Original Diving

Five Fascinating Philippines Facts

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:18:15 +0100

Named after King Philip II of Spain, the Philippines is a sun-kissed island nation in Southeast Asia. With over 100 million people, a whopping 7,000 (and counting) islands, more than a thousand species of orchid, just under 200 living languages, around 30 active volcanoes and ten seas, the Philippines is a diverse nation rich in history, culture and traditions. Ready to learn more about what makes this smattering of islands oh-so tempting? Read on to discover five fascinating Philippines facts…

Red Sea Facts

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:36:58 +0100

The Red Sea is a perennial favourite among European divers. This long, thin sea separates Africa from Asia and links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. But it's the incredible visibility, warm water temperatures and impressive array of marine life that keep divers coming back for more. Not only is it a diver's paradise, but it also boasts great beaches and guaranteed sunshine - all at the end of a relatively short flight. Eager to learn more? Read on for our rundown of Red Sea facts and discover why it's a top dive destination...

Best Diving in Zanzibar

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:26:03 +0100

Perhaps the best known of Tanzania's Spice Islands, Zanzibar isn't just about white-sand beaches and lush greenery - it offers some pretty fantastic diving. Best visited between mid-February and April or October to mid-December, the island offers bath-warm waters and crystalline visibility, making the diving here great for first timers. Zanzibar has a whopping 25 listed dive sites within its waters, with the most popular (and our favourite) sites sitting around Mnemba, a teeny-tiny atoll just off the east coast. Ready to explore this incredible island? Read on to discover the best diving in Zanzibar…

Drive and Dive: Scuba Diving Road Trips

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:02:51 +0100

Drive and dive road trips are all about flexibility. Once you're on the road, with no set departures and no need to rush, you're free to be spontaneous. Driving straight from home? You can forget all about baggage restrictions. Not to mention you can make it your own and combine your road trip with a safari, a visit to volcanic islands or a detour into the mountains. Diving gear packed in the boot? Read on to discover some top tips from Emily, our resident marine biologist and dive expert...

Top Ten Raja Ampat Facts

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:57:53 +0100

Raja Ampat, the 'Amazon of the Seas', takes the top spot on many divers' bucket lists. And for good reason. Nestled in the middle of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is a name shrouded in diving legend thanks to its rich biodiversity. With enough incredible marine life to keep you coming back for more, it's no wonder that divers travel staggering distances to reach this remote location. So without further ado, let's dive into some of the top facts about Raja Ampat...

Deep Sea Diving Facts

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:58:06 +0100

It's darker, it's colder, your bottom time decreases and your air consumption increases… Despite this, deep sea diving is ever-popular. Be it spotting sharks or marvelling at stunning topographical features, sometimes it pays to dive a little deeper. So, let's jump in and head to the bottom to uncover some intriguing deep-sea diving facts...

Best Dive Sites in Mexico

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:27:16 +0100

From the biodiverse Sea of Cortez to far-flung volcanic islands and crystal-clear cenotes, Mexico's dive sites are a broad-ranging bunch. So, where to begin? Whether you'd rather meet friendly manta rays, swim among stalactites or explore a decades-old shipwreck, take the plunge with our expert pick of the best dive sites in Mexico…

Top Ten Anemone Facts

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:59:56 +0100

With their swaying tentacles and colourful bodies, sea anemones are a pleasure to spot when diving. Often overlooked in favour of the shimmering shoals that swim above them, these invertebrates are a fundamental part of marine biodiversity and come in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. Intrigued by these funky sea creatures? Read on for our top ten anemone facts…

Our Favourite Freediving Facts

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:20:28 +0100

We love scuba diving (and always will), but there's still a certain appeal to diving below the surface without tanking up. Freediving, also known as apnea, is a form of underwater breath-holding where you rely solely on your lung capacity, rather than diving equipment. Whether you want to swim silently with some of the big boys of the oceans, explore wrecks that dot the sea floor, or dive to depths that seem impossible for the human body, freediving offers a new sense of freedom. So, without further ado, let's dive into our favourite freediving facts…

Six Fabulous Facts About The Flores Sea

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:28:02 +0100

Early in the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in the Malay Archipelago and took control of the island of Flores, among others. The name Flores means 'Flowers' in Portuguese, and after a spell of Portuguese rule in the mid-19th century, the island became part of the Dutch East Indies. Flores (which also lent its name to the Flores Sea) was an important stop in the spice trade, with cloves, mace and nutmeg from the Spice Islands (the Maluku Islands) heading west towards European kitchens. Today, the Flores Sea is still an important shipping lane, but is perhaps better known for its rich biodiversity, both beneath its waves and along its shores. Keen to learn more about this watery world? Let's dive in to take a closer look and see what spicy Flores Sea facts we can discover...

