Blogs
GO Diving Show 2025: The Monster Mark Evans Created (And Why the Industry Loves It)
By Dave Alexander
Mark Evans… you’ve created a monster.
A monster of a dive show, that is. It’s hard to believe just how fast the GO Diving Show has grown since its inaugural outing back in 2019. Mark and his team have done something the previous UK dive show organisers never did; they’ve listened to the industry and have taken on board what their exhibitors want, and hat’s off to them – they’ve delivered.
Carpet, for example. I know, I know – having a carpet down doesn’t seem like that much of a big deal. But aesthetically, it really elevates the professionalism of the show (and your dogs won’t be barking quite as much as they would have been had you been traipsing around on a concrete floor all day; many of the exhibitors I spoke to were extremely grateful for that). There were black drapes on the walls which hid the sterile-looking breeze blocks the building is made of. These simple additions make a real difference, both to exhibitors and the show’s visitors. It just looks better.
As usual, the Go Diving Show 2025 featured an army of speakers who entertained, educated, and inspired the show’s visitors across several stages. TV presenters and adventurers Steve Backshall and Andy Torbet were among the highlights. Backshall, known for his passion for wildlife and adventure, captivated the audience with his talk, sharing his thrilling experiences and diving expeditions. Torbet, renowned for his adventurous spirit, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Technical Diving on the Telly,” where he explored the challenges of showcasing technical diving on television and the unique perspectives it offers. Monty Halls, known for his conservation work, introduced his “Big Blue Bag” citizen science project, encouraging the audience to contribute to marine conservation. Meanwhile, Dr. Dawn Kernagis spoke about the future of human subsea habitation, giving an insightful look into the advancements in underwater living. In the photo and inspiration sessions, Ellen Cuylaerts shared her incredible adventures from remote locations, emphasizing the importance of dive safety with DAN membership, while Jane Morgan wowed the crowd with her stunning photography of wrecks in “Supermodels of the Sea.” Jane, who is the Dive Safety Officer at Falmouth University, also introduced 10 students to the stage to present their own UK supermodels which they had shot since being at Falmouth Uni. These speakers, among many others, contributed to a diverse and inspiring lineup that offered something for everyone.
In addition to the speakers, other entertainment over the weekend included a Mermaid pool, which proved very popular with families, breath-hold workshops, virtual reality diving, an on-land wreck survey, and more.
If you went to the show to book a dive holiday, you had plenty of options. There were dive centres, resorts, and liveaboards from all over the world exhibiting at this year’s show, with dive specialist tour operators offering full packages at some great dive show prices. The Caribbean, in particular, had a strong presence, with the Bahamas, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, and Cuba all with stands in close proximity to each other (reminiscent of the Caribbean Village at the old dive shows in Birmingham. Who remembers the steel band that rocked up to do their thing every year?). It was good to see Gibraltar there too, and as ever, Malta and Gozo were there in force.
New kids on the block, DYNAMICNORD, were in attendance to show off their full product line for the very first time. For those who were impressed by the new company’s offerings, all they had to do was walk to the next stand, where the Scuba Dive Store team were selling DYNAMICNORD products. By all accounts, they had a great weekend, so congratulations to both parties.
While on the subject of manufacturers, it was great to see Cressi exhibiting at Go Diving. I can’t remember the last time they exhibited at a UK show! XDEEP were there showing off their customisation system for their wings (which is seriously impressive – check it out), and Sea & Sea were on hand to present their endless line of products (do you guys even sleep?!?), including Huish brands like Oceanic, Hollis, Atomic, Stahlsac, and Zeagle. Otter Drysuits had a great weekend – JJ and his team were rushed off their feet measuring divers up for drysuits, while Peter and the rest of the Miflex team, who were sharing a stand with Otter, were there previewing the latest offering from Miflex, KUBI, and the simply adorable reg bags from Oceanarium. Other manufacturers and distributors at the show included Mares, Fourth Element, AP Diving, Garmin, Hammond Drysuits, Custom Divers, and more. Suunto didn’t have a stand themselves, but their team could be found on the Andark Diving stand to assist divers with any questions about their products. Noticeably absent this year were industry giants Scubapro and Aqua Lung, who hopefully will return to the fold next year.
