Travel

Home Travel

Category: Travel

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

You Can Swim With Sharks Here

When it comes to bucket-list adventures, swimming with sharks is near the top for a lot of adrenaline junkies. Many of the adventures on the list require scuba diving, but at some locations, even non-divers with a desire to get up close and personal with the top of the food chain can jump in and face their fears.

Bahamas, Bahamas, and more in the Bahamas!

I don’t want to scare the non-shark lovers away from the beauty of the Bahamas, but there are sharks out there. From least scary to the most, here’s where to get your Bahamian shark fix.

Compass Cay Marina is home to a large number of well-fed, friendly nurse sharks. In case you don’t know it, nurse sharks are more like a giant catfish than a great white. You can walk right into the shallow water near the fish cleaning station and pet these gentle guys.

Stuart Cove’s in Nassau has been doing shark dives safely for decades. Caribbean reef sharks feed on fish-on-a-stick as divers kneel in the sand in awe. Reef sharks are some of the least aggressive species of shark. (Forget about what you saw on Shark Week.)

As your fear subsides and you crave more sharks and more excitement, check out the folks at Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures in Fort Lauderdale. They operate live-aboard dive boats with regularly scheduled shark trips in the Bahamas. Expect to see tigers and hammerheads, as well as the Caribbean reef sharks.

Hawaii

There are several shark species in the Pacific waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Sightings of tigers, hammerheads, blues, and even great whites are not all that uncommon. And while divers can expect to see these guys almost anywhere while diving in Hawaii, the Oahu’s North Shore is the place to be for cage diving. Hawaii Shark Encounters takes shark education seriously and strives to educate customers about the need for shark conservation while providing them with a thrilling swim with sharks inside the safety of a cage. No diving skills are required — just bring your courage.

Fiji

Scuba diving in Fiji is a definite bucket list adventure for many divers. And the fish many hope to see most is shark. Beqa Adventure Divers can make that happen for you. Sharks are protected in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, so no worries about questionable practices. This is an uncaged dive, but per the company’s website, it is a carefully managed feed, where participants observe, but do not interact with the sharks.

Guadalupe Island, Mexico

Home to a large population of great whites, the waters off the Mexico’s Baja coast, attract divers willing to brave cold Pacific waters for some time in a cage watching the top fish of the ocean. Nautilus Live Aboards operates six-day adventures from July to November utilizing submersible cages that descend to thirty feet for a better opportunity to observe the sharks. You meet the expedition in San Diego, motor to Ensenada, cruise to Guadalupe, then spend three full days in the cages watching the predators. Non-divers are allowed, as air is supplied by hoses attached to the boat, but a minimum of a Discover Scuba course is recommended.

 

 

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Hawaii Really Quick Island Guide

Some of the most reliable pleasures of Hawaii travel include exploring its national parks, multiethnic cuisine and indigenous culture. A luxurious spa treatment rarely goes amiss, though some may prefer the riskier adventure of scuba with sharks. Here’s an island-by-island look at what’s new in those various vacation modes:

– Jeanne Cooper

Maui

Online reservations are now required to view sunrise from the summit district of Haleakala National Park. The cost is $1.50 per vehicle, payable via www.recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance; the receipt and photo ID must be presented to enter the area between 3 and 7 a.m. The fee is in addition to park admission, which costs $20 per car and is valid for three days. Note: The park holds 30 spaces in reserve until 24 hours before the next sunrise, so die-hards can always try to rebook quickly if skies are cloudy.

Meanwhile, in the park’s Kipahulu district, the tiered pools of Oheo Gulch (nicknamed the “Seven Sacred Pools”) have been closed indefinitely following a rock slide Jan. 3 that prompted concerns of further slides, especially during the typically rainy winter months. Check the park website for updates. www.nps.gov/hale

Oahu

Sea Life Park’s new Shark Tank Experience allows novice and experienced divers to swim with the sharks — blacktip and whitetip reef, sandbar and hammerhead varieties — in a 300,000-gallon aquarium. The daily adventure takes place at 2:30 p.m.; admission to the park is included in the $199 fee (www.sharktankscuba.com).

