The paradise of Palau with its magnificent underwater landscapes, sunken shipwrecks and mangrove forests is home to a spectacular variety of sealife. From millions of jelly fish to giant clams, and majestic manta rays to salt water crocodiles, diving in Palau is a breath-taking experience not to be soon forgotten.



Located to the west of Micronesia and to the east of the Philippines is the magnificent archipelago of Palau, made up of 8 main islands and over 250 smaller islands. This tropical paradise is known for its excellent diving opportunities with breath-taking drop-offs, sunken shipwrecks and a large diversity of marine life, making it a dream destination for dive enthusiasts. Blessed with a rich diversity of terrain and marine life, Palau’s dive sites are world renowned and offer something for everyone, from the magnificent wall drops of Blue Corner to the majestic manta rays at the German Channel.

One of the best diving sites in Palau is Blue Corner, a spectacular vertical wall populated with colourful fans, soft corals and sea anemones, also home to an array of reef life, from rainbow coloured mandarin fish, seahorses and garden eels to large schools of barracuda, prehistoric looking nautilus, and white tip and grey reef sharks. Strong currents allow for excellent drift diving opportunities, however if you would like to stay in the action for a little longer a reef hook is provided, allowing you to attach yourself to the rocks along the reef.

Another well-known diving destination in Palau is the German Channel, a long wall encompassing the length of Ngemelis Island and home to three other dive sites namely, Turtle Wall, Big Drop off and New Drop off. The German Chanel is known for the vast amount of manta rays that visit the reef’s cleaning station. Diving the German Channel offers divers an opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close as they glide effortlessly through the water in an awe-inspiring display.

Not only does Palau have world renowned wall diving locations but it also boasts many rare and unique underwater landscapes. With sandy bottoms covered in giant clams, hidden caves and tunnels, mangrove forest channels that lead to crystal clear secret lakes, dark blue holes and sunken shipwrecks.

The Rock Islands are Palau’s most striking and recognisable land marks. These enchanting mushroom shaped islands are home to an intricate maze of winding channels, pristine coral reefs, secret lagoons, forgotten WWII sites and magnificent sandy beaches. Kayaking or canoeing is the perfect way to explore the natural beauty of the Rock Islands. As you weave through the many twisting channels surrounding the Rock Islands you may even get an opportunity to see the endemic saltwater crocodile, a permanent resident on Palau’s Islands.

Palau is also home to two spectacular lakes, the Milky Way and Jelly Fish Lake. Milky Way, named after the milky appearance of the water, is a lake covered with a white milky clay believed to have youthful properties, offering a one of a kind natural spa pampering experience. Jelly Fish Lake, on the other hand offers a completely different diving experience. Hidden amongst the Rock Islands is a secret lake populated with millions of golden jelly fish. Snorkelling is a popular activity in Jelly Fish Lake as the jelly fish, having been isolated from predators, have evolved over millions of years to have very weak stingers, making it safe to snorkel amongst them.

Another natural phenomenon that occurs in conjunction with the lunar cycle is the spawning of the red snapper fish. Diving off the coast of Peleliu during the full moon provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness this spectacular event as thousands of red snapper fish congregate in one area to spawn, turning the waters a rich rusty colour and attracting many large predators.

Although Palau’s best dive sites are known for their strong currents divers of all levels of experience can enjoy the many wonders of Palau. Palau enjoys a warm climate year round with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C. February and March are the driest months with June through to August being the wettest months. If you’re interested in guaranteed sightings of large schools of manta rays and sharks the best times to visit is from December through to March.

A magical winding river passage between two islands, where overhanging tree branches meet giant sea fans and underwater passages and hidden grottos awaken your curiosity and tempt you to explore further.

The passage at Kri is a one-of-a-kind dive site located between the islands of Gam and Waigo in Raja Ampat. The nutrient rich river, that spans over 30m wide and 5m deep flows between the two islands, blessing the area with spectacular underwater scenery and unusual microhabitats. A dazzling variety of colourful giant sea sans, crinoids and nudibranchs cover the passage walls and are home to a large variety of macro life creatures including, pygmy seahorses, reindeer wrasse, clingfish, squat lobsters and crinoid shrimps.

It’s not surprising why the Red Sea is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world with marine lovers, photographers and leisure seekers travelling from all over the world to experience and explore its many wonders and hidden secrets.



