Scuba Diving

Chris Chew asked:


Millions of vacationing tourists visit Hawaii every year. Most of them came to explore the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and volcanoes while some came with the intention to scuba dive in the tropical seas and to explore Hawaii’s magnificent underwater world. According to Rodale’s scuba diver magazine, Hawaii is one of the world’s top ten diving destination for scuba divers.

Hawaii’s marine life is very diverse so much so that there are more than a hundred endemic species found no where else on earth. You can explore Hawaii’s myriads of underwater caverns, reefs, drop off walls, canyons, gulleys and swim with turtles and seals in clear crystal waters. If you are not a scuba diver, you can take scuba diving lessons and then can plunge into Hawaii’s beautiful seas almost immediately.

If you want to go scuba diving, it is best to go in the morning as strong winds often rough up the sea in the afternoons. This is especially so on the island of Maui and that is the reason why dive operators often take divers out to sea early in the morning and terminate the dives around noon or early afternoons.

One of the big attractions in Hawaii is snorkeling. Almost anyone can go snorkeling since all you need is a face mask, a snorkel tube and a pair of swimming fins. If you have never snorkeled before, most resorts and dive operators can give you snorkelling lessons and rent you snorkeling gear. However, if you can swim, you really do not need any formal training as snorkeling is quite easy.

The most popular spot for snorkeling in Hawaii, especially for the beginner is the Hanauma Bay, on the island of Oahu. Other popular snorkeling sites in Hawaii are the Kee Beach on Kauai island, Hulopoe Bay in Lanai, Kahaluu Beach on the Big island and Kapalua Bay on Maui.

Although great snorkeling can be gotten at all the islands in Hawaii, snorkeling and scuba diving on the Big Island is recommended because of its volcanic activities and lava formation resulting from that. There are magnificent and spectacular drop offs with awesome underwater scenery to watch and admire. Some of the great snorkeling locations there are Molokini Crater and the Kealakekua Bay.

Whether you are snorkelling or scuba diving in Hawaii or anywhere else, always snorkel or dive with a buddy for safety reason and companion sake. Do look up now and then to check that you are not getting carried away by drift current too far away from shore and also to check for boat traffic. Do not touch anything as some corals and sea creatures in Hawaii can pack very painful and venomous stings.

Jeremy

luckylab8 asked:


I’m planning a trip to Oahu in September and I know Hanauma Bay is the best for snorkeling, but no hotels nearby, right? I want to wake up every morning and walk right down to the beach for some great snorkeling. I can drive for the rest of the day to do all the other stuff on the island. Where should I stay?
Also, I love Hawaiian culture, food and nature, but not interested in the Waikiki city stuff. There’s so much to do, I can’t decide! Planning to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley, shave ice at Matsumotos, snorkeling every day, the swap meet, and kayaking. What else should I be sure to do? Thanks!
P.S. One more: swimming with dolphins–where do they have that, and is it awesome, or do you feel bad for the dolphins?

Wesley

Groshan Fabiola asked:


“Honey, where are we going for vacation this year?”

“Let’s do something really fun this long weekend.”

“Where can we see new things and meet new people without spending all our vacation in the car?”

“How can we get the greatest enjoyment for our time and money?”

“How can we entertain out-of-town guests”?

Imagine a destination for a day trip or and extended vacation where you can take advantage of the best that is offered by land and sea. Imagine a place where you can go for a relaxing, romantic, fun, exciting, adventuresome respite. On this trip you don’t need to find your passport, or to exchange money, you can pack light and enjoy clean environs, friendly people, world class food and shopping, gorgeous beaches, and exquisite sunsets. Where can you find all this? San Diego. Look no further than the internet and SeaStar Adventures.com to plan the best vacation ever.

SeaStar Adventures has an underwater scuba or snorkeling adventure suited to your skill level. For the more novice folks, try snorkeling off the La Jolla coastline using gear provided by Sea Star. After a lesson and tour, you are ready to experience the wonders of ocean and view the diversity of marine life. Be prepared to see algae reefs, kelp forests, the L Jolla Caves and chance upon a sea lion sighting. Time is available afterwards to share lunch with guides while enjoying the view of the ocean and to ask questions about what you saw. This is the perfect way to spend time with your family and friends who may have limited dive experience.

