In Neutral Buoyancy, BBC journalist Tim Ecott recounts his ongoing adventures in the "liquid world" of scuba diving--from battling rip-tides off the Dorset coast to exploring the shark-rich waters of the Caribbean--musing along the way on the history and meaning of man's fascination with diving, and reflecting on how his underwater experience has reshaped his life.

Four days after my mother's funeral I went scuba diving for the first time ... Surfacing from a dive ... I often think it strange that this mind-cleansing, emotionally charged experience is one that my mother never knew I had. It is something akin to the sense of regret I feel that she never met my daughter, born a few years after her passing. How odd that something so wonderful was not part of our shared experience.

The launch hype surrounding this book pushed it as scuba diving's answer to Nick Hornby's bestselling homage to football fandom, Fever Pitch, but even allowing for a hearty dose of wishful thinking on the publisher's part, there are two key similarities. Ecott, like Hornby, succeeds in explaining his passion in a way that speaks directly to the wannabe or even to the merely curious--lightly humorous; strong on characters; cross-references to popular culture (James Bond puts in an appearance); natural history in the TV prime-time style, rooted in personal experience. And just as Hornby's football fandom carries him back to the same sense of wonder and certainty of purpose that intoxicated him as a young boy, so Ecott portrays a link between diving and dissolving the anxieties and fearfulness of adulthood.

Be warned: if you are already a diver, Neutral Buoyancy will heighten the sense that you are wasting far too much precious time on dry land. For the rest, even if the last time you ventured underwater was in the bath, this inspirational book will have you contemplating a trip to your local swimming pool at the very least. --Alex Hankin

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

A good source of inspiration, 28 Aug 2007
This is lavishly illustrated book that I suspect will appeal more to those who are thinking about where to start diving. It is really a coffee-table book. More serious divers are more likely to pick up a copy of the "Diver Travel Guide". The "Diver Travel Guide" is updated annually or at least very regularly. I'm fairly sure that I picked up a complimentary copy with "Diver" magazine but it can certainly be bought separately.

The "Diver Travel Guide" provides a concise description of each destination followed by a fact file which summarises the relative cost; water temperature and an indication of what thickness wetsuit to wear; visa requirements and inoculations. To be fair, similar information (though less detailed and nothing on relative costs and innoculations) is included as an appendix to the "Dive Atlas".

If what you are looking for is some inspiration about where to go diving you could do much worse than get a copy of "Dive Atlas of the World".

Good, but not excellent, 16 Dec 2003
As many other Scuba diver in the northern hemisphere, my dream dive vacation is somewhere with corals, warm water and tropical fish. Usually, books that claim to list the best dive sites or dive vacations in the world list places with all those treats I want and only places like that. Sites such as the northern Atlantic coast of USA, Scapa Flow in Scotland and the Mediterranean sea are excluded. These books are usually nothing more than hundreds of pictures and little if any fact about the dive sites.

Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites does not fall in that trap, it actually lists several non-tropical dive sites and does a decent job at describing what kind of diving one can expect in as diverse sites as Malta, Maldives and Manado.

The pictures are excellent, but only serve as illustrations to the text. What I would have wanted to see more of was practicalities on travelling to the described sites. This information is now nested away in the back of the book. What I did like was the information on coral reef ecology, on oceanography and other topics all divers should be aware of.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to divers who travel, plan to travel or just wish to dream about travelling.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

A good source of inspiration, 28 Aug 2007
This is lavishly illustrated book that I suspect will appeal more to those who are thinking about where to start diving. It is really a coffee-table book. More serious divers are more likely to pick up a copy of the "Diver Travel Guide". The "Diver Travel Guide" is updated annually or at least very regularly. I'm fairly sure that I picked up a complimentary copy with "Diver" magazine but it can certainly be bought separately.

The "Diver Travel Guide" provides a concise description of each destination followed by a fact file which summarises the relative cost; water temperature and an indication of what thickness wetsuit to wear; visa requirements and inoculations. To be fair, similar information (though less detailed and nothing on relative costs and innoculations) is included as an appendix to the "Dive Atlas".

If what you are looking for is some inspiration about where to go diving you could do much worse than get a copy of "Dive Atlas of the World".

Good, but not excellent, 16 Dec 2003
As many other Scuba diver in the northern hemisphere, my dream dive vacation is somewhere with corals, warm water and tropical fish. Usually, books that claim to list the best dive sites or dive vacations in the world list places with all those treats I want and only places like that. Sites such as the northern Atlantic coast of USA, Scapa Flow in Scotland and the Mediterranean sea are excluded. These books are usually nothing more than hundreds of pictures and little if any fact about the dive sites.

Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites does not fall in that trap, it actually lists several non-tropical dive sites and does a decent job at describing what kind of diving one can expect in as diverse sites as Malta, Maldives and Manado.

The pictures are excellent, but only serve as illustrations to the text. What I would have wanted to see more of was practicalities on travelling to the described sites. This information is now nested away in the back of the book. What I did like was the information on coral reef ecology, on oceanography and other topics all divers should be aware of.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to divers who travel, plan to travel or just wish to dream about travelling.

Having this book on your shelf doesn't automatically make you safe, 28 Aug 2007
"Diver Down" certainly provides stories that have the potential to scare the wits out of non-diving friends in their retelling. However, these accounts would not look out of place in "The Darwin Awards". After all, would you drop anchor and then go for a dive in unfamiliar waters without surface cover (i.e. with no crew left aboard) - and with a squall brewing? What is sad is that poor judgement by one person can kill or seriously injure buddies or rescuers. I guess the moral here is to look after 'number one' - in order to avert a daft accident or be in a position to offer assistance to those in difficulty.

"Diver Down" tends to describe `sensational' accidents that carry few lessons for the average diver. Most of the accidents described are in overhead situations, i.e. in wrecks or caves. Most accidents to non-technical divers are usually chalked up as down to poor buoyancy control, due to inexperience, panic, or a combination of the two. But recounting these accidents wouldn't make for a very interesting read. To be fair, Michael Ange lists the 'rules' of diving and under #5 states that "panic is the primary cause of diver death".

If you want to learn from the mishaps of others then the diving press carries accounts of diving accidents or close calls that are highly educational. One that sticks in the mind is an account of a diver who suffered symptoms of secondary drowning when he was simply making a surface swim and breathed in some sea spray ("Dive" magazine, April 2007). So, if education is what you're after, subscribe to one or more of the excellent diving magazines or online forums.

Having said that, the accounts in this book make for compelling reading. It's a real page-turner and I certainly don't regret buying this book.

Safe diving.


Diver Down, 04 Jun 2007
I have not personally experienced the sorts of "bad luck" that some of the divers in this book have had, and it is very easy with hindsight to say, "well, I wouldn't have done that", but would you?
A really enjoyed this book as did my daughter who is not a diver.
The book has prompted me to review my own technique, but unfortunately it has not encouraged my daughter to take up the sport.

Good Read, 25 Jul 2006
A good descriptive account of what can go wrong on a dive and the precautions you can do to better prepare yourself. A must have for the experienced diver. Do not allow non-diving partners anywhere near it though. Would not advise for any nervous divers, get experience and build confidence first before reading this.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

A good source of inspiration, 28 Aug 2007
This is lavishly illustrated book that I suspect will appeal more to those who are thinking about where to start diving. It is really a coffee-table book. More serious divers are more likely to pick up a copy of the "Diver Travel Guide". The "Diver Travel Guide" is updated annually or at least very regularly. I'm fairly sure that I picked up a complimentary copy with "Diver" magazine but it can certainly be bought separately.

The "Diver Travel Guide" provides a concise description of each destination followed by a fact file which summarises the relative cost; water temperature and an indication of what thickness wetsuit to wear; visa requirements and inoculations. To be fair, similar information (though less detailed and nothing on relative costs and innoculations) is included as an appendix to the "Dive Atlas".

If what you are looking for is some inspiration about where to go diving you could do much worse than get a copy of "Dive Atlas of the World".

Good, but not excellent, 16 Dec 2003
As many other Scuba diver in the northern hemisphere, my dream dive vacation is somewhere with corals, warm water and tropical fish. Usually, books that claim to list the best dive sites or dive vacations in the world list places with all those treats I want and only places like that. Sites such as the northern Atlantic coast of USA, Scapa Flow in Scotland and the Mediterranean sea are excluded. These books are usually nothing more than hundreds of pictures and little if any fact about the dive sites.

Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites does not fall in that trap, it actually lists several non-tropical dive sites and does a decent job at describing what kind of diving one can expect in as diverse sites as Malta, Maldives and Manado.

The pictures are excellent, but only serve as illustrations to the text. What I would have wanted to see more of was practicalities on travelling to the described sites. This information is now nested away in the back of the book. What I did like was the information on coral reef ecology, on oceanography and other topics all divers should be aware of.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to divers who travel, plan to travel or just wish to dream about travelling.

