The hardest skill to master as a SCUBA diver is buoyancy control. That mid-water, floating-in-space, horizontal body position may look effortless, but learning to do it can be tricky and confusing. Buoyancy control is also the most important diving skill; in fact, it is the essence of diving, and a diver without buoyancy control is not really a diver at all. Buoyancy control means that you can place yourself exactly where you want when you’re underwater. You can achieve your intended depth and maintain it. You can ascend and descend calmly and efficiently. You can get close to the reef without touching it- no part of your fins, hands, face, or body ever make contact. Most importantly, you can “hover” in one place. This means that you don’t move significantly forward, backward, up or down. Hovering is the hardest of the buoyancy skills. It’s also critical for an underwater photographer. A photographer needs to hover to check the camera settings, frame a scene, get focus, and wait for the perfect shot. As an underwater photographer, your buoyancy will be tested to the extreme. A diver’s brain and body already have two tasks to manage (exploring the reef and controlling buoyancy); underwater photography adds a third, and the excitement and challenge of taking pictures often steals the spotlight. It’s not uncommon for an underwater photographer to crash into the reef, break coral, get stung by urchins, or float away from the group while focusing on the camera. These mistakes can injure both diver and reef. It’s easy to brush up against a venomous organism like a scorpionfish or hydroid (or worse) when you’re not paying attention. And from the reef’s perspective, a broken branch of coral is a big loss- coral only grows 5 centimeters per year, on average. Plus,
The hardest skill to master as a SCUBA diver is buoyancy control. That mid-water, floating-in-space, horizontal body position may look effortless, but learning to do it can be tricky and confusing. Buoyancy control is also the most important diving skill; in fact, it is the essence of diving, and a diver without buoyancy control is
For many divers, the experience of swimming in deep waters amongst a lively array of fish and underwater wildlife brings one an extreme sense of calm. Diving is closely linked to mindfulness, as the deep breathing techniques involved in the activity are quite similar to the benefits of breathing in yoga and meditation. Immersing yourself below the blue waters will alleviate pressures from the world above, making diving one of the easiest ways to relieve stress. Planning a diving trip in an exotic location like the Maldives or the Solomon Islands can allow divers and yogis alike to strengthen their sense of inner peace. But besides the places that are known for unforgettable diving excursions, there are many other locations that are great getaways for travelers hoping to find a spiritual adventure and combining a yoga and scuba diving vacation. If you are looking for a holiday filled with relaxation and plenty of opportunities for soul-searching, check out any of these locations: Cassadaga, Florida, USA Grenada Island, Caribbean Mount Shasta, California, USA The Kingdom of Thailand Tulum, Mexico Southern France Shikoku, Japan Taking a trip to any of these locations, whether on your own or with a group, will make for many memories that both your mind and your spirit will remember for years. While destinations like California or the south of France may seem like stereotypical getaway spots, planning to engage with the local spiritual centers and activities will guarantee an unconventional and unique quality to your trip. By planning a trip to one of these inspiring getaways, you can seek out your inner harmony by enjoying a holiday centered on spiritual growth while finding ways to connect with nature above and below sea level! Want to join us on a Yoga and Scuba Diving Vacation? Check out our Grenada Diving Adventure!
For many divers, the experience of swimming in deep waters amongst a lively array of fish and underwater wildlife brings one an extreme sense of calm. Diving is closely linked to mindfulness, as the deep breathing techniques involved in the activity are quite similar to the benefits of breathing in yoga and meditation. Immersing yourself
Let Dive and More take you on the trip of a life time this Christmas season with a trip to Cuba aboard the Avalon 1. From December 30th 2017 until January 6 2018 we will visit Jardines de la Reina, which translates to Gardens of the Queen. This area of Cuba was named by Christopher Columbus to honor the Queen of Spain. It is made up of more than 600 cays and small islands.
Let Dive and More take you on the trip of a life time this Christmas season with a trip to Cuba aboard the Avalon 1. From December 30th 2017 until January 6 2018 we will visit Jardines de la Reina, which translates to Gardens of the Queen. This area of Cuba was named by Christopher Columbus to honor the Queen of Spain. It is made up of more than 600 cays and small islands.
