Books & DVDs - South Africa's Premier Scuba diving magazine (Let the dive begin)

The Underwater Photographer: Digital and Traditional Techniques

Author: Martin Edge

Covers digital techniques, whilst providing basic skills and guidance on analogue techniques. It demonstrates how to achieve superior images, photographing shipwrecks, divers, marine life and abstract images to photographing at night and “dual lighting”.

Order here

South Africa's Great White Shark

Author: Thomas P. Peschak; Michael C. Scholl

The great white shark is one of the world's foremost predators. Intended for cage divers, marine biologists, tour guides and photographers, this book provides coverage of great white behaviour, ecology, conservation, ecotourism and the truth behind cage diving, chumming and shark "attacks".

Order here

Sharks

Author: Miranda W. Smith

Sharks offers an extensive look at the notorious predators of the deep, providing insights on shark behaviour, habitats and the surprising variety of species that inhabit our oceans. Through the fascinating text and imagery, readers will learn facts about sharks and discover how sharks breathe, swim, communicate and catch their prey. Also included is the latest in shark news and research.

Order here

Great White: The Majesty of Sharks

Author: Chris Fallows

Great White reveals the sublime beauty of sharks and provides a rare glimpse into the largely unseen world of great whites, hammerheads and other breeds. fallows captures these fearsome creatures both above water and below, in their mysterious underwater domain. This book is bound to turn heads and elicit a deep appreciation for the creatures that inhabit our oceans.

Order here

Shipwreck of Madagascar

Author: Pierre van den Boogaerde

Shipwrecks of Madagascar recounts the stories of about a hundred notable shipwrecks off the coast of Madagascar from ancient to modern times and the fate and adventures of survivors. It covers ships of the mighty Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French East India Companies, of numerous pirates who visited or settled there, of the British and French Navies, of sailing vessels and steamers of the 19th century, and of more recent times.

Shipwrecks are unknown relics for most people. This captivating book provides an interesting history into the many that occurred and helped shape Madagascar into the country it is today.

Available for purchase online at:
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/ShipwrecksOfMadagascar.html

Dive South Africa

Author: Al J. Venter with John H. Visser

Dive South Africa is for everybody who loves the sea, and especially that marvellously intriguing world underwater. This is a book about fish, whales, sharks, porpoises and, most of all, about divers who have literally "taken the plunge" into this mystical world of oceanic fantasy. It tells you about the people who dive and what they experience; it relates many of their stories. Most importantly, it explains why they dive. As they'll tell you, once you've experienced the underwater domain, there is simply no going back.

Dive South Africa is available at all large bookstores.

A Field Guide to the Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula

Author: Georgina Jones

From sponges to whales via basket stars and tube worms, this guide contains field descriptions of over 400 species of marine animals, with colour photographs and brief explanations of the biology of each major animal group.

Order this book online at www.surge.co.za

Aliwal Shoal - a univers all on its own

Producer and cameraman: Lloyd Williams

This DVD is a masterpiece that truly reflects one of our planet's real treasures. Rare film footage with well-researched commentary makes this DVD not only entertaining, but also educational.

The Aliwal Shoal is in a league of it's own, having a huge variety of marine species living on it permanently and even more that pass through at different times of the year.

In this DVD, Lloyd Williams has captured it all, making it a must have in your collection.

This DVD can be purchased at any of the dive centres in Umkomaas.

The Mammoth Book of the Deep: Over 30 True Stories of Danger and Adventure Under the Sea

Author: Jon E. Lewis

Encounter great white sharks, the stricken Kurks submarine, gold salvagers, whirlpool divers, destructive giant squid, the wreck-hunters of the Titanic, and a record-breaking descent in a bathysphere. Dive deep beneath the waves of the world's oceans from the Red Sea and South Pacific to the North Atlantic and the Caribbean in the company of Jacques Cousteau, Hans Hass, Peter Benchley, Tim Ecott, and others. This most comprehensive of collections takes you deep into the world's last unexplored frontier.

Order here

Down Time: Great Writers on Diving

Editor: Ed Kittrell; Casey Kittrell

Over 35 passages from novelists, journalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, and scientists detail an intertwined passion for diving and the written word in this collection. From Robert Stone's portrayal of a diver who faces the terrorising prospect of his air running out to Clare Booth Luce's search for the treasures of the underwater realm, every passage reveals a perspective of the world that only divers have known. Humour columnist Dave Barry battles a lobster and explains why staying on the ocean's surface is like 'going to the circus and staring at the outside of a tent'. From Rangiroa to the Red Sea, from deep within caverns to the eerie light under ice, from the lethal silliness of nitrogen narcosis to the elation of soaring over unfathomable depths, every selection, like every dive, is a unique experience.