Seven Scuba Diving Facts

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:33:30 +0100

We seem to be living in a world where misinformation is lurking around every corner. With the internet teeming with these 'alternative facts,' we're going to give you a few bona fide facts about scuba diving and perhaps dispel a myth or two along the way. From the deepest dive ever to what's inside a scuba tank, and from scuba diving's calorie-burning potential to why colours fade with depth, we're going to uncover some interesting scuba diving facts and perhaps pique your interest in learning to dive on your next action-packed holiday…

Our Favourite Facts About The Timor Sea

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:29:59 +0100

Sandwiched between Indonesia and Timor-Leste to the north and Australia to the south, the Timor Sea is a relatively shallow and small tropical body of water. With the Indian Ocean to its west and the Arafura Sea to the east, it covers 240,000 square miles and contains very few islands. This cobalt blue watery expanse may be on the small side, but it plays a vital role in the region's climate, is geologically significant and is of great interest to naturalists. The sea even saw some action during World War II… So let's dive a little deeper and see what fascinating facts about the Timor Sea we can uncover on the way.

Top Ten Indian Ocean Facts

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:21:17 +0100

The Indian Ocean may be smaller and younger than its siblings - the Pacific and Atlantic - but don't underestimate the wonders of this tropical body of water. Known for its warm waters that are rich in biodiversity, varied in underwater topography and swarming with some of our marine favourites - we're talking manta rays and dugongs - it also has some interesting and unique features. So, if you want to learn a thing or two about the Indian Ocean - such as why its current changes - then read on for our top ten facts on the Indian Ocean.

Top Ocean Facts

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:40:46 +0100

Despite oceans covering more than 70% of our planet, we know more about the surface of the moon than we do the big blue. However, what we do know is that the ocean is vital for the health of our entire planet. Feeding millions of people, regulating our climate, storing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, there are myriad reasons why we should protect and love the underwater world. Keen to learn a few things about this beautiful body of water? Read on for our top ocean facts….

Top Ten Pacific Ocean Facts

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:39:27 +0100

The Pacific Ocean is big. So big, in fact, that it's the world's largest ocean and covers nearly a third of its surface. Formed over hundreds of millions of years, this vast body of water is filled with creatures great and small, from the tiny critters that surf in the ocean's channels to the migrating mammals who seek cooler waters and a spot of socialising. While its name may mean 'peaceful', it's also the origin of some serious volcanic and weather-based activity. So if you're ready to learn a thing or two (or ten, to be precise) about the world's largest ocean, then read on for our top ten facts on the Pacific Ocean.

Top Ten Java Sea Facts

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:42:36 +0100

From its vibrant marine ecosystem to its strategic role in history, the Java Sea is more than just a stretch of water - it's a living, breathing part of Indonesia's cultural and natural heritage. Whether you're a diver, traveller, history buff or just love fun facts about the world's oceans, there are some fascinating facts about the Java Sea to share. Read on to discover our top ten…

Six Fascinating Facts About The Bali Sea

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:46:02 +0100

Sitting within the Coral Triangle, the Bali Sea laps the northern shores of both Bali and Lombok and flows into the channels that separate the two islands from each other and their neighbours. Its warm and inviting waters are home to a rich variety of marine life, and the dive sites in the area have something for all divers: shallow reefs for the less experienced or beginners; colourful reefs for photographers; weird and wonderful critters for muck divers; sharks, turtles and large rays for fans of ocean giants; and one of the world's most famous wreck dives just a stone's throw from the beach. The balmy Bali Sea dive sites are awash with diverse marine life and an array of colours, and if you head below the surface at the sea's southern extremes, you'll encounter the mola mola and manta rays that the cooler Indian Ocean currents entice to the reefs. This small body of tropical sea is a mecca for sun-seekers and scuba divers alike, so let's dive in and discover some fascinating facts about the Bali Sea...

PADI Women’s Dive Day

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:09:59 +0100

On the 19th July 2025, PADI will celebrate its 11th annual Women's Dive Day, an event that empowers female divers to explore the wonders of the ocean. And what better way to join the celebration than by honouring our very own all-women team here at Original Diving? Read on to discover why our experts love the big blue and meet the trailblazing women divers who inspire them...

Emily’s Trip to Cenderawasih Bay on the Dewi Nusantara

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:34:13 +0100

With this trip planned over a year in advance, I knew summer 2025 would be one for the books - and I was right; my 11-day journey aboard the luxury liveaboard Dewi Nusantara did not disappoint. Translating to Goddess of the Archipelago, we sailed this classically designed vessel to the remote Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia, where I enjoyed scuba diving with whale sharks and photographing endemic species. And that was just the beginning...

Best Freediving Films

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:11:25 +0100

Freediving is a testament to the resilience of the human body. Liberated from the weight of an oxygen tank and the constraints of diving equipment, it's all about being fully immersed underwater. From the freezing waters of Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive to the extreme depths of The Deepest Breath, plenty of incredible films showcase this discipline. They also depict how freediving is more than just a competitive sport - it's a livelihood for some and a profound connection to nature for others. Keen to learn more? Read on for our roundup of the best freediving films that will have you holding your breath as you watch...