Specialist Scuba Diving Resorts

Without exception, every day we recieve emails from our users asking us where would we recommend to go on a diving holiday, and do we know of any specialist scuba diving resorts in the area? As a result of this, we will very shortly be launching our new Scuba diving holidays centre on the main web site. This will provide users with details of specialist scuba diving resorts in specific locations.

The past few years have seen huge changes throughout the travel industry as a whole, and this has undoubtedly had a large knock-on effect on the way in which people plan their scuba diving holidays, essentially dividing the market into two major groups.

The first group are those divers who are looking for a complete package to be provided for them, including the accomodation, the flights to the destination as well as the diving. This market is catered for exceptionally well by a small number of specialist tour operators who provide good value for money across the package as a whole. This option makes particular sense for larger groups, or for those who are looking at more specialist diving holidays such as a liveaboard holiday, where local market knowledge can prove instrumental in the making of a good holiday.

The second group of divers are those who are looking to package the holiday themselves. These individuals tend to use the internet to identify specific diving resorts at which they would like to stay, whilst making their own travel and transport arrangements. They prefer to deal directly with the diving resorts themselves, and arranging their diving either directly with the resorts themselves, or when they arrive at the destination.

Through our new scuba diving holidays channel, we aim to offer solutions across both. We will be working with some of the largest names in the scuba diving travel industry, as well as working with some of the smaller, and more unique scuba diving resorts throughout the world.

Our process is simple. Once you have found the destination or resort that you are interested in visiting, all you have to do is to fill in the simple information form, identifying where you would like to stay and for how long. This information is then passed onto the relevant tour operator or resort who will contact you at a time of your convenience to discuss things in greater detail.

We feel that booking a diving holiday is very different from a normal holiday and we hope that the scuba diving holiday centre will help you find the best diving holidays for you and your friends!

Dominica - A Scuba divers paradise.

Located at the Northern end of the Lesser Antilles chain of islands lies the beautiful island of Dominica. A landscape and geography sculpted by the islands volcanic past, have now created a stunning and picturesque landscape both above and below the water. The beautiful, rugged landscape above the water is mirrored by Dominica’s underwater paradise of stunning corals and rich levels of marine, which have thrived due to the extensive conservation efforts in the region.

The scuba diving in Dominica is split into two main regions at the northern and southern tips of the island, both of which hold protected marine reserve status. At the northern tip of Dominica lies the Cabrits Marine Reserve, 1053 acres of coral, sponges and stunning marine life. The diving in Cabrits Marine Reserve is characterised by the wealth of swim throughs, caves and volcanic vents which can be found throughout the area. There are over 20 dive sites to be explored in Cabrits Marine Reserve, including Sharks Mouth, Sunshine Reef and Pole to Pole. However, the most popular dive site in the area is widely acknowledged to be the stunning Toucari Caves, and beautiful reef and cave dive site, and one definitely worth visiting on any diving holiday in Dominica.

The majority of the scuba diving in Dominica takes place on the south of the island, and is focused around the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve. This large bay, which is centred on the expanse of water around the villages of Anse Bateau, Scotts Head and Soufriere, offers excellent diving and visibility, and has attracted large numbers of scuba divers to Dominica for many years. Inside Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve, the bay offers diving around large pinnacles which raise up from the depths below, surrounded by the rising columns of air bubbles, a legacy of the regions volcanic past.

The climate in Dominica is tropical, and the extreme heat is controlled by the trade winds that breeze through the Caribbean region. As such, there are only slight variations in the temperatures in Dominica, although it is best to avoid the rainy season which is here from late June through to October.

Dominica holds many opportunities for activity and adventure both above and below the water, and many divers have ranked the waters off the coast of Dominica as some of the best scuba diving in the Caribbean.

Bloody Bay Wall In Little Cayman, Cayman Islands.

For fans of wall diving, there can be no better dive site than Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands, which offers one of the worlds best wall diving experiences. Depths ranging from as little as 6 metres, ranging down to abyssal depths of around 350 metres ensure that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the worlds best wall diving locations.

Bloody Bay Wall is in fact not one site, but several excellent dive sites along the one major wall, each with its own unique characteristics and marine life. Dive sites such as Marylins Cut and Randy's Gazebo have become popular dive sites over the years with divers looking for the ultimate wall diving experience.

