Scuba Diving

Jeremy Thompson asked:


Going to Maui on vacation? Since you will be visiting one of the best and most popular areas for underwater sightseeing, you will want to make sure you bring your snorkeling gear. The warm Pacific waters of Maui offer a view of over seven hundred types of the most colorful fish in the world. You will swim among beautiful coral, large sea turtles, and even catch a view of some underwater lava formations.
If you do not intend to snorkel a lot on your vacation or in the future, you may choose not to spend money on your own mask and snorkel. However, there are a wide variety of snorkel and dive shops in Maui that can provide you with everything you will need for a wonderful and memorable underwater experience. Rentals for snorkeling gear start out at as little as $20 dollars a day. And many times if you are staying at a resort on the beach the resort may provide the equipment at no extra cost.
Another service that many dive shops in Maui offer is a tour of their beautiful waters. Tour guides will help you get acquainted with the water and advise you on good and bad conditions for snorkeling. If you are not used to the large waves of the Maui waters, snorkeling may be a bit more challenging. Listening to a marine forecast will also give you an idea if the ocean’s conditions are suitable for snorkeling or not. Another tip of advice dive shops may offer are to go on a sunny day when the water is most clear and the sun will enhance the colors of the coral and fish.
Dive shops can also provide you with a fish identifying guide so you can put a name with all of the beautiful sea life you will experience. Before going on your own snorkeling excursion you will probably want to consider visiting a dive shop and becoming more informed. Depending on the size of your group, tours can be as little as $90 a day. Going with a larger group tends to be more cost efficient. You can usually be grouped with other enthusiastic snorkelers who are ready for a day underwater as well.
Snorkeling is just one of the many exciting activities that you should consider trying on your Maui vacation. It is a great way to experience, up close and personal, some of the most beautiful sights that the island of Maui has to offer.
After snorkeling the beautiful waters and Maui Hawaii and seeing everything this island has to offer underwater you may be left with the desire to see the under water landscape and fish even closer. If this sounds like you then you might want to try scuba diving. Scuba diving will require extra equipment and training which in turn will cost more but the experience will be remember for years to come. The things you can see were scuba diving in Maui Hawaii are simply unbelievable. So start out with snorkeling and if you enjoy the experience give scuba diving a thought. You will not regret it!

Nicole

Tuks Engineer asked:


There are a huge number of resorts in the Maldives to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. Here, we’ll take you through many of the popular destinations.

Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives

Angsana is located in the Ihuru islands (North Male Atoll) and is a short 14 km distance from the capital of Male.

The resort contains 45 villas - some of the nice features of these include thatched roofs, individual private gardens and pleasant verandas. Guests can choose between deluxe beachfront villas and standard beachfront villas.

Ihuru has a great reputation for having some of the finest house reefs in the Maldives and so is a good destination for those wanting to do a bit of diving and snorkelling.

The spa at Angsana offers a wide range of treatments including facials, massages and various others.

Asdu Sun Island Maldives

Asdu Sun Island is a three star resort with 30 rooms located in the Kaafu (Male) Atoll.

While it may not be one of the more luxurious choices, Asdu Sun Island does offer the usual range of activities including diving, canoeing, snorkelling, fishing and more.

Additional facilities include a reading library where guests can take out books to read by the beach plus a video hall and internet surfing.

Bandos Island Resort Maldives

The Bandos resort has 225 guestrooms of varying types - guests can choose from standard, deluxe, garden villas, Jacuzzi beach villas, and water villas. The resort is located in the North Male atoll.

Bandos first opened in 1972 although it has grown considerably since then to become one of the largest Maldives resorts with facilities to match. For example, just some of the facilities include tennis courts, a coffee shop (and five restaurants), a disco & bar, gym & sauna, pool room, a couple of swimming pools, beauty salon as well as a spa offering massages.

The diving facilities are good with a diving school offering diving courses.

Banyan Tree Maldives

The Banyan Tree is another luxurious resort set in the North Male atoll. The resort offers five different types of rooms from standard to ocean view villas. There’s a choice of four restaurant and bars, a very good spa, and excellent recreation facilities including diving, snorkelling & deep sea fishing to name but a few.

Baros Island Resort Maldives

Located in North Male Atoll, Baros is just a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male airport. The resort offers three types of accommodation - water villas, baros villas and deluxe villas.

There are several bars & restaurants offering a wide selection of continental & oriental cuisines.