Having this book on your shelf doesn't automatically make you safe, 28 Aug 2007
"Diver Down" certainly provides stories that have the potential to scare the wits out of non-diving friends in their retelling. However, these accounts would not look out of place in "The Darwin Awards". After all, would you drop anchor and then go for a dive in unfamiliar waters without surface cover (i.e. with no crew left aboard) - and with a squall brewing? What is sad is that poor judgement by one person can kill or seriously injure buddies or rescuers. I guess the moral here is to look after 'number one' - in order to avert a daft accident or be in a position to offer assistance to those in difficulty.

"Diver Down" tends to describe `sensational' accidents that carry few lessons for the average diver. Most of the accidents described are in overhead situations, i.e. in wrecks or caves. Most accidents to non-technical divers are usually chalked up as down to poor buoyancy control, due to inexperience, panic, or a combination of the two. But recounting these accidents wouldn't make for a very interesting read. To be fair, Michael Ange lists the 'rules' of diving and under #5 states that "panic is the primary cause of diver death".

If you want to learn from the mishaps of others then the diving press carries accounts of diving accidents or close calls that are highly educational. One that sticks in the mind is an account of a diver who suffered symptoms of secondary drowning when he was simply making a surface swim and breathed in some sea spray ("Dive" magazine, April 2007). So, if education is what you're after, subscribe to one or more of the excellent diving magazines or online forums.

Having said that, the accounts in this book make for compelling reading. It's a real page-turner and I certainly don't regret buying this book.

Safe diving.


Diver Down, 04 Jun 2007
I have not personally experienced the sorts of "bad luck" that some of the divers in this book have had, and it is very easy with hindsight to say, "well, I wouldn't have done that", but would you?
A really enjoyed this book as did my daughter who is not a diver.
The book has prompted me to review my own technique, but unfortunately it has not encouraged my daughter to take up the sport.

Good Read, 25 Jul 2006
A good descriptive account of what can go wrong on a dive and the precautions you can do to better prepare yourself. A must have for the experienced diver. Do not allow non-diving partners anywhere near it though. Would not advise for any nervous divers, get experience and build confidence first before reading this.

Jacques Cousteau "The Silent World", 21 Apr 2006
This is a wonderful book. Cousteau knows how to tell fascinating dive stories (some involving near-death moments) and keep you informed as well. The photos in the hardback edition are mostly (but not all) black and white, but stunning, especially the photo of a shark's maw one foot away from Cousteau's camera! The courage of the man takes the breath away and makes a lot of today's expert divers seem namby-pamby. No wetsuits for Jacques, he and Didi Dumas swam around in very brief swimtrunks which were no doubt regarded as sexy and trendy in the 1950s. Both of them do lots of things in the sea which would now be regarded as politically incorrect, so a really fun read.

Cousteau's 'The Silent World' is a tale of the deep sea., 18 Sep 2000
Cousteau's autobiographical account of his deep sea adventures is told with much vividness and recounts the experiences of Cousteasu and his comrade, Frederic Dumas, in the sea after their discovery of the aqua lung. A good book to read if interested in diving, or simply as a general interest publication. Either way the book makes for a good read and, considering Cousteau translated the story from the French himself, is impressively well written.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

A good source of inspiration, 28 Aug 2007
This is lavishly illustrated book that I suspect will appeal more to those who are thinking about where to start diving. It is really a coffee-table book. More serious divers are more likely to pick up a copy of the "Diver Travel Guide". The "Diver Travel Guide" is updated annually or at least very regularly. I'm fairly sure that I picked up a complimentary copy with "Diver" magazine but it can certainly be bought separately.

The "Diver Travel Guide" provides a concise description of each destination followed by a fact file which summarises the relative cost; water temperature and an indication of what thickness wetsuit to wear; visa requirements and inoculations. To be fair, similar information (though less detailed and nothing on relative costs and innoculations) is included as an appendix to the "Dive Atlas".

If what you are looking for is some inspiration about where to go diving you could do much worse than get a copy of "Dive Atlas of the World".

Good, but not excellent, 16 Dec 2003
As many other Scuba diver in the northern hemisphere, my dream dive vacation is somewhere with corals, warm water and tropical fish. Usually, books that claim to list the best dive sites or dive vacations in the world list places with all those treats I want and only places like that. Sites such as the northern Atlantic coast of USA, Scapa Flow in Scotland and the Mediterranean sea are excluded. These books are usually nothing more than hundreds of pictures and little if any fact about the dive sites.

Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites does not fall in that trap, it actually lists several non-tropical dive sites and does a decent job at describing what kind of diving one can expect in as diverse sites as Malta, Maldives and Manado.

The pictures are excellent, but only serve as illustrations to the text. What I would have wanted to see more of was practicalities on travelling to the described sites. This information is now nested away in the back of the book. What I did like was the information on coral reef ecology, on oceanography and other topics all divers should be aware of.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to divers who travel, plan to travel or just wish to dream about travelling.