Worthy of its title as one of the Seven underwater Wonders of the World, diving the Red Sea, with its lush coral reefs, magnificent sunken wrecks and a dazzling variety of marinelife is a dive enthusiast’s dream come true. Situated between Asia and Africa, the Red Sea begins at the Suez Canal in the North and runs all the way down, past Ethiopia to join the Gulf of Aden in the South. The Northern Red Sea is known for excellent wreck diving opportunities while the Southern Red Sea is known for its huge wall drops, strong currents and thrilling pelagic action.

If the multitude of marine life with over 1000 species of invertebrates and over 1,100 species of fish does not get you excited then the magnificent coral gardens, huge wall drops, strong currents and thrilling pelagic action will. With temperate waters that offer unparalleled visibility, diving the Red Sea is nothing short of paradise.

Cave diving is the ultimate adrenaline filled experience for dive enthusiasts. Be both inspired and mystified by the sheer beauty of the underwater landscape and unique marine life while diving the beautiful blue caves of Bonito.



Cave diving allows you to enter a world that doesn’t see much daylight, similar to doing a night dive but with no access to the surface. The crystal clear waters set the scene for a magnificent underwater landscape made up of unique and striking features including stalactites, stalagmites and fossils. The marine life is also rare and fascinating, having adapted their features to the lack of sunlight. One of the best places in the world for Cave diving is Bonito, a small city located at the Bodoquena Mountain Range in Brazil.

The region’s main attractions are its natural landscapes, amazing fauna and flora and rivers with fresh transparent waters, home to a large variety of fish species that hide in grottos and caves, creating the perfect setting for a thrilling cave dive. There are many caves available for cave diving in Bonito, these include Mimoso Grotto, Buraco das Abelhas and Abismo Anhumas, the biggest underwater cave in the world.

Dives are planned within the limits of certification of each diver, and divers will be accompanied by a local dive instructor that will oversee the entire operation. However, if you’re looking to do full cave penetration then you’ll need to do a cave diving course. Although Bonito is well known for its cave diving it also caterers for divers of varying levels of experience. Another fun experience to try out is ‘Floating’. The rivers of Bonito have a high concentration of calcareous that helps facilitate buoyancy as well as gives the crystal clear waters a beautiful transparency.

The act of ‘Floating’ involves floating on the water while being carried by the stream. Much can still be seen while floating down the tranquil rivers of Bonito as colourful tropical fish and lush underwater flora make for beautiful scenery.

Most likely named after their humorous behaviour, witnessing a Clownfish furiously defend its sea anemone home and charge at unwanted visitors, some much bigger than themselves, is an amusing addition to a dive and always good entertainment value.



Clownfish are a type of tropical reef fish found in the temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The mucous membrane on the Clownfish’s skin makes it immune to the sting of the sea anemone. In exchange for protection and food, the Clownfish defends its host from unwanted intruders and removes any parasites. Clownfish inhabit a single sea anemone in groups that include the breeding male and female and a number of younger males. Once a group of Clownfish have found a sea anemone to set up home they will defend it, never straying further than 30cm during their entire lifetime.

One fascinating fact about Clownfish is that they possess sex-changing abilities. All Clownfish are born male, however they can develop female reproductive organs when needed.

Female clownfish will lay their eggs around the time of the full moon on a flat surface, close to the sea anemone in which they inhabit. The male Clownfish will then guard the eggs until they hatch, five to seven days later.

Under the cover of darkness, along the sandy ocean floor is where the thrill of a Manta Night Dive begins. Illuminated by spotlights these graceful swimmers will inspire and amaze you as they glide effortlessly through the water in a mesmerising display of their elegance, grace and beauty.



The Kona coast of Hawaii is a world class diving destination with magnificent underwater landscapes, populated with lush coral gardens and bordered by intriguing lava formations. World famous for its Manta Night Dive, divers and snorkelers come from all over the world to witness this spectacle.

A Manta Night Dive begins after sunset as divers submerge themselves into the water, all the way down to the sandy ocean floor. Surrounded by powerful spotlights the thrill of the Manta Dive begins as divers wait in anticipation for their first sighting of a manta ray. Attracted by thousands of glistening specs of plankton illuminated by the spotlights, the manta rays slowly begin to reveal themselves from the depths of darkness into the beams of light, circling above divers in preparation for a feast. As the manta rays begin their decent divers will have an opportunity for close encounters as they dive down towards the spotlights, scooping up as much plankton as they can stomach, before pulling up again. This hypnotising display will leave you breathless as the spotlights make for an imaginary underwater wonderland while the manta rays glide gracefully through the beams, performing somersaults and back-flips with ease.