The recreational facilities at Baros are huge, and aside from the standard diving & snorkelling options offered at practically all resorts, Baros offers several additional services - badminton, aerobics and cycling are just a few of these.

Bathala Island Resort Maldives

Certainly one of the smaller resorts located in the Ari Atoll, Bathala is well regarded by divers.

The 4 star resort contains 37 cottages and is better suited to those who do not plan to do much other than laze away.

Biyadhoo Island Resort Maldives

Biyadhoo is located on the Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll) is a four star resort containing a total of 96 rooms. The resort is highly regarded as a good place for diving and snorkeling. Certainly an island for those looking for water sports and activity in addition to the spectacular scenery that the Maldives offers.

Boduhithi Island Resort Maldives

This club style resort with over 80 rooms is a particular favourite with Italian clientele. As you would expect, this means a high number of available activities and all the fine Italian dining you can handle. The staff are also predominantly Italian.

Boduhithi is located in the North Atoll (Kaafu) and has an official rating of four stars.

Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives

Located in the South Male Atoll, about 12km Southwest of Male this 4 star rated resort has three types of rooms - Boli, Beach Villa and Water Villa.

The facilities are good and offer diving, snorkelling, scuba diving and plenty of other activities. There is also good Spa.

Club Med Farukolhufushi Maldives

Set in the North Atoll, this island resort is very good for scuba diving and watersports. The 4-star resort offers a wide range of facilities and 150 rooms. There are two room types - superior, and superior with balcony.

Tuition is available for water-sports including windsurfing and sailing while other activities on offer including kayaking, beach volley, soccer, water-polo and more. The resort also offers a swimming pool, spa, arts/crafts workshop, a TV/pool room and more.

Coco Palm Resort & Spa Maldives

This five star resort is located on the private island of Duikolu (Baa Atoll) and is approximately half an hour via sea-plane from the Capital of Male.

The accommodation is highly luxurious and there are four types of rooms from beach villas to the incredible lagoon palace suite.

The resort offers several restaurants and bars, all set in highly tranquil locations and also has a highly recommended spa.

Activities and diving are also available with a diving school and plenty of sports such as water-skiing, canoeing, surf-biking, sailing & more. Tennis, badminton, volley ball are also on offer and the resort has a gym too for the health conscious.

Cocoa Island Maldives

Cocoa Island is a five star resort in South Male Atoll and is approximately 30 minutes from Male via speedboat.

The rooms are of a high standard and come in varying types including one and two bed villas, dhoni loft suites and dhoni standard suites.

The main activities on offer are diving, water-sports and island hopping.

Dhonveli Beach & Spa Resort Maldives

Not surprisingly, “Dhonveli” in Maldian stands for “crystal white sand”. This is a five star resort with five different types of rooms that is located on the North Male Atoll.

The resort has one main restaurant, the Banana Garden Restaurant but also offers a sunset bar & coffee shop.

There are several of the usual indoor and outdoor recreational facilities available, including “big game fishing” and “adventure cruising”. Floodlit tennis/badminton, carom, table tennis are a few of the more traditional activities on offer and the resort has a gym and spa too.

Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort Maldives

Located on the North Ari Atoll is the four star Ellaidhoo resort. It’s quite a distance from Male (over an hour by speedboat although only 20 minutes via seaplane). Ellaidhoo is one of the smaller resorts and the whole island is around 300 metres long and 280 metres wide.

There are 156 rooms split up into standard, superior and deluxe. The dining facilities include the restaurant, coffee shop and bar.

Diving & recreation activities are available and these include island hopping, snorkelling safaris, morning fishing, an excursion to Male and more. There is also a Spa.

Embudu Village Maldives

This four star resort is set in Kaafu Atoll and the island is just 300 metres long. There is a very easy-going feel to the island. There are 118 rooms divided between standard, superior and water bungalow rooms.

As you would expect, the main activities in Embudu are diving, water sports and a feast of additional activities normally found in Maldives reorts.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop serving a variety of food and beverage.

Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu is a four star resort that contains 57 superior rooms only. It’s a 45 minute transfer via speedboat from the capital Male. It’s a 4-star resort.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop available for guests and there are good diving facilities available as you would expect.

Filitheyo Island Resort Maldives

Situated on the Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo is a five star resort with 125 villas of different types.
Filitheyo offers a main restaurant, a couple of bars and a coffee shop and several of the standard diving & recreational facilities are available including cultural shows and live music too.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Four Seasons is a spectacular five star resort with 106 rooms of various types (from standard beach villas and beach bungalows with outdoor showers to water villas).

