White sandy beaches, warm turquoise water, hot sunny days, and swaying palm trees are some of the things that come to mind when thinking of the Maldives. While this would be reason enough to visit this astounding tropical paradise, scuba divers are generally more motivated by what lies beneath the surface than what can be explored above it. However, this area is one of the few rare places where the incredible treasures on land are (almost) equal to those under the sea. The Maldives is a collection of over a thousand islands that lie scattered like pearls in the Indian Ocean and it boasts a marine environment with beauty that rivals the landscape. From big marine life like manta rays and whale sharks to crystal clear visibility, scuba diving in the Maldives is on the bucket list of almost every scuba diver. If it’s not on yours, here are 7 reasons why it should be: 1. Thriving marine environment The Maldives boasts the seventh largest coral reef ecosystem in the world as well as rich mangroves. It covers an area of 21 300km² and constitutes 3.14% of the world’s coral reefs. As such, conservation of these ecosystems is a top priority for the country and there are 42 marine areas that are protected by Maldivian law. Here you can see healthy reefs teeming with life as well as endangered species like green turtles and hawksbill turtles. 2. Manta ray cleaning stations Manta rays are so prolific in this biodiversity haven that you are almost guaranteed to see at least one of these gentle giants. Cleaning stations are sites in the ocean where bigger fish like sharks and mantas go to get their skin, teeth, and gills cleaned by cleaner wrasse, parasitic copepods and other crustaceans. There are many of these
White sandy beaches, warm turquoise water, hot sunny days, and swaying palm trees are some of the things that come to mind when thinking of the Maldives. While this would be reason enough to visit this astounding tropical paradise, scuba divers are generally more motivated by what lies beneath the surface than what can be
Palau is made up of more than 350 of the most photogenic volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean you’ll ever encounter. Its waters boast more than 1,300 species of fish and more than 800 species of corals and sponges. Palau dive sites are among the best in wold. You'll also find that big pelagic encounters, tranquil coral gardens, current-swept drop-offs, and many World War II wrecks are among the area's major allure. The history of Palau is a diverse one. The region was first colonized by Spain in 1885, then Germany, followed by Japan and the United States. Despite this, it has maintained its own unique culture with a relaxed lifestyle and simple but comfortable ways. It is a place that is in tune with the environment and an excellent site for scuba. This stunning locale sits out in the Pacific just two hours east of Manila and three hours from Hong Kong. Situated midway between the Philippines and Guam in the western part of the Caroline Islands, it offers truly world-class diving. Palau is particularly known for its incredible diversity of dive sites. With wreck dives, reef dives, and drift dives, the locale offers an incredible number of new places to explore, including historic World War II battlefields. The diving season is year-round, but experienced divers know that the "dry" season before May 1st is the best for experiencing the world beneath the waves. The best part of Palau is that you can dive at the same site again and again and have completely different experiences each time! Best Palau Dive Sites Blue Corner Location: 25 miles SW of Koror, Northwest end of Ngemelis Island Suitable for: Novices (no current) up to Experienced/Advanced (strong current) Depth: 25 feet (8 meters) to 90+ feet 30 meters Plateau: 45-60 feet (15-20
Palau is made up of more than 350 of the most photogenic volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean you’ll ever encounter. Its waters boast more than 1,300 species of fish and more than 800 species of corals and sponges. Palau dive sites are among the best in wold. You’ll also find that big pelagic encounters,
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
Imagine waking up in a tropical paradise, grabbing your dive gear, loading a couple of tanks on the back of your pick-up truck and heading out to explore the wonderful treasures hidden underwater around the island! This is what your average day looks like in Bonaire! No time limit, no tank limit, just you and the ocean. Last month we went on an adventure, to explore the shore diving capital of the world, while learning UW photography from a skilled professional and having a blast! Buddy Dive Resort and Dive Center The week surpassed all of our expectations. We arrived to Buddy Dive Resort, a lovely complex which feels more like a small and pleasant village. We were greeted by a charming lady at the reception named Carmelita, who took us to our room. We took the Studio, which was very large and included a great little kitchenette, small desk with a couple of chairs and a very comfy bed. You can also choose to get the 1-br unit, which includes a large living room in addition to the above. Shortly after checking in, we received our pick-up truck, as part of your Dive n’ Drive package. To get a sense of the true freedom of diving in Bonaire, you want to get a truck. With your truck you can roam the island freely, diving wherever and whenever you please! Once we’ve settled in the room, we headed out to the dive shop for a mandatory introduction and filling out forms. Bonaire has been a nature reserve since the 70s, so they take conservation very seriously and make sure each diver knows what they’re doing and adheres to all the instructions. At this point you will also get your marine park tag ($25), which you will need to wear on your BCD at
Imagine waking up in a tropical paradise, grabbing your dive gear, loading a couple of tanks on the back of your pick-up truck and heading out to explore the wonderful treasures hidden underwater around the island! This is what your average day looks like in Bonaire! No time limit, no tank limit, just you and the
Not to touch!! You’re probably familiar with those photos posted on FB, of people holding Starfish on some exotic beach, or holding a Sting Ray or Shark like it’s their pet… I personally find that incredibly annoying! I’m sure a lot of you would agree with me. This is not necessarily the fault of the people in the photo, they are just not educated enough. It’s mainly the fault of the people or the organizations which allow it. In my travels around the world I have seen quite a few dive masters and dive instructors feeding, touching or poking marine life to steer them closer to the divers, hoping for better tips. How would you feel if someone penetrated your house with a giant stick through the window and started poking you? I’ve seen quite a lot of snorkeling instructors lifting poor animals, which were minding their own business, only to get a few screams of excitement from a couple of girls in bikinis. There are better ways to hit on girls!! This is the source of the problem… So what would happen if you pet turtles, Sting Rays and other marine life? Getting bitten, burnt or stung are some of the dangers. Frankly, I don’t blame them. If a stranger would pick me up and start stroking me, I would bite him without hesitation. You will also expose these beautiful animals to diseases and infections. You see, many marine life have different types of slime on their skin (AKA Bio-Films), protecting them from various infections. Once a human lays hand on them, that protective film is compromised. Each animal also has defense mechanisms, to protect them in case of attacks. Those defense mechanisms are often dangerous to humans, if not deadly. Curiosity killed the cat as they say. A
Not to touch!! You’re probably familiar with those photos posted on FB, of people holding Starfish on some exotic beach, or holding a Sting Ray or Shark like it’s their pet… I personally find that incredibly annoying! I’m sure a lot of you would agree with me. This is not necessarily the fault of the
