No 8 “Budget & Luxury” June 15 2016

 Cover by Pasquale Vassallo

FROM THE EDITOR

Diving really is an everyman activity. Whether you are a multimillionaire or an impoverished student, once you slide beneath the sea, the view is the same. We all see beauty and wonder, Nature in its unfettered glory, that takes our bottled breath away. If your wallet is bulging or somewhat flat, our handy “Budget and Luxury” feature, starting on page 65, delivers some excellent ideas for your next diving holiday.

This 128-page issue is jam-packed with travel options, destinations and stunning photography. We also have some exciting new sections. Make sure you always Travel in Style on page 44, check out how a photography pro travels in Shooter on Tour on page 104, or how about trying some underwater hockey in Play on page 18 to get fit while having fun?

Go Off the Grid with Franco Banfi and the magnificent giant oceanic mantas of San Benedicto on page 30. Are you in Sydney or Florida? Take a long weekend break on page 22. Heading for Lembeh? Explore the area on page 38. Perhaps some sea lions in Mexico will inspire you on page 48. Then go Through the Lens on page 114 to find out about the diverse photographic opportunities in California. How about visiting ancient Roman ruins in Italy – underwater? Baia in Naples is on page 54.

All this and much, much more. Dive in, chill out and plan your next diving adventure with Scuba Diver OCEAN PLANET, your complete dive travel guide.


Gill McDonald (Editor)

 

CONTENTS

22 LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY
By Gill McDonald
Florida’s Gentle Giants

By Jayne Jenkins
Sydney Escape

30 OFF THE GRID
By Franco Banfi and Sabrina Monella
Destination Faraway

38 EAT, SLEEP, DIVE, REPEAT
By Gill McDonald and Cassandra Dragon
Surprising Lembeh

48 FEATURE
THE WORLD’S AQUARIUM
By Alex Tattersall
Sea lions, whale sharks, many whale species, rays, dolphins, nudibranchs and all manner of fish and bird life are found in one of the most diverse seas on the planet

54 FEATURE
A DIVE INTO HISTORY
By Antonio Busiello and Michele Stefanie
An ancient treasure, submerged by volcanic rage, lies waiting to be discovered in the Bay of Naples in Italy

60 OCEANS’ 11
GOOD PARENTING
By Gill McDonald
Marine life has many different approaches to producing young, from male cardinalfish brooding eggs in their mouths to female sunfish (Mola mola) producing up to 300 million eggs

65 FEATURE
BUDGET AND LUXURY
By Various Contributors
A different angle on budget and luxury options from around the world; from camping to liveaboards, from a DIY Safari to the height of opulence

98 THE HANS HASS FIFTY FATHOMS AWARD
BEV MORGAN
By Lesley Leaney
Throughout this almost 70-year adventure Morgan’s name can be referenced in various aspects of diving education, safety, design, photography, filming, writing, Hollywood and successful business development

104 SHOOTER ON TOUR
TELLING A VISUAL STORY WITH MICHELE WESTMORLAND
Interview by Gill McDonald
Professional underwater, travel and lifestyle photographer describes her life on the move

114 AN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUIDE TO RAJA AMPAT
CALIFORNIA’S BOUNTY
By Allison Vitsky Sallmon and Andy Sallmon
Come to America’s Golden State to capture a breathtaking array of sublime seascapes and fascinating photographic subjects

128 WHERE NEXT?
DESERT ISLAND ESCAPES