There was a great showing from the training agencies this year too, with PADI, SSI, BSAC, RAID, NAUI, and SDI/TDI all in attendance. I, like many others in the industry, hope they all had the chance to get together and discuss how they can work together to get more young people into the sport. Because it became quite apparent over the weekend that we are an aging industry, with very few young people coming through to carry the torch. There were so many familiar faces, but their hair had changed… everyone’s going grey! Someone needs to tell the kids that diving is cool, and the general consensus seems to be that it’s the responsibility of the training agencies to at least lead the charge on this. But that’s a conversation for another time.
In terms of crowd numbers, the show seemed packed on the Saturday, and most of the exhibitors I spoke to said they had an excellent day. Sunday was quieter in the morning, and like every other dive show I have ever been to (and over 19 years, that’s a LOT), it kind of died off in the afternoon, which was a shame as the last talk of the day, with an impressive lineup of the show’s speakers all on the stage together – including Steve Backshall and Monty Halls – had one of the smallest audiences of the whole weekend.
All in all though, Mark and the rest of the Go Diving Show team did themselves and the rest of the UK dive industry proud this weekend. The show had a fantastic vibe and judging from social media today, a lot of the show’s visitors had a great time. There’s a lot of love out there for GO Diving Show, and it’s well deserved.
Well done, Mark. We’re all looking forward to what you and the team cook up for us in 2026.
Papua Diving Resorts are the pioneers of sustainable tourism and diving in Raja Ampat. Our award-winning resorts are PADI Five Star and were the first exclusive dive resorts in the heart of the Dampier Strait. Where lush jungle meets clear, warm waters and the richest reefs on earth, let yourself embrace an escape like no other.
With over 30 years of operation in Raja Ampat and award-winning commitment to the people and environment of Papua, Papua Diving Resorts’ experience and impact are unrivalled. This makes us the natural choice for ocean enthusiasts.
Our founder, Max Ammer, has been diving and exploring Raja Ampat since 1990, discovering the dive sites the area is so famous for. Paying tribute to his family, Max named a few of the dive sites after his wife and children, including Melissa’s Garden and Mike’s Point, as well as coming up with quirky names like Chicken Reef and Sardine Reef because of his experiences while diving there for the first time.
Papua Diving Resorts is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Cape Kri, world record holder of most reef fish species counted on a single dive: 374 counted by ichthyologist Dr. Gerry Allen in 2012. In an interview, he said:
“One of my favorite places to dive in Raja Ampat is Cape Kri near Sorido Resort… I didn’t even have to look for fish. They found me! The survey was the highest species count I’ve ever tallied on one dive, 374 distinct species in 90 minutes!”
Photo: Anita Verde & Peter Marshall / Summits to Seas
Our dedicated team will make sure you see the best of Raja Ampat as we take you on incredible trips to the Fam Islands, Mushroom Islands and Manta points, just an hour away from our resorts. Experience Raja Ampat’s super reefs in a whole new light by joining the fluorescent dive and blackwater dives around Kri Island. Or simply enjoy a relaxing sunset and night dive where you can be sure to see the elusive mandarin fish and famous walking shark.
With Papua Diving Resorts, guests get the chance to experience the Last Paradise at the very first dive resort in the area. Here, qualified and experienced staff are committed to giving guests the best Raja Ampat has to offer through Papua Diving Resorts’ quality service, food, and excursions.
Photo: Renee Capazzola
OUR RESORTS
Papua Diving Resorts provides two world-class options to stay on Kri Island: the more traditional Kri Eco Resort, and upscaled boutique Sorido Bay Resort.