On average, a scuba diver can expect a tank of air to last around one hour. But there is nothing average about scuba diving. Strong currents and deeper dives can affect this, as can cautious situations. New divers can go through a tank in 15 minutes, especially if they do not breathe easily. This is quite common, as most new divers need to learn how to breathe calmly and evenly when they are under water. Breathing is a big part of diving. It is also a huge part of yoga. Yoga helps you to regulate your breath, making it easier to take longer, calmer breaths. When practiced regularly, yoga can really enhance your diving experience. It promotes deep, calm breaths, slow breathing, and teaches you how to calm your mind. All of these things are also used when on a dive trip, which is why yoga and scuba diving are the perfect match! Here are a few reasons why. Pranayama Pranayama is a Sanskrit word that essentially means breath control. It is a way to control your breath, balance your breathing, and calm your mind. There are numerous different kinds of Pranayama, each of which promotes something else. Ujjayi is one of the best ones to practice to complement your yoga and diving retreat. Ujjayi both energizes and relaxes, promoting long, deep breathing. It improves air combustion, as it completely fills and then empties out the air in your lungs. A regular Ujjayi practice is a perfect match for diving. Meditation Both yoga and scuba diving promote a somewhat meditative state that truly allows you to be in the moment and enjoy everything around you. Any avid scuba diver will tell you that when they are under the water taking in the magnificent life, their mind is completely silent. Any
On average, a scuba diver can expect a tank of air to last around one hour. But there is nothing average about scuba diving. Strong currents and deeper dives can affect this, as can cautious situations. New divers can go through a tank in 15 minutes, especially if they do not breathe easily. This is
While Cuba is just 90 miles south of Florida, it’s an undiscovered paradise, especially for Americans who, until recently, have been banned from visiting the country. Now that the political relations between the United States and Cuba are on the mend, Cuba is becoming a top destination spot for tourists, especially scuba divers. Because the American market has recently opened, the country isn’t yet catering to too much tourism. This innocence gives way to pristine conditions, unobstructed by commercial fishing, all-inclusive resorts, and has arguably the Caribbean's best-preserved marine area. Aside from that, here are the top 7 reasons you need to go scuba diving in Cuba: Sharks Diving with sharks is one of the top attractions in Cuba, especially in the Gardens of the Queen. At least 6 different shark species – silky, Caribbean reef, whale sharks, and more! – can be seen in this one location. You are guaranteed to see a shark on almost every dive you make. Crocodiles How many times have you been diving with saltwater crocodiles? Yeah, that’s what we thought! Cuba is a great opportunity to see these massive creatures up close. These timid animals loiter in the shallow waters, going between the secret hideouts of the archipelago. Diving next to 2,000 pounds of reptile is an experience that you’ll never forget. It’s like diving with dinosaurs, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe! Less than 1,000 divers per year As one of the largest and protected areas in the Caribbean, Cuba restricts the number of divers to less than 1,000. The Cuban government is serious about maintaining their precious marine park, which means they have restricted infrastructure to just a floating hotel and small fleet of liveaboards. Getting to be one of the few that dive in Cuba each year is truly a
While Cuba is just 90 miles south of Florida, it’s an undiscovered paradise, especially for Americans who, until recently, have been banned from visiting the country. Now that the political relations between the United States and Cuba are on the mend, Cuba is becoming a top destination spot for tourists, especially scuba divers. Because the