Other Islands in Hawaii, namely Ohio, Big Island, Maui and Kauai also offer a wealth of experiences with breath-taking scenery, from magnificent underwater lava landscapes, home to a fascinating variety of endemic marinelife to pristine sandy beaches bordering smouldering volcanoes. Take a relaxing kayak over crystal clear tranquil waters, a thrilling helicopter ride over an erupting volcano or enjoy the nostalgia of diving a sunken shipwreck, whatever your desire Hawaii will see it come true.

The prehistoric looking Ocean sunfish, or mola looks like the invention of a mad scientist and vies for the title of strangest fish in the sea. Huge and flat, these silvery-grey fish have tiny mouths and big eyes that vanish into an even bigger body with a truncated tail. Topping out around 2 tons, this gentle giant is the world's heaviest bony fish. With their tank-like bodies, molas were clearly not built for life in the fast lane, but they hold their own against faster and flashier fish, capable of living at significant oceanic depths.



Lying across the Badung Strait in the waters surrounding Nusa Penida is where you’ll find the best diving Bali has to offer. With strong ocean currents and deep, cool waters, diving here is an adrenaline filled experience that will entice dive enthusiasts who actively seek strong currents. Besides the temptation of a thrilling drift dive many divers visit Nusa Penida in search of the rare and prehistoric looking sunfish, the mola mola.

These odd looking creatures migrate from the deep oceanic waters towards Nusa Penida during the months from July through to October in order to cleanse themselves from parasites. Ocean sunfish can become so infested with skin parasites, they will often invite small fish or even birds to feast on the pesky critters. They may at times even breach the surface up to 10 feet (3 meters) in the air and land with a splash in an attempt to shake the parasites.

They often can be seen daily on dives during this period as they frequent the many cleaning stations along the reef. Crystal Bay is not only recognised as one of Bali’s best dive sites due its superb visibility but is also renowned for sightings of these giant fish. Located in the South West of Nusa Penida and bordered by a sandy ocean floor with towering walls of coral, this sheltered shallow bay provides the perfect conditions for diving. Those who feel like exploring the surrounding waters may find curious caves and magnificent coral gardens, along with a fascinating variety of marine life including patrolling reef sharks, docile turtles and camouflaged wobbegongs. With the bay being sheltered from strong currents this site is perfect for divers of all levels of experience, from the novice to the professional, including snorkelers.

Further south, along the rocky coastline of Nusa Penida is a site known for year round manta encounters. At Manta Point the plankton rich waters attract many manta rays and up to eight mantas can be seen on one dive. However, due to the strong surges diving at Manta Point is more for the experienced diver.

If you can peel your eyes away from the mola mola Nusa Penida also boasts some spectacular macro diving opportunities with fascinating creatures, including the pygmy seahorse, scorpionfish and frogfish that hide amongst the lush coral gardens.

Sharks evoke an unexplainable fascination in their human admirers. From their large gaping jaws, lined with rows of razor sharp teeth to their sheer strength and agility, it’s no wonder why these impressive creatures are the apex predators of the ocean.

Diving with sharks in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, sure to get your blood pumping. South Africa offers excellent diving opportunities with a large range of sharks from the infamous Great White shark to the gentle Whale Shark. Other sharks that make up the Big 5 that can be seen along the South African coastline include the Zambezi shark, the Tiger shark and the Ragged-tooth shark.

The Gansbaai area including Dyer Island and the legendary Shark Alley is considered the shark diving capital of the world, offering unparalleled opportunities to observe, encounter and cage dive with sharks, in particular the Great White Shark. The thrill of a close encounter with the most revered predator of the ocean, the Great White Shark is the ultimate adrenaline filled diving experience. Cage diving is a common way of getting up close and personal with these fearsome creatures. A cage dive usually begins with throwing a bucket of mashed sardines and fish oil, commonly known as chum, into the ocean to attract sharks to the boat. Once the sharks surround the boat a chunk of bait is attached to a buoy and the cage is lowered into the water. Cage diving does not require any dive experience and all equipment is provided on board, including a wetsuit. A dive can last up to 20 minutes and is usually done in the morning. If you’re lucky you may just get an opportunity to witness the formidable Great White hunting, as it explodes of out the water in an action known as breaching, displaying its sheer strength, agility and speed.

