypt.

This destination is quieter than Sharm and has fantastic shore diving, with the chance to encounter dugongs and sea turtles. A little further offshore, lie Egypt’s most famous dive sites, including Elphinstone Reef, the Brothers, and Daedalus Reef; all home to an array of vibrant Red Sea reef species and pelagics.

You can enjoy diving all year in Marsa Alam but visit during spring or fall to avoid crowds. Dive conditions here are best suited to experienced divers due to the depths and currents. Beyond diving, you can explore nearby desert landscapes, visit historic temples, or unwind at luxurious beachfront resorts.

5. Bali, Indonesia.

Bali, with its stunning shore diving opportunities, is a magnet for divers. Amed, located on Bali’s northeastern coast, is known for its vibrant coral gardens and the famous USS Liberty shipwreck – which is just a two-minute swim from the beach. 

The best time for diving in Bali is from April to November when the weather is dry and the water temperature is comfortable. Dive sites cater to divers of all levels, and you’ll encounter diverse marine life, from pygmy seahorses to reef sharks. On land, discover Balinese culture, pristine beaches, and lush rice terraces. Accommodation options in Bali range from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts, ensuring a place to stay for everyone.

6. Curaçao, the Caribbean.

Curaçao, nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, offers an array of shore diving experiences. Explore thriving coral reefs that lie just offshore and swim with playful sea turtles. There are numerous shore diving sites off the beaches of Curaçao’s southwestern coast and drop-offs a short swim from shore.

Diving in Curaçao is great year-round, thanks to its consistently warm waters and excellent visibility. The main dive season runs from December to April. If you want to see coral spawning, visit from September to October.

Dive sites are suitable for all levels, making it an ideal destination for every diver. On non-diving days, explore the island’s vibrant culture, unique architecture, and Christoffel National Park. Accommodation options range from beachfront bungalows to upscale resorts.

7. The Philippines.

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,600 islands, of which more than 5,000 are uninhabited. This stunning destination beckons divers with its diverse marine life and shore diving opportunities. Explore underwater worlds filled with vibrant corals, schools of fish, and muck diving sites that host weird and wonderful critters.

The best time to visit varies by region but generally falls during the dry season from December to May. Dive sites cater to all experience levels, making the Philippines suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. When not diving, discover the country’s rich history and delectable street food. Accommodations vary from budget-friendly hostels to luxury beachfront resorts.

8. Malta and Gozo.

The Mediterranean waters surrounding Malta and Gozo are a treasure trove for shore divers. Explore historic shipwrecks, thriving reefs, underwater arches, and spectacular night dives. Dwejra is one of the best places for shore diving on Gozo and hosts the famous Blue Hole. 

The best time for diving is during the summer months when the water is comfortably warm. Dive sites range in difficulty, accommodating divers of various experience levels. When you’re not diving, delve into Malta’s 7,000-year-old cultural heritage, visit ancient temples, and savor some Mediterranean cuisine at Malta’s waterfront cafes. Accommodation options include charming boutique hotels and waterfront apartments.

9. Cozumel, Mexico.

Cozumel, situated off the Yucatan Peninsula, is an ever-popular dive destination with stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life. Drift along the Mesoamerican Reef and encounter nurse sharks, eagle rays, and vibrant fish species.

November to April is the best time to go diving in Cozumel; the waters are calm and its eagle ray season. Dive sites cater to various experience levels, making Cozumel suitable for all divers. On land, explore Mayan ruins, relax on pristine beaches, and savor authentic Mexican cuisine. Accommodation options range from all-inclusive resorts to beachfront bungalows.

10. Jervis Bay, Australia.

Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales coast of Australia, offers an underwater paradise for shore divers. Dive into crystal-clear waters, swim with resident dolphins, and encounter the famous Weedy Sea Dragon.

With mild water temperatures even in winter, you can dive at Jervis Bay all year, and dive sites cater to all experience levels. On land, there are white sandy beaches, national parks, and charming coastal towns to explore on your non-diving days. Accommodation options range from beachside campsites to boutique lodges.

Now that you’ve had a taste of the enchanting world of shore diving, it’s time to take the plunge. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant coral reefs, captivating marine life, or intriguing wrecks and caverns, shore diving offers an easy and fun way to explore the depths. So, pack your dive gear, choose your dream destination and enjoy!

Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for SSI (Scuba Schools International), wrote this article.

I like night diving! There is an aspect appealing to me, the biologist happening during night dives, and there is a very powerful psychological effect of night diving as well. To me, few things are as relaxing as being underwater at night, in the middle of the darkness, in warm water, with no one there to bother me, just some interesting wildlife around me, popping up out of nowhere.

If you’d like to learn how to night dive, most certification agencies (I teach via PADI) offer instruction for night diving via their advanced courses. I myself did my first ever night dive outside of such a course (2002 in Egypt!) but it’s a good idea to get some instruction before heading our for a dive at night. I’d like to share some of the more subtle points which I have found to make my night dives better:

• Don’t shine your light right at your buddy’s eyes AND don’t shine it into the eyes of the critters you want to observe. Keeping the center of the cone of your dive light 30 cm away from the fish or shrimp you observe will freak the animals out less.
• Less is sometimes more with dive lights. Your eyes will adapt to darkness. The critters will be spooked out less by dimmer lights. These days you can get really high-powered dive lights, I have seen them with up to 10000 lumen. These are similar in power to what you find on the front of an off-road racecar – there is no need for this kind of power unless you film larger (wide-angle) scenes.
• Similarly, some critters react less adversely to red than to white light.
• When you want to show a critter to your buddy, remember where it is and stop shining your dive light on it for a moment. This will make the critter less likely to escape or burry itself into the sand. Then, get a hold of your buddy, lead him or her to the critter and then shine the light on the animal again.

What You’ll See

I was really lucky in the last few months, with excellent diving conditions in the part of the Philippines where I live, and lots of interesting small nocturnal animals being active. In April and May I observed and filmed a variety of juvenile scorpionfishes, crabs which I had to contact experts to get an ID for, and a school of vertically swimming fish which used my video light as a hunting aid. Check the footage out here:

This is a video from one of the best night diving sites in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines, the artificial reef in front of the former El Dorado resort. The top attraction there, in my opinion, are the 2-3 individuals of large basking stars, brittle stars (echinoderms widely related to sea stars) which unfold to an area of almost a square meter, and become nocturnal plankton filtering nets.

Siquijor, the island next to us, also has excellent night diving. The great variety of crustacean, especially the marble shrimp, always intrigues me over there. Lots of different flatworms, too.

I hope you enjoyed these tips and this footage.

Learn more and see more great articles from Klaus at: https://pacificklaus.com

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Learn more about Belize Aggressor III

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The Scuba Place visited Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera Philippines hosting a group of divers and loved it!! This is their trip report from their visit in April 2023.

The question I am asked most often is of course, ‘What is your favourite dive destination?’

I have tried to be smart and answer with a number of responses encapsulating types of diving, such as wreck, big marine life, liveaboard etc, but in truth, I have never really known the actual answer. I have favourite dives of course, but not necessarily a favourite destination.

Until now that is!

So, I am going to start this trip report with a summary, and briefly outline where and why, so you don’t actually have to read the rest of my diatribe.

Scandi Divers, Puerto Galera in the Philippines. There – it is out there, I’ve said it, now here is the Why.

The beachfront location is perfect. The rooms are super comfortable. The service is impeccable – like a 5* hotel and beyond. The food is excellent, and the people are just amazing. The diving is world-class, and most importantly, in these current times, the exceptional value cannot be ignored. Honestly, it doesn’t cost much more for 9 nights, with 8 days diving, full board, flights and transfers than it does for a 7-night safari on one of the mainstream boats in the Red Sea.

Granted – The Philippines is a bit further to go, and might involve taking an extra day or two off work, but is it worth it? The details follow, and I will leave you to make your own decision!

Different airlines give a choice of route and timings, and as such, the costs are pretty competitive. We flew with Emirates from Heathrow via Dubai to Manila. Our first leg was an overnight flight and took just shy of 7 hours. The next leg to Manila is similar, and the baggage allowance was 30kgs. Emirates get it right too – great seats, excellent entertainment, and the transit in Dubai was just 2 hours.

Once you arrive in Manila, the transfer to the resort is dependent upon the time you arrive. If it is before lunch, then you can head straight to Batangas and catch the speedboat to Puerto Galera. If arriving later in the day, then it is an overnight stay in Manila as the boats aren’t able to cross after 4pm. We stayed at the Dusit Thani, but there are other similarly priced options close to the airport. We were picked up the next morning after breakfast. The trip to the Batangas marina takes 90 minutes or so, dependent upon traffic, and the speedboat is 30 minutes, arriving directly on the beach in front of Scandi Divers. We arrived at Scandi in time for lunch and an afternoon dive! 

The first thing that struck us was the welcome – a huge flag with our logo on the beach made us feel special, and this is something Scandi do for all clubs arriving. Staff lined the beach, welcomed us with shell necklaces, cold facecloths and a welcome drink, and our bags were immediately taken to our rooms.

A welcome meeting in the bar upstairs by the resort and dive centre staff gave us all the resort information we needed, where to put our kit, when we wanted to dive, dining info and the like – and even a neck and shoulder massage whilst the briefing was taking place! And more gifts too – a refillable water bottle for each guest with name tags. What a welcome – we have never experienced better in all our travels.

It was then on to our rooms and as a group, we had pretty much every room type! Across all rooms, expect good storage and good air-conditioning, together with ceiling fans and an en-suite. The poolside rooms had just been refurbished and were decorated beautifully, giving a real light and modern feel. A serious refurbishment plan has been put into place in the summer of 2023, and if the standards are the same as the previous roll-out, the rooms are going to be pretty special to say the least.

Others in the group had larger penthouse rooms right on the seafront – beautiful views from up high over the whole bay, and the brand new beachfront cottage rooms, perfect for single occupancy without a supplement, provide a neat and tidy space spitting distance (literally) from the sand! We had a good tour around the suites above reception and these are perfect for a little touch of luxury. If travelling with a family, there is a three-bedroom suite that would be perfect for four to six people and has the best views over the beach too from its own balcony.

Sadly, I didn’t lose any weight whilst staying at Scandi – it’s always a hope, and sometimes achieved, but definitely not on this trip – the food was delicious. Full board is the standard fare, and this includes a full cooked breakfast, and a choice of starters, mains and dessert at lunch and dinner. Beer or soda is included with meals, but if drinking at lunchtime, no diving in the afternoon! And happy hour before dinner was great for sharing our daily diving stories. All meals are cooked to order, and if the daily specials aren’t to your liking, then there is a huge a la carte menu that you can order from without any penalty. 

And the quality? Excellent. Asian, Thai, Korean BBQ and western meals were all available – we took advantage of every flavour and had a Chinese feast one night just for variety! Seafood is as fresh as it can be, the soups offered daily are amazing, and tasty pizzas, pastas and burgers too! All our meals were absolutely delicious, and all dietary requirements are catered for.

And the diving? WOW – just WOW!

The dive centre is on the ground floor right on the beach. You touch your kit once at the beginning of the trip to unpack it, and then at the end of the trip to pack up again. In between, the exceptional staff build it, carry it to and from the boat, help you kit up and de-kit, and rinse everything for you at the end of each dive, hanging wetsuits up to dry too. 

There are separate rinse tanks for suits, BCD’s, masks, boots and of course cameras, along with a climate-controlled camera room for storage, charging and swapping batteries and cards between dives. 

The dive boats- four of them, vary in size from a 4-diver skiff through to 12-person outriggers. Each experienced all of them and can honestly say they all are comfortable, have plenty of space and offer easy access to the water. Backward rolls for entry, and then you de-kit in the water and climb a good ladder to exit. Warm facecloths are provided to each diver after the dive to rinse off the salt, such a nice touch!

Puerto Galera is said to have a greater density of biodiversity than the Caribbean Sea and the Great Barrier Reef put together, and even being aware of this prior to our arrival, we were quite simply gobsmacked by the underwater environment. Every dive brought a huge smile to our faces.

There are close to 50 dive sites within a very short boat ride, offering exceptional variety. Big drift dives are offered, where you can hook onto the reef and watch big schools of jacks and tuna hang in the blue. There are also numerous wrecks – not big wrecks with penetration opportunities, but fishing boats that have become artificial reefs – full of ornate ghost pipefish, painted and warty frogfish, cardinal fish with their mouths full of eggs, jawfish, nudis and shrimps of several different types.

The numerous reef dives offer a gentle descent over extremely healthy hard and soft corals, giant sponges and we saw morays of several different types, turtles, catfish balls, anemones, and their inhabitants (including porcelain crabs) and so much more. Mantis shrimp scuttle across the sand, frogfish hide amongst the sponges, and we even found ghost pipefish with a full egg pouch! Nudibranchs of so many varieties crawl over the reef surfaces, seahorses hide in the weeds, and the list goes on and on.

Included in every dive package at Scandi is a day trip to the amazing Verde Island. This three-dive, lunch-on-the-beach-included day trip takes in this famous collection of dive sites where the drop-off is just extreme. The Verde Island Passage has been called ‘The Centre of the Centre of Marine Biodiversity of the World’ and yes – this day delivers the goods! Beautiful corals and sponges, and schooling fish galore, with a good current to boot made these dives very special. There were times that the drop-off was totally obscured by the marine life, and yet we still found a couple of octopus, loads of different nudis and little critters inside of the plethora of feather star and crinoids. This is a day not to be missed!

Finally, there is the muck or macro dives. Here are plenty of choices, but we found the best to be in the channel just 5 minutes away from the resort. We found pretty much everything anyone could want! We had a bucket list of course, and the only thing that didn’t turn up was a polar bear.

Flamboyant cuttlefish, squid, tiny cuttlefish, octopus – and yes, blue ringed, wonderpus AND mimic. Nudis galore, tiny frogfish the size of a thumbnail, a few small bobbitt worms, rhinopias, two Ambon scorpionfish, more cardinal fish, seahorses, pygmy seahorses, orangutang crabs, crinoid shrimp and crabs, emperor shrimp, skeleton shrimp, squat lobsters – this list really does go on and on – and then some more!

As keen photographers, this really was heaven for us, and in all of our experience to date, this has been the highest-yield destination we have been to. Here are a few of our favourites and check out our full gallery here.

On top of all of this – the quality accommodation, the food, the spectacular diving there are two more things to really focus on when substantiating this as a firm favourite destination.

Firstly, it is the little things that the resort does to make you feel welcome – right from the very start. A bar of chocolate in your room with a personalised label, thanking you for choosing to stay there. A friendship bracelet, waiting in your room after a diving day. Your personalised water bottle, a t-shirt that is co-branded with Scandi and your own dive club logo – again the list is long. 

And lastly, the thing that really made it difficult to leave is the people. They know your name from day one, know your favourite food, favourite drink, and cannot do enough for you, but it is more than that. The people are just lovely! Happy, passionate, super-friendly and they really care – really! They just love to celebrate with you too – birthdays, anniversaries, dive milestones and generally, everything that needs to be celebrated! The energy that they put into the fire dancing performance evening and the live music evening is representative of their genuine passion, and we just loved it all!

We left at the end of two weeks, and to be honest, waving goodbye was emotional. 

You know what that means – we have to go back!!

