World Of Scuba Diving

• Home
• About Me
• Privacy Statement
• Scuba Diving Store

Scuba diving on South Padre Island For Your Spring Break

February 10th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

South Padre Island lies just off of mainland Texas as a barrier island, accessible from the mainland via a causeway from the small town of Port Isabel. There is only one town on South Padre Island, also called South Padre Island. Although the town took severe damage from Hurricane Dolly in 2008 and, before that, Hurricane Beluah in 1967, both of which have severely affected the tourist trade on the island, it is now slowly rebuilding its reputation as a great place for divers to visit especially during Spring Break. As South Padre Island links to the mainland via a causeway, it is a much more convenient area for diving than many others because it can still be visited by car, without the need for a car.

A tour of the best diving sites around South Padre Island will take you to many interesting places. A good open water diving location accessible from a short boat journey is the Texas artificial reef, formed by a sunken tug. It is host to a huge variety of marine life which is unlikely to be seen anywhere else. Another great wreck dive around South Padre Island is the old World War Two hulk of the Liberty Ship, much further out.
The diving location most strongly recommended by the visitors guides, however is an old abandoned rig, visible both above and below the water like a vast aquatic skyscraper, with every level inhabited by vast amounts of exotic fish.

South Padre Island activities are not limited to just scuba diving, however. Sightseeing in South Padre Island is a must, with some beautiful natural locations and some of the best possible places to take tropical island pictures. It has some of the finest Texas beaches around, and in fact the whole island is surrounded by clean white sand, much of it rarely spoiled by excessive amounts of sunbathing tourists. There is also a great selection of beach houses available for vacation rentals for your Spring Break, so you can step out of your front door and come out right on the beach.

Tropical Islands to Visit

January 14th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

The South Pacific is known for a lot more than just being the name of a Broadway musical. It’s also home to fabulous tropical islands, Polynesian culture, world war two historical sites, coral reefs, volcanoes, and more. There are thousands of tropical islands in the South Pacific that make fabulous tropical destinations for your holiday. Some of the most famous island nations are Fiji, French Polynesia, The Cook Islands, Vanuatu, and Micronesia. The South Pacific has something for everybody here. Many of islands are simply a palm tree, sand, and coral reef. Others are so big they contain volcanoes, lots of wildlife, and even canyons. For the lover of tropical beaches, you have many options if you head to this part of the world. Here is a quick round up of the highlights:

For those seeking adventure, Fiji remains the best island to choose from. Fiji has over 300 islands and only one third of them are inhabited. Most of the action happens on the western islands. Fiji has excellent diving and Kadavu is one of Fiji’s best dive sites. The more energetic can go trekking in the Nausori Highlands overlooking Nadi. Taveuni also offers good hiking in the Bouma National Heritage Parki.

For romantic holidays, French Polynesia is one of the best romantic island destinations in the world. Tahiti is famous for its resorts and its bungalows that sit out over the way, providing an easy way to go swimming- jump from your bed! There are romantic tours specially designed for couples. Be warned though- French Polynesia is not cheap and trips to Tahiti will cost you an arm and a leg.

Islands like Vanuatu and Micronesia are good off the beaten track islands. Vanautu lies just south of the Solomon Islands. The real attraction of Vanuatu is its phenomenal sightseeing. Underwater visibility at its peak hits fifty meters, revealing limitless schools of colorful fish darting around spectacular coral reefs, as well as a formidable array of submerged WWII wreckages. Above sea level, the scenery only gets more amazing.

Visitors to Micronesia can enjoy spectacular diving, for example the many underwater wrecks in Chuuk. The ruins of Nan Madol in Pohnpei are also worth the trip, providing a fascinating view back to the 13th century Saudeleur dynasty who ruled there. Or if all you want to do is wind down, find a nice atoll and bask in the sunlight. It’s the kind of place where you pack your watch away and forget about time for a while. Don’t forget the sunscreen though.

If you want to see traditonal Polynesian culture, The Cook Islands are a good place to visit. The Cook Islands Polynesian culture is famous for a number of things. Woodcarving is a common art form in the Cook Islands. Each island is famous for something unique. Rarotonga is known for its fisherman’s gods and staff-gods, Atiu for its wooden seats, Mitiaro, Mauke and Atiu for mace and slab gods and Mangaia for its ceremonial adzes.

