THE INT E RVI EW
Matthew Billington Matthew has been a diving instructor for more than 30 years. He’s the owner of Scuba Shack in Anguilla, the island’s only PADI Dive Centre. Here, he shares his insights and advice
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST-EVER DIVE LIKE? I went on an introductory diving course when I was 12. We ran through some basics on land, then we went out on a tiny boat, more like a dinghy really, and did a dive. It was the most amazing thing that I had ever experienced.
WHY IS ANGUILLA A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN TO DIVE? It’s quiet, which is exactly what you need when you’re a beginner, and the dive groups we take out are small, which ensures everyone gets a personal service — almost one-on-one. Equally, we have amazing beaches and fantastic restaurants, and the people here are so welcoming. You won’t meet an unfriendly person on this island.
Clockwise from top: Sandy Island is a tiny spit of sand in the middle of the ocean with a restaurant serving fabulous seafood; a diver swims beside a bluehead wrasse — a fish whose females can change sex if a dominant male dies; Frangipani Beach Resort has 19 rooms and suites, all facing the sea Previous pages: Shoal Bay Beach is often almost deserted, an ideal spot to escape the crowds
WHAT’S THE UNDERWATER LANDSCAPE LIKE? It’s ideal, because we have an array of sites, starting at around 15 to 20ft, and going up to 80ft. So for beginners or novice divers there are really easy dives that don’t require you to swim in a current or in rough seas. The marine life is extremely healthy, too, so you’ll always see something amazing.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT DIVING IN ANGUILLA? The shipwrecks: there are seven here, each sunk to form artificial reefs, which attract incredible marine life. But it’s more about the overall experience that makes it
special. It’s calm, nothing is rushed or pressured. You can decompress and relax above the surface, which in turn will make the process of going below a lot easier. The sea here mirrors the land; both are just as peaceful and tranquil as the other. I haven’t found anywhere else in the world where diving feels like that.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DIVER? It’s all about your mentality. The more you worry, the harder it is. It’s very easy to overthink rather than focus on the experience. Physically, just about anyone can be a diver, but mentally, not everyone can do it. That’s why children tend to be better divers, because they rarely consider the consequences, they just jump right in. Sometimes, being fearless like that can help.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW DIVERS? Don’t beat yourself up. Try to understand that it’s a learning experience and that it isn’t going to happen overnight. New divers tend to get frustrated when they can’t do things right away and their confidence begins to drain. It’s almost akin to learning how to drive. When you first sit in that driver’s seat, it’s completely overwhelming, and you wonder, ‘How do people do this?’ It just takes practise and we’ll do it until you get it. I hate this phrase but try to remember that you’re going from ‘zero to hero’ — don’t worry, your ‘Aha!’ moment will come.
WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR A PERFECT POST-DIVE MEAL? Straw Hat, for sure. It’s in the Frangipani Hotel, and I would start with their tuna flatbread and then get the curried goat. It’s unbelievable, trust me.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – CARIBBEAN COLLECTION 29
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