No 9 “Islands & Liveaboards” September 14 2016

 Cover by Alex Mustard

FROM THE EDITOR

It is said the world is a small place these days, and that if every plane in the world was grounded at the same time there would not be room to park them all.

So, are there any truly remote destinations left? Well, yes, plenty! In this jam-packed issue we go Off the Grid among the majestic icebergs and fjords of Greenland with Tobias Friedrich; to wild St. Kilda, the most remote archipelago in the UK with George Stoyle; to distant Truk Lagoon with Andrew Marriott; and review a fantastic new book on the haunting wrecks of tiny Palau by wreck expert Rod Macdonald. 

We also visit the remote Tubbataha reef in the Philippines and the faraway Solomon Islands in our fantastic special feature on “Islands and Liveaboards”, which also includes Spain, the UK, the Caribbean, Bahamas, the Philippines, Fiji, Indonesia, Australia and the Red Sea. Something for everyone indeed.

To top things off, in this issue’s Through The Lens photography section, Erin Quigley of “Go Ask Erin” presents her extensive Underwater Photographer’s Guide to the Maldives, including all you need to know about shooting great underwater images in this stunning area, and the techniques and gear you’ll need to capture them. 

As if all that wasn’t enough, we share the most incredible experience for veteran photographer Kurt Amsler witnessing the birth of a sperm whale calf, chat with charismatic big animal expert Amos Nachoum, and play with orcas in the Galápagos. 

If you don’t find some inspiration in this issue for your next dive trip, you haven’t read it! Dive in to Scuba Diver Ocean Planet, your complete dive travel guide.

Gill McDonald (Editor)

CONTENTS

14 LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY
By Mike Kochalski
Mediterranean Madrid

By Gill McDonald
Bangkok Break

22 OFF THE GRID
By Tobias Friedrich
Four Paws to the Iceberg

30 EAT, SLEEP, DIVE, REPEAT
By Gill McDonald
Bountiful Bonaire

40 FEATURE
NEWBORN
By Kurt Amsler
Veteran photographer Amsler has captured many events over 45 years, but witnessing the birth of a sperm whale calf was the singlemost powerful encounter of his life

46 FEATURE
DESTINATION ST. KILDA
By George Stoyle
Diving on the UK’s most remote archipelago with George Stoyle, the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2016

54 FEATURE
DARKNESS AND LIGHT IN TRUK LAGOON
By Andrew Marriott
Andrew Marriott describes the extreme contrasts of beauty and violence, adrenaline rush and tranquility that prevail in this haunting location

60 OCEANS’ 11
CEPHALOPODS
By Gill McDonald
Cephalopods are amazing creatures, with over 800 species around the world. Widely regarded as the most intelligent of the invertebrates, they have well-developed senses and large brains.

65 FEATURE
ISLANDS AND LIVEABOARDS
By Various Contributors
An eclectic mix of islands and liveaboards for your next diving adventure, from the Caribbean to Australia and the world in-between

98 THE HANS HASS FIFTY FATHOMS AWARD
JAMES CAMERON
By Lesley Leaney
James Cameron has produced the two highest-grossing box office films in history: Titanic and Avatar. He was awarded the 2004 Hans Hass Award for his contributions to science and technology

104 SHOOTER ON TOUR
WHERE THE BIG ANIMALS ARE WITH AMOS NACHOUM
Interview by Gill McDonald
Step into the world of big animals with the charismatic veteran photographer, explorer, expedition guide and President of BigAnimals Expeditions

114 AN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUIDE TO THE MALDIVES
LAP OF LUXURY
By Erin Quigley
One of the ultimate indulgent dive destinations, the Maldives promises photographic riches beyond your wildest imagination

128 WHERE NEXT?
BREATHTAKING BUNAKEN