Life is in the detail

I've found liveaboard diving to be one of the best (and sometimes only) way to access remote dive sites. I still dream of waking up at sea every morning with nothing on my to-do list except dive and eat. In my experience, liveaboard crews are so welcoming and hospitable and can make you feel right at home, even if you're far away.

Rachel - Original Diver

Rachel Gaw

Original Travel Expert

I have extensive travel experience throughout Mexico, Bahamas, Madagascar, Malta and Gozo.

My travels

Travel Things I Want To Do Before I Die

Count as many species as possible scuba diving in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world - Raja Ampat.
Drive over the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia.
See humpback whales underwater on a liveaboard expedition from the Socorro Islands of Mexico
Meet marine iguanas in The Galapagos.

Best Moments

Hiking and camping in Isalo National Park in Madagascar. After a magical day of hiking surrounded by sandstone plateaus and canyons, exploring dense forests and visiting waterfalls we camped overnight. We woke up and our tent was surrounded by lemurs. They're distinct call made a very effective alarm clock.
Witnessing a coral spawning event in Mexico. I was guiding a dive and noticed what looked like smoke pouring out the barrel sponges. The eggs that were being released dusted the reef in "snow". It was like a clip from a national geographic documentary! A surreal and exciting experience.
Exploring one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Driving into the jungle for the first time and jumping into a cenote to discover an ancient world of stalactites, stalagmites and columns all in pristine visibility was incredible. Seeing the cone-like formations of 'Hells Bells' in Cenote Zapote was an alien experience!
When I was at school, I was involved in Beijing School exchange. I'll never forget exploring some of the city's most amazing landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and The Great Wall with some of my closest friends.

Toughest Travel Moment

I was on a jungle trek in Northern Thailand and had a very sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Turns out it was an appendicitis. I got through the trek and quickly travelled to Chaing Mai for medical support. Thankfully, my insurance covered everything and I made a speedy recovery so I could continue my travels!

Weirdest Travel Moment

I once received a tour of Sihanoukville, Cambodia by two local hospital staff in their ambulance! The tour included the local port, a monkey sanctuary and a stop for sugar-cane juice. It must have been a slow work day.

Explore my blog posts

Just Back from Indonesia: Rachel’s Underwater Indo-Intro

Earlier this year, one of our Original Divers, Rachel, embarked on an exciting mission: to uncover the crème de la crème of diving destinations in Indonesia. With a keen eye for the best underwater experiences and a chance to sample top-notch luxury above the surface, Rachel set out on her…

Underwater photo of a scuba diver giving the 'OK' sign next to a coral reef wall

Just back from the Red Sea

Is there a better feeling than waking up at sea? To throw back the curtains and see the glistening blue waters staring back at you. And knowing that the only thing to do that day is explore the reefs, walls and wrecks below them. Well, I can confirm that there is no better feeling,…

Blue Horizons - Ten Holidays for Waterculturalists

In the face of mounting challenges posed to our reefs and seas, divers have long been at the forefront of efforts to protect, preserve, and understand the issues affecting our beloved underwater ecosystems. The inclination to actively engage in local programs and initiatives while exploring…

Day Trips to Cozumel

There are two reasons why you'll find yourself on a day trip to Cozumel. The first involves an unseemly cruise-liner plus a few thousand passengers elbowing their way off it to snag a subpar souvenir and mediocre margarita from Señor Frogs. The second (and infinitely better) reason is…

Top Wall Diving Destinations

There's nothing quite like hovering at the edge of a wall, schooling fish and candy-coloured corals on one side and the deep blue on the other. These underwater skyscrapers serve as a barrier between the deep, open ocean and the shallower, protected water, creating a highway for reef fish…

The Family That Dives Together

There's no time like the present to book your family holiday, and we are firm believers that the family who dives together, stays together. Whether bonding with your partner, pushing your pre-teen to try new things or expanding the dive skills of your grown-up children, having built in dive…

Giant Strides in Ocean Conservation

In an age of constant knowledge sharing and over-consumption, the future often appears bleak for our blue planet, with the headlines dominated by doom and gloom. We'd like to counter that mindset and focus instead on some good news stories. While a host of issues do face our oceans and seas…