What makes Bloody Bay Wall so unique however is the scale of the walls, and given the extremely good levels of visibility in the reigon (upto 60 metres), immediately the scale is very apparent to those individuals diving on Bloody Bay Wall. Huge expanses of rock are visible in every direction, something seldom found on wall dive locations anywhere else in the world.

Marine life is good on Bloody Bay Wall, and divers are likely to encounter some of the large Nassau Groupers which inhabit the walls, as well the resident populations of Queen Triggerfish and large schools of Jacks.

If you are interested in finding out more about the opportunities for scuba diving in the Cayman Islands, why not visit the Scubaworld web site.

Protea Banks - Scuba diving in South Africa

The Protea Banks are ranked amongst the best dive sites in South Africa, and offer one of the best opportunities for scuba divers looking to dive with a wide variety of species of shark.

Located only 5 miles off the coast of Margate in Kwazulu Natal, the Protea Banks are in fact a large, exposed reef where depths average around 30-40 metres, and the visibility can range anywhere between 3m up to 20 metres. Protea Banks is an advanced dive site only, and strong currents and large swells are regularly experienced across the reefs.

Without doubt, the major reason that scuba divers visit the Protea Banks is the opportunity to dive with the large shark species. In Protea Banks, there are regular sightings of Zambesi (Bull) Sharks, Tiger, Hammerheads, Ragged Tooth and Bronze Whalers. There are also a few sightings of Great Whites in the waters around the Protea Banks giving credence to its claim as being one of the worlds best shark dive destinations.

If you are looking for a particular species of shark, it is worthwhile doing the research first, as seasonality and location certainly come into play on this. If you are coming to Protea Banks to dive with Hammerhead Sharks, then it is best to visit around November and December, whereas March and May are the best time for sighting the notorious Zambesi (Bull) Sharks.

For those looking for more information on diving in South Africa, why not visit the Scubaworld web site, where we look at the opportunities for scuba diving in South Africa in depth, looking at destinations such as the Western Cape, Aliwal Shoals and Sodwana Bay.

Yongala Wreck - Worlds Best Dive Sites

The Yongala Wreck is widely acknowledged as being one of the worlds best dives sites. Located approximately 60 miles south east of Townsville, on the east coast of Australia, the Yongala Wreck is well worth the long trip out to visit the wreck.

The Yongala sank in a cyclone in March 1911, and lay in just undeer 30 metres of water for approximately 60 years before she was discovered. Over time, she has become encrusted with corals, and has become home to a wide variety of marine life including queenfish, turtles and a variety of sea snakes. However, the Yongala Wreck is also notorious for the huge groupers that can often be found lingering underneath the bows at the front of the wreck. During the winter months, it is sometimes also possible to spot migrating humpback whales as they pass through these waters.

The majority of dive operators who dive the Yongala will offer a two dive day, although it should be noted that this is a dive for intermediate divers and above, and strong currents will often be experienced on and around the Yongala wreck.

Scuba Diving In False Bay - South Africa

False Bay is located just over the other side of Table Mountain from Cape Town, and it offers some of the best cool water diving in the Western Cape.

The majority of the diving in False Bay is over the western side of False Bay, towards the shores of the Simons Town and Boulders Beach areas. Predominantly a summer diving destination, False Bay offers a number of excellent dive sites, including the famous wrecks of Smitswinkel Bay where five wrecks were sunk to form an artificial reef in the 1970's.

The Smitswinkel wrecks are in fact the resting places for the former South African navy frigates the Transvaal and the Good Hope, the fishing trawlers the Oratava and the Princess Elizabeth and the Rock Eater. When you are diving on the Smitswinkel Wrecks, it is worth noting that all the wrecks are relatively deep, at around 40 metres, so plan your dives accordingly.

As well as the Smitswinkel Wrecks, there are a number of other good dive sites in the False bay area including Pyramid Rock, Castle Rocks and Partridge Point, all of which are worth a visit if you are scuba diving in False Bay.

If you are considering going scuba diving in South Africa, why not head over to the main Scubaworld site, where we have plenty of information on all aspects of diving in South Africa.