If you’d rather eat than think about the possibility of being eaten, new options appear as regularly as surf in Waikiki. Royal Hawaiian Hotel is marking its 90th anniversary by opening the first stand-alone bakery among island hotels. Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, the Royal Hawaiian Bakery sells classic and tropical-themed pastries, such as Koloa pineapple coffee cake and haupia cream brioche. www.royal-hawaiian.com

One hotel down, at the Outrigger Waikiki, the Hula Grill Waikiki now serves brunch seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; locally sourced poke tacos, strawberry mochi waffles, local eggs and ahi katsu sandwiches reflect island style (www.hulagrillwaikiki.com). The new Waikiki Yokocho in Waikiki Shopping Plaza takes its inspiration from Japan’s food-filled alleyways (yokocho), offering 14 intimate restaurants and bars. The latest to open is 28-seat Tsujita Ramen, known for its Ajitama Tsukemen ($13), a slow-cooked broth with soft-boiled egg accompanied by thick noodles and other toppings. www.waikiki-yokocho.com, www.tsujita-hawaii.com

Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood has attracted two spin-offs of popular restaurants. Piggy Smalls, a Ward Village offshoot of Chinatown’s the Pig and the Lady, offers Vietnamese specialties such as “pho-strami” banh mi sandwiches and vegan pho (www.thepigandthelady.com/piggysmalls).

Kauai

Visitors to Poipu Beach no longer have to wonder what’s the story with the four towering tikis overlooking 13 acres that for years were covered with brush and weeds. A new viewing platform and walkway sport five interpretive signs sharing detailed stories of Ke Kahua O Kaneioluma (“the Kaneioluma complex”), first mapped in 1959 and including a centuries-old heiau (temple), rock walls, home sites, games arena and fishpond. www.kaneiolouma.com

Big Island

Visitors to the Kohala Coast looking for other evening entertainment will soon be able to see first-run movies in a new cinema with leather seats, cocktails, wood-fired pizza and more. Currently under construction, the three-screen Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas plans to open this spring in Queens’ MarketPlace. www.hawaiicinemas.com

There’s a new way to view Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (www.nps.gov/kaho) as well as the historic and cultural sites of Kailua-Kona and Keauhou. Using an all new Hydra-Terra amphibious tour bus, Big Island Duck Tours (www.bigislandduck.com) takes 40 passengers on a tour/pub quiz that cruises down 7½ miles of Alii Drive, then heads to Honokohau Harbor for an actual cruise past ancient fishponds and a former Hawaiian village. Tours start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday; the cost is $49 adults, $35 ages 2 to 18. www.bigislandduck.com

Lanai

While the reopening of the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele has been pushed back till next year, the other resort on Larry Ellison’s island continues to increase its luxury quotient. At the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, the eight treatment rooms at the new Hawanawana Spa include four couples’ suites with side-by-side treatment beds, rain showers, and a cozy living and dining area.

Given that most guests from the mainland spend hours waiting for connecting flights in Honolulu to Lanai, the resort has opened its own airport lounge, on the second floor of Honolulu’s Overseas Terminal. Guests can check into their room; book dinner, a spa treatment or other activity; and enjoy free Wi-Fi, movies, food and drink, among other amenities. www.fourseasons.com/lanai

Molokai

Ferry service from Maui ended in late October, increasing pressure on the limited nonstop flights to the island. Hawaiian Airlines’ Ohana (www.hawaiianairlines.com) offers daily service on 48-passenger turboprops from Honolulu, Maui’s Kahului airport and Lanai, while Mokulele Airlines (www.mokuleleairlines.com) and Makani Kai Air (www.makanikaiair.com) offer daily service from Honolulu on nine-passenger turboprops.

