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Original Diving, London (2025)

04/07/2025

Did you know that Fiji is often referred to as the soft coral capital of the world?⁠
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Thanks to its unique geography and ocean currents, Fiji boasts an extraordinary abundance of soft corals. Here, you’ll find a kaleidoscope of colours - reds, pinks, purples, yellows - vivid and varied, the Starbursts of the sea. These vibrant hues, paired with the intricate formations of the reefs, create a truly mesmerising underwater landscape that more than lives up to Fiji’s nickname.⁠
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Preserving these coral ecosystems is vital for the health of our oceans, and when you visit Fiji, you can take an active role in helping to protect them. Join a team of marine biologists and get your hands wet by helping to build coral ‘highways’.⁠
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Here’s how it works: alongside the team, you’ll help create foundations from rubble and old coral skeletons. These act as a base for baby corals to attach to and grow, eventually forming thriving reef systems. It’s a genuinely magical experience to be part of this process.⁠
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Want to help keep Fiji’s waters healthy? Click the link in our bio to see the full itinerary.⁠

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03/07/2025

A whale shark monitoring expedition on Mafia Island. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. ⁠
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Mafia Island, off the coast of Tanzania, is often hailed as a hidden gem. Stretching 50 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide, it’s home to the country’s very first marine park, which encompasses much of its pristine shoreline. The island is not only naturally stunning, but also one of the world’s most remarkable spots for observing whale sharks.⁠
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Its vibrant marine ecosystem - mangroves, seagrass beds, soft coral and algae-covered reefs - makes it a hotspot for marine life. And, between October and March, it becomes a regular dining destination for these gentle giants. ⁠
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Join our team of experts and take part in vital data collection. You’ll help photograph these magnificent creatures, contributing to a growing visual database used to identify individuals by their unique spot patterns - each as distinctive as a fingerprint. Your work will support research into population size, migration routes, and habitat use.⁠
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Click our link in bio to hear how you can get involved: ⁠
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15/06/2025

Forget everything you thought you knew about absent underwater fathers. Not every marine species simply scatters their offspring and crosses their fins for the best (we’re looking at you, tuna). ⁠
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Some marine fathers step up in sensational ways, from pregnancy to months-long sacrifices. Curious to meet the ocean’s best fathers? Let’s dive in... ⁠
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Seahorses ⁠
It turns out baby bumps aren’t just for the ladies – male seahorses also know how to rock them. In Mother Nature’s wonderful game of switcheroo, seahorses (along with their close relatives, the sea dragons and pipefish) are the only species where the males get pregnant and give birth.⁠
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Yellowhead jawfish ⁠
To protect their eggs from the ocean’s dangers, the males hold the unhatched cluster safely in their mouth, refusing food for up to a week. In a world where aquatic cannibalism is something of a norm, this is a pretty impressive parental trick. ⁠
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Clownfish ⁠
As seen on-screen in Finding Nemo, clownfish are fabulous fathers. After a female lays her eggs, the males take charge by carefully fanning the nest to keep it oxygenated. They also have a feisty side, chasing away potential predators that lurk a little too close. ⁠
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Their dedication can also change their DNA. If the dominant female dies, the largest male will switch genders to allow breeding to continue. Talk about taking on both parental roles. ⁠
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To all the fathers out there – whether on land or under the sea – Happy Father’s Day!⁠
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11/06/2025

Diving can certainly work up an appetite, which is why choosing a foodie destination for your next diving trip makes things all the more rewarding.⁠
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As a food lover myself, I asked our diving team where they’d had their most memorable bites while gallivanting around the globe. Three places kept cropping up – Malta, Indonesia, and the Maldives. So, let’s take a deep dive into the culinary scenes of each:⁠
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🐟️ Malta ⁠
Sitting at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa, Malta serves up a glorious mix of flavours - think Italian, Arabic, French, and Spanish. Then there’s Gozo, one of the world’s top dive spots and perfect year-round. Don’t miss an underwater wander past wrasses and parrotfish through to the Blue Hole’s caves, then back to land for a bite of Gozo’s beloved Ftira Għawdxija (a local take on pizza).⁠
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🤿 Indonesia ⁠
Raja Ampat, Bali, Lembeh Strait, Banda Islands, Alor… need we say more? Indonesia is a dream for dive-loving foodies. Each island has its own unique dishes – pull up a seat at a warung or grab a bite from a kaki lima. Keep an eye out for Mie Goreng (a garlicky-chilli noodle stir-fry) and sweet, crispy Martabak.⁠
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🐚 Maldives⁠
We thought the Maldives deserved a special mention being home home to both fantastic diving and cracking food. Fish lovers, try Garudhiya – a zingy broth with rice, lime and chilli. Veggies, go for Boshi Mashuni – a bright banana flower and coconut salad. Yum.⁠
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Are you craving a foodie dive holiday? Get in touch with our team for the best recommendations. ⁠
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08/06/2025

