Switching to SEACAM... In late 2023 an incredible combination of circumstances came into alignment for me. And I was offered a formal association with the Austrian underwater photography equipment company SEACAM. I could not quite believe it at the time and sometimes still can't! I have always considered Seacam as the Rolls-Royce of the underwater photography world. But never ever imagined I would be associated with the company. But sure enough in February 2024 I travelled all the way from Sydney to Voitsberg in Austria. To receive the equipment I had requested, plus three days of technical training on it all. It really was quite …
Articles
Diving New Britain’s Fathers Reefs
Diving New Britain's Fathers Reefs... The large crescent shaped island of New Britain is almost uniquely located on the interface of some unbelievably powerful forces of nature. Physically, it sits on the south-western arc of the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire. And is characterized by the exceptionally high mountain ranges that traverse its spine. Together with its many volcanoes! But that location also positions it on the epicenter of the eastern lobe of the renowned Coral Triangle. The world’s richest known area of marine biodiversity. And, in a roughly rectangular area about one-third the size of Tasmania. The north coast of New …
Cape Kri – The World’s Best House Reef?
World's Best House Reef... Google Earth is a great place to start if you want to understand why the island of Kri has such a stellar reputation for incredible diving. Viewed from above, the long, slender island is the first major landmass in the path of the Indonesian Throughflow as it streams through the Dampier Strait. Rich with nutrients swept up from the deep basins to the north, Those waters arc around Cape Kri on the north-eastern tip of the island. Almost force-feeding the reef systems that bloom there. Dived on the right tide it is truly one of the wonders of the Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat’s marine biodiversity …
Diving the Dampier Strait
Dampier Strait Diving ... It really is 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 world’s must-do diving locations. Google “Raja Ampat diving” and you will be bombarded with dozens of options. Ranging across the full spectrum of liveaboard vessels: Huge and luxurious, spa-suite behemoths through to the floating equivalent of backpacker hostels. Plus, on land the options now range from beautiful resorts to village homestays, with everything in between! The huge wave of tourism that has washed over Raja Ampat changed many things for the …
Understanding the Indonesian Archipelago
Understanding the Indonesian Archipelago... It is often said that if the 16,000+ islands of the vast Indonesian archipelago did not exist, we would only have 23 hours in our day… To put that rather bold statement into perspective requires a basic understanding of the Indonesian Throughflow. Which, at the most fundamental level, is simply the largest volume of moving water in the world. It is however an incredibly complex natural phenomena. The Readers Digest version of which is that as the Earth rotates around its polar axis, huge amounts of seawater accumulate in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Producing a disparity of some …
Getting into Technical Diving – Intro…
Getting into Technical Diving - Intro... If you are into scuba diving generally 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 interested. As it became more and more mainstream. I was initially dubious because I already had a lot of gear and did not feel the need for another expensive set of equipment. Plus, my primary objective for diving is to take photographs underwater. And I could not see how all this additional “stuff” would add anything to what I was already doing. Plus, if I am totally honest, I …
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 divers from all corners of the globe. My introduction to this incredible region traces back to 1999. When I stumbled upon a post on an online underwater photography bulletin board (anybody remember them?). The author of which was trying to assemble a group of like-minded divers for a trip to a newly established 'eco beach camp' on Kri Island. Providing an opportunity to explore the recently …
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 it is also a really big area and logistically, getting to all the best locations and spending sufficient time there in a single trip can be a challenge. 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of that initial journey. And so I wanted to orchestrate something really special to celebrate my on-going fascination with PNG, its people, their rich cultures, and of course the diving. So, I embarked on …
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 threat. The mother, ever vigilant for potential orca attacks and protective of her young calf, will prioritize caution and may cut short the encounter if she senses danger. However, she's weary from the constant stress of shielding and nourishing her hungry calf and yearns for a moment of rest. Get it right, and there's a good chance she will remain stationary, permitting you to draw closer. If …