Sorido Bay Resort is our luxury boutique option
Perfect for those who want a touch of luxury, Sorido Bay Resort is a collection of 9 charming bungalows with spacious rooms and ensuites, each with Wi-Fi, AC and fan and a veranda that overlooks a vibrant house reef. The private resort faces the Papuan sunrise, basking the island in a warm glow for a beautiful day in Indonesia’s Crown Jewel. Indulge in community-style meals at the sea-view restaurant that overlooks the turquoise waters of the house reef and Sorido Blue Hole beyond. If you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins or even whales with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Photo: Don Silcock
Sorido Bay Resort also houses the world’s first Raja Ampat SEACAM Center (RASC), where you can take your underwater photography to a new level. Take advantage of yearly underwater photography workshops led by award winning SEACAM Ambassador, Don Silcock. The seven-day structured classroom and in-water workshop sessions will take you through specially curated dive sites, where you’ll put into practice the insights and techniques you’ve learned. At the RASC, you can also take advantage of our inventory of SEACAM gear and equipment and try them out for a dive.
For a few weeks throughout the year, SEACAM Ambassadors will also be available on-site at our resorts for any personalized guidance, according to your needs and equipment. Take the chance to troubleshoot any camera equipment technicalities or simply learn from the best in the industry through weekly presentations during your stay.
The resident SEACAM Ambassador program will commence in July 2025 with Don Silcock at Sorido Bay from July 6 to August 19, 2025. The program will expand in 2026 with regular visits by both Don and other SEACAM Ambassadors, so stay tuned!
Kri Eco Resort is where paradise meets sustainability
Looking out over the dark blue waters of the Dampier Strait and distant mountain ranges, Kri Eco Resort is a cluster of authentic Papuan-style water bungalows built from locally sourced materials with 3 room types to choose from—two of which have communal bathrooms. The 13 cottages come with Wi-Fi, electric fans for still nights, and direct access to Kri’s vibrant house reef. The over-water sun deck area faces the Papuan setting sun, creating the picture-perfect spot for bright orange sunsets. With a more in-touch-with-nature feel, Kri Eco Resort bungalows allow guests to fully enjoy the cool sea breeze and natural beauty paradise has to offer.
Regardless of where you stay, you can be sure to experience the rich biodiversity of Raja Ampat. Enjoy looking down from our jetty into the crystal-clear waters of the house reef, where you can spot stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, and turtles, and if you’re lucky even some dolphins and dugongs swimming by.
Photo: A.E. Lotak
The resort grounds are also rich with land creatures such as monitor lizards, cuscus, even kingfisher birds and sea eagles. Embrace your adventurous side and take a kayak out to the sandbar that appears during low tide, or a hike through the jungles that sit between the two resorts.
Photo: Luca Vaime
Wherever you choose to book with us, guests at Papua Diving Resorts can enjoy the community coming together through a shared passion, sharing stories with divers and adventurers alike during mealtimes and excursions.
CONSERVATION
By staying at Papua Diving Resorts, you become part of the effort to protect this beautiful yet fragile environment. From offering schooling and sustainable employment for indigenous people, to boosting shark populations, Papua Diving Resort’s aim is to leave this world better than we found it.
Providing education and training to the local indigenous Papuan villagers is a part of our mission at Papua Diving Resorts, through which they can take the skills and knowledge and apply it to their livelihoods.
Photo: David Doubilet
When Max arrived in Raja Ampat, he found a community that depended on shark and ray finning to provide for their families. To encourage a more sustainable approach to earning a living, Max employed and upskilled the locals through teaching them boatbuilding, woodworking and guiding guests to experience all that Paradise has to offer.
Creating partnerships with locals in the nearby villages, Max sought to provide one-of-a-kind guest experiences to see and photograph the Red and Wilson Bird of Paradise, seen only in Raja Ampat. Aligned with our mission at Papua Diving Resorts to protect nature and empower the local people, a portion of our proceeds go back to these local partnerships.
Photo: LHS
As leaders in conservation and pioneers of sustainable tourism and diving in Raja Ampat, Papua Diving Resorts offers guests an unforgettable opportunity to experience the best of Indonesia’s Crown Jewel. Located at the heart of the Dampier Strait, we invite you to explore the rich biodiversity of the area, both above and underwater.
