I suppose many people would ask if they should believe the hype about Palau and is it worth going halfway round the world to visit? The answer to both questions should most definitely be 'yes'. So, it takes a couple of days to get there, but when you see the beautiful islands and slip beneath its clear blue waters, you will soon forget your journey. 

Due to Palau flight schedules, I had the chance for some nice day boat dives from the capital Koror, before joining the liveaboard. This served me well in getting back in the water after a few months without diving and gave a good taste of things to come. I then joined the Palau Siren a lovely boat with a helpful crew, and a great way to explore the best diving around Palau. 

I had heard of many of the dive sites before, such as Blue Corner and German Channel, so I was looking forward to experiencing them for myself. The first part of the week was out on the extreme west edge of the islands, where you will find Blue Corner and other great sites like Big Drop Off and Ulong Channel. I defy anyone to dive those sites and not have them go straight into their top ten favourite dive locations. Blue Corner involves dropping down to a shear wall, then going onto the top and hooking on with a reef hook and watching the shark show. You will probably see more Grey Reef and Whitetip Sharks than you have ever seen in one place before. You just hang there and watch them cruise by, losing count at around 25.

I'm sure you know that sharks are protected in and around the islands of Palau, a wonderful situation that started 15 years ago and culminated with the creation of the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009. It was so nice to see so many sharks on most dives during my visit. In fact I saw sharks on every dive except the night and wreck dives. 

But of course there is plenty more to see. Some sites had some beautiful hard and soft corals, rivalling the best you'll see anywhere in the world. We also spent half an hour watching a Manta Ray at a cleaning station and often saw Eagle Rays and Stingrays. There was plenty of little stuff to keep the macro lover happy, from Frogfish to lots of different Nudibranchs, many I'd never seen before. 

The wrecks of Palau mustn't be forgotten either. We dived four different wrecks during the week and although not so much of a destination for the hardcore wreck diver like Truk, there are quite a  few wrecks there to keep you happy. Like Truk, most are WWII Japanese vessels, some so big that they take a couple of dives to explore. They are mostly cargo ships, but there is also a very interesting dive on a small seaplane, known as Jake from its American code name. 

One last dive that is worth a mention is Chandelier Cave. Although you would normally think that a 70m long cave would require cave dive training, this one is great for those without, as there are four chambers where you can pop up and breathe the air without your regulator. Its very strange to see the amazing stalactite formations above you with your torch, whilst being entertained by your dive guides silly stories about the cave monsters that supposedly live there! Plus there’s a few tiny Mandarin Fish to hunt for in the coral on exiting the cave. 

Was there any downside with Palau? Of course there was. I was disaapointed that my stay there was limited and I had to leave it behind for the trip home!

To find out more about diving in Palau, please call our friendly team on 01353 659999. If you would like to speak to John about his trip, he would be delighted to share his experience and help you plan your diving adventure in Palau. 

On 20 August 2016 the former supply vessel “Trinity” was carefully sunk on the southern side of Batteaux Bay. Having been stripped and cleaned prior to sinking, this new 100ft wreck sits in 75 feet of water and is suitable for intermediate and advanced level divers. Access points for divers have been created to ensure a safe dive environment and being only a short boat ride from Blue Waters Inn, this wreck is bound to provide an exciting new opportunity for divers visiting Tobago. The wreck is destined to become an artificial reef that will contribute to the existing natural ecosystem of the area.

Blue Waters Inn is a beachfront resort tucked away in its own secluded bay amongst 46 acres of lush tropical grounds. Located in Batteaux Bay - Speyside, far from the tourist trail, Blue Waters Inn is a great place to relax and a superb base from which to discover some of the finest diving in the Caribbean. As the new Trinity wreck is located just in the front of the Blue Waters Inn Hotel, adjacent to the stunning Batteaux Reef, divers have convenient access to great wreck and reef diving. Guests normally dive with the Blue Waters Dive'n dive centre on-site at the hotel.

Blue Waters Inn is a lovely boutique hotel with 38 rooms, all with ocean views. The Captain’s Table restaurant offers a changing menu of local and international specialities including fresh seafood, in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The breakfast buffet is also served here and guests can enjoy their meal out on the deck overlooking the sea. The Shipwreck Bar is an ideal place to enjoy a beachfront cocktail and is renowned on the island for the quality of its lunch specials. 