Having this book on your shelf doesn't automatically make you safe, 28 Aug 2007
"Diver Down" certainly provides stories that have the potential to scare the wits out of non-diving friends in their retelling. However, these accounts would not look out of place in "The Darwin Awards". After all, would you drop anchor and then go for a dive in unfamiliar waters without surface cover (i.e. with no crew left aboard) - and with a squall brewing? What is sad is that poor judgement by one person can kill or seriously injure buddies or rescuers. I guess the moral here is to look after 'number one' - in order to avert a daft accident or be in a position to offer assistance to those in difficulty.

"Diver Down" tends to describe `sensational' accidents that carry few lessons for the average diver. Most of the accidents described are in overhead situations, i.e. in wrecks or caves. Most accidents to non-technical divers are usually chalked up as down to poor buoyancy control, due to inexperience, panic, or a combination of the two. But recounting these accidents wouldn't make for a very interesting read. To be fair, Michael Ange lists the 'rules' of diving and under #5 states that "panic is the primary cause of diver death".

If you want to learn from the mishaps of others then the diving press carries accounts of diving accidents or close calls that are highly educational. One that sticks in the mind is an account of a diver who suffered symptoms of secondary drowning when he was simply making a surface swim and breathed in some sea spray ("Dive" magazine, April 2007). So, if education is what you're after, subscribe to one or more of the excellent diving magazines or online forums.

Having said that, the accounts in this book make for compelling reading. It's a real page-turner and I certainly don't regret buying this book.

Safe diving.


Diver Down, 04 Jun 2007
I have not personally experienced the sorts of "bad luck" that some of the divers in this book have had, and it is very easy with hindsight to say, "well, I wouldn't have done that", but would you?
A really enjoyed this book as did my daughter who is not a diver.
The book has prompted me to review my own technique, but unfortunately it has not encouraged my daughter to take up the sport.

Good Read, 25 Jul 2006
A good descriptive account of what can go wrong on a dive and the precautions you can do to better prepare yourself. A must have for the experienced diver. Do not allow non-diving partners anywhere near it though. Would not advise for any nervous divers, get experience and build confidence first before reading this.

Jacques Cousteau "The Silent World", 21 Apr 2006
This is a wonderful book. Cousteau knows how to tell fascinating dive stories (some involving near-death moments) and keep you informed as well. The photos in the hardback edition are mostly (but not all) black and white, but stunning, especially the photo of a shark's maw one foot away from Cousteau's camera! The courage of the man takes the breath away and makes a lot of today's expert divers seem namby-pamby. No wetsuits for Jacques, he and Didi Dumas swam around in very brief swimtrunks which were no doubt regarded as sexy and trendy in the 1950s. Both of them do lots of things in the sea which would now be regarded as politically incorrect, so a really fun read.

Cousteau's 'The Silent World' is a tale of the deep sea., 18 Sep 2000
Cousteau's autobiographical account of his deep sea adventures is told with much vividness and recounts the experiences of Cousteasu and his comrade, Frederic Dumas, in the sea after their discovery of the aqua lung. A good book to read if interested in diving, or simply as a general interest publication. Either way the book makes for a good read and, considering Cousteau translated the story from the French himself, is impressively well written.

A diving guide book with a real difference!, 25 Sep 2008
Described as an Activity Guide book, Diving the World is much more than that. Yes, the facts are there; yes, all the information you could possibly want is there and, yes, its opened my eyes to diving destinations which I never ever knew existed. But here's the bonus ..... it's written with real style, the photographs are fabulous, the attention to detail is meticulous and its a joy to read. We're divers but so many of our non-diving friends are compelled to pick it up and browse through the pages that its now become part of the 'coffee table' reading. Its a great gift for divers and non divers alike.

Wrong title and not up to Footprint standards, 03 Mar 2008
Well, I have to disagree about this book.I was given it as a Christmas present by my son before a diving trip to Curacao...Footprint books are normally so thorough. Well, here the pictures are great but it is not "light" on the Caribbean so much as totally non-existant!So give it the title 'Long Haul Diving Destinations' and see if that gets more stars...
For Africa the Tierneys recommend Kenya but diving professionals I know recommend Mozambique,the Quirimbas;Medjumbe and Matemo.