Book flights and lodging early for popular events such as the Molokai Ka Hula Piko Festival, June 1-3, www.kahulapiko.com, or the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championship, July 30, www.molokai2oahu.com.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuM_WDV25M

 

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Haputo Beach – Guam

This weekend we find ourselves along the island’s northwestern coast, hiking down a beautiful cliffline path to one of Guam’s most beautiful beaches.

Designated as an ecological reserve in 1984, Haputo Beach covers about 252 acres of coral reef and limestone forest. Please keep in mind that the area was declared a preserve in order to keep out invasive species, and to maintain the secluded beach’s beauty.

The beach is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it’s the site of the ancient Chamorro village of Haputo.

This hike requires you to have a military identification card, special military authorization, or at least a friend with base access.

Access to the beach is through Naval Communications Station (NCS), in Finegayan, Dededo. Enter the Navy base by turning in at the access point, which is directly across from the Shell Gas Station and left of the old NCS McDonald’s.

Thankfully, the Navy base has lots of descriptive signs pointing to the Haputo Beach trailhead. Be sure to follow them and any other regulations while on the base.

At the parking area, directly across the hike entrance, you can read signs about the ecological preserve.

Haputo Beach

Follow the trail that, a little past them, leads into the jungle and toward the ocean. As you descend, sometimes you’ll have stairs underfoot, and sometimes you’ll be walking on bare, and, at times, loose ground. Be aware of your footing.

For most of the half-mile or 20-minute trek to the bottom, you’ll be shaded by the jungle canopy.

The beach, ocean, and shining horizon of the Philippine Sea are also visible along most of the way.

A little more than halfway down, you’ll reach a pretty stable staircase – about 200 steep man-made steps – from which it’s just a few minutes to the beach’s crystal blue waters, which are great for snorkeling in calm weather.

After reaching the bottom of the staircase, follow the rest of the path to the beach. You made it!

Now, while Guam is an island with dozens of beautiful and pristine beaches dotting its coasts, this beach is definitely on another level. It’s a wonder it hasn’t been more widely featured.

Lined with soft white sand, clear of any rocks, and an abundance of trees to settle underneath, Haputo Beach is naturally manicured by Mother Nature herself, and would find no competition from Tumon Bay beaches, or any other for that matter.

Take some time to soak in the secluded area and vast beauty that is mostly yours for a little while. Also be sure to take advantage of the snorkeling and jungle exploring the hike offers.

Respect your surroundings

While snorkeling, please be careful and considerate of the life in the preserve. Be sure not to step on or damage any coral. Because the waters are secluded and, for the most part, untouched by man, you’ll find lots of brightly colored coral here, along with a variety of fish and other sea life.

Another added feature to the beach is its place in the Chamorro civilization’s history. According to Guampedia, the beach was the site of the ancient Chamorro village of Haputo, which was allegedly captured and burned by the Spanish in 1678.

In the thick jungle situated against the cliff and behind Haputo Beach lie remains of this ancient village.

Put on your Indiana Jones hat and – without fear of rolling boulders or hostile warriors, of course – check out the latte stones, among which Chamorro life would have been bustling four centuries ago.

Since the jungle is very much overgrown, there is little to no trail to follow. Thankfully, the jungle area is not so vast, however, and at any given spot, you should be able to find the colorful tags dotting trees to get some sort of guide to the latte stones.

As you pass a variety of flora – including coconut trees, bamboo forests, and taro plants – you should stumble upon the latte. There is actually one large and intact latte stone with smaller stone fragments of what are possibly other latte stones and ruins.

To return to your car, retrace your footsteps back up the stairs and cliffline, and remember to leave only footprints behind. Happy hiking!

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving – Third Death In Three Days

A British man has died while scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef in the third death in as many days in waters surrounding the natural wonder.

The 60-year-old man was diving on Agincourt Reef near the popular tourist resort of Port Douglas when emergency services were called on Friday.

He was rescued from the water after being seen with his breathing regulator out of his mouth, the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators said.

barrier-reef-8.jpg

The great Barrier Reef (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The company’s executive director, Col McKenziem said: “After an extended effort with no response, the diver was declared dead.”