In fact, we’ve already made plans and are hosting another trip in May 2024. Come Dive with Us! Check out the brochure with the full itinerary here. 

Key Facts:

• Getting there : Our flights were with Emirates flying from Heathrow to Manila via Dubai. Total flight time was 18 ½ hours landing in Manila the following evening. A taxi to the Dusit Thani took a little over 30 minutes and cost about £35. We’re going to try an airport hotel next time. A little sleep then breakfast in the morning before getting picked up by Scandi staff at 10am for transport to the marina. Luggage was loaded onto the speedboat and we settled in for a quick 30 minute crossing to Puerto Galera. The ramp from the speedboat was dropped right on to the beach in front of the resort where we were greeted by Scandi staff. 
• Air temperature : Tropical – average daily temperature throughout the year is 24-30°C. The warmest and driest months are April and May and the wettest months are usually July and August
• Water temperature : 26-29°C. A 1-3mm full suit or shorty will suit most.
• Visa requirement : UK passport holders are permitted to enter the Philippines without a visa for an initial period of 30 days.
• Health protocols : If you’re fully vaccinated you can enter the Philippines provided you have proof of vaccination, proof of return journey, 6 months of validity left on your passport and have registered for an e-Travel pass within 72 hours of arrival. 
• Currency : Philippine peso or US Dollar are accepted in resort. Cash or credit card with a 4% fee.
• Electricity : 220V with 2 or 3-prong sockets. Our adaptor worked without issue.
• Internet and Wi-Fi : There is wifi in resort and worked well in our room which was furthest from reception. We were able to email, WhatsApp and post on social media without issue.

Price Guide: Expect from £2250 per person based on two sharing a standard room for 9 nights with 8 days diving – 3 dives per day offered, plus one night or blackwater dive and excursion to Verde Island. A one hour complimentary massage was included and was the perfect treat after a few days of travel or at the end of the holiday.

Our Advice: Go to the Philippines! It is a destination that we love and look forward to visiting time and time again. Affordable with diving fit for every level and it’s a goldmine for any underwater photographer.

Packing tips: 

Rechargeable fan(s): If you’ve read any of our recent trip reports we recommend these over and over again. We can’t believe we travelled without them for so many years! Join the fan club and grab one off Amazon… you won’t regret it!

Insect repellent: We’ve made a habit of throwing some repellent in our dive bags every trip but with the lovely breezes we didn’t suffer the mozzies much at all!

Scandi had it all, specialty coffees whenever you need a caffeine hit and an ice cream cooler with treats if you fancy, so just know you’ll want for little while you’re there!

Learn more at: https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/post/dive-the-philippines-scandi-divers-puerto-galera-trip-report

The Scuba Place is excited to announce our new partnership with Phil Medcalf of Alphamarine Photography with a Photography Workshop at Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera Philippines in May 2024.

Phil has been scuba diving for over 30 years and has been taking digital pictures underwater for over 15 of those. In that time, he’s dived around the world including the UK, Egypt, Indonesia, the Maldives and Australia. Along with his wife Anne, he turned his interest into a business in 2017 and now they own Alphamarine Photography Ltd an underwater photography training and retail company. They have a highly rated blog on their website alphamarinephoto.com and a Facebook Q & A group with over 2000 members worldwide. They’ve written on underwater photography for Scuba Diver magazine and have presented on the subject at every Go Diving show since the event started. Their workshops and online courses on underwater photography and photo editing attract students from around the world. Phil’s expertise ranges from getting the best from budget-friendly compact cameras to using the latest high-end mirrorless options. His experience as a retailer gives him a much broader knowledge base than many underwater photographers when it comes to the equipment in use.

Before running Alphamarine Photography full time Phil worked in health care for over 25 years. During that time much of his role involved teaching skills to adults and he brings this experience as well as Anne’s expertise as a university lecturer to how the workshops are designed and taught.

Phil will be hosting our first underwater photography workshop at Scandi Divers in May 2024. With a blend of formal and informal coaching, Phil will conduct both group and one-to-one instruction. A daily talk will cover topics such as Understanding Exposure, Composition and Lighting, Shooting in Manual Mode, Equipment and Postproduction. Phil will make himself available to answer questions, give advice and conduct ad hoc teaching sessions throughout the workshop. He will also have some demo equipment to try such as wet lenses and strobes. And everyone participating in the workshop will have the opportunity to have one on one time with Phil where he can review your images and give you specific advice. The aim of Phil’s workshop is for everyone to be happier with the pictures they are getting at the end of the trip than they were at the start.

We could think of no better place to kick off this new partnership than Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera. Situated on the Verde Passage, Puerto Galera is widely recognised as one of the most bio-diverse bodies of water on the planet. It contains more varieties of fish than the Red Sea and more varieties of hard and soft corals than the Great Barrier Reef!

The water temperature in Puerto Galera averages around 29°C throughout the year, and the visibility is excellent. Surrounded by beautiful reefs, thriving with marine life, Puerto Galera has an abundance of amazing dive sites, most of them within a few minutes boat ride of the resort! There are wrecks, caves, muck dives, shallow coral fields, and drift dives. Plenty of opportunities for both wide angle and macro photography!

We visited Scandi Divers in April 2023 and absolutely loved it! The diving was spectacular, the food was scrumptious, and the people were sensational! You can read our full trip report here. The resort is located on Big Lauguna Beach with over 40 rooms. The Sky View Restaurant & Bar, where we ate most meals is on the second floor allowing for great views. The Beachfront Restaurant is on the first floor and offers a great spot to meet your dive buddies for happy hour! Both offer the same menu with international, Filipino and western cuisine. We were on a full-board basis and never disappointed with any meal! 

The onsite dive centre has a five-station camera room for underwater photographers. The dive package for the workshop includes up to 4 dives daily. Two morning boat dives are offered after breakfast followed by one afternoon boat dive after lunch back at the resort. Dusk and night dives are also an option. A Verde Island day trip is Included as well as a blackwater dive. NITROX is available on a per tank or weekly charge, and we analysed our tanks with between 30 and 32 and had great fills over 200bar plus during our last stay.

We are thrilled to be going back and as aspiring underwater photographers, we’re looking forward to learning from one of the best! So if you’re looking for an amazing dive holiday… Come Dive with Us and Phil Medcalf! 

Photography Workshop with Phil Medcalf

Scandi Divers – Puerto Galera Philippines

10 night itinerary 

departs Saturday 25 May 2024

Itinerary highlights

• Return flights London Heathrow to Manila vis Dubai on Emirates Airlines departing 25 May 2024
• 1 night accommodation in Manila
• 9 nights at Scandi Divers Resort in selected room type with full board
• 8 days diving with 3 boat dives and 1 night dive per day
• Verde Island excursion with lunch and one hour massage session included
• Photo Workshop with Phil Metcalf of Alphamarine Photography with daily talks, group and one to one coaching, ad hoc teaching sessions and advice 
• All transfers and taxes

from £2549 per person based on double occupancy

Check out the full itinerary and brochure here. 

Contact us today and book your space at https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk

Want to know a little more? Here are some links :

For all things Phil and Anne of Alphamarine Photography 

• alphamarinephoto.com
• https://www.facebook.com/alphamarinephoto/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/alphamarineqanda/
• https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alphamarine

For more on Puerto Galera and Scandi Divers

• https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/puerto-galera-philippines
• https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/scandi-divers-resort

For our April 2023 Trip Report and Underwater Images

• https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/post/dive-the-philippines-scandi-divers-puerto-galera-trip-report
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/thescubaplace/albums/72177720309565482

Ready to embark on an extraordinary underwater journey? Look no further! We’ve scoured the internet to bring you the most incredible scuba diving liveaboard offers this week. Dive into the depths of adventure while keeping your budget afloat. Get ready to make a splash and explore these mesmerizing destinations!

Destinations That Will Take Your Breath Away

Bahamas

Grand Bahama Adventure with Bahamas Master Departure: 19 Oct 2024 | From: €3,069.00

Prepare for an awe-inspiring Grand Bahama Adventure aboard the Bahamas Master. Immerse yourself in vibrant marine life and mesmerizing coral reefs. Dive into savings with an exclusive 10% Early Bird Deal!

Learn more https://bit.ly/3J7QzLo

Belize

Exploration Extravaganza Departure: 10 Aug 2024 | From: €2,318.00 Departure: 21 Sep 2024 | From: €2,318.00

Dive into the wonders of Belize with Belize Aggressor III and Belize Aggressor IV. Experience Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef, all while enjoying an incredible 25% Travel the World Special discount.

Virgin Islands

Best of British Virgin Islands Departure: 10 Feb 2024 | From: €2,250.00

Set sail to the Virgin Islands and explore the Best of British Virgin Islands with BVI Aggressor. Discover stunning marine diversity and save 25% with the Travel the World Special.

Learn more https://bit.ly/3ZreryO

St. Maarten

Northbound Exploration Departure: 30 Sep 2023 | From: €1,361.00

Uncover the hidden treasures of St. Kitts, Saba, and St. Maarten with the Caribbean Explorer II. Dive in with a remarkable 45% OFF through the Double the Saving Specials, available until September 15, 2023.

Learn more https://bit.ly/46Cg1CN

Cayman Islands

The Best of Cayman Departure: 28 Sep 2024 | From: €2,250.00

Experience the Cayman Islands like never before with Cayman Aggressor IV. Dive into turquoise waters and save 25% with the Travel the World Special.

Learn more https://bit.ly/3KbyjAg

Costa Rica

Cocos Island Adventure Departure: 01 Mar 2024 | From: €4,506.00

Embark on a thrilling Cocos Island Adventure with Cocos Island Aggressor. Dive into discounts and explore the wonders of this remote paradise with a 25% Travel the World Special.

Learn more https://bit.ly/3NVSXpX

Galapagos

Islands of Enchantment Departure: 07 Mar 2024 | From: €4,848.00 Departure: 27 Nov 2023 | From: €3,819.00

Dive into the magical Galapagos Islands with Galapagos Aggressor III and Humboldt Explorer. Explore the Galapagos with a 25% Travel the World Special discount or double your savings with a 33% OFF offer!

Maldives

Beauty Below the Surface Departure: 07 Oct 2023 | From: €1,175.00 Departure: 09 Sep 2023 | From: €1,713.00 Departure: 04 Dec 2023 | From: €2,075.00

Experience the best of the Maldives with Honors Legacy, Infinity X, and Ocean One. Dive into savings with discounts of up to $1117. Explore crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.

Indonesia

Dive into Diversity Departure: 07 Dec 2024 | From: €2,703.00 Departure: 10 Aug 2024 | From: €2,414.00 Departure: 18 Sep 2023 | From: €4,575.00 Departure: 21 Sep 2023 | From: €6,358.00

Immerse yourself in the rich marine diversity of Indonesia. Experience the Indo Aggressor, Raja Ampat Aggressor, Samambaia, and Seven Seas with exclusive 25% Travel the World Special discounts.

Egypt

Unveiling the Red Sea Departure: 23 Sep 2023 | From: €850.00 Departure: 16 Mar 2024 | From: €1,456.00

Explore the wonders of the Red Sea with Jessica and Red Sea Aggressor II. Dive into discounts of €250 and $1161 OFF for the ultimate wreck diving experience.

Micronesia

Wonders of the Pacific Departure: 10 Mar 2024 | From: €2,692.00 Departure: 09 Jun 2024 | From: €2,414.00 Departure: 30 Jun 2024 | From: €2,414.00

Embark on a Pacific adventure with Pacific Master, Palau Aggressor II, and Rock Islands Aggressor. Explore Truk Lagoon, the best of Palau, and save with irresistible offers.

Philippines

Visayas Exploration Departure: 24 Aug 2024 | From: €3,616.00 Departure: 02 Nov 2024 | From: €1,684.00

Dive into the beauty of the Philippines with Philippines Aggressor and Resolute. Explore the Visayas and Apo Reef with exclusive 25% and 35% OFF offers.

Solomon Islands

Untouched Beauty Departure: 13 Jul 2024 | From: €4,958.00

Uncover the pristine beauty of the Solomon Islands with Solomons Master. Dive into incredible savings with an Early Bird Deal of 25% OFF.

Dominican Republic

Caribbean Delights Departure: 30 Nov 2024 | From: €2,250.00

Discover the Dominican Republic’s hidden gems with Turks and Caicos Aggressor II. Dive into turquoise waters and save 25% with the Travel the World Special.

Turks & Caicos

Island Adventures Departure: 21 Oct 2023 | From: €1,817.00 Departure: 30 Nov 2024 | From: €2,250.00

Experience the wonders of Turks and Caicos with Turks and Caicos Explorer and Turks and Caicos Aggressor II. Double your savings with 38% OFF or enjoy a 25% discount.

Don’t Wait – Dive into Savings and Adventure!

These scuba diving liveaboard offers are your ticket to explore the world beneath the waves. From the Bahamas to the Maldives, from wrecks to reefs, these incredible destinations await your exploration. Dive in and make memories that will last a lifetime.

See more worldwide liveaboard options at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Are you ready to dive into the crystal-clear waters of some of the world’s most mesmerizing destinations? Look no further! We’ve scoured the depths of the ocean to curate this week’s most irresistible liveaboard special offers. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the enchanting Galapagos Islands, the majestic Maldives, the captivating Philippines, or the remote wonders of Micronesia, there’s a liveaboard trip that suits your desires. So, gear up, and let’s plunge into these incredible deals!