For the adventurous diver who prefers the thrill of diving alongside sharks in their natural habitat, without the security of a cage, diving off the coast of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is the perfect destination, offering excellent opportunities for a face-to-face shark encounter. Besides the majestic Great White there are numerous other sharks that lurk beneath the surface, all of which can be found in abundance on Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal. Lying 5 and 8km off the coast of KwaZulu Natal are two unique reef systems, both of which are blessed with the warm Agulhas current. Due to the large variety of sealife, including large schools of Kingfish, Tuna, Yellowtail and Barracudas, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks are the perfect hunting grounds for larger predators with few other dive sites boasting regular sightings of Zambezi sharks, Hammerhead, Ragged-tooth, Back tip and Tiger sharks.

Protea banks is ranked as one of the world’s top shark diving destinations and is frequented by a large number of Zambezi (Bull) sharks, making it one of the few places in the world where these sharks can be seen on a regular basis. Aliwal Shoal, on the other hand, with its many caves and gullies is home to a seasonal residence of hundreds of Ragged-tooth sharks which are in their highest concentrations between June and November. Diving during the Ragged-tooth shark season provides excellent opportunities to see the crooked smile of the formidable Ragged-tooth shark up close. Other sealife that can be found on Aliwal Shoal include sting rays, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and even pods of whales during the months from June to December. Aliwal Shoal also boasts some exceptional wreck diving opportunities with three shipwrecks that lie dormant, resting along the sandy ocean floor just waiting to be explored.

Whale sharks can also be seen sporadically though the year along the coast of KwaZulu Natal, with frequent sightings at Aliwal Shoal and Sodwana Bay. Having been known to display inquisitive behaviour with divers, a close encounter with one of these gentle giants is sure to be a breathtaking experience. Since Whale Sharks are known to be migratory, following plankton blooms and changing water temperatures, sightings are more common during the summer months from October to April.

Although certain sharks can be seen more frequently at different times of the year diving can be done throughout the year with water temperatures ranging from 22°C to 28°C and outside daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 38°C.

These remote volcanic islands, with their unique and fascinating endemic species, continue to inspire and amaze visitors today, just as they inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution over 200 years ago. With lush mangrove forests and towering volcanic islands above land and strong ocean currents, home to a fascinating variety of endemic species below water. It’s no wonder why the Galapagos Islands are internationally acclaimed for being one of the best diving destinations in the world.



Situated in the Pacific Ocean, 1000km from the South American continent in the Province of Ecuador, is where you will find the remote Galapagos Islands. Home to some of the richest diversities of marinelife, due to its location where three ocean current converge, makes this magnificent archipelago one of the best diving destinations in the world and fully deserving of its status as a World Heritage Site. Dotted with magnificent volcanic islands that bless the surrounding ocean currents with nutrient rich water, while attracting a dazzling variety of marine life, diving the Galapagos Islands is what a dive enthusiasts dreams are made of.

The ongoing volcanic activity on the islands bears testament to their creation. Born from erupting oceanic volcanoes, these isolated islands are home to a fascinating variety of wildlife, most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These circumstances inspired Charles Darwin’s revolutionary theories of natural selection and evolution, following his visit in 1835.

Diving in the Galapagos is characterised by strong currents that make for excellent drift dives. Enjoy the thrill of a drift dive over submerged volcanoes or the tranquillity of diving an isolated lagoon surrounded by lush mangrove forests. Most exciting for visitors is the unique and fearless wildlife that inhabit these islands. Marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, gentle whale sharks, turtles and large schools of hammerhead sharks can all be seen and approached, most of which are curious of humans, making close encounters a common occurrence.

Although the Galapagos Islands are notorious for their spectacular wildlife, the landscape is equally astonishing with long stretches of shoreline bordered by steep cliffs, magnificent lava and shell sand beaches and mangrove swamps that shelter secluded lagoons.

Great White Sharks evoke an unexplainable fascination in their human admirers. From their large gaping jaws, lined with rows of razor sharp teeth to their sheer strength and agility, it’s no wonder why these impressive creatures are the apex predators of the ocean.



Diving with sharks in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, sure to get your blood pumping. South Africa is one of the few Great White hot spots in the world, offering excellent diving opportunities with the infamous Great White Shark.

