News
Dive into an array of new expert-led underwater adventures with Dive Worldwide
Covered the classic dive sites and want to up the level of excitement on the next underwater adventure? Join one of Dive Worldwide’s new expert-led and small group holidays to gain a fascinating insight into little-known and far-flung destinations such as the islands of New Britain and New Ireland in Papua New Guinea or Japan’s seldom visited Okinawa islands. Travelling with like-minded individuals, these unique trips allow divers to pick up useful tips and enhance their knowledge through workshops and talks alongside incomparable guided dives with destination experts. Among the new collection is the opportunity to: travel with award-winning underwater photographer, Jane Morgan, to Bali; join marine biologist Dr. Richard Smith in the Philippines’ critter capital, Dumaguete; or explore the Galapagos Islands with resident naturalist and whale shark expert Jonathan Green.
TAKE THE PLUNGE: NEW EXPERT-LED ADVENTURES
Bali Underwater Photography Workshop: Led by expert underwater photographer and photo-journalist Jane Morgan, this 10-day trip combines underwater photography workshops with the marine life at Tulamben, Nusa Lembongan and Penida in Bali, famous for its macro life and mola mola encounters. Spend a week at Scuba Seraya Resort, one of Bali’s premier dive resorts, on the northeast coast to hone underwater photography skills under Jane’s expert guidance. The varied reefs host a huge variety of subjects, from incredible macro life on the famous house reef, Seraya Secrets, to the iconic wreck of the USS Liberty in Tulamben.
Price: from £1,975 including return flights from the UK, all transfers, 7 nights’ full board, 9 boat dives, unlimited shore diving over 4 days, tanks and weights. Group size 10. Departs 4 September 2015.
Dumaguete Dive Festival: Join photographer and marine biologist Dr Richard Smith on a 10-night adventure to the Philippines’ critter capital, Dumaguete. This expert-led group break includes boat and shore diving in the marine sanctuaries along the Dumaguete/Dauin coastline, where the varied marine life includes painted frogfish, ghost pipefish, pygmy and thorny seahorses and blue-ringed octopus to name but a few. Head out to nearby Apo Island to spot turtles, groupers, bumphead parrotfish, whitetip sharks and pristine hard coral gardens. Staying at the luxurious Atmosphere Resort & Spa, experience the Philippines’ finest macro diving and some truly exceptional photographic opportunities, while benefitting from Dr Smith’s expert knowledge.
Price: from £2,835 including flights, 10 nights’ half board accommodation, 8 days’ unlimited diving, tours and transfers. Departs 20 February 2016.
Okinawa Dive Adventure: Spend two weeks exploring Japan’s Okinawa archipelago with its tropical beaches, warm climate and unique way of life. Join fellow adventure-seekers and tour guide in Tokyo before embarking on this special break which includes myriad marine life, hammerhead shark encounters and the famous Iseki Stones dive site. Beginning on Aka Island, part of the Kerama chain, explore the tropical reefs and some of the 70 dive sites located here, before moving onto the beautiful Yaeyama Islands. The finale is Yonaguni, the most westerly and remote of the islands, home to Hammer Point, Clownfish Garden and the extraordinary underwater atlantis of the Iseki stones. Coupled with landside excursions, this is a fantastic opportunity to discover a remarkably diverse but little-visited corner of the world.
Price: from £4,095 including international flights, 14 nights’ accommodation, most meals, 21 dives, a day of trekking and kayaking, and transfers. Departs 25 February 2016.
Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition: Developed in partnership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust, this special trip explores the Galapagos Islands in prime whale shark season in the company of Jonathan Green, one of the pre-eminent experts on these ancient giants. Listen to talks about Green’s research into the ecology, physiology and behaviour of these enormous, yet gentle creatures, whilst spending a week exploring world-class dive sites, including the Wolf and Darwin Islands. Experienced divers may be rewarded with eagle and manta ray encounters, as well as witnessing playful dolphins and hundreds of sharks – the highlight however will be diving with whale sharks. On land, expect to spot the islands’ frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sealions and giant tortoises. Stay aboard the impeccably-equipped Humboldt Explorer – one of the fastest, most stable and comfortable vessels sailing the area.
Price: from £3,245 including 7 nights’ liveaboard accommodation, all meals (exc. 1 dinner), up to 4 dives per day and San Cristobel airport transfers. Departs 29 August 2016.
PNG Discovered: Uncover the magic of Papua New Guinea on this exceptional exploration of two of the country’s finest diving regions, led by photographer, journalist, and Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography editor Stuart Philpott. Starting on the island of New Britain at Kimbe Bay, explore the uncrowded dive sites and coral reefs which are home to an extraordinarily rich marine life and over half the coral species in the world. The adventure continues from the private resort island of Lissenung for more unspoilt diving opportunities surrounding New Ireland, where a wealth of weird and wonderful marine species reside. Diving highlights include thrilling drift dives with sharks and huge schools of jacks, rays and barracuda, as well as some fascinating wreck dives. No visit to Papua New Guinea would be complete without sampling the local culture, so the trip includes a guided village tour, plus there is an optional extension to experience the country’s largest festival at Goroka.