Explore the Bahamas with Unbeatable Offers

1. Bahamas Aggressor
   • Departure: 30 Nov 2024
   • Price: From €2,113.00
   • Destination: Exuma Cays and Southwest Eleuthera (Nassau – Nassau)
   • Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/3KGvzwn
2. Bahamas Master
   • Departure: 27 Sep 2024
   • Price: From €2,192.00
   • Destination: Grand Bahama Adventure (Freeport – Freeport)
   • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
   • Learn more https://bit.ly/3J7QzLo

Set Sail to Tropical Bliss in the Virgin Islands

3. BVI Aggressor
   • Departure: 25 Nov 2023
   • Price: From €2,272.00
   • Destination: Best of British Virgin Islands (Tortola – Tortola)
   • Special Offer: $800 OFF – Rates include discounts!
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/3ZreryO

Discover the Unseen Wonders of the Cayman Islands

4. Cayman Aggressor IV
   • Departure: 24 Aug 2024
   • Price: From €2,250.00
   • Destination: Best of the Cayman Islands (Georgetown – Georgetown)
   • Special Offer: (25% OFF)
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/3KbyjAg

Experience the Galapagos Like Never Before

5. Galapagos Aggressor III
   • Departure: 08 Feb 2024
   • Price: From €4,848.00
   • Destination: Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin (Baltra – Baltra)
   • Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/40kOfY4
6. Galapagos Master
   • Departure: 05 Feb 2024
   • Price: From €5,564.00
   • Destination: Master the Galapagos 7-night (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)
   • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
   • Learn more https://bit.ly/3XAgQ9R

Unearth the Magic of the Maldives

7. Horizon 3
   • Departure: 29 Dec 2024
   • Price: From €2,803.00
   • Destination: Best of the Central Atolls (Male – Ari – Vaavu – Male)
   • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
   • Learn more https://bit.ly/40sgcwb

Journey to the Hidden Gems of Indonesia

8. Indo Siren
   • Departure: 14 Sep 2024
   • Price: From €5,605.00
   • Destination: Southern Forgotten Islands (Kalabahi (Alor)-Saumlaki)
   • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/3KdSTkT
9. Jakaré
   • Departure: 06 Sep 2023
   • Price: From €1,457.00
   • Destination: Komodo National Park and Sumbawa Island (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
   • Special Offer: (20% OFF)
   • Learn more http://bit.ly/3TT3gOb
10. Jaya
    • Departure: 12 Oct 2023
    • Price: From €2,249.00
    • Destination: Alor – Ambon
    • Special Offer: Dive Pro discount! (35% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/3H59khz
11. Komodo Sea Dragon
    • Departure: 08 Sep 2023
    • Price: From €1,785.00
    • Destination: Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
    • Special Offer: (20% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/3ojg2Kk
12. Queenesia II
    • Departure: 29 Oct 2023
    • Price: From €2,276.00
    • Destination: Ambon – Banda – Misool – Sorong (Ambon – Sorong)
    • Special Offer: Buy 2, Get 1 Free. (50% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/419FYXa

Dive into the Mysteries of Micronesia

13. Pacific Master
    • Departure: 04 Jun 2024
    • Price: From €4,548.00
    • Destination: Bikini Atoll (Kwajalein – Kwajalein)
    • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
    • Learn more http://bit.ly/3LXY4H4
14. Palau Siren
    • Departure: 22 Aug 2024
    • Price: From €4,460.00
    • Destination: Palau – Full and New Moon Spawning Adventures (Koror – Koror)
    • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
    • Learn more http://bit.ly/3zcsTA5

Delve into the Treasures of the Philippines

15. Philippine Siren
    • Departure: 21 Oct 2024
    • Price: From €3,786.00
    • Destination: Visayas: Southern Leyte & Malapascua (Cebu – Cebu)
    • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
    • Learn more http://bit.ly/3FTfLDG
16. Resolute
    • Departure: 26 Oct 2024
    • Price: From €1,684.00
    • Destination: Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas)
    • Special Offer: Early Bird Special! Valid for new bookings only. (35% OFF)
    • Learn more http://bit.ly/3FWLPqr

Embark on a Polar Expedition to the Arctic

17. Plancius
    • Departure: 09 Aug 2024
    • Price: From €9,080.00
    • Destination: 23 Days Extended Around Spitsbergen & Northeast Greenland – Aurora Borealis (Longyearbyen – Akureyri)
    • Special Offer: Combination Trip! Up to €4180 OFF!
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/3ADtR9o

Voyage to the Enchanted Realm of Antarctica

18. Plancius
    • Departure: 23 Dec 2023
    • Price: From €8,500.00
    • Destination: Antarctica – Basecamp (Ushuaia – Ushuaia)
    • Special Offer: Up to €1950 OFF on selected cabins!
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/3ADtR9o

Discover the Underwater Wonders of Egypt

19. Red Sea Aggressor IV
    • Departure: 02 Dec 2023
    • Price: From €1,365.00
    • Destination: Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Marsa Alam – Marsa Alam)
    • Special Offer: $1200 OFF – Rates include discounts!
    • Learn more http://bit.ly/40nQx8A
20. Turquoise
    • Departure: 02 Sep 2023
    • Price: From €1,078.00
    • Destination: Brothers – Daedalus – Elphistone (Hurghada – Hurghada)
    • Special Offer: (30% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/3YfA4TC

Embark on a Journey Through the Solomon Islands

21. Solomons Master
    • Departure: 05 Jun 2024
    • Price: From €4,958.00
    • Destination: Best of Solomons (Honiara – Honiara)
    • Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (10% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/44ycRhr

Unearth the Treasures of the Dominican Republic

22. Turks and Caicos Aggressor II
    • Departure: 21 Sep 2024
    • Price: From €2,250.00
    • Destination: Providenciales, West Caicos, and French Cay (Providenciales – Providenciales)
    • Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
    • Learn more https://bit.ly/446TRHg

Each of these liveaboard offers has been handpicked to ensure an unforgettable diving experience. Whether you’re an avid diver or just beginning to explore the underwater world, these special deals offer something for everyone. Don’t wait! Seize this opportunity to book your dream liveaboard trip at unbeatable prices. Dive into the depths of nature’s wonders and create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy diving!

See more worldwide liveaboard options at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Around 30 passengers are feared dead, and approximately 40 have been rescued after a small boat capsized in a lake near the Philippine capital, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 am near Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan when the motorized boat, MBCA Princess Aya, encountered strong winds. The sudden battering of winds caused panic among the passengers, prompting many to rush to the port side of the boat, ultimately leading to its tragic capsizing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident, with the PCG and other authorities working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. However, the exact number of individuals rescued and casualties is yet to be finalized as the search and rescue operations continue in the area.

The Philippine government expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and has pledged full support to the affected families during this difficult time. An investigation into the cause of the capsizing will be conducted to ascertain whether any safety violations or negligence were involved.

Local communities are coming together to provide aid and comfort to the families affected by the boat accident, and various support groups and humanitarian organizations are offering their assistance to help survivors cope with the aftermath.

Ready to embark on the dive adventure of a lifetime? Check out this week’s exclusive liveaboard special offers that will take you to some of the most incredible destinations on Earth. From the unique marine life of the Galapagos to the pristine coral reefs of the Maldives and the Philippines, there’s a dream dive vacation waiting for you. Hurry, these deals won’t last long!

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Master

• Departure: 18 Mar 2024
• Price: From €8,002.00
• Destination: Master the Galapagos 10-night (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3XAgQ9R

Maldives

Horizon 3

• Departure: 07 Apr 2024
• Price: From €2,389.00
• Destination: Best of the Central Atolls (Male – Ari – Vaavu – Male)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/40sgcwb

Philippines

Infiniti

• Departure: 17 Feb 2024
• Price: From €1,683.00
• Destination: Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu)
• Special Offer: (25% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3K1dWqf

Indonesia

Jakaré

• Departure: 21 Aug 2023
• Price: From €1,437.00
• Destination: Komodo National Park and Sumbawa Island (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TT3gOb

Komodo Sea Dragon

• Departure: 03 Aug 2023
• Price: From €1,760.00
• Destination: Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3ojg2Kk

Egypt

Ocean Lovers

• Departure: 12 Aug 2023
• Price: From €1,020.00
• Destination: Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3O4ABU3

Red Sea Aggressor II

• Departure: 18 Nov 2023
• Price: From €1,301.00
• Destination: Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Special Offer: $1106 OFF – Rates include discounts!
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TMB3J1

Solomon Islands

Solomons Master

• Departure: 06 May 2024
• Price: From €4,890.00
• Destination: Best of Solomons (Honiara – Honiara)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/44ycRhr

Take advantage of these unbeatable liveaboard deals and make unforgettable memories underwater. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Galapagos, explore the rich marine biodiversity of the Maldives, or dive into the vibrant coral gardens of the Philippines and Indonesia. But act fast, these offers are for a limited time only!

See more great liveaboard options at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Looking for the ultimate adventure? Dive into our exclusive selection of liveaboard special offers that will take you to some of the most breathtaking destinations around the world. Whether you dream of exploring the vibrant coral reefs of the Maldives, swimming with sharks in the Bahamas, or encountering unique marine life in the Galapagos, we have a liveaboard trip just for you. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals available for a limited time only!

The Bahamas

Bahamas Aggressor

• Departure: 06 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,068.00
• Destination: Exuma Cays and Southwest Eleuthera (Nassau – Nassau)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3KGvzwn

Bahamas Master

• Departure: 03 Apr 2024
• Price: From €3,003.00
• Destination: Grand Bahama Adventure (Freeport – Freeport)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3J7QzLo

Belize

Belize Aggressor III

• Departure: 20 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,268.00
• Destination: Belize Exploration – Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef (Belize – Belize)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/40CnnmB

Maldives

Blue Voyager

• Departure: 03 Sep 2023
• Price: From €1,939.00
• Destination: Best of the Central Atolls with Baa (Male – Male)
• Special Offer: Group specials also available! Contact us for more details. (20% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/42GIG7X

Emperor Voyager

• Departure: 14 Oct 2023
• Price: From €1,432.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male)
• Special Offer: Valid for New Bookings on a Limited Time. (30% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3GpH0pC

Horizon 3

• Departure: 04 Feb 2024
• Price: From €1,996.00
• Destination: Best of the Central Atolls (Male – Ari – Vaavu – Male)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/40sgcwb

Virgin Islands

BVI Aggressor

• Departure: 27 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,202.00
• Destination: Best of British Virgin Islands (Tortola – Tortola)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3ZreryO

Costa Rica

Cocos Island Aggressor

• Departure: 18 Nov 2023
• Price: From €4,453.00
• Destination: Cocos Island Adventure (Puntarenas – Puntarenas)
• Special Offer: $1600 OFF – Rates include discounts!
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3NVSXpX

Sea Hunter

• Departure: 12 Nov 2023
• Price: From €4,793.00
• Destination: Cocos Island Expedition (Puntarenas – Puntarenas)
• Special Offer: Special offer valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3rniX5Y

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Master

• Departure: 15 Jan 2024
• Price: From €7,938.00
• Destination: Master the Galapagos 10-night (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3XAgQ9R

Philippines

Infiniti

• Departure: 27 Jan 2024
• Price: From €1,670.00
• Destination: Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu)
• Special Offer: (25% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3K1dWqf

Resolute

• Departure: 01 Aug 2024
• Price: From €1,648.00
• Destination: Cebu (Visayas) (Mactan, Cebu – Mactan, Cebu)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Special! Valid for new bookings only. (35% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3FWLPqr

Indonesia

Komodo Sea Dragon

• Departure: 26 Jul 2023
• Price: From €1,247.00
• Destination: Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3ojg2Kk

Neptune One

• Departure: 04 Aug 2023
• Price: From €2,031.00
• Destination: Komodo North & South (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: Last Minute Deal! (20% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TR0zwt

Red Sea, Egypt

Red Sea Aggressor II

• Departure: 18 Nov 2023
• Price: From €1,335.00
• Destination: Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Special Offer: $1056 OFF – Rates include discounts!
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TMB3J1

Honduras

Roatan Aggressor

• Departure: 13 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,135.00
• Destination: Roatan, Utila & Cayo Cochinos (French Harbor – French Harbor)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/40nNSM8

Solomon Islands

Solomons Master

• Departure: 30 Mar 2024
• Price: From €4,851.00
• Destination: Best of Solomons (Honiara – Honiara)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/44ycRhr

Thailand

The Junk

• Departure: 23 Oct 2023
• Price: From €1,026.00
• Destination: Similan & Surin Islands (Chalong – Thap Lamu)
• Special Offer: Summer Sizzler -20% Off!
• Learn more https://bit.ly/46O29FE

The Phinisi

• Departure: 25 Oct 2023
• Price: From €2,209.00
• Destination: Best of Thailand (Thap Lamu – Chalong)
• Special Offer: Summer Sizzler! Valid until August 31, 2023. T&C apply. (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/44gSp53

Book now and embark on an unforgettable liveaboard experience at a fraction of the price. These deals won’t last long, so hurry and secure your spot today! Visit Scuba Diver Travel for more details and to book your dream liveaboard adventure.

Learn more at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

The Philippines is a diver’s paradise, known for its stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. Dive into these exclusive liveaboard deals and experience the wonders of the Philippines like never before!

Philippine Siren – 10 Jan 2024 – from €3,831.00 Visayas: Southern Leyte & Malapascua (Cebu-Cebu) Early Bird Deal (40% OFF) http://bit.ly/3FTfLDG

Philippines Aggressor – 03 Oct 2023 – from €2,817.00 Visayas – 360 Itinerary (Cebu – Cebu) (40% OFF) https://bit.ly/3mzb4sr

Resolute – 11 Jul 2024 – from €1,705.00 Cebu (Visayas) (Mactan, Cebu – Mactan, Cebu) Early Bird Special! Valid for new bookings only. (35% OFF) http://bit.ly/3FWLPqr

Immerse yourself in the turquoise waters of the Philippines, explore vibrant dive sites, and encounter a wide variety of marine species. Don’t miss out on these incredible liveaboard deals and make your dream diving vacation a reality!

Check out more worldwide liveaboard locations at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

Are you ready for the ultimate underwater adventure? Check out these incredible liveaboard travel offers featuring breathtaking destinations and unbeatable discounts! Whether you’re a diving enthusiast or seeking an unforgettable vacation, these special deals are tailored just for you. Don’t miss out on these limited-time offers and start planning your next dive getaway today!

Egypt

Alia – 26 Aug 2023 – from €1,100.00

St John’s Reef (Ras Galep – Ras Galep)

€250 OFF!! Rates include discounts.

Blue Adventurer – 08 Sep 2023 – from €1,069.00

Deep South Egypt (Marsa Ghalib-Marsa Ghalib)

Group specials also available! (20% OFF)

Emperor Asmaa – 16 Nov 2023 – from €1,076.00

Safaga, Brothers & Elphinstone (Marsa Ghalib – Hurghada)

Valid for new booking only. (20% OFF)

Emperor Elite – 15 Dec 2023 – from €956.00

Reefs and Wrecks (Hurghada departure)

Valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)

Red Sea Aggressor II – 18 Nov 2023 – from €1,381.00

Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Hurghada – Hurghada)

$1056 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Tillis – 12 Aug 2023 – from €808.00

North – Ras Mohammed (Hurghada-Hurghada)

(15% OFF)

Indonesia

Amaya Explorer – 03 Jul 2024 – from €1,566.00

Komodo (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)

Early Bird Specials! (15% OFF)

Duyung Baru – 22 Jul 2023 – from €1,839.00

Komodo (Labuan Bajo-Labuan Bajo)

SPECIAL 20% off!

Ilike – 04 Sep 2023 – from €3,413.00

Maumere – Forgotten Islands (Maumere-Forgotten Islands)

Last minute special! Valid only for new bookings. (30% OFF)

Indo Siren – 03 Apr 2024 – from €5,672.00

Triton Bay & The Spice Islands (Kaimana-Ambon)

Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)

Ondina – 10 Aug 2023 – from €3,080.00

Raja Ampat Central – North (Sorong – Sorong)

20% OFF! T&C apply. Contact us for details.

Raja Ampat Aggressor – 01 Oct 2023 – from €2,930.00

Raja Ampat (Sorong-Sorong)

(40% OFF)

Scubaspa Zen – 02 Oct 2023 – from €4,791.00

Komodo Expedition (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)

(20% OFF)

Bahamas

Bahamas Aggressor – 09 Sep 2023 – from €2,444.00

Exuma Cays and Southwest Eleuthera (Nassau – Nassau)

(40% OFF)

Bahamas Master – 29 Jan 2024 – from €3,106.00

Grand Bahama Adventure (Freeport – Freeport)

Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)

Belize

Belize Aggressor III – 05 Aug 2023 – from €1,877.00

Belize Exploration – Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef (Belize – Belize)

(40% OFF)

Belize Aggressor IV – 12 Aug 2023 – from €1,877.00

Belize Exploration – Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef (Belize – Belize)

(40% OFF)

Virgin Islands

BVI Aggressor – 05 Aug 2023 – from €1,822.00

Best of British Virgin Islands (Tortola-Tortola)

(40% OFF)

Galapagos

Calipso Dive – 03 Aug 2023 – from €5,340.00

Galapagos Diving Thursday Departure (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)

$1000 OFF. Rates Include Discount.

