The Med had been a bit of a blind spot for Lisa Collins – and it’s possible that she has now been a tad spoilt by her first experiences there.

Fishers in southern Indonesia have developed freediving skills similar to those of the Bajau nomads LISA COLLINS had encountered previously in the north-west. On a liveaboard stopover she found her dives unexpectedly entertaining.

The diving highlight of the trip might have seemed a long time coming, but the waiting brought its own pleasures – and for LISA COLLINS, delayed gratification brought its own solo reward.

When your heart is set on visiting a hard-to-access destination, you have to hope that the diving infrastructure is up to the job. LISA COLLINS visits the Bonin Islands, but as cultural differences become apparent, divers start to go their separate wa…

Definitely off the beaten trail is Saipan in the Pacific’s North Mariana islands, a relative stone’s throw from in-the-news Guam and a revelation for divers when it comes to marine life and wartime hardware. LISA COLLINS’ only initial concern was about exactly who would be arranging the diving…

In sickness and in health -and not without a hint of coldness, boredom and nerves – LISA COLLINS battles through to savour one of her favourite diving experiences to date