I have always found culture fascinating. Two people living on two sides of a border, only an hour’s drive apart, might be so different that they won’t even speak the same language. Despite the cultural difference, both communities acquire their culture in the same way- social learning. They identify and empathize with their group and imitate others around them. What astonishes me the most, is how human beings believe they are the most special on earth, while we aren’t even the first animals to develop cultures on this planet. Many other species, above and under the water, have developed their own cultures long before mankind existed. Whales are a great example of an animal which managed to develop intricate social lives underwater. If you are lucky enough, you will have the opportunity to swim or dive with whales and experience, even for a brief moment, the incredible social lives of whales. Whales love and get angry, have friends and acquaintances and teach each other how to hunt, both for survival and for fun. They communicate in a way similar to ours, but in a language which we cannot speak. A recently published article reveals how a group of Humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine have learned a new feeding method from each other; a method that is called ‘lob-tail feeding’ and was first seen in the area in 1980. Humpback Whales: Behavior and Communication Humpback whales used to have only one feeding method called the ‘bubble-net’ method, in which the whales dive under a pack of fish that are close to sea level, makes noises and bubbles. This causes the fish to get closer to each other. The whales then pounce out of the water with their mouths open to catch as many fish as they can. In the new
I have always found culture fascinating. Two people living on two sides of a border, only an hour’s drive apart, might be so different that they won’t even speak the same language. Despite the cultural difference, both communities acquire their culture in the same way- social learning. They identify and empathize with their group and imitate
Do you want to travel back in time and witness the Caribbean Sea as it was hundreds of years ago? Dive Cuba’s sprawling national park in the Gulf of Ana Maria; it’s called Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) for good reason. This archipelago of 250 coral and mangrove islands is probably the best-preserved tropical marine ecosystem network in the Caribbean. Its coral reefs are particularly outstanding in contrast to other Caribbean SCUBA destinations. Why? Because Cuba’s relative isolation and limited development meant that the area was left well alone while other reefs were assaulted by coastal construction, overfishing, sewage runoff, siltation, and irresponsible tourism. When you visit, you’ll see for yourself how the Caribbean could have been, if humans had cared more about their environmental impact. Gardens of the Queen Eco Systems The Gulf of Ana Maria lines the southern coastline of Cuba. It is a “shelf” area with a maximum depth of around 25 meters, containing a wealth of different habitats. Most notably the holy triumvirate of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reef. These three particular ecosystems are essential in supporting the biodiversity of the shallow tropical oceans because some coral reef fish spend their childhood in the safety of seagrass beds or mangrove roots. (This applies even to larger predators which grow up to rule the reef; I’ve seen many baby Blacktip Reef Sharks and barracuda practice their hunting skills in seagrass nurseries only one meter deep.) Other functions of the mangrove-seagrass-coral triad include co-hosting fishes’ breeding and feeding grounds, and (to the special benefit of the delicate coral organism) catching the mainland’s soil and nutrients before they reach the reef. Gardens of the Queen Marine life Within these ecosystems, you’ll get to see wildlife wonders in abundance. On Jardines de la Reina’s coral reefs, two
Do you want to travel back in time and witness the Caribbean Sea as it was hundreds of years ago? Dive Cuba’s sprawling national park in the Gulf of Ana Maria; it’s called Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) for good reason. This archipelago of 250 coral and mangrove islands is probably the
The Maldives. The name of this country alone conjures up images that make most dive enthusiasts float away on a SCUBA daydream. These isolated atolls in the middle of the immense Indian Ocean have sat firmly among the top five tropical dive locations worldwide for decades. This is the place to go for big and plentiful marine life and a top-side view of picture-perfect deserted islands, their white sandy knolls rising only a meter or two from the lapping waves, dotted with swaying palm trees. Within the Maldives, the Central Atolls preside over the country’s dive scene. This area’s underwater treasures were the first-discovered and remain some of the best-loved. You can find everything here- whale sharks, reef sharks, mantas, coral, swarms of fish, and macro-critters- and it’s all within spitting distance of the international airport on Male. There’s hardly anywhere else in the world where you can step off your plane and plunge into world-class diving so easily. Where to go North Male Atoll: North Male diving goes back to the beginnings of the Maldives dive scene, but its dive sites are well-preserved. Coral cover here is better than South Male and Ari. Perhaps its most famous dive site is Manta Point, a cleaning station for the winged giants that receives so many visits you might actually lose count! Manta-viewing opportunities like this owe their thanks to the tiny blue cleaner wrasse, a roughly 10 centimeters long fish which eats parasites living on mantas’ skin and in their mouths, a service so beneficial to the mantas’ health that they virtually wait in line to get it. For coral in North Male, Banana Reef is a long-time favorite, which thickets of healthy branching coral. Other great dive sites include the pinnacle Girifushi Thila and the Victory Wreck, a shipwreck which has grown