Galapagos Master – 27 Nov 2023 – from €7,837.00

Master the Galapagos 10 night (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)

Early Bird Deal (30% OFF)

St Maarten

Caribbean Explorer II – 19 Aug 2023 – from €1,562.00

St. Kitts, Saba, St. Maarten – Northbound (St. Kitts – St. Maarten)

(37% OFF)

Cayman Islands

Cayman Aggressor IV – 26 Aug 2023 – from €1,822.00

Best of the Cayman Islands (Georgetown – Georgetown)

(40% OFF)

Maldives

Emperor Virgo – 15 Oct 2023 – from €1,467.00

Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male)

Valid Only for New Bookings. (30% OFF)

Emperor Voyager – 09 Sep 2023 – from €1,508.00

Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male)

Valid for New Bookings on a Limited Time. (20% OFF)

Horizon 3 – 03 Dec 2023 – from €1,909.00

Best of the Central Atolls (Male – Ari – Vaavu – Male)

Early bird deal! Available for Full Charter. (20% OFF)

Princess Haseena – 12 Aug 2023 – from €1,961.00

BAA Atoll Manta Tornado – Last Minute Special Offer! (30% OFF)

Papua New Guinea

Febrina – 27 Oct 2023 – from €3,906.00

Bismarck Sea Signature (Kimbe Bay – Kimbe Bay)

Peak time special offer! (17% OFF)

Micronesia

Palau Siren – 23 Jul 2024 – from €4,229.00

Palau Islands (Koror – Koror)

Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)

Philippines

Philippine Siren – 10 Jan 2024 – from €3,831.00

Visayas: Southern Leyte & Malapascua (Cebu-Cebu)

Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)

Philippines Aggressor – 03 Oct 2023 – from €2,817.00

Visayas – 360 Itinerary (Cebu – Cebu)

(40% OFF)

Resolute – 11 Jul 2024 – from €1,705.00

Cebu (Visayas) (Mactan, Cebu – Mactan, Cebu)

Early Bird Special! Valid for new bookings only. (35% OFF)

Honduras

Roatan Aggressor – 05 Aug 2023 – from €1,822.00

Roatan, Utila & Cayo Cochinos (French Harbor – French Harbor)

(40% OFF)

Costa Rica

Sea Hunter – 01 Oct 2023 – from €4,589.00

Cocos Island Expedition (Puntarenas – Puntarenas)

Special offer valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)

Solomon Islands

Solomons Master – 30 Jan 2024 – from €5,017.00

Best of Solomons (Honiara – Honiara)

Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)

Thailand

The Phinisi – 05 Nov 2023 – from €2,285.00

Best of Thailand (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

Summer Sizzler! Valid until August 31, 2023. (20% OFF)

Dominican Republic

Turks and Caicos Aggressor II – 04 Nov 2023 – from €1,822.00

Providenciales, West Caicos and French Cay (Providenciales-Providenciales)

(40% OFF)

Get ready to dive into incredible adventures at unbeatable prices! Book now and make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t wait, these offers won’t last long!

See more worldwide liveaboard options at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable diving journey to the enchanting waters of the Philippines. With its stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, and captivating underwater landscapes, the Philippines is a true paradise for divers. Take advantage of special liveaboard deals and explore the hidden treasures that await beneath the surface of this tropical haven.

1. Philippines Aggressor – Visayas – 360 Itinerary

• Departure Date: 12 Sep 2023
• Starting from €2,813.00
• (40% OFF)

Embark on a mesmerizing adventure through the Visayas region of the Philippines aboard the Philippines Aggressor liveaboard. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Visayan Sea and discover a vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful coral reefs, fascinating macro critters, and graceful sea turtles. Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of the Visayas and create memories that will last a lifetime.

See more worldwide liveaboard options at: https://www.thescubanews.com/liveaboards/

“Little is known of the sixgill shark. This mysterious species spends most of its time patrolling the bottom of the ocean. Encounters are incredibly rare, divers can go their entire career without catching a glimpse of this elusive creature.“

Unchartered Odyssey (Garrett Clement)

Garrett Clement and a group of dive buddies were scuba diving in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, when they came across a sixgill shark. Their delight is evident at the end of the video when they make this discovery!

About the Sixgill Shark

The bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus), also known as the cow shark, is the largest hexanchoid shark, reaching a length of 20 feet (6.1 meters). It is found in tropical and temperate waters all over the world, and its diet varies greatly by region. As a member of the Hexanchidae family, it has more fossil relatives than living relatives. The dogfish, greenland shark, and other six- and seven-gilled sharks are living relatives. Some shark ancestors date back 200 million years. This shark is notable for its primitive and current physical characteristics. The sixgill shark typically cruises underwater at depths around 350 feet.

The bluntnose sixgill shark has a long tail and a large body. The snout is broad and blunt, and the eyes are small. Its lower jaw has 6 rows of saw-like teeth and its upper jaw has smaller teeth. Tan, brown, and black skin tones are common. It has a light lateral line down the sides and on the edges of the fins, as well as darker coloured spots on the sides.

In poorly lit waters, the sixgill shark typically swims near the ocean floor or in the water column above the continental shelf. It is typically found 590-3,610 feet below the surface on the outer continental shelf, but its depth range can range from 0-8,202 feet. Juveniles will swim near the shoreline in search of food, sometimes in water as shallow as 39 feet, but adults will typically stay at depths greater than 330 feet. Only at night can it be seen near the ocean’s surface.

In the Philippines, an adult bluntnose sixgill shark was recently spotted at a depth of 850 ft. The species was photographed for the first time in Philippine waters. A pregnant bluntnose sixgill shark’s remains were discovered on a Vancouver Island beach north of Victoria, British Columbia, in 2019.

Although slow in nature, the bluntnose sixgill shark can reach high speeds when chasing and catching prey with its powerful tail. It feeds on a wide variety of prey, including fish, rays, chimaeras, squid, crabs, shrimps, seals, and other smaller sharks. As a result, the bluntnose sixgill shark is classified as a generalist and is less likely to be affected by scarcity in any of its food sources.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the bluntnose sixgill shark as Near Threatened because, despite its extensive range, its longevity and popularity as a sport fish make it vulnerable to exploitation and unable to sustain targeted fishing for long. Although population data for this species is lacking in many areas, certain regional populations have been classified as severely depleted. It is typically caught as bycatch, but it is also caught for food and sport.

Sixgill sharks unless provoked, are relatively harmless to humans.

YouTube Video Uncharted Odyssey

Follow Garrett Clement’s Dive Adventures at Facebook and Instagram

According to local authorities, the foreign diver, whose identity has not been disclosed pending notification of family members, was participating in a diving excursion in the waters off Batangas. The area is renowned for its picturesque marine ecosystem and is a popular destination among diving enthusiasts.

Reports indicate that the diver encountered distress during the dive, resulting in an emergency situation. The accompanying dive instructor quickly responded, initiating rescue efforts and calling for assistance. Local authorities, including the Philippine Coast Guard, were promptly notified and dispatched to the scene.

Despite the swift response and extensive search efforts, the foreign diver was tragically pronounced dead upon retrieval from the water. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the diver’s untimely demise.

The incident has sparked a wave of condolences from the diving community and locals alike, as they mourn the loss of a fellow adventurer. The tragic occurrence serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with underwater exploration, even for seasoned divers.

The local government and diving organizations are expected to review safety protocols and reinforce measures to enhance the safety of divers in the area. Such steps aim to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Connecting you with the underwater world since 2006 for expeditions, exploration and education.

The Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2023 will take place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from 26-28 May.

Organised by AsiaEvents Exsic Sdn Bhd and running for the 17^th consecutive year, the Expo will occupy Hall 6 at Level 2 of the new venue, MITEC. The organisers of MIDE shared that not only will the event be bigger than previous years, but it would also has the required room to comfortably feature all of the latest products and services offered by local and international exhibitors from 14 countries.

Attended by visitors from Australia, Brunei, China, Denmark, Estonia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, MIDE2023 will feature more than 172 companies. Visitors can expect to see and learn about the latest in scuba-diving related products and services, conservation interests, as well as new lines including sailing expeditions and various watersports.  

Founder and organizer, Ms Ness Puvanes said it is evident the dive industry is resilient, having bounced back in 2021 in the midst of a challenging time. Since then, the dive industry has been enjoying increased interest and a growing community. In addition, she also noted that that the demand for boating and water sports have also enjoyed a strong comeback.

With 220 booths set up for the Expo this year, Ms Ness said this year is breaking records with the number of exhibitors getting involved to further elevate their brand awareness among water-lovers.

First timers

This year, MIDE will be welcoming 69 new exhibitors, including major associations such as the Malaysian Sub-Aqua, Malaysian Underwater Hockey Association and Eco District Association. Also new to the show is the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), who will be introducing a range of water sports activities. More and more manufacturers and distributors of sail boats, dive boats, car topper boats, rescue boat & kayaks at the show have also widen the interests of water enthusiasts visit the expo. 

Forecasts

This year, MIDE is expecting to welcome more than 15,000 water enthusiasts including 10,000 professionals. The show is also expecting to generate approximately RM25million in sales over the 3-day event.

WHAT’S ON DURING MIDE?

20% off MAS flights

As the official airline partner for MIDE, Malaysia Airlines is offering visitors travelling to KL for the expo a 20% discount on their flights booked by 26 May. The promo code MHMIDE20 must be applied when booking.

Dive Safety Partner

DAN World is MIDE’s official Diving Safety Partner. DAN World offers not only diving accident coverage for divers but is committed to helping enhance diving safety in Malaysia.

Staying Connected 

Themed “Let’s Stay Connected to the Ocean” this year, there will be a major focus on the ongoing conservation efforts to keep oceans healthy. This includes shining some light on the non-profitable organisations that are creating awareness on standard operating procedures for Dive Centres, as well as educating the community on single-use plastic and pollution, the increasing number of protected marine species, the impacts of climate change on the ocean, and many more projects.

Face-to-face networking

MIDE 2023 is set to welcome a host of business entrepreneurs, tourism boards, dive agencies, brand manufacturers and distributors who will utilize the platform to network and create new business opportunities and partnerships.

Dive Talks

Visitors will be hearing from the experts including TV personalities, who will take the stage to share their knowledge and experiences in the water. Topics include cave diving, underwater photography, marine conservation, sailing expeditions, underwater archaeology, health, dive insurance and more.

Dive Education: By Teens for Teens

There will also be teens taking to the stage to inspire others in the sport and their personal conservation efforts in improving the environment.

Deals & Promotions

Visitors will have a chance to chat with dive operators and tourism representatives; and can take advantage of the wide range of products and services including many exclusive deals on dive holidays; gear, courses and the latest technologies available today.

Lucky Draw Prizes 

Visitors who spend at least RM300 will be entered into the Purchaser’s Lucky Draw. Collectively, the dive holiday prizes are valued at RM50, 000 including a grand prize on a live-aboard worth RM22,000 are all up for grabs over the 3-day event.

MIDE Expo is endorsed by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Unwavering Support

All exhibitors, suppliers and partners, Dive agencies and Media partners.

MIDE is an annual event aimed at growing and strengthening the Malaysian dive community and businesses. It remains the most well-attended event in Malaysia, and well-reputed for its trademark resilience and wide variety of top dive gear suppliers and international diving packages.

The expo will open from 10am to 7pm, Friday 26 May to Sunday 28 May 2023 at MITEC KL. Visit www.mide.com.my for tickets

Follow us on FB, IG & Twitter at hashtag of MIDEEXPO for latest update of the expo  

Strap in for the global escapades of a scuba diving fanatic who swapped the streets of Wales for some of the most exotic locations on the planet. The diving bug took hold while backpacking through Australia and South East Asia. The journey continued into South and Central America, ending on a small island off Honduras. While there joined a tribe of scuba professionals, who survived on rum and baledas while earning $10 a day. Over the next ten years the world then opened up, working in resorts and liveaboards in The Maldives, Palau and the Philippines. Enjoy breathtaking marine encounters with killer whales, whale sharks, manta rays and bull sharks. From lion fish stings, grouper attacks and diving through earthquakes, this book will make you want to quit your job tomorrow and become a dive professional.

Available in Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook Formats

The Green Fins Award is awarded to the marine tourism operation best achieving the only internationally recognised environmental standard for marine tourism.

The Reef-World Foundation — the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative — is delighted to announce the winner of the Green Fins Award 2023 — Evolution Beach and Dive Resort in Malapascua, Philippines.

The esteemed annual award recognises the Green Fins Member with the lowest environmental impact, as demonstrated by an assessment of business practice conducted within the last 12 months across 75 diving hotspots in 14 countries. This year, the award made a return at Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2023 in Singapore after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the last award was presented at ADEX in 2020.

The winner was identified from the network of hundreds of Green Fins Members around the world through a rigorous and robust assessment of environmental business practices. To be eligible for the award, the operator must have had its latest assessment conducted within the last 12 months.

As 2023’s Green Fins Award winner, Evolution Beach and Dive Resort is globally recognised as the top Green Fins Member. This means that they operate in compliance with the Green Fins Code of Conduct and have exceptional environmental performance every day at their dive resort. The Green Fins Code of Conduct is the only internationally recognised environmental standard for marine tourism. 

Chloe Harvey, Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: “It’s such a pleasure to recognise the team at Evolution with this award. Their Green Fins membership journey started back in 2012, and ever since then, Matt, David and the Evolution staff team have been pivotal in Green Fins programme development. They are not only an exemplary sustainable dive operation, but also an incredibly valuable voice in our network, helping to drive the collective global industry towards a more sustainable future. THANK YOU EVOLUTION!”

Evolution Beach and Dive Resort is a PADI 5-star Dive Resort that also provides Technical Diving International (TDI) tech dive training based in Malapascua Island — the infamous island for its thresher sharks sightings. They have been a Green Fins Member since 2012, and their steps to improve sustainability practices, which have resulted in this recognition, have included but are not limited to: 

• Preventing toxic chemicals such as used oil, cleaning products and sunscreen from entering the ocean
• Consistently providing training for their staff and guests on best environmental practices
• Taking part in regular marine life monitoring and data reporting
• Disposing of all waste responsibly
• Including environmental information in pre-dive briefings

Matt Reed, co-owner of Evolution Beach and Dive Resort, said: ”The last few years have shown that uncertainty is always just around the corner. This has made us more determined than ever at Evolution to ensure that what we can control is done to the highest ‘best practice’ standards.  We cannot stop wars and pandemics, but we can protect and defend our tiny speck of the globe.”

The Green Fins Award is organised annually by The Reef-World Foundation and has been hosted by Underwater360 at the Asia Dive Expo since 2018.

In the Philippines, Green Fins is implemented by the Coastal and Marine Division under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) with support from local NGOs.

Dive, snorkel and liveaboard operators interested in signing up for Green Fins membership can find more information at: https://www.greenfins.net/join.

The body of a Korean scuba diver who drowned in the waters near Balicasag Island was recovered on Tuesday 2nd May 2023.

According to local reports, the Korean national was reported missing on 1st May.