Order here

A Diver's Guide to Reef Life

Publisher: NAUTILUS Publishing

1 200 tropical marine species from the Red Sea to the Caribbean and the Indo -Pacific fully described in detail with fascinating, first-hand information on distribution, habitat, size, life habits, underwater photography tips, full indexes and more than 1 300 spectacular colour photos. This is an essential field guide for all divers and U/W photographers worldwide.

Brought to you by BITTENBYSHARKS.COM

Order here

A Diver's Guide to Underwater Malaysia - Macrolife

Publisher: NAUTILUS Publishing

600 different Indo-Pacific marine species full described in detail with fascinating, first-hand inforamtion on distribution, habitat, size, life habits, underwater photography tips, full indexes and more than 800 spectacular colour photos. This is an essential field guide for all serious macro divers from the Maldives to Australia.

Brought to you by BITTENBYSHARKS.COM

Order here

Diving Guide to the Red Sea Wrecks

Publisher: Swan Hill P.

Over the centuries dangerous currents, perilous reefs and wars have left the bottom of the Red Sea littered with hundreds of sunken ships. Now, covered with coral formations, these wrecks have become a haven for a variety of underwater life. This guide offers a survey of some of the wrecks.

Order here

Wrecks: The World's Best Dives

Publisher: WHITE STAR PUBLISHERS

The history of man is in great part linked to the development of sea traffic, despite the risk of death due to bad weather or war. Produced to show readers the underwater treasures that have, till now, been the exclusive preserve of a fortunate few, this book presents an assortment of the most breathtaking wrecks in the world. Superb photographs, practical information on the dives, and well-documented descriptions bring life back to the sunken giants. The routes taken are described in detail and three-dimensional reconstructions help the reader to understand the itineraries.

Order here

Manatees and Dugongs of the World

This book covers the four living species of the sirenian, as well as the extinct Stellar's Sea Cow. Jeff Ripple details the natural history of the sirenian, including evolution, range, movement and habitat use, physical description, senses, anatomy and physiology, and more. It also devotes a chapter to sirens in myth and tradition and a chapter to the protection of the sirenian.

Order here

Sea Mammals of the World: A Complete Guide to Whales, Dolphins, Seals, Sea Lions and Sea Cows

This work describes 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sealions, sirenians (sea-cows and dugongs), sea otters, and the Polar Bear. It covers identification, lifestyle, feeding, breeding, habitat and range.

Order here

Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World

This breathtakingly beautiful book brings readers nose-to-nose with all of the world's marine mammals - a comprehensive line-up of remarkable whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, walruses, otters, polar bears, dugongs, and manatees. A highly practical field guide, it combines state-of-the-art illustrations with superb color photographs and detailed maps. The book highlights key field marks and clearly summarizes the types of behaviors that marine-mammal watchers may observe. Where other guides settle for static or wooden images and descriptions, this one comes to life with the kind of detailed text and stunning photos that make for a go-to reference guide. Armed with this book, any observer anywhere in the world should be able to identify the marine mammals they encounter. A go-to field guide to all of the world's marine mammals, it contains key field marks and summaries of behavior. It also includes: over 450 stunning color photos; 124 color maps; over 500 beautiful new illustrations; and, an exquisite blend of text, illustrations, and photos, harmonized for practical field usage. It is suitable for both amateurs and seasoned professionals.

Order here

Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die

Diving Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations
Author: Chris Santella

The earth's oceans hold many wondrous surprises - be they small, colourful critters off the coast of Papua New Guinea, opportunistic red demon squids on the Sea of Cortes, or naval wrecks in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll. In Fifty Places to Dive before You Die, Chris Santella has invited diving experts from around the world to share some of their favourite destinations, so ardent divers can experience these underwater wonders for themselves - either on location in their scuba gear, or home in their armchair.

The fifth in Santella's bestselling Fifty Places series, the book takes divers from hot-spot destinations like Raja Ampat (off the coast of West Guninea) to old Caribbean favourites like Grand Cayman Isles. Readers will swim among whale sharks off Myanmar, befriend wolf eels off the coast of Maine, and marvel at the giant mola mola of Lembongan, Indonesia. These wonderful creatures - plus the brilliant coral reefs that often provide their backdrop - are captured in 40 gorgeous colour photos from the world's greatest underwater photographers. And for readers who want to travel to these breathtaking locales, Santella provide complete "If You Go" suggestions to help you plan your trip.

Order here

The Rough Guide to Indonesia

Publisher: Rough Guides Limited

This newly-designed edition includes a full-colour section at the front of the guide feauring the author's selected highlights of the country. Throughout there is in-depth coverage of all the sights from Bali's stunning white beached and temples to the enigmatic ruins of Java and the jungles of Sumatra. There are first-hand recommendations of the best places to surf, dive and trek as well as comprehensive listings of the best-value accommodation and eateries for all budgets. A detailed context section provides the reader with informed background on Indonesia's history, religion and music.

Order here

The Reef DVD

When Pi, an ordinary fish from Boston, arrives at the exotic reef to live with his Aunt Pearl, he is immediately attracted to Cordelia, the fish of his dreams. There's just one big problem in the form of Troy, the meanest shark in the ocean, who not only patrols the reef keeping its community in fear of becoming his next meal, but also has his eye on Cordelia and wants her for himself. Pi must join up with his new group of friends if he stands any chance of outwitting Troy and his henchmen, save the reef and win Cordelia!

Order here

Help I'm a Fish DVD

This delightfully animated feature film tells the story of three children, Fly, Stella and Chuck, who go on a fishing trip but get caught up in a thrilling underwater adventure.

Stumbling upon Professor MacKrill's mysterious laboratory, little Stella accidentally drinks a potion that turns her into a starfish! Fly and Chuck realise that the only way to save her is to turn themselves into fish and search for her in the ocean. However, there is a problem - they only have 48 hours to find Stella and get the antidote or they will remain fish forever. Follow Fly, Chuck and Stella's enchanting undersea adventures in this beautifully animated feature that is packed with lots of fun, delightful songs and amazing adventures.

Order here

Finding Nemo DVD

From the Academy Award-winning creators of Toy Story and Monsters Inc., it's time to dive into Finding Nemo - a hilarious adventure that takes you into the breathtaking underwater world of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. When Nemo, a young clown fish, is unexpectedly carried far from home, his overprotective father, Marlin, and Dory, a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish embark on an epic journey that leads to encounters with vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish and hungry seagulls! Finding Nemo's breakthrough computer animation is the ultimate viewing experience. This edition overflows with something for everyone, including exclusive animation and deleted scenes. Swimming with laughs and overflowing with emotion - you'll find yourself watching Finding Nemo over and over again!

Order here

Raising the Dead

Author: Phillip Finch

A true story of death and survival in the world’s most dangerous sport, cave diving. Two friends plunge 900ft deep into a water-filled crater in the Kalahari Desert to raise the body of a diver who had perished there a decade before. Only one returns. Unquenchable heroism and complex human relationships amid the perils of extreme sport.
“At the bottom of the biggest underwater cave in the world, Dave Shaw found the body of a young man who had disappeared ten years earlier. What happened after Shaw promised to go back is nearly unbelievable – unless you believe in ghosts.” Outside Magazine, USA

The book is available in all bookstores countrywide.

Getaway Guide to Mozambique: and Its Offshore Islands

Author: Michael Copeland

Mozambique is, justifiably, becoming a hugely popular tourist destination, and whether you drive your own vehicle, backpack by bus or enjoy the luxury of flying, this guide will help you get to and around Mozambique with confidence. It contains all the info to ensure that you enjoy a pleasant, safe and fulfilling trip. Detailed route descriptions of coastal and inland regions; all the facts, figures, history and highlights; the latest info on national parks and game reserves; guidelines for diving, fishing and other activities; choosing your own vehicle and looking after it; information on public transport; tips on camping and hotels; health and safety issues; contact details for everyone and everything. Order here

Rough Guide to Kenya

Stretched across the equator, with the peaks of Mount Kenya – the second highest mountain in Africa – rising out of a natural environment of exceptional beauty, Kenya is a hugely rewarding place to travel. The country's dramatically diverse geography has resulted in a great range of natural habitats, harbouring a stunning variety of mammals and birds, while its history of migration and conquest has brought about a complex social panorama, which includes the Swahili city-states of the coast and the nomadic pastoralists of the Rift Valley. The world-famous national parks, unselfconsciously colourful peoples and superb beaches lend the country a genuinely exotic image with magnetic appeal.

