News

The hidden magic of the Dutch underwater world

Rob Dekker, founder of DiveActivity and an active diver in Dutch waters for over twenty years, will appear as a guest speaker at Duikvaker on 6 and 7 February 2027. During his presentation, he will take visitors on a tour of the most beautiful and least-known dive sites in the Netherlands, including the Haringvliet and Slot Hulkenstein in the Randmeren. He highlights that Dutch underwater life — and the waters of Zeeland in particular — boasts remarkable biodiversity that varies greatly from season to season. Unlike tropical diving, diving in the Netherlands requires a keen eye for small areas, as much of the underwater life has mastered the art of camouflage. Duikvaker takes place on 6 and 7 February 2027.

Flora & Fauna

9 September 2026

Stichting Life Below Water brings ocean conservation to Duikvaker 2027

Stichting Life Below Water (LBW) will be present at Duikvaker 2027, taking place from 5 to 7 February 2027 at Expo Houten. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and driving concrete action on the health of our oceans and waterways, through beach and water clean-ups, guest lectures, educational activities and documentaries. During the fair, visitors can learn about LBW's projects and discover how they can make a difference themselves. One of the key projects is the documentary <em>Impact Sardine Run</em>, which examines the influence of human activity on the well-known Sardine Run in South Africa. For more information, visit www.lifebelowwater.org.

Flora & Fauna

27 August 2026

Duikvaker 2027 for the whole family: here's how young visitors experience the diving trade show

Duikvaker 2027 vindt plaats op 5, 6 en 7 februari 2027 in Expo Houten en richt zich dit jaar nadrukkelijker op jonge bezoekers. Tijdens de editie van 2026 kwamen ruim 250 bezoekers onder de 16 jaar naar de beurs, een aantal dat gestaag groeit. In 2027 introduceert de organisatie voor het eerst een eigen reeks lezingen speciaal voor jonge duikers, als aanvulling op het bestaande jeugdprogramma. Daarnaast kunnen kinderen rondlopen langs standhouders en films bekijken in de filmzaal. Meer informatie over het programma en tickets is te vinden op duikvaker.nl.

Exhibition

24 June 2026

Where to dive in Malta? The best dive sites in Malta, Gozo and Comino

Malta is a popular diving destination with dozens of sites spread across three islands — Malta, Gozo and Comino — accessible year-round thanks to minimal currents, virtually no tidal movement and visibility that reaches up to 50 metres on clear days. The offering ranges from beginner-friendly wrecks such as the Tugboat 2 near Sliema (18 to 20 metres) and the HMS Maori off Valletta (16 metres), to advanced dives at the Um El Faroud, a 110-metre tanker widely regarded as the queen of wrecks. On Gozo, the Inland Sea draws the most divers with an 80-metre tunnel and a wall dropping to 60 metres for technical divers, while historic wrecks at depths of up to 130 metres — including the submarine HMS Stubborn at 57 metres — require a permit from Heritage Malta, obtainable through a recognised dive school. The vast majority of diving is done as a shore dive, making your own transport virtually essential, and September is considered the ideal month thanks to the warmest water, the best visibility and the easing of summer crowds. Malta is around three hours from the Netherlands by air, with carriers including Transavia and Ryanair, no visa is required and the euro is the local currency.

Diving trips

24 June 2026

NOB is organising two extra large snorkelling days in Gelderland this summer

The Dutch Underwater Sports Federation (NOB) is organising two snorkelling days this summer, with a total of 120 places available: on Saturday 18 July at Bussloo in Gelderland, and on Sunday 9 August at Groene Heuvels, also in Gelderland. Each day features three sessions — at 09:30, 12:00 and 14:30 — with a maximum of 20 participants per session. The activity is open to anyone aged 10 and over who holds a Swimming Certificate A, and participation costs €9.95 for NOB members and €19.95 for non-members. New this year is a partnership with SamenSuppen, which will be offering SUP excursions at both locations, giving visitors the option to combine snorkelling with stand-up paddleboarding. Registration and further information are available at www.onderwatersport.org/twee-extra-grote-snorkeldagen-nog-meer-avontuur-onder-water.

Flora & Fauna

10 June 2026

Walk the show floor in advance: Duikvaker 2027 in 3D

Duikvaker 2027 is introducing an interactive 3D floor plan that allows visitors to explore the exhibition floor virtually before the event opens. The floor plan shows the layout of the hall, the locations of stands and theatres, including the full programme for each theatre, covering topics such as technical diving, underwater photography, travel destinations and underwater sustainability. Some exhibitors have already had their stands rendered in 3D — the Bonaire Plein, for example, is already visible — and as the show approaches, more and more stands will be added to the digital environment. The aim is to help visitors plan their visit efficiently by mapping out routes and selecting presentations in advance. The 3D floor plan will soon be available at duikvaker.nl, where interested parties can sign up for the newsletter to receive a notification as soon as it goes live.

