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The World's Best Luxury Dive Resorts
From the opulent desert-island retreats of the South Pacific to the chic beachfront cottages of the Caribbean, some of the world's most opulent dive resorts are a giant stride from the world's most celebrated reefs and dive sites. If a comprehensive pre-dive briefing is as important as the…
World's Best Places to get Scuba Certified
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…
Just Back From… The Outer Alphonse Islands of the Seychelles
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…
The 14 Best Diving Films
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…
Warm vs Cold Water Diving
Diving enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the allure of tropical paradises with their warm, inviting waters and the mystique of colder climates, where an entirely different underwater adventure awaits. Some think that there is more adventure in the quieter less explored cold…
Soneva and Scuba – a match made in heaven
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…
Boat vs Shore Diving
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,…
Liveaboard v’s Land-based diving holidays
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…
Top Ten Lionfish Facts
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…
Top Five Dive Resorts in the Maldives
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…
How to Incorporate Diving into Your Sabbatical
It's not often we're gifted the time to chase our passions without the loom of work hanging over our heads. Whether you want to stave off burnout, tick off some bucket-list experiences or learn a new skill, taking a sabbatical to travel gives us the time and space to reset and reignite our…
Deep Diving: How to Dive Deep
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…
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Over the Rainbow: The Most Colourful Sea Creatures
The ocean realm is home to sea creatures of many shapes and sizes, but it is the kaleidoscope of colour that resides within the oceans that is the most striking characteristic to remind us of its awe-inspiring beauty. Colour can be used as territorial warnings, for mating purposes or it can…
The Top Five Places To Learn To Dive
Divers are really astronauts; gliding weightless through the ocean we observe alien worlds carpeted in vast fields of colourful corals with equally bizarre, enthralling inhabitants - from the foreign clicks of dolphins communicating to minute technicolour slugs (nudibranch). And best yet,…
Five of the Best House Reefs
Coral reefs are some of the world's most colourful and diverse ecosystems, and a hidden treasure to feast the eyes upon for any scuba diver and snorkeller. But why should you wait for a boat trip from your hotel when you can access these underwater Edens straight from the shores of your…
Top 6 Places to Dive and Snorkel with Whale Sharks
As the ocean's largest fish whale sharks are found in tropical seas around the planet, making for some pretty comfortable dive conditions - unusual when diving, or snorkelling, for some of the ocean's bigger beasts. Yet despite being one of the most recognisable marine creatures, these…
Top Six Places to Dive With Hammerheads
One of the most iconic of all species, hammerhead sharks should be swimming near the brim of any diver's bucket list. The fact that - unlike most sharks - scalloped hammerheads usually swim in huge schools only amplifies the spectacular experience of seeing them.
The 10 Best Liveaboard Destinations
It's aboat (sorry) time we let you in on a little not-so-secret-secret about liveaboards - liveaboard diving allows you to boldly go to where no day trip has gone before, setting sail to some of the most remote, pristine dive sites in the world. It's the crème de la crème of dive…
Diving The Galapagos
This year I turn 30. At the start of the year I decided that it was going to be a big year for me; figure out my five year plan, set some challenges, say 'yes' to as much as possible and go on some unforgettable trips. The five year plan is still a work in progress, however I did say 'yes'…
Top Nine Destinations for Shore Diving
They (read: we) say the best things in life are but a few fin kicks from the beach. And here at Original Diving, we believe there are some pretty marvellous sights to be seen in the shallows. From some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs to magnificent wrecks, marvellous macro critters…
Family Diving
There are few better ways to bond with your children than while diving. Obviously you can't natter away on the dive itself, but when you're back in the boat or on the beach, reliving the dive with a wide-eyed youngster can be a magical experience. The good news (and something a lot of…
The Azores Best Dive Sites
Unique underwater topography characterised by big boulders, caverns and canyons; crystal clear visibility; mantas and mobulas; sharks and ship wrecks; macro life and much, much larger whales… and all in Europe. Yes, you heard right. Located a mere four hour flight from London, we think the…
Short Haul Winter Diving Destinations
As we (at least those of us based in Europe) are slowly stepping into the cold of winter and dusting off our winter clothing, here at Original Diving, we've compiled our list of some top short-haul winter-come-spring diving destinations. Here's a selection of places you can get to for a…