The resort offers three restaurants and two bars and some of the features include a healthy offering of vegetarian food as well as themed nights.

The facilities & recreational amenities are very good - as well as the standard Maldives offerings guests can try their hand at aerial excursions, catamaran sailing, big game fishing and island hopping.

The resort is a half hour transfer via speedboat from Male.

Full Moon Resort Maldives

The five star Full Moon resort is located in the North Male Atoll and is a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male.

There are 156 rooms - from deluxe and cottage rooms to water bungalows and water villas. The architecture has a very traditional, wooden feel and the accommodation is very comfortable.

No less than five different restaurants offer a huge selection of international cuisine and keep the guests pallets delighted at all times. There are also three bars and a coffee shop.

While most Maldives resorts have their own spas, the Full Moon spa is actually located on a separate island - a delightful touch.

A good range of activities and recreation are also on offer.

Hakuraa Club Maldives

On the Meemu Atoll lies the four star Hakuura Club offering either beach or water bungalows. The resort is 130km from Male. A good range of activities and recreation are offered.

Halaveli Holiday Village Maldives

This is a three star resort in the Ari Atoll offering a range of beach bungalows. The transfer from the airport is half an hour by sea plane or 1.5 hours via speedboat. Dhon transfers are available but take 360 minutes.

There is a main restaurant and bar offering a wide range of cuisine. A fair standard or recreation and diving facilities are also available.

This is a fair option for those with a tight budget that are looking for a Maldives experience. While the rooms are not exactly cheap, they are more affordable than the four and five star options available.

Helengeli Tourist Village Maldives

Helengeli is a four star resort that’s based in the Kaafu Atoll. There are 50 beach villas available and offers the usual choice of recreation and activities. To name a few, they include Spa, restaurant/bar, internet facilities, freshwater pool as well as dhoni/speedboat/seaplane hire. There is also a dive school.

Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa Rangali Island Maldives

The luxurious five star Hilton is not for those with a fragile budget! Located in the South Ari Atoll, the resort is 90km from Male airport.

There are 150 rooms divided into standard/deluxe beach villas, water bungalows, and sunset water villas.

The main restaurant is the Atoll restaurant containing two open kitchens. The sunset bar & grill is a lovely addition built over the water with stunning views of the lagoon. You can even have a private barbeque specially made by a resort chef.

Some great recreational & diving activities are offered including swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness rooms & spa and a huge range of water & other sports.

These are just a handful of the premier holiday resorts available in the Maldives. While all tend to be mid to high end, your choice may be determined by the type of holiday you’re interested in so some further research is always recommemded.

Glenda

lin k asked:


We are avid snorkelers and our vacation plans are based ONLY on the HOW GOOD the SNORKELING IS! We are aware of the much publicized devastation of coral reefs over the last couple of years. Last year we tried Grand Cayman and were disappointed. Lots of dead or bleached coral all over. Since it was our first time there we couldn’t tell if it was from the recent damage. Where is the snorkeling less affected, in other words, where it is just as good now as it was several years ago? We would prefer a place where there is enough good snorkeling you can do on your own without having to go on a boat and be subject to the boat’s schedule.
Thanks!
Thanks everyone! I forgot to mention that we want to go somewhere NEW (for us), and we’ve already done some great snorkeling at BVI (including St. John), Bonaire, Cozumel, and Belize, as well as Grand Cayman.
We are thinking about Turks & Caicos, Antigua, or Curacao. Someone told me that in Turks & Caicos, the coral has not been affected.

Donald

Katey S asked:


My husband and I are going to Maui in September. It’s been years since I’ve been there…but the last time I was there, I went snorkeling with a company that only took out about 10 people in a small boat. I’m looking for something similar this time around. (Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the company I went with last time.) Any suggestions?

Luis

Rob Daniels asked:


Planning a vacation in the Caribbean or another beautiful, tropical location? Along with flight plans, hotels, and work arrangements it will be beneficial to plan for recreation, particularly snorkeling. Although you can arrive and receive some information and equipment that will allow you to experience the captivating undersea adventure, your experience will be much more positive and fulfilling if you prepare ahead of time. Problems vacationers have experienced range from leaking masks to unnecessary injuries. Many of the dangers of snorkeling manifest themselves because the participants have a lack or preparation or training and can be avoided.