Sharm El Sheikh - Scuba Diving In The Red Sea

As one of the most popular scuba diving resorts in the Red Sea, we thought we would take a closer look at Sharm El Sheikh, to see why huge numbers of scuba divers visit here each year.

Sharm El Shiekh is located on the Southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, and is today the main destination for those wishing to scuba dive in some of the Red Sea's best dive sites. From Sharm El Sheikh, day boats regularly visit dive sites such as the Thistlegorm Wreck, the Straits of Tiran, the Dunraven Wreck and Ras Mohamed.
Getting to Sharm El Sheikh is relatively easy from most major western airports, and there are numerous airlines offering cheap flights to Sharm El Sheikh from Manchester, Gatwick and other major UK airports. These cheap flights, coupled with the huge increase in hotels and other forms of accomodation in Sharm El Sheikh have resulted competitive prices for those seeking a cheap scuba diving holiday. The main airport in the region is Ras Nusrani, which also serves as the destination airport for those travelling on to the resort of Dahab further north on the Sinai Peninsula. There are a number of luxury coach and bus companies operating trips to Sharm El Sheik from Cairo, although the distances involved do tend to deter people on a limited timeframe.

Today, there is a large number of excellent hotels in Sharm El Sheikh, including the Hilton, the Movenpick and the Intercontinental.

There are a huge number of dive operators in Sharm El Sheikh, many of which are very well established and extremely well organised and equipped. The dive industry in Sharm El Sheikh is undoubtedly big business, and the huge numbers of day boats leaving the harbour each morning is testimony to this.

Of the dive operators in Sharm El Sheikh, there are a number of better knowns dive operations including the Oonas Dive Club, the Red Sea Diving College and the Camel Dive Club. Today, these operators are able to offer a complete package for a scuba diving holiday, including the accomodation in Sharm El Sheikh, the diving, and even the bars and restaurants in which to discuss the days diving afterwards!

As with the majority of scuba diving in the Red Sea, the diving in Sharm El Sheikh is excellent, and offers a wide range of dive sites for divers of all levels of experience. For the more experienced divers, sites such as the Thistlegorm Wreck or Shark and Yolanda Reef can prove to be the highlight of a scuba diving holiday. For beginners, or those wanting to learn to scuba dive, there are a huge number of shallower reefs, which offer good diving in an environment highly conducive for those wanting to learn to scuba dive.

Throughout the Sharm El Sheikh region, the coral reefs offer a good range of both hard and soft corals, and the marine life on the reefs is comparable to other destinations such as the Maldives and the Great Barrier Reef.

Our partners at Offplanworld.tv offer a range of investment property in Egypt. So if you're interested in the wide range of investment property in destinations including Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, why not take a look!

Scuba Diving In The Red Sea - Elphinstone Reef

Elphinstone Reef is undoubtedly one of the highlights of scuba diving in the Red Sea, and is widely recognised as being one of the best dive sites in the entire Red Sea region. The Elphinstone Reef is usually accessed either via a Red Sea liveaboard, or from one of the numerous day boats which leave from the nearby resort of Marsa Alam.

Located approximately 5 miles off the coast of Egypt at Marsa Abu Dabbab, Elphinstone Reef is in fact one large long reef, with walls which fall away to around 70 metres on either side. The diving on Elphinstone Reef is split into the Northern and Southern Plateau's, with the northern end offering a shallower option, and the southern end of the reef sloping away into the depths. At the northern end of the reef are two large pinnacles, which are deep at around 40-42 metres.

At the far end of Elphinstone Reef is the Sarcophagus Archway where legend dictates that an ancient pharoah lies beneath the arch in their sarcophagus. In fact, this is a large stone in the shape of a sarcophagus, which only more experienced, technical divers are likely to encounter due to it's depth (65m).

There is a good amount of both hard and soft coral covering Elphinstone Reef, as well as a good marine life population. On the reef, you are likely to encounter some large Napoleon Wrasse, as well as the resident Oceanic White Tip Shark and his accompanying Pilot Fish.

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities for scuba diving in the Red Sea, why not visit our main site, and take a look through the wide range of scuba diving holidays and destinations on offer.

