Table of contents for Scuba Diver 2/2025 - 133 in Scuba Diver/Asian Diver

TIGER SHARK (Galeocerdo cuvier) CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened (IUCN Red List) Populations are declining due to fishing pressure, shark finning and habitat degradation Conservation Status Scientific Classification Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Galeocerdonidae Genus: Galeocerdo Species: G. cuvier Size Typically 3–4.5 metres (10–15 ft) Maximum reported: 7.5 metres (24.6 ft) Weight Adults average 385–635 kilogram (850–1,400 lbs) REPRODUCTION Viviparous, 10–80 pups per litter, each 50–75 cm (20–30 inches) at birth Lifespan 27–50 YEARS in the wild DISTRIBUTION Found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, particularly around central Pacific Islands DIET Most diverse diet of any shark – fish, turtles, seals, birds DISTINCTIVE FEATURES Dark vertical stripes on juveniles (fading with age) and uniquely serrated teeth…

SCIENTIFIC NAME Carcharias taurus OTHER COMMON NAMES Sand tiger shark, spotted ragged-tooth shark (South Africa), grey nurse shark (Australia) Size Maximum length: 3.2 metres (10.5 feet) Average adult length: 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) Scientific Classification Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Division: Selachii Order: Lamniformes Family: Carchariidae Genus: Carcharias Species: C. taurus DIET Primarily fish, small sharks, rays, squid, and crustaceans DISTRIBUTION Warm temperate and subtropical waters worldwide, including Australia’s east and west coasts DIVING TIPS Avoid blocking their swimming path Never chase or pursue them Limit use of underwater photography flash Best diving season at North Stradbroke Island: June to November…

The annual ADEX Voice of the Ocean Photo/Video/Art Competition celebrates visual representations of the ocean and its many creatures. The most impressive works by underwater photographers, artists, and videographers are presented and judged live by a celebrated panel of distinguished experts. Here are the winners and some of the best submissions from the ADEX Voice of the Ocean Competition 2025. BEST OF SHOW (CEPHALOPODS) WINNER PJ Aristorenas (Philippines) Tentacles of Doom The ocean at night is full of surprises, and during this blackwater dive in Anilao, I was about to witness one. Drawn by our red lights, a squid appeared and hovered in front of me, its tentacles curling into perfect spirals. Its green eyes locked onto mine, curious and unafraid. Then, as if realising it had an audience, it…

Welcome to Destination 360°, your complete immersion into the underwater wonders awaiting discovery across our blue planet. In this issue, we take you from sun-drenched Thailand by liveaboard to the biodiversity hotspots of the Philippines, and all the way to Patagonia’s whale-filled waters. All without getting your feet wet! Whether you’re a newly certified diver plotting your first adventure or an experienced explorer seeking your next underwater frontier, our global dive adventures span the planet’s most spectacular subaquatic treasures. Dive in and discover a world where every compass direction offers extraordinary encounters beneath the surface. ON THE COVER: “Party of Three”: A trio of pennant coralfish feast on a jellyfish at the remote Durra Oil Rigs site in Kuwait Image: Suliman Alatiqi (Kuwait) Finalist in the Animal Behaviour category of…

KOH LANTA BEST DIVING SEASON December–April WATER TEMPERATURE 27–30°C AVERAGE VISIBILITY 10–30 metres CERTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Advanced Open Water for Hin Daeng/Muang; Open Water sufficient for closer sites TYPICAL DIVE PACKAGE COSTS THB3,500–4,500 (USD100–140) for two local dives; THB5,500–6,500 (USD170–200) for distant sites (including marine park fees) KOH CHANG BEST DIVING SEASON November–May WATER TEMPERATURE 28–30°C AVERAGE VISIBILITY 5–15 metres CERTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Open Water sufficient for most sites TYPICAL DIVE PACKAGE COSTS THB2,800–3,500 (USD85–100) for two dives (including marine park fees) KOH TAO BEST DIVING SEASON February–September WATER TEMPERATURE 28–30°C AVERAGE VISIBILITY 5–25 metres CERTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Open Water sufficient for most sites; Advanced recommended for Chumphon Pinnacle TYPICAL DIVE PACKAGE COSTS THB2,000–2,800 (USD60–85) for two dives From the whale shark possibilities off Koh Lanta’s remote pinnacles to the unique macro life…

GEOGRAPHY An archipelago of 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, spanning approximately 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) in the Indian Ocean POPULATION Approximately 520,000 (2023 estimate) CAPITAL Malé LANGUAGE Dhivehi (official), English widely spoken in tourist areas CURRENCY Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), though US dollars are widely accepted at resorts TIME ZONE GMT+5 CLIMATE Tropical monsoon climate with average temperatures of 24–31°C (75–88°F) year-round Dry season (northeast monsoon): December–April Wet season (southwest monsoon): May–November COUNTRY CODE +960 PLUG TYPE Primarily G (UK-style) and D (India-style) power plugs Practical Information Entry Requirements 30-day tourist visa issued on arrival. Valid passport (minimum six months validity), confirmed accommodation, and return ticket required. Getting There Direct flights to Velana International Airport (MLE) on Hulhulé Island, near Malé, from major cities across Europe, the…

■ There are three genetically distinct species of right whales ■ Adult right whales are typically 13 to 16 metres long and weigh around 90 tonnes. The North Pacific species is, on average, the largest of the three species. ■ The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is predominantly found in the southern hemisphere, making up three main populations in the Southern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans Conservation Status ■ The northern counterparts include the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) Conservation Status Conservation Status ■ There is no known evidence of the two northern species intermingling with the southern species…

1 SEACAM FLIP SYSTEM Discover the world of super macro Stay flexible! Enhance your macro setup with this practical flip adapter system, allowing you to effortlessly switch between two close-up lenses, including the SEACAM Achromat 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. Never miss a creative opportunity or lose your closeup lens in the current ever again: It’s firmly attached to your MIP microport – so you’ll be flexible and safe on your dive in every situation. www.seacam.com 2 SEALIFE SPORTDIVER S The perfect home for your smartphone SeaLife has introduced the new SportDiver S, an underwater smartphone housing designed for divers seeking a compact and versatile solution for underwater imaging. Depth-rated to 30 metres (100 feet), the SportDiver S accommodates all iPhones and a wide range of Android models. The universal lens…