Black Manta Photography

28/01/2024

I almost went blind trying to find, and then photograph this tiny Pygmy Seahorse in the Philippines last year whilst diving with the magnificent Magic Oceans Dive Resort - no bigger than my fingernail, these beautiful little beasts are the master of disguise hiding in their giant fan coral home.
I swear - one minute you’ve spotted it, you blink and it’s gone from all sight..!
Stunning trip with the best group of friends!

Shot with


Panasonic UK Tourism Promotions Board Philippines Visit Philippines It's More Fun in the Philippines

22/01/2024

Anyone fancy it? A well worth while course!

Want to go Solo? We have two spaces available on our SDI Solo Course running this Sunday(28th January) Sign up today just drop us an email [email protected]

08/01/2024

Have you ever thought about diving on your own?
Have you ever found yourself short of a dive buddy?
Have you ever been diving and found yourself buddied with a diver that you wouldn't want to trust your life with?
Do you have a regular dive buddy who isn't as confident as you?

If you can answer 'yes' to any of the above 4 questions then fear not - I might just have the solution for you!

This is a full review of the SDI Solo Diver Course that I've recently completed with the brilliant team at Wraysbury Dive Centre.
I've broken it down and given you my own honest opinions as always, from the course fundamentals through to my thoughts, recommendations, and the reasons I chose the course in the first instance.

Please, if you have any thoughts, opinions or questions on any of this content then do add them in the video comments. I welcome all queries.

All views are my own, and I have not been directed or coerced to say anything contained in this video.
The cost of the course was covered in full by myself, and I have not been asked to, nor have I received any free equipment or training to create this video.

For more information on the SDI Solo Diver Course visit:
https://www.tdisdi.com/sdi/get-certified/Solo-Diver-Course/

For more information on Wraysbury Dive Centre Visit or contact the following:
Web - https://www.learntodive.co.uk/
Email - [email protected]
Phone - 01784 488007
YouTube -

To support this channel please consider subscribing to on YouTube.







SDI - Scuba Diving International
Scuba Diving International - Instructor

https://youtu.be/TO64AW3gAvQ?si=XdTcO2h4_ksXH5rx

Have you ever thought about diving on your own? Have you ever found yourself short of a dive buddy?Have you ever been diving and found yourself buddied with ...

31/12/2023

What a way to finish a fantastic year!!

Finished off the SDI Solo Diver Course today with the fantastic team at Wraysbury Dive Centre
Definitely the way forward - keep those eyes peeled for a little vlog about the course!

Happy New Year everyone where ever you are in the world. 🫶🏼🙌🏼

22/12/2023

Like a Phoenix from the ashes I rise!

Too dramatic?? Yeah, probably but it seemed like a great line to start with...
So yeah, I'm back!! Some of you might be wondering if I ever actually went anywhere to be back, and yes, to an extent you're right.
Took a bit of time away from YouTube to get on with normal life, but glad to say I'm back, rediscovered my mojo and raring to go!
Find it hard to believe that it's been over 2.5 years since my last vlog/kit review to you all, so lots of catching up to do!

So where have I been? Well, moved house a few times, had some great dive trips out to the Red Sea with the great team at Roots Red Sea, Egypt, and enjoyed an amazing group trip out to the Philippines with the brilliant teams at Magic Island Dive Resort and Magic Oceans Dive Resort.
So why now? Things in my personal life feel more settled than ever, and I've got the thirst back to vlog, and boy oh boy have I got some peachy things coming up for you!

I'll be kickstarting 2024 with a fresh review on the brand new Garmin Descent Mk3i and new T2 Transmitter - an unbelievable-looking piece of kit!
Also, (I hope you're sitting down) I'm going to be UK diving a lot more through 2024 in an actual Dry-Suit!! I know - hard to believe (if you know me that is!)
My love for warm, clear tropical water has earned me the lovely title of 'dive woose' but I'll be looking to turn that around.
I'll also be back to you guys really soon to talk to you about a new dive course I'm undertaking. Really excited about this.

As always - thank you for the continued support and messages - if you have any questions then drop them in the comments.

Wherever you are in the world, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2024!

Please note - I have NOT been paid, endorsed, or received any free product to make this video.

