About DIVING ESCAPADES
Stories, guides, and real experiences from an ocean-loving traveler
Travel has a way of changing us — it gives us a break from routine, shows us new perspectives, and reminds us there’s a bigger world out there waiting to be explored.
But let’s be real for a second: travel planning can also be… a lot.
You spend hours researching, open 27 tabs, watch one video, and suddenly you’re more confused than when you started.
And when things don’t go as planned? That “relaxing trip” doesn’t feel so relaxing anymore.
That’s where this blog comes in — to make the whole process easier, clearer, and a lot more enjoyable.
Before we dive any deeper (pun absolutely intended 😉), let me introduce myself.
Hi, I’m Lorie
I was born in the Philippines, moved to Australia in my early twenties for further studies and work, and eventually found my way to Europe — where I have now been living for more than 11 years.
I learned to dive in Brisbane, Australia in 2013, and that decision changed the way I traveled.
Suddenly, trips weren’t just about seeing a new place — they were about discovering an entirely different world underwater.
I found myself on weekend road trips to Byron Bay in New South Wales to dive with leopard sharks, flying back to the Philippines to rediscover the reefs I grew up near, and building a life that constantly drifted between coastal towns and dive boats.
In 2014, I moved to Luxembourg and made Europe my new home base.
I kept diving, traveling, jotting down every experience, and answering endless questions from friends about the Philippines and where to dive next.
Around this same time, I also began traveling internationally as a microbiology scientist to present my work at conferences.
That took me to places like Melbourne (Australia), Heidelberg (Germany), Killarney (Ireland), Clermont-Ferrand (France), Berlin (Germany), Gaithersburg (USA), and Granada (Spain).
I enjoyed sharing my research, but the part I secretly loved most was exploring each city before or after my presentation. Looking back, those trips fueled the travel bug even more.
In 2018, after a trip to Elba Island in Italy led to a video unexpectedly reaching 1,000+ views and 20+ shares overnight, I launched Diving Escapades to share the beauty of the ocean and highlight responsible dive operators.
Shortly after that, life paused for a little while (hello motherhood!). In 2024 — six years later — I relaunched the blog with one clear intention:
To help travelers plan meaningful, responsible dive and travel experiences — without the overwhelm.
My guides are rooted in real experiences — the dives I’ve done, the places I’ve explored, and the conversations I’ve had with dive operators along the way — all supported by structured research so you get information you can actually use.
In 2025, I had the chance to support ocean conservation efforts here in Luxembourg by helping bring Luxembourg Ocean Days to life.
It reminded me that even in a landlocked country, people care deeply about the ocean and want to protect it — something that fuels everything I share on this blog.
And while I once thought I’d never master packing light, I truly did — partly because science trained me to be organized, and partly because traveling with dive gear, toddlers, diapers, and a stroller leaves you no choice. 😉
Somehow, I still manage to carve out travel time and enjoy the adventure, even with everything (and everyone!) in tow.
What You’ll Get From This Blog
I help travelers by offering:
✔️ FREE in-depth dive & travel guides based on real experiences
Especially for destinations like the Philippines — a country of 7,641 islands that can feel intimidating if you don’t know where to start.
✔️ Practical itineraries you can follow immediately
Plug-and-play plans built for real people, real schedules, and real budgets.
✔️ Responsible travel tips that are simple, not overwhelming
No guilt trips — just small, meaningful habits that add up.
✔️ Underwater + topside adventures
Because the best trips combine both.
✔️ Travel planning help
Gear tips, packing lists, logistics, routes, and everything you need to avoid travel stress.
✔️ Honest stories, insights, and recommendations
So you know what to expect before you go.
If you want your travels to feel organized, meaningful, and ocean-friendly — you’ll feel at home here.
My Values & What I Believe
I live by this belief:
Travel changes you — and if you do it right, it changes the world a little too.
Sustainable travel matters because every trip leaves a footprint. The goal is not perfection — it’s awareness.
I try to be a conscious traveler: reusable water bottle, collapsible cup, refusing disposable airplane cups (they’re lined with plastic!), and always picking up trash when I see it — especially underwater.
My guides reflect these choices. I highlight sustainable operators, encourage reef-safe behavior, and help readers travel in a way that respects the places and people they visit.
Little steps matter. Collectively, they make a difference.
How I Choose Dive Centers (And Why You Can Trust My Recommendations)
When I dive, I don’t only look at the sites — I look at the people behind the operation.
