Blog

Tom Barber

Scuba diving the house reef
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By Tom
On: 13th September, 2017

The PADI Bubblemaker Course

  • Maldives

Do you remember your first dive? I most certainly do. It was in the Bahamas, aged 16 and with - in hindsight - a distinctly cowboy dive outfit, but within five minutes of being down I'd seen a shark off in the distance, and after 20 minutes, a turtle considerably closer. As you can imagine,…

Sandcastle on Beach
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By Tom
On: 20th September, 2016

Top Family Diving Holiday Destinations with Young Kids

  • Gozo
  • Oman
  • Maldives

If, like me, you are in the phase of life where everything seems to revolve around nappies, nursery and obsessions with football (I have a 1-year old, a 3-year old and a 5-year old) then you will know that finding a suitable destination for a diving trip as a family can be tricky. If, also…

Blue Shark, Azores
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By Tom
On: 3rd March, 2016

The Best Way to Dive the Azores – our Exclusive Diving Liveaboard

  • The Azores

For years, we've been desperate for an exceptional quality diving liveaboard in the Azores. Finally, we have one in the luxurious Water & Wind. What's more, we're incredibly excited to say that we are the exclusive UK partner for the boat - so if diving in the Azores is on the to-do…

Wadi Darmat, Oman
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By Tom
On: 2nd September, 2014

Access the Best Diving in Oman

  • Oman
  • Muscat
  • Musandam Peninsula

Oman is often overlooked as a diving destination in favour of the more popular (and far busier) Red Sea. Here at Original Diving, we think it deserves more attention as it is a country that offers so much both above and below the waves.

Anemone Clownfish, Komodo, Indonesia
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By Tom
On: 27th August, 2014

Luxury Komodo Liveaboard Diving

  • Komodo

In June, I took a group of journalists on the diving adventure of a lifetime; a trip to experience Komodo liveaboard diving at its very best. I left the UK unbelievably excited and returned even more so and now I just want to go back!

Coral, Komodo, Indonesia
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By Tom
On: 30th June, 2014

A Few Summer Diving Hotspots

  • Fiji
  • Gozo
  • Mozambique
  • The Azores
  • Komodo

Summer diving, this time in Komodo in Indonesia. Stunning. With weather in the UK in summer unpredictable at best and England out of the World Cup, it's about time to escape on a last minute summer diving adventure. Here are a few ideas to inspire!

Dhow boats, Mnemba Island, Indian Ocean
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By Tom
On: 2nd September, 2013

Magical Mnemba Island Zanzibar

  • Tanzania

Every now and again you come across a place that is so mind-blowingly beautiful that all you want to do is get back there as quickly as possible. On a recent research trip to East Africa I found one such place (two actually - Vamizi is the other one): the magical Mnemba Island Zanzibar. This…

Hawksbill Turtle, Mozambique
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By Tom
On: 30th August, 2013

What is the Best Diving in Africa?

  • Mafia Island
  • Mozambique
  • Pemba Island
  • Tanzania

Neill has just come back from an amazing research trip to find the best diving in Africa. Here he discusses his top spots.

Group of Grey Reef Sharks
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By Tom
On: 24th July, 2013

Neptune’s Arm – the best diving in East Africa?

  • Mozambique

I have just returned from a diving research trip to explore the best East African dive destinations in Tanzania and Mozambique.

Sharks Swimming
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By Tom
On: 20th March, 2013

Original Diving Partners with Bite-Back Shark Conservation

Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation We are delighted to announce that we are partnering with charity, Bite-Back, to try and help the cause of shark and marine conservation. Every time someone books with us, we will be donating an amount to the charity; and if people want to donate more,…