For those looking for amazing tropical islands, you can’t beat the South Pacific islands. They offer some of the best beaches, best diving, best ocean in the world. You will find great food and a rich culture on these islands. Polynesian culture is rich, diverse and has a long history. After a long day in the sun, there is nothing like a little outdoor BBQ and dance to make the perfect day even better. You can see the best islands in this region of the world.

Caribbean Diving - The Treasure of the Isles

January 9th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

The islands of the Caribbean are famed for its many diving experiences. Its reefs offer marvelous sceneries like wrecks, gorgeous plant life and amazing wildlife. Each island in the Caribbean features its own unique diving spots and location that would take a lifetime to fully explore. Caribbean diving is an exciting and rewarding experience that will give any diver a variety of wonders and challenges. The world offers many countries and islands to visit. Notable ones, that should be on the top of your list are Curacao and Bonaire.

Curacao – A must dive site when enjoying Caribbean diving

There are about 40 beaches present on the isle and some of these are home to beach front hotels while others are secluded. Many of the beach resorts in Curacao cater for divers and the country is home to expansive coral reefs making it popular for diving. A prime spot for Caribbean diving is Westpunt, which offers some of the best diving opportunities.

The reef is developed from lava rock which hosted the coral for centuries. The underwater garden of beautiful reeds alone and some of the shores is rivalled by the massive formations that extend into the dark depths of the oceans. These reefs are teaming with the wildlife that makes Caribbean diving an adventure.

The southern coast of Curacao has over 60 named diving spots, able to accommodate for divers of all skill levels, with over 40 dive sites equipped with chains. It offers an unforgettable experience that is unique for diving. Diving Curacao is known as a “must” for most divers.

Bonaire Diving and Scuba – Experience one of the best in Caribbean Diving

Bonaire has been chosen as the best among all of the Caribbean diving locations for seven years in a row. The honor has not been mistaken, because once the diver enters the water, the breath taking aesthetic scenery of aquatic life will put anyone in awe. Bonaire is in fact home to the top ten diving locations with a wide variety of marine species. This includes Bari reef in Den Laman, a prime place for species density, along with Red slave, The Invisibles, Tori’s reef, Something special, Front Porch, Karpata and Green Submarine all close to the shore.

Further to this, Rodale’s Readers Choice Award for top shore diving destination has been awarded to Bonaire for 15 years running. In terms of shore diving, Bonaire also hosts a variety of boat diving operations that service excellent locations.

Dive Caribbean – An experience of a Lifetime

When it comes to diving, the islands of the Caribbean offer countless adventures and amazing wonders for people of all levels of experience. The countries of Bonaire and Curacao offer unique experiences, and if you are to choose any locations in the Caribbean to experience diving, Curacao and Bonaire should top your list. It does not matter how much experience you have, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the expansive coral reef, teeming with all manners of aquatic life.

The Right Equipment Needed to Start Snorkeling

October 13th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The Right Equipment to Start Snorkeling

To fully enjoy snorkeling, one must have the right kind of snorkling equipment. Snorkeling is a water activity that encourages the swimmer to glide just at the surface of the water facing down. The swimmer has the opportunity to see the underwater world right before his very eyes with the aid of the right snorkling equipment.  These are the basic snorkeling gear for most swimmers. Many other kinds of snorkeling equipment may be required if you are not such a strong swimmer or you have other intentions other than snorkeling in mind.

The Safety Mask

The mask is a saftey device and an important snorkling equipment. The mask covers almost all of the upper face of the snorkeler. It is to this mask that the snorkel is attached. The mask also provides the snorkeler with a comfortable view of the life under the water. Sea water can sting your eyes, which is one of the primary reasons why the mask covers the eyes. This snorkling equipment also protects the nose and eyes from the water by covering them.

The Snorkel(Breathing tube)

This snorkeling gear is the basis for the water activity’s name. The snorkel is a tube with some well placed angles to accommodate the breathing apparatus’ attachment to the face mask and the mouthpiece that the snorkeler puts in the mouth. This snorkling equipment allows the swimmerto breathe while facing downwards looking at the ocean scenery. The snorkel position is important. The mouthpiece should be positioned to allow the snorkel to point upwards, while in the swimmers mouth. A snorkel facing downward might allow water to get in and interfere with the proper breathing of the swimmer.

There are more newer, innovative snorkels that appear to be able to prevent water from getting in the tube while allowing the swimmer to breathe in air. There are many complications that arise from using this snorkling equipment, which is why divers still prefer the basic kind of snorkel.