The best way to judge a book like this is to look at areas you do know.

eg Here are their suggestions for Fiji; they recommend only the main islands where I found the diving varied between disappointing and downright dangerous, with the diving pros putting out food to attract sharks.Not my cup of tea.The diving in the outer islands, easily reached by high speed ferry, was however absolutely superb.Can particularly recommend Metamanoa and the Yasawas.

eg2; Western Australia, a wonderful unspoiled coast (10,000 people in 3000 miles of white sand coastline) with superb diving on the worlds longest single reef, the Ningaloo. The clue is that they say 'Some diving is said to be first rate'.This suggests they didnt even try it, but I can say that Coral Bay was a first class diving resort.In the end they say they can't recommend the value in travelling such long distances to get there from overseas ( though WA is closer to Singapore (and Europe) than to Sydney).Instead ,and obviously easier to get to, they recommend the Rowley Shoals a mere 260 km boats trip from WA (yes , the small matter of a "rough 12 hour crossing" just the sort of dive boat trip we like- much better than the 5 minutes to the Nigaloo!!)Also they then suggest the Cocos Islands which mean a flight back over half way towards Java!!

So how can I trust them with areas I don't know...

So , in short, nice photos, but way short of the standards set by Footprint guides.Sorry


Have all the dive books - this one is great, 23 Sep 2007
Amazing that after diving all over the world for 20 years, I still look at all the dive guides. I read all the reviews for this one and after buying it, have to say that it is the perfect guide to the best diving in the world - the coral seas. Just like it says in the title. If you are looking for a guide to beautiful diving, in great countries, most of which you can get to pretty easily, buy and read this book. If you want to travel for three days to go on dives in cold, murky water, in places without the incredible coral life described in this book, good luck to you.

Diving The Worlds a must have book, 19 Sep 2007
If I ever win the lottery, I know what I'm going to do, I'm going to use this book as a dive planner, pack up my dive kit & never come back! On a serious note this is a FANTASTIC BOOK, I'm lucky enough to have dived some of the worlds best dive sites, of which many are covered in the excellent text of this book, not by a researcher but by somebody who has been there, got wet & done the dive & believe me that makes a difference, the descriptions are spot on. The way the book is written makes you feel like it's a friend telling you about the experience, it's personal between the author & the reader, something you don't often experience in a dive guide & it's all the better for it. Some peoples reviews have said it's missed out some locations & sites, well of course it has, so has every other world dive guide that's ever been written but if I'm going to spend my hard earned cash on a dive trip, I think it's best to start at the top & work down & to do this, this is the book you want. The other thing that is amazing about this book is the photography, it's like a one man portfolio of truly awesome photographs & why Sean Tierney is not spoken about in the same context as David Doublet I'll never know. This book is great, it's the right size, with the right text, the right photo's & the right locations. When you go away make sure you take 3 things with you, your mask, your dive computer & this book, then you won't go far wrong.
Sue

Diving the Tropics, 22 Jul 2007
I was disappointed in this book. The authors have done a lot of diving, but world-class dives that they haven't visited or don't like are omitted and some of their comments, notably about Nitrox diving, are very controversial. I'm an underwater photographer and a medical doctor, so I have a little experience in these areas: a book that misses out the Sudanese Red Sea and Bikini Atoll and yet claims to be a guide to tropical diving is incomplete, at best. The authors say "if you really wanted to know about the English Channel, we didn't do it. It wasn't on anyone's list"; maybe, but the Californian Channel Islands, South Africa, New Zealand, Cocos and Malpelo are cool water locations on many divers' wish-lists (and there are some who are even interested in Scapa Flow!).

What's in the book is very good, but to go Diving the World you need to look elsewere. I recommend Monty Halls' "Dive" and Jack Jackson's "Diving with Sharks" as good places to start.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to make of it at the outset. I wasn't sure I especially needed to know about how people dived before scuba, or even why they bothered. Surely scuba with all its possibilities must be the only thing worth reading about nowadays? But I trusted my friend's judgement (we read lots of other similar books) and so I pushed on past my initial misgiving.

What a result! This is such a fascinating, beautifully-written book.

Tim Ecott has written about the technology (no it is NOT boring!), the real-life heroes, and the needs and wants of divers and diving through centuries of human endeavours; he also met some of the modern icons and has such an admiration for them that the interviewees gave plenty of time to him.

In any book there are high points. One I didn't expect was Umberto Pellizzari. Why should I be interested in free diving? Some people who just hold their breath and dive - why don't they use cylinders etc.? But Tim Ecott captures the passion and excitement of these athletes so wonderfully that I savoured every word.

He also spends alternate chapters covering his own diving experiences. He doesn't hold back, his passion for the sport is infectious and his emotions so near the surface [sic] that it is quite moving.

