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Leading experts in designing luxury tailor-made scuba diving holidays all of the world

06/06/2024

~Nudibranchs of Komodo~

Just back from a trip to the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, Reefscape founder India was lucky enough to see over 40 species of nudibranchs and flatworms during a 10 day trip. Ranging hugely in size, colour and shape, nudibranchs are a favourite for macro enthusiasts and Indonesia is one of the world’s best destinations to spot them. Here is a selection of her favourites from the trip.

Komodo is best dived from a liveaboard and India was on board the beautiful who have brilliant eagle-eyed dive guides to help spot macro critters. If you aren’t into macro do not despair because Komodo is also a brilliant destination for stunning coral reefs, an abundance of schooling fish life and larger species including manta rays.

When booking a trip to Komodo it’s important to plan perfectly as this can be a busy area nowadays but with the right itinerary and boat, you can still find yourselves as the only divers on even the most popular of sites.

For our round up of best macro diving destinations, visit our blog on our website. If you are planning a trip to Indonesia please get in touch!

06/03/2024

~First Sightings~

Sometimes the creatures you really want to see underwater evade you and it seems like every other diver has had an encounter with them but your luck has run thin. AND THEN it happens when you aren’t expecting it, and you finally have your first sighting of something you have dreamed about sometimes for many years!

This was exactly what happened for me with the flamboyant cuttlefish. A small cephalopod species which grows to a maximum 8cm in length, the flamboyant cuttlefish is one of the most mesmerising critters you can see underwater.

Unlike other cuttlefish, these pink and purple babies rarely swim, instead ‘walking’ across sandy and mucky slopes. They change colour when threatened and that is when their flamboyant colours are particularly prominent. Despite its cute appearance, this is one of the most venomous animals on Earth!

Although I have dived in muck-diving hot spots such as Dumaguete in the Philippines and Alor in Indonesia, I had never caught a glimpse of this most coveted species. My flamboyant cuttlefish moment finally came during my honeymoon, 86 minutes into a thrilling night dive on a very shallow slope in Raja Ampat and is an encounter I will never forget.

What are your most memorable first underwater encounters?

15/11/2022

~World’s Best Liveaboards~

There is no better way to explore remote reefs than from a luxury liveaboard. Fill your boots with up to 4 dives a day, waking up in a new spot each morning and with some of the best guides in the industry. Cabins range from spacious modern luxury to budget-friendly sharing options.

Choosing the right liveaboard trip can be difficult, so we have rounded up 12 of our favourite worldwide liveaboard experiences with something for everyone, whether you are going considering your first liveaboard trip or your 100th. Visit the link in our bio to read our blog post about the world’s best liveaboards.

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10/11/2022

One of our clients is currently in Anilao, Philippines, for a blackwater photography workshop. Anilao is renowned as one of the best spots for blackwater diving on Earth.

A photographer and critter lover’s dream, blackwater diving is essentially night diving in open water with a large spotlight to attract and illuminate all the tiny creatures which are drawn to the light simulating the moon. They make the most fascinating subjects to photograph as well as being technically difficult to do so.

The beauty of blackwater diving is that it can be conducted all over the world. We work with the best diving operations so can help you experience this microscopic world.

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14/10/2022

~ Get sunscreen savvy~

This beautiful image was taken at Kudu Haa dive site in the Thaa Atoll by Reefscape co-founder Louisa just a few months ago and shows what a healthy coral reef should look like.

During our recent trip to the Maldives we were reminded, as always, of the devastating effect of coral bleaching on reefs that have historically been some of the most beautiful in the world. Major bleaching events in 1998 and 2016 have led to the death of many of the Maldives most crucial reef-building coral species. Assessments in a 2016 IUCN survey conducted by resort marine biologists and citizen scientists suggested up to 73% of all corals were bleached.

Deeper reefs like this one pictured, have displayed enhanced resilience to bleaching events, and a number of hope spots have been declared across the Maldives. We have seen firsthand the amazing results from resorts who are putting research and conservation measures in place to protect and nurture their house reefs, which fills us with hope for reef recovery on a wide scale level.

You can do your part too! Tourism plays a crucial role in providing funding and resources for these projects, and shining a light on these issues. On an individual level, you can make small steps like changing your sunscreen to a reef-safe option to protect these delicate organisms against harmful chemicals that are toxic to reefs and can lead to bleaching.

We have rounded up some of our favourite sun cream options, cutting through the false claims of many brands who claim to be ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘reef friendly’. Our blog, linked in our bio, explains what you need to know, and how to make better choices.

