Having previously worked as a copywriter in advertising, Maggie traded in her suit for a wetsuit to pursue a career in scuba diving. She’s currently certified as a divemaster, with the goal to become a technical and cave diver. When she’s not in the water, Maggie spends her time working for Dive and More as well as My Dive Pro. To her, scuba diving is much more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
White sandy beaches, warm turquoise water, hot sunny days, and swaying palm trees are some of the things that come to mind when thinking of the Maldives. While this would be reason enough to visit this astounding tropical paradise, scuba divers are generally more motivated by what lies beneath the surface than what can be explored above it. However, this area is one of the few rare places where the incredible treasures on land are (almost) equal to those under the sea. The Maldives is a collection of over a thousand islands that lie scattered like pearls in the Indian Ocean and it boasts a marine environment with beauty that rivals the landscape. From big marine life like manta rays and whale sharks to crystal clear visibility, scuba diving in the Maldives is on the bucket list of almost every scuba diver. If it’s not on yours, here are 7 reasons why it should be: 1. Thriving marine environment The Maldives boasts the seventh largest coral reef ecosystem in the world as well as rich mangroves. It covers an area of 21 300km² and constitutes 3.14% of the world’s coral reefs. As such, conservation of these ecosystems is a top priority for the country and there are 42 marine areas that are protected by Maldivian law. Here you can see healthy reefs teeming with life as well as endangered species like green turtles and hawksbill turtles. 2. Manta ray cleaning stations Manta rays are so prolific in this biodiversity haven that you are almost guaranteed to see at least one of these gentle giants. Cleaning stations are sites in the ocean where bigger fish like sharks and mantas go to get their skin, teeth, and gills cleaned by cleaner wrasse, parasitic copepods and other crustaceans. There are many of these
White sandy beaches, warm turquoise water, hot sunny days, and swaying palm trees are some of the things that come to mind when thinking of the Maldives. While this would be reason enough to visit this astounding tropical paradise, scuba divers are generally more motivated by what lies beneath the surface than what can be
We know everything is better, wetter, and safer with a buddy. But it’s not just our dive buddies that benefit from having us around, our scuba diving skills make us great partners on land too. To celebrate Dive Buddy Day (better known as Valentine’s Day), we’re spreading the word about why scuba divers make excellent partners. Not only can we drop weight fast, but wearing a rubber suit is not just okay, it’s routinely allowed! Besides these jokes we’ve no doubt heard on a boat before, here are the top six reasons why you’re better off dating a diver. 1. We're great at communication You don’t have to worry about us not getting the hint that you’re ready to leave a party, just one glance and we know exactly what you mean! With so much experience communicating only with our eyes, hands, and muffled grunts, we’re practically telepathic. With us, you’ll have the best time without even saying a word. 2. We’re not easily grossed out ...by anything. Not even funky smells. It’s no secret that scuba diving isn’t exactly the most glamorous sport. From surfacing from a dive with something trailing out of your mask to booties filled with mysterious post-dive warm liquid, we’ve seen it all. And oddly enough, we’re cool with that. When you date a diver, you can feel 100% comfortable with just being yourself. 3. We take you on some pretty amazing holidays Who would say no to lazing in the sun while sipping on Pina Coladas? Most diving holidays are in exotic destinations near the beach, so we’ll never argue about where to go. We’re even willing to arrange extra luxuries or activities to keep you happy so that we can go diving. 4. We’re very organized No diver likes to be late or
We know everything is better, wetter, and safer with a buddy. But it’s not just our dive buddies that benefit from having us around, our scuba diving skills make us great partners on land too. To celebrate Dive Buddy Day (better known as Valentine’s Day), we’re spreading the word about why scuba divers make excellent
The festive season is a time where many kick back in a beautiful destination and relax as much as possible. Not scuba divers, though. Scuba divers travel great distances to often remote destinations, go to bed at a reasonable time every night, and wake up in the early morning hours. While this idea of a vacation might not appeal to everyone, there’s no arguing that it is probably the most exciting way a diver can spend their Christmas holiday. If you’re looking to finish off your year on a high note, consider doing one of these incredible adventure dives over the festive season: 1. Sistema Dos Ojos, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Depth: 119m Visibility: 91m Located South of Playa Del Carmen and North of Tulum, Dos Ojos is a flooded cave system that spans across at least 61km and boasts incredible visibility. Here divers can expect to see blue/green caverns with intricate stalactite formations and a variety of marine life. This site is also known for a record-breaking 150m freedive. Don’t worry if you’re not a certified cave diver, there are also shallower cenotes that you can dive. 2. Great Blue Hole, Belize Depth: 124m Visibility: 15 - 30m A two-hour boat ride away from Caye Caulker Island or San Pedro, this submarine sinkhole was formed during the last ice age. The Great Blue Hole is 300m wide and 124m deep and is made of karst limestone formations that have eroded into ledges, multicoloured stalactites and stalagmites, and submerged caves. You can also expect to see giant groupers, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and other fish that shelter between the steep walls. However, you need an Advanced Diver certification to dive here. 3. Silfra, Iceland Depth: 10 - 45m Visibility: 90m If you’re not afraid of a little cold, then
The festive season is a time where many kick back in a beautiful destination and relax as much as possible. Not scuba divers, though. Scuba divers travel great distances to often remote destinations, go to bed at a reasonable time every night, and wake up in the early morning hours. While this idea of a
Home to an active volcano within a lake on an island within another lake (essentially volcano-ception), sunken Japanese shipwrecks from WWII, and the second highest amount of coconuts in the world, the Philippines boasts more attractions than we’re able to list. This collection of over 7 000 islands is a popular destination among divers and it’s not hard to see why. From abundant fauna and flora to a variety of unique marine life species, here are the top 7 reasons why your next trip should be scuba diving in the Philippines: 1. Dive in the Coral Triangle Home to nearly 600 different species of reef-building corals, six of the seven marine turtle species worldwide, as well as over 2 000 species of reef fish, the Coral Triangle is a biodiversity haven. As the Philippines is located at the very tip of the triangle, divers visiting this region get to dive right in the famous Coral Triangle where they can expect to see an abundance of healthy reef systems and marine life. 2. See Unique Species From the giant whale shark to world's smallest fish (Pandaka pygmea), the thriving marine ecosystem of the Philippines offers an extensive variety of marine life sightings. Spot rare thresher sharks in Malapascua, whale sharks in Oslob, sea turtles in Apo Island, or towering walls of jackfish in Balicasag Island. And don’t forget the rich coral reefs of Tubbataha Reef. 3. Explore A Wide Variety of Dive Environments The dive possibilities are endless when you’re surrounded by thousands of islands - and thousands of dive sites. Whether you’re an Open Water diver looking for shallow reef dives or you’re a Cave Diver in search of caverns and cave systems, there is a site for everyone in the Philippines. Here, scuba divers can find everything from natural
Home to an active volcano within a lake on an island within another lake (essentially volcano-ception), sunken Japanese shipwrecks from WWII, and the second highest amount of coconuts in the world, the Philippines boasts more attractions than we’re able to list. This collection of over 7 000 islands is a popular destination among divers and
