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Hong Kong South China SeaI spent some time there back in '99 and contacted the local BSAC club on the island (South China Dive Club) they meet at the boat club in Aberdeen (south part of the island). They're a friendly lot and were very welcoming to me as a visitor, even loaning/renting some equipment. You can check out their website at
website Alternatively there's a club in Kowloon, but I don't know any details for them.
The diving there is similar to diving in this country, but warmer and of course different marine life etc. Viz can be good or bad, again similar to UK. WAter temperature when I was there (July/August) was 28-30 degrees, so I managed quite well with swimming trunks and a T-shirt. You may consider a wetsuit though as depths below 15m can reduce noticeably in temperature.
Rob
more info about Aberdeen including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanWe went there 2 years agao and had a great time. The viz was good, but we were in March so don't know about Nov. We did meet a lot of people who were making return trips to the resort (some up to 10 times) so it must be fairly good. The currents can be strong in places, but this is also where the big pelagics hang out so is well worth the effort. The walls on the far side of the island are quite good and there are many dive sites to suit a range of experiences.
The dive centre (Pro Divers) was very good and friendly and provided nitrox at no extra cost. You could also pick up a tank and go diving on the house reef any time you wanted.
The island itself isn't huge (you can walk round it in less than an hour at a leisurely pace) and there is not a lot to do other than dive and lie on the beach. The food is good but make sure you get an all-inclusive package as the price of extras (like drinks) can be extortionate otherwise. On the way there, you may have the option of a sea plane or boat trip to get from the airport. Take the plane even if it costs a bit more as the 4-5 hour sea trip was described as being not that much fun after a 10 hours plane journey - especially if you get seasick.
I understand that they have upgraded the accomodation in the last 18 months since we were there, so whether it has changed the character of the resort - which was fairly laid back - I don't know, but I hope not.
Other than that - enjoy your trip.
Iain
more info about Kuredo including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Malaysia South China SeaLayang Layang is an atoll 14 square kilometres in diameter jutting 2000 metres from the Ocean depths. In 1985, the Malaysian Federal Government began reclamation works and created a 50-acre island on one part of the reef. Thus, what is ardently known to East Malaysians as "Terumbu Layang Layang" or "Swallow's Reef" has now become Layang Layang Island
We had 5 days diving in Layang Layang (LL) this March. It was good and I would recommend it. The accommodation and food are fine - about 3 star UK hotel standard. The rental gear is adequate, but I would suggest if you are renting take your own extras such as a flag or DSMB, and a compass (LL is 300km offshore, has currents of about 1 knot off the ends of the island at times, and ocean swell). LL has a fleet of 9 or 10 identical dive boats, which are properly kitted out for the local conditions. Each boat holds about 10 divers. Only 2 boats were in use when we were there, because it was the start of the season and there weren't many guests. We were very impressed by the boatman - sharp-eyed and skillful. There are dive guides but you can dive on your own with a buddy if you prefer. The diving consists of big walls falling vertically to great depths, and coral plateaus. Plenty of fish including swirling shoals; sharks on most dives - we saw hammerheads, white tip reef, leopard, and grey reef sharks, often several on a dive; large marble rays, others saw manta also; exceptionally fine coral with many large fans, all in pristine condition. World-class diving, but unsuitable for beginners. The LL resort website is pretty accurate.
see also..
website You reach LL by air charter from Kota Kinabalu (KK) in Sabah. If you do go to LL, it might be worth doing a few days there and a few days in Sipadan, which is easily reached from KK.
more info about Layang Layang including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand South China SeaThis dive site is really unique. The site is a reef surrounding a small island that is attached to Koh Phangan by a sandbar that you can walk over. The reef is easily accessable by the shore or boat. What I really loved the most is the coral has nearly no damage which is quite unusual at sites in Thailand. The coral is very diverse, staghorn, brain, boulder, whip, fan - the list is endless and all in prisitine condition.
