Tabla de contenidos para Issue 4 - 2016 en Scuba Diver/Asian Diver

Diving really is an everyman activity. Whether you are a multimillionaire or an impoverished student, once you slide beneath the sea, the view is the same. We all see beauty and wonder, Nature in its unfettered glory, that takes our bottled breath away. If your wallet is bulging or somewhat flat, our handy “Budget and Luxury” feature, starting on page 65, delivers some excellent ideas for your next diving holiday. This 128-page issue is jam-packed with travel options, destinations and stunning photography. We also have some exciting new sections. Make sure you always Travel in Style on page 44, check out how a photography pro travels in Shooter on Tour on page 104, or how about trying some underwater hockey in Play on page 18 to get fit while having…

There are a wealth of dive locations from all over the world featured in this jam-packed issue, and every single one has a shark population of one kind or another. Not surprising when you consider there are over 400 recognised shark species. Before you dive into the magazine, check out our checklist of sharks from some of the featured destinations, and see how many you can tick off your must-see list: Philippines Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) Donsol, at the south of the main Luzon Island in the Philippines, is the place to see whale sharks. This gentle, docile creature, which feeds on plankton, is the biggest shark in the sea and the largest living animal that is not a cetacean. The whale sharks in Donsol are protected and only snorkelling…

Crystal River is reputedly the best place in the world to enjoy manatees in their natural habitat ORLANDO IN THE US state of Florida is known as “The Theme Park Capital of the World” with over 60 million tourists visiting its many manicured attractions every year. However, just 150 kilometres northwest of Orlando is the most wonderful long weekend getaway. Around October–November, the water temperature drops in their summer home, the Gulf of Mexico, and hundreds of West Indian manatees move into the warmer waters of the Crystal River for the winter. This area is on Central Florida’s “Nature Coast”. Although scuba diving with the manatees is not permitted, there are dive sites in the area, so combine a dive and manatee trip over a long weekend from Orlando.…

Without doubt Scotland offers the best opportunities for shore diving If the thrill of the open road appeals, then a campervan might be just the thing to open up new possibilities for budget-friendly diving from the shore around the UK. Vans are generally expensive to buy but various styles and models can easily be hired for short trips. The British Isles do not obviously lend themselves to pitching up anywhere and diving anytime. After all, this small country has a reputation for unreliable weather. Yet, after a little research and with an adventurous spirit, there are many miles of exciting, beautiful and relatively remote coastlines to explore both over and underwater. Without doubt Scotland offers the best opportunities for shore diving, particularly the sheltered sea lochs on the west coast.…

Bev Morgan has lived many lives in one innings. His diving adventures through the Cocos Islands in 1957–58 were among the first ever undertaken by liveaboard scuba divers. His career contributions span the birth of recreational diving to his current diving helmet that has an estimated world market industry share of over 80 percent. Throughout this almost 70-year adventure Morgan’s name can be referenced in various aspects of diving education, safety, design, photography, filming, writing, Hollywood and successful business development. Bev Morgan was a beach boy in the 1940s when the first Aqua-Lungs started to appear in California. They were expensive and often sold with no more briefing than “don’t hold your breath on the way up”. Inadequate training resulted in many diving deaths, and the scuba divers of the…

Alex Mustard is the master of his art, and his long-awaited book on underwater photography is a triumph. A natural teacher, Alex explains every skill the underwater photographer could possibly need in a simple way with faultless examples. An absolute must for everyone using a camera underwater DR ALEXANDER MUSTARD has been taking photographs underwater for 30 years, and full-time professionally for the last 10. His images have won international recognition, including being category winners in both the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the British Wildlife Photography Awards. In 2013, Alex was named European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the only time an underwater photograph has claimed this prestigious award. He founded the new Underwater Photographer of the Year competition in 2015 and was also judge for the Wildlife…

WE ALL THUMB through magazines and flick through web pages, gazing at stunning images and dreaming of our next diving destination. Our minds drift away from work or study or whatever is keeping us from the sea as we picture ourselves on that beach, over that reef or jumping off that boat. Scuba Diver OCEAN PLANET has the perfect solution. Our next issue tempts you with islands and liveaboards from all round the world. White or black sand, cool or warm water, we cover it all. Explore remote Mary Island in the beautiful Solomon Islands and many more in the next issue. COMING IN AUGUST UNDERWATER WONDERLANDS The world’s seas create vast, dream-like landscapes, seascapes, and incredible formations: pinnacles, caverns, fields of bubbling black sands, geological structures that defy explanation,…

Marine MONDAY Travel TUESDAY Looking for your next dive getaway? We scour the globe to find you the best hotspots and best-kept secrets. Wildlife WEDNESDAY Everything in the world of marine wildlife – we bring you the latest news, breathtaking images and “top lists” of life in the sea. Throwback THURSDAY It’s throwback Thursday! We dive to the depths of diving history to find you the most interesting facts, pioneers and old tales. Camera FRIDAY We introduce you to our “Underwater Photographer of the Week”, and take you through the best photography and videography, equipment and insider techniques to help you build on your photo skills. Gear SATURDAY   uw360.asia is the place to stay ahead of the game with brand new gear releases, reviews and equipment comparisons. We…