The Fins

This snorkling equipment is not a requisite for snorkeling but they can actually add to a snorkeler’s maneuverability as well as speed when in the water.The extra propulsion that the fins add to the swimmer is necessary when in choppy waters, if swimming in a current or trying to avoid threats.

These pieces of snorkling equipment are the basics that one needs to start snorkeling. Always keep your safety in mind when snorkeling and do not get carried away with the amazing sight that you see.

Learn To Scuba Dive

October 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

August has been an exciting month for scubadiving enthusiasts. With the finding of Blackbeard’s flagship off the coast of North Carolina, the USS Grunion off the coast of Alaska and an underwater city near Japan, now is a better time than ever to learn to scuba dive. 

You may have heard that scubadiving is a billion dollar industry or that the startup cost is significantly expensive. However, most divers will compare the cost of scubadiving to ski resorts or golf courses.

If you’re gung-ho about getting into the sport, you could easily spend $1,500 - $3,000 on diving equipment and an additional $450 when you learn to scuba dive via certification. Yet people just starting out can get away with a little $69 - $100 course at a resort, to experience the sport first and then deciding if learning how to scuba dive is really for them. 

Your imagination is the limit when it comes to deciding where to take your lessons. For example, Sunrise Divers in Thailand offers a three-day, beginner, PADI-certified course plus two beach dives, two boat dives and a group lesson for $295.

Intermediates can take a three-day rescue diver course in Egypt for $332.

More advanced divers may want to spend four weeks in Honduras taking the PADI-certified divemaster course, where they’ll learn to become instructors and underwater tour guides.

Five days all-inclusive at Australia’s Barrier Reef could set you back $562, but any seasoned diver will tell you it’s well worth it. Once you learn to scuba dive, you will never really forget. Once certified, you may want to add an $80, three-hour refresher course onto your Mexico vacation.

Sometimes people need to learn scuba diving for work. Other times people enjoy scubadiving for the sense of freedom and serenity they feel beneath the surface. Either way, you’ll want proper scuba dive certification so that you aren’t the one left sitting behind when the next major underwater discovery occurs.

For more information about learning to scuba dive and finding great deals on scuba gear, visit the Scuba Diving Site.

 

The Benefit Of Securing Travel Accident Insurance

September 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

You have to be honest, but how many people reading this article have taken a vacation and decided, to their detriment, that they did not require travel accident insurance? By taking out travel accident insurance cover you can guarantee that no matter what happens you will be covered even for problems with baggage, personal belongings, travel delays and emergency return flights.

Be aware though that checking the travel accident insurance beforehand is important as many of the eventualities you need covered may be extras; not just the amount of cover but also what happens if your trip is cancelled or there is a problem with your luggage for example.

It may be time consuming to search, compare and choose the best travel and medical insurance types and prices to suit your needs and budget but it is well worth it for your peace of mind. Many travel agents are not fully knowledgeable when it comes to understanding the details of various travel accident insurance policies and may overlook something that could be important to you or your family and few offer suggestions.

An excellent source of information is the internet with numerous sites that will give comparisons of insurance policies and of course all you have to do is source the policy that best suits your needs.

It is not uncommon for your existing health insurance to make provision for some medical expenses when you are out of the country but travel accident insurance can provide a complete service (depending on the options you included) up to and including an emergency air ambulance etc. The items covered in your travel accident insurance should not just be about medical problems but also other inconvenient situations such as lost or stolen luggage plus cancelled or delayed flights all of which need to be reimbursed.

Always ensure that a comprehensive travel accident insurance policy is exactly that and covers every situation, even where baggage is delayed and necessary items need to be replaced as well as 24hr medical assistance. To ensure complete coverage is part of your travel medical insurance, it is a good idea to check whether overnight hospital benefits are included, usually 0 per night, whenever the trip is outside Canada or the USA.

Should you be unfortunate enough to find it necessary to lodge an insurance claim, it’s necessary that the person involved inform the trip travel insurance firm as soon as possible. When you return from your vacation, you will need to collect all your receipts, proof of ownership (where necessary) and any other relevant information collected from the Police or medical establishments and forward them all to the insurance company claims department to assist in an early settlement.

Although you may feel that your travel insurance company may not be that helpful, that is not the case and they will do everything they can to help the situation if you let them know what is happening and do not forget that they will more likely have previous experience with the problem. Choosing your travel accident insurance may at first seem a trivial matter but you can guarantee if anything untoward is going to happen, it will happen when you are on vacation in another country and where you will need comprehensive cover the most.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright © 2009 World Of Scuba Diving

Credits: Make Money Online | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund