It’s rare to be out diving or surfing and not see some form of birdlife, even if you’re a long way from the shore. Seabirds are among the most recognisable inhabitants of our coastlines and oceans, whether it’s albatrosses gliding above the open water, gannets plunging in pursuit of fish or seagulls competing for your…
In the corner of the world where we live, diving is less about exploring colourful coral reefs and more about navigating enigmatic kelp forests. Places where long golden-brown fronds sway with the currents and sunlight filters through, illuminating fish as they dart between the stems and the occasional seal gliding by. Kelp forests are among…
It might surprise you to learn that coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but provide habitat for an estimated quarter of all marine species. It’s mind-blowing! Not only that, but they support the livelihoods of millions living in coastal communities around the globe and help to protect shorelines from wave and…
Tucked away on a quiet street off Kuta’s main drag, Rascals was our stay of choice on our last visit to Lombok. It had been on our radar for many years, but we’d always returned to Mana Eco Retreat – a place we’d fallen in love with for its tranquil cabanas, vegetarian-friendly restaurant and incredible…
If you’re anything like us, the ocean is what fuels your travel adventures. Over the last 20+ years, we’ve flown across the globe to dive with manta rays, kayak above coral reefs and surf legendary waves. But there is an uncomfortable contradiction at the heart of ocean tourism: the healthier the marine environment, the more…
When we think about climate change, our attention naturally turns to what we can see on land or are experiencing first hand: rising temperatures, melting glaciers, wildfires and more intense weather events. Many of these are well-reported on the nightly news and it’s devastating to see intense wildfires ripping across landscapes and floods wreaking havoc…
Raja Ampat is one of my favourite diving destinations in Indonesia. In fact, that’s probably an understatement. Raja is one of my favourite places to dive anywhere in the world. The underwater experiences I’ve had here are nothing short of extraordinary…and that’s not taking into account the incredible above-water scenery. It really does feel like…
If you’re anything like us, applying sunscreen is second nature before heading out to surf or spending a day on a dive boat. In fact, our skin type means we need to apply sunscreen before we step outdoors…full stop! Since we were little, it’s been drummed into us that sunscreen protects our skin from harmful…
Few places we’ve dived have captured our imagination quite like Raja Ampat. Our first visit was back in the early 2000s, staying at a homestay on a blissfully gorgeous beach, and our second in 2023 at the eco-friendly Papua Explorers Resort. Both are experiences that will stay with us forever and affirmed what so many…
After almost two decades of scuba diving around the globe, we’ve come to the conclusion that marine protected areas (MPAs) are one of the most powerful tools we have for conserving ocean ecosystems. Essentially, they are like “national parks of the seas” – established to limit activities such as overfishing, habitat destruction and unsustainable development….