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Water level photo showing a boat on the surface with a diver below in blue waters

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,…

Dewi Nusantara liveaboard boat sailing in Indonesia

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…

Common Lionfish (Pterois Miles) on a colorful coral reef.

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…

Aerial view of luxury resort in Maldives at sunset

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…

Sunset water level photo of a person diving off a fishing boat into the ocean with an orange sky

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…

Scuba diver exploring a large shipwreck in deep water

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…

 Scuba diver exploring a colourful coral reef

The World's Best Underwater Skills

Despite the fact that humans were not designed to venture below the waves, we adapt surprisingly quickly to the ocean's depths. While our first dives may carry a hint of apprehension, the more we dive, the more relaxed we become, making already amazing experiences even more magical. Yet,…

Sunset over the waters with thatched roof villas

Top Destinations for your Valentine (Divertine)

Do you show your love by creating elaborate patterns in the sand like the male Japanese puffer fish or opt for an eight-hour-long dancing ritual to court the one that you fancy like a seahorse? Perhaps, like us, you would rather witness these events happening with your special diving buddy.…

Aerial view of a tropical island, surrounded by coral reef with a liveaboard sailing boat

World's Best Liveaboard Dive Holidays

Whether your goal is to reach far-flung destinations or maximise your time underwater, liveaboards offer a fantastic way to explore the world's most spectacular dive sites. Some of the ocean's best diving can only be accessed by liveaboard, and even in less remote locations, you can dive the…

Overhead of snorkeller on the reef

Blue Horizons - Ten Holidays for Waterculturalists

In the face of mounting challenges posed to our reefs and seas, divers have long been at the forefront of efforts to protect, preserve, and understand the issues affecting our beloved underwater ecosystems. The inclination to actively engage in local programs and initiatives while exploring…

denise pygmy seahorse camouflaged on pink coral in Raja Ampat

Just back from…. Lembeh Resort and Papua Paradise, North Raja Ampat

Toward the end of 2023 one of our Original Divers, Emily, was lucky enough to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Lembeh and Raja Ampat. The latter has long occupied the top spot of her diving bucket list, with its pellucid turquoise waters, hidden lagoons and out-of-this-world sea…

Two mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus) among yellow hard coral

10 of The World's Best Underwater Creature Encounters

Most divers will have a bucket list for marine life. After all, one of the best things about diving is meeting the underwater creatures that dwell in the blue wilderness. Certain animals, such as whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays, consistently find their way onto the majority of…

Popular posts

Mandarinfish

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…

Diving lesson

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,…

Angsana Ihuru aerial

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…

Yellow, White and Black Nudibranch

Nudibranchs - Facts About The World's Prettiest Slugs

Nudibranchs, sometimes more commonly known as "sea slugs" are some of the hardest creatures to spot on a dive. Although related to snails, these colourful little creatures have ditched the homes they carry on their backs as they have evolved. Similar to land snails, nudibranchs also leave a…

whale shark ningaloo reef

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…

Hammerhead

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.

liveaboard diving at sunrise

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 seal

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'…

Wakatobi house reef, Indonesia

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…

red sea in egypt reef

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…

Blue shark

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…

diving in egypt

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…