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Field notes

Monthly liveaboard picks, seasonal dive windows, and quiet notes from our specialists.

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The Journal

Field notes from the world’s reefs.

Filter by destination, diver level, season, and marine life. Every briefing is written for real trip planning, not casual scrolling.

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58 briefings

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Japan
destinationJune 1, 202615 min read
Okinawa vs Izu: Where Should First-Time Japan Divers Actually Go?
Okinawa vs Izu Peninsula diving compared for first-time Japan divers: visibility, marine life, logistics from Tokyo, English-friendly operators, manta season, water temperatures, and who should choose each in 2026.
OwJan-MarManta
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Palau Liveaboard vs Resort: Which Delivers Better Diving in 2026?

Palau

destination·June 1, 2026·19 min read

Palau Liveaboard vs Resort: Which Delivers Better Diving in 2026?

Palau liveaboard vs resort in 2026: we compare prices, dive counts, site access, manta and shark seasons so you can choose the right Palau dive trip.

MantaShark

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Deep wall diving at Richelieu Rock — representative of the advanced environments tech divers train for

skills·June 1, 2026·21 min read

Tech Diving Certification Path: Choosing Between PADI TecRec, IANTD, TDI, and GUE for Your First Trimix Card

Comparing PADI TecRec, IANTD, TDI, and GUE for your first trimix certification. We break down course structure, cost, philosophy, and which agency fits your diving goals.

TechnicalOct-Dec

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Sheer coral wall dropping into deep blue water at the Brothers Islands — the signature topography that makes these Egyptian Red Sea pinnacles a world-class pelagic diving destination

Brothers Islands

destination·May 31, 2026·22 min read

Brothers Islands Diving: Complete Guide for Divers (2026)

Everything you need to know about Brothers Islands diving in the Red Sea — dive sites, wrecks, sharks, liveaboard pricing, conditions, and best season for 2026.

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Cenotes Diving: Complete Guide for Divers (2026)

destinations·May 31, 2026·17 min read

Cenotes Diving: Complete Guide for Divers (2026)

Everything you need to know about cenotes diving in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula — best cenotes, certification requirements, costs, safety, and what to expect underground.

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School of scalloped hammerhead sharks circling a deep seamount — the signature Cocos Island diving experience

destination·May 31, 2026·17 min read

Where to Dive with Cocos Hammerhead Schools: Best Spots & Seasons

Where to dive with Cocos hammerhead schools: the best dive sites at Cocos Island, peak seasons, liveaboard logistics, and how Cocos compares to Galapagos, Malpelo, and Socorro for scalloped hammerhead encounters in 2026.

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Vibrant coral reef wall in the Coral Sea — sheer drop-offs and pristine hard coral formations typical of outer Great Barrier Reef diving

Great Barrier Reef

destination·May 26, 2026·28 min read

Great Barrier Reef for Long-Haul Travelers: Is the Premium Coral Sea Liveaboard Worth Skipping Cairns Day Boats?

Is a Coral Sea liveaboard worth the premium over Cairns day boats for long-haul divers? We break down Spirit of Freedom, Spoilsport, day-boat costs, and which GBR experience earns your travel budget.

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Cozumel vs Cancun for First-Time Caribbean Divers: Which Gulf-Coast Hub Actually Wins?

destination·May 25, 2026·13 min read

Cozumel vs Cancun for First-Time Caribbean Divers: Which Gulf-Coast Hub Actually Wins?

Cozumel vs Cancun diving compared for first-time Caribbean divers: drift diving, visibility, reef quality, MUSA, cenotes, costs, cruise logistics, and who should choose each in 2026.

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Darwin's Arch, the iconic rock formation at Darwin Island in the Galapagos, a world-class hammerhead diving site

destination·May 25, 2026·26 min read

Galapagos Liveaboard 2026: Is the $8K Premium Over Socorro Actually Worth It?

Is a Galapagos liveaboard worth the $4K–$8K premium over Socorro in 2026? We break down real all-in costs, hammerhead encounters at Darwin and Wolf, and which divers should book which destination.

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Aerial view of a Maldives atoll with turquoise lagoon and overwater villas

destination·May 24, 2026·12 min read

Honeymoon Diving in October: Indonesia or the Maldives?

Comparing Indonesia and the Maldives for an October dive honeymoon: conditions, costs, marine life, and which destination fits your trip style.

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Liveaboard crew preparing dive gear at Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

planning·May 24, 2026·14 min read

Liveaboard Tipping Etiquette in Indonesia and the Philippines: How Much Is Right?

A practical guide to liveaboard tipping in Indonesia and the Philippines — how much to tip, who gets what, tip box vs. handshake, and how to handle currency without awkwardness.

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Remote Indonesian reef wall with soft corals and schooling fish — Wakatobi vs Raja Ampat vs Alor

destination·May 24, 2026·15 min read

Wakatobi vs Raja Ampat vs Alor: Which Remote Indonesian Reef Wins for Marine Life?

A data-driven comparison of Wakatobi, Raja Ampat, and Alor — three of Indonesia's most remote and biodiverse dive destinations. We break down marine life, logistics, costs, and diving conditions to help you pick the right reef.

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