Most areas have resources to learn snorkeling. Lessons will prepare you to be comfortable with using equipment and also allow you practice with techniques of keeping water out of your snorkel and how to dive underwater. Keeping water out of your snorkel is very important. Breathing in water can cause choking and other problems. Drowning is a danger when snorkeling. Taking time to learn snorkeling before you go on vacation will also allow you to test equipment. There are snorkels with “dry tops” on them which is a one way valve that will close off the top of the snorkel when you go underwater or have a wave splash over you. It is also important to be comfortable with equipment so when you enter the open waters if get separated from your group you do not panic.

When you find something you like it is nice to buy your own and bring it with you. One thing people don’t like is the thought of a hundred people using the mask and snorkel before them. Another concern with a resorts equipment is that equipment fits different on everyone and the mask they provide may not be comfortable, fit your face well and therefore leak, or be the style you like for seeing the underwater life.

Follow directions on where to snorkel and stay in bounds. The equipment that you wear if very important, particularly your life preserver. Unlike a pool, an ocean has currants. Even if it looks calm, there can be dangers. If something should happen you will be able to stay afloat while you wait for rescue. Having a guide can be helpful especially if it is your first time. Never go alone. If you do not have a guide practice have along at least one other individual. The snorkeling area should be marked off with buoys. Some snorkeling areas may not be marked off. If this is the case you should use a dive flag and also extreme caution. If boats can come into the open water they propose a danger as they can hit divers and cause injuries.

While snorkeling in shallow waters the sun is constantly beating down on you and will cause sunburn. Apply your sunscreen often. Waterproof sunscreen can still come off in the water over time. Reapply every one to two hours for maximum protection. Severe burns can occur if this precaution is not taken. Along with the physical ramifications, the enjoyment of your vacation will be cut short.

There are animals that propose some threats, although not severe. Coral is beautiful and prevalent in the ocean, but also dangerous. Coral is sharp and can cause cuts and abrasions on the skin. These cuts are slow to heal. Also if coral is damaged it takes a long time to regrow and snorkelers should be cautious to avoid injuring this animal. Another animal that can cause injury are sea urchines. They have spikes that can break off and get trapped in your skin if you brush against them. These pieces, if trapped in your skin can be painful and can get infected. Be aware of your surroundings and where you are going. You want to avoid touching dangerous animals and colliding with other participants.

Snorkeling can be enjoyed by the entire family. Preparing before hand can make it a positive experience for everyone and very safe. Being aware of the potential dangers and learning how to prevent them is the key to a successful trip.

Erin

geewhiz asked:


I love to snorkel, either with a guided tour or just from the beach….where do you think the best snorkeling would be? I like the really colorful and unusual fish.

Lucy

wildheart asked:


My husband and I are interested in scuba diving during a trip to Jamaica this summer. Is it better to get certified before we go there or to do it when we are there? If we do it while we are there how long does it take and how expensive is it usually? Is it even necessary to have a certification?

Loretta

David P Lee asked:


There are many exciting adventures that you can enjoy while on a Maui vacation. Many individuals enjoy the white, warm sands of the beautiful blue beaches. Some people enjoy diving in and snorkeling in the sapphire crystal waters of the ocean that surrounds the picturesque beaches. One can enjoy experimenting with a wide assortment of exquisite wines and similar beverages that Maui has to offer. Many individuals may take pleasure in the various water activities, such as boating and surfing, in the wonderful world of Maui. If you are planning on taking a Maui vacation, this article is your one stop shop for Maui vacation ideas.

There are so many things to do and only so much time to fit it all in while you are visiting Maui. Yes Maui, the little piece of paradise that has been voted the “Best Pacific Island” by Conde Nast Traveler’s readers for the last 16 years. Trying to fit it all in is enough to make your head spin, so hear are the top five picks of things you must do on your trip to “The Magic Isle.”

A trip to Maui would not be complete with out a drive down the road to Hana. This is a road trip that is meant for those that like to take risks and live on the edge. This is a winding, 52 mile drive through amazingly breathtaking scenery that is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is a day long adventure that will let you see the rainforest and the exquisite flora and fauna that finds home there.

For those who enjoy an adventurous bicycle ride, a bike trip from Maui’s highest peak into the depths of Haleakala Crater is a must. You will be taken to the peak, and then engage in a tour that is guided by a number of professionals down a paved road. This road offers just over twenty miles of beauty and history of Maui. If you find that the guided tour is not for you, you can choose to ride the road at a pace that is comfortable for you. This is a great opportunity to get some excellent photographs of the rare beauty of Maui. This makes a great Maui vacation idea for those who enjoy the great outdoors and a good workout.