The operation was spearheaded by Hon. Mayor Edgardo “Boy” Arcay and Hon. Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos, in close coordination with T.A.R.S.I.E.R. 117, the Philippine Coast Guard, Panglao Association of Dive Operators (PADO) led by Mrs. Ivy Bulaybulay-Kung, Philippine National Police (PNP) – Panglao led by Major Andie Corpus, Bohol Provincial Police Office, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), and technical diver-volunteers.

The retrieval operations began at approximately 10 in the morning and officially ended at around 3:00 in the afternoon.

The operations of the dive center involved has been temporarily suspended pending an investigation.

We are receiving reports that 4 divers are missing following the sinking of “Dream Keeper” at Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines.

A report from the Philippine Coastguard said that 28 people had been rescued but the owner of the vessel, a divemaster and two guests were still missing.

Tubbataha Reef is one of the country’s largest marine protected areas and was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1993.

A coastguard vessel, along with 10 dive boats are searching the area.

More to follow when we have more information available.

Check out this selection of brand new Philippines Liveaboard Holiday Deals for 27th April 2023 which have just been added to The Scuba News

6th January 2024 – Resolute – Apo Reef, Coron – 35% OFF

View all available Worldwide Liveaboards at: https://www.thescubanews.com/liveaboards

View all new Liveaboard Travel Deals at: https://www.thescubanews.com/liveaboard-deals/

Dive travel experts Diverse Travel have expanded their popular Philippines portfolio with the addition of three new resorts and a new liveaboard.

Scandi Divers and Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort are now featured in world-renowned dive hotspot Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro.

Scandi Divers Resort is located on the pristine white sand of Big La Laguna Beach. Surrounded by a tropical paradise with panoramic ocean views, this 40 room resort is a great choice for divers seeking a relaxed atmosphere with easy access to some of the best diving in the Philippines.

Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort is part of the popular Atlantis Resorts group, renowned for its excellent amenities and service. The resort’s 40 rooms are attractively situated amongst lovely grounds stocked with plants and flowers, built into the hillside just steps above Sabang Beach.

Puerto Galera has evolved into one of the top diving destinations in Asia. The resort town sits in a natural harbour on the Verde Island Passage, so-called by scientists “the centre of the world’s marine biodiversity.” The waters surrounding Puerto Galera were designated a UNESCO ‘Man and Biosphere Reserve’ in 1973, offering 40+ sites with a tremendous versatility that appeals to divers of all levels. Here, divers can explore shallow coral gardens, exciting drift dives on walls and penetrable wrecks, whilst searching for everything from tiny critters in the bays, to pelagics in the stronger currents in the Passage.

The exceptional range of diving has made Puerto Galera particularly attractive for underwater photographers, and both Scandi Divers and Atlantis Resort boast bespoke camera rooms and superb facilities for photographers.

Moving onto the island of Negros, Diverse Travel is also now featuring Atlantis Dumaguete Resort. This beachfront dive resort incorporates 44 rooms built around a lush tropical garden, and features a pool, spa and waterfront restaurant, in addition to a spacious, well-equipped camera room.

Atlantis Dumaguete Resort is perfectly located for divers wishing to discover the superb diving of the Dauin and Dumaguete area, which includes a number of Marine Protected Areas. With its black volcanic sand, Dauin is known as the Frogfish capital of the Philippines, and a unique destination for critter diving. Guests can also take advantage of day trips to nearby Apo Island, Siquijor, and snorkeling with the Whale Sharks in Oslob.

Finally, the addition of the Atlantis Azores liveaboard to Diverse Travel’s programme completes the trilogy of Atlantis Resorts. This 32m dedicated dive motor yacht caters to a maximum of 16 divers in spacious comfort. Seasonal itineraries showcase the best in Philippines diving including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reef, Bohol in the Visayas, Apo Reef and the wrecks of Coron, and Malapascua to Cebu. For divers wishing to embrace even more diversity for a longer stay, Atlantis Azores is ideally combined with a stay on land at the other Atlantis Resorts.

Diverse Travel Product Manager Phillip Connor says:

“The Philippines is a truly amazing destination that offers so much to visitors. The variety of diving experiences, incredible resorts, and legendary hospitality is a potent mix that makes for the perfect dive holiday. Expanding our programme in the Philippines is a natural response to its increasing popularity amongst UK divers. We’re very excited about opening up more opportunities for Diverse Travel guests throughout the world, so watch this space for more developments coming soon!”

Dive holiday packages to the Philippines start from £1,799pp (based on May 2023) and include return flights London to Manila with 32kgs baggage, 7 nights at Scandi Divers in a standard room with a full board meal plan, up to four dives per day incl. tanks and weights, return transfers, local taxes, plus ATOL and full financial protection as standard.

Discover more about Diverse Travel’s Philippines product range and for more information visit https://www.diversetravel.co.uk or call 01473 852002

Reef-World’s Programmes Officers provide technical support for the development and delivery of assigned Reef-World Programmes. This Programmes Officer role is tied specifically to overseeing Green Fins digital products including but not limited to the public website (greenfins.net), Green Fins Hub and Green Fins e-Courses.

As a key member of the Programmes team, you will be helping to protect one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems – coral reefs – by building the knowledge, capacity, and motivation for the global marine tourism industry to become more sustainable. 

Programmes Officers supporting the Green Fins programme are passionate about protecting coral reefs and the incredible marine life they support because of their ecological value as well as for the benefit of our stakeholders – local communities, visitors, and future generations.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced Digital Product Specialist to oversee the Green Fins Hub and take it to the next level. The successful candidate will understand user needs, design ongoing product iterations and lead digital product development including testing, product strategy and delivery. Enhancements will be user-centred, intuitive, functional and achieve desired outcomes.

You should be a proactive and resourceful leader and team player, able to work independently and remotely across multiple time zones while maintaining strong communication with international team members. You will naturally approach tasks with a sense of curiosity, patience and the ability to consider the bigger picture impact of your work. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures, adaptable and have a good sense of humour! 

For more information and full job description download this PDF.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector. 

How To Apply

Please email a CV and a cover letter to apply@reef-world.org.

In your cover letter, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If you’re a diver, please include details of your qualification and the number of dives.

We will then get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application.

Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us, then take note that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career. 

Applications close 30th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Round 1 of interviews (online) week commencing 8th to 19th May 2023. 

Round 2 of interviews (online) week commencing 22nd May to 2nd June 2023 (you will be expected to complete a short assignment if you reach this stage).

• Location: Dumaguete City, Philippines (option for role to be partially remote)
• Salary: £12,000 GBP per annum
• Contract Length: Permanent (Full Time) following a 3-month probation period
• Job Start Date: 5th June 2023
• Reporting to: Programmes Manager
• Closing date for applications: 30th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Learn more about Reef-World at: https://www.reef-world.org

Reef-World’s Programmes Officers provide technical support for the development and delivery of assigned Reef-World Programmes. This Programmes Officer role is tied specifically to leading the analysis of data to inform Green Fins programme delivery and development for impact.

The Reef-World Foundation is recognised as the leading voice on sustainability solutions for the marine tourism industry. Through its flagship initiative, Green Fins, Reef-World drives sustainable behaviours for environmental protection by providing low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. Reef-World has implemented Green Fins in Antigua & Barbuda, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

As a key member of the Programmes team, you will be helping to protect one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems – coral reefs – by building the knowledge, capacity, and motivation for the global marine tourism industry to become more sustainable. 

The Programmes Officers supporting the Green Fins programme are passionate about protecting coral reefs and the incredible marine life they support because of their ecological value as well as for the benefit of our stakeholders – local communities, visitors, and future generations.

What We’re Looking For

We’re on the lookout for someone who is an analytical thinker who’s passionate about understanding data and applying learnings to further our programmes to conserve coral reefs and the marine life and local communities they support. The successful candidate will have more than 3 years in conservation / environmental management data analysis and a proven track record interpreting this for, and executing, impact. 

You should be a proactive and resourceful leader and team player, able to work independently and remotely across multiple time zones while maintaining strong communication with international team members. You will naturally approach tasks with a sense of curiosity, patience and the ability to consider the bigger picture impact of your work. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures, adaptable and have a good sense of humour!

For more information and full job description download this PDF.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector. 

How To Apply

Please email a CV and a cover letter to apply@reef-world.org.

In your cover letter, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If you’re a diver, please include details of your qualification and the number of dives.

We will then get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application.

Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us, then take note that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career. 

Applications close 16th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Round 1 of interviews (online) week commencing 17th to 21st April 2023. 

Round 2 of interviews (online) week commencing 1st to 5th May 2023 (you will be expected to complete a short assignment if you reach this stage).

• Location: Dumaguete City, Philippines (option for role to be partially remote)
• Salary: £12,000 GBP per annum
• Contract Length: Permanent (Full Time) following a 3-month probation period
• Job Start Date: 5th June 2023
• Reporting to: Programmes Manager
• Closing date for applications: 16th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Learn more about Reef-World at: https://www.reef-world.org

Appearances can be deceiving and while squids and octopuses may look similar to the untrained eye, they have plenty of unique characteristics that set them apart. Features such as multiple arms, big heads, and lack of backbone are key identifiers for both species, but their habitats, behavior, and lifespan are just some of the differences which separate them. Read on for more about how these fascinating creatures differ.

Appearance

The first thing we notice about marine animals when diving is how they look. Squids and Octopuses are both cephalopods and share some similarities. If you look closer you will spot some difference in their appearance which separated these two animals.

Squids have ten appendages below their head. Eight of these are arms and two are tentacles, their arms have suckers on and their tentacles will have either hooks or suckers with teeth. Their head, known as the mantle, is a long triangular shape with fins at the top. Squids also have eyes which are placed in between their tentacles and head, their eyes are in line with their body and do not stick out. 

Other features which you can not see or are hidden include their internal shell, which is called a pen, it is like a flexible back bone rather than a hard shell typical for some cephalopods. The smallest squid is under one inch but the largest species can reach over 40ft/13m.

Octopuses have eight appendages that are all arms covered in suckers with over 2000 suckers all together. Their mantle is round and most species do not have fins on their head, though there are some deep sea exceptions. Their eyes stick out and are placed between their head and their arms, both species have excellent eyesight but scientists believe they are colourblind. 

The only hard part of an octopus is its beak, this makes it easy for octopuses to crawl through small spaces as long as their beak can fit. The smallest octopus is also under an inch and the largest species can reach up to 20ft/16m. 

Lifestyle

Both animals enjoy warm salt water but they can be found in cooler oceans on occasion. Depending on where your driving will affect your chances of spotting either of these species, it is always good to know where they like to hang out and how they can react to perceived threats. 

Squids can be found swimming in the open ocean, they can be found in schools with other squids, or living in solitude. Squids are constantly moving, when swimming at slower speeds they use the fins on their head to propel them. 

If a squid feels threatened or finds themselves in the presence of a predator they will attempt to hide. Alternatively they may try to run away or swim erratically to confuse their attacker. They can also release ink to distract their predator and make a sneaky escape. Squids can live between one to five years.

Octopuses are solitary animals, they like to live near the sea bed. They can settle into the sand or find objects to hide in, whether its natural rock formations and caves or discarded waste such as plant pots or tin cans. Octopuses use their arms to crawl on the seabed or coral, they have even been known to crawl on rocks above the water to capture prey.

As a defensive mechanism, octopuses are also able to release ink. They are one of the most intelligent sea animals so have multiple defenses including imitating other sea creatures, camouflaging themselves to match their environment, using objects as protection (such as coconut shells) and flashing bright colors to warn attackers against their venomous qualities. 

If you are a lover of small, fascinating creatures, have you thought about getting into muck diving?

Behavior

Squids and Octopuses move in similar ways, this is because both species use jet propulsion to shoot through the water. When it comes to hunting and mating their behavior varies.

Squids hunt by swimming in groups in the open ocean, when they find prey they shoot their tentacles out to hook into their food. They will gradually consume their meal by breaking pieces off and eating it bit by bit. Squid’s prey includes fish, crustaceans, and occasionally other squids. 

When mating, squids participate in a courtship display which often involves changing of color, once they have chosen a mate the male will pass a packet of sperm to the female who will then use it to fertilize the eggs which will be attached to rocks or coral. Usually both the male and female squids die after mating. Eggs are left defenseless and young must make their own way in the world, it takes around six weeks for squid eggs to hatch. This is dependent on species and environment.

Octopuses hunt on the seabed, they will hide and pounce on their prey or have the ability to chase their prey. They use their arms to grab victims and move it towards their beak where they will inject it with poison, paralyzing the creature, before consuming it in pieces. Their food includes clams, crabs, crustaceans, small fishes, and even other octopuses.

As octopuses are solitary creatures males can spend a lot of time searching for a mate, once found he may spread himself out to appear larger or show off his sucker to impress the female, though octopuses aren’t fussy. One of the male octopus’s arms is modified so it can deliver sperm to the female via her mantle cavity, this is used to fertilize the egg which the female will then lay in her den. The female octopus will guard her eggs until they hatch which can be between two to ten months, the mother will not leave the eggs meaning she will eventually starve to death before her offspring is born. 

Our 5 Favorite Places To Dive With Octopuses And Squids

Now you are all caught up on the differences between these fascinating species, it is time to get in the water and spot them in their natural habitat. Here are five of the best locations for diving with squids and octopuses:

1.Vancouver Island, British Columbia

If you are wanting to see the largest species of octopus then Vancouver Island is the spot. Here divers can find the Giant Pacific octopus, a species which can weigh up to 156 lbs, it changes color to reflect its mood and can often be found in dens and caves. Seeing these incredible mammoth creatures in the wild is truly a once in a lifetime experience. 

2. North Sulawesi, Indonesia

This dive location is thriving with species including the Coconut octopus. This species is named due to its love of hiding in sunken coconut shells. They use the shells for protection and if they find one they really like, they will carry it with them as they crawl the sea bed. These comical sea creatures can also dramatically change color making them an entertaining spot whilst in the warm Celebes Sea.

3. Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Another of the largest species of cephalopods is the Humboldt squid, with mantles reaching over 1m/4ft. It is possible to spot these large creatures on a night dive from liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Mexico. It is definitely a dive for the adventurous and confident as these squids can become erratic when they feel threatened but even seeing these creatures from the surface is an incredible experience. 

4. Anilao, Philippines

In one of the best muck dive locations in the world you can not only discover tiny macro critters but also the Wonderpus octopus. This species stands out with its white-striped brown body and spotted mantle. Apart from being extremely photogenic the Wunderpus has arms which are five to seven times longer than its body, ideal for catching prey, digging holes to hide in and making shelter from natural sea debris. Anilao is the ideal location to find this recently discovered species. 

5. Dominica, Caribbean 

Caribbean Reef squids can be encountered in warm coastal waters. They are usually unafraid of divers so it is a great opportunity to see squids up close. Their mantles can reach up to 20cm in size and are often found swimming in schools. They have green and brown coloring and are able to change the color pattern of their body. Caribbean reef squids have a large population meaning high possibility of spotting them on day and night dives throughout the caribbean. 

Where will you go first?

Learn more about SSI at: https://www.divessi.com

The name DRT stands for Diving, Resort, and Travel. DRT SHOW was founded by Mr. Jason Chong in 2009 to provide business partners greater support and encourage more people to become passionate divers who care about marine ecology. In 2010, the first DRT SHOW was held successfully in Hong Kong. 90% of exhibitors were from overseas, which proved that DRT SHOW had become the most international dive exhibition in Asia Pacific. Since then, DRT SHOW has been taking place in several Asian cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Okinawa, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Mumbai. Nowadays, DRT SHOW is truly the largest dive expo in Asia Pacific.

