Duikvaker 2027
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The Hidden Gems of the Backyard: In Dive Mode with Maxime Schaek

The Hidden Gems of the Backyard: In Dive Mode with Maxime Schaek

Dive instructor and content creator Maxime Schaek will speak at Duikvaker 2027 in February about the prejudice that diving in Belgium and the Netherlands is cold and dark, and that there is nothing to see underwater. Besides diving, she teaches social studies to students aged 17 to 20, and she has set herself the goal of filming all Belgian dive sites within one year. She posts her short videos mainly on Instagram, while on TikTok she reaches a younger audience. She does not make her footage look better than it was after the fact, even in poor visibility such as at the Blaarmeersen, because she wants to show what an ordinary recreational diver sees in the quarry of Barges or in the Oosterschelde. After Belgium comes the Netherlands, where she has already filmed a few dive sites.

3 November 2026Interview
Treasures from the Baltic Sea: in conversation with wreck discoverer Bart Van Laken

Treasures from the Baltic Sea: in conversation with wreck discoverer Bart Van Laken

Technical diving
The PADI Village at Duikvaker 2027: PADI dive centres from all over the world on one square

The PADI Village at Duikvaker 2027: PADI dive centres from all over the world on one square

Diving trips
Don't write off Bonaire: coral conservation is about more than mopping up with the tap running

Don't write off Bonaire: coral conservation is about more than mopping up with the tap running

Robin Arens of Beyond the Corals will speak at Duikvaker 2027 in Expo Houten about the coral around Bonaire. The fair takes place on 5, 6 and 7 February, and Arens will be on stage 1 on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February at 4:00 pm. The occasion is a NOS article from last summer, which reported that less than 10 percent of the coral is left. Arens and his colleague Martijn Reinalda describe the decline as serious, but point out that the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, based on data up to and including 2024, arrived at an average of 14.1 percent coral cover, and that the outcome depends on location, depth, year of measurement and method. In their view, local protection and restoration give the reef a better chance of surviving the next period of warming. The full speaker programme is available at www.duikvaker.nl.

Diving tripsFlora & Fauna
Eerst de Duik, dan de Klik: De wetten van de onderwaterfotografie

Eerst de Duik, dan de Klik: De wetten van de onderwaterfotografie

Jantina Scheltema, studiofotograaf en oprichter van het platform Waterpixels, presenteert haar werk op Duikvaker 2027, de beurs voor liefhebbers van de onderwaterwereld. Ze vertelt over haar overstap van de studio naar onderwaterfotografie, over haar voorliefde voor duiken in koud water in Scandinavië en over haar overtuiging dat een goede onderwaterfoto begint bij goede duiktechniek en niet bij de camera. Haar presentatie is bedoeld voor zowel beginnende als ervaren fotografen, ook als die met een actioncam of smartphone werken. Na afloop is ze vanaf 13:00 uur te vinden in het Fotocafé op de stand van RENÉ Magazine, waar bezoekers hun foto's met haar kunnen bespreken. Wie persoonlijk advies wil, kan vooraf zijn foto (liefst onbewerkt, met diafragma, sluitertijd, ISO en cameratype) mailen naar info@waterpixels.nl.

Underwater Photography and Film
Planjeduik: the free diving app for Zeeland

Planjeduik: the free diving app for Zeeland

Planjeduik is een gratis app en website waarin informatie voor duikers in Zeeland samenkomt die eerder over meerdere bronnen verspreid was. Op basis van actuele getijdendata berekent de app per duikstek het beste instapmoment, ook voor locaties die alleen rond laagwater veilig zijn. Het aanbod omvat 77 stekken in de Oosterschelde, het Veerse Meer en het Grevelingenmeer, elk met dieptegegevens, fauna-beschrijving, stromingsinformatie en een eigen noodplan van de Nederlandse Onderwatersport Bond (NOB). Duikers kunnen in een logboek watertemperatuur, zicht en waargenomen flora en fauna vastleggen, die voor iedereen per stek zichtbaar zijn, en via de buddy-functie andere duikers in de buurt vinden. Planjeduik is een initiatief van Willem Verbiest en de Zeeuwse duikgemeenschap en is beschikbaar via planjeduik.nl, de App Store en Google Play. Basisgebruik vraagt geen account, voor het logboek en de buddy-functie is gratis registratie nodig.

APP
24/7 search and recovery operations by Recovery Divers

24/7 search and recovery operations by Recovery Divers

Jochem Lub richtte in 1996 stichting Recovery Divers op, nadat hij voor zijn oom een Nokia uit het water had gevist. Sindsdien is de organisatie uitgegroeid tot een team van gecertificeerde vrijwilligers dat 24 uur per dag beschikbaar is om verloren voorwerpen te bergen in Nederlands binnenwater, vaak bij nul zicht. In 2026 voerde het team zo'n 1500 duiken uit met een slagingspercentage van 98,6 procent, waarbij objecten variëren van smartphones en sieraden tot buitenboordmotoren en urnen. Een bekende actie was het opduiken van een handprothese ter waarde van 15.000 euro in Den Haag, die eigenaar Ronald kosteloos werd teruggegeven omdat de stichting daarvoor een noodfonds aanhoudt. Op 6 en 7 februari spreekt Lub op Duikvaker, waar hij het verschil tussen recreatief en professioneel beroepsduiken toelicht.

Presentations
The hidden magic of the Dutch underwater world

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
Stichting Life Below Water brings ocean conservation to Duikvaker 2027

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Presentations at Duikvaker 2027: 80+ speakers across 5 theatres

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

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