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Barbados Caribbean Sea I have been to Barbados before and it really depends on where on the island
you want to dive. If you want to dive the North of the Island I can suggest
'Reefers & Wreckers'. The two guys who run that are called Mike and Philip.
If you want to dive the more popular South then there is a huge choice but I
have booked some diving with the BSAC dive shop there website the
guy is called John Moore. If you prefer a PADI dive shop then try
website and the guy to speak to there is Willie Hewitt
There is a BSAC club on the island and they have club dives every Sunday and
sometimes combine there dives with BADASS (Barbados American Divers
Association). The best person to contact regarding the BSAC Club is - Rob
Bateson (is click here to email )
If your into you're wrecks then you must do…
- Stavronikita
- Carlisle Bay
- Friars Craig
- Pamir
And see - website
more info about Northern reefs and wrecks including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Sea We were at Turtle Beach (Rex resort) and we went diving with the local
dive outfit on the spot at the hotel, as well as with Undersea Tobago ,
based at the Grafton Beach resort further down the coast.
Undersea Tobago picked us up from our hotel and we did a two-tank dive with
them. The Atlantic side can be very choppy and with some substantial swell even
at 25 meters, but well worth it, with masses of large fish (angels, rays, nurse
sharks, parrots, barracuda etc).
The Caribbean side, at Dutchman reef , is generally much more sedate,
but equally enjoyable, with beautiful fans and whip coral, and huge sponges.
The dive operators do not carry your gear or bottles for you. However, fair
is fair, the diving was well organized, and we had some very good scenic dives
further north.
You'll probably be sold 'the wreck'. My view is that, unless you want to log
it in your book, don't bother. It's the most boring 30 M/100’dive of a
relatively new wreck where you can swim through and that's about it.
The highlight of our holiday was to watch the huge leatherback turtles come
ashore at night to lay their eggs. Right in front of the bar, the rooms, it was
awesome. However, you are not very likely to see them except in May.
Tobago is not yet spoiled by mass tourism. Enjoy!
more info about Turtle Beach including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Jordan Red Sea
- FIRST BAY: Situated next
to the Marine Science Station, this a shallow fringing reef with very prolific
coral and fish life, the reef starts at 2m/6’ and extends down to 30-40m and
beyond. There is a small area of upwelling that attracts shoaling fish. Sea
bass, shoals of fusiliers, schools of squid and octopus are common making this
an excellent site for photographers. This is a more advanced dive
site.
- BLACK ROCK:
This site provides very easy access and is ideal for
snorkelers and anyone who is new to the area, as a coral garden starts just
below the surface and extends outwards for approximately 30m when it drops away
steeply. The reef is prolific with a wide range of fish and is regularly visited
by turtles.
- GORGONE ONE:
This is a relatively shallow site, generally (10m) though
is named after a large gorgonian fan coral which is at 16mtrs. This site has
splendid examples of massive coral formations, including a 'lettuce coral' the
size of a small house. There are lots of rock pinnacles smothered in fish life,
with a large range of both hard and soft corals covered in Lionfish which gather in huge numbers to hunt for fry. This site is a photographer’s paradise and an
ideal site for second dives.
- EEL CANYON:
This site is aptly named and provides a dramatic dive with
lots of variation in invert life, it has the advantage of lots of large coral
outcrops that offer a variation in depth and contour.
- BLUE CORAL:
Fingers of coral extending at right angles to the coast.
Covered with a profusion of fish and coral life. You also will not have to look
very hard to discover the abundance of small, gray morays. This site also has
the rare fluorescent anemones, but be warned they look muddy brown if
photographed with a strobe.
- SAUDI BORDER:
(The Drop Off) This site is so called because it is just
that, you could swim into Saudi Arabia from here, but don't try it! The top of
the reef starts at 5m/15’ with patch reef and the reef top itself extends
approx. 30-40m/100-120’ seaward at a depth of 10-20m. At this point a wall of
living coral drops down to 50m and beyond. There are small caverns at 30m and
large plate corals abound. At around 40m a large Grouper is to be found hiding
behind a rock pinnacle. Along the reef edge it is common to see turtles. The
sand is home to some large rays and deep water shoaling fish, such as Jack and
Tuna can be seen.
- POWER STATION:
Here the reef drops from the surface to 5M/15’ then
slopes to 12M/36’ before dropping vertically to 200M/320’ in a sheer wall.