Anyone with even a mild interest in diving, be it free diving, snorkelling, scuba or whatever, should read this. The imagery of the author's own dives and his fascinating research into others is brilliantly conveyed. And to be honest I would recommend it to almost anyone else too. It's a fine read.

an opinion, 06 Mar 2008
The book is very well produced and is very pleasing. The information regarding resorts is comprehensive and the photography is excellent. Personally I would have preferred a little more space devoted to photographs of the sealife of each region beacuse that is what appealed to me the most. The photographs which are provided are of a very high standard and make me wish I could dive more often.

The Ultimate Dive Guide for Divers with Deep Pockets, 10 Apr 2006
Simond has produced the Gold Standard for divers that seek the ultimate in diving with 5* Luxury on hand. For many of us divers with wives/husbands and children that don't dive there is something for everybody. As the book advertises Dive,Snorkel,Chill is what is available at all Simond's destinations (what about The Galapagos ?) and having visited some of them, his advice on climate,rooms and 'expecting to see' is spot on !
Put every destination on your wish list and you will not be disappointed.

Dive in Style, 10 Apr 2006
This book has been comprehensivly researched over quite a long time, by someone who appears to be passionate about the sport. The Photograpy is really very good, bearing in mind anyone who has tried there hand at underwater photograthy will know just how difficult it is, the whole concept of combinig good hotels with quality dive sites can be very hit and miss, expensive mistakes can easily be made, this book is a must for all divers, i cannot recomened it more highly. clp

Wow, 06 Apr 2006
Once you become familiar with the layout of this book, which should take you only 15 minutes, you will find that you are in possession of the perfect travel advisor if you have any interest in luxury holidays and/or diving.Not only will you find the brilliant photography answering most of your questions,but the text and statistics will answer the rest.If you are single, a couple or a family you will find here enough fantastic holiday ideas to last you many years.Should you need further help,because you are too busy to deal with the details of arranging your holidays there is the further assistance of the website on offer.

Inspired!, 30 Mar 2006
As a fairly recent convert to the world of diving I found this book excellent. It manages to combine both key information about the destinations and at the same time inspire me. At last I can look forward to not only a great place to dive but also a great place to spend time in when I am out of the water. The photography is incredible - I wish my photos from the Maldives looked half as good! I would recommend this book for both divers and non divers.

A good source of inspiration, 28 Aug 2007
This is lavishly illustrated book that I suspect will appeal more to those who are thinking about where to start diving. It is really a coffee-table book. More serious divers are more likely to pick up a copy of the "Diver Travel Guide". The "Diver Travel Guide" is updated annually or at least very regularly. I'm fairly sure that I picked up a complimentary copy with "Diver" magazine but it can certainly be bought separately.

The "Diver Travel Guide" provides a concise description of each destination followed by a fact file which summarises the relative cost; water temperature and an indication of what thickness wetsuit to wear; visa requirements and inoculations. To be fair, similar information (though less detailed and nothing on relative costs and innoculations) is included as an appendix to the "Dive Atlas".

If what you are looking for is some inspiration about where to go diving you could do much worse than get a copy of "Dive Atlas of the World".

Good, but not excellent, 16 Dec 2003
As many other Scuba diver in the northern hemisphere, my dream dive vacation is somewhere with corals, warm water and tropical fish. Usually, books that claim to list the best dive sites or dive vacations in the world list places with all those treats I want and only places like that. Sites such as the northern Atlantic coast of USA, Scapa Flow in Scotland and the Mediterranean sea are excluded. These books are usually nothing more than hundreds of pictures and little if any fact about the dive sites.

Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites does not fall in that trap, it actually lists several non-tropical dive sites and does a decent job at describing what kind of diving one can expect in as diverse sites as Malta, Maldives and Manado.

The pictures are excellent, but only serve as illustrations to the text. What I would have wanted to see more of was practicalities on travelling to the described sites. This information is now nested away in the back of the book. What I did like was the information on coral reef ecology, on oceanography and other topics all divers should be aware of.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to divers who travel, plan to travel or just wish to dream about travelling.

Having this book on your shelf doesn't automatically make you safe, 28 Aug 2007
"Diver Down" certainly provides stories that have the potential to scare the wits out of non-diving friends in their retelling. However, these accounts would not look out of place in "The Darwin Awards". After all, would you drop anchor and then go for a dive in unfamiliar waters without surface cover (i.e. with no crew left aboard) - and with a squall brewing? What is sad is that poor judgement by one person can kill or seriously injure buddies or rescuers. I guess the moral here is to look after 'number one' - in order to avert a daft accident or be in a position to offer assistance to those in difficulty.

"Diver Down" tends to describe `sensational' accidents that carry few lessons for the average diver. Most of the accidents described are in overhead situations, i.e. in wrecks or caves. Most accidents to non-technical divers are usually chalked up as down to poor buoyancy control, due to inexperience, panic, or a combination of the two. But recounting these accidents wouldn't make for a very interesting read. To be fair, Michael Ange lists the 'rules' of diving and under #5 states that "panic is the primary cause of diver death".