Dahab Scuba Diving - The Bells Dive Site

The Bells is one the most well known dive sites in Dahab, and it characterised by the large wall which is the foundation for this beautiful dive site.

The dive site itself is located about 100m north of the Dahab Blue Hole dive site, and following the dramatic entry point (a small slot in the wall), you work your down to around 30 metres before beginning to follow the wall along. The exit point for the dive is the Blue Hole lagoon, which is in around 6m of water.

There is a good amount of coral to be found on the wall, with good amounts of plate and cabbage corals to be found. As with the majority of the dive sites in Dahab, there is a wide variety of reef fish to be found in the area, which overall make for a very pleasant dive, and certainly worth more than one visit if you are diving in Dahab. There are a number of dive operators in Dahab, and all will visit the Bells on a regular basis.

If you would like to know more about diving in the Red Sea, including dive sites such as the Thistlegorm Wreck, the Dunraven and The Brothers, why not visit the main Scubaworld web site which covers it in detail.

Dive Operators In Phuket

Also recently added to the Scubaworld site is the dive operators in Phuket pages, which will allow any dive operators on the island of Phuket to list their services on the site.

There are a large number of operators on the island, and the scuba diving in Phuket is widely acknowledged as being amongst the best diving in Thailand. Located between the Andaman Sea, and Phang-Nga Bay, the scuba diving in Phuket offers a wide variety of dive sites for divers of all levels of experience.

If you are interested in finding out more about the scuba diving in Phuket, then you should feel free to visit the Scubaworld site, where there is extensive information on the scuba diving in Thailand and Phuket. This covers information including some of the major dive sites in Phuket including Racha Islands and Shark Point.

Dive Operators In Scotland

Over the weekend, we launched our dive operators in Scotland pages, which are incorporated into the Scuba diving resources channel, accessed through the link in the top right corner of the page. From here, divers are able to access our large database of dive operators from around the world.

It's a tall order, but it is our hope that we will have all the worlds dive operators indexed through this database within the course of the next year, providing an invaluable resource for someone looking to go scuba diving overseas.

So if you are a dive operator, and you would like to be listed, or if you know of a specific dive operators in Scotland who you feel should be included in the list, why not let us know via the comments box on the Scubaworld Blog. If you would like to know more about the opportunities for scuba diving in Scotland, why not visit the main Scubaworld web site, where we look at all aspects of diving in Scotland including the diving at Scapa Flow, widely acknowledged to be one of the worlds best dive sites.

Florida Keys Scuba Diving

Hi,

Our latest post on the Scubaworld blog, is to let you all know that we have now launched our Florida Keys Scuba Diving information channels, which covers all aspects of scuba diving in the stunning Florida Keys in the United States.

In this channel, we cover a number of the more popular locations, including scuba diving in Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada and Key West. In each of these destinations, we take a look at the opportunities for scuba diving there, to see what is available.

If you've been scuba diving in the Florida Keys already, we'd love to hear from you, and we'd love to hear any interesting dive stories you have about any of the areas in the Florida Keys.

Dive Operators In Thailand

We have recently launched our new partner program for dive operators in Thailand, which will allow operators in specific regions including Koh Tao, Phuket and Pattaya to be listed on the resources page of the site.

We have provided this as a new resource for users who would be, for example, searching for dive operators in Koh Tao. You'll notice that we have split this up by regions to help make your search easier and quicker.

We will be adding in more destinations as we add to the site, and we will of course keep you posted through the blog. If you are interested in diving in Thailand, why not visit the Scubaworld web site, where we look at all aspects of scuba diving in Thailand, including the top dive destinations of Koh Tao and Phuket.

Regards,
Scubaworld.

Scuba Diving On The Great Barrier Reef

Over 2,300 kilometres long, and covering an area of almost 1 million square kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is arguably one of the worlds best scuba diving destinations.

Located off the north west coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef contains over 2,000 species of fish, and over 400 species of coral making it one of the most diverse eco-systems in the world, and providing scuba divers with a utopia of scuba diving opportunities.

In our Scubaworld blog, we will cover a wide range of the incredible dive sites of the Great Barrier Reef, providing you with a detailed overview of all the scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

If you are interested in scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, then it is certainly worth getting in contact with a number of dive operators in Cairns, who will offer the trips out to the reef itself.

