Sailing the Surin Islands, Thailand Consisting of 5 islands, the Surin Archipelago lies approximately 55 km from the coast of Thailand, about 5 km to the marine border with Myanmar. Underwater treasures around the Surin Islands will delight any snorkeler, and of course for the more adventurous, scuba diving. For now we are content with snorkel and mask, exploring the reefs which in most places have grown up to just one meter below the surface. On each day's venture into the sea we are treated to a myriad of smaller species darting in and out of the corals. The miracles in this underwater world of magic unfold before your eyes.

Diving the Similan Archipelago, Thailand Fed up with the stress of corporate life, suits and ties, constant phone calls and e-mails, Manfred Theissig gave it all up in exchange for a 50 meter, 60 ton, double mast sailing yacht and changed his life. This hearty Bavarian Sean Connery look alike, has been sailing around the world for the past 8 years. What he owns is on his boat, representing many of his travel experiences worldwide plus, as an avid scuba diver, a compressor and all the gear for a minimum of five divers. We join him for a diving tour of Thailand's Similan Islands, rated to be amongst the top ten dive sites in the world.

Diving off the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia Sunrise on Pulau Besar warms my skin and wakes me up for a new day of diving. I have been dreaming about my dive yesterday at Tokong Laut; the vertical rocks, the face to face encounter with a trigger fish, the fat moray eel, and thousands upon thousands of smaller species in large shoals. Pulau Besar is one of the Perhentian Islands in the South China Sea and is truly one of the last remaining paradise locations in Malaysia. I grab an ice coffee in the restaurant and make my way to the dive shop to assemble my scuba gear. Today I hope to gain my advanced licence, the coming weeks, maybe more.

Diving in Paradise Pulau Tioman, Malaysia Non-stop work and 24 hours of travelling are instantly forgotten when we set foot on Tioman Island, off the east coast of Thailand. The only settlements here are located along the coastline, as thick primary rainforest is all that exists inland. The boat takes us to Kampung Air Batang, a small hamlet with wooden houses, palm trees, three restaurants and one open air bar. This is our base for a one week diving adventure. But first, only much needed relaxation! From the veranda of our humble wooden hut, a tiger beer and chilled wine in hand, we watch the sun set over the South China Sea.

Diving with the Great White Sharks, Gansbaai, South Africa Shark! Shark!! This is something every swimmer, surfer, or boogie boarder dreads to hear. In fact it is a word that most people would rather avoid in conversation when in, or around, coastal waters. So what about diving with sharks? Is it what so many think as the ultimate adrenalin rush? Is this something for you or totally taboo? We head off to South Africa and the Western Cape where the largest concentration of great whites in the world is to be found. We visit Brian McFarlane, a veteran of shark diving in the Gansbaai area and one who considers the great whites simply as members of his family.

Sipadan Island, Malaysia, One in Top 10 Dive Sites Worldwide Only one hour by boat from Malaysian Borneo lies the tropical island of Sipadan, an exotic island mushrooming from 600 meters below the surface. Sipadan ranks as one of the best dive sites in the world. With its colourful coral reefs and even more spectacular fish and turtle populations, there is never boredom for even the most experienced of divers. Encounters with hammerheads, white tips, barracuda and an abundance of sea turtles are not uncommon. To protect this treasure it is no longer possible to stay on the island, so nearby Kapalai Resort, built on a tidal sandbar, offers easy access.