Originally from Lyon, graphist by profession and passionate about the underwater world, Didier has his own graphics company, Blue. He has rapidly forged a reputation in the diving world thanks to his reporting in the press. An experienced photographer, his photos allow us to experience all of the intensity of different dives. Didier participates regularly on many of our voyages and several of his photos are represented on our site.

Originally from the UK and fascinated by nature, Guy Stevens discovered diving at the age of 11. This was when he decided to devote his life to the study and protection of the marine environment. He has a degree in marine biology at the University of Plymouth, and traveled around the Caribbean, Asia and Africa before settling in the Maldives. After many dives amongst manta rays, he founded the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP) in 2005 to identify and protect the species through education and awareness programs. In 2011, he founded the Manta Trust in order to extend his activities worldwide and allow mantas and whale sharks to thrive in a healthy environment. His work has been the subject of several articles, including National Geographic and the Asian Geographic. Over and above his commitment, Guy is an exciting and generous character, who never misses an opportunity to share his knowledge.
Guy Stevens will accompany 2 of our cruises in November 2013.

A well know professional photographer with many years experience, Jean Christophe has worked for many different magazines and editors in addition to work for tour operators and photo agencies. With his aesthetic style of photography he has covered voyages all over the globe including cultural events in Europe, always with his different angle on daily life. He discovered underwater photography in 1998 and has quickly distinguished himself with particular atmospheres captured under water. A number of his images are presented on our site.

As the founder of SUBSPACE, Jean Claude Protta, an engineer from Geneva, has been diving since 1958. He became an FFESM Instructor in 1965 and an Instructor for the Swiss Federation of Underwater Sports in 1966. In 1958, he built his first camera housing for the Kodak 620. Ever since, he has not stopped creating, building and modifying underwater housings, flashes and lighting equipment destined for photography, cinema and more recently video.

In 1990, after an around the world trip lasting 10 years, he created his own company, SUBSPACE, to share his experience with those passionate about underwater imaging. Many of his images have been used on this site, especially for the destination of Papua Barat.

The SUBSPACE housings have now became a reference for those involved in underwater photography.

Holding a Masters degree in ecology and specialising in benthique ecology, Laurent is a professional diver and underwater photographer. Having won several awards, his photos are published in different French and International magazines including Le Figaro Magazine, Paris Match, VSD, GEO, National Geographic, Daily Mail, Stern and Corriere Magazine amongst others. In addition, for the last 10 years he has worked as a scientific adviser on the television show "Ushuaia Nature" presented by Nicolas Hulot.

Laurent was present on our first expedition to the Archipelago of Revillagigedo off Mexico and several of his photos have been used on the the site. In 2005, the book "Planet Mers" was published by Michel Lafon Publishing. Fruits of the labour with his friend Pierre Descamp, the book represents 11 years of photographs taken from the oceans of the four corners of the planet. The book represents the realisation of a dream for two friends consumed by a common passion and shows, explains and tells the story of the life of the ocean.

Awarded the Palme d'Or at the "Festival Mondial de l'image Sous Marine" in 2005, Planet Mere has already sold over 40,000 copies and has been translated into 5 languages by the National Geographic Society.

Ludovic Savariello discovered diving at the age of 12 years old in the Gulf of Sainte Maxime in France. Ever since, his passion for the ocean has remained strongly with him. As a Marine Engineer, Ludovic has worked in the offshore rig environment specialising in underwater robotics and acoustics. Today he is a FFESSM instructor in the South of France. His love of underwater photography has led him to collaborate with several magazines while diving in many locations around the globe. His report on New Caledonia won him an award presented by the association of underwater journalists and the prize of "Palme de Bronze" in 2003. His qualifications and commitment to the environment have also seen him involved as a key innovator in the development of certifications for underwater construction. www.ludovic-savariello.com

Since 1993, Michael and Jean Pierre Baiardi have welcomed lovers of the ocean to their shop "Ocean" in Neuchatel to propose a selection of equipment and services based around scuba diving, free diving and kite surf. Sales and hire of equipment, courses, lake dives, Nitrox and Air tank fills. Very dynamic and professional, the team at Oceans will advise and orient you in the direction of your passions. www.oceane.ch

Having worked as a financial market specialist, Pascal decided in 1992 to follow his passion and move to the Maldives. As the years passed he became more and more interested in underwater photography and gained valuable experience in marine biology. Horrified by the aggressions facing the underwater world in a modern era, for more than 10 years now he has reported and photographed the oceans of the world in an effort to protect and inform. In 1997 and 1998, after working at the Antibes Underwater Photography Festival, he become the author, or co-author, of guides and books designed to inform and educate the public of the perils faced by our fragile oceans.

Francis Bletry and the team at SCUBA-SHOP welcome you to their new 700 m2 premises in Villeneuve. Everything diving is proposed with equipment, repairs, fills, club, school and agency for Team Abyss. For over 20 years their professionalism and service has made SCUBA-SHOP the reference for dive shops in Switzerland. www.scubashop.ch

Born in 1969, and a qualified engineer from Nantes, Stéphane Rochon has always spent most of his leisure time under water. He has been diving since 1990 and his professional passion for underwater photography led him to set up professional underwater photographic equipment in 1994. His passion has now provided him the opportunity to work freelance for different magazines since 1997. Stéphane has produced, for many years, photographic portfolios for both amateurs and professionals from all over Europe. He discovered the Philippines for the first time on one of our safaris and became addicted to macro photography in South East Asia, and has since joined all of our different safaris at this destination. Several of his photos are present on our site and you may discover his portfolio at the following address : www.subphoto.com

As a Doctor of Universal Science, Stephanie Godier, French, could be called the true "space cadet". With a Doctorate in Astro Physics, she is more than qualified to pass on her knowledge, from the basic to Univesity level, and is involved in many different educational projects all based on around the world of The Universe.

When not looking at the stars, Stephanie has her head underwater. She has a Level 3 dive qualification and has travelled and dived in many locations around the globe. In other words, she is almost as passionate about diving as she is about the stars. Stephanie did join our Maldives Cruise in January 2010 for the solar eclipse, and also our Philippines' safari for the Lunar Eclipse in December 2011.