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Life is in the detail
Fiji is a magical and beautiful place above and below the water, from waterfalls to the rainbow reef, it is full of lovely welcoming people and enchanting landscape, with superb world-class diving thrown in!
Emily C - Original Diver
Emily Chappell
Original Travel Expert
I have extensive travel experience throughout Caribbean, Maldives, Fiji, Philippines, Tanzania and Indonesia.
My travels
Travel Things I Want To Do Before I Die
- Cover more of Indonesia's remote regions including Triton Bay, Halmahera and Wakatobi
- Dive Tubbataha Reef (Philippines)
- Visit the National Parks of Madagascar to see the Lemurs
- Undertake an expedition across the Pacific, covering Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papa New Guinea, Palau and Yap
Best Moments
- Witnessing coral spawning for the first time in Curacao. The explosion of life was inspiring and magical. It is not only the spectacle of the spawning that impresses in the complete darkness, but the explosion of activity and life that comes with it. Tarpons, sharks and all manner of predatory fish come to the scene when the corals spawn. The gametes rise in the water column in slow motion and it is a peaceful, but active spectacle to behold!
- Having two mantas swim directly toward me on a dive in the North Male Atoll in the Maldives. We spent a drift dive observing all kinds of life; from schools of bannerfish in the blue, to tiny macro life like porcelain crabs, feeding in the current amongst anemones. Then, when the time was right, we hooked onto some boulders on the upper wall and there were two mantas circling a pinnacle cleaning station. We observed, hovering in the current for moments, before they decided cleaning time was over and then they both came soaring toward me, casting a large shadow over the top of my head as they went above me. I was tearing up in my mask - first time crying underwater!
- Visiting Fiji in general was a highlight for me. Never in my years did I think I would have the opportunity to travel there, and the country is full of wonderful and glorious people. It is a little taste of old Blighty, but has a completely unique culture as well. Friendliness and kindness are a natural way of living there.
- Getting to photograph pygmy seahorses in Raja Ampat, Lembeh and the Philippines. These tiny creatures are less than two centimetres tall, so getting to photograph them is a truly intimate and unique experience. They're exceptionally challenging to focus on, and it's very important not to disturb them too much as they're very fragile and timid in nature. Position yourself well and time the shot right, and you'll have a gem of a photo!
- Being able to experience a guitar shark, frogfish, tiny nudibranchs and a sea spider all on one dive from Mafia Island Tanzania. I went to Tanzania with no expectations on the diving as I have dived very little of the east-African coastline, so just kept my mind open to being 'wowed' - and I sure was! The diversity and beauty of the marine life competes with parts of Asia. I'll never forget my last dive on Mafia when I was skimming the fish ID book and pointed out a guitar shark in there to my guide. 'I'd love to see one of those' I said, to which he replied, 'I'll find you one now'. I just chuckled and thought nothing of it, but then, 20 minutes into our next dive, he bangs on his tank, points, and low and behold... a guitar shark appears! Whether my guide Hamisi was a shark whisperer, I will never know, but it was a very special moment.
Toughest Travel Moment
- Witnessing the coral bleaching from start to finish when in the Maldives. My earlier dives there were a sight to behold and by the time my 6 month position was over, many of the once bountiful sites were devoid of life and it was like seeing an underwater graveyard. This process does happen naturally and corals can recover from bleaching if temperatures return to their 'normal.'
Weirdest Travel Moment
- Having a relaxing dinner in our beach hotel in Kenya. At around 9:30pm we heard African drumming and thought that a band was going to come and play. The waitress then came over to our table and asked us "Do you hear that music?" We reply "Yes, what is it? It is beautiful". The waitress then bluntly says "That sound means it's time to leave!".
