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Images and text by Anita Futterer - Deep under the City of Baubau, in Indonesia’s South East Sulawesi, lies a hidden treasure few get to experience - Goa Lanto. Entry to this site is via a hidden track off the main road that leads down into a dark cave entrance where, as you descend, you are greeted with beautiful decorations (that’s what cave divers call submerged stalactites and stalagmites), that were formed when the cave was dry before being flooded with water. There is a cool air pocket in the cave that allows you to surface. The air is breathable but there is no exit at this point of the dive. Extreme care must be taken to find your way back to the main line and entrance of the cave via the lined circuit as this area can get quite silty. Due to the nature of the cave and the overhead environment, this dive requires the skills and techniques acquired during specific cave training. Nonetheless, Goa Lanto is a fantastic little dive before embarking on to the next destination, Muna Island, for the more daring and passionate cave divers. SEE MORE
Written and images by VADIM BELAKHOV - As far back as I can remember, I have always loved the ocean—the power of the waves and the serenity of the water. Walking along the beach, exploring rock pools at low tide, and, of course, snorkelling. I could spend hours floating on the surface, observing a world so unique, balanced, peaceful and so different from ours. Living in Melbourne, we are fortunate to have Port Phillip Bay at our doorstep. The bay is a large, semi-enclosed body of water bordered by the city of Melbourne to the north and the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas to the south. It's a vital part of Victoria's marine environment, offering a rich and diverse ecosystem. The bay is connected to the Southern Ocean through a narrow channel known as The Rip. This connection ensures a constant exchange of water, flow of nutrients and supports a vibrant marine eco-system. READ MORE
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What our readers say
Australia2024
Hi DL
Been reading DL since I started diving in 2008 so was fantastic to see it revived onto the internet. Just reading lastest issue I saw the article talking about being aware of and managing the 3 'D's of disorientation, distraction and discomfort. Article had a discussion and mentioned how things like being stressed or on drugs etc can contribute to the 'D's.
I found that 3D list not really an actionable checklist, so I use the Aviation checklist of IM SAFE = Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion as a more thorough way of checking if any of the 3D issues will be likely? If I am indeed safe and not affected by any issues on the checklist then I am good to dive.
Perhaps we can share this checklist in the next Dive Log?
DAVID - MELBOURNE
Australia 2024
Dear Vikki,
I just had a brief look at this month's Dive Log and I have to say ' Well Done ' !
The content and layout is, in my opinion, world class ! You cover the underwater scene like no other organisation in the past. The subject matter is well chosen, and the pics you use - awesome!
I am sure that I could not ever match the efforts of the current writers and their pictorial content, but if you ever needed a voice from the past I could offer my service to you with a story or two. I could post you a copy of each of my books - Down Under Magic and Down Under Byron - where you could find a story or two.
We pioneers are an aging group these days. I think that Val Taylor and I are two of the current survivors of the earliest days of diving in Australia. I am 87, Val a year older.
With Dave Bryant, who is an immense talent technologically, our life's works can live on.
Much of my diving life has involved looking to preservation of what we have in this great country, and that would be the legacy I aim to leave for the future.
Bill silvester - nsw
Australia 2024
Dear Mike and Vikki,
Many years have passed since I had my time in the fabulous underwater world. Today, there have been some really important and wonderful studies and works produced now performed by divers from all over the world. You have both managed to capture the world underwater scene spectacularly well. It is as good as any dive publication I have ever seen. For this I have to congratulate you both for putting together such an amazing and beautifully prepared magazine. It is one of the best and most complete presentations I have ever been fortunate enough to read.
My old diving legs wanted to experience the wonders of the ocean once again. Of course at 87 years old that is not possible. But you bring this fabulous world back to life again in your Dive Log.
There have been many important and valuable marine discoveries brought about by research and exploration. I am also reminded that when my friends and I started to explore the magic of the underwater world, we did so with inner fear and trepidation with mostly homemade gear that consisted of a mask, short fins and a snorkel with a ping pong ball on top.. By much good luck we survived those early years. We were always expecting to be faced with man eating sharks. We did see them but they did not attack us!
I am sure that you will be aware that way back in the 1970's I pushed to have the Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, declared a marine sanctuary. After nine years of facing a lot of animosity, in 1982 we won the verbal war when it was declared a protected zone, and divers could now explore its waters properly. The benefits have been enormous.
Anyway, I must again congratulate you on producing such a beautifully illustrated and informative publication.
Long may it continue!