On this page we post the latest news, experiences with gadgets and equipment and informaton about our safaris.

12 dec 2009: Sea Shepard Jolly Roger Beanie.

A cotton beanie , ideal for use after diving to stop wind blowing in your ears when we get back on the Dhoni after a dive (earinfections !). With this beanie you make a statement! You symphatise with Sea Shepard and you support the fight against the plunder of our seas. The beanie itself is by the way excellent, we rate it 9 out of 10 points. Sea Shepard Store >

12 dec 2009: Handpresso

Used during our latest safaris by some hardcore coffeejunks: the handpresso. Thanks to an ingenious pumpingsystem (bicycle pump), ESE-coffeepads or ground coffee and hot water it is now possible to enjoy a ‘premium quality espresso’ all over the world.

From boat to caravan, from office to the ‘middle of nowhere’.

Ofcourse we wanted to check this statement out but we have to agree that it serves a more then descent esspresso. We rate this product, which has a high gadget level but functions none the less, 9 out of 10 points. Thanks to Arthur. Handpresso >

11 dec 2009: Safaris autumn closed

We have been in the Netherlands since a week and are working hard to update the website where we will post new photos and videos. We will also scan all information on this site so it will be current and updated.

An interesting development is that the present Maldivian government is going to allow guesthouses on local islands. This is a totally new concept for the Maldives from which we have a high expectiation. The Maldives will become affordable for a totally different public. More information will follow soon.

10 dec 2009: Facebook

Sinds een paar maanden zijn we als groep ook op facebook te vinden, nu nog als Blue Dolphin safaris maar we zijn de markt aan het verkennen en wellicht dat dit in de toekomst gaat veranderen. Facebook >

3 sep 2009: Manatees in Crystal River Springs

Last month Nienke and I had a family reunion in Florida USA. Not a location we would choose ourselves as a holiday destination. We came across a very nice divingschool where we booked a snorkel trip with Manatees. A weblink to this divingschool is posted on our link page. A small movie about our snorkel experience you can find here. Manatees in Crystal River Florida >

22 aug 2009: Sharks protected in the Maldives

The ministry of fisheries and agriculture has extended the moratorium on reef shark fishing to cover the territorial waters of the Maldives, as part of a historic move towards a total ban on both reef and oceanic shark hunting. Original article on Minivan News >

14 aug 2009: Sharkwater

We are so impressed with the documentary Sharkwater that we strongly feel every one should see it before we ruin our ecosystem and we've put a banner on our website. Sharkwater >

17 mei 2009: Youtube channel

Since a year we have our own channel on youtube where we host our videos. Besides our safari reports we also uploaded a lot of clips shot during our safaris.

Divesafaris on Youtube >

13 mei 2009: Spring safaris closed

Since a week we have been back in the Netherlands and we work hard on the website where we upload new photos and videos. We also review and update all information and we have added a topic about ear infections. In the meantime we receive a lot of positive reactions in our guestbook with which we are very pleased.

april 2009: Bynolyt Searanger III binocular

You pray people will never drift out of sight of the Dohni but in practice it does happen. In such a case it is vital to have a good set of binoculars. The binocular we have tested is the Bynolyt Searanger III 7x50. The Searanger is a watertight binocular, filled with nitrogengas. The unique thing about this binocular is that it is delivers a sharp image from 10 meters to infinite so you don't have to adjust anything during use. It also has an internal compas for making a bearing. We keep this binocular on the Dhoni during our dives but we also use it to track whalesharks. The dureability of this binocular is yet to be proven but sofar we give this binocular 9 out of 10 points. Bynolyt Optics >

March 7, 2009: English translation of the site added

Last couple of days we were busy translating our website in English. This to provide all our information for those people who do not understand any Dutch.

Februari 24, 2009: Guestbook added

A guestbook in wich we expect to see many positive reactions about our safaris. Gastenboek >

Februari 23, 2009: Tips for guests added

A very useful page for (future) guests with information about visas, entry, paying, phones, internet, diving equipment and other practical information for people who are packing their suitcases. Tips for guests >

Februari 22, 2009: Photo page added

It took a while before we were satisfied about the pictures but the page is back. Photos >

Februari 18, 2009: Bas became a scout for IQ-Company

On Boat in Dusseldorf saw we a flyer with the next description: Does "Dive be Now – Work Later" your slogan? How nice; It's ours pivot springs! Maybe we should work together... Since we are rather enthusiastic about diving we filled out a application form and were selected together with 8 others to test products in real life. We are obviously extremely proud of this!

A new product we really look forward to is the brand new Ray-Board. This is perhaps the new way to find whale sharks! IQ-Company Ray-Board >

Februari 17, 2009: Our new website is up and running

After much distraction we finally succeeded to get the new website up and running. The upcoming days a lot of pages will be changed and added.

December 2008: Gloves

We have been experimenting woth new gloves. Because currents can be extreme in the Maldives and sometimes we even have to climb from rock to rock it is recommended to wear gloves. Since diving gloves are quite expensive and usually only last 2 weeks, we tried something else, namely these: Nitril coated gloves >

They remain intact for a vouple of weeks but rip in the end on top at the edge between cotton and the latex coating. They are an ideal replacement of the expensive diving gloves. We give these gloves 9 out of 10 points!

December 2008: Pro-Ear 2000 mask

A new gadget is the Pro Ear 2000 mask. A mask in wich your ears are supposed to stay dry which minimizes the risk on an ear infection.

Nienke has in the past suffered from rather persistent ear infections which at one time kept her out of the water for a week to get the infection under control.

At first instance she did not like the mask one bit because it is quite an apparatus to put on and there was still water comming in her ears. But after she bought a jar of Vasaline at a drugstore in Male to improve the sealing of the ear caps it was a great solution. Another advantage is the better equalising (you equilise against air) and you can hear a lot beter under water (!) Upcoming safaris Bas will also try the mask. We give the mask 8 out of 10 points. Pro Ear 2000 >