If you want to learn from the mishaps of others then the diving press carries accounts of diving accidents or close calls that are highly educational. One that sticks in the mind is an account of a diver who suffered symptoms of secondary drowning when he was simply making a surface swim and breathed in some sea spray ("Dive" magazine, April 2007). So, if education is what you're after, subscribe to one or more of the excellent diving magazines or online forums.

Having said that, the accounts in this book make for compelling reading. It's a real page-turner and I certainly don't regret buying this book.

Safe diving.


Diver Down, 04 Jun 2007
I have not personally experienced the sorts of "bad luck" that some of the divers in this book have had, and it is very easy with hindsight to say, "well, I wouldn't have done that", but would you?
A really enjoyed this book as did my daughter who is not a diver.
The book has prompted me to review my own technique, but unfortunately it has not encouraged my daughter to take up the sport.

Good Read, 25 Jul 2006
A good descriptive account of what can go wrong on a dive and the precautions you can do to better prepare yourself. A must have for the experienced diver. Do not allow non-diving partners anywhere near it though. Would not advise for any nervous divers, get experience and build confidence first before reading this.

Jacques Cousteau "The Silent World", 21 Apr 2006
This is a wonderful book. Cousteau knows how to tell fascinating dive stories (some involving near-death moments) and keep you informed as well. The photos in the hardback edition are mostly (but not all) black and white, but stunning, especially the photo of a shark's maw one foot away from Cousteau's camera! The courage of the man takes the breath away and makes a lot of today's expert divers seem namby-pamby. No wetsuits for Jacques, he and Didi Dumas swam around in very brief swimtrunks which were no doubt regarded as sexy and trendy in the 1950s. Both of them do lots of things in the sea which would now be regarded as politically incorrect, so a really fun read.

Cousteau's 'The Silent World' is a tale of the deep sea., 18 Sep 2000
Cousteau's autobiographical account of his deep sea adventures is told with much vividness and recounts the experiences of Cousteasu and his comrade, Frederic Dumas, in the sea after their discovery of the aqua lung. A good book to read if interested in diving, or simply as a general interest publication. Either way the book makes for a good read and, considering Cousteau translated the story from the French himself, is impressively well written.

A diving guide book with a real difference!, 25 Sep 2008
Described as an Activity Guide book, Diving the World is much more than that. Yes, the facts are there; yes, all the information you could possibly want is there and, yes, its opened my eyes to diving destinations which I never ever knew existed. But here's the bonus ..... it's written with real style, the photographs are fabulous, the attention to detail is meticulous and its a joy to read. We're divers but so many of our non-diving friends are compelled to pick it up and browse through the pages that its now become part of the 'coffee table' reading. Its a great gift for divers and non divers alike.

Wrong title and not up to Footprint standards, 03 Mar 2008
Well, I have to disagree about this book.I was given it as a Christmas present by my son before a diving trip to Curacao...Footprint books are normally so thorough. Well, here the pictures are great but it is not "light" on the Caribbean so much as totally non-existant!So give it the title 'Long Haul Diving Destinations' and see if that gets more stars...
For Africa the Tierneys recommend Kenya but diving professionals I know recommend Mozambique,the Quirimbas;Medjumbe and Matemo.

The best way to judge a book like this is to look at areas you do know.

eg Here are their suggestions for Fiji; they recommend only the main islands where I found the diving varied between disappointing and downright dangerous, with the diving pros putting out food to attract sharks.Not my cup of tea.The diving in the outer islands, easily reached by high speed ferry, was however absolutely superb.Can particularly recommend Metamanoa and the Yasawas.

eg2; Western Australia, a wonderful unspoiled coast (10,000 people in 3000 miles of white sand coastline) with superb diving on the worlds longest single reef, the Ningaloo. The clue is that they say 'Some diving is said to be first rate'.This suggests they didnt even try it, but I can say that Coral Bay was a first class diving resort.In the end they say they can't recommend the value in travelling such long distances to get there from overseas ( though WA is closer to Singapore (and Europe) than to Sydney).Instead ,and obviously easier to get to, they recommend the Rowley Shoals a mere 260 km boats trip from WA (yes , the small matter of a "rough 12 hour crossing" just the sort of dive boat trip we like- much better than the 5 minutes to the Nigaloo!!)Also they then suggest the Cocos Islands which mean a flight back over half way towards Java!!

So how can I trust them with areas I don't know...