The hotel has a lovely swimming pool, right on the beach, and kayaking, snorkelling and tennis are also available. The hotel is located just over an 1 hour away from Crown Point International Airport.

For more details, contact our specialist team on 01353 659 999 or by email, or visit Blue Waters Inn

The video below shows the sinking of the Trinity and gives a taste of exploring this exciting new wreck:

Beauty Has an Address

Oman offers great diving variety. Its waters are known for colourful hard and soft corals, as well as numerous species of ray, including stingrays, eagle and torpedo ray. Leopard sharks are regularly spotted, along with moray eels, especially honeycomb and yellow mouth eels. Divers can also encounter green and hawksbill turtles, reef and schooling fish. Whale sharks are seen during summer months. 

Visit the pristine Daymaniyat Islands, or join a liveaboard to discover the Hallaniyat Islands. Combine all this with our 'Mountain, Desert and Sea' tour to discover even more of this fascinating country for a true Arabian adventure...

Diving in Muscat

Divers of all experience levels can enjoy the dive sites accessible from Muscat, the capital of Oman. The diving here is well established, with over forty recognised sites including the renowned Daymaniyat and Fahal Islands. There are few currents and dives range in depth from ten to thirty metres, along coral flanked stoney walls. Plankton rich waters attract a large amount of marine life, which includes many pelagic species. The Daymaniyat Islands helped place Oman on the world dive map. This string of offshore islands north of Muscat offers pristine coral gardens, dramatic walls and abundant fish life.

Diving in Salalah and Mirbat

Situated in the southern area of Oman's Dhofar region, the unspoilt coastline stretches as far as the eye can see, offering sheltered bays to explore in an area steeped in history and heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of deserted beaches and the high Jebel Al Qara rising steeply out of the Dhofar mountain chain, this area offers a level of excitement and adventure hard to find in other destinations so close to home.

Liveaboard - MY Oman Explorer

Join the MY Oman Explorer Liveaboard to discover the extensive reefs of southern Oman and the Hallaniyat Islands! Departing from Mirbat’s small harbour, the itinerary will be exploratory in nature, for divers comfortable in a relatively remote location. Sitting in the waters straddling the north Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, the Hallaniyat Islands comprise five islands lying in an east to west string in the south-eastern waters of Oman’s Dhofar district.

Refurbished in 2015, the spacious MY Oman Explorer is a 34 metre, steel hulled vessel which very comfortably accommodates 22 divers in 10 spacious twin cabins and one Master Cabin. Diving is done directly off the dive deck or from a RIB, dive site dependant and Nitrox is available. The MY Oman Explorer follows different itineraries depending on the season, including some trips that depart from Muscat.

Contact our friendly, specialist team on 01353 659999 to book your diving adventure in Oman...

With its on site dive centre, Tasik Ria Resort is a comfortable diver's resort. The management have a hands on, personal and friendly approach, making your stay a very welcome one. The resort has undergone substantial investment, with a fantastic dive centre upgrade and new facilities.

Our special offers packages allow you to explore beautiful Bunaken National Park from  Tasik Ria Resort for 7 nights, or combine Tasik Ria Resort with Lembeh for a 10 night trip. Packages are available with or without flights.

STAY AT TASIK RIA RESORT - Save up to £185 per person

From £742pp - Includes: Transfers, 7 nights full board twin share, 18 boat dives, 50% discount on nitrox fills, Free Sea View room upgrade (subject to availability), 1 hour massage, 1 night dive

From: £1,462pp - Includes: International flights, transfers, 7 nights full board twin share, 18 boat dives, 50% discount on nitrox fills, Free Sea View room upgrade (subject to availability), 1 hour massage, 1 night dive

Book by 31 January 2017 for travel to be completed by 31 December 2017.

Combo Trip: Tasik Ria Resort & Dive Into Lembeh - SAVE up to £185

From £1,275pp - Includes: Transfers, 5 nights Seaview Room at Tasik Ria on full board basis, 12 boat dives, 1 hour massage + 5 nights in Sea View Room at Dive into Lembeh on full board basis, 12 dives by speedboat, 50% discount on nitrox fills

From £1,995pp - Includes: International flights, transfers, 5 nights Seaview Room at Tasik Ria on full board basis, 12 boat dives, 1 hour massage and 5 nights in Sea View Room at Dive into Lembeh on full board basis, 12 dives by speedboat, 50% discount on nitrox fills

Book by 31 January 2017 for travel to be completed by 31 December 2017.

