Blog & News
Discover the best tips, travel guides, marine conservation news and secrets of the underwater world.
Brazil, Fernando de Noronha: green turtles and spinner dolphins
Fernando de Noronha is a Brazilian volcanic archipelago 350 km off the northeast coast, in the tropical Atlantic. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park with strict visitor quotas, it holds one of the few consistent resident populations of spinner dolphins in the eastern Atlantic. For European divers who have already done the Caribbean, Noronha is the next stop in the South Atlantic.
TravelCroatia's Kornati Islands: Adriatic wall diving without the crowds
The Kornati archipelago — 89 islands in Croatia's Adriatic, protected as a National Park since 1980 — remains one of Europe's least-spoiled dive destinations. Warm, clear water, sheer limestone drop-offs, healthy Mediterranean reef life, and small family-run dive centres that haven't yet traded quality for volume. Against Italy or Spain, it feels like a different era.
TrainingPADI vs SSI vs CMAS vs NAUI: a global certification guide
The four major scuba diving certification agencies — PADI, SSI, CMAS, and NAUI — operate globally with comparable systems but distinct training philosophies. Choosing between them affects course structure, available dive centers, costs, and progression flexibility. This breakdown covers all four without commercial bias.
TravelEcuador mainland, Isla de la Plata: the 'poor man's Galápagos' with mantas
Isla de la Plata is a Pacific island 40 km off the Manabí coast, within Machalilla National Park. Known as the 'poor man's Galápagos' for its similar pelagic fauna at 80% lower cost. Resident oceanic manta rays (June–October), humpback whales on migration (June–September), and rocky reefs make it a compelling budget alternative. Easily combined with broader Ecuador travel.
CultureThe philosophy of diving: what it means to be a diver beyond certification
Superior emotional regulation, tolerance for uncertainty, stress management. Forced mindfulness: no phone, no distractions. Diving reflex: unique physiological states. Community with its own values: respect for the ocean.
DivingEmergencies on dive boats: protocols, equipment and roles to save lives
DAN reports that over 40% of diving fatalities occur on or near the boat. Learn evacuation protocols, mandatory equipment and how to assign safety roles.
TravelThailand's Similan Islands: the short season and why it matters
The Similan Islands form a marine national park off Khao Lak in the Andaman Sea. Access is restricted to mid-October through mid-May, while the southwest monsoon keeps waters closed the rest of the year. That narrow window makes planning critical. For European divers after a quality tropical destination at a sensible price, the Similans are a direct competitor to the Maldives.
DivingCave diving: guideline, rule of thirds and navigation in darkness
One third in, one third out, one third shared reserve. Guidelines with primary reel. Arrow markers point to the exit. Distance knots every 30 m. NSS-CDS and TDI: three independent light sources.
TrainingSaturation diving: what working at extreme depth is really like
50-500 m, up to 28 days at constant pressure. Pressurised bell, 4-6 hour shifts. Offshore oil industry, fibre-optic cables. Salary $100,000-150,000/year. Risk of aseptic bone necrosis.
TipsNitrogen narcosis: how deep before it hits and how to catch it early
Nitrogen narcosis is one of those topics that reads clean in the manuals and gets messy underwater. The magic number of 30 metres is a guideline, not a warning light. Cold water, current, fatigue — and it can hit you at 22. Recognising your own signs before things go sideways is what turns an uncomfortable dive into a near-miss rather than a real incident.
TravelAlbania, Karaburun-Sazan: Mediterranean diving before the crowds
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, established in 2010, is Albania's first marine park — sitting where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Untouched walls dense with red gorgonian fans, Italian WWII wrecks, and virtually zero diving pressure. A genuine frontier destination for divers who already know Croatia and are ready to go further.
TravelKaş & Kekova, Turkey: Byzantine wrecks and turquoise water
The Lycian coast between Kaş and Kekova holds some of the most remarkable archaeological diving in the Mediterranean. A Lycian city sunk by earthquake in the 2nd century AD, Byzantine wrecks scattered across sandy seabed, amphora fields, and turquoise water with 30 m visibility. A destination for divers drawn to history who have already covered Italy and Greece.
EquipmentVideo lights vs strobes: which to choose when budget allows only one
In serious underwater photography, the choice between continuous video lights and strobes shapes every other decision in your kit. Each technology excels in specific situations. If the budget allows only one, this guide helps you decide based on shooting style, preferred technique, and the type of diving you do most.
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