Blog & News
Discover the best tips, travel guides, marine conservation news and secrets of the underwater world.
Sri Lanka, Trincomalee: whale sharks and WWII British wrecks
Sri Lanka is a 65,610 km² Indian Ocean island south of India. Trincomalee, on the east coast, holds one of the world's finest natural harbours, a WWII Royal Navy base and a migration corridor for blue whales and whale sharks. Pairs well with Sinhalese cultural tourism (Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Galle) and British wrecks sunk in 1942.
Marine LifeJellyfish in the Mediterranean: proliferation, causes and what divers need to know
Semi-enclosed Mediterranean: concentrations do not disperse. Rising water temperatures, overfishing, eutrophication. Pelagia noctiluca and Velella now year-round. Salps and ctenophores interfere with fishing and power plants.
TipsSilent hypothermia: why shivering underwater is a red flag
Shivering inside your wetsuit reads as uncomfortable but manageable. It's actually the last warning before the body enters a dangerous spiral. Mild hypothermia impairs judgment before core temperature drops, and underwater that means bad decisions at the worst possible moment. Knowing how to read cold is more important than learning to tough it out.
HealthEar equalization in diving: essential techniques to avoid injuries
Ear barotrauma is the most common injury in diving. Learn to equalize with Valsalva, Toynbee and when you should not dive.
TipsScams in buying and selling diving equipment: how to protect yourself
Guardia Civil 2025: rise in cyber fraud on marketplaces. Buyer claims item not received. Seller sent fraudulent WhatsApp link. Defective dive equipment is a life risk. INCIBE: never leave the platform's internal chat.
StoriesThe Um el Faroud of Malta: 110 metres of history beneath the Mediterranean
Built in England in 1969. 1995 explosion: 9 dead. Sunk in 1998 as an artificial reef. Maximum depth 35 m, accessible from shore. 2003 storm split it into two sections. Second largest wreck in Europe.
EquipmentStrobes and housings for underwater photography: buying guide and usage tips
Fibre-optic strobes are the standard. Optimal position: 20-25 cm on each side of the dome port. Macro at 25-50% power. Anodised aluminium vs polycarbonate housings. Sea&Sea YS-D1 and YS-D2 compared.
EquipmentUnderwater DIY: do-it-yourself repairs of scuba gear
Repairing neoprene, replacing zips, cleaning O-rings and swapping straps. Cylinder: mandatory annual visual inspection and hydrostatic test every 2-5 years. NEVER disassemble regulators at home.
EquipmentBudget underwater camera vs housing for your mirrorless: where it matters
The gap between a waterproof compact (200–500 €) and a professional camera in an underwater housing (3,000–8,000 €) is staggering in price — and in results. The real question for diving photographers: when does the jump actually pay off? This guide compares all three tiers honestly: compact, mirrorless with a basic housing, and full-frame with a premium housing.
DivingThe mammalian diving reflex: the hidden physiology of the freediver
Immediate bradycardia 10-25%. Peripheral vasoconstriction. Apnoeic reflex. Blood shift at greater depth protects the lungs. Trained freedivers: 50%+ heart rate reduction. Bajau: significantly larger spleens than average.
EquipmentUnderwater scooters DPV for technical diving and cave diving
Suex Goldfinder XK: 100 m/min, lithium batteries 5+ hours. Modifies the rule of thirds: calculate return on fins if propulsion fails. TDI DPV Cave certification. Propulsion failure and towing drills.
TrainingPADI, SSI and the certification business: quality vs quantity debate
PADI: 1 M certifications/year, 80% market share. SSI requires instructors to be affiliated with an associated centre. Proliferation of specialties with little value. Compressed timelines. WRSTC sets minimum standards but application is left to each instructor.
TravelIslas Medas in September: groupers, divers and timing
The Islas Medas marine reserve is one of the strongest arguments for a trip to the Costa Brava. The catch is that the destination really peaks during a narrow window: September. Summer brings crowds, October drops the temperature fast. Between the two, two or three weeks when the water holds its warmth, dusky groupers leave their caves and serious divers book their slots early.
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