Comfort, safety, and style in the Maldives: With Alfons Straub's Dive & Sail – Simply the best diving centers, the adventure begins where the sea shimmers in the deepest azure blue. White sandy beaches, palm trees, spectacular dives, and cocktails at sunset – for over 35 years, Alfons Straub has been whisking his guests away to an exotic world above and below the water's surface, fulfilling many a diver's dream.
Since Sunday, December 14, 2025, diver Marjan Godini and her husband John Langlade have been missing in Indonesia. They actually live in Frankfurt am Main and traveled together to Manokwari (West Papua) to travel and go diving. The last brief sign of life came in a chat message immediately after their arrival – since then, neither of them can be reached by phone or text message, and their cell phones are turned off.
The Perfect Pacific Adventure: Just imagine - you're sipping sake in a Tokyo Izakaya one evening, watching the city's electric pulse through floor-to-ceiling windows. Three days later, you're floating weightless above Palau's legendary Blue Corner, surrounded by a tornado of grey reef sharks while manta rays glide overhead like living aircraft.
The Wreck of MS Zenobia and Sports Activities on Land. Cyprus has developed into an important diving destination – not least because of the spectacular Zenobia wreck. This truly impressive site is ranked among the top 10 diveable wrecks worldwide. The ferry sank in June 1980 on her maiden voyage and lies only a few minutes by boat from the coast in Larnaca Bay.
Underwater photography is much more than a creative hobby: it plays a central role in citizen science projects. With photos of animals, plants, and aquatic habitats, amateur divers and snorkelers provide valuable data for research. At the same time, the images raise public awareness of the need to protect the underwater world and reveal its often hidden beauty. Underwater photography thus combines passion with active species and nature conservation.
Necessary regulation of international trade in wild animals and plants: Since Monday, November 24, 2025, nearly 200 signatory states to the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species have been meeting in the Uzbek city of Samarkand. The aim of the convention is to regulate international trade in wild animals and plants in such a way as to ensure the long-term survival of endangered species. Now it is clear that the intensive and sometimes difficult negotiations have been worthwhile!
Former passenger steamer to become giant artificial wreck: The SS United States, once a symbol of speed and luxury, is to be converted into an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico. After almost 30 years moored in Philadelphia, the ocean liner embarked on its final voyage in spring 2024. The ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama, where it was decontaminated and prepared for sinking.
ReefExplorer Online Lecture Series 2025! On November 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., PD Dr. Ekin Tilic from the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt will take you on a fascinating underwater journey in his online lecture.
Stefan's scuba collection is growing: There are only about 8 to 9 vaquitas left – making them the most endangered marine mammals in the world and critically threatened with extinction. Stefan's volunteer work (since 1995) for the species conservation organisation YAQU PACHA gave rise to the idea of modelling a vaquita and adding it to his scuba collection.
Underwater with your smartphone: As a professional underwater photographer, I find it difficult to accept a smartphone as a camera, but since cell phones are getting better and better and now deliver solid results, I'm giving them a try and looking into this topic in depth.