Scuba Lore

Archive for the ‘scuba diving’ Category

Breath-taking beaches, awe-inspiring nature and rich historical significance make North Carolina’s Crystal Coast the perfect vacation escape.  Atlantic Beach offers an unspoiled stretch of Southern Outer Banks Coast with some of the finest fishing and scuba diving in the country.  With so much to do, this top 5 list should help guide you on a fantastic Atlantic Beach getaway.

Beaches, Beaches and More Beaches
The beaches along the Crystal Coast are undeniably the greatest feature.  Soft warm sand spread out along the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean offers an unparallel experience of pleasure and relaxation.  Bogue Banks is where the majority of beach communities are located.  This barrier island offers access to many beautiful beaches, public fishing piers and hotels.  Most access points offer shower and restroom facilities along the pristine beaches.

Great Accommodations
With such great scenery, any lodging along the beach has a built in panoramic treasure.  For travelers looking for a high-class pampered stay, the One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa (http://www.oneoceanresort.com/) offers upscale accommodation with the added benefit of a full feature spa.  For those of you looking for a bargain stay, check out an Atlantic Beach Hotel with a mini-vacation offer (http://www.vacation-offer.com/special/new/25).  These packages are designed to introduce you to a resort’s timeshare offerings and they generally include access to some great amenities during your stay.

Scuba Diving
The Atlantic Beach area is far and away one of the absolute best scuba destinations in North America.  With an abundance of clear, clean water and an amazing array of marine life, diving along the Crystal Coast is an experience that will last a lifetime.  While exploring the variety of marine animals you can visit one of the many shipwrecks or take a peak back in history by diving alongside a sunken U-boat.

History
First envisioned in 1870 as an Ocean Resort town by Appleton Oaksmith, Atlantic Beach began life as a retreat for relaxation purposes.  The first bathing pavilion was constructed in 1897 followed by the construct of the New Atlantic Beach Hotel to house guests.  Surrounded by significant historical sites such as the Civil War era Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach also offers a glimpse into World War II history with the sunken wreckage of a German U-Boat sitting on the sea floor just off the coast.  Any history lover will enjoy the many tours and historical sites available to wet their appetite.

Exposure to Nature
Atlantic Beach is surrounded by and saturated in pristine nature.  The Rachel Carson Reserve, named for the well-known naturalist, is home to an abundance of crustaceans, birds, butterflies and wonderful vegetation.  For those of you interested in observing ocean life without a scuba tank, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (http://www.ncaquariums.com/pks/pksindex.htm) is a must see.  This state of the art aquarium displays all the local sea life and is a great family destination if you want to take a break from the beach for a day.

With all the activities to choose from, Atlantic Beach is a prime location to get away from it all.  Pack your sunscreen, bring a good book and don’t forget your camera.  The memories you make while staying on the Crystal Coast are sure to last a lifetime.

Byron Mackelroy
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/atlantic-beach-north-carolina-the-top-5-reasons-to-visit-716014.html

I want a place that is close to Orlando/Kissimi, I understand it gets better the further south i go, however, this is not an option. I am with my family and we have prearranged times to go places and I have only one day to go scuba diving and must be within around a 1-1 1/2 hour drive of the location. I have my advanced open water through PADI.

try taking a introduction to cavern diving with padi. i think the caves are close to orlando. would be more expensive but definatley worth it.

Tulum means wall in Mayan. It has easily-accessible, gorgeous beaches, so one can have a refreshing swim after exploring the site… Tulum Mexico is the combination of a beach coastline, archeological zone, and town. You could say that there are three distinct zones making up what people commonly refer to as Tulum. The “Tulum Archeological Zone” is the first distinct zone. The ruins are small and manageable. Downtown tulum with a great offer in reasonably priced hotels but with high quality standards and more services than the Tulum hotel zone hotels.

Tulum offers some of the best reef diving and snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera, together with exciting and cave diving. The world’s second longest coral reef protects the bay and offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming and exploring in our two sea kayaks. Certainly one will not be disappointed with their scuba diving experience in Tulum. Scuba diving is a great way to experience the underwater kingdom. It is believed that once you learn all about scuba diving, it will become a lifelong obsession.