Swimming along the edge of the wall offers spectacular views and large pelagic
species make this their hunting ground. Soft corals abound as nutrient rich
waters gently flow along the wall. This dive requires good buoyancy control and
offers some spectacular coral outcrops with huge numbers of fish. The dive can
be completed in shallow water between 12 and 5 M, where an abundance of varied
hard corals each with its attendant species, keep divers entertained.
- PARADISE:
A gentle slope with patch corals leads to a pinnacle and cave
at the edge of a wall in 30M/100’. Working back up to the south we encounter
soft coral gardens at 10-15M/30-45’. Stingrays and eagle rays are common in
this area.
- OLIVERS CANYON:
Swim out to 12M/36’ where the reef starts with a gully
dropping down to 30M. The top of the reef is covered in table corals, where
Scorpion, Stone and Crocodile fish abound.
Don’t Miss…
The ancient city of Petra about two hours North of Aqaba.
more info about Aquaba reefs including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Jordan Red Sea The Cedar Pride is a Lebanese freighter sunk in 1986 at the wishes of
Prince Abdulha, King Hussain's son as an attraction for divers. She lies 150m
offshore and is approx. 80m long by 20m wide. Lying on her port side across two
reefs in a depth of 12-27m. It is possible to pass under the hull of the ship,
which lays across two reefs. She has been rapidly colonized by soft corals and
is home to several large sea bass, Grouper can often be spotted and she is also
patrolled by a shoal of barracuda!
Between the wreck and the shore and just off the starboard bow lies a reef
called Osama's Reef This has nothing to do with Bin Laden! The reef
slopes downward from 10m to 24m with a drop off on one side. Here can be found a
profuse and wide range of corals and fish life, including larger pelagic species
that approach the reef to feed. This site can be combined with the wreck, but
there is rarely time to explore more than a fraction of the reef and so this
site is worthy of a visit of its own.
more info about The Wreck of the Cedar Pride including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Tanzania Indian OceanPemba Island is located 40km north of Zanzibar and is about 70km long. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches, islands, and pristine offshore coral reefs. The drop off into the Pemba channel is 600 meters deep, and it offers scores of world class diving sites where mantas, hammerhead sharks, groupers and dolphin abound. The island is famous for it's clove production and this is the mainstay of Pemba's economy. Tourism is still in its infancy but several areas are now being developed to take advantage of the amazing world class dive sites of the Pemba Channel.
If you are short of time and have to select the best sites then an itinerary which includes Manta Point, Mesali Island and the Emerald Reef at Panza Point should satisfy even the most experienced and demanding diver. Pemba is best suited to the experienced diver due to strong currents and great depths. There are some sites suited to the less experienced diver but conditions should always be checked first. Drift dives are the most common due to the currents and it is advisable to carry a surface marker buoy.
To get to Pemba there are flights from Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam and a ferry service two days weekly between Zanzibar'sStone Town and Pemba.
more info about Pemba Island including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanBroken Rock lies in the southernmost corner of the Ari Atoll, on the eastern side. The closest islands are Dhangethi to the north and Dhigurah to the south. The thila, which seems to have been cleft asunder by a blow from a giant axe, is some 70 metres (230 feet) in length, and rises to a depth of some 13 metres (43 feet) beneath the surface. The remarkable aspect of this coral base is the enormous canyon that runs diagonally across the centre, from southeast to northwest. With a depth of 22 metres (72 feet), this cleft was the source of the name, Broken Rock. On the eastern side is a jutting formation with a remarkable shape, and another small plateau, at a depth of 17 metres.
Apart from the considerable depth of the reef top, diving in this site is fairly easy. There are several decisive factors in any decision regarding the techniques to be used on this dive: the currents, which can be very strong at times, but also the level of experience of the participating divers. With weak currents, one can dive directly on to the top of the reef. The most elegant technique, which is also the simplest in the presence of powerful currents, is to dive at some distance from the reef, in the open ocean, and then to swim in the reef with the current. It is also possible to moor the boat on the reef itself, if it becomes necessary to enter and emerge from the water by means of a line.
The dive site has a great many soft corals and by a teeming and varied abundance of fish.
There is always the possibility of running into a gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) or two, or a school of barracuda (Sphyraena sp.). A mixed group of batfish (Platax teira) and blue fusiliers (Caesio lunaris) are usually guests at Broken Rock, as are the many sea turtles (Eretmochelys inbricata). The jutting crags on the northeastern side are populated by a great many tiny animals.
more info about Broken Rock including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian Ocean Vaavu Atoll is comprised of two
geographical atolls; the main
Vaavu Atoll and the adjacent large circular
atoll, Vattaru, which is 9 kilometres in diameter with just one uninhabited
island.