Learn more in the Event Calendar or at: https://www.drtexpo.com/philippines

Job Title: Communications Manager

Location: Dumaguete City, Philippines (option for role to be fully or partially remote)

Salary: £19,000 – £24,000 GBP per annum, dependent on experience 

Contract Length: Permanent (Full Time) following a 3-month probation period 

Job Start Date:  1 Mar 2023 (or early as possible)

Reporting to: Directors

Closing date for applications: 8 Jan 2023

Hi! We’re The Reef-World Foundation, a registered UK charity which delivers practical solutions for marine conservation around the world. We are a small but highly effective team of passionate and dedicated individuals who are driven by achieving lasting conservation impacts in areas of the world where it is needed the most. We started working with local fishing communities in Thailand in 1999. Today we operate across 14 countries, supporting governments, businesses and communities to sustainably develop their coastal resources.

In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), we are the international coordinator of the Green Fins initiative, which aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry. The reality is that coral reefs couldbe gone in your lifetime – if they go, the health and wellbeing of people and the planet go with them. Reef-World is working to buy more time for coral reefs to thrive by mobilising collective, urgent and wilful action through the marine tourism industry.

Our work involves supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individualsaround the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coral reefs and other coastal resources.

The Reef-World Foundation is subject to UK employment law.

Reef-World’s Core Values

• We empower our colleagues, our stakeholders, our partners and our supporters to have conservation impact.
• We collaborate. Our approach is not competitive – the more we collaborate, the stronger the conservation impact we will have.
• We are innovative. We explore new ways to grow and harness new technology that helps us do so. We are not afraid to break from the norm and use innovative approaches, to achieve conservation impact.
• We stay optimistic in our decision-making and in our approach to tackling global conservation issues.
• We seek to inform. The messages we bring to the public’s attention are based on sound science. Westrive to keep ourselves informed and in tune with the latest science and approaches.

Job Purpose

The Communications Manager plays a key role within the organisation, shaping and leading the delivery of all aspects of communications and outreach related to Reef-World and its programmes, with a primary focus on Green Fins.

Coral reefs could be gone in your lifetime – if they go, the health and wellbeing of people and the planet go with them.A strategic-thinking and creative Communications Manager will continue to shape and lead Reef-World’s communications to address this reality.

The Communications Manager leads the development and distribution of Reef-World’s communication content topromote the work of the Charity. Additionally, they will work with the Programmes team to oversee the development and distribution of outreach content and materials supporting Reef-World’s programmes and partnerships, informed by cutting-edge behavioural change and evidence-based approaches to result inempowering more individuals to take action for environmental protection around the world.

The main responsibilities of this role are:

• Lead Reef-World’s communications
• Provide management and mentorship to Reef-World’s Communications team
• Deliver Reef-World’s communications output in line with Reef-World’s strategic plan
• Contribute to Reef-World’s strategic planning

In addition to the primary role, the Communications Manager will also support the implementation of Green Finsalongside country partners and teams consisting of government representatives and NGO’s.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communications and Outreach

• Manage all articles and publications; with the support of the Reef-World team, release compelling contentthat works across a variety of channels (press releases, news, blogs, articles, publications)
• Lead development of The Reef-World Public Annual Report
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, public relations, digital and communication campaigns, engaging arange of audiences across a diverse set of geographies and platforms
• Ensure all content is on-brand (Reef-World and its Programmes where applicable) and consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice
• Act as the primary communications contact for outreach partners (press and media), Green Fins partners(dive and snorkel operators and dive professionals), general public and symbiotic partners
• Campaign design, development, implementation; based on results from analysis of current and pastcommunication campaigns / social marketing research (or similar)
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of communication campaign uptake and impact using existing softwareand programmes (Sprout, Sendinblue, Google analytics etc) with a view to increasing our followers and overall reach.
• Design new, manage current and oversee production of marketing, outreach and capacity buildingmaterials associated with Reef-World Programmes (e.g. Green Fins materials)
• Oversee management of the content of Reef-World’s digital communications assets (social media accounts and websites)
• Design collateral for conferences, dive and travel shows and international conservation events

Programmes Support

• Support in training and capacity building for Green Fins as required
• Work closely with Green Fins partners (dive and snorkel centres, NGOs, national and local authorities) toshare lessons across active countries, support implementation and provide technical advice for enhanced conservation impact
• Document, report and carry out administration duties for Reef-World’s Programmes development in as instructed by the Programmes Manager
• Support the Programmes team in the monitoring of impact and uptake of all online tools and report on findings where necessary
• Maintain data management systems in line with Reef-World’s Programmes

Personnel Management

• Supervise and manage the Reef-World Communications team
• Maintain effective communication with Communications team members through regular 1-1s, organisationand team meetings, team socials and coffee meetings – following the standard internal protocols for each of these
• Support the Directors in ensuring all Communications team members understand their roles, are engaged in Reef-World’s strategic direction/ goals and, fulfil their responsibilities in line with their personal annual targets
• Oversee the recruitment and and onboarding of new Communications team members staff as required
• Create the conditions to ensure effective teamwork and morale in line with Reef-World’s Culture of Care
• Support the Directors in appraising and improving the performance of Reef-World’s Communications team

Culture of Care

• Ensure the definition and validity of wellbeing days is fully understood among Communications staff
• Champion reflection days
• Ensure communication and methods of working with other staff is informed by insights gained from TypeCoach personality analysis
• Champion the support provided by the Reef-World team coach

Internal Communication

• Use and champion internal communications platforms and channels, ensuring they are fully embedded in to daily working life of the Communications team and provides an effective two-way flow of information with staff
• Utilise internal communication platforms and channels to maintain regular communicationbetween Reef-World pillar teams, Managers and the Directors

Fundraising and Networking

• Assist with identifying fundraising opportunities through relevant grants and private sector donations for Reef-World projects including but not limited to Green Fins.
• Support the delivery of Reef-World’s Sustainability Strategy
• Monitor and refine the effectiveness of Reef-World’s online donation tools
• To represent Reef-World at exhibitions, shows and events

Administration

• Ensure organised accounting and reimbursement of all Reef-World expenses to the Directors
• Support reporting of Reef-World activities to the Trustees, UNEP and other grant sources.

The employee’s duties may from time to time be reasonably modified as necessary to meet the needs of the Charity and/or associated project.

What We’re Looking For

We’re on the lookout for someone who is passionate about conserving coral reefs and the marine life and localcommunities they support. The successful candidate will be a confident marketer with 3-5 years of experience in conservation or environmental communications management.

You should be a proactive and resourceful leader and team player, able to work independently and remotely across multiple time zones while maintaining strong communications with international team members. You will naturally approach tasks with a sense of curiosity, patience and the ability to consider the bigger picture impact ofyour work. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures, adaptable and have a good sense of humour!

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Prior experience in conservation / environmental communications;
• Strong copywriting (English, UK), editing, proofreading, layout and design, professional printing / publishing skills, including the ability to present concepts verbally;
• A certified scuba diver;
• Experience working in multiple locations around the world and / or within international teams;
• Prior experience in leadership and management;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent organisational and planning skills;
• Superior project management and time management skills;
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude;
• Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management;
• Possess good interpersonal skills, agility to think and act strategically;
• Confident communicator and presenter;
• Multilingual, fluency in English is essential;

• Ability to use basic Windows or Mac computer packages such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar;
• Excellent written English; and:-
• Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Previous knowledge of the diving or marine tourism industry;
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media;
• Training or experience in behaviour change communications and design for the environment;
• Experience using GSuite including GDrive, Gmail and GCalendar; and:-
• Prior experience working with governments and/or NGOs.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions andmore nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement

30 days a year.

Flexible working

The Directors are based at the Future Leap coworking in Bristol and we have a field office in Dumaguete in thePhilippines. As an international team working across timezones our working policy is flexible and hybrid.

Pension

For UK employees, we’ll pay a minimum of 3% or match up to a maximum of 8% per month. You’ll pay a minimum of 5% of your qualifying earnings per month.

Staff

A small, friendly (but ambitious) staff team

How to Apply

Please email your CV and a separate attached cover letter specific to this position to apply@reef-world.org. Inyour cover letter, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If you’re a diver, please include details of your qualification and number of dives.

We will then get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application. Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us by 20 Jan 2023, then takenote that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career.

Applications close 8 Jan 2023.

Round 1 of interviews (online) week commencing 16 Jan 2023.

Round 2 of interviews (online) week commencing 30 Jan 2023 (you will be expected to complete a short assignment if you reach this stage).

Learn more about Reef-World at: https://www.reef-world.org

Have you thought about becoming a real life mermaid? (Or merman, of course).

SSI offers a range of courses to help you express your mermaid magic underwater. From Model Mermaid, where you learn how to pose for realistic mermaid photographs, to Ocean Mermaid where you discover how to use your tail efficiently and safely in the blue.

If you are excited to get started on your mermaid journey, but you are unsure where to take the courses, we are here to help. We have put together a list of ten of the best SSI mermaid schools from around the world.

So get ready to slip into your tail, and let us take a look.

1.Cornwall, UK

Calling all aspiring British mermaids! Head down south to the stunning coastline of Cornwall and meet the guys from Aquacity Freediving. Offering SSI Mermaid, SSI Ocean Mermaid, and SSI Model Mermaid courses, as well as a range of other freediving activities, you are certain to become a pro-mermaid by the end of your trip.

Cornwall is one of the most beautiful spots in the UK and delivers rolling hills, sandy beaches, and great diving. Below the waves you will find kelp forests, jellyfish, and even seals.

2. Tulum, Mexico

Caribbean Mermaids are ready to welcome you to Mexico. Not only do they offer SSI Mermaid courses, but mermaid camps and tours of the famous cenotes, too.

Tulum is situated on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and is well known for its Mayan ruins, white sand beaches, and unique diving. Not only does Tulum offer great sea diving, but it is also home to the cenotes. The cenotes are thousands of sinkholes of various sizes, often with surrounding mangroves, underwater caves, and fantastic lighting for mermaid selfies.

3. Bali, Indonesia

Bali Mermaid School is excited to introduce to you the art of swimming like a mermaid. They were the first SSI mermaid center in Indonesia, and they strive to raise awareness of ocean beauty by encouraging their students to look after the planet.

Bali is usually high up on the bucket list of divers, with many dive spots to explore around the island. Diving in Bali can bring exciting spots such as manta rays, mola molas, and shipwrecks. Tourists flock to Bali year-round to enjoy the white sand beaches and sizzling sunshine. 

4. Thailand

Super Dive Thailand offers diving experiences in Bangkok, Chonburi, and in Phuket. You can choose from SSI Mermaid, SSI Try Mermaid, and SSI Ocean Mermaid courses, as well as joining them for scuba diving and freediving excursions, too.

Thailand is a stunning location both above and below the waves. With white sand beaches, rich green jungles, and high mountain tops, Thailand has something for everyone. Diving in Thailand brings with it big marine life like whale sharks and leopard sharks, as well as excellent macro diving, with tiny treats such as seahorses and nudibranchs.

5. Nevada, USA

If you follow the SSI blog you may have seen our recent interview with Rachel Novak, SSI Mermaid and freediving instructor, as well as “Miss Mermaid Nevada”. Rachel runs Aquanauts Freediving which is based in Las Vegas and offers courses for aspiring mermaids.

Nevada may not be where your mind first goes when you think of diving, but it is actually home to some great dive spots. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a freshwater lake that has natural stone and even shipwrecks for divers to explore.

6. Hayman Island, Australia

SSI dive center, Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort is excited to welcome you to start your mermaid adventure with them. They offer in depth monofin training, as well as professional photos that you can take home with you.

Australia is home to some of the best diving in the world. Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday islands, off the coast of Queensland. With captivating fringing reefs that host tropical fish species, clams, and turtles, Hayman Island is a beautiful holiday location for mermaids and divers.

7. Winnipeg, Canada

Blue Oasis dive center is based in Winnipeg and offers a wide range of diving courses… including mermaid courses! They teach mermaids of all ages and genders, and guarantee comfort and underwater confidence.

Diving in Canada might be a little cold, but it is also quite nice. Weak Hawk lake is around an hour and a half from Winnipeg and is the deepest lake in Manitoba. It ss excellent for taking courses and training dives. 

8. Panglao, Philippines

Freedive academy Panglao offers freediving courses and mermaid courses. Their experienced mermaid instructors are happy to take you along your journey from beginner, to expert mermaid.

Panglao is in the Philippines and attracts tourists year-round who come to lounge on its pristine beaches, and dive in its clear, blue waters. Panglao is known as Asia’s freedive capital as many divers flock there to train and fun dive in near-perfect tropical conditions.

9. Florida, USA

Heroes dive center in Florida offers scuba diving and freediving around the Dunedin, Clearwater, and Palm Harbor area. They also offer SSI Mermaid courses for wannabe mermaids and mermen!

Florida has very exciting and unique diving, from shipwrecks and reefs, to rivers and caverns. There is so much to explore under the surface in Florida, you are likely to dive alongside sharks, turtles, sailfish, and if you are lucky you might even spot a manatee!

10. Rab Island, Croatia

Kron diving invites you to join them in Croatia for some mermaiding fun. Offering the full SSI Mermaid course options, as well as freediving and scuba diving, all on the beautiful Rab Island.

Rab Island is home to thirty sand beaches, picturesque coves, and warm, clear waters. Diving around Rab Island brings with it gorgonians, fan corals, caves and shipwrecks. With lots to explore on land and under the sea, Rab Island is a great holiday location.

With all these incredible dive centers offering mermazing experiences, it is truly difficult to know where to go! But wherever you decide to go, we are sure you will have a blast learning how to mermaid!

CHECK OUT THESE MERMAID MAKEUP TIPS AND TRICKS TO REALLY LOOK THE PART! 

Learn more about the full range of courses available from SSI at: https://www.divessi.com

The results are in! Hundreds of divers took part in the first Shark Trust Great Shark Snapshot at the end of July. All around the world, shark and ray survey dives were conducted by individuals, dive clubs, liveaboards and dive centres. From the UK to Australia, Palau to The Bahamas, Hawaii to the Philippines, the sightings poured in. Nearly two thousand sharks and rays were recorded over the 7 days of the Great Shark Snapshot. 49 different species were spotted in 14 countries.  

Caroline Robertson-Brown, Marketing Coordinator at the Shark Trust said “I am delighted with how our first Great Shark Snapshot has gone. What I loved most was getting so many messages from people saying how much they enjoyed taking part. Many dive centres I have spoken to have now decided to run regular shark and ray survey events and will be adding their sightings to our Shark Log database.”  

Whether divers were seeing their first shark, celebrating their 100th dive, seeing a shark or ray they had not seen before, or seeing sharks in huge numbers, the stories from the first Great Shark Snapshot have been uplifting. Some examples shared over social media during the week, using #greatsharksnapshot, include Lahaina Divers in Hawaii seeing 78 Scalloped Hammerheads, Tenerife Diving Academy seeing a Duckbill Eagle Ray and Sundive Byron Bay in Australia seeing 58 wobbegong sharks on a single drift dive. The very first shark sighting to come in was from Thresher Shark Divers in the Philippines who saw 5 Pelagic Thresher Sharks on their first dive of the Great Shark Snapshot. Basking Sharks, from Basking Shark Scotland, and Blue Sharks, from Celtic Deep, were spotted in Scotland and Wales respectively.  