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet and gives us at least half the oxygen we breathe - amazing, right? ⁠
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But what if we told you, we’re taking more than the ocean can give, that 90% of large fish have gone and half of coral reefs have been lost... ⁠
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But we're not here to bring doom and gloom. We're here to tell you there’s still time to turn things around. On this World Ocean Day, we’re sharing some ways you can get involved, give back, and make a habit to help keep our ocean healthy and full of life - now and for the future:⁠
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🐚1. Fish consumption has doubled since 1975, threatening our precious marine life. How can we help? Reduce intake and choose sustainably sourced fish.⁠
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🐠2. Without changes, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh fish in the sea. Play your part by investing in sustainable staples like a reusable water bottle and a canvas shopping bag. ⁠
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🐟️3. Palau was the first country to ban bottom trawling, a majorly damaging fishing practice. Show support by visiting the Micronesian archipelago and honouring the Palau Pledge, a promise to act responsibly.⁠
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🐋4. Increased carbon dioxide in the ocean causes acidification, disrupting entire ecosystems. If you find yourself in Fiji, join in with coral restoration at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.⁠
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🐙5. Unfortunately, two of the most frequently used ingredients in sun cream, oxybenzone and octinoxate, can harm marine life. But don't worry, there are many brilliant reef-safe sunscreens you can opt for - our team are big fans of !⁠
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🌴6. It might go without saying, but rubbish has no place on the beach. A friendly reminder to always take yours with you (we’re sure you already do!), and if you’ve got a bit of spare time, why not join a local beach clean-up and help keep our coastlines looking their best?⁠
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06/06/2025

While its safaris are superb, Tanzania has a whole world waiting beyond its shores. From the palm-lined Zanzibar to the mini Mnemba, islands in Tanzania promise beachside bliss and some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean (swimming with whale sharks, anyone?).

From swimming with whale sharks in Mafia Island's 30-mile-long marine park and Paje's silky sands in Zanzibar, to the coral-rich waters of Pemba where flittering fish and dolphins reside, and Mnemba Atoll, a protected marine conservation area that boasts some of the Indian Ocean's most pristine reefs. Here you will meet clownfish, napoleon wrasse, green marine turtles and humpback whales.

Let's just say... it's quite the vision! 😍

Click the link in bio to read why Tanzania is one of our favourite diving locations:

04/06/2025

Despite being wedged between Raja Ampat to the North and Komodo to the South, the Banda Islands remain somewhat of an enigma; but herein lies the charm.

Plugged as the Galapagos islands of Asia, with it's beautiful volcanic and lush rainforest greenery, the Banda Islands hold immense natural beauty and serenity that will undoubtedly leave you speechless.

These days, intrepid divers are heading to the Banda Sea to experience extraordinary diving without the crowds.

Take a plunge into hot thermal vents. swim alongside hammerheads, muck dive in Ambon Bay (the psychedelic frogfish was first discovered here) while steep drop-offs, seamounts, calm coral gardens, thrilling channels and a smattering of coral-encrusted wrecks are also on the agenda. The diversity in diving experiences, alone, makes a liveaboard experience through the Banda Islands very much worth the journey.

Click the link in bio to read more:

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28/05/2025

Could Egypt be your next dive break?

From enchanting caves and colourful coral to abandoned wrecks and silver-hued sharks, Egypt is one of our favourite places in the world for diving. Whether you’re a skilled diver or you’re just starting to dipped your fins in, Egypt’s Red Sea dive sites offer clear waters, incredible marine life and fantastic biodiversity – and, to top it all off, it’s only a five-hour flight from the UK.