I love sitting down with dive center owners, instructors, and conservation teams to learn:
- what they believe in
- how they protect their local reefs
- how they treat marine life
- how they manage groups underwater
- what projects they support (coral nurseries, reef patrols, waste reduction, education, etc.)
These conversations help me understand the heart of a dive center — not just its price list or dive map.
My interviews are not sponsored.
They’re collaborative, friendly conversations I choose to do only with dive centers I personally admire and believe in.
You’ll see these interviews linked throughout my blog for places like Roatán, Cozumel and Dauin.
They’re here to help you choose responsible operators and feel confident about who you dive with.
Where I’ve Been & What I’ve Learned
I have traveled to 20+ countries and regions over the years — sometimes for diving, sometimes purely for travel, but always with curiosity.
- Australia
- Belgium
- Belize
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Hong Kong
- Honduras
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Over the years, I’ve completed several certifications to deepen my skills and explore more safely — both on scuba and breath-hold dives.
SCUBA Diving:
- PADI Open Water Diver — Brisbane, Australia (Nov 2013)
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver — Brisbane, Australia (Apr 2014)
- PADI Underwater Photography Specialty — Lanzarote, Spain (Oct 2018)
- SSI Night Diving & Limited Visibility Specialty — Elba Island, Italy (Sept 2019)
- SSI Deep Diving Specialty — Elba Island, Italy (Sept 2021)
- SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty — Dauin, Philippines (Feb 2024)
Freediving:
- AIDA Level 1 Freediving — Luxembourg (Oct 2023)
- AIDA Level 2 Freediving (Pool / Dynamic) — Luxembourg (Jan 2024)
You’ll notice my certifications span multiple agencies — PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International) for scuba diving, and AIDA (Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée) for freediving.
From my experience, what matters most isn’t the agency name itself, but the quality of instruction, strong safety standards, and responsible diving practices.
I’ve had excellent training across all of them, and from my experience, it’s the quality of the instructor that makes the biggest difference underwater.
Certifications matter, but what truly shaped me as a diver came from being in the water — again and again, in different parts of the world.
The Philippines remains a standout destination for me — unmatched biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and underwater life that still makes me say “wow” every time.
What shaped me most as a diver?
Seeing trash in the ocean — everywhere. From the Mediterranean to the Pacific to the Caribbean, it’s a global issue. That’s why sustainable travel is at the heart of everything I write.
Also: I’ve carried dive gear through airports, ferries, buses… sometimes with a toddler and stroller. Basically a gym workout disguised as travel. 😉
Who This Blog Is For
This blog is for you if:
- You’re a new diver or curious about starting
- You love the ocean
- You’re planning a dive trip to the Philippines
- You want clear travel guides you can trust
- You get overwhelmed by planning
- You want to travel sustainably without overthinking it
- You enjoy good food as much as good adventures
- You want to travel better, not faster
Most of my guides are coastal or island-based (I clearly have a thing for the ocean), but you’ll also find plenty of topside adventures sprinkled in.
A Few Fun Things About Me
- I “pack light”… until it comes to camera gear. Then suddenly I’m transporting a miniature film studio.
- Most trips start as diving escapades and somehow turn into dining escapades — trying local food is always part of the adventure.
- Fritto misto after diving in Italy? Elite.
- Fish & chips in Australia? Always hits.
- Chili-sprinkled pineapple in Mexico during a surface interval? Unexpected, refreshing, and now permanently part of my dive memories.
- Filipino barbecue? I can smell the charcoal just writing this.
Let’s Stay Connected
I’m building the Diving Escapades Community — a friendly Facebook group where I’ll answer questions, share tips, and help you plan better trips. You’ll be able to share your own photos, stories, and experiences too.
(Coming soon — I’ll update this section once it’s live.)
For now, you can reach me through my Contact page or follow me on social media for real-time adventures.
The Wrap Up
I’m so happy you made it this far — and if you’re still reading, I salute you. 🙌
I hope this blog helps you plan trips that feel meaningful, joyful, and responsibly done… without drowning in browser tabs or packing regrets. (We’ve all been there.)
Feel free to wander through the guides, download an itinerary, or simply daydream about where to go next. Your next adventure is waiting — and I’m here to help you make it memorable for all the right reasons.
Let’s explore the world with purpose.
Let’s protect the ocean as we enjoy it.
Let’s dive into travel that actually matters.
Safe travels!
— Lorie