One amazing feature of the site is an anenome garden approx 30m square - I have never seen one like this before - you amost get vertigo diving through as there is nothing solid in sight to focus on and it is very shallow at 2-4m deep.
There are big shoals of fusilier, trevally and yellow fin barracuda and occasional green back turtles, black tip reef sharks. Every dive I have done there I have also seen blue spotted sting rays.
There is a dive shop situated on koh Ma called Phangan Divers and the staff there are very friendly and helpful.
more info about Koh Ma Reef, Koh Phangan including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Grenada Caribbean SeaBianca C is probably the most famous ship wreck in the Caribbean. She sits in 150ft of water, she is an Italian cruise ship that sunk in 1961, being 600ft long you can do a few dives on her and still not see it all. It can be an exciting dive as you never know what you might see, it may be sharks, spotted eagle rays, atlantic spade fish, and jacks, this is to name just a few.
Here at Dive Grenada we also have technical groups come a couple of times a year (MAD DOG expiditions) and they will teach all aspects of tech diving on the Bianca C. So longer bottom time on her and some penertration to different parts of the ship.
So this is one dive not to be missed.
more info about BIANCA C in GRENADA including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United States PacificHonolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
The YO 257 and the San Pedroo are the best wreck dive in the Hawaiian Islands. We have 2 170 ft shipwrecks laying side by side, 75 ft apart at a maximum depth of 100ft. Both wrecks have been there over 25 years and have atracted lots of marine live. There is tons of coral and fish, many big green sea turtles and 2 reef sharks that are permanent residents. It is a great dive for the intermediate (20 dives) to the experienced diver and a must to divers visiting the island of Oahu.
more info about YO 257 & San Pedro Shipwrecks including maps, reviews, and ratings...
France Mediterranean SeaThe wreck of this cargo ship is 50+ meteres to the bottom. It is covered in red and yellow coral which is unusual for the med.
more info about Donater - Porquerolles including maps, reviews, and ratings...
GrenadaThis is the wreck of an Italian Ocean Liner that burnt and sank in the 1960's. She is 600 feet long and very deep (the top is reached at 30m - the bottom at 50+) It is covered in coral and is home to lots of small marine life.
more info about Bianca C including maps, reviews, and ratings...
BahamasThis site is a 40 mins. fast boat ride from New Providence Island.
You go in to find the start of the reef wall at 10 metres. There is a large population of female caribean reef sharks that are very big. They used to feed them here (not so much now) and this has made them very used to divers (you can see the hair up their nostrils - if they had any!!) so allowing for easy photographing.
more info about Sharp Wall - Tongue of the Ocean - New Providence Island including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Papua New Guinea PacificNot a lot of divers go to this site as it is very hard for boats to anchor. This makes the coral virtually untouched.
There are a lot of oriental species of fish including the Lacy scorpion fish. The water is quite cold but a lot of things to photograph. I had used up all my film in 20 minutes.
more info about Susies Bommy - Loloata including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanA bit of a current here. Saw grey sharks and some large Napoleon Wrasse and resident turtles that came up to nosey around. They seemed quite tame.
more info about Mushi Mash Magili (South Ari Atoll) including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanShort boat ride to the dive. This is a cleaning station for Manta Rays when the current is running. There were nurse sharks but we were to busy photographing the Mantas!
more info about Rangali Madivaru including maps, reviews, and ratings...
French Polynesia PacificA short Zodiac ride gets you to the site where there are Turtles, dolphins, and very boring coral (very dull).
The exciting part of this dive is the many grey sharks that are being hunted by the resident hammerhead and tiger shark.
more info about Tiputa Pass - Rangiroa including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Turks and Caicos islands Caribbean SeaMy first impression of my first dive in the Turks and Caicos was this site. I had heard that Caribbean diving was inferior. However, I thought the diving here was on a par with the Red Sea. The viz, the corals, the marine life were all as profuse.
This site is a long boat ride away from Provo. We dived with Art Pickering and he has a fine and comfortable boat. Fast too. They trawled lines hoping to catch a Marlin (but didn't). An ever-full cooler and pleasant company passed the 40 or so minutes it took to get there.
