The Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias is one of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures. Superbly evolved, they are truly an apex predator. But, unlike their terrestrial equivalents, there is very little reverence for them. Instead, and they have become widely demonized as brutal man-eaters that silently prowl our coastal waters. In a seemingly perpetual search for victims and then pouncing with ruthless and terrifying efficiency. And it is true that great whites have been held responsible for more deaths of swimmers, surfers, and divers than any other shark. But what is the reality about these creatures? Are they really …
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Tiger Sharks of Grand Bahama
Tiger Sharks of Grand Bahama... Tiger Beach is firmly established as one of those global diving destinations that almost everybody has heard of. With that fame largely derived from the many published images of its most celebrated visitor - Galeocerdo cuvier, the tiger shark. Tigers are considered one of the “big three” most dangerous sharks. And, along with the great white and bull shark, are believed to be responsible for the vast majority of unprovoked attacks on humans. Renowned for their inherently predatory behavior. Where, much like their terrestrial namesakes, they close in their intended prey slowly and silently. Before …
Diving New Ireland Province in PNG
Diving New Ireland Province... Located along the edge of the Bismarck Archipelago, the province of New Ireland forms the eastern flank of Papua New Guinea. It is quite remote from the main island of New Guinea. And the province has its own remarkably interesting and quite distinct traditional cultures, together with some fantastic diving. It is also world renowned for its fabulous malagan carvings and tatanua masks. Together with its kulap sculptures and overall, the province offers an experience that really is quite different to the rest of PNG. The province consists of the large, musket-shaped island of New Ireland, which is …
Great Hammerheads of South Bimini
The Great Hammerheads of South Bimini... Like a fashion model up on the catwalk, great hammerheads sashay into your field of vision. And, if they were human, you would probably say they have just “made an entrance”. Their strange mallet-like head, robust body girth and tall sickle-shaped dorsal fin makes them well-nigh instantly recognizable. With most other sharks in the immediate area spot that too and give them a wide berth. The Great Hammerhead has a unique and distinguished presence in the water. Cautious but confident and seemingly in control of the environment. Their space… And as they approach, their distinctive head sweeps …
Diving New Britain Island in PNG
Diving New Britain Island... Papua New Guinea’s “second island” sits right on the interface of some incredibly powerful forces of nature! Physically located along the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire. New Britain is a large crescent shaped island that is defined by the incredibly high mountain ranges that run down its spine. Together with its many volcanoes… So high are those mountains, they create separate and independent weather systems on the north and south coasts of the island. Making New Britain a remote, different and very interesting place that has some really great diving! Diving New Britain Island – The Benjamins… While Bob …
Cat Island Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
Cat Island Oceanic Whitetip Sharks... It seems almost unbelievable that as recently as the mid-1960’s the Oceanic Whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, was widely considered to be one of the most abundant large animals in the world. And now, almost 60 years later, these sharks are on the IUCN Red List as "Vulnerable" globally. And "Critically Endangered" in the north and central western areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Largely because a diminutive, but incredibly resilient, former general seized control of the Middle Kingdom. Unleashing the economic reforms that have lifted hundreds of millions of people out of abject …
Diving New Guinea Island in PNG
Diving New Guinea Island... When the 16th century Portuguese and Spanish explorers first arrived in the far-eastern part of what was then called the Malay Archipelago. They had no way of knowing they had stumbled upon the second largest island in the world. Neither could they possibly know that the island is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Occupying just 0.5% of the Earth's surface, but with almost 10% of its species ... And that is just on the land! What they did note though was the similarity between the indigenous people and those of the Guinea region of Africa. Which is how the island came to be called New …
Amazing Socorro Diving
Amazing Socorro Diving- a true “bucket list” adventure if ever there was one! This group of four islands is located in the Pacific Ocean, some 600 kms from the west coast of Mexico. And it offers some quite unique underwater experiences and is almost synonymous with giant oceanic manta ray encounters. Often referred to as the “Mexican Galapagos” these islands are so special that in July 2016 they were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then in November 2017 the government of Mexico created North America’s largest marine protected area. And made the whole area a national park with total bans on fishing, mining and tourism …
Underneath Edithburgh Jetty
Underneath Edithburgh Jetty... Located on the south-eastern tip of the Yorke Peninsula. The small town of Edithburgh is home to what is possibly the absolute best of all the many wonderful jetties of South Australia. Dived on a good day with optimal conditions, “Edith” as it is known locally in the SA dive community, is a stellar dive. One that ranks highly among the “must do” dives in Australia. Plus, if you can get there for a few days during the week, there is a good chance you will have the place (well underwater that is…) to yourself! Built in 1983 primarily to facilitate the export of locally produced salt around Australia and …