Walt Stearns, Editor, Scuba Diver North America edition

To denote dangerous or unexplored territories on navigational charts in medieval times often included small illustrations of dragons, sea monsters and other mythological creatures. Wakatobi

Small female Blanket Octopus found during a blackwater dive off Palm Beach Florida.

Palm Beach Blackwater, an Open Ocean Diving Adventure by Night

It’s well past sundown and we’re several miles off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, preparing to make a night dive. But not just any

Two divers exploring one of the many wonderous shallow reefs at Wakatobi.

Saavy Divers Start Out Right At Wakatobi

Wakatobi is among the world’s most sought-after dive destinations, and it’s not just for expert divers. The pristine reefs that wow long-time underwater enthusiasts are

Mandarinfish Pier Dive with Wakatobi’s Dive Yacht, Pelagian

Sunset was close at hand, and we were getting ready for a twilight dive on Magic Pier in Pasar Wajo Bay on the southeast coast

Male and femaleMandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) a member of the dragonet family.

Tips for Photographing Mandarinfish

Having the best of the best underwater camera setup money can buy is not the key to getting great mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) shots. It’s about

Several of Wakatobi’s dive guides assisting the resort’s new in-house marine biologist Julia Mellers in collecting water samples around varies dive sites where hard corals are particularly robust for DNA and chemical analyst. - Photo by Kristian Gaeckle

Wakatobi Expands Coral Reef Protection

Wakatobi Dive Resort has expanded its long-standing commitment to coral reef protection and restoration with a new Reef Health Assessment program and the addition of

A large green turtle munching away on some sea grass on Wakatobi's House Reef.

Vegetarians of Wakatobi

Meet some of the vegetarians of Wakatobi’s reefs that opt for a plant-based diet. Wakatobi’s underwater landscape may seem like a placid environment, but in

Green turtle on Wakatobi Dive Resort's House Reef

Wakatobi’s Fascinating House Reef Regulars

Here is just a small sampling of what can be found on Wakatobi’s House Reef. And as many divers and snorkelers who have experienced this

Wakatobi’s Dunia Baru

Dunia Baru, number 35 on Wakatobi Dive Resort‘s list of dive sites sits proudly on a “Top Ten” roster because those who come to know

Two of Wakatobi's giant size dive/snorkel boats. Though traditional in design, they are all fitted with modern safety and navigation equipment such as oxygen, GPS and marine radios.

Wakatobi’s Super Spacious Dive Boats

Wakatobi Dive Resort operates a fleet of eight dedicated dive/snorkel boats that provide guests loads of elbow room along with very stable comfortable ride. Come find out more about them.

Wakatobi – on the House

While Wakatobi Dive Resort’s iconic fleet is standing by to ferry divers to world-class sites within Wakatobi’s private marine preserve not all divers will be

Diving Wakatobi ‘your way’

Novice, enthusiast or fanatic? Leader, follower or soloist? Whatever your scuba diving style and abilities, you are welcome at Wakatobi Resort. Thanks to the combination

Wakatobi's Pelagian Dive Yacht in Indonesia.

INSIDER’S INSIGHTS ON THE PELAGIAN

“Pelagian is a true five-star liveaboard experience”… “A 7-star diving experience”… “The best team we have ever experienced.” These are just a sampling of the hundreds of

Hidden World of Wakatobi’s Seagrass Meadows

Wakatobi’s House Reef has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest shore dives. This expansive coral garden, which lies just a short swim

The Sperm Whales Dominica

Scuba Diver North America’s Editor Walt Stearns was left awe-struck when he went diving with the biggest predator on the planet off the Caribbean island

Roma’s signature coral formation known as ‘The Rose.’

Roma – Wakatobi’s Dive Site #42

For the underwater photographer, Roma’s magnificent collection of coral and unique fish life, can present a tough choice in which way to go – macro

Shrimp Gobie and Alpheus shrimp roommate at Wakatobi

Wakatobi’s Odd Couple

A closer look at one of the ocean’s most interesting partnerships; fish and crustaceans at Wakatobi. With thousands of species of fish and invertebrates to

Wakatobi's landmark community-based conservation program is now in its 27th year

WAKATOBI – THIS IS WHAT 27 YEARS OF PROACTIVE PROTECTION LOOKS LIKE

Wakatobi Dive Resort‘s landmark community-based conservation program is now in its 27th year. As this inspiring video shows, Wakatobi’s innovative approach to protecting coral reefs

Getting the Big Picture at Wakatobi

Capturing the true scope of Wakatobi’s reefs through wide-angle imagery There’s no denying the appeal of photographing the elusive marine life that hide in the

Wakatobi: at the Forefront of Ocean Stewardship

Through Wakatobi’s creation of their own Reef Conservation Program, coral reefs in their corner of Indonesia are among the healthiest in the world. The world

Bobtail squid on a nocturnal hunt for a meal on the reef at Wakatobi.

Under the Cover of Darkness at Wakatobi

Discovering the rewards of night diving at Wakatobi Dive Resort. As the sun sinks towards the western horizon, guests at Wakatobi can look forward to

Wakatobi’s Happy Hour Snorkeling

Wakatobi’s iconic Jetty Bar is a favorite place to gather and enjoy a libation while watching the sun sink towards the horizon. But there’s another

7 REASONS WHY WAKATOBI IS A FAN FAVORITE

Wakatobi Resort is one of the world’s most celebrated diving and snorkeling destinations. Guests from around the world are making plans to visit this remote

Scuba diver with a friendly green sea turtle at Wakatobi, Indonesia

Diving Your Way at Wakatobi

Novice, enthusiast or fanatic? Leader, follower, or soloist? Whatever your scuba diving style, you are welcome to dive your way at Wakatobi Dive Resort. Thanks

DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition is back for 2023

Dive Photo Guide (DPG) is back again with their long-established and widely respected underwater photo contest celebrating the splendor of the oceans through underwater photography

If you’re into wall diving, you’ll be in wall-to-wall paradise at Wakatobi

Wakatobi’s Wall to Wall Paradise

No matter how many times you’ve experienced it, that initial moment when you reach the edge of a sheer underwater wall will always be a thrill. One second, you are finning through a shallow coral reef, the next you are suspended over the edge of the abyss.

In addition to serving as the embarkation point for Wakatobi’s fleet of dive boats, the resort’s jetty is a key access point for diving House Reef which extends off for hundreds of feet in both directions.

Maxing Out At Wakatobi

Visitors to Wakatobi often compliment favorably on the pristine condition of the coral reefs and the exceptional variety of marine life found within the resort’s

Florida’s Unique Wreck Diving Experience

In a previous article, Walt Stearns provided a tour of the unique reef systems and described some of the interesting varieties of large marine life

Wakatobi’s Littlest Seahorse

A Peek into the Small World of the Pygmy Seahorses at Wakatobi Though you might not guess it based on name or appearance, seahorses are

First Look at Retra’s new 4th Generation Pro Max, Prime + and Pure Underwater Strobes

Retra UWT recently introduced three new, fourth-generation versions of their popular underwater flash called the Pro Max, Prime +, and Pure. At a glance, this

At Tiger Beach, Who are the Masters of their Domain?

Walt Stearns gets in the ‘real’ shark tank with Bahamas Master Liveaboard at the legendary Tiger Beach. Photographs by Walt Stearns The stage is set;

Walt Stearns’ Journey through the Flores Island Group on the Arenui

Scuba Diver North America Editor Walt Stearns continues his passage through the Flores Island group on the Arenui luxury liveaboard. Photographs by Walt Stearns Two sites

Author: Walt Stearns