US military aircrafts to be sunk in Phuket

Plans are underway to create the largest artificial reef in Thailand by sinking a number of former military aircraft off the coast of Phuket.

Four Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft and six Sikorsky S-58T helicopters will be sunk at about 20 m depth around one km off Bang Tao Beach. The 'Coral Reef Squadron' have seen action in both the Vietnam and Korean wars and it is hoped they will now serve a much more positive purpose in providing substrate and shelter for marine life near to Koh Racha Yai.



There are a lot of fabulous dive sites around Phuket and in the West of Thailand generally and the area attracts big numbers of divers. Therefore it is hoped that the creation of these alternative sites will ease the pressure on the more famous and popular sites in the Similan and Surin National Parks.

Read more about the diving that awaits you in Phuket here:
Phuket Dive Sites

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 66 (0)83 505 7794.

New discoveries in Ambon and Raja Ampat

Check out some of these great images captures by RHK UW productions taken on a recent trip on boat the Archipelago Adventurer II.

These destinations are becoming more and more celebrated throughout the world as being among the world's top destinations with a vastness and variety of marine life that nowhere else can boast.

Below is a photo of an unidentified frogfish which scientists believe is not simply a new species but a new genus!



According to professor Theodore Pietsch, of the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences in Washington University, 'I can say that in my 40 or so years studying frogfishes and anglerfishes in general, I have never seen one like this...unlike any antennarioid I've ever seen and most likely represents a genus new to science.'

Another interesting image is of 'Eel Man' in the village of Waii in Ambon who has adopted a resident fresh water eel that lives in a stream running through the village.



Sargassum frogfish are quite rare but the team came across several pairs during the dives they did around Raja Ampat. Sargassum frogfish live in free floating sargassum seaweed and below is a fine example



Read more about the amazing diving of the region Raja Ampat diving and The dive sites of Banda and Ambon

More on the Liveaboard: Archipelago Adventurer II

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 66 (0)83 505 7794.

Diver killed by bull shark

Last month a scuba diver, Austrian Markus Groh was fatally attacked by a bull shark during a photoshoot in the Bahamas. This represents the first reported fatal shark attack on a scuba diver resulting from a comercially organised shark diving expedition.



A crew were filimg tiger sharks and lemon sharks without cages for the production 'Shark Angels' aimed at changing the public perception of the creatures which are being pushed towards extinction. The images of three young women in the water surrounded within inches by several supposed man-eaters is the kind of picture that can raise consciousness and alter popular misconceptions about sharks and such were the goals of the shoot.

Sharks have been in existence on this planet for over 450 million years predating the the best known land based dinosaurs and as highly developed and successful predators, play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Yet with more than 100 million sharks killed every year the human race is driving them to oblivion.



Shark diving is becoming an increasingly popular activity the more we learn about these creatures and the more their numbers dwindle. As with any underwater activity and dealing with any potentially dangerous creature, the actvity carries an element of risk; something that all participants are aware of. Yet those reputable operators who regularly conduct such dives take all steps to ensure the conditions are controlled and uniform thereby maximising the safety of their customers.

However it is precisely because these creatures are so powerful and such efficient hunters that there is a great thrill in sharing the water with them. The risk remains more perceived than actual and certainly no more than other seemingly more benign pursuits like hiking, horse-riding or rugby to name a few.

Read more about our recommended options here:
South Africa’s Ultimate Shark Diving Adventure!

Shark Reef in Fiji

For bookings, please contact Blog@Dive-The-World.com or call our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Phuket - 66 (0)83 505 7794.