01/09/2022

05/08/2022

~Good news on the Great Barrier Reef~

Today we have a real following a recent report by which has shown that the northern and central Great Barrier Reef have recorded their highest amount of coral cover since they began monitoring over 36 years ago. In the 87 representative reefs surveyed between August 2021 and May 2022, average hard coral cover increased from 27% to 36% in the northern GBR and from 26% to 33% in the central GBR. Whilst there were bleaching events in 2020 and 2022, they weren’t as extensive as 2016 and 2017, so this latest good news desmonstrates that the Great Barrier Reef can still recover in periods free of intesnse disturbances.

The Great Barrier Reef has been World Heritage-listed for 40 years due to its huge scientific importance as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Corals are extremely vunerable to climate change with the increase in length of marine heatwaves causing mass bleaching events which can reverse the new coral growth in a very short period of time. Whilst the last two bleaching events have not been so servere, in 36 years of monitoring the GBR, have not seen bleaching events so close together. Their work is invaluable, giving both hope and the knowledge needed to understand what we need to do to preserve coral reefs.

02/08/2022

~Solomon Islands~

At Reefscape Travel, we believe there are two key elements that make a world-class diving destination. The first is, of course, abundance and biodiveristy of marine life and the second is getting away from the crowds, having dive sites all to yourself. We scour the globe looking for secret gems that tick both of these boxes, of which there are far and few between. The Solomon Islands score perfectly on both fronts. Immaculate coral reefs are overflowing with marine life across a fascinating range of ecosystems and habitats. Mangroves, caves, coral gardens, sandy slopes, seamounts and WWII wrecks are host to some of the healthiest corals in the world and everything from critters to pelagics. Bar ice diving, almost everything else is covered!

There are very few dive operations in the islands, resulting in divers generally having all the dive sites to themselves with 40m+ visibility. We carefully select our partners to ensure our clients have the best experiences possible and in the Solomons, are unbeatable. With 28 years of experience behind them, the crew know the waters inside out and how to go the extra mile to make sure their guests have the diving holiday of a lifetime. They also have a positive impact on the areas they operate in, with a multifaceted approach including running annual medical trips with the who provide nurses, doctors, denstists and supplies so that the Bilikiki can be turned into a floating hospital for a week or two. This is a very special operation in a stunning destination that must be on every diver’s bucketlist.
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1. Wickham Island soft corals by
2. The Bilikiki by
3. Pygmy seahorse
4. Mbulo Caves by Stewart Galloway
5. Manta train by Tanya G. Burnett 6. Leru Cut by  7. Village floating market 8. Fan Coral by  

08/06/2022

~World Oceans Day~

Although we are based in London, life at Reefscape Travel revolves around the ocean, unsurprisingly, so today we are celebrating . There is a not minute of the day where the ocean doesn’t cross our minds at Reefscape HQ, whether that be designing a client’s diving holiday, conservation, researching new destinations or planning our own diving holidays! The ocean runs through our veins and needless to say we love what we do. If we are not building an itinerary, we will be trying to identify a nudibranch we’ve seen, pouring over the species ID book.

We are hugely grateful and inspired by all our partners around the world doing wonderful things to conserve our oceans every day. One of our core values as a company is to champion hotels and lodges who are doing just this, without whom the future of marine conservation would be even more uncertain.

📸 The Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef

10/05/2022

~The Philippines~

Today, for the first time since the pandemic began, we have clients on their way to the Philippines. As one of our favourite diving destinations, this has caused a lot of excitement at Reefscape HQ and we look forward to hearing all about their trip.

Located within the Coral Triangle, the Philippines are home to some of the best dive sites in South-East Asia, and arguably, the world. Thresher sharks in Malapascua, critters in Dumaguete, pristine corals in Anda (Bohol) and Japanese WWII wrecks in Coron (Palawan)…diving is diverse and we can design either a single centre trip or the ultimate marine life safari for those wanting to tick off more than one bucket-list destination in a holiday.

All of the diving can be experienced from luxury dive resorts, offering the best in guiding and comfort. Click on the link in our bio to find out more about our favourite dive resorts in the Philippines.