Vaavu Atoll is a true geographical wonder. It is a boot-shaped
atoll and the ‘toe’,
Fotteyo Muli is the easternmost point of the
Maldives archipelago. In addition to this, the 55 kilometres long unbroken reef
that stretches from the ‘toe’ to the ‘heel’ of the ‘boot’ is the
longest reef in the Maldives. Vaavu atoll has been exposed to tourism since 1975
and the atoll has been a great favourite with safari and cruise operators.
However it is more isolated and less commercialised than any of the other
tourist atolls.
Vaavu Atoll hosts some of the best diving in the
Maldives.
Fotteyo Kandu is considered by many as the best dive site in
the country and one of the top five in the world. The reefs of the eastern side
of the atoll are in pristine condition and are wonderful for divers and
snorkellers alike. There are many thrilling shark dives in the atoll, where
divers may be lucky enough to see hammerhead sharks as well as the more common
gray reef sharks.
more info about Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll) including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Mozambique Indian OceanIn Southern Mozambique whalesharks gather (especially from October through to March). The biggest tagging programme operates here and they have the most sightings worldwide. Sharks, dolphins, rays and huge bass are common. The sea is warmer here and visibility increases to 20-30m.
- Bass City: One of the best known of Ponto’s dive sites. A series of seven rocky outcrops which are home to 4-6 large territorial potato bass, including Bert, the divers friend, as well as octopus, moray eels and large numbers of lion fish. Electric blue juvenile emperor angelfish are regularly spotted, as well as huge brown stingrays.
- Aquarium: This is a large, hollow coral bommie surrounded by small rocky outcrops that houses delicate black corals inside the cavity. Outside it teems with colourful reef fish. It is also home to territorial white & purple leaf fish that cling onto the rocks with their pectoral fins.
more info about Ponta Do Ouro including maps, reviews, and ratings...
South Africa Atlantic (South) Aliwal Shoal: This immensely popular dive destination is an extensive, submerged reef located approximately 5 kms offshore. One of the main attractions of Aliwal Shoal are the large number of ragged tooth sharks that congregate to await the spring mating ritual. In addition large numbers of shoaling fish may be seen here, as well as a variety of small and colourful tropical fish. There are a number of popular dive sites on the shoal, as well as two wrecks: the Nebo (1884) and the Produce (1974).
Landers Reef: The beautiful Landers Reef is actually an extension of the Aliwal Shoal, about 2 kms south-west of the shoal and about 5 kms offshore. The reef enjoys good visibility and is often more spectacular than the main reef as it is often visited by large pelagics.
Protea Banks: A top shark dive site, visited by hammerheads, zambezi’s, tiger, dusky and great white sharks. During the winter and spring months shoals of ragged tooth sharks are found on the reef. A demanding dive for the more experienced divers!
Sodwana: The world’s southernmost coral reef is a system of parallel reefs and home to over 1,200 species of tropical fish, and is unique in that soft corals predominate over hard corals. With no major rivers flowing into the sea it benefits from near perfect visibility and diving midweek when the locals are hard at work, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had the reefs to yourself!
more info about Protea Banks including maps, reviews, and ratings...
South Africa Atlantic (South)There is interesting diving around Cape Town. The Atlantic side is cold, but features kelp beds, seals, penguins, whales (seasonally) and sharks (including relatively large numbers of great whites). The currents can be challenging, and visibility is not always the greatest. The further east you go, the more tropical it gets, with a fairly abrupt transition between cold water (currents originating in the Antarctic) and warm (currents flowing south down the African coast) just east of Cape Town. Big fish are the story pretty much everywhere, especially sharks.
Cape Town is gorgeous, cosmopolitan, surrounded by great vineyards, and relatively peaceful compared to the crime and general mayhem in Jo'burg and Durban. Durban is the other big city on the coast, and is in an Indian Ocean ecological zone. The political situation around Durban is dicey, however, and has not yet fully settled down after the transition to majority rule. The coast east of Cape Town is beautiful and there are a number of smaller cities and large towns where a diver could be happy. Most feature good small craft harbours, although, to the best of my knowledge, diving facilites are mostly restricted to larger centres. Others may have more detailed (and recent) information.
I dived with an outfit in Simonstown, just outside Cape Town.
We did the Rockeater a wreck at 35m we were buzzed by seals on the safety stop.