The Maldives. The name of this country alone conjures up images that make most dive enthusiasts float away on a SCUBA daydream. These isolated atolls in the middle of the immense Indian Ocean have sat firmly among the top five tropical dive locations worldwide for decades. This is the place to go for big and
On November 4th, 2016, we set out to colorful Cuba, in hope to dive in one of the Caribbean's best kept secret - The Gardens of the Queen archipelago, located just south of the main island of Cuba. Diving in Gardens of the Queen is said to be one of the most incredible experiences for the avid scuba diver, with beautiful healthy coral reefs, abundance of marine life and most importantly - SHARKS! Plenty of them, up close and personal. As you will read below, our expectations were met with flying colours! Gardens of the Queen DELIVERED! We started our adventure in Havana, where we all gathered at Iberostar Parque Central. Parque Central is located right in the epicenter of Havana Vieja (old Havana), overlooking their little "Central Park", a short walk from the famous Obispo street, the impressive El Capitolio building and the Grand Theater of Havana. The lucky ones who arrived early or a day prior, joined me on a lovely day tour in Old Havana, with Erika, our knowledgeable guide, who took us through the main highlights of Havana and provided fascinating background stories on every spot. We had plenty of time to experience the local atmosphere, purchase some genuine Cuban cigars and Rum and drink a couple of Mojitos. After the tour, we gathered the entire group for dinner in the most delightful, cozy restaurant in the heart of Old Havana called Ivan Chef Justo. Booking in advance is highly recommended. Prices were very reasonable and the food was delicious! Our hosts provided excellent service and we were excited to meet our dive buddies for the upcoming week. Fast foward to 3:30am - the hotel wake-up call abruptly ends our peaceful night sleep. Time to wake up! We're going to see some SHARKS! We grabbed a quick early-AM
On November 4th, 2016, we set out to colorful Cuba, in hope to dive in one of the Caribbean’s best kept secret – The Gardens of the Queen archipelago, located just south of the main island of Cuba. Diving in Gardens of the Queen is said to be one of the most incredible experiences for
Who here isn’t familiar with that warm and wonderful sensation you get just a second after urinating in your wetsuit. That magical moment when you forget about the cold water around you and everything feels pleasant and fuzzy... Probably only half of you will admit knowing that feeling, since the diving world is divided in two: Those who pee in their wetsuit with pride and those who will never admit doing it, or just never tried. Which half are you on? Avoiding heart explosion Let start with this – You pee in your wetsuit because you have no choice! This is backed up by very good physiological reasons. When our body is immersed in water, the blood volume increases. Luckily, our body has mechanisms to balance that out and keep our blood volume normal, so more blood will flow towards our kidneys and by releasing more liquid from the body, the blood volume will remain normal! To make a long story short – you pee to prevent your heart from exploding. That reason alone is enough for me… But let’s continue anyway :) Why do I pee more in cold waters? You’ve probably noticed that cold water increases the urge to urinate. There’s a perfectly good scientific reason for that as well. When we are cold, blood vessels which are close to the skin shrink, causing the blood to concentrate at the center of the body, flowing to vital organs to maintain body heat and increasing blood pressure. This increases the blood volume in the center of the body, causing the same effect as we discussed before – the need to get rid of liquids by urination. This phenomenon is called Immersion Diuresis. I won’t drink so I won’t have to pee! If you think that drinking less will solve
Who here isn’t familiar with that warm and wonderful sensation you get just a second after urinating in your wetsuit. That magical moment when you forget about the cold water around you and everything feels pleasant and fuzzy… Probably only half of you will admit knowing that feeling, since the diving world is divided in
