Articles

Diving the Solomon Islands on Bilikiki

The legendary BilikikiDiving the Solomon Islands on Bilikiki… Have you ever found yourself surrounded by people who seem to share a secret you’re not in on?That was exactly how I felt last October. I had already been in the Solomon …

Diving Gizo in the Western Province

Diving Gizo… The main town and regional capital of the Solomon Islands’ Western Province, Gizo is located near the western tip of New Georgia Island.Though it’s the third largest town in the country, with a population of just over …

SEACAM OPP – 12 Months Undercover…

IntroductionAfter twelve months of intensive field use — from the vibrant reefs and WWII wrecks of the Solomon Islands to open-ocean encounters with sperm whales in Dominica, and finally extended diving across Indonesia — I can confidently say …

Anilao Blackwater Diving – Season II

It really is an unusual way to spend an evening — less of a night dive and more of a nocturnal sojourn into another world.This is Anilao blackwater diving, where you descend into the dark waters of Balayan Bay to witness creatures few divers …

SEACAM 160D Strobe Review

The $2000 Tripod LessonThere’s an old joke in the landscape photography community: How do you end up with a $2000 tripod?You start with a $200 one. Upgrade to a $300 model when the first drives you crazy. Buy a $500 version thinking you’ve …

Where to Dive in the Solomon Islands

Maravagi Bay – From Above…Located at the eastern tip of the renowned Coral Triangle, the Solomon Islands stretch across a long chain of beautiful tropical islands. That are surrounded by the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean to the …

CCR Training – Crossing the Rubicon

CCR Training… After decades of diving open circuit and thousands of hours underwater with scuba tanks, I finally decided to cross the line that divides recreational diving from full-on technical diving: rebreathers.Closed-Circuit …

Diving on Air at Bikini Atoll

Divers on the USS AndersonDiving on Air at Bikini Atoll… With any adventure, there’s almost always a pivotal moment when the hypothetical meets the reality.And the full magnitude of what you are trying to do becomes apparent.At …

Try CCR – Should You Go There?

Try CCR… If you had asked me just three years ago whether I would ever consider spending five figures on a rebreather, my response would have been a resounding no. Back then, I had no idea how they worked, saw no need for one. And frankly …

Diving Technically in the Solomon Islands

2024 was my first full year of diving technically and it involved a lot of learning. Some not insignificant “investment” (expenditure…) in new equipment and a whole new mindset around the preparation for a trip!I had planned the year carefully …

Diving Papatura – A Real Gem!

Diving Papatura – a Solomon Island’s Gem… It’s a romantic notion most of us have, but very few realise. Find an island paradise, far from the modern world. And then transform it into a desert island dream and live off the grid, …

Where to Dive in Papua New Guinea

Where to Dive in PNG… There really is some wonderful scuba diving in Papua New Guinea. Hovever, PNG is an incredibly diverse country, both above and below the surface, and its dive sites are spread across a vast geographical area.Planning …