The water is cold 8-10C so a thick wetsuit or drysuit is needed.
A drive up to Platenburg bay is worth it the water warms up rapidly. You can also dive the shark cage in the aquarium and the kelp forest tank there as well.
more info about Capetown including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Sudan Red SeaSudan has the only decent diving left in the Northern Red Sea. The Egyptian Red Sea has been dived out a long time ago. Most of the liveaboards operating out of Port Sudan are Italian, so it may take some searching to book one!
Sudan has some great reefs and wrecks.
WINGATE REEF Sailing from Port Sudan, most dive boats conduct their first dives on the wreck of the Umbria, an Italian freighter sunk on June 9, 1940, the day before Italy went to war. She was headed to East Africa carrying over 300,000 bombs and other war supplies for Italian troops. The reason for her unfortunate fate is a mystery, but some believe she was scuttled by her captain for fear that she would fall into the hands of the British. Others maintain that she was under threat from a German submarine. Today she lies on her port side in 35m to 40m of water.
SHA'AB RUMI In 1963, Jacques Cousteau mounted an expedition to Sha'ab Rumi to study Red Sea coral life. Guest are allowed to dive the remains of the team's underwater base, the Precontinent II shelf. Marine life is scarce, but the metal remains of the equipment shed and flying saucer-like structure, which are now delicately encrusted, are well worth a visit.
SHA'AD SU'ADI The wreck of the modern cargo vessel Blue Bell lies keel-side up with the prow at 15m dropping down to 70m. Diving below 35m is not recommended, and divers are advised to keep an eye out for Tiger sharks. Diving is subject to weather conditions. Ma Sharif and Angarosh are famous for their majestic Manta rays.
more info about Sudanese Wrecks 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...
Netherlands Antilles Caribbean SeaRates the top dive site in terms of species richness by the REEF Environmental organization. Present count, 323 species, plentiful in numbers as well as variety. With a drop off beginning in 30 feet (10 meters) of water, a continuous reef that runs parallel to shore, minimal to no currents, this is an ideal dive of all levels of divers. The majority of the fish life, colorful orange elephant ear sponges, purple tube and vase sponges and gorgonians are found between 30 - 60 feet or water. These shallow depths provide divers with plenty of underwater viewing time. Bonaire is ranked as the #1 macro capital in the Caribbean, and no site is better for marco than Bari reef. In the shallow terrace ( 0 to 30 feet) the rubble is home to move than 100 species of fish alone. (also ideal for snorkelers). Yellow headed jawfish, pike blenneys, sail fin blenneys and other beauties abound for those with patient eyes! On the reef slope, enormous schools of creole wrasse, queen and french angel fish, rock beauties, groupers, butterfly fish, and countless others. Frog fish generally there for long periods of time, squid in the shallow without fail!
more info about Bari Reef at Sand Dollar, Bonaire 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...
Cayman islands Caribbean SeaIf it is spectacular wall diving you have come for you have come to the right place. The Cayman Islands are famous for it’s walls that are just a few minutes from shore. Eden Rock is situated near to Georgetown on South Church Street and is an excellent location to either do a West, South, or North wall dive.
more info about Eden Rock including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaAt the tip of the Sinai Peninsular is Sharm El Sheik, a town surrounded by only one natural resource - its reefs. These were some of the most beautiful reefs on the planet.
Nowadays, the shore and dayboat diving is not what it used to be! If you haven’t been there in a few years you will be disappointed.
Ras Muhamed was ruined in the early 1990’s when rapid growth in diver numbers (fuelled by the then new airport) resulted in an uncontrolled explosion of building.
Sharm is now a strip mall of hotels. Every day, twice a day, dive boats moor every 100 yards along the coastline. Consequently the reef is now kicked to bits.
Erosion has caused sand to end up strangling the reefs - along with every bit of rubbish that blows around Sharm (which eventually ends up on the reef too).
Conventional wisdom is go liveaboard but standards are patchy as no foreign crewed boats are allowed. There’s still some decent offshore dives but also, if you’re sneaky and know where to go you can still find unspoiled reef.
You’ll find pristine stretches of wall where dive boats are not allowed. There’s nothing stopping you from entering from the shore.
It takes a bit of effort to wade over the fore reef but then you drop into a sheer wall with spectacular coral, Wow! That’s how we used to do it before the place was ruined. We slept under Landrovers on Safari from Eilat (Israel) cooked on the beach and dived from the shore. Truth is, you don’t need a boat.
more info about Sinai Peninsula 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...