Please Note: No further discounts (Dive Show / Affiliate partnerships etc) are available with these packages.

Boutique Beach is a small hotel built by divers for divers. British designed and managed, this 'boutique style' hotel has only six rooms ensuring personal service for every guest that aims to deliver the best diving experience possible. 

Save over £300pp on 7 Night All Inclusive Stays + Diving

Book by 15 December 2016. 

All Inclusive refers to room, all meals, unlimited soft drinks & water, local juices, mocktails and up to 3 dives, along with boat charges, or excursion and snorkeling.

ALL INCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION AND DIVING PACKAGES 

• 22 October 2016 to 29  December 2016 - from £1,013pp 
• 11 January 2017 to 30 April 2017 - from £1,198pp

Includes: Boat transfer, 7 nights twin share in a Double Deluxe room, 3 meals per day, Unlimited soft drinks & water, 2 dives per person per day, Tanks & weights

ALL INCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION AND DIVING PACKAGES WITH FLIGHTS

• 22 October 2016 to 29  December 2016 - from £1,865pp
• 11 January 2017 to 30 April 2017 - from £2,049pp

Includes: International flights from UK, boat transfer, 7 nights twin share in a Double Deluxe room, 3 meals per day, Unlimited soft drinks & water, 2 dives per person per day, Tanks & weights

To find out more, call our friendly team on 01353 659999 or see: Boutique Beach

Discover The Forgotten Islands from aboard Indo Aggressor for adventure, unknown dive sites and spectacular scenery off the beaten track... 

The Forgotten Islands are part of Indonesia’s south Maluku province, a region located at the extreme south eastern boundary of the country and less than 200 nautical miles from the northern tip of Australia. These cruises offer you the opportunity to dive some of the most unexplored regions of  Indonesia.

Itineraries include the fabulous sites of East Nusa Tenggara around Lembata, Pantar and Alor, as well as exploring the fascinating reefs, walls and topside scenery of the islands further east, the mysterious and rarely visited Forgotten Islands.

The beautiful 124 foot Indo Aggressor offers 11 nights with 10 days of diving on The Forgotten Islands itinerary and takes 16 guests and 15 crew.

Special Offers on Selected April 2017 Sailings - Save up to £830pp!

• 5 April 2016 sailing,  11 night Forgotten Islands trip is currently reduced to just £2,491 per person (boat only), twin share cabin with ensuite, chef-prepared meals and snacks, soft beverages and local beer and wine. 
• 18 April 2016 sailing,  11 night Forgotten Islands trip is currently reduced to just £2,756 per person (boat only), twin share cabin with ensuite, chef-prepared meals and snacks, soft beverages and local beer and wine. Book by 15 October 2016.

Call our friendly team on 01353 659999 to find out more.

Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort in Anilao

Nestled in the heart of Anilao, Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort is an ideal spot for discovering the Batangas province, known for its impressive shoreline. This welcoming and friendly resort sits in the heart of the Philippines’ best-loved diving in the Coral Triangle, the ‘muck diving’ capital of the Philippines, where the waters are rich in marine and coral life. With an attractive house reef and access to great dive sites, divers are bound to enjoy this location. The Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort flanks a hillside that runs straight down to the shoreline in a quiet and tropical location. Designed and built with divers in mind, Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort has just 10 Deluxe Rooms with either sea or sunset views. 

Standard Rooms at Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort are available at very competitive prices, with 7 night packages starting at only £1,099 per person. This includes: flights, transfers and accommodation in a twin room on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

Asia Grand View Hotel in Coron

Divers can enjoy the beauty and wonders of Coron from the stunning setting of the Asia Grand View Hotel. Coron Bay is known for its access to wreck dives, rich marine life, lush green mountains and rich flora and fauna. Welcoming and friendly, Asia Grand View Hotel is located within lush gardens, in tranquil surroundings. Only a stone’s throw from the world renowned wrecks of Coron Bay, Asia Grand View Hotel is an ideal base for divers to experience world-class wreck diving, along with outstanding reef and coral diving. Extended dive safaris are also available around Busuanga Island and to Apo Reef. 

Superior Rooms at Asia Grand View Hotel are available at very reasonable rates, with 7 night packages starting at only £1,399 per person. This includes: flights, transfers and accommodation in a twin room on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

For further information, or to book, give our friendly team a call 01353 659999, or visit: Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort or Asia Grand View Hotel.