The Mayan ruins of Tulum, only an hour from Playa del Carmen, undoubtedly has one of the most breathtaking settings of any city past or present. Tulum is one of the most visited of all Mayan ruins, and it’s also the only major Mayan ruin to be found along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline on the “Riviera Maya”. Today Tulum is one of the most visited of all. When visitors arrive at Tulum’s ancient pre-hispanic site they are able to see the buildings that in its time were the city’s main center ceremonial and political , monumentally encircled by the Mayan world’s best known wall. Around this wall, in an area that at the present time can’t be visited, there were a vast number of wooden and palm houses. El Castillo The Castle sits on a high point of the site, facing the ocean. His image appears all over the site, but his true name and meaning are not known. It’s quite tame in comparison to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, but it does have one overwhelming attraction: its location next to the sea. Templo del Dios Descendente – Temple of the Descending God depicts a diving figure, looks like a bee and is the same figure you can see depicted at other Mayan sites, including Cob. Tulum is without doubt the most exquisite ancient site in the Maya world and considered to be one of the most beautiful Mayan archaeological sites, Tulum is by no means the largest, but its location serves as a striking backdrop to its history. The only Mayan archaeological site to be in use at the time of the Spanish conquest, Tulum is the most important archeological site on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It is one of the most visited of all Mayan ruins, and it’s also the only major Mayan ruin to be found along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline on the “Riviera Maya.”

If you want the comforts of home while enjoying your Tulum vacation, a beach house is perfect for you, your family or friends .There are beach houses that have ceiling fans throughout the house to keep things cool. Also they are equipped with energy It has one king size bed, a dresser, built in closets, and bedside tables and lamps, and a private bathroom to the rear of the bedroom. Some are tucked among the palms right on Tulum’s unspoiled beach just a mile north of the remarkable, heritage protected Sian Kaan biosphere. If you are looking to trade the go-go-go of city life for a quiet beach vacation, Tulum is the ideal place for you and your family to unwind and get back in touch with each other, and with nature. You have nonstop frivolous opportunities including the Mayan ruins, eco parks, wildlife, fresh water snorkeling, golf, horseback riding and a must visit to the lively town of Playa Del Carmen for people watching and shopping. . Within a few minutes drive is the Mexican village of Tulum and the small beach community of Akumal with all its restaurants, dive shops, information, shopping and markets.

EllaV
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-peek-inside-tulum-715220.html

The Navy’s elite SEAL or Sea, Air, and Land Forces squad is made up of the best of the best. In order to provide the public with an insight as to what the Navy SEALs is all about, the U.S. Navy had agreed to serve as technical advisors for several of Hollywood’s films. This opportunity can also increase recruitment from the general public. Several former Navy SEALs had mentioned in their biographies that these movies inspired them to join the SEAL teams.

The following are some of the films in Hollywood that best describe the U.S. Navy SEALs’ intense training and how of they operate in some of the missions.

The top Hollywood film to depict the U.S. Navy SEALs in action is the movie, “The Frogmen.” The movie shows how a special ops team had done their part during World War II through reconnaissance duties, clearing the enemy’s underwater obstacles, offensive underwater attacks on enemy ships, and advance landings on enemy territory. This is the first such movie about scuba diving. The Underwater Demolition Teams or UDT then became what is now the U.S. Navy SEALs. The title is taken from the nickname of the Underwater Demolition Teams, “frogmen.”

“Tears of the Sun” is second on our list. This movie was set in a fictional Nigerian civil war where a team of Navy SEALs is forced to make a decision whether to ignore the conflict around and stick with the plan or follow what they believe is right and protect the innocent lives.

Another movie called “G.I. Jane” shows the intense training of the U.S. Navy Combined Reconnaissance Team or CRT. The training is very similar to the U.S. Navy SEAL BUD/S training course. The female protagonist hand picked by a female senator as part of a series of tests to determine whether women will be integrated into the U.S. Navy is thrown into the grueling training course of the CRT. She gets the same treatment as the men and proves that she has what it takes to be a member of the CRT in the training course and in live combat where she excelled in her leadership and strategic skills and gained the team’s trust.