Aggressor Adventures had around 100 divers, on 5 of their liveaboards, take part in the Great Shark Snapshot. Cole Watkins, Director of Content Strategy at Aggressor Adventures said “We were delighted to help participate in this year’s Great Shark Snapshot. Not only did our liveaboard staff enjoy conducting the census, but our customers did as well. We understand that this information is important in maintaining healthy ecosystems and gives a better understanding of how populations of marine species can and do change over time. Aggressor Adventures is looking forward to participating in the Great Shark Snapshot for years to come”  

Divers are in a unique position to be able to record the sharks and rays that they see. Their input to the Shark Trust Shark Log sightings database is crucial. Whether it is an exotic holiday of a lifetime, or diving the local coastline, all shark and ray sightings are valuable to help increase knowledge and understanding of sharks, skates and rays.  

Non-divers also did their bit, with 380 eggcases, from 8 different species, recorded in the Great Eggcase Hunt database. The Shark Trust will soon have a new app available to make recording shark and ray sightings, as well as eggcase finds, even easier. Watch out for more news on this soon.  

The Great Shark Snapshot is a wonderful way for divers to get together, go diving, and do something to help shark conservation. The Shark Trust wants to thank everyone that took part in this first event. Dates for the 2023 Great Shark Snapshot will be released early next year.  

For more information about the Great Shark Snapshot: https://www.sharktrust.org/the-great-shark-snapshot 

The Philippines have opened their borders and now you can dive one of the best dive sites in the world… Tubbataha Reef.

Our charter gets you to this pristine location that has not seen scuba divers for more than 2 years. You can be among some of first the divers to experience this amazing location. The Tubbataha Natural Park, also known as the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, is a protected area of the Philippines located in the middle of the Sulu Sea and east of Palawan. The marine and bird sanctuary consists of two huge atolls and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef covering a total area of 97,030 hectares.

Inclusions

• Deluxe stateroom or Owner’s Suite (upgrade) accommodations
• All meals & snacks, local soft drinks
• Up to 5 dives per day including night diving – night dives are subject to conditions 
• Social servings of local beer & rum and social servings of wine with dinner
• Unlimited Nitrox valued at $204.00

Exclusions

• Transfers to/from Manila and Puerto Princessa – Round trip transfers between Manila and Puerto Princessa are $244.00 per person.  Rate includes roundtrip domestic economy airfare between Manila and Puerto Princessa with 70 lbs. of checked luggage per person,  domestic terminal fees, private air-conditioned van between the international terminal and domestic terminal in Manila, round trip private air-conditioned transfers between Puerto Princessa Airport and the Azores,  personal airport ‘Meet & Greet’, and luggage assistance.  This rate is subject to change and applies when at least a minimum of 4 are traveling together on the same transfers otherwise a different transfer rate may apply. 
• Marine Park Fee – $120.00 Marine park fees
• Equipment Rental, onboard purchases, classes
• Emergency fuel surcharges, if needed.

How to get to the Philippines and Tubbataha

Divers fly to Manila (MNL) then take a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa (PPR) located on the island of Palawan. Guests board the Atlantis Azores on Saturday at 5 pm. The boat leaves port around 7pm for the 10-hour journey to Tubbataha and arrives the next morning to start diving.

Tubbataha Dive Sites

Northern Tip of North Atoll

Fissures and crevices lead into it where nurse and whitetip reef sharks can be found resting during the day. Small manta rays, stingrays, and spotted eagle rays, together with numerous turtles have all been spotted. The wall has huge gorgonian fan corals, soft corals, and barrel sponges. Blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks can normally be seen.

Southern End of North Atoll

Malayan, Wallstreet, and Amos Rock are the best dive sites. Photographers will enjoy these sites with Denise pygmy seahorses clinging to the sea fans. Scorpion fish, moray eels, and ghost pipefish are found. 

Northern Tip of South Atoll

Highlights include Black Rock, T Wreck, and Eiger Wall. You will lose count of the number of green and hawksbill turtles in the area and marble stingrays in the sand. Eagle rays and large grouper and giant trevally are seen.

Southern End of South Atoll

This area is known for its lighthouse and is home to famous dive sites Delsan Wreck and Black Rock. Hammerheads and occasional whale sharks are seen. Guitar sharks are found in the shallows.

Jessie Beazley Reef

On Jessie Beazley Reef you can see schools of bumphead parrotfish and napoleon wrasse. The shallow reefs are full of colorful tropical fish like the regal angelfish and titan triggerfish.

Southern End of North Atoll

The dive starts on a gentle slope that is covered in superb unmolested corals and ends with a wall covered with dramatic gorgonian fans where divers can often spot pygmy seahorses. If there’s current, you’ll come across a wide variety of large fish, including narrow-barred spanish mackerel, giant trevally, red snapper, napoleon wrasse, and giant groupers.

7 Nights, Check-in June 4, 2022 and Check-out June 11, 2022 – $3995 PPDO

Learn more and reserve your place at: https://www.liquiddivingadventures.com

Whether you love sharks or not, there is no denying these incredible animals are awesome! Gather your family, test your knowledge, have some fun and find out where you can go diving with sharks. Read on to find out more.

There are over 500 species of sharks.

Add rays to that list, which are closely related to sharks, and there are more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays in our oceans!

The largest species of shark grows up to 18 meters long.

Whale sharks are the largest species of shark and can grow up to 18 meters (60 feet) long. The next largest shark species include basking sharks, megamouth sharks, tiger sharks and great white sharks.

The smallest shark species is smaller than a human hand!

The dwarf lantern shark is the smallest shark and can fit in the palm of your hand. These tiny sharks are rarely seen, live in the deep ocean and grow to a maximum length of 8 inches.

Sharks are vital for healthy oceans.

Sharks play a vital role in keeping our oceans healthy. They do this by preying on sick and old marine life, which helps to prevent the spread of disease and improving the gene pool.

They also help make oceans more resilient to climate change and their poop brings crucial nutrients up to the surface of the oceans – which helps phytoplankton grow. Why does phytoplankton matter? It produces the oxygen that we breathe!

Some sharks get through more than 20,000 teeth in their lifetimes.

Great white sharks have around five rows of teeth and may have up to 300 teeth at any one time! These teeth are continually replaced, and great white sharks can get through more than 20,000 teeth in their lifetimes.

Some sharks glow in the dark.

Researchers recently discovered three species of shark off New Zealand that glow in the dark. These deep-sea sharks’ bioluminescence is thought to help them find food, attract a mate and hide from predators below – by blending in with the pale light above.

Sharks can travel thousands of miles each year.

Some shark species are highly migratory and make long migrations each year between different feeding grounds. The longest recorded whale shark migration was a staggering 12,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, from near Panama to an area by the Philippines.

Sharks are found in almost every ocean habitat.

Sharks can be found at tropical coral reefs, in the deep dark ocean, in the open ocean and even under Arctic ice.

You can swim with sharks at destinations around the world.

There are numerous countries where you can go swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, cage diving and freediving with sharks. Whether you want to encounter big iconic sharks, such as tiger sharks and great whites, or hang out with laid-back nurse and reef sharks, there is a shark diving destination for you.

Some sharks are warm blooded, just like us.

While most sharks are cold blooded, there are 5 species that are partially warm blooded: great white sharks, shortfin makos, longfin makos, porbeagles and salmon sharks. These sharks can raise their temperature above the water temperature, which helps them move faster when hunting.

Sharks have different personalities, just like us.

If you have spent a lot of time diving with sharks, you will have no doubt realized sharks have different personalities. Research has shown that some are confident and social, whilst others are more solitary and cautious. According to Australian research, some sharks are also shy and others do not handle stress well at all.

Sharks support our wellbeing.

Many divers list diving with sharks at the top of their wish list and rightly so! Encountering sharks when you are diving is magical and the highlight of any dive trip. As well as supporting our wellbeing by keeping the oceans healthy, sharks simply make our dives better!

Sharks have 2 more senses than humans.

As well as having the same 5 senses as humans (smell, taste, touch, eyesight and hearing), sharks have 2 additional senses. They can detect pressure changes in the water with their lateral line (a row of pores running all the way from snout to tail), which helps them hunt, hide from predators and navigate.

They also have an electroreception system, consisting of receptors (called ampullae of Lorenzini) on their head and snout. These amazing receptors can detect even the tiniest electrical field, such as those generated by muscle contractions in prey.

Sharks have existed in our oceans since before the dinosaurs

Sharks have been around in the oceans for over 400 million years! Sevengill sharks (also called cow sharks) are some of the most primitive sharks still alive today and first appeared in our oceans over 150 million years ago.

You can go diving with these curious sharks in South Africa’s Western Cape.

Are sharks man-eaters? No, they rarely attack humans.

According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), there were 57 unprovoked shark bites on humans worldwide in 2020, of which 10 were fatal.

There are some fascinating ISAF facts about shark attack risk compared to other risks such as lightning strikes, sand holes, bear attacks and home improvement equipment. All of which demonstrates how infrequently humans are bitten by sharks.

Sharks can live for more than 400 years.

Scientists found a Greenland shark that is around 400 years old, making it the longest-living vertebrate known to man. These enormous sharks are blind, incredibly slow swimmers and have a lifespan of approximately 250 to 510 years.

Around 100 million sharks are killed globally each year.

This is not a fun fact, but it is an important one to highlight. Around 100 million sharks are killed each year, mostly for the shark fin trade. Sharks are also killed for their meat and liver oil, and many are accidentally caught in fishing gear.

Three hundred species of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction.

Sharks and rays are disappearing from the oceans at an alarming rate, with oceanic shark and ray populations having declined by 71 per cent in the last fifty years. In total, more than 300 shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction.

But….it is not too late to save sharks!

People are working hard around the world to save sharks and you can be part of the solution too! Here is what can you do to help protect sharks:

• Educate yourself and your friends about why sharks matter – sharing this article on social media is a great start.
• Support shark conservation organizations.
• Minimize your plastic use.
• Avoid products containing shark ingredients, such as shark liver oil, shark cartilage and shark squalene.
• Be a responsible diver by joining the SSI Blue Oceans movement.
• Only consume sustainable seafood. There are sustainable seafood guides for many different countries online and they are very easy to use:

• WWF worldwide seafood guides
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• New Zealand

Learn more with SSI at: http://www.divessi.com

It may appear that the world is falling apart, not just from the frantic pace of modern life and the global pandemic, but with climate change and pollution making an irreversible impact on many aquatic environments. However, there are still some parts of the Earth, some ocean pristine reefs that have managed to maintain their integrity, remaining relatively untouched.

The top 10 most pristine reefs are havens for underwater life, where coral is thriving and aquatic life is flourishing. As one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, the health of these reefs is essential to the preservation of Earth’s biodiversity.

1. Palau

This ocean paradise and Polynesian island has a coastline measuring 930 miles (1,500 km) and consists of 94 coral islands, containing an abundance of tropical fish and marine mammals. With minimal human impact, Palau has the most pristine reefs in the world.

The Sea of Palau and its surrounding waters are renowned for their outstanding marine life, from rare tropical coral reefs to white and brown albino sharks, all of which live together in harmony. This country is home to a spectacular array of marine life and its waters are clean and clear, with luxurious blue hues. Palau has become a thriving destination for scuba diving since being first discovered by Jacques Cousteau.

2. The Great Barrier Reef

This is a classic ‘must-see’ attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It runs along Australia’s northeast coast and stretches more than 2,000 km long. Some reefs are now protected thanks to a non-profit organization called Coral Reef Alliance, which has helped protect over 500 reefs from damage caused by fishing nets that kill coral polyps.

This is the most well-known of the top 10 reefs on the planet, boasting a complex and colorful coral and fish community. The Great Barrier Reef was named one of the 10 most iconic marine experiences for 2020 by The Lonely Planet Guide, due to its beauty and value.

3. Raja Ampat

Most people who go to Indonesia for a holiday end up Diving in Bali. While Bali is beautiful, the marine life there is blemished by overcrowding, polluted water and overfishing. However, you can experience a different side of Indonesia by visiting Raja Ampat – a string of coral reefs along the country’s western coast.

Raja Ampat is unspoiled by human pollution and industrial activity. This province located in the eastern part of Indonesia is known for its pristine reefs.

Some of the coral reefs have a high level of resilience in terms of fish species and even marine mammals such as the mantas have a much-improved population. It has a little-known wildlife sanctuary that is one of the most biodiverse places on earth with more than 1,500 species of fish and 300 species of coral. You can see everything from sharks to whales to sea turtles to giant clams here and it is also home to the iconic Komodo dragons.

4.The Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, stretching across 3,600 miles. The reef system has an abundance of species of coral, all of which is exposed in its water at different times during the year, giving rise to a colourful bloom. It’s also home to diverse marine life and a wealth of tropical fish.

It is also one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world and home to the critically endangered western humphead wrasse, a threatened species. Scuba divers, scientists and conservationists work with the Belize Barrier Reef Alliance to improve and protect the reef’s health. Reefs are also part of the Belize tourism industry, with thousands of people each year visiting the underwater paradise.

5. The Maldives

The Maldives are home to around 70 coral atolls with an estimated 1,000 species of fish, 700 types of sponges and several hundred types of invertebrates. As such, the islands are considered some of the best places in the world for diving due to their relatively high levels of biological activity. Having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, these islands are a haven for shore and boat diving, with over 100 coral reefs and unique endemic species.

6. Fiji Rainbow Reef

One of the few remaining reefs to offer a diverse range of ecosystems, the Fiji Rainbow Reef spans 7500 hectares of ocean. The reef is home to a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna including colorful reef fish. Lush corals stretch through the entire area of the reef and the reef is home to millions of sea fans and butterflyfish, as well as deep-sea fish, turtles and dolphins. The Fiji Rainbow Reef is one of the most incredible underwater regions in the world, and truly a place to visit when planning a dive trip to Fiji.

7. The Red Sea

The Red Sea is teaming with marine life. Both the North and South of the Red Sea provide some excellent diving spots with colourful corals and incredible marine life, including sharks, dolphins and even the rare dugong. Thanks to its location, the reefs in the Red Sea are protected from storms, and fewer tourists have meant less bleaching of the corals.

The South Red Sea is particularly pristine and beautiful, a lot quieter and with fewer tourists. The coral reefs here are clear, clean and full of marine life. Your chances of seeing sea turtles, sharks, including hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks, as well as the dugong are much higher, not to mention the corals are full of life and colour.

8. San Miguel de Cozumel, México

An excellent diving location all year-round, San Miguel de Cozumel off the Mexican shore is renowned for its clear visibility, amazing colored corals and is teeming with marine life. The Marine Park of Cozumel has meant that this section of the Mexican coast has been protected for years and remained full of marine life, including over 500 species of tropical fish, along with rays, nurse sharks, reef sharks and turtles. This diving hub offers some of the most incredible diving locations on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

9. The Philippines

With thousands of islands forming a huge archipelago in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines has a vast network of pristine marine ecosystems teeming with life. The coral reefs found feature some of the largest hard and soft corals in the world. The islands also boast the second-largest contiguous coral reef system in the world, including over 300 marine species. This popular destination and dive hub is well-known for its stunning beaches and beautiful coastal scenery.

