Kalanggaman Island
by Thomas Van Puymbroeck - 10th December 2019
Kalanggaman Island is a small island paradise located in Palampon, Leyte. It is famous for its crystal clear waters, lush…
Striped Marlins (Kajikia audax)
by Franco and Sabrina - 6th December 2019
I’ve always been fascinated by Striped Marlins and wanted to take on the challenge of documenting some of their unbelievable…
An Interview with Freediver Nik Linder
by Ivana and Janez - 15th November 2019
Nik Linder: My name is Nikolay ‘Nik’ Linder. I live in the very south of Germany, close to France and…
Love to swim with orcas? 12 reasons to go Arctic liveaboard diving now!
by LiveAboard - 5th November 2019
The Arctic has long been known for its outstanding wildlife watching and dramatic landscapes. It offers numerous diving opportunities, but…
Nurse Sharks: Docile or Dangerous?
by Ivana and Janez - 29th October 2019
There are various theories as to why the nurse shark is called so; one being that the sound they make…
Jackfish
by Ivana and Janez - 17th September 2019
Why so blue, Jack? Jackfish, also known as Bluefin trevally or blue jack, are one of the most common fish…
Freediving – Marjan Radovic photographs Tijana Nikolic
by Marjan Radovic - 4th September 2019
Freediving is an activity as old as humanity itself. More than any other sport, freediving is based on subconscious reflexes…
Diving at Secca Carega, Portofino, Italy
by Underwater Tales by Stefano Sibona - 16th August 2019
Secca Carega is the second shoal found in the Protected Marine Area of Portofino and still represents one of the…
Tales from the History of Pula – Part 1
by Mares - 19th July 2019
PULA-BORN LUDOVICO MARES BUILT THE FIRST SCUBA DIVING MASK FROM A CAR INNER TUBE AND GLASS ON THE PORTARATA SQUARE!…
Professionals in Paradise
by Ivana and Janez - 17th July 2019
What diver doesn’t dream of diving in the Maldives? And what scuba instructor doesn’t dream of working there? This one…
Picasso’s muse?
by Ivana and Janez - 25th January 2019
We learn something new every day. Recently I discovered that the beautiful triggerfish is also known as the Picassofish, the…
70 years of Mares!
by Mares - 21st January 2019
Mares is turning 70 this year! Who knows whether our founder Ludovico Mares could have ever dreamed that 70 years…
Trumpetfish – The forgotten cousins of seahorses
by Ivana and Janez - 6th December 2018
There are only three species of trumpetfish in the world (discovered so far anyway): the Chinese trumpetfish (Aulostomus chinensis), the…
Dive Expedition – Mt. Treskavica Lakes
by Mares - 26th October 2018
Located thirty kilometers south of Sarajevo, the Treskavica mountain range is no doubt one of the most beautiful in Bosnia…
Mermaids? Are they real?
by Thomas Van Puymbroeck - 27th September 2018
Are mermaids real? In the olden days, sailors believed in magical, magnificent creatures which they called 'mermaids'. Now we suspect…
The Road to Vertical Blue 2018
by Samo - 18th July 2018
Vertical Blue is one of the best depth freediving competitions in the world which takes place in Dean's Blue Hole…
Diving at the Lighthouse, Portofino, Italy
by Underwater Tales by Stefano Sibona - 16th May 2018
"The lighthouse point in Portofino is one of the most suggestive sites of the promontory. A unique, spectacular environment and…
The Wobbegong Shark
by Ivana and Janez - 16th March 2018
When I first heard the name 'Carpet shark', I thought it was a joke. The name does not sound very…
Mantas – the gentle giants of the seas
by Ivana and Janez - 7th February 2018
Manta rays – the diver's dream. Belonging to the family Mobulidae, there are two species of Manta Ray often seen…
Wild Papua – Looking for history
by Damir - 29th January 2018
Raja Ampat, best known for its diversity of marine life, can best be described as a coral reef on steroids:…
Three freediving world records broken during weekend at the Weissensee
by Herbert - 16th January 2018
Three freediving world records broken during weekend at the WeissenseeLatest endeavour is more difficult and exciting – and all performed…
An island in the current of an endless ocean
by Franco and Sabrina - 5th January 2018
Nine islands of lava, each one different from the other; some with high coasts and fjords, inlets that seem to…
Dolphins in Red Sea tormented by tourists!
by Herbert - 7th December 2017
Tourists should not swim with dolphins Swimming with dolphins in the Red Sea endangers the survival of these marine mammals,…
Freediving Patagonia
by Alejandro Andrés - 27th November 2017
Have you ever thought about what freediving in Patagonia is like? I'm a competitive Freediver and run Freediving Patagonia, my…
Maltese Diving
by Mares - 2nd November 2017
It is well-known that throughout history Malta has been a battlefield for numerous historical events, owing to its strategic position.…
What’s your approach to freediving?