But treating Kenya as a succession of tourist sights isn't the most stimulating way of experiencing the country. Travelling with your eyes open, you can enter the very different world inhabited by most Kenyans: a ceaselessly active landscape of farm and field, of streams and bush paths, of wooden and corrugated-iron shacks, tea shops and lodging houses, of crammed buses and pick-up vans, of overloaded bicycles, and of streets wandered by goats, chickens and toddlers. Off the more heavily trodden tourist routes, you'll find real warmth, openness and curiosity towards visitors. And out in the wilds, there is an abundance of superb scenery – vistas of rolling savanna dotted with Maasai and their herds, high Kikuyu moorlands, dense forests bursting with bird song and insect noise, and stony, shimmering desert – all of which comes crisply into focus when experienced in the context of an economically beleaguered African nation riven by deep social tensions.

Order here

Kenya Lonely Planet

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya, home of lion prides, nomadic tribes and city-smart nightclubbers, realm of equatorial glaciers, ochre-red deserts and tranquil Indian Ocean coves. Whether you want to watch wildlife, set out into the great unknown or chill on a beach, Lonely Planet helps you plan the African adventure of a lifetime.
SET OUT ON SAFARI – get the lowdown on choosing, planning and booking safaris for every budget
EMBRACE THE OUTDOORS – whether it’s cruising the coast, ballooning over the Mara or trekking up Mt Kenya, we give you the when, where and how
THE BIG FIVE – our 16-page colour wildlife guide is your essential animal-spotting companion
REST EASY – accommodation options to suit all tastes, from back-to-nature bandas to luxury ecolodges
MAKE YOUR OWN WAY – up-to-the-minute information on how to get around, be it by buzzing matatu or graceful dhow.
Order here

Global Warming for Dummies

Authors: Elizabeth May and Zoe Caron

Global Warming For Dummies will appeal to readers daunted by Tim Flannery's The Weather Makers or who wanted to know more than Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth offered. Although the book will not sugar-coat this serious topic, its friendly, conversational style and upbeat attitude will entice readers who are interested in the subject but have been reluctant to read about it previously. The book looks at the major contributors to climate change, and considers the possible long-term effects of a warmer planet. Readers will also explore solutions to the problem, from what governments and industry can do, to what they can do at home and how they can get involved.

Order Here

Rough Guide to Zanzibar

Rough Guide to Zanzibar
Author: Jens
Finke
Publisher: Rough
Guides Limited

Writeup:

The Rough Guide to Zanzibar tells you all there is to know about East Africa's island paradise. From the labyrinthine Stone Town to ruined Omani palaces, the 16-page, full-colour introduction pinpoints all of the island's highlights. In addition there are two new colour inserts: "Zanzibar and the Slave Trade" and "Zanzibar and the Sea". The guide includes details for all the best places to stay, eat and drink, to suit every budget, plus a new "Author's Pick" feature to highlight the very best options. There is plenty of practical advice on a range of outdoor activities, including snorkelling and diving. This edition includes new chapters on the Swahili people and Swahili cuisine and comes complete with maps and plans for the whole island.

order here

Zanzibar: The insider's guide

Author: Ian Michler
Publisher: Struik Publishers

Aah, Zanzibar... that land of allure. The name alone conjures images of mystery, the aromas of spices and the charm of the humble dhow. Zanzibar also boasts some of East Africa’s most glorious and unspoiled coastlines. It speaks of the romance of lazy languid days spent soaking the sun on palm-lined beaches and taking to warm tropical azure waters to dive and snorkel.

But beaches are not all Zanzibar has to offer. The Insider’s Guide takes you on a journey through an archipelago that has one of the most vibrant economies in the region and is home to a thriving arts and cultural scene.

The Insider’s Guide also gives you invaluable insight into the life of the Zanzibari people and the Swahili culture, offers practical details on the various accommodation options and great shops in Stone Town, and wonderful insider tips on where to find the best arts, crafts, festivals and music on your travels.

Order here

NUDIBRANCHS AND SEA SNAILS – Helmut Debelius
From the Red Sea to South Africa and across to the West Coast of the Americas.