Scuba diving in Moalboal

Scuba diving in Moalboal has increased dramatically over the past ten years as the reputation of this secluded part of Cebu in the Philippines has increased amongst scuba divers.

The majority of the scuba diving in Moalboal is done on the large walls which can be found here, many of which can be found only metres from the beach, and yet which drop down hundreds of metres to the depths below. Here, a wide range of marine life can be found, including a wide selection of lionfish, wrasse and other more common reef life.

The scuba diving in Moalboal is available throughout the year, although it is best to try and get here around the dry season, which runs from November through until May. At this time of year, the visibility in the area is at its best, and can often exceed 30 metres in some areas. You can also find out more about scuba diving holidays and the scuba diving in the Philippines at the Scubaworld web site.

Cedar Pride Dive Site - Scuba Diving In Aqaba

The Cedar Pride is one of only a few wreck dives located in the waters off the coast of Aqaba in Jordan.

The ship itself was originally a Lebanese freighter, which suffered extensive damage during a fire in the Port of Aqaba in 1982. Following a request by King Hussein of Jordan, the ship was sunk in 1985 for the purpose of becoming an artificial reef for scuba diving. The 80 metre long freighter now lies on its port side, in water ranging from 10 metres down to around 28 metres at it's deepest point.

The Cedar Pride is best dived on the seeward side, where divers are able to view the decks of the freighter, although the high point of diving the Cedar Pride is undoubtedly the Crows Nest, which has gradually become encrusted with a range of hard and soft corals over time.

For more information on the Cedar Pride dive site, or for more information on scuba diving in Aqaba, feel free to visit the Scubaworld.tv web site.

Prince Abdallah Reef - Scuba Diving In Aqaba

Prince Abdallah Reef Dive Site:

This exceptional dive site is in fact a shallow reef in the waters just off the coast of Aqaba in Jordan. Noted for its exceptional array and variety of both hard and soft corals, the Prince Abdallah Reef dive site is a real must for people looking to scuba dive in Aqaba.

Starting with a shore entry, a gradual slope gives way to a series of small ravines which form the entrance to the main part of the reef. Their is a good amount of marine life on Prince Abdallah reef, and large numbers of morays, lionfish, scorpionfish, wrasse and groupers can be seen here.

Visit Scubaworld.tv for more information on scuba diving in Aqaba or scuba diving on Prince Abdallah reef.

Worlds Best Dive Sites - Protea Banks

Located on the Kwazulu Natal coast in South Africa, the Protea Banks offer some of the best scuba diving in South Africa, and arguably the worlds finest shark diving location. Here, on the large reef located approximately 8 kilometres off the shore at Margate, this impressive reef is home to a wide selection of sharks and other marine life such as Manta Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays and a large number of Moray eels.

The diving at the Protea Banks is split into the Northern and Southern Pinnacles, and tends to follow a seasonal cycle around the movement of the famous ragged tooth sharks or "raggies." During the cooler winter months, the majority of the diving on the Protea Banks tends to on the Northern Pinnacles, where you are likely to encounter huge numbers of these ragged tooth sharks as they visit the Banks as a part of their breeding cycle.

For the rest of the year, the diving on the Protea Banks tends to be located on the Southern Pinnacles, where it is possible to encounter a huge variety of sharks including Bull sharks (Zambesi sharks), Tiger sharks, Mako sharks, Thresher sharks and even the occasional Great White shark passing through.

During the months of June and July, the Protea Banks is also a part of one of natures greatest annual spectacles, the Sardine Run. Every year, huge shoals of millions of Sardines pass through this part of the South African coastline, bringing with them large numbers of sharks, dolphins and even whales who all come to feast on the sardines.

The Protea Banks genuinely deserve to be mentioned amongst the worlds best dive sites, and for fans of sharks and shark diving, the dives will certainly live up to their almost legendary status amongst scuba divers.

New Destination Of The Month Feature

We have recently launched a new feature on the Scubaworld.tv web site called Destination of the Month, and this first issue covers all the various opportunities for scuba diving in Aqaba in Jordan.

Each month, we will cover a new destination, flagging all the various dive sites and dive resorts, as well as the very best destinations within that country to dive at.