by Gianluca - 27th October 2017
When we talk about freediving we often mention positive feelings, well-being and technique - but is this always true? When…
Bluefin tuna return to North Sea
by Herbert - 2nd October 2017
Researchers tag fish with satellite trackers After an absence of more than 50 years, the endangered bluefin tuna has returned…
The Myth of the Jellyfish
by Mares - 1st September 2017
When I asked my child what jellyfish were, she said they are half fish, half jelly… Well nothing could be…
The Fourth Walensee Apnea Festival: 5th – 6th August 2017
by Rene Trost - 10th August 2017
Sincere thanks to all participants, to our sponsor's Mares, SSI, Davosa, ChrisBenz, Ivana Orlović, Samo Jeranko and Neza. The special…
Freediving in Swiss lakes with Gianluca Genoni
by Gianluca - 12th July 2017
Freediving often means exploring crystalline waters to see and discover the wonders of the ocean, but this is not always…
Canyoning – An extreme sport which raises adrenaline levels
by Predrag - 27th June 2017
Canyoning is one of those adventures in which you have a full sense of enjoyment while dealing with nature and…
Corals create structures to promote reef recovery
by Herbert - 31st May 2017
Complex underwater structures catch coral larvae Scientists have discovered that coral larvae are dependent on their parents. By creating nooks…
Taking the plunge underwater… and underground
by Herbert - 22nd May 2017
Diving into the flooded tunnels of Schieferbergwerk Nuttlar in Sauerland is not for the faint-hearted. After crossing the yellow container…
Southern France: Best of Mediterranean diving
by Herbert - 1st May 2017
World-famous wrecks and a marine reserve When in the Mediterranean, be sure to visit Côte d'Azur in southern France, where…
Humpback whale calves whisper to keep safe
by Herbert - 27th April 2017
Vocalisations may be used to help mother and calf stay togetherTo avoid detection by killer whales, newborn humpback whales whisper…
The Gianluca Genoni Trophy: not just performance!
by Carlo - 11th April 2017
On Sunday the 9th of April 2017, the Gianluca Genoni Trophy was held in Mortara Swimming Pool, valid also for…
MT Haven (ex Amoco Milford Haven) – Ligurian Wrecks (Part II)
by Florent M. Locatelli - 12th January 2017
MT Haven, formerly Amoco Milford Haven, is a VLCC-class oil-tanker (Very Large Crude Carrier), in other words a super-tanker, built…
Diving in Ireland
by Herbert - 5th January 2017
The Wild West of EuropeIreland has one of the world's greatest soccer fans, who most recently fervently expressed their strong…
Rare ghost shark filmed for the first time
by Herbert - 3rd January 2017
The ghost shark is a unique species In 2009, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) exploring the seabed at the Gulf…
Trial of shark-detection technology begins at shark nursery
by Herbert - 7th November 2016
Is Clever Buoy smart enough to spot the sharks?In light of the recent shark attacks off the North Coast of…
Irrawaddy dolphins “functionally extinct” in Laos
by Mares - 1st November 2016
No hope left for the remaining dolphinsThe Irrawaddy dolphin has lost the battle for survival in Laos. The WWF declared…
Artificial Blue Holes
by Gianluca - 28th October 2016
Until recently, deep freedive training during colder seasons in a swimming pool was impossible, but this is no longer the…
Another successful Manta Fest at Yap
by Herbert - 11th October 2016
Participants get photographic tips from experts at photographic scuba shoot-out The 9th Annual Manta Fest Photo Festival was held at…
The birth of the XR line
by Florent M. Locatelli - 13th September 2016
In 1949, Ludovico Mares designed and manufactured his first masks and spearguns with one dream and purpose in mind: to…
5 essential rules for freediving this summer!
by Gianluca - 28th July 2016
During the summer season in the Mediterranean there are always more and more freedivers who go out into the sea…
For all things ‘freediving’ check out Gianluca Genoni – on board with the Mares blog!
by Mares - 14th July 2016
Gianluca Genoni has been a Mares testimonial since 1996, has established 18 world records in numerous freediving specialties and is…
XR expert Florent M. Locatelli on board with the Mares blog!
by Mares - 13th July 2016
Florent M. Locatelli joined Mares & SSI in 2014; he is the “daddy” of the new MARES│XR line and now…
Introducing Delos! A world cruising sailboat! (Part 1)
by SV Delos - 11th July 2016
Here I am. 50 Meters underwater. In a dark black hallway. Swimming my way towards “The Lady”. I’m following the bright…