So , in short, nice photos, but way short of the standards set by Footprint guides.Sorry


Have all the dive books - this one is great, 23 Sep 2007
Amazing that after diving all over the world for 20 years, I still look at all the dive guides. I read all the reviews for this one and after buying it, have to say that it is the perfect guide to the best diving in the world - the coral seas. Just like it says in the title. If you are looking for a guide to beautiful diving, in great countries, most of which you can get to pretty easily, buy and read this book. If you want to travel for three days to go on dives in cold, murky water, in places without the incredible coral life described in this book, good luck to you.

Diving The Worlds a must have book, 19 Sep 2007
If I ever win the lottery, I know what I'm going to do, I'm going to use this book as a dive planner, pack up my dive kit & never come back! On a serious note this is a FANTASTIC BOOK, I'm lucky enough to have dived some of the worlds best dive sites, of which many are covered in the excellent text of this book, not by a researcher but by somebody who has been there, got wet & done the dive & believe me that makes a difference, the descriptions are spot on. The way the book is written makes you feel like it's a friend telling you about the experience, it's personal between the author & the reader, something you don't often experience in a dive guide & it's all the better for it. Some peoples reviews have said it's missed out some locations & sites, well of course it has, so has every other world dive guide that's ever been written but if I'm going to spend my hard earned cash on a dive trip, I think it's best to start at the top & work down & to do this, this is the book you want. The other thing that is amazing about this book is the photography, it's like a one man portfolio of truly awesome photographs & why Sean Tierney is not spoken about in the same context as David Doublet I'll never know. This book is great, it's the right size, with the right text, the right photo's & the right locations. When you go away make sure you take 3 things with you, your mask, your dive computer & this book, then you won't go far wrong.
Sue

Diving the Tropics, 22 Jul 2007
I was disappointed in this book. The authors have done a lot of diving, but world-class dives that they haven't visited or don't like are omitted and some of their comments, notably about Nitrox diving, are very controversial. I'm an underwater photographer and a medical doctor, so I have a little experience in these areas: a book that misses out the Sudanese Red Sea and Bikini Atoll and yet claims to be a guide to tropical diving is incomplete, at best. The authors say "if you really wanted to know about the English Channel, we didn't do it. It wasn't on anyone's list"; maybe, but the Californian Channel Islands, South Africa, New Zealand, Cocos and Malpelo are cool water locations on many divers' wish-lists (and there are some who are even interested in Scapa Flow!).

What's in the book is very good, but to go Diving the World you need to look elsewere. I recommend Monty Halls' "Dive" and Jack Jackson's "Diving with Sharks" as good places to start.

Outstanding, 07 Nov 2008
Curiosity piqued by any written account of human endeavour/failure/triumph in the face of drastic circumstance, I was understandably drawn to Raising The Dead. What a surprise to me to find this account of a cave dive in SA had me as thrilled, horrified and distraught as had accounts of Everest ascents and descents, global circumnavigation attempts, and south american climbing disasters in the past decade of my reading life. As another reviewer put it: 'unputdownable'. I'm not a diver. Now I wish I were.

I couldn't put it down ....., 16 Sep 2008
An excellent book, well written and very pacy.
Even though the bulk of the main story is laid out in the first chapter, the background fills in to build the tension before the final dive. There's quite a twist at the end, which I won't spoil by describing !
Fascinating for scuba divers, but well explained for non-divers too. I couldn't put it down .....

Superb book, 21 Jun 2008
A book which is simply un-putdownable, but which is also tragic. A truly riveting read that tells an amazing story - I can't recommend it enough. However, one can't help but think why on earth Dave Shaw thought this was a risk worth taking, especially since he knew the extreme dangers involved in cave diving. Very sad.

Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this, 04 Sep 2008
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Not only does this book describe diving from a personal perspective and explain how and why the author has become so bewitched by it but it also has some wonderful historical information and diving anecdotes that really do provide the book with the ability to convey that 'X Factor' that provides diving with some much of it's magic and draw. Highly recommended.

The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.



Simply brilliant!, 03 Jun 2007
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. I'm sure non divers would enjoy the read as much as divers will.



Required reading for divers.., 05 Feb 2007
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had stumbled across it earlier. It is an excellent summary of diving history in general but more specifically why people like me are passionate about diving. Tim avoids the usual macho aspects of diving literature and gives us a really good insight to how and why diving has progressed and become such a popular sport. I am involved in developing new ideas and products for diving and found the history of the development of diving technology fascinating and useful. Perhaps most importantly for students learning to dive, Tim has managed to provide a no nonsense guide to what diving does to the body and his descriptions are worth ten textbooks. This book really is required reading for divers

Fascinating, captivating book, 27 May 2006
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has