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1. Aerial view of Kalanggaman Island, Malapascua
2. Risbecia nudibranch in Dumaguete
3. Aerial view of .ini
4. Pool at
5. Premium pool suite

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08/04/2022

~The Azores~

With the summer fast approaching, today at Reefscape we are thinking about one of our favourite European dive destinations: The Azores. Located 1,600km west off Portugal, the archipelago is home to the best diving in Europe with the opportunity to see pelagic life at the offshore sites including manta and mobula rays, blue and mako sharks and huge schools of hunting jacks. Closer to the islands, the diving offers interesting topography and marine life including sting rays, conger eels, octopus and slipper lobsters. Add into the mix a wealth of inland activities such as hikes, jeep tours, hot springs and canyoning, all amongst spectacular scenery, and this is the ideal spot for those looking for adventure.

The accommodation options in The Azores have vastly improved over the last few years including some excellent luxury properties with unique architecture. We are particular fans of WHITE Exclusive Suites and Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort, both in excellent locations offering beautiful rooms with excellent food and service.

📸 Singular properties and

25/03/2022

~ Indonesia ~

With Indonesia’s borders reopened for fully vaccinated travellers, without quarantine, we are daydreaming of our last trip to this Reefscape favourite destination.

In 2019 we joined for an unforgettable diving adventure from Komodo to Bali. We dived with manta rays and mobulas, snorkelled at dawn with whale sharks, watched bats fill the sky as the sun set in Satonda, walked with Komodo dragons, and enjoyed fantastic service with some of the most thoughtful hospitality imaginable.

Sailing in Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Spice Islands, a trip onboard Rascal is the perfect way to experience this varied and extraordinary archipelago which is home to the highest marine biodiversity on Earth!

08/03/2022

~International Women’s Day~

We are immensely proud to be running a company in an industry so filled with inspiring women. From dive masters and instructors to resort managers, sales consultants, luxury travel representatives, agents and tour operators, our travel industry is peppered with women who are constantly showing how it’s done!

We have been so lucky to be supported in achieving our dream of setting up a luxury diving specialised tour operator by many men and women along the way and look forward to championing many more women who choose to follow in the same footsteps, setting up companies of their own.

21/01/2022

~Coral reef discovery in Tahiti~

This morning we woke up to the news that a pristine coral reef has been found off the coast of Tahiti. Scientists have discovered a 3km long reef of giant rose-shaped corals at over 30m depth, thought to be deep enough to protect it from the bleaching effects of the warming ocean. The possibility of more undiscovered reefs and resilience to climate change has given us a real at Reefscape!

French Polynesia is home to some of the very best diving on the planet. Island hopping across the Society Islands and the Tuamotus affords incredible scenery, manta cleaning stations, pristine hard corals, sharks schooling in their hundreds, hammerheads and pods of resident dolphins. Big fish diving in warm tropical waters…a rarity in the underwater world and one not to be missed.

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1. Manta ray & hard coral by .lecoeur
2. Aerial view in Bora Bora by
3. Black tip reef sharks & a sting ray .lecoeur

06/01/2022

~Reefscape~

A reefscape is like an underwater landscape and the best ones showcase a wide array of hard and soft corals and sponges. Healthy reefscapes like this beauty shot in Walindi, Papua New Guinea, are a great indicator of marine biodiversity.

In this particular reefscape, we can see barrel sponges, whip coral, feather stars, sea fans and hard corals. Papua New Guinea is famed for its exceptional visibility which can be upwards of 40m.

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25/12/2021

A very Happy Christmas from us at Reefscape Travel! We hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends whether you are celebrating virtually or in person. Here’s to 2022!

📸 Father Christmas relaxing on Christmas Eve

21/12/2021

~Diving in January~

With Omicron sweeping the country and putting Christmas plans up in the air, we’re dreaming of a January diving getaway. Here are some of our favourite destinations to escape to the reef in January

Four Seasons Desroches in the Seychelles has a fantastic on site dive centre run by and stunning spacious accommodations with views of the Indian Ocean.

Mafia Island is home to an array of magical macro life like this tiny porcelain crab. Visibility is excellent in January and the weather is beautifully sunny and clear.

With direct flights from London, the Maldives is a Reefscape favourite for January. Turquoise waters, excellent visibility and a world class house reef await at . Ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike.

For a short week relaxing and diving on beautiful reefs teeming with life, head to Grenada for a stay at

If you’d like help planning a diving or snorkelling trip please get in touch. We have visited and dived in all these destinations and are on hand to answer any questions you might have.