Music sourced from https://www.epidemicsound.com

Huge thanks to:
Mike's Dive Store London - https://www.mikesdivestore.com/
Blue Ocean Diving - https://www.blueoceandiving.co.uk/
Wraysbury Dive Centre - https://www.wraysbury.ws/
Full Garmin Descent range - https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/search/?query=descent
For Descent Mk3 sales - https://www.mikesdivestore.com/collections/garmin-mk3-dive-computer-collection
https://youtu.be/2ntSR8e3RG4?si=zK-F8_GRJpJRyNNw

Like a Phoenix from the ashes I rise!Too dramatic?? Yeah, probably but it seemed like a great line to start with...So yeah, I'm back!! Some of you might be w...

12/09/2023

Great Barrier WOW indeed!!

If you haven’t seen it yet, head over to the latest edition of Dive Travel Adventures and check out the Australia article finally in print.
Pages 80-94.

https://issuu.com/scubaverse/docs/dta_8/80?ff&experiment=flat-plan

It’s actually from a trip in January 2020 - long before the pandemic was a ‘thing’..!
It’s been completely rewritten twice, but it’s great to see the photos in glorious print.
The trip was a liveaboard on the M/Y Spoilsport from the amazing team at Mike Ball Dive Expeditions - an utterly unbelievable experience.

There are also so great articles from lots of others including Sean Chinn and the lovely team at Frogfish Photography, so make sure you check it out…!!

Scubaverse Australia Tour Australia Australia Tourism Tourism Australia Australian Tourism Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef Foundation Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Great Barrier Reef

27/06/2023

Great to see the March trip to the Philippines in print in this months Scuba Diver Magazine. Also available in the US and Australia print versions for friends overseas.

The article covers both the amazing Magic Island Dive Resort in Moalboal, Cebu, and the stunning Magic Oceans Dive Resort in Anda, Bohol.

A small but perfectly formed group of 10 headed out for some of the best diving we could find, and we even had a non diver in our midst, so check out what we got up to making sure everyone was occupied!

Massive thanks to all the staff at both resorts for an utterly unforgettable trip, amazing diving and delicious food!! We’ll definitely be back soon!!

It's More Fun in the Philippines Department of Tourism - Philippines Visit Philippines Pescador Island Moalboal Cebu Kawasan Falls Chocolate Hills Black Manta Photography Dive Worldwide

30/01/2023

Great to finally see this in print! Check it out on pages 28-42..!

29/01/2023

Back in December 2019 I was incredibly lucky to spend 2 glorious weeks across 4 hotels in Mexico on both Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula taking on some of the absolute best diving Mexico had to offer!

Great to finally see the article and photos in print after some difficult years through the pandemic - how different life is now.

Massive thanks to the teams at Scubaverse, Dive Travel Adventures, Pro Dive Mexico Scuba Academy, Pro Dive International PADI 5 Star Dive Centers and the Barceló Hotels & Resorts Hotel Barcelo Rivera Maya for making it all happen.

To see everything from the stunning reef dives of Cozumel, the beautiful Cenote dives and the thrill of diving with Bull Sharks, check out pages 28-42 in the link below.
Lots of other great content too from other collaborators.

This article is dedicated to the memory of Erich Ritter SharkSchool. A great man who I was fortunate enough to spend some time with on this trip before his untimely passing in Aug 2020.

Enjoy!!

Mexico Tourism Office VisitMexico Isla Cozumel Allegro Cozumel Royal Hideaway Playacar Allegro Playacar Occidental Cozumel

Join us on some of the most spectacular and exciting Dive Travel Adventures worldwide in the Winter 2023 (Issue 7) of the premium quarterly magazine from the Scubaverse Team! Packed full of incredible photography and first person travel experiences, Dive Travel Adventures will inspire you to put on....

26/01/2023

Meet Jason - a Royal Navy Veteran who has been involved with the Deptherapy programme since 2016.
Listen to how Jason explains in his own words how Deptherapy and The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust have helped to change his life.
Deptherapy isn't just a charity - it's a family, and really does make a difference in saving people's lives.

Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education. Making the IMpossible POSSIBLE.

The Summer 2022 Expedition was supported and funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund, and The Veterans' Foundation.

For further info on the following, please visit the following links.
Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education - https://deptherapy.co.uk/
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - https://covenantfund.org.uk/

A special thanks to those that made the video possible.
Dive RAID UK - https://www.diveraiduk.com/gb/
Divecrew - https://www.divecrew.co.uk/
Roots Red Sea, Egypt - https://www.rootsredsea.com/
M/Y Big Blue - https://mybigblue.com/
Open Ocean Project

All filming, editing & production by Black Manta Photography.
For collaboration, or licensing contact [email protected]

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

For more content subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/blackmantaphotography