He had been a passenger on a Quicksilver tour boat and was diving with another person for the second time that day, when he was found on the ocean floor at a depth of 15m.

A doctor who was flown to the reef gave the man CPR on the Silver Sonic vessel and used a defibrillator, but he could not be resuscitated.

Mr McKenzie said: “Accidents like this are a tragedy for the surviving family members, the crew and the passengers.”

The Silver Sonic has operated for 11 years, carrying 230,000 divers without a fatality, according to local authorities.

The Great Barrier Reef – In Pictures

The man, a certified diver from England, was travelling with his wife.

His death came after two French tourists – Jacques Goron, 76, and Danielle Franck, 74 – died while snorkelling on Michaelmas Cay, near Cairns, on Wednesday.

They were spotted floating in the water by staff working for diving company Passions of Paradise, chief executive Scotty Garden said.

The couple, among a French group of 21 people, had “pre-existing medical conditions and were accompanied by a guide when they were in the water”, he added.

Queensland Police said their deaths were not believed to be suspicious, with a cardiologist telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation jellyfish stings may have triggered cardiac arrest.

 

 

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Snorkeling with Irukandji Jellyfish Kills Five Tourists at Great Barrier Reef

A British tourist has died on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef after swimming in an area suspected to be plagued by killer jellyfish.

The 63-year-old man, who has not been named, was killed during a snorkeling trip at Moore Reef– 25 miles off the coastline of Cairns, in Queensland, Australia. He is believed to have been just feet away from the reef pontoon when he had a heart attack clinging to a safety ring.

A rescue helicopter was sent but emergency response crewmembers could not revive the man.

His death came the same day a 43-year-old woman was rushed to hospital by helicopter to Cairns Hospital in a critical condition after being pulled from the water off Green Island unconscious.

The incidents have heightened suspicions of attacks by Irukandji jellyfish in the area, one of the world’s most venomous creatures.

On Jan. 30, three children suffered suspected Irukandji stings off nearby Fitzroy Island, just under 20 miles from Moore Reef.

FOLLOW SALTYDOGS.COM ON TWITTER!

Last month, several beaches in the area, including Three Cairns beach, were closed to the public following sightings of the jellyfish.

This is the fifth death in the last three months at the Great Barrier Reef.

In November, two French tourists died only minutes apart when they were snorkeling. Their deaths were followed by that of 60-year-old British scuba diver David Lowe from Sheffield, who was found on the ocean floor during a holiday with his wife.

At the time, cardiologist Dr. Ross Walker told ABC News, “I think it’s highly likely they were stung by Irukandji. Irukandji are the size of your little fingernail, they’re very small, you can’t see them.

“Let’s look at the fact and probability. It’s highly unlikely that two people are going to die within minutes of each other just because they’ve got underlying medical conditions.”

Professor Jamie Seymour said, “Because the water temperature has increased, it allows them to go further and further south.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzRhNxy-b00

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Obama Snorkeling with Sea Turtles off Hawaii

ABC’s World News Tonight closed out the show Monday evening with a spotlight on President Barack Obama snorkeling off the coast of Hawaii for the National Geographic Channel. Anchor David Muir could barely contain his joy as he led into his report. “Finally tonight here, President Obama taking a dive in a place he helped protect,” he stated, while sounding elated.

“They’re images unlike anything we have seen before,” hyped Muir, “A sitting president snorkeling in open waters.” The location the president was swimming in was Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The president expanded the size of the protected monument area through an executive order back in August of 2016.

According to LiveScience, the president expanded the area “after Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), along with conservationists and marine scientists, urged the president to protect the region’s waters and marine life.” “The monument is now 582,578 square miles … an area more than twice the size of Texas,” they added.

Muir was completely enamored with Obama’s remembrance of his mother, “It’s a place he grew up with, a place he told the magazine that, along with his mother, helped shape his love of nature.” “She’s the kind of person who would wake me up to see a full moon if it was particularly spectacular. Yeah, so I give her a lot of credit,” Obama told NatGeo.