For the more experienced, SeaStar offers scuba dives. Depending on your certificate level, skill level, and conditions at the time, you can take guided tours from a variety of sites with highly qualified, experienced and professional divers. Choose from shore dives or boat dives. Amazing sights can be discovered on a night dive or “fly” through the ocean on a DPV “scooter” dive. Take the opportunity of a lifetime and go on a photography or videography focused dive. Guides know the best places to capture memories of a lifetime. Be prepared for an awesome and unforgettable experience whether this is your first time or your fiftieth.

Remember, snorkeling or scuba diving in the San Diego area is the single best way to relax and enjoy your leisure time.

For Scuba Diving in San Diego, SeaStar Adventures combine fun and education while providing snorkeling and scuba dives designed for this unique environment. Share the excitement of ocean discovery while Snorkeling in San Diego with your family.

Erica

luvbooks asked:


Where are the best spots to snorkel on Maui? How about the best Luau?

Jamie

ijedwards2000 asked:


i am interested in finding out how many people have tried scuba diving in the UK?

Rebecca

Trendon Cato asked:


Whether or not you are into snorkeling, scuba diving, vacationing in exotic places, you must have heard of Hawaii some time or the other. Snorkeling in particular you must of heard of the numerous and wondrous adventures that there are to be had in the Bahamas in that part of the Caribbean. Another thing you will also find out is that there a scarcely any other place in the world that offer the grand snorkeling opportunities that are offered in the Bahamas. This is a place that offers the clearest waters out there, a sundry of marine life and underwater picturesque sights that are there for your enjoyment. Sites that is literally breath-taking.

No need to venture from shore

If you as a person are really intrigued with the idea of snorkeling in the Bahamas then you can take to mind that the islands that make of Bahamas offer their own specially made snorkeling tours that allow for snorkeling closer to shore so that there is no need to go out too far in the ocean for a good experience. One of the best things about it is that the coral reefs are not too distant from the shore and in turn there also is amazing marine life just swimming around these areas which really means that you as snorkeler in the Bahamas has all you could want right next to the shore.

One thing you should keep in mind before choosing you favorite spot you should go around examining the underwater sites so that you can prepare properly. Only with good preparation can you really have the experience you should have while snorkeling in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas offers hundreds of islands so it easy to get carried away in the search for a great snorkeling spot, sometimes it is like choosing between the sea and the ocean, lots of choice is it not. Luckily there are some islands that stand out like a diamond in the rough and such is Bimini. Bimini being a district in the Bahamas made up of a chain of islands offers a sanctuary of oceanic and marine beauty. A place best known for being one of the world’s most renowned fishing spots is also regarded as an excellent place for snorkeling just below the waves. If you anymore convincing just type in Bimini in Google search bar and see for yourself, beautiful does not begin to explain it.

Do not think for one moment that Bimini is the only one, there is also New Providence Island or also called Paradise Island, yes Paradise Island, does that not speak for itself. Paradise Island linked to Nassau the capital of the Bahamas by a bridge and most populous island is home to luxurious beaches, a world class golf course, the most plush hotels in the Caribbean, gigantic casinos and of course world class entertainment. It also houses places such as Lost Ocean Hole, Rose Island Reefs and Gambler Deep Reef as well as Booby Rock Channel and even Goulding Reef Cays are ideally suited for snorkeling. In addition, there is also Love Beach on New Providence Island.

Another major plus along that line is that the capital Nassau offers countless operators and first class hotels in addition to resorts where all that is possibly needed for snorkeling can be found, there are even rental shops the offer snorkeling gear, so there really is nothing lacking there. Also if you are a novice to the snorkeling world no need to worry there are numerous instructors around to show you the ropes. Now, really, there is no wonder this place is so popular.

Monica

Justin Burch asked:


Though Cancun is best known for its sparkling resorts and pristine beaches, this stretch of the Maya Riviera is also one of the world’s best destinations for family-friendly recreation. As conditions vary from open Caribbean waters to calm lagoons within close reach of the Hotel Zone, nearly every water sport imaginable is offered somewhere in Cancun. Families can dive and snorkel in the Laguna Nichupte, a calm body of water connecting the mainland and the Hotel Zone. Experienced divers can explore coral reefs and shipwrecks in the Caribbean Sea or plunge into the world’s longest underground river. Throw in sailing, fishing, jet skiing, windsurfing and kayaking and you can see why Cancun is one of the Caribbean’s best destinations for water sports.