Top Dive Destinations for October

When summer holidays are in full swing, planning an October getaway might not be front of mind, but we've got a word to the wise: there's no better time. You still have time to scoop those sought-after spots while availability is plentiful. Whether you're looking for a fast flight to a…

Small is the New Big - Macro Diving Wonders

We spend a lot of time highlighting our favourite big life creatures and our top spots around the globe to send divers for close encounters of the aquatic kind. We now swing the spotlight to macro life. Polar opposite perhaps, but far from second best, and, if you aren't a macro and muck…

Off Seasons (That Are Really On)

Dive travel planning takes finesse, patience and a lot of research. Navigating weather, route to destination and what bucket list creatures should be in the area at the time, all while trying to avoid throngs on other tourists as well, can be daunting to say the least. And, what often…

Summer of Giants

How do you decide where to go on your next diving holiday? Do you return time and again to a place that welcomes you as an old friend, where you annually reconnect with the same dive guides who have watched your children grow and learn to dive as well? Or, do you methodically tick off bucket…

Underwater Symbiotic Relationships

Symbiosis is defined as 'any type of close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms.' There are several types of symbiosis in the natural world (and not all are reciprocal), so in honour of Valentine's Day, we've put together a list of our favourite…

Philantourism: The Best Dive Spots for Doing Good

Often, when catastrophe strikes, or a community falls on hard times, we watch and wonder 'how can I help?' Some people choose to donate money, participate in food/clothing drives, volunteer their time or open their homes. Short-term relief is just the beginning though. To truly extend a…

Autumn of Extras - Dive Destinations With Excitement Above and Below the Surface

Whether you're a family of divers or a couple with contrasting interests, these destinations offer something for everyone to prep for the post-summer blues. Read on for a bit of autumn inspiration…

Just Back From... Island Hopping the Maldivian Atolls

Fresh back from two weeks of island hopping around the atolls of the Maldives, our resident dive instructor and holiday planner, Eleanor, has a few things to say about the most exhilarating dive expedition of her career (...so far). From mesmerising coral heads beneath overwater villas and…

Meet the Team

When it comes to detailed knowledge and personal experience, our team of expert diving holiday specialists is pretty impressive! From marine biologists and Conde Nast Top Travel Specialists, to a PADI instructor and an expert adventure traveller, we've intentionally sourced a team passionate…

Your Dive Calendar Part 1

Have you ever made it halfway into scheduling a dive holiday only to realise your dates land you directly in prime hurricane season instead of the whale shark migration you hoped to catch? No wonder flights and resorts were so affordable! Sometimes, dates and desires don't line up just how…

Hope Spots for a Healthier Blue World

When asked what her favourite dive destination in the world is, Sylvia Earle - National Geographic Explorer, marine biologist, oceanographer, author, teacher and all-around phenomenal ocean advocate - said:

20 Dive Tips for Travel

When it comes to diving, there's no better way to learn what works well than by doing it wrong first. And after years of being a professional guinea pig in both travel and diving, Eleanor - one of our diving experts - has made enough mistakes (and crucially, learnt from them) to be able to…

Top Dive Destinations for Non-Divers

When it comes to diving, people sometimes fall into two camps: the die-hard divers who will happily dedicate their entire holiday to underwater exploring, and the landlubbers who prefer to spend their time above the waves. But what happens when you're trying to plan a holiday that appeals to…

Amazing Marine Life Behaviours You Have to See

Coming face to face with wild animals in their natural habitat and observing their behaviours has an almost universal appeal. It's why we have such a soft spot for the likes of David Attenborough and Steve Backshaw (ask the children). But while the animal kingdom above the waves is home to…

Deep Cuts: the Best Under the Radar Dive Destinations

Whether you're a 'been there, done that, where's next?' kind of traveller, or simply like the idea of exploring beyond the norm, we're here to bring you all the best diving 'Deep Cuts' - destinations that fly under the radar and yet offer some of the best scenery, diving and holiday…