West Caicos is well worth the journey. Being remote and undived it is pristine.
We dropped into an Eagle Ray and a turtle that the local guide held so I could photograph. I asked him not too. In the end I pretended to take the shot just to make him let go. Actually, it came out alright but I could't show it! You are not supposed to hold Turtles, they breath air and get very stressed. Just imagine your out of air situation!
Anyway, I also had a loopy grouper who kept banging into my dome port. Must have fell in love with his (her?) own reflection.
There was a large barracuda under the boat to finish my film on.
Great dive. How many times can you say that!
more info about West Caicos Wall including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Sri Lanka Indian OceanDiving is ideal for beginners. You will find some hard and soft corals and marine life mostly small species. The diving is not very good but it is not as bad as you can think, this is probably the only diving spot in Sri Lanka during summer. go to Trincomalee an then you have to go north to Pidgeon Island. It is better to go in the morning to get the best visibiliy.
more info about pidgeon island including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Cyprus Aegean SeaThe Vera K is a medium size freighter sitting upright in 10 metres. It is an ideal dive to introduce beginners to wreck diving. It is sunk in a crater so, as a site, it is well defined. It has an intact wheelhouse but the rest of the wreck is in various states of collapse.
It takes a short boat ride (10 minutes) from Paphos harbor, where there are a couple of dive operations (Cydive being the most established).
It takes a good 45 minutes to explore the wreck and surrounding crater. There are caves that are very safe for a swim through and, if you are lucky, you will see Big George. He's a massive grouper (cow sized!) and I have no idea how he got that big in the Mediterranean but he is not a myth. I've seen him! He's understandably shy of divers and you won't get close enough to photograph him, let alone touch him.
See Also
website more info about Vera K including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Bermuda AtlanticThis was a deliberate sinking in the mid 80's. I haven't seen it recently but when I was on it there was not a lot of coral growth.
The boat has been stripped clean but there is still plenty of photogenic machinery inside. There's plenty to explore and worth a couple of dives. It is a most requested wreck on the south shore as it is the biggest and most intact (unless you know different).
The deck is around 60 foot so start deep and ascend later, leaving the wheelhouse till a quick swim thro at last.
There are loads of other wrecks nearby for a second dive. I'll tell you about them when I gety time!
Bermuda is a cracking place. Everything revolves around Hamiltion. Apparently there are more people per square mile than anywhere else (and most are well heeled).
It's a popular place with NY divers as it is the nearest bit of decent diving and the shortest flight. Steer clear in May/June as the humidity is opressive.
more info about The Hermes including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Kenya Indian OceanIt took about 30 minutes to this dive site. The wreck is an old steel shrimp boat which is about 120 feet long. My camera was kept busy with an octopus, rock cod, a moray and shoals of batfish. The wreck is quite incrusted so a good opportunity for macro.
more info about Mida Wreck including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Kenya Indian OceanThis dive is in the National Marine Reserve. A quick 20minute boat ride takes you to a moored buoy. A descent to about 10metres will find you at the reef top. Covered with soft and hard corals. Plenty here to photograph. Just over the edge of the reef is a large arch that was filled with a shoal of glass fish. There are two reefs that you can explore, separated by a gully. We were told that whale sharks have been seen here, but were not lucky enough to encounter one ourselves. We did however see two turtles swimming calmly past, and spotted what looked like a dolphin in the distance.
more info about Canyon, Watamu including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Jamaica Caribbean SeaThe dive starts by finning amongst coral and sponges and then you can see a gap in the reef. The opening is about 18 feet by 5 feet (be careful not to bash the coral) and as you come through you will gasp at the view. It is framed with colourful corals and sponges (almost like a window). There were several schools of fish and when they passed we could then see why the site was called the throne room. It has a sponge formation that sits on the floor in the shape of a throne.
more info about The Throne Room including maps, reviews, and ratings...