Considering that Cancun is a favorite destination for families, it seems almost too good to be true that the city is also one of the world’s premier locations for beginning scuba divers. In fact, the waters surrounding Cancun rest atop the Great Mesoamerican Reef - the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. Offshore from the small village of Puerto Morelos south of Cancun, the reef can be viewed at depths below 9 feet. Supporting an incredible variety of submarine life, the reef can be enjoyed by families thanks to such shallow depths and great visibility.

In addition to the sprawling coral reef system, there are several more underwater oddities for families to explore. Like many other places in the Caribbean, Cancun has its share of sunken vessels. At each site, you will find plenty to explore - from the corals that sprout from the ships’ hulls to the families of fish that call these boats home. As Cancun is also home to the world’s largest underground river, the inland caves and sinkholes are also popular destinations for more adventurous divers. Lastly, whether you plan to scuba dive or not, all visitors to Cancun should visit the pristine coral reefs and exotic surroundings of El Garrafon National Park.

Like scuba diving, snorkeling is a great way to see the underwater sights of Cancun. However, snorkeling doesn’t require as much equipment or training as scuba diving. If your time in Cancun is limited, your family might want to consider snorkeling as it is easy for all ages and skill levels to get involved. Snorkeling tours visit many of the sites popular with scuba divers as the reefs are shallow enough to be viewed from the surface.

If you want to dive or snorkel while in Cancun, you won’t have any trouble finding equipment or dive operators. Rental equipment is available at most resorts, while several dive tours operate daily and visit all the most popular sites. If you have never experienced scuba diving, it is also possible to receive training and certification while in Cancun. Affordable courses are available for all ages and range from brief classes to acquaint divers with the sport’s basics to full certification seminars that can last several days.

As the Caribbean Sea is generally calm off the coast of Cancun, jet skiing and kayaking have also become popular activities. Jet skis and other water toys can be rented from a number of shops at Cancun’s marina or directly through your resort. Kayaking can be enjoyed by simply paddling in the calm Caribbean water or by combining the sport with snorkeling for a complete Cancun experience. Where the waves begin to pick up along the northern end of Bahia de Mujeres, windsurfing is the sport of choice.

For those in search of a more relaxing way to enjoy the Caribbean, charter boats are available for deep sea fishing or simple cruises. Big game fishing is popular with locals as well as tourists, supported by annual fishing tournaments throughout the region. In the spring and summer months, fishers can reel in marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi and Spanish mackerel. Much like the other water sport activities mentioned here, it is easy to find boat rentals in Cancun and many are available with full staffs. For the ultimate in relaxation, take a ride with one of Cancun’s sailing catamarans - you won’t have to do anything but enjoy the sun and sea.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Cancun and Mexico tourism for the Marriott Resorts.

Judith

Nate R asked:


I will be on vacation next week in the caribbean and will be doing some snorkeling. I was wondering if there was any way to bring my money and cards with me so I don’t have to leave anything on the beach? Is there some sort of small bag to keep things in or would a zip lock bag work?
I will be on a cruise ship and in order to get on and off of it you must use a card. I will need money when I am on the Islands that I am going to.

Jeffery

Hound Lover asked:


My husband and I are planning a trip to Puerto Rico over the holiday season. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for a luxury resort or condo (up to $500/night) that offers quality snorkeling right off the beach? I’m content to sit on the beach all day, but the hubby gets bored easily.

Thanks very much!

Bradley

David Stanley asked:


We’ve all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing?
Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean’s annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider.
To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behaviour and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales.
This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and swimming near one always involves some risk. The movements of these huge creatures can be fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming into the path of a whale greatly increases the danger.
In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas where there are whales, especially calves, and at least one shark attack on a Tongan guide swimming with whales has been recorded. A tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only a matter of time.
Most whale encounters occur in deep waters where unperceived currents and wave action can soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. For these reasons, responsible whalewatching companies like Whale Discoveries do not offer snorkeling with whales.
Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has come to bear on the Tongan Government to revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching licenses have been issued recently, raising the number of commercial operators in this small area to about a dozen, and vessels often have to queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been observed of boats approaching to within five meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks and calves being pursued out to sea.
Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such an excursion, they could be adversely affecting the noble creatures they came to see. It’s a good idea to discuss these matters with the operator before booking your trip, and to avoid those who seem most interested in maximizing their own profits at the expense of the whales.
Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are successful and there are no refunds. These concerns only apply to attempts to actually swim with whales, and whalewatching from a boat at a safe distance is no problem.

Lynn