Exhibition

3 June 2026

Bonaire square at Duikvaker 2027: 14 exhibitors, dushi vibes and daily happy hour

At Duikvaker 2027, the Bonaire Square returns as the central meeting point for diving enthusiasts considering or planning a trip to Bonaire. Fourteen exhibitors from the island — including dive schools, resorts and tour operators — are grouped together in a single zone on the show floor, styled with a Bonairean atmosphere, complete with its own bar, a daily happy hour and Krioyo snacks. Bonaire appeals to divers for a number of reasons, not least because PADI has recognised it as the world's number 1 shore diving destination, with more than 85 dive sites, 54 of which are accessible directly from the waterfront — all within the Bonaire National Marine Park, which has been a protected area since 1979. Duikvaker 2027 takes place on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February at Expo Houten, Meidoornkade 24 in Houten. The definitive list of participating exhibitors at the Bonaire Square will be announced in stages in the run-up to the show via duikvaker.nl.

ExhibitionDiving trips

13 May 2026

Duikvaker 2027: 5, 6 and 7 February at Expo Houten

The Duikvaker weekend, a major diving trade show, takes place from 5 to 7 February at Expo Houten. For three days, more than 200 exhibitors from over 27 countries showcase everything related to diving equipment, travel, training and underwater photography. Visitors can enjoy a variety of presentations and themed roundtables, including a new Friday evening edition. The event brings together diving enthusiasts and professionals alike. Its primary aim is to provide information, inspiration and networking opportunities within the diving community.

Exhibition

12 May 2026

Presentations at Duikvaker 2027: 80+ speakers across 5 theatres

On 5, 6 and 7 February 2027, Duikvaker will take place at Expo Houten, where more than 80 speakers spread across five theatres will deliver presentations of 25 to 30 minutes on a wide range of topics including underwater photography, wreck diving, technical diving, dive medicine, travel destinations and ecology. Presentations will be held in Dutch, English and German, and are free to attend for anyone with a Duikvaker ticket. New in 2027 is the Friday Evening edition, running from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, which has been deliberately scheduled with a limited number of presentations so that visitors can focus on exploring the exhibition floor; the full programme runs on Saturday and Sunday. The DuikeninBeeld themed discussion tables return as a regular feature, offering small-scale conversations with experts on subjects such as underwater photography, equipment maintenance and sustainable diving. The first version of the programme will be announced in September at duikvaker.nl.

Exhibition

12 May 2026

Friday Evening Edition: Duikvaker for those whose weekend is already packed

Duikvaker 2027 is introducing a Friday Evening edition on Friday, 5 February at Expo Houten, running from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This additional evening has been created for divers who are unable to free up their weekend due to family or club commitments. The offering is fully on a par with the weekend days: all 200+ exhibitors from 27+ countries will be present, presentations will be held, and the Bonaire Plein will feature a bar with a happy hour. A separate ticket is required for the Friday Evening edition, valid exclusively on Friday evening and not exchangeable for Saturday or Sunday; the price will be announced at a later date. Duikvaker 2027 will take place in full on 5, 6 and 7 February at Expo Houten.

Exhibition

12 May 2026

Filters

24/7 search and recovery operations by Recovery Divers

The hidden magic of the Dutch underwater world

Stichting Life Below Water brings ocean conservation to Duikvaker 2027

Duikvaker 2027 for the whole family: here's how young visitors experience the diving trade show

Where to dive in Malta? The best dive sites in Malta, Gozo and Comino

NOB is organising two extra large snorkelling days in Gelderland this summer

Walk the show floor in advance: Duikvaker 2027 in 3D

Bonaire square at Duikvaker 2027: 14 exhibitors, dushi vibes and daily happy hour

Duikvaker 2027: 5, 6 and 7 February at Expo Houten

Presentations at Duikvaker 2027: 80+ speakers across 5 theatres

Friday Evening Edition: Duikvaker for those whose weekend is already packed

24/7 search and recovery operations by Recovery Divers

The hidden magic of the Dutch underwater world

Stichting Life Below Water brings ocean conservation to Duikvaker 2027

Duikvaker 2027 for the whole family: here's how young visitors experience the diving trade show

Where to dive in Malta? The best dive sites in Malta, Gozo and Comino

NOB is organising two extra large snorkelling days in Gelderland this summer

Walk the show floor in advance: Duikvaker 2027 in 3D

Bonaire square at Duikvaker 2027: 14 exhibitors, dushi vibes and daily happy hour

Duikvaker 2027: 5, 6 and 7 February at Expo Houten

Presentations at Duikvaker 2027: 80+ speakers across 5 theatres

Friday Evening Edition: Duikvaker for those whose weekend is already packed

Latest news