Life is in the detail

My favourite country for diving is Indonesia, due to its sheer variety. You’ll find world-class macro in Lembeh Straits, unbeatable biodiversity in Raja Ampat and mantas aplenty in Komodo.

Jacqui - Original Diver

Jacqui Brooks

Original Travel Expert

I have extensive travel experience throughout Far East, Australasia & Pacific Islands, North America and Indian Subcontinent.

My travels

Travel Things I Want To Do Before I Die

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Return to New Zealand in summer time, so that I can tackle the Tongariro Crossing, and spend a few days kayaking and camping in Abel Tasman
Spend a week diving in Raja Ampat
Dive Hithadhoo Corner in the Laamu Atoll, a manta cleaning station with reliable sightings and playful encounters
Explore the Galapagos Islands, and snorkel with sea lions

Best Moments

Staying with the Iban Tribe in their traditional wooden Longhouse in Malaysian Borneo. The food, dancing, and rice wine (!) made for a very memorable evening
Snorkelling with whale sharks just off the coast of Mafia was incredible - multiple whale sharks and minimal people! Visit from October to March for a truly magical experience
Sky diving over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand, on a crisp winter morning!

Toughest Travel Moment

Sampling the Vietnamese delicacy of Duck Embryo from a lovely street vendor in Hanoi, and pretending to enjoy it so as not to offend her

Weirdest Travel Moment

The near final leg of a 24 hour overland journey from Lombok to the Komodo Islands, using public transport. Arriving in the town of Bima in Sumbawa, we were transferred to a smaller 'bus' for the journey on to the ferry port. Our bus was missing half a windscreen - the driver's side - and so he wore a motorbike helmet for the drive. Needless to say, I avoided that side of the bus.

Explore my blog posts

The Banda Sea aboard the Mermaid II

A dive adventure aboard the Mermaid II to the Banda Sea is the perfect diving experience. You can see marine life you might never have encountered before, from mobula rays and sea snakes to zebra urchin crabs and blue whales (yes, more than one). You could even spot hammerhead sharks gliding…

Cold Water Diving: All You Need to Know

With access to elusive marine life, lesser-explored dive sites and scenic underwater landscapes, there are many perks to dipping your flipper in colder waters. But preparation is key - whether it's choosing the right gear, staying warm between dives or navigating unpredictable visibility.…

Our Favourite Ocean Migrations

You've heard of epic land migrations (hello, wildebeests), but what about those that happen beneath the waves? Every year, marine species great and small undertake mighty migratory journeys across the ocean in search of food or a mate, or both. From wandering whales to cruising sea turtles,…

The Best Barrier Reefs in the World

What makes a barrier reef a barrier reef? We're here to tell you. Often referred to as 'rainforests of the sea,' barrier reefs are composed of billions of tiny coral polyps that form living walls, providing food and shelter for an array of underwater life and serving as hubs of buzzing…

Top Five Strange Sea Creatures

While ocean giants like whales and sharks often steal the spotlight, let's not forget the strange sea creatures lurking below. From ancient crinoids and striking coral shrimpfish to vibrant peacock mantis shrimp and the downright bizarre hairy frogfish, the ocean is home to many weird and…

Where Do Our Experts Want to Dive Next?

Our experts may be seasoned travellers, but there are still a few dreamy corners of the sea calling their names - and who better to inspire your next adventure than our ocean-obsessed team? We asked our resident diving gurus, Jacqui, Emily and Rachel, for a peek at their bucket lists and, as…

Diving Hand Signals Every Diver Should Know

Whether you're a seasoned diver or taking your first dip, mastering underwater communication is a crucial part of diving. Not only will it elevate every dive experience, but at the extreme end, it might just save your life (morbid, we know). From indicating critical problems to pointing out…

Best Diving in Zanzibar

Perhaps the best known of Tanzania's Spice Islands, Zanzibar isn't just about white-sand beaches and lush greenery - it offers some pretty fantastic diving. Best visited between mid-February and April or October to mid-December, the island offers bath-warm waters and crystalline visibility,…

Man in a wetsuit standing by his car in Norway

Drive and Dive: Scuba Diving Road Trips

Drive and dive road trips are all about flexibility. Once you're on the road, with no set departures and no need to rush, you're free to be spontaneous. Driving straight from home? You can forget all about baggage restrictions. Not to mention you can make it your own and combine your road…

Top Ten Anemone Facts

With their swaying tentacles and colourful bodies, sea anemones are a pleasure to spot when diving. Often overlooked in favour of the shimmering shoals that swim above them, these invertebrates are a fundamental part of marine biodiversity and come in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes.…

Emily’s Trip to Cenderawasih Bay on the Dewi Nusantara

With this trip planned over a year in advance, I knew summer 2025 would be one for the books - and I was right; my 11-day journey aboard the luxury liveaboard Dewi Nusantara did not disappoint. Translating to Goddess of the Archipelago, we sailed this classically designed vessel to the…

Snorkelling with Dolphins: The Facts

Few ocean experiences can beat the thrill of snorkelling with dolphins. These curious creatures are a joy to witness, and swimming with them tops the bucket list for many marine lovers. But this incredible opportunity also comes with responsibility. While there are no universal rules…

A group of barracuda swimming in the blue ocean together

Top Ten Barracuda Facts

The barracuda is a name that sends shivers down the spines of small fish everywhere. With their sleek, torpedo-like bodies, razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match, these fearsome predators are the undisputed speed demons of the sea. But there's much more to these fish than just their…

Our Favourite Coral Gardens

Keen to dive amid colourful corals and swaying seagrass? Your wish is our command. With the help of our diving experts, we've put together a list of our favourite coral gardens. From Little Cayman's underwater meadows to Fiji's cabbage-shaped corals, these complex ecosystems are brimming…

Top Islands in Tanzania

While its safaris are superb, Tanzania has a whole world waiting beyond its shores. From the palm-lined Zanzibar to the mini Mnemba, islands in Tanzania promise beachside bliss and some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean (swimming with whale sharks, anyone?). If you can't decide where to…

Snorkelling with Whales: the Facts

There's no experience quite like gliding through the open water alongside whales. While diving with these colossal creatures is generally not allowed - the bubbles produced can be interpreted as a sign of aggression or danger - snorkelling with whales is, and can be just as exhilarating.…

Inspired by Attenborough: Ocean Conservation

Our Co-Founder Tom Barber was at the premiere of Sir David's latest (and last) documentary, Ocean, and had this to say. 'As so often with Attenborough's wildlife and conservation films, Ocean can make for uncomfortable - and even at times distressing - viewing, but there is always an…

Maldives vs. Seychelles

There are worse problems in the world than tossing up the Maldives vs. the Seychelles. Both countries define island idylls, boasting balmy seas exploding with otherworldly marine life. Above water, luxurious resorts and swoon-worthy weather attract honeymooners and sun seekers alike. So, how…

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…

Top Islands in Fiji

It's no secret that we're Fiji fanatics. The soft coral capital of the world is a dreamy dive destination thanks to its excellent visibility and thriving marine life. Above the waves, the tiny nation impresses with jaw-dropping nature, fascinating culture and friendly people. But with 333…

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…

Two stingrays swimming on the sand of the ocean floor

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…