Price: from £4,495 including international flights, 11 nights’ full board accommodation, 16 dives, tours and transfers. Departs 2 September 2016.
All prices are per person based on two sharing and include the services of the tour leader. Flights extra unless otherwise stated.
For further information visit diveworldwide.com or call +44 (0)1962 302 087.
News
Discover the diving Papua New Guinea has to offer in 2025 with Indigo Safaris
MV FeBrina Escorted Photography Trip
Dates: 5-15 September 2025
Itinerary: 10-night trip to Kimbe Bay, the Witu Islands, and Fathers Reefs. This is widely considered the best diving itinerary in Papua New Guinea.
Capacity: Only 10 spots available.
Cost: $4990 USD per person sharing.
- Two small single occupancy cabins available for $4990.
- Two large single occupancy cabins available for $5990.
Why Choose This Trip?
This trip offers what is likely to be some of the best reef diving you’ll ever experience. The itinerary has been chosen for its extraordinary variety, abundance of marine life, and the fact that you’ll encounter very few (if any) other divers. With 75% of the world’s hard coral species and thousands of documented fish and invertebrate species, including some yet to be described, this area is truly special. Pelagic fish are abundant, and highlights include species like horse-eye jacks, pickhandle barracuda, and mega-rarities like Coleman’s pygmy seahorse. The corals remain in pristine condition, and the diversity of marine life is unparalleled.
Photography Coaching
This trip includes photography coaching by Christopher Bartlett, founder of Best of PNG and a renowned underwater photographer. Christopher has had over 100 articles published and a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. He will cover everything from basic to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, using clear examples to help you enhance your skills. From setting up gear to processing images in Lightroom, Christopher’s coaching will cater to all skill levels.
The Diving Itinerary
This signature itinerary will take you to the spectacular reefs of Kimbe Bay, the volcanic Witu Islands, and the offshore Fathers Reefs.
- Kimbe Bay: Known for its stunning coral formations, vibrant sea mounts, coral walls, and lush coral gardens. The area boasts more than 40 reef dive sites, including a beautifully preserved WWII Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane.
- Witu Islands: This volcanic island group offers diverse diving experiences, from sea mounts like Lama Shoals to coral arches and exciting night dives in black sand bays. You’ll also interact with local villagers trading fresh fruit from canoes, with a planned village visit during the trip.
- Fathers Reefs: These offshore, volcanic reefs feature dramatic underwater topography, including arches and swim-throughs. The pelagic activity here is remarkable, with sightings of sharks, rays, barracudas, jacks, and turtles. A baited dive for Silvertip sharks is included.
The experienced dive guides of MV FeBrina know the sites extremely well and are skilled at spotting marine life. You can provide a wishlist of critters, and they will work hard to find them.
Getting There
The trip starts with a one-hour domestic flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport in West New Britain. The flight over mountain ranges and diverse landscapes offers a stunning preview of the adventure ahead. Regaldive will book the domestic flights for you, with an estimated cost of $360 USD for a return ticket.
As described by Professor J.E.N. Veron, former Chief Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science:
“The coral reefs of Kimbe Bay take me back forty years, to a time when corals grew in lush profusion, untroubled by the problems that beset them today… I am hard pressed to think of anywhere on earth that has this combination of vibrant health, diversity, and beauty.”
Inclusions
- 10 nights of ensuite accommodation on MV FeBrina
- All meals, snacks, unlimited tea and coffee
- Final night dinner at Walindi Plantation Resort
- 8.5 days of diving (4-5 dives per day)
- Filled tanks, weight belt, and weights
- Return transfers to and from Hoskins Airport/Walindi
- Light daily laundry service
Exclusions
- Flights
- Bar expenses and soft drinks
- Nitrox
- Dive equipment rental
- Meals at Walindi prior to or after the liveaboard
- Souvenirs, personal items, and gratuities
- 10% GST on purchases in Papua New Guinea
Additional Costs
- Environmental and Safety Fees: $90 per person, payable in advance.
- Nitrox: $270 for all dives or $10 per fill.
- Equipment Hire: Available with prior arrangement.
- Alcohol/Bar: Local beers, soft drinks, and wine available at varying costs. It is recommended to bring your preferred spirits duty-free.
Payment
Payments can be made via credit card (MasterCard/Visa/Amex) or cash in AUD, USD, PGK, or Euros. Prices for bar items and additional purchases are subject to change.
Extensions
Regaldive offers pre- or post-liveaboard extensions, including trips around PNG. From 15 to 22 September 2025, Christopher Bartlett will lead a Highlands Tribes Tour, featuring bird-watching, village visits, private Sing-Sings, and the Goroka Highlands Cultural Festival. The full tour costs $3240 USD. Alternatively, a four-night option for the Goroka festival from 17-21 September starts at $1260 USD. Additional extension options include extra diving at Walindi Resort, volcano treks, WWII plane wreck tours, or diving near Port Moresby. Post-festival, Christopher will also lead a five-night Sepik River tour, exploring ancient customs and Spirit Houses deep in the jungle.
For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:
Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett
Gear News
OrcaTorch D710 Dive Light now available in pink
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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