“11 days before the next president, the current one and a question he’s often asked,” Muir coyly fawned:

People always ask, “Why do I stay calm in the midst of crazy stuff going on?” Well, I always tell people, I think part of it’s being born in Hawaii and knowing what it’s like to jump into the ocean and understanding what it means when you see a sea turtle in the face of a wave.

The president’s interview was a part of a National Geographic Channel documentary titled “Sea of Hope.” The program also highlights the discovery of a new fish species, which had been named after the president. Tosanoides Obama is its scientific name, but it’s also known as the “hope fish.”

While ABC and Muir were swooning for Obama snorkeling in the calm waters off the coast of Hawaii, they were turning a blind-eye to the turbulent waters of the Strait of Hormuz where the USS Mahan was harassed by Iranian boats and was forced to fire warning shots.

 

The President of the United States, Barack Obama arriving on Midway Atoll Midway on September 1, 2016 to commemorate his use of the Antiquities Act to expand the boundaries of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
The President gave interviews to National Geographic Magazine writer Craig Welch and to Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence.

 

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Channel Islands National Park Resets Guided Kayaking and Snorkeling Tours

A 10-year concessions contract has been granted to the Santa Barbara Adventure Co. to lead kayaking tours and snorkeling tours at Channel Islands National Park/Patrick Cone

Much of the beauty and wildlife protected within Channel Islands National Park can only be seen from the water, and soon, guided sea kayaking and snorkeling tours will be available at Santa Cruz Island without a reservation for the first time.

The park gave Santa Barbara Adventure Company a 10-year concessions contract to run guided sea kayak tours, snorkel equipment rentals, guided snorkel tours, and limited convenience item sales at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. The company, doing business as Channel Islands Adventure Company, has provided guided sea kayak services for more than 18 years and has operated in Channel Islands National Park since 2007.

“This is a significant step towards improving visitor access and enjoyment,” Superintendent Russell Galipeau said in a release. “The contract will, for the first time in the park’s history, afford visitors the opportunity for guided kayak and snorkel tours on the island, with no prior reservations needed.”

The park’s 2015 General Management Plan directed the transition of the Scorpion Area Kayak Guide Service from a limited, commercial-use permit to a concessions contract. Scorpion Anchorage is a Marine Protected Area and part of NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

“To be selected by the NPS is a huge triumph,” Santa Barbara Adventure Company owner/director Michael Cohen said on the company’s blog. “We are excited to be able to continue to bring school groups, veterans, and travelers from all over the world to our beloved national park.”

The new contract will take effect on March 1. Details of tours are available at Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s website.

 

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Along with Scuba Diving, Try These Ocean Sports!

If your idea of a great vacation involves adventure, adrenaline, and taking a break from the ordinary, then the Caribbean islands are calling your name. While the region’s pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters tend to call to mind images of lounging on the beach with a colorful cocktail in hand, the islands are also a playground for adventure sports enthusiasts.

We’ve teamed up with global cruise line Royal Caribbean to highlight eight unforgettable adventure sports that are sure to make your next island getaway nothing short of epic. Whether you’re an experienced thrill seeker or a newbie adventurer, you don’t want to miss these experiences on your next Caribbean vacation.

  • JMichl via Getty Images

    Brushing up on your superhero skills? You’ll want to add kiteboarding to your arsenal of adventure sports. Blending elements of windsurfing and wakeboarding, kiteboarding traces its origins all the way back to China circa the 13th century, when sails were used to propel travelers’ canoes. Several centuries and technical innovations later, kiteboarding today ranks among the most exhilarating sports, with its combination of high-speed surfing and serious airtime for jumps and tricks. While the sport requires a certain amount of physical fitness to operate the kite and board, beginners can get the hang of it by taking a lesson taught by a local expert.

    With its smooth cross-shore trade winds and warm waters, Barbados offers great kiteboarding for all levels. There are several kiteboarding schools located around the island, and beginners will do well at the sheltered Freights-Bay, while experienced kiteboarders will love the wavy conditions at Silver Rock and Long Beach.

