So close to home East Timor is situated north west of Darwin and sits between Australia and Indonesia. Roughly 9 hours from Melbourne via flight, East Timor is becoming more and more popular with the number of travellers exploring the beautiful unspoiled beaches and spectacular landscapes increasing each year. The country has an abundance of natural beauty with rugged mountains, tropical rainforests and astonishing coastlines.

East Timor is home to some of the most remote, beautiful and deserted beaches you could imagine. With many creatures to seek out on your dive adventures, scuba diving in East Timor gives you the chance to sight some pretty extraordinary marine life such as hammerhead sharks, endangered dugongs, frogfish and ghost pipefish.

As soon as you take your first steps on to the island of Fiji, the words ‘BULA’ fill the air as spoken by the Fijian people. Add in the phrase running on ‘Fiji Time’ and you’re practically a local. The tropical climate of Fiji is ideal for all water sports conducted throughout the islands but it is the magical experience held under the water where some of the best snorkelling and diving is had in the South Pacific.

The volcanic islands of Fiji can be found east of Australia in between New Caledonia and Western Samoa.  Although made up of many, many smaller islands the two largest, Viti Levu and Vanua Veu make up about 90% of the countries population.

A land of blue-green lagoons, lush tropical rainforests, pine forests, mountains formed by dormant and extinct volcanoes, it is the coral reefs surrounding the Fiji Islands that bring divers from around the world to explore these brightly coloured soft corals and tropical fish.

Titled the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’ dive sites vary from shallow lagoons for suitable newcomers right through to sheer walls and pinnacles for the more experienced and adventurous divers. The coral formations attract a wide variety of marine life, ranging from large schools of tropical fish perfect for that underwater picturesque scene.

Home to some of the world’s most exquisite marine lifes, the geographical location of the islands and the merging of three ocean currents make the Galapagos Islands one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. The islands are home to many unusual and rare plant and animal life and is home to 30,000 local people living on the islands. With approximately 170,000 travellers visiting each year, guests are able to visit one or all of the 54 land sites and 62 scuba and snorkelling locations.

With no limitations as to when you can visit the Galapagos, there is always something to view above and below shores. On any given day you are likely to see an array of wildlife, including; sea lions, turtles, sharks, rays and an abundance of fish varieties. Having been described as one of the most unique, scientifically important and biological areas on earth many travellers describe their time on the islands as a life changing experience.

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It is a picturesque location that is steeped in history. Since 4000 B.C. it’s strategic placement and involvement as a main trade route has seen this nation to be the centre of many conflicts and struggles of power throughout time. World War I & specifically World War II lead it to be one of the most bombed locations during both world wars and the result of this is a diver’s wonderland.

Wrecks are easily assessable for all levels for certified divers ranging from 14 meters through to deep technical wrecks such as the HMS Stubborn which lays in a depth of over 50 meters.

It’s not all just wreck diving, the reef and cave dives are just as spectacular. With dives sites starting shallow at 14 meters and some sloping to over 40 meters its really is a location to suit every diver.

The weather in Malta ranges from 10-16 degrees Celsius in Winter through to 24-32 degrees Celsius during summer and the water temperature ranges from 15 degrees in winter to 26 degrees in summer, so thermal protection whilst diving needs to be considered if you are travelling throughout the cooler months.

When you’re not diving or exploring Malta’s beautiful underwater world, the capital of Valletta and the Island of Gozo are places that you really must take some time out and explore. With plenty of places to visit, there is an abundance of museums, markets, restaurants and historically significant buildings to discover.

With the deepest blue waters containing some of the richest marine life in the world is where you will find the unique islands of the Philippines. The Philippines is the third largest engilish speaking country in the world and is home to some of the most fun loving, happy go lucky, warm and welcoming people you may meet. Located on the pacfic ring of fire, the country is prone to earthquakes, volcanic activity and typhoons but for those seeking adventure travellers are able to partake in a range of activities on and off the shore.

The Philippines are considered the ultimate destination to dove having just about everything you could ask for. Thought to be the apex of the coral triangle, diving in the philippines offers a large variety of marine environments. Some of the more popular dive areas and our favourites include; 

• Puerto Galera
• Coron, Apo Reef and Anilao
• Tabbataha Reefs National Marine Park 
• Central Visayas
• Southern Leyte and Sogod Bay

Consisting of 992 islands, most uninhabited and yet to be touched by 20th century development and tourism, the Solomon Islands not only offer visitors a feast of unique adventure but an exotic view of varied landscapes. 1860 kilometers to the North-East of Australia, hundreds of ships and aircrafts fill the ocean floor with a wide range of wrecks attracting masses of fish and incredible varieties of coral life.

The Solomon Islands are considered the eco-tourism destination of the South Pacfic. With all islands ranging in size, most are surrounded by coral reefs, tranquil blue lagoons and white sandy shores lined with coconut palms.