Visit the Tedeschi Winery. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or not this is an experience that you simply must have. Take the scenic drive to Maui’s “upcountry” and enjoy the historic vineyard that sits 2000 feet above sea level. Take a picnic lunch on the beautiful grounds of the vineyard then enjoy a free tour and sample the sinfully delicious pineapple wine. This is a really nice alternative to a day at the beach especially on the incredibly hot days that Maui can have. Two thousand feet above sea level brings the vineyard pleasant cooler temperatures.

If you would like to experience the adventure of visiting a volcano that is now extinct and being introduced to a variety of fish species and other animal life, snorkeling at Molokini is for you! Known for its unique underwater landscapes and crystal clear waters, Molokini is a favorite among Maui vacationers. You can also participate in various boat tours at this location. These tours will send you to the Maui away from Maui. You can get to the best snorkeling and scuba diving locations with these tours see sea turtles in their natural habitat and enjoy a one of a kind Pacific adventure. Your vacation to Maui would not be complete without visiting the beautiful underwater world that this paradise offers.

Visiting Maui in the winter, then you must watch the whales. Again the same boat tour companies that want to share the underwater world of Maui with you now want you to see Maui’s best friends, the whales. From mid December to mid April the humpback whales make their annual migration. If you are fortunate enough to visit Maui during these months you absolutely must take a tour, the crews again wanting to share with you what Maui is all about, will take you out to show you as many humpbacks as they can find. The Maui Princess departs from Lahaina Harbor and guarantees whale sightings or you get another day trip for free. An extra bonus for this boat is it’s underwater WhaleCam.

As you can see, there are numerous Maui vacation ideas that you can implement when visiting this Pacific paradise. Before arriving in Maui, it is important to outline all of the wonderful and exciting things that you want to do to ensure that you are able to succeed in your vacation endeavors. Then, once you have done all of the things that you outlined, you should immediately start planning your next Maui vacation to soak up some more of the marvel and beauty at this location.

Anne

Edward Nive asked:


You know when you are on vacation in the Caribbean and different companies offer snorkeling trips? What types of boats are generally used to take people out on these trips? Are there public companies that run these businesses or are they small private companies that own just one boat?

Ronald

Warren Wong asked:


Some of the most popular Caribbean vacation activities are sailing, swimming, and snorkeling. The clear blue waters of the Caribbean are beautiful, and you can see some pretty amazing things under the waves. However, you may end up seeing a pretty amazing bill for your fun, which can quickly put a damper on your budget vacation plans. But don’t despair. The following are some easy ways to save money on your sailing, swimming, and snorkeling adventures.

The first way to save money is to look for package deals. Sometimes, you can get a great rate on excursions and activities through your hotel or travel agent. Often, these packages will roll transportation, lodging, equipment rental and activities into one price. If you catch these packages when they’re on sale or when the travel agency is having a special promotion, you can save a ton. However, it pays to get a breakdown of what each item on the list costs before you commit to the package. Do your research, and you might actually find that you can rent a sailboat on your own for less.

When it comes to looking for beaches to swim on, find out if your hotel has its own beach. In some places in the Caribbean, it’s rare to find a stretch of beach that doesn’t have some business or hotel attached to it. Many of the beaches directly connected to a hotel are considered private beaches, and these hotels don’t like non-guests to go dipping in the beach associated with their area. You don’t want to pay to swim, so keep this in mind when looking at hotels and factor this cost in the hotel price when making reservations.

Sailing can be a lot of fun, but finding a cheap boat to rent might not be. You have two options in this case: rent a boat with a crew to take you out on the waves or rent a boat that you pilot yourself. Renting a crew to go along with your boat is going to be more expensive, of course, but it’s also the only option for a lot of people. Time is also a factor here: there are only a set number of boats available, and the cheaper ones are often rented very early in the day. Keep that in mind and make your sailing reservations as early as possible.

Snorkeling often involves a boat, too, especially if you want to get out where the really interesting fish and coral are. Again, get out to the docks and rent your boat early or make reservations as soon as you can. Your hotel staff can help you find snorkeling boats, but it never hurts to do research yourself and ask the locals. Snorkeling is often included as an activity on cruise lines, so look into that as well. Just remember that you might be able to get a better deal yourself instead of going through your cruise provider or hotel vacation package.

Swimming, snorkeling and sailing can be a lot of fun, but if you aren’t careful, they can cost a lot of money. Always check around to find the best deals and, once you find them, make your reservations early so no one else swoops in and swipes that great deal from you!

Norman