News
Women to Watch!
Today we celebrate International Women’s Day! Over the past few years, there has been a sea change in attitudes to women (from men, from women and from themselves) across all corners of the world. Women from all walks of life are feeling increasingly empowered and able to be the best version of themselves. It’s not about trying to be better than men. It’s about trying to improve gender balance throughout all aspects of life. This is the theme of IWD 2019 – #BalanceforBetter.
We are fortunate in Scuba Diving to have so many incredible role models who inspire us as divers, conservationists and humans to make our underwater world a better place. Here’s just a few of the amazing women who inspire the Scubaverse team:
Ivana OK
Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Ivana Orlović Kranjc completed her first diving course aged eight and has been in love with the underwater world ever since. As a diving Instructor, Mares Ambassador and leading Underwater Photographer and model, Ivana has dived all over the world. She also runs the largest dive club in Serbia with her husband, training the next generation of divers.
“Diving is my biggest love for more than 36 years. If I could choose I would have chosen to be born as some sea creature. Apart from diving, I am also in love with underwater photography, which allows me to present the beauty and secrets of all oceans and seas around the world.” Ivana OK
Jillian Morris
Shark conservationist and founder of Sharks4Kids, Jillian Morris has combined a background in science and media to educate students around the world about sharks. She is a marine biologist who has filmed and photographed for The Discovery Channel, BBC, National Geographic, Ocean Geographic, Animal Planet and more. Jillian is unabashedly obsessed with sharks and doing everything she can to save them.
“It is my mission to create the next generation of shark advocates through education, outreach and adventure…” Jillian Morris
Sarah Richard
Sarah Richard created Girls that Scuba just a little over 2 years ago when she wanted to find more women interested in scuba diving to connect with and share problems with. When she found no platform or community she decided to start one herself and GTS was born. A platform dedicated to supporting women in diving, inspiring more females to join and encourage women to go further and learn more, GTS has now become the world’s largest scuba diving community, nearly half a million members and followers strong.
Georgina Miller
George has always been interested in the underwater world. She learned to scuba dive in 1998 and certified as a PADI MSDT Instructor in 2005. She has been freediving since 2007 and quickly qualified as a member of the UK National team. George has been a UK national record holder 6 times, with a personal best of over 7 minutes in static apnea.
Zena Holloway
Zena’s interest in underwater photography started when she was 18 while working her way around the globe as a scuba diving Instructor. Charmed by the magic of the underwater world, she began experimenting with a camera and gradually taught herself the skills needed to master this most technical of photographic techniques.
Her images are striking, instinctive and driven by a deep understanding of her medium. She delivers the remarkable, combining the highly technical aspects of underwater photography with superb creative direction resulting in extraordinary, ethereal and magical imagery evocative of mystical fairytales suspended in time. She has taken underwater photography to entirely new depths.
Jill Heinerth
Canadian Jill Heinerth is a pioneering underwater explorer and award-winning filmmaker. As one of world’s top cave and technical divers, she’s said to have dived deeper into the planet than any woman in history. Jill is also a passionate campaigner for global water issues and was awarded the inaugural Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2013 (where she is Explorer in Residence) in recognition of her contributions to our understanding of Earth’s underwater cave systems and its hidden freshwater. A popular motivational speaker and writer, she is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and member of the inaugural class of the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame.
Gemma Smith
Gemma Smith is still in her twenties and has acheived more in her diving career so far than most of us could hope to manage in our lifetimes! Gemma is an OC/CCR Cave and Technical Diving Instructor, Diver Medic Technician, author, award-winning underwater photographer, media diver, and professional scientific diver.
She was the first woman excavating on the Antikythera Shipwreck (where the world’s first ‘computer’ was discovered), and the Mentor Shipwreck (the ship carrying the Parthenon marbles away from Greece). She is also a Member of the Explorers Club and an Associate Member of the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame. If her diving accolades were not inspirational enough, Gemma attracted a whole new legion of supporters when she fought back from a life-changing accident in 2018 to dive again.
Ellen Cuylaerts
Ellen Cuylaerts relocated from Belgium to the Cayman Islands in 2009 and soon qualified as a Master Scuba Diver. Now, an award-winning underwater photographer, Ellen’s main drive is shooting images that draw the viewer in so an emotional bond is established between marine life and people that might not have a link with the underwater world. By creating an image that captures how she feels rather than what she sees, Ellen hopes to get people involved in protecting our blue planet. Passionate about conservation, she mentors people to use their images to contribute to education, preservation and awareness.
In 2017, Ellen addressed Heads of State on World Oceans Day at the General Assembly of the United Nations highlighting the plight of photographers and filmmakers engaging in protection of the oceans. She is also a member of the Flag & Honors Committee of the Explorers Club and the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame. Not one to sit still, in 2018 Ellen started more dive training with RAID and got certified in Sidemount and Full Cave diving. Her photographic work can be seen in exhibitions in Paris, St. Petersburg, Valencia, Marseille and New York.
Find out more about International Women’s Day at www.internationalwomensday.com.
Who We Are
BTM Travel is a boutique dive travel agency based in Munich, Germany, led by a passionate team of seasoned diving professionals.
- Marcel Wilpernig, our founder, has explored nearly every corner of the underwater world and brings over a decade of experience in the diving industry.
- Tim De Deygere, our product manager, made the bold leap from a successful law career to follow his true passion—diving.
- Simona Hlavova is the backbone of BTM Travel, ensuring smooth operations with her expertise in administration and sales.
While a significant portion of our clientele comes from Germany, our reach extends globally—from Bangladesh to California. BTM Travel is closely connected to Behind the Mask, an underwater videography network that inspires us to bring divers to the world’s most breathtaking ocean destinations.
What We Do
BTM Travel specializes in group diving adventures and tailored big animal experiences:
- Group Travel: We organize intimate trips to premier dive spots, led by expert photographers or wildlife guides for an unforgettable adventure. The vibe? Laid-back and adrenaline-filled.
- Tailor-Made Trips: For seasoned divers, we craft bespoke itineraries, offering insider tips on where to go, when to go, and what to expect. Our expertise ensures realistic expectations and unforgettable experiences.
Our focus lies on big animal diving, delivering the thrill of encounters with marine giants. While we love macro and reef diving, we know our true strength lies in providing high-octane experiences for adventurers.
What Makes Us Different
We take a fresh look at traditional diving industry practices, challenging outdated habits to better serve modern-day customers.
- Authenticity First: We only recommend destinations we trust, avoiding overselling places that don’t offer great value or quality.
- Heartfelt Advice: Our honest approach resonates with clients, building lasting relationships and unforgettable journeys.
Our Mission
Helping divers explore the places we love is not just our job—it’s our passion. Our goal is to remain small, authentic, and dedicated to delivering exceptional dive travel experiences.
Find Out More
For more information about itineraries, destinations, and bespoke dive adventures, contact BTM Travel:
Email: info@behind-the-mask.com
Call: +49 (0) 176 55771225
Website: www.behind-the-mask.com
News
Dive into Adventure: Limited Space Available for January Socorro Liveaboard Trip with Oyster Diving
Socorro Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins – 8-16th January 2025
Oyster Diving is offering an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary dive destinations – Socorro Island. With only one male space left for this January’s liveaboard adventure, divers are invited to join an exclusive trip to explore the waters of Socorro, renowned for its remarkable marine life and incredible dive experiences.
Unmatched Diving in Socorro
Socorro is home to a unique population of giant oceanic mantas that actively seek interaction with divers and snorkelers, making it one of the best places in the world to encounter these majestic creatures. But the adventure doesn’t stop there – the waters surrounding Socorro are also teeming with marine life, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, over 10 other species of sharks, playful bottlenose dolphins that love to interact with divers, large schools of pelagic fish, and, during the season, humpback whales.
Luxury Aboard the Nautilus Belle Amie
Diving in such an extraordinary location is made even more special by the Nautilus Belle Amie. Launched in 2015, this modern, spacious liveaboard yacht is designed with divers in mind, ensuring comfort and luxury throughout the trip. The boat offers various suite options, including twin rooms and superior double suites, all with the ambiance of a boutique hotel. Divers will spend 8 days aboard the Belle Amie, with all meals, guided dives, and soft drinks included.
Pricing and Availability
This exclusive Socorro liveaboard trip is available for the following prices:
- Twin Room (2 people sharing a Stateroom): £3360 per person
- Superior Double Suite (2 people sharing): £3860 per person
Both prices include Socorro Island fees. A port fee of $35 is payable upon arrival.
Additional Costs:
- Return economy flights: Approx. £1,000 – £1,300 per person (prices confirmed prior to booking)
- One night hotel B&B accommodation before the liveaboard: Approx. £100 per person
Book Now
With only one spot left, this opportunity to explore Socorro’s spectacular underwater world is sure to fill up fast. Interested divers are encouraged to get in touch with Oyster Diving Holidays to secure their place today.
For more information and bookings, please contact:
Oyster Diving Holidays
Phone: 0800 699 0243
Email: info@oysterdiving.com
Don’t miss your chance to dive with mantas, sharks, dolphins, and humpbacks in one of the world’s most pristine marine environments!
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