Fourth on our list is the movie “The Rock.” This film shows how the U.S. Navy SEALs operates in a covert ops mission, in this case, breaking into Alcatraz Island where a group of tourists are held hostage.

The fifth movie on our list is the “Navy SEALs.” This one shows the camaraderie of the members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs and their unique abilities that make them the best of the best.

James Kara Murat

Located 200 nautical miles east of Bali, Komodo National Park nestles between the large islands of Sumbawa and Flores, all of which are part of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara on current maps).

It transgress some islands when cruising to Komodo. Diving liveaboard komodo with Sea Safari Cruise start from Bali and will layover in Moyo Island, Tora Longkoy Rinca, Satonda and Nusa Kode. All of island s have amazing underwater habitat.

Komodo Island and national park reserve offers just about every type of tropical diving imaginable – from calm and colourful shallow reefs alive with hundreds of colourful reef fishes and crammed with invertebrates, to current-swept deep water sea mounts, walls and pinnacles patrolled by sharks, tuna and other big fish.

The variety of marine life for scuba diving in Komodo rivals the world’s best dive destinations. This is the world’s epicentre for marine diversity and you’ll see loads of stuff here on a diving cruise that you just won’t see anywhere else in the world – From whale sharks, sunfish, mantas and eagle rays to pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, clown frogfish, nudibranchs and blue-ringed octopus – all at home amongst a spectacular range of colourful sponges, sea squirts, tunicates and corals – a macro enthusiast’s heaven.

Geologically, Komodo and Rinca are part of Flores, separated from Sumbawa to the west by the Sape Strait. In the middle of the strait, the bottom drops to almost 300 metres. The many islands and relatively shallow seas between Flores and Komodo’s west coast mean very fast currents at tidal changes, especially when the higher tidal waters of the Pacific in the north flow through into the Indian Ocean to the south. The upwellings from the deep surrounding seas bring nutrients and plankton to keep the Komodo waters rich and well-fed.

Unlike other parts of Indonesia, the reefs around the south of the islands have suffered relatively little damage from dynamite fishing. Much of the area now lies within the protection of the national park. The shallow reefs between Flores and the northern region however, were bombed in the past but are now recovering their former splendour. The affected area covers around 15% of the archipelago, and even here steep drop-offs and current-swept points offer excellent Komodo diving.

The island is also famous for its Komodo dragon monitor lizard, the largest lizards in the world. An alert and agile predator and scavenger that can reach 2.5 metres in length and 125 kg, they are known locally as ‘Ora’ and now about 1,100 inhabit the island and about half that live on nearby Rinca Island.

Alexandra
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/komodo-diving-liveaboard-683460.html

What images spring to mind when you think of holidaying abroad? Many of us look forward to getting away from it all and relaxing on white sandy beaches, perhaps even have a dip in the crystal clear ocean.

However, there are those of us who enjoy exploring below the ocean waves as well as the abundance of sights and sands of the resorts we visit. If you’re looking to do a spot of shark spotting as well as sight seeing, there are a wide range of diving holidays available all over the world.

Whether you’re looking to spend your holiday living on a boat for a period of time or for a scuba day trip, diving holidays could be for you. There are many destinations around the world which have become famous for their dive sites – such as Sharm El Sheikh and the Great Barrier Reef – and offer the chance to experience crystal clear waters and a rich variety of wildlife that inhabit the coral reefs and shipwrecks.

And with a fluctuating financial market, many late deals are available, so whether you’re looking to explore the Andalucian coastline or for holidays in the Seychelles, you’re bound to find a deal to suit your dive. For those who feel a little more adventurous, there are also opportunities to participate in shark dives, which give divers the chance to view them through the bars of a cage.

Coral reefs are also ideal locations for those who have an interest in photography, with a rich variety of marine life inhabiting the nooks and crannies of the coral just waiting to be captured on film. Before you embark on diving holidays, it’s important to have an idea of what it may entail.

Whilst many tours will offer short training courses for first-time divers, more experienced scuba enthusiasts have the opportunity to dive at their leisure. Expeditions are often led by a ‘divemaster’, who offer experience and assistance during your dive.