  • arrowsg via Getty Images

    Taking sci-fi dreams to new heights, the flyboard is a techie thrill seeker’s dream come true. Powered by pressurized water connected by hose to a nearby jetski, flyboards let their riders soar more than 25 feet above the water—and even dive below the surface and shoot back up, superhero-style. Marty McFly would be proud.

    Give the see-it-to-believe-it sport a try in St. Maarten, where the protected waters of Simpson Bay provide a great backdrop for trying your hand at flying. Check out Flyboard St. Maarten for rentals and lessons, and make sure someone in your crew is positioned onshore to take lots of pictures of your crazy feats. After soaring high above Simpson Bay, be sure to wander through the colorful, busy streets and sample the delicious French and Creole flavors that define St. Maarten’s cuisine.

  • David Neil Madden via Getty Images

    There’s just something undeniably cool about surfing. In 1778, Captain James Cook recorded the first written description of the sport. He described a surfer as someone with the “most supreme pleasure while he was driven so fast and smoothly by the seas.” While mastering the art of surfing takes balance and practice, even beginners can experience the supreme pleasure of catching a wave along the many surf-friendly beaches in the Caribbean.

    Gentle trade winds, miles of pristine coastline and hundreds of offshore reefs: Puerto Rico is home to world-class surf that attracts professional wave riders from around the globe. There are also plenty of spots mere mortals will be able to surf too, located near charming beach towns like Rincon and Aguadilla. Rent a board, book a lesson, and get ready to hang ten.

  • ICHIRO via Getty Images

    If flyboarding or surfing feels a little too risky for your crew, try parasailing: a great alternative for kids and anyone who may not be an athlete, but still wants an ocean adventure. Parasailing is the equivalent of a great beach day with an even better view: you and your companion will be strapped into a harness on the back of a small boat and then rise high above the ocean waves as a colorful parachute propels you forward. There are plenty of ways to experience the underwater adventures of the Caribbean, but parasailing is the best way to take in a truly unique bird’s-eye view of the stunning scenery.

    The lush natural beauty of St. Kitts makes a perfect vista for parasailing. Take in the natural beauty of this mountain island as well as historic sites like Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a former British fortress now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • 4FR via Getty Images

    Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is perfect for those eager to put their upper body strength and balance to the test. SUP is quite a core workout even in flat waters. If you’ve mastered your balance on the board, try a yoga session at sea. The budding sport combines yoga sequences with the fluidity of the water for a balance-enhancing workout.

    Aruba is a great place to try SUP and SUP yoga. Check out the calm waters of Palm Beach for rental options and great conditions to practice your balance. Once you’ve mastered your downward seadog, celebrate at one of the plentiful bars and restaurants along the west side of the island.

  • 4FR via Getty Images

    Combining elements of water skiing, surfing and snowboarding, wakeboarding is all about balance. Riding on a short board towed behind a motorboat, wakeboarders can catch impressive air by leaping over the waves while performing spins and tricks. Newbies can just enjoy the thrill of getting up on the board and zooming past the shoreline.

    Wakeboard rental shops can be found on several Caribbean islands, and you can’t go wrong catching some air along the coast of St. Lucia. With its stunning volcanic beaches and the twin peaks of the Pitons as your backdrop, there’s no shortage of postcard-worthy landscapes to take in as you cruise behind your guide boat. Beginners will get the hang of wakeboarding techniques with a quick lesson before grabbing the tow rope.

  • Antonio Busiello / robertharding via Getty Images

    Scuba divers love the Caribbean, and for good reason. From warm waters ideal for coral reefs to thrive to the hundreds of species of marine life that make their home in these incredible underwater environments, scuba divers will feel like kids in a candy shop amongst the Caribbean’s many reefs. And while certification requires divers to master the sport’s breathing techniques and complete about five offshore dives, the effort is well worth it.