This first issue on Aqaba covers this little known jewel, which offers some of the finest examples of coral to be found anywhere. Having escaped the larger numbers of scuba divers who regularly visit the other Red Sea diving resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, Aqaba offers scuba diving in absolutely pristine conditions.

We'll be sure to keep you posted on any new launches on the site in the coming months, and as usual, please feel free to let us know your thoughts on the new channels and new site design.

Destination Of The Month - Aqaba

We have in the past few days launched a new channel on the site called 'destination of the month, ' which this month covers all the various opportunities for scuba diving in Aqaba.

Each month, we will cover a particular destination in detail, looking at the regions best dive sites, as well as other factors such as the accomodation in the region and any trips or tourist attractions that may be worth visiting whilst you are there.

New Dive Operator Partnership Program

Calling All Dive Operators!!!!

As we have mentioned previously on the blog we will shortly be launching the redesigned Scubaworld site, and an integral part of this is our new partnership program for dive operators.

In the new site, dive operators from all over the world will be able to have their very own mini-site within the Scubaworld site, allowing users to read information on a specific destination or region, and then surf through the various dive operators that operate across that region or destination.

We would really like to hear from dive operators who currently specialise in offering scuba diving courses from any of the major scuba diving accreditation agencies with courses such as the PADI Open Water Courses.

So if you are a dive operator, please feel free to contact our Business Development Team on admin@scubaworld.tv to discuss how we can work with you on our new site.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Learning to scuba dive - the purist form of escapism

I have asked on numerous occasions why I decided to try scuba diving, and to be honest, I don’t think it was a conscious decision; I just sort of stumbled upon it. It was just one of those standard parts of the travelling experience, something that you do as you while away the days passing through countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.

What I discovered was unique; it was the genuine escape that you hear people talking about in the office, and my life was changed by those few days scuba diving in Thailand, from that day on, all of my vacations were dictated by where I could scuba dive next.

I had my intial scuba diving lessons ten years ago, and since then I have enjoyed some of my life’s most amazing moments whilst scuba diving. I am certainly not alone, and indeed it is one of my favourite pastimes talking with other scuba divers, sharing experiences, and discussing at what point they realised that they too were hooked.

Today scuba diving is one of the fastest growing sports, and every year increasing numbers are taking courses such as the PADI Open Water diving course, enabling them to experience the awesome wonders beneath the surface.

So for those of you who are looking for something different and unique, why not consider taking some scuba diving courses and learning to dive.

Today, there are an increasing number of dive operators and dive companies offering scuba diving lessons, and given the rapid growth of the sport, this trend is only set to continue.

Worlds Best Dive Sites #5 - Chuuk Lagoon

Chuuk Lagoon, often known as Truk Lagoon, is widely accepted as being one of (if not the) worlds finest wreck dive site. Located in the Federal Republic of Micronesia, Chuuk Lagoon is the home to over 50 shipwrecks, which are scattered over the seabed on this beautiful, peaceful lagoon.

The large number of wreck dive sites at Chuuk Lagoon, are predominantly the result of Operation Hailstone, were the US navy launched a massive attack on the Japanese naval and airbase located at Truk. During the sustained attack, which lasted a total of two days, the US navy sank three Japanese light cruisers, six destroyers, three other warships and 32 merchant ships. As well as the large loss of ships, the Japanese also lost over 250 aircraft in the attack on Chuuk Lagoon, sinking only 25 US aircraft.

The result for scuba divers, is that Chuuk Lagoon now offers one of the largest wreck dive sites in the world, with not only a huge number of individual wrecks, but also the most diverse range to be found anywhere.

Today, scuba divers can visit these wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon, cruising over the decks which have nowadays been overtaken by coral and marine life. Each wreck has its own unique character and personality, ensuring that Chuuk Lagoon has something to offer every scuba diver.

Of all the wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon, the most popular by far is the wreck of the Fujikawa Maru. Initially built as a passenger/cargo carrier, the Fujikawa Maru was taken over by the Japanese navy in December 1940. She was sunk during Operation Hailstone by a single torpedo stike amidships.