You probably know the feeling: you’re gliding along, admiring all the reef fish and coral, when you notice this small little bundle of kaleidoscopic colour. But what is this strange little being? South African reefs are home to a multitude of nudibranchs, but without a guide they could all just turn into “that colourful slug-looking thingy”. Helmut Debelius’s Nudibranchs and Sea snails covers everywhere, from the Great Barrier Reef right through to the islands of the Pacific as well as our own coastline. This definitive hardcover guide is a treasure trove of information. The excellent full-colour photographs are printed on quality art paper, and the design makes reading and identification a breeze. The book also covers coneshells, tritons, limpets and cowries. An excellent guide to nudibranchs in and around South Africa, ensuring you’ll never confuse a Gas-flame and your Pajamas again.
Recommended retail price: R410.00
For a dealer near you, contact
info@oceandivers.co.za

Coral Reef Food Chains

Authors: Bobbie Kalman; Kelley MacAulay

R90.95

ISBN: 9780778719946 Format: Softcover

Suitable for ages: 6-10

Coral Reef Food Chains takes young readers on an underwater journey to the rainforest of the sea. It features photographs and illustrations that explain the relationships between the plants, herbivores, carnivores, and other creaties that live in and around the reef.

Order Here

Reef Fishes and Corals: East Coast of Southern Africa: Seychelles, Mauritius, Comores, Madagascar & East Africa

Author: Dennis King
Publisher: Struik Publishers

This guide contains information on more than 200 fish and 32 coral species found along the KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique coasts, with matching photographs to aid quick identification. Popular dive resorts are situated in this area, although many of the fish and corals described occur along the entire east coast of Africa and elsewhere in the western Indian Ocean. To assist in identification, outlined drawings of the various fish families are provided with page references to the relevant species. Each entry provides the common and scientific names of the species as well as concise information on physical appearance, habitat, feeding habits and any other interesting characteristics. Photographs illustrating the changing colour patterns of the male/female and/or juvenile/adult phases of fish provide additional information. The book is aimed at the fast-growing community of sport scuba-divers, snorkellers and rock pool enthusiasts, and its laminated, splash-proof binding makes it suitable for outdoor use on boats and on the beach.
Order Here.

The Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa

Author: Rudy Van der Elst
Publisher: Struik Publishers

This reprint features the latest regulations regarding catch restrictions and current angling and spearfishing records. The guide includes 324 of the fish most likely to be seen or caught in Southern African waters, from the little coral fish that inhabit the Northern Natal reefs and estuaries to the might of the Black marlin and the Great White sharks. Each species is photographed in full colour to show the characteristic shapes, identifying colouration and markings to best advantage. A full page is devoted to each species description, elements of which include notes on natural history, local and world-wide distribution maps, and angling and spearfishing records, as well as catch restrictions.
Order Here.

Diver Down: Real-World Scuba Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Author: Michael R. Ange

The ultimate guide to help you understand and prevent diving accidents, based on 20 true-life reports. Diver Down reveals how scuba diving accidents leading to severe injury or death usually result from a chain of events that can and should be prevented before a tragedy occurs.

Order here

Safe Diving: A Medical Handbook for Scuba Divers

Author: Allan Kayle

Safe Diving focuses on basic medical fitness to dive. This book covers the full spectrum of conditions and ailments that affect divers, from the cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological requirements for diving to breathing mixtures, inhaled gas contamination, heatstroke, and hyperthermia. It is suitable for scuba divers, rescue divers, and dive instructors.

Order here

Scuba Diving Safety

Author: Dan Orr and Eric Douglas

Aimed at serious divers and diving instructors, this book addresses both rescue and first aid across a range of diving environments. It provides techniques for: surface and underwater rescue, open water resuscitation, self-rescue, currents and dams, overhead environments, faulty or damaged equipment and dangerous marine life.

Order here

Assessment of Diving Medical Fitness for Scuba Divers and Instructors

Author: Dr Peter Bennett, Dr Frans Cronje and Dr Ernest Campbell

Every diver must take responsibility for the risks inherent to diving, and medical issues are no exception. This book provides information and guidelines on assessing the medical fitness of prospective divers and explains in layman's terms the principles behind medical considerations.

Available from www.dansa.org

The DAN Guide to Dive Medical Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

By Divers Alert Network

This illustrated 232 page guide compiles articles written by DAN medics and specialists in various fields addressing topics ranging from bone fractures to heart problems to “mask squeeze” and includes a thorough discussion of what decompression illness encompasses and an index to locate references for various medical conditions.

Available from www.dansa.org