Southeast Asia

Magical Anda: Diving Bohol's Pristine Reefs in the Philippines

Three false clownfish in their yellow and green host anemone, Anda, Philippines. Photo by Matthew Meier.

The small, tranquil seaside town of Anda, on the southeastern corner of Bohol in the Philippines, is a hidden gem with its white sandy beaches, beautiful reefs and an impressive array of marine life species just off its coast. Matthew Meier takes us there.

Conservation in Raja Ampat – Part 2: Gerry Allen’s Role in Quantifying a Species Factory

Dr Gerry Allen, seen here in his home office, is an Australian ichthyologist renowned for his extensive contributions to the study of coral reef fishes. Photo courtesy of Dr Gerry Allen.

This is the second article in a series by Don Silcock exploring how a successful conservation strategy was developed and implemented in Raja Ampat, on the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s remote West Papua province.

Milne Bay: Liveaboard Odyssey in Papua New Guinea

Diver with large colony of yellow scroll coral at Wahoo Point. Photo by Pierre Constant.

Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea boasts a rich history and culture, with diverse marine species in its waters, from fascinating nudibranchs, reef fishes and flamboyant cuttlefish to sea turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins. Pierre Constant recounts his adventures there.

Bali’s Tulamben: A Macro Photographer’s Playground

Shuan the Sheep nudibranch photo by Kate Jonker
Yellow and blue “Shaun the Sheep” nudibranch, Costasiella sp. Gear: Canon R5, Canon 100mm macro lens, +15 diopter, Marelux MX-R5 housing, two Supe D-Pro strobes. Settings: f/9, 1/160, ISO 320.

With a wealth of macro subjects to choose from, the Indonesian island of Bali is a macro photographer’s dream. Underwater photography instructor Kate Jonker takes us to the quaint fishing village of Tulamben on Bali’s northeastern coast and shares her insights and tips for making the most of your trip.

Timor-Leste: Pristine Reefs, White Sandy Beaches & Ancient Caves

Huge red gorgonian sea fan at the Dili Rock West dive site in Timor-Leste. Photo by Pierre Constant.

The Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste, known in the local Tetum language as Timór Lorosa’e (“where the sun rises”), comprises the eastern part of the island of Timor. Pierre Constant tells of his journey to explore its beautiful reefs and mysterious caves.

Ten-year-old Muhammad Afkar Daniel, a right-hand amputee, completed the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course in Tioman Island, Malaysia. (Photo by Martin Ritter, B&J Dive Centre / via Diveheart Malaysia/Kids Scuba press release)

Malaysia Hosts Two Diveheart/PADI Adaptive Diving Events in Accessible Tourism Initiative

The event welcomed ten hearing-impaired students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Besut, Terengganu, many of whom had never set foot on a boat or an island, despite living near the coast of Besut. The students, accompanied by their teachers, explored the wonders of the underwater world in Terengganu through snorkeling and scuba diving, where they experienced the sensation of weightlessness. Dr Tengku Farah Kamilia, a lecturer in environmental and marine pollution at UMT, conducted a sharing session with the participants, highlighting the importance of marine conservation.