Welcome to Diveplanit Travel – your personal dive travel agency. We’ll get you to the best scuba diving locations on the planet. Not sure where you want to go? Explore our website to find your ideal diving destination by country. Or choose your dive experience using our guides of the best wreck dives, coral reefs, where to go muck diving and where to see the big stuff – sharks, manta rays, turtles and whale sharks. We’ll even show you where to learn, where to get a luxury diving experience and where to take your family diving – even the best time of year to dive a particular destination.
Need inspiration? Our Blog presents interesting dive travel destinations and commentary on issues in the marine environment, and you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter which features new destinations, resorts, liveaboards and a bunch of great deals and specials.
Wherever and whenever you want to go diving, we’ll find the right package just for you. So what are you waiting for? Pool’s open folks – call us now to organise your next dive holiday!
MEET THE TEAM
Simon Mallender – Team Leader
Diver and passionate eco-warrior, Simon has been diving for over 40 years, has dived all the hotspots around our region and is always seeking out new places to dive both in Australia and throughout Asia-Pacific. An eco-warrior and video enthusiast, Simon has a keen eye for the sustainability of dive centres and liveaboards. The idea for Diveplanit Travel came about after Simon and Deb’s first Big Excursion – to Palau, when they discovered that detailed, practical information about the rather remote destination they were visiting was harder to find than it should be, and specialist guidance from an experienced dive travel agent was the key to planning the perfect dive holiday.
Deborah Dickson-Smith – Head of Product & Marketing
Travel writer, editor, scuba girl and passionate eco-warrior, Deb took her first plunge over 30 years ago – on the Great Barrier Reef – and was instantly addicted to the underwater world. Deb has since logged over 1000 dives in Australia and overseas, with extensive experience and knowledge of diving in South East Asia and the South Pacific. When Deb’s not planning dive holidays for her clients – or writing articles for the Diveplanit Blog she also writes for a number of travel publications, including Scuba Diver Magazine, Signature Luxury Travel, Vacations & Travel, Pacific Island Living, TrulyPacific.com and Get Lost magazine.
Kate Smillie – International Dive Travel Consultant
Kate has been combining her two passions, diving and travelling, for over 15 years. She has worked on almost every side of the dive industry from a tiny dive shop in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and a dive boat in Costa Rica to the offices of leading dive agents in the UK, finally settling herself on the beautiful coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, managing Diveplanit’s North American clientele and dive club travel bookings.
Claire Kilcullen – International Dive Travel Consultant
Ever since completing her open water in the Perhentian islands over 10 years ago, Claire has continued to travel all over the world scuba diving in some of the most renowned dive destinations, particularly in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands. Claire is an expert in scuba diving in the Philippines having lived on the remote island of Malapascua. With 13 years’ experience in the travel industry, she specialises in group and independent scuba dive travel using her firsthand knowledge to create unique and memorable itineraries.
Michelle Watson – International Dive Travel Consultant
Michelle is a passionate and detail-oriented travel agent with over 15 years of experience, including over six years specialising in dive travel. Her expertise is designing bespoke itineraries and intricate multi-destination trips, utilising her broad destination knowledge. Michelle has been incredibly fortunate to travel extensively across six continents. Her passion for SCUBA has driven her to experience both liveaboard and land-based diving holidays in a range of destinations including the Maldives, Philippines, PNG, Indonesia, to name a few.
Genelyn Orale – Marketing Coordinator
With over 11 years of experience as a General VA specialising in product research and website management. Apart from Simon and Deb, Gen is Diveplanit’s longest serving employee! At Diveplanit, Gen ensures the website’s liveaboards and resorts are updated with accurate and fresh information, helping travellers plan their next diving adventure with ease. A true ocean lover, Gen loves exploring the stunning shores and scenic provinces of the Philippines with her family.
Hope Perucho – Dive Travel Coordinator
Hope is a Travel Support VA with over 10 years experience crafting unforgettable holidays. Born and raised in the Philippines, her love for exploring different cultures has been a driving force behind her career. With tools like Travefy, Hope prepares visually appealing digital itineraries for Diveplanit clients that take the stress out of travel planning. When not planning holidays, Hope loves travelling with her family, discovering new cuisines, and sharing travel tips to make every journey more enjoyable.