Underwater Photography Workshops at the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center
July 20-26 & August 10-16, 2025
SEACAM Ambassador Don Silcock on-site at Sorido Bay Resort
July 6 – August 19, 2025
Reach out to our team to find out more about how the resident SEACAM Ambassadors can help you with your underwater photography skills and goals during your stay.
Photo: Anita Verde & Peter Marshall / Summits to Seas
SPECIAL OFFER
Receive a 10% discount when you book direct for stays during the period of June – September 2025
BOOK NOW
info@papua-diving.com
www.papua-diving.com
Photo: Scotty Graham
Main Image: Don Silcock
Take a closer look at one of Wakatobi Resort’s most valuable yet often overlooked marine inhabitants: the parrotfish.
Among the thousands of marine species found in Wakatobi’s waters, none are more prevalent than the parrotfish. This keystone species, a relative of the wrasses, plays a vital role in maintaining reef health and even creating the sandy beaches that line tropical shores. Without parrotfish, the balance of coral ecosystems would be disrupted, and beach formations would diminish. But before exploring their impact, it’s worth understanding what makes these creatures so fascinating.
Up to 35 species of parrotfish can be found on Wakatobi’s reefs, including the bumphead, known for it’s larger size, bulbous forehead, and exposed teeth plates. Photo by Wayne MacWilliams
Estimates suggest there are between 80 and 90 known species of parrotfish. Earlier classifications listed more than 300 varieties, largely due to the fish’s remarkable ability to change color, shape, and even sex throughout their lives. This trait has led to a diverse range of names, from the Midnight parrotfish (Scarus coelestinus) to the Rainbow parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia) and the Green Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum).
A juvenile bicolor parrotfish lounges on the reef. Photo by Christian Gloor
Coral Crunchers in Action
Wakatobi’s reefs are home to 35 parrotfish species, often spotted along the upper reef slopes or in nearby seagrass beds. Their name comes from their vivid colors and their fused teeth, which form a beak-like structure ideal for scraping algae from coral. Behind this dental armor lies a second set of molar-like teeth that grind coral fragments to extract tiny algae and polyps.
The sound of parrotfish crunching on coral is a common underwater soundtrack at Wakatobi. While algae are their primary food source, parrotfish also consume sponges, worms, and other small reef dwellers. The coral they ingest is ground into fine particles and later expelled as sand—helping to form the very beaches that make Wakatobi such a breathtaking destination.
A juvenile bicolor parrotfish lounges on the reef. Photo by Christian Gloor
Nature’s Sand Factories
Each parrotfish produces an estimated 10 ounces (280 grams) of sand per day, amounting to around 220 pounds (100 kilograms) per year. On reefs with healthy parrotfish populations, this adds up to approximately one ton of sand per acre annually. Beyond building beaches, the sand they produce creates habitats for burrowing animals and helps maintain reef equilibrium by preventing algae from overwhelming coral formations.
Global parrotfish populations are declining in some regions due to overfishing, but Wakatobi’s protected marine reserve ensures these essential reef caretakers thrive. The resort’s ongoing dedication to conservation has created a sanctuary where parrotfish and countless other marine species flourish.
A bumphead parrotfish munches away on corals. Photo by Werner Fiedler
Nighttime Secrets
Divers visiting Wakatobi are almost guaranteed to encounter parrotfish during every dive, ranging from small one-foot varieties to the four-foot bumphead parrotfish. Those who venture out at dusk may witness a unique behavior—parrotfish creating their mucous sleeping cocoons. This protective bubble is thought to mask the fish’s scent from predators and parasites, providing a fascinating spectacle for night divers.
Despite their commonplace appearance, parrotfish are anything but ordinary. On your next dive, take a moment to appreciate these industrious reef architects. Identifying their various species can be a rewarding challenge, and they always make engaging photo subjects. Most importantly, remember that the very beach beneath your feet owes much of its beauty to the unassuming parrotfish.
A school of longnose parrotfish grazes Wakatobi’s reef. The fish at the upper right is discharging sand. Photo by Rich Carey
For more information on exploring Wakatobi’s reefs, email office@wakatobi.com, visit wakatobi.com or follow Wakatobi Resort on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Header Image: Erik Schlogl
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