But it’s not just about the diving. Egypt is a treasure trove of jaw-dropping ancient sites and fascinating museums, not to mention a plethora of beautiful hotels to choose from. With the collaboration of our land-buddies over at Original Travel - experts in all things Egypt - we can organise a diving trip like no other, both in and out of the sea.

We might talk the talk, but do we walk the walk? Click the link in bio to discover our list of the Best Dive Sites in Egypt and see for yourself.

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📷️5: Gehad Hamdy/dpa via ZUMA Press⁠
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egyptdiving

22/05/2025

There are definitely bigger dilemmas in life than choosing between the Maldives and the Seychelles—but hey, it’s still a pretty great one to have.

Both offer that dreamy island escape, but they each have their own distinct vibe:

Seclusion
In the Maldives, most travellers stay on private resort islands—perfect if you’re after total privacy and pampering. The Seychelles, on the other hand, tends to have visitors staying on the main inhabited islands like Mahe and Praslin. So if you’re keen to get a feel for local life, the Seychelles might be more your speed.

Marine Life
Both spots are underwater wonderlands, with great diving for beginners and pros alike. The Maldives is known for its channel dives and coral-covered thilas inside atoll lagoons. In the Seychelles, what you’ll see changes depending on whether you’re exploring the Inner or Outer Islands—so there’s plenty of variety.

Want to know the best time to go or what else there is to do beyond the beach? Head to the link in our bio for the full lowdown.

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15/05/2025

It's no secret that yoga brings many benefits - but what if it could also enhance your scuba diving?

Flexibility, strength and balance aren’t just useful in everyday life; they’re also essential when it comes to wriggling into a wetsuit and handling dive gear (believe us, it makes a difference). And just as breath control is central to a yogi’s practice, it’s also key to managing buoyancy beneath the waves. On top of that, mindfulness and a calm, focused mind can help you keep your cool in the wide, wide underwater world.

Siddhartha in Indonesia is ideal for those looking to pair open-air yoga sessions in a tranquil pavilion with year-round sightings of graceful manta rays and seasonal encounters with mola molas (July to October). Meanwhile, Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman offers vibrant, plankton-rich waters teeming with reef fish darting among colourful hard and soft corals. Round off your day with hatha yoga and guided meditation - now, that's what life is about!

Want to read our full list of top yoga and scuba diving destinations? Click our link in bio to discover your inner zen:

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14/05/2025

Swipe for an all-time favourite quote from Sir David Attenborough, which so perfectly captures that magical first-time experience every scuba diver is familiar with. As trained divers here at Original Diving, the beauty of coral reefs never ceases to amaze us.⁠
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Scuba diving evokes a sense comparable to standing atop a mountain; both experiences place us in awe of nature's vastness and remind us of our own smallness within it. Much like climbing a mountain, diving challenges us to face our fears, often leading to incredibly transformative moments. ⁠
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It’s those first few steps - or breaths - that are the hardest, and only then do we realise how fear may have kept us from something truly extraordinary. ⁠
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Have you caught Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary yet?⁠
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📷️: (C) BBC Archive⁠
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14/05/2025

Swipe for an all-time favourite quote from Sir David Attenborough, which so perfectly captures that magical first-time experience every scuba diver is familiar with. As trained divers here at Original Diving, the beauty of coral reefs never ceases to amaze us.⁠
⁠
Scuba diving evokes a sense comparable to standing atop a mountain; both experiences place us in awe of nature's vastness and remind us of our own smallness within it. Much like climbing a mountain, diving challenges us to face our fears, often leading to incredibly transformative moments. ⁠
⁠
It’s those first few steps - or breaths - that are the hardest, and only then do we realise how fear may have kept us from something truly extraordinary. ⁠
⁠
Have you caught Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary yet?

📷️: (C) BBC Archive

Original Diving

04/07/2025

03/07/2025

15/06/2025

11/06/2025

08/06/2025

06/06/2025

04/06/2025

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22/05/2025

15/05/2025

14/05/2025

14/05/2025

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