Captain’s Blog

Dive into a Whole New World

For every diver the ocean holds surprises.  From day to day, season to season, the inhabitants and complexion of these sites change. Beneath the current of the ocean lies a mesmerizing world of bustling mystery. Passing through the flowing doorway, your body is bombarded with sights, sounds and sensations that exist no place else. Free from gravity, flying through the aquatic sky opens a horizon of endless exploration.

Though the world has many diving sites here are some popular destinations all diving enthusiasts can enjoy.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system. Billions of tiny organisms craft the majestic wonder making it the only site of its kind visible from outer space. The reef system is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in North East Australia.  Composed of over 2,900 reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef stretches an estimated 1,600 miles from Lizard Island in the north down to Great Palm Island in the south.  Over 400 types of hard and soft coral cover the region and shelter some of the planets most diverse marine life. Much of the Marine life found is endemic to the area. Rays, Dolphins, sea turtles, mollusks, sea horses and giant clams are among the inhabitants who dwell in the blue abyss.  Over 1,500 species of fish such as the clown, red-throat emperor and lionfish call the reef home. There is no shortage of sharks or whales who roam the corridors of the reef as well. A few endangered species such as the Dugong (Sea Cow) also swim freely in the Great Barrier reefs vast ecosystem.

The Great Barrier Reef provides some of the World’s most amazing dive sites. Each section of the reef provides divers with something different. The hundreds of accessible spots will allow for an unforgettable experience for both beginner and advanced divers.  Mexico

The Island of Cozumel off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is known as Paradise reef. The area is made up of a series of separate reefs that contain 19 popular diving sites. Lobsters, Crabs and multicolored fish pepper the thick blue water. Sting rays and turtles also streak through the delicate array coral reefs. The visibility of the water ranges from 60 to 200 feet, allowing divers to capture the breathtaking sights of the ocean.

Below the fresh blue surface lies the Devils Throat, one of the world’s most famous dive locations. This is a must dive experience for advanced divers. The devils throat is a narrow almost vertical tunnel through the coral reef structure. The structure starts at 80 feet deep and opens up at around 135 feet deep.  The formation includes an underwater cave known as the cathedral.  An unusual cross shaped sponge formation in the ceiling of the cave was once illuminated through a shaft of light before Hurricane Emily had inflicted damage on portions of the reef.

Cozumel also provides some of the world’s best night diving. Lucky divers  who visit the area may get to see the flatly shaped “Splendid Toadfish.” This colorful zebra stripped fish is believed to only be found in this area.

Belize

The Belize barrier reef is made up of 127 off shore islands. It is the best preserved marine ecosystem in the world.  The Great Blue Hole is the feature attraction for divers in the area.  It is a near perfectly circular lime stone sinkhole 60 miles off the mainland of Belize. At 300 meters across and 124 meters deep the great blue hole resembles a giant dimple in a sea of turquoise.  The walls of the sinkhole become more intricate and intense the deeper you dive. The hole is an opening to a system of caves and passageways that penetrate the undersea mountains. Coral reefs surround the entire hole except for two narrow channels. During low tide coral will pierce through the surface of the water.

The crystal clear waters of the Blue hole hold many unique species of fish. Several types of reef sharks such as the nurse shark, black tip shark and Caribbean reef shark can be found in abundance also.

Egypt

Egypt is an all year round dive destination. The best time to explore these waters is between November and February when the water temperature ranges from 66 -84 degrees. The Red Sea is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the underwater world. It provides the warmest of seas, very little wave action an unparalleled visibility. The Red Sea offers unobstructed opportunity for divers eyes to spot tropical marine life in the crystal clear surroundings of the water. The red sea is filled with over 1,000 species of fish, (20% being endemic to the area) 200 species of coral and another 1,000 species of invertebrate.   Sharks are among the many frequent species that will decorate the water with their presence.

The Vibrant reefs of the Red Sea stretch into the ocean from complex cave gardens, lagoons and labyrinths of plateaus.  The dive sites provide a diverse experience for all those who visit. The sea provides shallow patch reefs, a collection of interesting shipwrecks, drift dives and walls. One moment you may find yourself in a coral garden atop a summit and the next a gigantic wall could plunge thousands of feet into the dark pit of the ocean.  Diving in the Red Sea is sure to provide a thrill for all

Thailand  

Diving in Thailand is not limited to anyone particular area.  However some of the most popular spots could be found on the West Coast.  Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are among some of the best known dive sites. The Similian Islands are known as the crowned Jewel of Thailand’s dive culture. The islands world class dive sites sprinkle the area such as East of Eden and Elephant head rock.  These areas are characterized by deep water boulders and beautiful coral gardens.

The Adaman Sea is packed with colorful coral and tropical marine life all set around spectacular tropical islands. Divers have the chance to swim with whale sharks, leopard sharks and Manta rays.  The diversity and sheer number of fish is breathtaking.

Maldives

The Maldives are known for its stunning beaches and amazing waters. However life beneath the water is beginning to gain notoriety as well. Made of 26 atolls and 1,192 islets the Maldives lie south east of India. Here you will find some amazing coral configuration but its abundance of fish life is what sets it apart from other diving destinations.  The myriad channels and passages between atolls allow the  nutrients to ride the currents and sweep throughout the island. The marine life in the area enjoy a passing buffet line to feast on.  Napoleon wrasse fish, parrot fish, snappers, barracudas and sweet lip fish can be spotted in all areas where the water flows. Manta rays, eagle rays and a variety of sharks including the whale shark frequently pass through the area.  Ari Atoll is known as the best place to encounter schools of fish.

In the Maldives channels you can explore the caves, caverns and overhangs where soft coral proliferate. Here you will find colorful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonian fans. In the atoll lagoons pinnacles of rock almost vault up to the surface like underwater skyscrapers, tickling the very top of the water.  These formations bring water up from the ocean floors acting as an elevator of nutrients feeding sponges and corals.  The clear waters of the Maldives are brightly illuminated by the suns ray providing an ideal environment for divers.

Micronesia

Made up of 2,000 tiny tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean Micronesia is a world class diving destination. It provides diverse culture, great climate, exotic beaches and blue lagoons.  The best dive spots can be found in Palau. Blue sinkholes polka dot a fresh blue mural of water in the middle of the ocean. Huge caverns and a variety of rare and exotic marine life create and attractive atmosphere for divers. The marine diversity in the Palau is among the greatest in the world due to its nutrient rich ocean currents.  To a divers delight the clear water allows for up to 200 feet a visibility. Divers can capture as much of the 1,500 species of tropical fish and 700 different types of coral ammonias their eyes could handle. Large palegics, sharks and rays swim along with dolphins, whales and Dugongs. Land locked marine lakes with accessible tunnels from the sea also hold rare species of jelly fish ammonias and soft coral.

Another major diving attraction in Micronesia is Truk Chuuk where you will find wrecks of Japanese naval vessels from World War II. This vast shallow lagoon is a Mecca for ship wreck divers. It is the final resting place for more than 100 ships, planes and subs. No other diving site has so many wrecks in such a close proximity.  Some of the wreckage can even be spotted by while snorkeling.  Many of the vessels have been transformed into ship wreck reefs. These sites hold the very best of the undersea world and maritime legacy and history of a fierce World War II battle. The artificial reefs provide beautiful coral gardens and astounding sites.

The unknown depths of the ocean are so vast any diver can find his or her own haven in the flowing currents. Crossing between the passageways of the ocean can provide destinations that will suit the interest, experience and personality of all divers.

Author: Salvatore Mazzarella