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Videos

A very special encounter with a manta ray that was cruising around Hithadhoo Corner dive site in the Laamu Atoll, checking out the divers and visiting the cleaning stations. We were joined on the dive by the @mantatrust who have a base @sixsenseslaamu and collect invaluable daily data on the mantas, with a total of 138 individuals having been identified in the atoll. They join the dives, explaining how to interact with these gentle giants and afterwards, identifying the manta and providing lots of information on the individual. This manta is called George Michael and is an adult male at 283cm wide. He was first seen in 2013 at Hithadhoo Corner and has been sighted 56 times since. In June 2016, he was seen with large propeller scars on his back, presumably from a boat strike, but luckily he healed well and the scars are barely visible anymore. On this dive, we also saw grey reef sharks, many green turtles, and whitetip reef sharks. A dive to remember. @deepbluediversmaldives @maldivesunderwaterinitiative . . . #mantatrust #marinebiologist #mantaray #manta #mpa #marineprotectedarea #maldivesunderwater #underwaterphotography #escapetothereef #luxurydivingholiday #scubadiving #travel #luxurytravel #scubadiver #scubadiving #tailormadeholidays #bespoketravel #bucketlist #divingholiday #reefscapetravel #reefscape #maldives #maldivesluxury #maldivesislands #maldivesresorts

~Benguerra Island, Mozambique~ Diving from Benguerra Island in Mozambique with @azuraretreats showcases some of the region’s healthiest hard corals, which have built up an amazing resilience to a somewhat dramatic 6 degree temperature swing in the waters around Two-Mile Reef, with virtually no evidence of bleaching. A day’s diving or snorkelling here is not all about the coral though, with marine highlights including a variety of rays, guitar fish, 3 species of turtle, reef sharks, friendly potato groupers, the odd bull shark and even a glimpse of a dugong or school of mobulas if you are very lucky! @azuraretreats is the ultimate spot to relax after a two-tank morning dive with their on site PADI dive centre, with beautiful views over the Indian Ocean and all villas having their own private pool. @periperibeachclub also serves the best lunch on the island, with a relaxed and sociable vibe. . . . #reefscapetravel #escapetothereef #luxurydiving #tailormadetravel #scubadiving #diving #divingholidays #underwaterphotography #luxurytravel #mozambique #benguerraisland #bazaruto

~Laamu Atoll, a Hope Spot~ Today we are celebrating the incredible news that the Laamu Atoll has been designated one of the planet’s Hope Spots by the international non-profit organisation, @mission_blue. The Hope Spot champion @sixsenseslaamu has some of the most impressive conservation efforts we have come across in tourism and this has been the result of many years of hard work. There are three NGOs based on the island - @mantatrust, @bluemarinefoundation, @oliveridleyproject and together they have become @maldivesunderwaterinitiative. Their pioneering work has highlighted Laamu’s unique marine ecosystems from seagrass beds to the manta populations to the coral reefs as seen in this stunning video. Together, they have demonstrated sustainable ecotourism practices and the framework for scalable marine conservation methods to help protect the future of the Maldives. Congratulations to all involved 🎉 📹from @misson_blue and @sixsenseslaamu . . . #sixsenseslaamu #laamu #sixsenses #maldives #resorts #maldivesresorts #marineconservation #marinebiology #protectwhatyoulove #hopespot #missionblue #escapetothereef #luxurydivingholiday #scubadiving #travel #luxurytravel #scubadiver #tailormadeholidays #bespoketravel #bucketlist #divingholiday #reefscapetravel #reefscape

~Mafia Island~ A week spent on @mafiaisland is jam packed with amazing experiences, diving with @mafiaislanddiving making the most of the healthy reefs and excellent macro life, swimming with whale sharks with @kitukiblu when the season is right, snorkelling in turquoise lagoons, kayaking through mangroves and exploring ancient ruins. This is an amazing island to pair with some of the world’s best safaris in the Serengeti National Park or the less frequented southern parks of Tanzania. Mafia Island Marine park was formed in 1995 and is made up of thriving coral reefs, mangrove forests and sea grass beds. The vital protection has allowed the marine life to blossom, making this home to some of the best diving on the East Coast of Africa. A stay on Mafia Island is the ultimate genuine laidback getaway, with accommodations ranging from idyllic treehouses to extravagant private islands and relaxed lodges with excellent service and delicious food. Who’s keen to escape to the reef and visit @mafiaisland? • • • #escapetothereef #reefscapetravel #luxurydivingholiday #divingholiday #luxurytravel #laidbackluxury #mafiaisland #mafiaislanddiving #tanzania #redlistfree #scubadiving

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