Discover DPG’s Top 10 Travel Treasures of 2024!

We cannot conclude 2024 without highlighting some of our beloved travel articles from the previous year. Although we featured popular and frequently visited locations such as Anilao, Bonaire, and Raja Ampat, we also shone a light on lesser-known spots like Monterey Bay, the Azores, and even Ireland! If you are seeking motivation for your inaugural dive journey of 2025, you might discover your next destination within this collection of articles. Enjoy the visuals, narratives, and tips for diving at each of these sites, and we hope all our readers and contributors experience a prosperous and fruitful 2025!

By Jon Anderson

Monterey Bay. Just the mention alone conjures images of sprawling kelp forests, seals, whales, and abundant macro creatures tucked in every corner. Monterey local Jon Anderson artfully illustrates the variety of this extraordinary place along California’s shoreline, offering everything from diminutive fringeheads to expansive kelp landscapes. If Monterey Bay wasn’t already on your diving wishlist, it surely will be after exploring Jon’s article. As an extra perk, during your surface interval, feel free to stop by and greet our friends at Backscatter!

 

By Ron Watkins

Bonaire is a quintessential diving hotspot for enthusiasts of warm water and newcomers to the sport. Yet, it also caters to even the most experienced underwater photographers—teeming with critters, nearly 100 easily reachable dive sites, and a structure built around diving. Bonaire is often overlooked by photographers seeking more “exotic” locales, thus, there are many new images waiting to be captured by those with cameras in hand. There is a reason Ron Watkins returns annually. Perhaps his article here will demonstrate why, and perhaps inspire you to plan your own visit to this “Diver’s Paradise.”

By Brandi Mueller

Sister resorts Siladen and Coral Eye offer a luxurious experience in a gorgeous part of Indonesia. With access to breathtaking reefs and proximity to the muck diving paradise of Lembeh Strait, there is something available for everyone. Besides the remarkable diving, the resorts cater to underwater photographers and emphasize marine conservation in their little piece of Indonesia. Brandi Mueller took the opportunity to visit both resorts in a single trip, making a persuasive case for experiencing Siladen and Coral Eye!

By Josh Schellenburg

In recent times, Baja has emerged as possibly the premier destination for large marine animals on the planet. Within the realm of large-animal hotspots, Baja has earned its place alongside places like The Bahamas or the Galápagos Islands. From sharks to whales, sea lions to marlin, Baja encompasses a bit of everything. In fact, it boasts a plethora of everything! Having frequently traveled to the Baja Peninsula, Josh Schellenburg has had the privilege of witnessing many of the iconic large species inhabiting these waters. A true admirer of large marine life, Josh’s photographs serve as a worthy showcase of Baja’s impressive marine megafauna.

By Aaron Halstead

Anilao has long been renowned as a haven for muck divers. Recently, it has also gained a reputation as one of the foremost locations on Earth for blackwater diving. Aaron Halstead has embarked on many excursions to Anilao, compiling an impressive portfolio filled with highly sought-after photographic subjects like frogfish and paper nautiluses. There is a reason Anilao is highly regarded among underwater photographers. Don’t just take our word for it: Delve into Aaron’s Destination Portfolio and you will observe for yourself!

By Anita Verde

Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a hotspot of biodiversity. Renowned for its namesake dragons, Komodo also reveals incredible wonders beneath the surface. Due to its extensive range, Komodo boasts a vast array of marine ecosystems and immense biodiversity. Global explorers Anita Verde and Peter Marshall highlight the advantages of diving in Komodo and offer guidance on the best ways to navigate this magnificent region of Indonesia.

By Nigel Motyer

When considering potential sites for your upcoming diving holiday, Ireland may not frequently spring to mind. Nevertheless, as Ireland’s own Nigel Motyer illustrates here, the chilly waters surrounding this island nation abound with a spectacular array of marine life. From bobtail squid to the second largest fish in the world, the basking shark, Ireland offers something for every underwater photographer. Nigel elaborates on why Ireland possesses such an extraordinary underwater ecosystem, and…his visuals might just encourage you to wear a drysuit and dive into the waters surrounding the Emerald Isle. 

 

By Anita Verde

Although Wakatobi isn’t recognized for its muck diving or large marine life, it compensates for this by being an extremely varied dive location. There are macro topics available and bigger species like turtles, but Wakatobi primarily focuses on the vast variety of life and the stunning beauty of the underwater environment. Anita Verde and Peter Marshall portray this “underwater Eden” magnificently—and their description is utterly accurate!

 

By Anita Verde

Distant from the coastline of Portugal are the Azores, a collection of volcanic islands encircled by deep, inconceivably azure water. These islands act as a pit stop for large pelagic species, most famously the blue shark. These ocean nomads are a relatively frequent sight near the Azores—great news, considering they rank among the most commercially fished shark species globally, and their populations are drastically declining. Anita Verde and Peter Marshall offer a wonderful guide for diving with these pelagic hunters around the Azores—from the best times to visit, recommended partners, proper behavior in the water, and, certainly, photography advice and techniques.

 

By Don Silcock

Raja Ampat holds a spot on nearly every diver’s bucket list for a reason. As the hub for marine diversity on the entire planet, the variety of life found in these waters is astonishing. A true gem of Raja is Misool. The waters encircling the “second king” are mostly safeguarded, and a plunge beneath the surface reveals how well a marine ecosystem can flourish when effectively maintained. Breathtaking reefs, large species like mantas and sharks, down to minuscule pygmy seahorses—all prosper around Misool. This is genuinely a diver’s utopia.