If taking the plunge isn’t quite your cup of tea but you want to experience the beauty of the deep, many coastal resorts will also offer snorkelling trips, giving you the chance to appreciate the ocean without diving too far down.

David Collins
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/taking-the-plunge-diving-holidays-716695.html

People traveling to Egypt do not do so only to view the many fascinating historical sites stretching up and down the Nile River. They also come to take in the glories of the far Western Desert and its five large oases. Visitors also enjoy trekking and exploring through the Eastern Desert and the Sinai Peninsula as well. Currently, however one of the strongest reasons that people from around the world plan a visit is to enjoy the scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt.

Scuba diving in Egypt? Absolutely! In fact, the eastern coast of continental Egypt and the southernmost point of the Sinai Peninsula (which is a territory of Egypt) are frequently referred to as the “Red Sea Riviera”. This is for several reasons, but primarily due to the charming towns and villages that have grown to accommodate the enormous number of visitors who make a point of scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt.

The waters are famous for their remarkable conditions and sea life. Travelers to any of the popular towns and resorts along the coastal areas can learn how to snorkel, scuba dive, kite sail, surf and many other activities in this excellent region.

Scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has become so popular in fact that the government has deemed most of the area as a protected region. Because the bulk of the waters off of Egypt’s Red Sea coast are protected many visitors hoping to enjoy scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt will have to book passage with a diving company or private guide service. While this may sound like an annoyance, the reality is that divers frequently comment on the uncrowded conditions and the peaceful environment in which they experienced the diversity of wildlife and scenery beneath the waves.

The popularity of scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has created an enormous range of accommodations from which visitors may choose. This includes many all inclusive resorts, with luxury amenities and diving certification courses. It also includes vacation rentals, which provide access to a private home or condominium in the town or nearby harbor. Finally, there are traditional hotels which deliver excellent service with Egypt’s traditional and famous hospitality.

Additionally, the large numbers of tourists who choose to enjoy their scuba diving in this area have also motivated some small fishing villages to develop into significantly larger towns. Some provide incredible shopping and dining, while others are known as excellent spots to enjoy international night life. Clearly, scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt is a great way to plan an excellent vacation.

Amar Mahallati
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/scuba-diving-in-the-red-sea-egypt-740937.html

People traveling to Egypt do not do so only to view the many fascinating historical sites stretching up and down the Nile River. They also come to take in the glories of the far Western Desert and its five large oases. Visitors also enjoy trekking and exploring through the Eastern Desert and the Sinai Peninsula as well. Currently, however one of the strongest reasons that people from around the world plan a visit is to enjoy the scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt.

Scuba diving in Egypt? Absolutely! In fact, the eastern coast of continental Egypt and the southernmost point of the Sinai Peninsula (which is a territory of Egypt) are frequently referred to as the “Red Sea Riviera”. This is for several reasons, but primarily due to the charming towns and villages that have grown to accommodate the enormous number of visitors who make a point of scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt.

The waters are famous for their remarkable conditions and sea life. Travelers to any of the popular towns and resorts along the coastal areas can learn how to snorkel, scuba dive, kite sail, surf and many other activities in this excellent region.

Scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has become so popular in fact that the government has deemed most of the area as a protected region. Because the bulk of the waters off of Egypt’s Red Sea coast are protected many visitors hoping to enjoy scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt will have to book passage with a diving company or private guide service. While this may sound like an annoyance, the reality is that divers frequently comment on the uncrowded conditions and the peaceful environment in which they experienced the diversity of wildlife and scenery beneath the waves.

The popularity of scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has created an enormous range of accommodations from which visitors may choose. This includes many all inclusive resorts, with luxury amenities and diving certification courses. It also includes vacation rentals, which provide access to a private home or condominium in the town or nearby harbor. Finally, there are traditional hotels which deliver excellent service with Egypt’s traditional and famous hospitality.

Additionally, the large numbers of tourists who choose to enjoy their scuba diving in this area have also motivated some small fishing villages to develop into significantly larger towns. Some provide incredible shopping and dining, while others are known as excellent spots to enjoy international night life. Clearly, scuba diving in the Red Sea, Egypt is a great way to plan an excellent vacation.