We were heading further afield, away from mass tourism, away from the relentless march of buildings and people and cruise ships IT IS SAID the world is a smaller place these days. The Internet allows us instant connection with people and news half a planet away and affordable, convenient air travel means regions once remote and impossible are now within reach. However, happily there are still some frontier trips to be had and none more so than a dive expedition to the Revillagigedo Archipelago, far off the coast of Mexico. The arch of Revillagigedo is part of an underwater volcanic structure called Las Montañas de los Matematicos. Some peaks reach the sea surface forming the four islands of Roca Partida, Socorro, San Benedicto and the even more remote Clarión.…

Anilao, Philippines Scotland, UK Wakatobi, Indonesia DIY Safari, Philippines St. Lucia, Caribbean Green Island, Taiwan Dewi Nusantara, Indonesia Marsa Shagra, Egypt Raja Ampat, Indonesia Kona, Hawaii, USA…

Taiwan may not be a well-recognised tourist destination, but it is an island with surprisingly prolific and interesting wildlife, both on land and, more importantly, underwater. Green Island (Lydao) offers the best diving in Taiwan. Scuba tank rental and dive guide fees are cheap and accommodations, though often quite basic, are very affordable. This all makes Taiwan a great budget destination. Green Island is located in the southeast of Taiwan, in the Pacific Ocean, about 32 kilometres from the city of Taitung. Waters are usually very clear, often with visibility of more than 30 metres. Most of the shore dive sites are protected from the current and offer very easy diving. However, there are also shore-based sites with fierce currents and consequently richer marine life. Boat diving is also available.…

CHAIRMAN The Honourable Krov Menuhin (Australia) Krov is internationally known for his lengthy career in underwater film and photography, working with the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK, and 25 years with the French programme Ushuaia, among others. His diving background includes both military and commercial diving and he is the author of numerous maritime articles published internationally. He was a longtime friend of Professor Hass, who personally appointed him as Chairman of the Committee. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Leslie Leaney (England) The founder of the Hans Hass Fifty Fathoms Award and one of the industry’s few recognised diving historians, Leslie learnt to dive in Singapore in 1969. In 1992 he co-founded the Historical Diving Society USA and in 1993, he founded the Journal of Diving History. The recipient of numerous…

It would appear that nobody does underwater photography competitions quite like the Deepblu/ADEX Voice of the Ocean 2016. This year it stood highly as the “X Factor” of underwater photography contests – many incredible images, videos and artworks were showcased on the ADEX main stage and received insightful analysis and straight-up opinions from the star-studded lineup of judges. This year’s judging panel was particularly special, being headed by underwater photography superstar Dr. Alex Mustard (UK), and consisted of top underwater photographers and videographers: Iyad Suleyman (Ukraine), Kurt Amsler (Switzerland), Lynn Funkhouser (USA), Matthew Smith (UK), Pasquale Vassallo (Italy), Rico Besserdich (Turkey), Shawn Heinrichs (USA) and Tim Ho (Malaysia). Online viewers were able to watch the events and the scoring unfold through ADEX’s brand-new live streaming, which also allowed them to…

Nelson Bay is a prime diving area on the New South Wales coastline FOR AN ESCAPE from the city, Nelson Bay, north of Sydney, is a superb long weekend diving destination. The area boasts no fewer than 26 gorgeous beaches with crystal clear water. Also on offer are many additional distractions for your surface interval or for non-diving friends. Nelson Bay is a prime diving area on the New South Wales coastline. It is situated in Port Stephens with its magnificent bay, twice the size of Sydney Harbour. Surrounded mostly by marine park, the area is home to some of the best shore diving possible. You can dive with grey nurse sharks by boat at Broughton Island or visit macro life from the shore. Nelson Bay is tidal, so…

Diving on uncharted reefs delivers the unique feeling of true exploration when you dive into the unknown blue or enter a cave that no human has dived before Have you ever thought about plotting your own liveaboard route, exploring unchartered reefs and creating your own marine adventure? Well, you may be surprised to hear you can organise your own, personalised Banca Safari or “Bancafari” on a budget of less than US$80 a day in the Philippines. All you need is a rentable banca (small local boat), a willing captain and crew, a compressor with tanks, a local divemaster, provisions for a couple of days and off you go. The Philippines is a great place to get all of this for a handful of dollars. The waters are calm and even…

The tropical paradise of Raja Ampat situated off the northeastern coast of West Papua, Indonesia is about as far away as you can get from the modern, urban, industrialised world. Whilst it takes some time to get there it is well worth the effort when rewarded with the biodiversity and treasures of the unspoilt underwater world. Virgin coral reefs teeming with life provide an explosion of dazzling colour. To explore the whole region a liveaboard is key, and prince among the various operators is the Dewi Nusantara, a magnificent three-masted schooner designed with a style from the 19th century but with 21st-century comfort and luxury. Built in 2007/8 she is 191 foot long (58 metres) with a beam of 37 foot (12 metres) providing superb accommodation for up to 18…

“Sustainable oceans are not just for our privileged benefit, they are also vital to the health of the village communities that line the shores that we visit” WE ARE DELIGHTED to welcome Michele as our professional ‘Shooter on Tour’. Michele has many skills as a freelance underwater, travel and lifestyle photographer. She is in the Women Divers Hall of Fame, is a member of the Explorers Club, a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and has credits in many media and publications around the world. Her years of diving have also evolved her into a very active marine conservationist and she is also passionate about the culture of Melanesia as portrayed in her Papua New Guinea project www.headhuntrevisited.org. When you are commissioned to do a shoot do…