The Gansbaai area, including Dyer Island and the legendary Shark Alley is considered the shark diving capital of the world, offering unparalleled opportunities to observe, encounter and cage dive with sharks, in particular the Great White Shark. The thrill of a close encounter with the most revered predator of the ocean is the ultimate adrenaline filled diving experience.

Cage diving is a common way of getting up close and personal with these fearsome creatures. A cage dive usually begins with throwing a bucket of mashed sardines and fish oil, commonly known as chum, into the ocean to attract sharks to the boat. Once the sharks surround the boat a chunk of bait is attached to a buoy and the cage is lowered into the water. Cage diving does not require any dive experience and all equipment is provided on board, including a wetsuit. A dive can last up to 20 minutes and is usually done in the morning. If you’re lucky you may just get an opportunity to witness the formidable Great White hunting, as it explodes of out the water in an action known as breaching, displaying its sheer strength, agility and speed.

The best time for viewing The Great White Shark is divided into two main seasons. During the months from April to September Great Whites are located around Dryer Island and Geyser Rock, while during the months from September through to March the sharks are predominantly located around Shark Bay. Visibility is generally better during the months from May to August, It is therefore recommended to dive during this period.

Cenderswasih Bay is best known for its magnificent sightings of whale sharks throughout the year. Diving with these gentle giants is a magical experience sure to delight you with memories that will last a lifetime.

In Indonesia’s Papua and West Papua regions lies Cenderawasih Bay, a diving location that is becoming increasingly famous throughout the world. Declared a marine national park in 2002, Cenderawasih Bay offers unrivalled whale shark encounters, beautiful reefs, diverse marine life and fascinating wrecks.

Cenderawasih Bay is famous for its whale shark encounters. The fishermen use nets, filled with small fish, to attract the bigger fish for catching. However, the whale sharks have learnt how to suck the fish out of the nets, resulting in six or seven of these gentle giants congregating around each platform at a time. Whale shark encounters are always special; however, they are brief and often only involve one of these magnificent creatures. Cenderawasih, on the other hand, sets itself apart as a location where you can see many whale sharks at a time, at a very close range for extended periods of times.

Whale shark sightings are what attract most divers to this remote, idyllic location; however, an array of other diving opportunities makes Cenderawasih Bay truly special. When exploring other areas of the bay you will find beautiful coral reefs, home to a variety of endemic marine life, dolphins, sharks, dugongs and four different species of turtle. The abundance of fascinating aquatic life, along with it’s high percentage of endemic species, is why Cenderawasih Bay is known by some as the ‘Galapagos of the East’. Cenderawasih Bay is also home to many WWII shipwrecks and sunken planes, the most fascinating being Shinwa Maru. Lying at depths from 16 to 34 metres, the Shinwa Maru is a 120m Japanese cargo ship that was sunk in 1944 by US forces. Scattered with many fascinating artefacts and displaying its two large blast holes from its deadly demise, this sunken history is incredible for those who love wreck diving.

A visit to Cenderawasih Bay is almost guaranteed to give you the best whale shark experience of your life and what makes this location extremely unique is that the gentle giants are present all year round.

Diving alongside these intelligent, curious and playful creatures will leave you with many happy, lasting memories.



Worthy of its title as one of the Seven underwater Wonders of the World, diving the Red Sea, with its lush coral reefs, magnificent sunken wrecks and a dazzling variety of marinelife is a dive enthusiast’s dream come true. Situated between Asia and Africa, the Red Sea begins at the Suez Canal in the North and runs all the way down, past Ethiopia to join the Gulf of Aden in the South. The Northern Red Sea is known for excellent wreck diving opportunities while the Southern Red Sea is known for its huge wall drops, strong currents and thrilling pelagic action.

Diving in the Southern Red Sea is sure to get your adrenaline pumping with regular encounters with sharks, including the oceanic whitetip shark and the hammerhead shark, guaranteed on dives. However, if you are a more reserved diver or would like to take a break from the action Abu Dabbab offers excellent opportunities for diving alongside the rare and docile dugong and ‘Dolphin House Reef’ is home to many playful dolphins.

One of the best places to dive alongside wild dolphins is off the coast of Marsa Alam at Sammadai Reef, also known as ‘Dolphin House’, where over 100 dolphins frequently visit. This semi-circle sheltered reef provides the best conditions for diving, with its crystal clear, calm waters and gentle ocean currents. Since the dolphins are naturally curious, close encounters these intelligent creatures are common.