Amar Mahallati
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/scuba-diving-in-the-red-sea-egypt-740937.html

The Red Sea coastal areas of Egypt include both the eastern seashore as well as the Sinai Peninsula and are frequently referred to as the “Red Sea Riviera”. This is due to the abundance of luxurious resorts, high-end shopping, dining and unique activities that take place there. One of the most popular reasons for heading to this part of Egypt is to enjoy the many opportunities in Red Sea scuba diving.

Almost all of the Red Sea Riviera is considered an Egyptian National Park, or is protected under some other form of guardianship. Because of this, Red Sea scuba diving is generally limited to a select number of diving companies, each licensed to manage the needs of the visiting divers and to ensure the protection of the flora and fauna of the waters.

What sort of creatures will Red Sea scuba diving guests see? From hammerhead sharks to eels and amazing varieties of coral, a scuba diver can expect a diverse range of conditions and inhabitants during their visit. While some of the creatures that live in the Red Sea areas can be dangerous, for the most part the experience is sure to be a safe and pleasurable one.

In addition to regularly visited dive sites, there are Red Sea scuba diving companies that can escort their clients to the many major shipwreck sites in the region, though these too can present some hazards to both divers and even experienced sailors.

Red Sea scuba diving is not limited to risky or adventurous deep sea locations however and there are some excellent opportunities for those who are novice divers or who even prefer to simply snorkel among the coral reefs, feeding bread to the many friendly fish, eels and even smaller sharks that frequently visit such spots.

It is important to make early arrangements with a chosen Red Sea scuba diving company, as this is the most popular activity throughout the area, and the best companies are booked well in advance. Additionally, it is a good idea to have a bit of experience before tackling the more advanced locations, and many of the Red Sea scuba diving schools are happy to help their clients obtain the proper certifications in the days before a more serious diving adventure.

The entire Red Sea Riviera region is becoming more and more popular with Egyptian natives and international tourists. The region is full of wonderful resorts and hotels, and Red Sea scuba diving is now appearing on many “must do” lists for those heading to this unique area of Egypt.

Amar Mahallati
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/the-popularity-of-red-sea-scuba-diving-686315.html

I am 36 working in scuba for over 7 years now and manage a dive centre in Cyprus. End of summer season i would like to emigrate with partner to Australia. Any help regarding process for visas or sponsorship would be very helpful.

Shame you’re a little old for the ‘working holida visa’, since that’s one of the easist ways in, if you can find a job once you get there.

I don’t know if Aussie immigration’s got stricter in the last ten years, but one of the things they look at on visa applications is ‘useful trades’. Unfortunately, SCUBA instruction doesn’t count, since (1) it’s not a vital trade such as medicine, teaching, etc. and (2) the supply of homegrown instructors already outstrips the demand. Your age will also count against you.

Rather than looking at permanent immigration, you might be better off trying for temporary residency, at least at first. Once you’ve got your foot in the door, so to speak, you can start working on making that residency permanent. Are you thinking of taking Australian citizenship?

For SCUBA instructors, the best way to get temporary residence (including the right to work) is to persuade a dive company in a major diving tourist area such as Cairns or Townsville to sponsor your immigration application. The catch is, you have to be (at least on paper), an exceptional prospective employee, since Australian companies officially aren’t supposed to import employees unless they can show that the local labour pool doesn’t meet their requirements. So you’ll probably have to show multiple ‘bonus’ skills such as being able to teach in languages OTHER than English (Japanese or German are good ones), or qualifications and experience in dive gear/compressor/boat maintenance.

If you are successful in finding sponsorship, it will very likely be conditional on working for the named company for x no. of years, i.e. if you quit or get fired during that time, you also have to leave the country. If you’re successful in getting in, then you will also have to be a model citizen for whatever probationary period you’re required to serve; e.g. pay your taxes, don’t claim on the dole, don’t start (too m)any bar fights, don’t kill anyone, etc. Basically, don’t give the authorities any excuse to throw you out.

The other thing to look at is whether your partner has any in-demand skills and qualifications, and you enter the country as spouse, then look for work in the dive industry. You might have to get married, though, if you aren’t already.

Good luck with it, and don’t let the neg-heads put you off.