10. Mauritius

Mauritius is well known for its crystal-clear waters and for being one of the most under-populated nations on the planet – not to mention harder-to-get-to locations. As such, the underwater life on the island is incredibly diverse and the country is known for having some of the best dive sites in the world. It is the pristine reefs that makes this small island so remarkable. A single reef on the island can support more than 10,000 reef fish. Over the years, the reefs of Mauritius have become a global symbol of the importance of marine protection and sustainably managed fisheries.

Learn more about diving with SSI around the world at: https://www.divessi.com

Like many industries, the Philippine diving community was hit pretty hard by the global coronavirus pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions. After a year on the shelf, however, it’s good to know that the Philippines is on the way to fully reopening its biodiverse spots to tourists, with some of the country’s most breathtaking dive sites now back in business.

If you’re a diver raring to get back in the water, here are five places you can go for:

Malapascua, Cebu

The azure waters of Malapascua Island is one of the Visayas’ most popular places to go diving, with plenty of dive sites accessible to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. Swim with the thresher sharks at Monad Shoal, go through the various underwater caves in the vicinity, or head for the famous resident whitetip sharks of Gato Island.

Boljoon and Alcoy, Cebu

Macro divers looking for a good, quiet spot should consider the municipalities of Boljoon and Alcoy in Cebu. The reefs that are scattered along these islands house a wide variety of rare marine life, such as 

green sea turtles and the Lembeh Seadragon. Admission to these underrated Cebu towns is now open for those looking for a getaway.

Moalboal, Cebu

The beautiful turquoise waters surrounding the islands of Moalboal, located in the south of Cebu, are home to a dazzling array of fish and other marine life! Swim with sea turtles, sardines, Frogfish, white tip sharks, and many more in waters that are accessible to both beginner divers and veterans. The tours in Moalboal are available year-round.

Siquijor Island

The small island of Siquijor is another must-visit diving locale, with over 10 different dive sites in the waters surrounding the isle. Siquijor hosts two marine sanctuaries, breathtaking walls to dive in, as well as spots for muck diving, all with their own sets of marine life which include reef fish, cuttle fish, barracuda, turtles, and so much more. One popular spot is the Sunken Island, which reaches down to 40 meters and is suited for experienced divers—though both beginners and veterans are welcome in Siquijor’s various dive spots.

Dauin, Negros Oriental

This small municipality half an hour away from the city of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental has 18 different dive spots, with five muck diving sites for those who want to search for life among the silt. Many attractions can be found off the coast of Dauin, including amazing reef fish, cuttle fish, sea turtles, shrimps, crabs, barracudas, and a lot more waiting for all divers. One interesting spot is the Ginama-an, a man-made dive site that’s made up of old car tires which now house a lot of marine life.

Divers concerned about safety will also be glad to know that businesses operating in these areas follow strict health and safety measures, such as constant disinfection and sanitization, limited capacity, and physical distancing.

 To provide a venue for Philippine dive industry stakeholders to promote their products and services in time for the reopening of dive destinations, the DOT recently organized the Philippine International Dive Expo on March 19 to 21. Leading industry experts, guests, and diving enthusiasts from around the world attended the various talks and panel discussions about diving, and also scored good deals on diving equipment, accessories, and experiences in the Expo’s virtual marketplace.

With this overflowing support and the enthusiasm of the local diving community, there’s no doubt that these five amazing Philippine dive spots—and a lot more—will see an uptick in divers soon enough. Be among the first to experience diving in our awesome waters by booking your trips soon!

For more information and updates on Dive Philippines programs and activities, like the Dive Philippines page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DOTdivephilippines, follow http://www.instagram.com/dotdivephilippines on Instagram.

In its thrust to help support and sustain the country’s diving industry, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is presenting this year’s Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) online via virtual conferencing from March 19 to 21, 2021.

PHIDEX is the Philippines’ largest platform for the diving community since 2019. The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the event going digital for the time being, but the new format will allow the expo to reach even more members of the diving community.

As COVID-19 has hit the local diving industry and those who depend on it, this year’s PHIDEX, themed “Our Sea, Our Story,” aims to raise awareness and discuss solutions into accelerating the industry’s recovery.

“As the Philippines is known around the world for its diving destinations, it is truly important that we do everything we can to sustain the local diving industry. The latest recognition we received was from the 2020 World Travel Awards which named the Philippines as the World’s Leading Dive Destination.  This year’s PHIDEX is a step in the right direction to sustain our gains toward recovery, for all to enjoy the natural wonders our archipelago can provide,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who will formally open the event.

This year’s PHIDEX will host discussions and talks by a number of prominent international personalities who are experts on the sea.

Some notable names confirmed for the event are California Academy of Sciences Curator Dr. Terry Gosliner, French-British underwater photographer Henley Spiers, Emmy Award-winning husband-and-wife documentary team Howard and Michele Hall, PADI Ambassador and PCSSD Commissioner Bo Mancao, University of the Philippines marine economist and community scientist Tara Abrina, and German underwater photographer Tobias Friedrich, to name a few. Each speaker will be going in depth on topics relevant to the diving industry and the protection of Philippine seas.

Expo participants will be able to view all these lectures and panel discussions on the event website, which will host three stages: the main stage, the expo stage, and the panel stage. The website will also serve as a space for divers and enthusiasts to purchase experiences and equipment from partners and exhibitors, as it will also have a virtual marketplace section called the Dive Travel Exchange, or TRAVEX.

Divers and enthusiasts can now register for PHIDEX 2021 for free at https://phidex.asia/ until March 21.

Talking to Brian Davies, he’s been diving for over 40 years, and most recently he coined the phrase “Scuba Tuber” with his live chats and videos on YouTube. 

Brian is a Dubai/UK/Philippines based Scuba Tuber and is referred to by many as the Father of Scuba Diving in the UAE having set up the first full-service dive centre in Dubai in 1988 and had dive operations in Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Sharjah.

Before this, he was one of the founders of Scuba Tech in Lancaster UK which he helped establish in 1985. He was also responsible for finding several of the UAE wrecks including the Energy Determination, the Nasteran and the Jassim. At 62 he is still an active diver trying to dive at least 4 times a week. 

He learnt to dive with the BSAC in 1982 and qualified as a BSAC Advanced Instructor (No 969) in 1986. He qualified as a PADI Open Water Instructor in 1989 becoming an IDC Staff Instructor. He was heavily involved with TDI Middle East when it began becoming a Nitrox Instructor Trainer, an SCR Rebreather and an Advanced Nitrox/Gas Blender Instructor. He was one of the first TDI Instructors to qualify to dive with the original Inspiration Rebreathers. 

He retired from the diving industry in the mid-90s to concentrate on his day job. A move he has regretted and the driver for him to establish his own YouTube Channel documenting the UAE and Musandam dive sites in addition to gear reviews and live stream interviews. Once the pandemic is under control he will be travelling and diving overseas again, A keen traveller to date he has dived in the UK. UAE, USA. Saudi Arabia, Comoros, Kenya, Galapagos, Cyprus, Truk Lagoon, Maldives. The Philippines. Borneo, India, Egypt, Mauritius and Oman 

Are You a Scuba Diver – Fancy a Brew? is available at: https://andythenortherndiver.podbean.com or your favourite Podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts

The Reef-World Foundation is recognised as the leading voice on sustainability solutions for the marine tourism industry. Through its flagship initiative, Green Fins, Reef-World drives sustainable behaviours for environmental protection by providing low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. As a key member of the Communications team, you will be helping to protect one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems – coral reefs – by raising awareness of environmental best practice and driving sustainability across the global marine tourism industry. 

A highly organised and motivated Communications Officer with excellent time management skills is needed to support the Communications Manager in empowering more individuals and organisations to take action for marine protection around the world. You’ll be working across a range of communications channels to inspire, educate and influence governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to adopt sustainable behaviours. The Communications Officer will be passionate about protecting coral reefs and the incredible marine life they support because of their ecological value as well as for the benefit of local communities, visitors and future generations.

For more information and full job description download this PDF.

How to Apply

In your application, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If relevant, please include links to your portfolio. We will get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application.

Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us by 12th February 2021, we have decided not to take your application further. 

Applications close 31st January 2021. Interviews (online) week commencing 8th February 2021.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking and strives to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector.

Learn more at: https://reef-world.org/join-us/#communications-officer

“Ocean Adventures with Cory” is a children’s storybook that takes you on an adventure around the coral reef ecosystem. 

This is the first edition and we can’t wait to share more stories about coral reefs in the next months to come!

For every 15 USD spent , you will receive 1 personal digital copy plus 1 paperback copy which we will provide to the local children that have no access to the internet in the Philippines to read this book. We are targeting 250 kids beneficiaries in North Mindanao and Negros Oriental and we hope to reach more coastal communities!

Support us at: https://www.oceanusconservation.org/education

We had the chance to visit the beautiful Philippines with a dual centre dive trip to Magic Islands Dive Resort in Moalboal, Cebu, and Magic Oceans in Anda, Bohol.

For more information on the Magic Resorts please visit https://magicresorts.online/

Video by Black Manta Photography on YouTube

Follow Black Manta Photography on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

The Green Fins Award recognises the world’s most environmentally friendly dive centres

The Reef-World Foundation – the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative – is delighted to announce the winners of the coveted 2020 Green Fins Award are: 

• Bubbles Dive Centre, Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia,
• Flora Bay Divers, Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia
• And Tioman Dive Centre, Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

The prestigious annual award recognises the Green Fins member with the lowest environmental impact. This year, competition was so tight there was not one, but three winners all tied in first place. What’s more, all three of the winners and seven of the global top 10 centres are based in Malaysia! 

The winning dive operators were chosen from the 600-strong network of Green Fins members by a rigorous assessment of business practices. To be eligible for the award, the operator must have had its latest assessment conducted within the last 18 months. In 2019, the proud winner was Tioman Dive Centre: a PADI dive centre which has been a Green Fins member since 2009 and had managed to hold onto the title again in 2020.

As 2020’s Green Fins Award winners, Bubbles Dive Centre, Flora Bay Divers and Tioman Dive Centre are recognised as the world’s most sustainable dive or snorkel operator, as verified by the globally-recognised Green Fins environmental assessment. Their steps to improve sustainability practices, which have resulted in this recognition as the most environmentally friendly Green Fins dive centres in the world, have included: 

Switching to eco-friendly products and improving waste management practices: 

Kelvin Lim, Flora Bay Divers, said: “We switched from normal detergents to eco-friendly detergents, we are encouraging divers to bring their own water bottles to reduce plastic and came up with a general waste bin and a bin for plastic bottles in front of our dive centre. This helps tourists and locals to place thrash that’s been found on the beach easily and conveniently since there are no proper bins along the beach.”

Training staff in why environmental practices are important: 

Peisee Hwang, Bubbles Dive Centre, said: “Green Fins has helped my crew understand more about the importance of looking after the environment. Less educated members of staff would throw cigarette butts in the sea without thinking but they are now keeping their trash to dispose in the bin when they are back.”

Upgrading boat engines: 

Rosie Cotton, Tioman Dive Centre, said: “At the beginning of 2020, we upgraded our last remaining boat engine and now we run 100% with 4-stroke models. The benefits are not only to the environment but also a huge reduction in petrol usage. It’s a Win Win situation!”

Alvin Chelliah, Green Fins Assessor Trainer from Reef Check Malaysia, said: ”Most dive centre managers and owners that I have come across in Malaysia care and want to do what they can to help protect coral reefs. I think Green Fins has been the right tool to guide them towards practical actions they can take. Over the years, we have seen these dive centres put in a lot of effort and work hard at following the guidelines and they have improved steadily as a result. We hope others will follow their example.”

Peisee Hwang, Bubbles Dive Centre, said: “We are thrilled to know that we have won and we are glad that our effort is being recognised. We hope that more operators aspire to join us in pledging for the environment.”

Kelvin Lim, Flora Bay Divers, said: “We are proud to be acknowledged for our efforts to inspire sustainable diving. Our focus remains on cultivating informed and conscious divers with good diving skills and habits..”

Rosie Cotton, Tioman Dive Centre, said: “Receiving the news that we have made the top spot of Green Fins members is a fantastic feeling. Thank you so much to the Green Fins team for your ongoing support! This year has obviously been slightly different to previous years. I hope that something we can all take away from this year is that changes in our daily habits can create shockwaves of positive change around the world in a relatively short period of time. From TDC, we hope you are all safe and well at this time and are able to find some positives despite these difficult circumstances.”

Chloe Harvey, Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to recognise Bubbles Dive Centre, Flora Bay Divers and Tioman Dive Centre as joint winners of the 2020 Green Fins Award. Competition between the Top 10 is always tight but the fact that there are three winners this year, when usually one centre takes the title, shows how much sustainability is being put at the forefront of the agenda across the dive industry. So, we’d like to say a big well done to Bubbles Dive Centre, Flora Bay Divers and Tioman Dive Centre. This win is testament to their hard work and ongoing sustainability efforts and they should be very proud. It’s an incredibly tight race to be named the best of the best!”

The Green Fins Top 10 list is comprised of the world’s most sustainable dive operators, as determined by the Green Fins assessment process. In 2020 they are: 

1.      Tioman Dive Centre, Flora Bay Divers and Bubbles Dive Centre (all in Malaysia)

4.      Ceningan Divers (Indonesia)

5.      Scuba Junkie Mabul (Malaysia)

6.      Sea Voice Divers (Malaysia)

7.      Evolution (Philippines)

8.      Orca Nation Rawa (Malaysia)

9.      Equation (Philippines)

10.   The Barat Perhentian Beach Resort (Malaysia)

In Malaysia, Green Fins is run by Reef Check Malaysia in partnership with the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia (DMPM) on the Peninsula and Sabah Parks in Sabah. Membership is not yet available in Sarawak.

For more information, please visit www.reef-world.org and www.greenfins.net.

If you’re interested in supporting The Reef-World Foundation in its work to protect coral reefs around the world through the Green Fins initiative, consider donating now. To keep up with our latest news and developments, please follow Reef-World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Dive and snorkel operators interested in signing up to Green Fins can find the membership application form at: https://www.greenfins.net/how-to-join.

We are organizing an expedition (liveaboard) where we will cover the best of the Philippines and hit ALL the hot spots including Tubbataha and Malapescua. We will also EXPLORE new, practically unknown dive spots such as the Ticao, Ramblon and Marinduque areas. On the big animal action side, we have on the menu : Tresher sharks (one of the 2 world hotspots + new spot), Whalesharks, Gray sharks and Manta rays. You can see a map of the projected itinerary below.

There is also a possibility for adding on a couple of land-based days to do some muck diving in the Verde Passage/Anilao area where we will disembark. We are personally adding on those days.

Let us know if you could be interested ASAP. We have not started to openly advertise this yet but will start next week and we already have half of the boat booked (10 available spots left).

Initial deposit $1000 (to confirm your spot)
Half by July 1, 2019
Balance by December 31, 2019

Learn more at: http://www.n2pix.com