Don Silcock

Getting into Technical Diving

Getting into Technical Diving… If you are into scuba diving, you will no doubt have noticed the growth of what is generally referred to as “Tech”.I certainly have and my attitude towards it evolved from somewhat dubious, to quite …

Raja Ampat Pioneers – Ricard Buxo

Raja Ampat Pioneer Ricard Buxo… Undeniably one of the world’s extraordinary destinations. Raja Ampat blends breathtaking above-water landscapes with a staggering abundance of marine biodiversity, into a remarkable combination that draws …

The Ultimate Milne Bay Adventure

Ultimate Milne Bay Adventure… Milne Bay was first place I ever visited in Papua New Guinea. And even after many years and several return trips, my fascination with the area endures to this day. It’s a truly special place with much to see. But …

Southern Right Whales of Peninsula Valdés

Southern Right Whales of Peninsula Valdés – The key lies in how you enter the water… Slip ever so gently over the side and swim quietly toward them, always approaching from the front so that the mother can see you coming and assess the level of …

Raja Ampat Pioneers – Max Ammer

Max Ammer… It really is quite incredible that in just over 20 years Raja Ampat has gone from a little known, remote outpost of the huge Indonesian archipelago to one of the must-do diving locations globally. Google “Raja Ampat diving” and you …

The Ghosts of the Machines

Kavieng WWII Aircraft Wrecks… World War II came to the Australian territory of New Guinea in January 1942 when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Rabaul in New Britain. Followed shortly after by the taking of Kavieng in nearby New …

A Guide to Diving Tasmania

Diving Tasmania… The “Apple Isle” is, in so many ways, the hidden gem of Australian scuba diving. And getting to know a bit more about it has been one of the highlights of my personal diving career!There really is a lot to see underwater …

Diving Beautiful Tufi

Diving Beautiful Tufi… The sun was just breaking as we walked across the tarmac towards the small plane that would take us over the mountains.Anxious to leave on time and with a busy day ahead of them. The two-person TropicAir crew ushered …

Raja Ampat Pioneers – Edi Frommenwiler

Edi Frommenwiler and Pindito – I have a theory… Completely unproven of course, but very logical (well, to me at least). And it’s that true adventurers have seven genotypes, rather than six like the rest of us. Let’s just call it the AA++ …

The Wonderful Witu Islands

The Witu Islands… As they say in the real estate business – location, location, location… And it is Papua New Guinea’s location astride the Equator and at the end of what was historically referred to as the Malay Archipelago, that puts it right …

Angelique Songco Mama Ranger

Angelique Songco – “The Mama Ranger” Angelique Songco Mama Ranger… It’s a country that has so much to offer the traveling diver and underwater photographer. But there are certain exceptional locations in the Philippines …

Diving Kavieng in PNG

Diving Kavieng in PNG… A window seat on the early morning flight out of Kavieng is the go. It’s my favourite way to end a trip to this special part of Papua New Guinea. For, as the sun rises out of the vast Pacific Ocean to the east. It …