    Head to Honduras for some of the world’s best dive sites. Located 30 miles off the coast, the Honduran island of Roatan boasts some of the most diverse coral reefs in the whole Caribbean. From undulating sea fans to giant barrel sponges to turtles, stingrays and even sharks, a dive into the shallow reefs along Roatan is an unforgettable experience.

  • cdwheatley via Getty Images

    Originally created thousands of years ago by Eskimos for hunting and fishing expeditions, modern kayaks let you get up close and personal with aquatic life. Nearly anyone can paddle around calm waters in a kayak, making it a perfect entry-level sport for new adventurers and families. Just sit down, grab your paddle and life jacket, and off you go!

    The pristine coastline of Curacao is a perfect spot for your crew to kayak. From bay tours that take you to great snorkel locations to kayak trips through the Spanish Water (Curacao’s largest lagoon), there’s no shortage of stunning sites to take in as you skim along the water’s surface. Or try a night kayak tour to experience the thrill of the ocean by moonlight!

    https://youtu.be/i0gOWVGig7A

 

Get your adrenaline pumping and make your next island vacation unforgettable by trying a new sport. Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with ships that feature FlowRider surf simulators, zip lines, rock climbing walls and even RipCord® by iFLY® sky-diving simulators for an endless array of memorable onboard experiences! Royal Caribbean is the perfect choice for thrill seekers looking to take their travels to the next level, so book your next awe-inspiring adventure by visiting RoyalCaribbean.com today.

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Indonesian Reefs are being harmed by diving and snorkeling according to

Diving and snorkeling contribute to coral reef damage according to research by the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

The study, conducted at Panggang Island in the Thousand Islands regency between April and June 2013, found that diving and snorkeling in the area had destroyed 7.57 percent and 8.2 percent of coral reefs per year, respectively due to divers or snorkelers who kicked, stepped on, touched or took the coral.

WWF Indonesia marine and fisheries campaign coordinator Dwi Aryo Tjiptohandono said that the main cause of damage to the reefs was the amateur divers’ inability to float and irresponsible divers who took coral for souvenirs.

(Read also: Guide to visiting Raja Ampat for first-timers)

According to a recent report by kompas.com, vandalized coral reefs were also found in Raja Ampat in West Papua. An Australian who lives in the area, Doug Meikle, uploaded three photographs on Stay Raja Ampat’s Facebook account, which showed three areas of damage.

Meikle said that this vandalism was not the only thing that was destroying Raja Ampat’s coral reefs. Live-aboard anchors were said to be responsible as well. “[The live-aboard anchors] are even worse than the vandalism,” he said.

The head of the underwater tourism acceleration program, Cipto Aji Gunawan, said that the Tourism Ministry would revoke the license of dive operators who were involved in damaging the reefs.

in Diving, News, Travel Posted by SaltyDogs

Scuba Diving Dinner?

Pulling on their scuba gear and flippers at a swimming pool in Brussels, Nicolas Mouchart and his wife Florence are not just going diving – they’re going out for dinner.

Lowering themselves to the floor of the pool, an especially deep one built to train scuba divers, they swim to one end where their restaurant awaits, five meters (16 feet) below the surface.

“The Pearl” is a two-meter wide white sphere tethered close to the pool’s floor. The diners jettison their weighted belts before swimming underneath and up into the pod that looks like a cross between a lunar landing craft and a giant spaceman’s helmet.

Food is served by expert scuba divers who deliver foie gras, lobster salad and champagne in waterproof cases before leaving the diners peering out of the portholes, enjoying the strange tranquillity of eating in an air pocket, completely submerged.

“We are launching a new era of restaurants,” said John Beernaerts, who founded the NEMO33 pool in the Belgian capital a decade ago.

The restaurant, where an underwater meal costs 99 euros ($106) per person, took more than a year to build and multiple attempts were needed to perfect the design, mechanics and food delivery system.

“It was a wonderful experience,” said Mouchart, 41, his hair still wet after the return swim through the warm – 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) – water to the pool side.

“It was the first time in our life that we ate underwater, which was really fun. It’s a unique dinner and we will remember this all our life.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HvXJtNWqcM

 

Add to cart