Our Original Diving team is a well-travelled bunch, and this year they've been on a mission to discover the ocean's underwater marvels. They've dived with playful dolphins in French Polynesia, navigated the calm waters of the Cayman Islands and come face-to-face with thresher sharks in the Philippines. From Rachel's adventures in the Tuamotu Archipelago to Jamie's introduction to muck diving, there were plenty of highlights. Keen to know more? Read on for the lowdown on where our team have been this year...
Rachel's trip to French Polynesia
'I spent two weeks on a research trip in French Polynesia, where I visited Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa, Fakarava and Huahine. From hiking through Moorea's lush landscapes to diving with a pod of six dolphins in Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass, my time there was action-packed.
During my trip, Fakarava's iconic 'Wall of Sharks' stole the show. In the southern pass, hundreds of grey sharks gather, forming what feels like a solid wall. And beyond the dreamy diving, one of my most memorable moments was in Tahiti, where I sat on the serene water's edge and watched a local canoeing team practice at sunset.'
Andy's trip to the Cayman Islands
'I recently visited the Cayman Islands on a two-week diving adventure, where I was struck by the pristine conditions. Think 28°C waters, little to no current and visibility stretching up to 20m. On many dives, a wetsuit felt optional. Knowledgeable staff set the tone with clear briefings and expert tips, making it the ideal destination for new divers to refine their skills and seasoned pros to enjoy a slow-paced holiday.
The nearby Cayman Trough (also known as the Cayman Trench) kept the dives exciting. As the Caribbean Sea's deepest point, its dramatic drop-offs create huge walls and exciting swim-throughs. Above water, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offered a quiet escape, home to just over 2,000 people. With powdery beaches, cerulean waters and most dive sites just a short ride from shore, there's little to do but dive and switch off.'
Jamie's trip to Komodo
'I visited Indonesia's Komodo National Park in March, as the west season was winding down. It was quiet, uncrowded, and, more importantly, Manta season. These gentle giants gathered in large numbers, drawn to plankton blooms. Drift diving here was incredible, with manta rays, white and grey tip reef sharks and turtles gliding past. And, surprisingly, plenty of octopuses, which I'd only ever spotted on night dives before. Adding to the list of firsts, I also tried muck diving, where I saw an electric ribbon eel and a whole host of different shrimp species.
No trip would be complete without meeting the island's most famous residents: the Komodo dragons. With a top speed of 13 mph, I'm not sure I'd have been able to outrun one for long.'
Jamie's trip to Malapascua Island
'Malapascua's Kimud Shoal in the Philippines takes top spot as one of my most exhilarating dive experiences, thanks to its elusive thresher sharks. I completed my Nitrox certification here, which allowed me to spend more time with these incredibly majestic creatures. I was lucky enough to be there when around 20 or so had gathered at a cleaning station.
I also visited nearby Gato Island, where I was lucky enough to see napping white tip sharks and nudibranchs and explore plenty of underwater caves and swim-throughs.'