Explore my blog posts
Snorkelling with Manta Rays: the Facts
Elegant and otherworldly, manta rays are some of the ocean's most majestic creatures. It comes as no surprise, then, that snorkelling alongside them sits at the top of most divers' bucket lists. But if you want to make the most out of snorkelling with manta rays, there are a few things you…
Best Islands in the Philippines for Diving
With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is known for its soft ivory sands and lush tropical landscapes. But beneath the water's surface, its dazzling dive sites steal the show. From thriving coral reefs and diverse marine life to world-class muck diving and historic shipwrecks, there's…
Top Ten Stingray Facts
Stingrays glide gracefully through the water, their smooth, flat bodies moving with effortless elegance. But there's much more to these fascinating creatures than meets the eye. From their unusual way of seeing the world to their enexpected relatives, here are our top ten interesting facts…
The Best Marine Mothers
There's no denying that mothers are remarkable. And in the ocean, some marine mothers go one step further than the rest. Dive below the surface of the ocean and you'll discover some wonderful - and downright whacky - maternal instincts. From sacrificial brooding periods to life-long mummy's…
Our Top Ten Scorpionfish Facts
With venomous spines and a permanent grumpy expression, the scorpionfish is a creepy creature of the ocean. In our top ten scorpionfish facts, we'll reveal intriguing secrets about these prickly reef dwellers, from camouflage skills that would make a chameleon jealous to a sting that even…
Our Top Ten Yellow Tang Facts
Yellow tangs are hard to miss on the reef with their sunny shade. In our top ten yellow tang facts, we'll uncover their secrets, from their algae-eating habits to their impressive survival skills and show that these fish are much more than just a splash of colour…
Meet the Team
When it comes to detailed knowledge and personal experience, our team of expert diving holiday specialists is second to none. From marine biologists and Conde Nast Top Travel Specialists, to a PADI instructor and an expert adventure traveller, we've sourced a team passionate about the…
Top Ten Goblin Shark Facts
The ocean is full of strange creatures, but few are as bizarre (or as nightmare-inducing) as the goblin shark. In our top ten goblin shark facts, we'll uncover the interesting, horrifying and fun secrets of these rarely seen deep sea predators, from their protruding snouts to their…
Our Top Ten Biggest Sea Creatures
The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth and is home to some of the world's largest and most extraordinary sea creatures. From gentle ocean giants to colossal creatures of the deep, we'll explore the ocean's biggest sea creatures (think gigantic blue whales, colossal squid and ten-legged…
Our Top Ten Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Facts
In our list of top ten olive ridley sea turtle facts, we'll cover everything from their jellyfish-filled diets to their synchronised nesting habits. These small but mighty turtles are the most abundant sea turtle species, yet their lives remain full of mystery. Be it their unpredictable…
Our Top Ten Bobbit Worm Facts
The ocean is home to some truly weird and wonderful creatures, but few are as terrifying (or as fascinating) as the bobbit worm. You'll find this nocturnal predator lurking beneath the sand, waiting to ambush any prey that drifts too close. Eager to learn more about these curious creatures?…
Top Ten Manta Ray Facts
What diver doesn't dream of swimming alongside majestic manta rays? These charismatic and gentle fish, whose relatives include sharks, sawfish, electric rays and stingrays, certainly deserve a place on every diving bucket list.
Our Top Ten Silky Shark Facts
Silky sharks may not have the world-wide fame of great white or hammerhead sharks, but with their super speed, shiny skin and bold behaviour, they're one of our personal favourite pelagic species. Intrigued? So are we. Read on to discover our favourite silky shark facts and find out what…
Our Favourite Collective Nouns for Sea Creatures
Ever wondered what a group of your favourite sea creatures is called? From a shiver of sharks to a galaxy of starfish, these names are as fascinating as the species themselves. Read on to discover some of our favourite quirky collective nouns for sea creatures.
Our Top Ten Leatherback Turtle Facts
Leatherback turtles are massive, ancient sea creatures known for their distinctive shell. In our top ten facts about leatherback turtles, we'll delve into the secrets of their leathery shell, the astounding distances they travel during their global migrations and their surprising preference…
Our Top Ten Green Sea Turtle Facts
Green sea turtles are known for their massive size, long migrations and green hue. However, they are full of surprises, from their ability to navigate thousands of miles using the Earth's magnetic field to their extraordinary nesting habits and the crucial role their plant-based diet plays…
Our Top Six French Polynesia Islands for Diving
Our Original Diving experts have curated a list of French Polynesia's best islands for diving. Whether you're drawn to volcanic peaks, tranquil lagoons or adventure-packed escapes, these destinations offer something for every diver. Read on to discover our top six islands in French Polynesia…
Our Top Ten Christmas Tree Worm Facts
Christmas tree worms truly live up to their festive name, with decorative colour schemes and striking spiral shapes that resemble a Christmas tree. These colourful creatures are much more than just a reef decoration; they also play a vital role in the reef ecosystem and exhibit fascinating…
Our Top Ten Angelfish Facts
Angelfish are some of the most vibrant creatures on the reef, but there's a lot more to these angelic fish than first meets the eye. From the fascinating ways they communicate to their captivating personalities and even their preferred cuisine, read on to discover our top ten angelfish facts...
Our Top Ten Mola Mola Facts
Mola mola, also known as ocean sunfish, captivate ocean lovers with their impressive size, peculiar shape and fascinating behaviours. From their daring diet (jellyfish anyone?) to their extraordinary adaptations, read on to discover our top ten mola mola facts…
Top Ten Hammerhead Shark Facts
Hammerhead sharks are one of the most recognisable ocean creatures and perhaps the most distinctive of all shark species, largely thanks to their strangely-shaped heads - known as a cephalofoil. Found in the warm waters around Central America, Southern America, Africa, Asia, and Australia,…
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…
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…
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…
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