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Underwater Photography Tips for Beginners
Most divers will have a photo that ignited their journey into the underwater realm. From thumb-worn issues of National Geographic to the 'Underwater Photographer of the Year' competition, underwater photos provide a lens into the delicate beauty beneath the waves, and act as a reminder of…
Day Trips to Dive the Offshore Sites in the Azores
If you've been dreaming of diving with manta rays and whale sharks but are less enthused by long flights to megafauna hotspots like Fiji, Bali or the Maldives, then cast your eyes to the offshore sites in the Azores. This chain of Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean…
Top Five Destinations for Cave Diving
For many, cave diving may appear as dark and impenetrable as the philosophical writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. But one of the German philosopher's more famous quotes - 'And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into thee' - reveals one of many reasons why divers enjoy the…
Top Five Destinations to Get Your Divemaster
If you want to turn your passion into a profession, the Divemaster certification represents the first rung on the diving professional ladder. The course, which lasts from three weeks to six months, qualifies you to work as a dive guide and assist instructors. With unlimited access to local…
Top Five Destinations to Get Your Advanced Certification
The Advanced Open Water Diver certification gives divers more freedom on their dive holidays. Being certified to dive deeper opens up a whole world of new dive sites to explore across the planet and can allow you to enjoy underwater experiences that were previously off-limits. Aside from the…
Day Trips to Dive Nusa Penida
The narrow Badung Strait separates Bali's south-east coastline from a cluster of three islands: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. Between them, the three islands are home to some of Bali's most exhilarating dive sites. While the water can be cooler than Bali's northern shore and…
Drift Diving: Top Tips for Diving in Current
It's no coincidence that some of the world's best diving destinations have ripping currents. Areas with stronger, nutrient-packed currents tend to have more abundant marine life - especially when it comes to larger pelagics. However, not all drift dives are ripping. The tide and location…
Top Shark Diving Tips
You're ten times more likely to be bitten by a New Yorker than a shark. From biting injuries and lightning strikes to firework accidents and falling coconuts, the statistics comparing shark attacks to other risks are lengthy. Yet, the odds of being killed by our razer-toothed friends are…
The Best Diving in Northern Bali
With dense jungles, terraced rice paddies, beautiful beaches and evocative temples, it's no surprise that Bali is the most visited island in Indonesia. While this volcanic island's popularity continues to skyrocket, northern Bali provides a welcome reprise from the thongs of tourists further…
Miami and Belize Diving Holiday
Abiding to the maxim that opposites attract, Miami and Belize couldn't be more different. Florida's Magic City might best be known for year-round sun and never-ending beaches, however, this colourful, chaotic city has also become a magnet for lovers of art, design and food. Belize, on the…
The Best Diving in Eastern Bali
Thanks to a slew of Instagrammable spots (Pura Lempuyang Temple, for starters), eastern Bali has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. However, this region has managed to keep some lesser-known secrets beneath the waves. From thriving coral reefs to volcanic seamounts, caves and…
Top Ten Sea Lion Facts
Whether you know them as sea lions or 'puppies of the sea', these charismatic and playful creatures share a lengthy history with humans. From being worshipped by the ancient Moche civilisation of Peru to facing commercial hunting for their hides during the 1800s, the relationship between sea…
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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…
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…
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…