From foggy masks to leaky wetsuits, your gear can either make or break a dive. However, with an endless list of dive equipment, it can be challenging to know what to prioritise. For those starting out, there are a few bits of basic kit - a mask, snorkel and fins - that every diver should own. For those keen to go all-in, essential equipment like your BCD comes into play, along with an extensive array of accessories like reef hooks, depending on your specific interests. Then, there's the maintenance. Let's be honest; dive gear can be costly. Therefore, keeping everything in top-notch condition ..read more

If you haven't yet taken the giant stride into the underwater world but are looking to take the plunge on your next dream holiday, you may be wondering which are the world's best places to get scuba certified. When it comes to taking your first underwater breaths, there are a few factors to consider, and the dive conditions at some destinations will be better suited to earning your first certification than others. The world's best places to get scuba certified will not only give you the opportunity to see some cool creatures and critters, but they should also be able to provide dive sites with ..read more

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to visit the remote and untouched Alphonse Island - one of the outer islands of the Seychelles. Located one hour away by plane from the main island of Mahe, Alphonse sits in prime position to offer the chance to encounter myriad marine species, from giant trevally, sailfish and manta rays (if you travel in the right season) to creole wrasse, sea turtles and eagle rays. The dive sites around the Alphonse group - including Alphonse island itself, Bijoutier and St. Francois - offer some stunning, uncrowded diving sites. Read on to find out all about my tri ..read more

When you're desperate to submerge, but currently landbound, sometimes a good diving film has to suffice. The ocean has appeared on the big screen for decades, captivating audiences with stunning seascapes, delightful marine characters and thrilling underwater adventures. Whether you want to grip your mask with a thriller, warm your heart as you rewatch Finding Nemo, or learn about some underwater mysteries with a documentary, the big screen has something for everyone. So get your popcorn ready as we offer up a selection of the best diving films ..read more

I've been lucky enough to visit the legendary Soneva properties in the Maldives four times, and every time, I have had a dive experience to savour for a lifetime. I first visited Soneva Fushi in 2011 and immediately fell for their 'no news, no shoes' ethos. So many people parrot the concept of barefoot luxury but it's important to remember that the visionary couple Sonu and Eva Shivdasani (Soneva, geddit?) pretty much single-handedly invented the concept and were among the first to truly embrace sustainable luxury travel. The rest of the luxury travel industry has since caught up to a certain ..read more

When it comes to diving discourse, one of the age-old debates is: boat vs shore diving? Most of us learned to dive from shore and as we gain confidence and experience, we seek adventures in the deeper end - by jumping off a boat into the big blue to discover new dive sites. That being said, there are experienced divers who prefer shore diving and newbies who prefer to boat out to their dive sites. So basically there isn't a clear answer. But let's have a little debate ..read more

It's 6am, the hues of the morning sun are dancing across the glassy sea. Right below you a black tip reef shark is gently circling the boat. You grab your mask and slip into the water alongside him. For a few precious moments it's just you and him in the water. This is the magic of a liveaboard. Or picture yourself somewhere like Mexico, where you spend your mornings diving and your afternoons trekking through jungles, visiting ancient Mayan ruins and feasting on local cuisine. This is the cultural richness of a land-based diving holiday. Everyone is looking for different things when they go o ..read more

Lionfish are a group of fish known for their regal appearance, hence their nickname as the 'kings' and 'queens' of the coral reefs. With their flowing fins; maroon, black or white stripes; and venomous spikes, these creatures have been the object of admiration for years. Lionfish are native to the warm tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, and can have a life span of up to 15 years. They prefer to live in rocky terrain or within coral reefs so that they can camouflage easily and, like many other fish, they group together in schools. Ready to learn more a ..read more

It's no secret that the Maldives has some of the best diving in the world. This archipelago of 1,190 pearl-like islands, strewn across the Indian Ocean and spanning 26 atolls, offers something for everyone. We're talking everything from exploring shallow reefs in turquoise lagoons to embarking on deep channel dives to encountering whale sharks and manta rays. With over 160 resorts vying for your attention, the choice of where to stay can feel somewhat overwhelming. But no matter where you choose are your base, you're all but guaranteed luxurious dwellings, palm-fringed white beaches and turquo ..read more

The allure of the deep lies not so much in the depth itself but in what you can observe once you're there. Deep diving unveils a whole new world of sites, ranging from historical wrecks to deep-dwelling marine species, such as thresher sharks, which are rarely encountered in the shallows. In recreational diving, the depth is limited to a maximum of 40 metres, while technical divers routinely explore depths beyond 60 metres. However, diving at greater depths also requires acquiring new knowledge and skillsets, especially in the case of technical diving. So, if you're curious about delving a lit ..read more