Scuba Diver Australia New Zealand – 25 July 2026
Summary
Adrian Stacey's July 2026 issue of Scuba Diver Australia and New Zealand leads with Ross Gudgeon — the recent Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year — on the cover, while John Magee profiles the best shark encounter spots on Australia's east coast and the GO Diving Show ANZ announces a stellar speaker lineup including Chris Lemons, the "Last Breath" circle man. The issue covers Jordan, Raja Ampat to Halmahera, Bremer Bay orcas, and cave diving's five rules.
Stacey's industry news leads with MIDE 2026 — the 20th Malaysia International Dive Expo drew 19,887 visitors from 58 countries, up 18% from the previous year. The Jordan feature by Mark Evans and Daniel Brinckmann explores Aqaba's reefs alongside Wadi Rum and Petra treks. Don Silcock charts an epic voyage from Raja Ampat to northern Halmahera and Morotai. Rosie Leaney explores Bremer Bay's shore-diving options while Jayne Jenkins is humbled by the orcas of Bremer Canyon. John Kendall launches a three-part tech series on cave diving rules — motivated by the Maldives tragedy. The gear section tests the Shearwater Swift GPS transmitter and Nikon Z camera lenses. The GO Diving Show ANZ preview promises four stages, two pools, two VR zones, and the Historical Diving Society's equipment exhibition.
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Content Guide
▸ Cover Story
p.40 · Diving With Ross Gudgeon
PT Hirschfield interviews the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year. Gudgeon on capturing the underwater image that beat every other nature photographer in the country.
▸ Destinations
p.16 · East Coast Hotspots
John Magee on the best shark encounter spots along Australia's east coast. Why these ancient predators deserve awe, not fear.
p.22 · Jordan: Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra
Mark Evans and Daniel Brinckmann on a destination that delivers above and below the waterline. Ancient ruins meet pristine coral.
p.54 · Indonesia: Northern Halmahera and Morotai
Don Silcock on an epic voyage from Raja Ampat to untouched northern reefs. The Spice Islands' underwater treasures.
p.60 · Bremer Bay
Rosie Leaney on shore-diving options; Jayne Jenkins on the orcas of Bremer Canyon. Western Australia's temperate wonder from two perspectives.
▸ Technical
p.50 · Tech: The Five Rules of Cave Diving
John Kendall on why the Maldives tragedy makes these rules more important than ever. Part one of a three-part series that could save your life.
▸ Gear / Industry
p.66 · Test Extra
Shearwater Swift GPS transmitter reviewed by Mark Evans. Nikon Z camera lenses reviewed by Adrian Stacey.
p.8 · MIDE 2026
19,887 visitors from 58 countries, up 18%. The 20th Malaysia International Dive Expo marks two decades of ocean passion.
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Editor's Take
Stacey's July issue is the strongest of the three ANZ editions in this knowledge base. The Gudgeon cover profile gives underwater photography the editorial respect it deserves. The Bremer Bay feature — split between shore-diving and orca-encounter perspectives — is a smart editorial structure that serves two different reader types. John Kendall's cave-diving rules series is genuinely important content, especially after the Maldives tragedy; it is the kind of safety journalism that justifies the cover price alone. The MIDE attendance numbers (19,887 from 58 countries, up 18%) give the industry section real data. Weakness: the Jordan feature, while well-reported, duplicates content from the North American edition. Best for: ANZ divers planning a winter trip and photographers looking for competition and exhibition news.
Strengths
• Gudgeon cover profile elevates underwater photography
• Bremer Bay dual-perspective feature is smart structuring
• Cave-diving rules series is genuinely important safety content
Weaknesses
• Jordan feature duplicates North American edition content
• Gear section is thinner than previous issues
Verdict: Recommended — The strongest ANZ edition in this collection, anchored by a cover profile and a safety series that both deliver lasting value.