Today, the Fujikawa Maru sits upright in the waters of Chuuk Lagoon, in shallow water. Still in relatively good condition, it is still possible to see the Japanese Zero fighters in the hold.

Overall, Chuuk Lagoon lives up to its billing as one of the worlds finest wreck diving sites, and is steadily becoming more popular with the diving masses. For those divers who are really seeking that more unique scuba diving holiday, Chuuk Lagoon certainly delivers for those who are willing to get there. Why not visit the Scubaworld web site for more information on scuba diving in Chuuk Lagoon.

Scubaworld Redesign

Over the past year, we've seen Scubaworld grow steadily, to the point were we've decided it's time for a bit of spring cleaning on the site. So, as there are considerably more of you now, we'd really like to hear your thoughts on the site, good and bad.

So please let us know your thoughts on the site, the way it looks and the way it works (or not!) for you. Do you feel we need more information on equipment? Or do you think we need to cover the destinations in more detail? Either way, let us know what you think, and we promise it'll be taken on board!

Just post away on the comments section below, and we look forward to hearing your comments.

Regards,
Scubaworld.tv

Worlds Best Dive Sites - The Blue Hole In Belize

When scuba diving in Belize, without doubt the main attraction for divers is the opportunity to visit the Blue Hole of Belize. A part of the Lighthouse Reef coral reef, the Blue Hole is located approximately 60 miles off the coast at Belize City, and thought by many to be one of the worlds best dive sites.

Measuring over 350 metres across, and almost 480 feet in depth, the Belize is almost perfectly circual in its circumference. Surrounded by shallow reef and bright blue, crystal clear water, the centre of the hole is a dark blue, giving the hole its famous name. The diving at the Blue Hole is a unique experience, with all aspects of it differing from the usual experiences of diving on coral atolls.

Dives begin from the boats above the shallow sand slopes on the edge of the whole, and it is from here that you begin your rapid descent into the depths below. From the edge of the hole, the sandy slopes are replaced by sheer limestone walls which fall away into the depths below. Once you have reached your maximum depth, the slow ascent begins through the myriad of stalactites which surround the edges of the Blue Hole.

Due to the extreme depths of the Blue Hole, there is not necessarily a large amount of coral growth or marine life to be seen on the dive, however there is the opportunity to see some of the large (Bull, Hammerhead, Lemon and Reef) sharks which inhabit the Blue Hole.

Overall, the Blue Hole in Belize is a truely unique dive, which is well worth of its fame and notoriety. If you are looking to go scuba diving in Belize, then it is worth the long trip out to the Blue Hole

Worlds Best Dive Sites #4 - Scapa Flow In Scotland

Scapa Flow is located approximately 16 miles off the coast of mainland Northern Scotland, and is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of wreck diving sites to be found anywhere in the world. Covering 73 square miles, Scapa Flow is essentially a huge basin, and one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Today, around 20,000 scuba divers visit Scapa Flow each year, and wreck diving is undoubtedly one of the major sources of income for the local economy.

The majority of the wrecks at Scapa Flow have come about from a mass scuttling of the German Fleet in 1919, when the German Commander incorrectly thought that hostilities had been resumed. Rather than see the fleet captured, he order the immediate sinking of the 79 German ships which were in the harbour at time.

Today, wrecks such as The Brummer, a German cruiser, and the Kronpriz Willhelm are well known amongst serious wreck divers. In addition other wrecks in Scapa Flow such as the Konig and the James Barrie also present excellent opportunities for wreck divers.

A wide variety of marine life have made Scapa Flow their home, and with the cold tidal water proving a rich source of nutrients, large populations of animals have developed healthy populations in the region. In particular, Scapa Flow has one of the largest populations of grey seals to be found anywhere in Northern Europe.

For those individuals wishing to dive the wrecks, we have listed below a number of Scapa Flow dive operators:

Stromness Diving Centre

You can also find more information on scuba diving in Scotland at the Scubaworld web site.

Worlds Best Dive Sites #3 - Thistlegorm Wreck In Egypt

A truely legendary dive site, the Thistlegorm wreck has everything that a wreck diver would look for. Lots of life, interesting cargo in and around the wreck itself, and more importantly, a story that surrounds the legendary wreck itself.