There are approximately 560,000 people living on the islands of Solomon, although the locals are quite shy they live a very traditional life yet very friendly. With crystal clear waters and temperatures ranging between 27-30 degrees C, water based activities are endless for travellers to enjoy. Although seasons are not clearly defined due to equatorial climate, the weather year round is usually hot and humid with small changes from season to season. With many spectacular sights to see, the majority of visitors make the trip to Solomon Island to snorkel or dive.

Some exceptional tours offered include Honiara Region, Uepi, Gizo and Munda with no shortage to breathtaking views of colourful coral reefs and endless sightings of various species of fish.

Turkey’s unique geographical location as it joins two continents being Asia and Europe has seen it to be both the bridge and also the barrier separating the two.

As it is the crossroads of the Balkans, its history is as diverse as its geography. Surrounded by mountains and the Mediterranean, Black and Aegean sea’s and well as the Bosporus, Dardanelle’s and the Sea of Marmara, Turkey is considered as one of the prolific and strategically important trade routes in the world and has been the location of many conflicts throughout the ages.

Turkey, especially the Gallipoli coastline was the site of one of history’s most tragic wartime battles. World War I saw the allied forces consisting of Australian, New Zealand (ANZAC’s), French and the British soldiers stormed the coastline between Cape Helles and Suvla Bay and were constrained by Turkish forces that held a superior advantage of being able to shoot down upon the allied forces from the steep limestone cliffs that lines the coastline.

The wrecks of landing barges and ships litter the coastline and the entrance to the Dardenelles. Wrecks such as the landing barges HMS Ocean and the HMS Majestic are well within the diving depths of recreational divers and other spectacular wrecks such as the HMAS AE2 Submarine and the HMS Irresistible are located in much deeper water and only able to be dived with special government permits.

The weather in Turkey ranges from -5 to 16 degrees Celsius in Winter through to 24-35 degrees Celsius during summer and the water temperature ranges from 16 degrees in winter to 25 degrees in summer, so thermal protection whilst diving needs to be considered if you are travelling throughout the cooler months.

Whilst the diving is amazing, the historical significance of Gallipoli and its surrounding areas such as the City of Troy with it’s Trojan Horse, Istanbul with its spice markets, catacombs and mosques and the beautiful countryside of Cappadocia make the trip even more unique and special.

Rich in culture and traditions, South Africa is truly one of the most beautiful parts of the world to explore. As a popular destination to travel when visiting Africa, South Africa is home to beautiful mountain and coastal views, place that together with the friendly nature of the locals and you have yourself a getaway embellished with all the highlights South Africa has to offer.

Much like seasons in Australia, South Africa has typical weather conditions for the Southern Hemisphere. Diving is offered all year round with seasons offering different highlights. In the warmer months the water temperature ranges

between 23-27 degrees C, allowing for the sightings of hammerhead and Tiger sharks more prominent. Throughout winter water temperatures drop to range between 18-23 degrees C, but with the cooler waters humpback whale migration is in order.

With many spectacular diving opportunities offered in South Africa, Aliwal Shoal is considered world famous and is home to over 1200 species of fish as well as turles, rays, mantras. Other diving experiences include Protea Banks, Sardine Run and The Great White Cage Dive.

Like nothing else you’ve ever seen, Chuuk Atoll (better known as Truk) is the infamous giant lagoon and final resting place for more than 100 ships, planes and submarines. Declared as an underwater museum there is nowhere else in the world where you can find so many wrecks in close proximity, situated in shallow clear waters. The tropical warmth of the waters and rich marine life have transformed the wreckages into artificial yet beautiful reefs and coral gardens.

Although visible while snorkelling, there are many on shore wrecks to view for those who wish to not enter the waters. With many fascinating and historic sites to visit, snorkelling and scuba diving are not the only adventurous activities to take place on the beautiful and many islands of Chuuk. Explorers can spend the night on a small island, take part on a fishing expedition or simple relax on one of the world’s most breathtaking sandy beaches.

Full of adventure, mystery, lost culture, tropical jungles and high mountain ranges, Papua New Guinea is a land of natural wilderness. Made up of breathtaking landscapes, the country is home to the largest area of intact rainforest outside of the amazon. This tropical part of the world is found 160 kilometers to the north of Australia and is made up of mountain peaks, rivers, coastal plains, mangrove swamps, sandy beaches, sheltered bays and dense rainforests.

Ranging from rugged mountain terrain to deep cave systems and striking coral reefs, the country is made to satisfy all adventurous types. Many artifacts from World War II remain both on and off shore, creating great opportunity to scuba divers

to explore famous ships and aircrafts up close. Diving can take place all year round, allowing visitors to view some of the worlds best diving and snorkelling in warm coastal waters, with remarkable views of the coral reefs around the mainland and islands of the Bismarck Sea and Milne Bay area.

Divers can enjoy a wide range of dive sights including barrier reefs, coral walls (or better known as ‘drop offs’) coral gardens, patch reefs, fringing reefs, seagrass beds, coral reefs and wreck dives.