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.

I hope you enjoy, and look forward to hearing from you!

Regards,
Admin.