On 6th October, 1941, the SS Thistlegorm was carrying a full load of cargo including motorbikes, lorries, uniforms and other supplies when it was spotted by a German plane. Subsequently, two German bombers were dispatched to the area where the Thistlegorm was spotted, they found it, and subsequently sank it. The Thistlegorm wreck now lies in approximately 30 metres of water, in the northern most part of the Red Sea, off the west coast of the Sinai Peninsula.

Today, large numbers of scuba divers visit the Thistlegorm wreck each day, to marvel at the cargo strew around the sea bed near the hull, and then to slowly penetrate the wreck itself, where much of the original cargo still can be found.

Despite the large numbers of scuba divers visiting the wreck of the Thistlegorm, there is a good amount of marine life in and around the wreck, and you are likely to encounter large numbers of jacks, snappers and barracuda around the wreck of the Thistlegorm.

Overall, the Thistlegorm is definately worth a visit and the long trip out to the wreck by boat, the majority of which leave from Sharm El Sheikh early in the morning. Do expect to pay extra for the long distance out to the wreck, however after you've done your two dives, your memories of the Thistlegorm Wreck itself will stay long in your thoughts, not the few extra dollars you paid to get there. If you would like more information on diving in the Red Sea, or Red Sea liveaboards, why not visit the Scubaworld website, which covers all aspects of diving in the Red Sea in detail.

Worlds Best Dive Sites #2 - Tiputa Pass In Rangiroa

Lying approximately 200 miles northeast of Tahiti is Rangiroa, an island famed for its stunning beauty over the water, and for large animal encounters below it. Famous for huge currents and tides, this part of the world offers some of the most exciting scuba diving in the world. For those who yearn still for the increased element of adventure, one of the most thrilling elements of Rangiroa is that it is still relatively inexplored. Given the stunning dives that have already been located in the French Polynesia regions, it certainly wets the appetite to think what incredible dive sites may yet still be discovered in the region.

What really attracts scuba divers to the Rangiroa region though, is the opportunity to encounter some seriously big marine life, and in paricular the sharks that frequent the channels where drift diving has become popular. Throughout Rangiroa, common sightings include grey reef sharks, white tips, lemon and black tips, as well as hammerheads in some of the deeper waters.

Of all the dive sites in the region, by far the most famous is the incredible drift dive at Tiputa Pass, which utilises the incoming tide through the narrow pass between the islands. Starting off at Shark Cave in about 30 metres, the dive takes (or fly's!) you through the channel, amongst the marine life before leaving you on the other side in about 18 metres of water. Manta Rays are also a common sighting in the region.

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities for scuba diving in Rangiroa, or are just thinking about a scuba diving holiday, why not visit our main scuba diving website, where we cover all the worlds major scuba diving destinations in detail.

Worlds Best Dive Sites - Baja Alcyone In Cocos

Baja Alcyone was originally made famous by that diving luminary, Jacques Cousteau. Located in the Cocos Islands, Baja Alcyone is a large seamount, which attracts huge amounts of sealife to it. Often subject to very strong currents, Baja Alcyone is not necessarily the dive site for the beginner, however given the large numbers of marine life around the mount, it should be high on the dream dive list for any discerning scuba diver. Marine life regularly sighted around Baja Alcyone include whale sharks, mobula rays, dolphins, scalloped hammerheads and manta rays.

Cocos offers some of the best scuba diving sites available, and due to the difficulty in getting there, you're not going to be surrounded by large amounts of scuba divers. Baja Alcyone is undoubtedly an awesome dive site, however it is paricularly noted for the large numbers, and wide varieties of sharks which frequent the area.

If you are looking for that more unique experience in your scuba diving holidays, Baja Alcyone could well be the option for you.

Scuba diving

Hi,

Welcome to our new scuba diving and scuba diving holiday blog!

This blog will cover all aspects of scuba diving, such as the latest scuba diving holidays, scuba diving courses, scuba diving equipment, and all of the latest news and industry gossip.

We are here for all members of the scuba diving community, as well as people who are new to scuba diving, or have maybe never even been in the water! From our perspective, scuba diving is genuinely for all people to enjoy, so please feel free to have a look through the blog, and let us know your thoughts and opinions, on the blog and the web site.

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