With increasing numbers of dive centers opening up around the globe, virtually the entire world is now accessible to the traveling diver. Following a few basic travel tips can stand you in good stead when transporting yourself and your dive gear to your destination.
Most vacation destinations in coastal regions around the world provide sonic sort of diving facility. Indeed, the sport is now so convenient that you can turn up on the day, certification card in hand, and be decked out from head to toe with rented gear, before being guided around local dive sites. This is one of the greatest joys of the sport - the ability to visit different parts of the world and explore local sites with relative ease.
A step up from the more casual "just-passing-through" diving experience is the dedicated diving vacation. This is usually arranged through a resort-based dive operator, most of which will run a series of dives to local dive sites and offer a range of equipment for rent.
Developments in diving equipment over the last decade mean that most dive centers worldwide can offer a reasonable caliber of gear for rent. With the addition of local knowledge from a divemaster who knows the waters well, you should be assured of a reasonable diving experience, regardless of the location. While most dedicated div e operators work to a high standard, there are a few rogue operators around, and you should be wary of any that show a cavalier approach.
Liveaboards provide an even more intense diving vacation. These are dive vessels designed for long-range trips to more inaccessible places, and they provide nonstop diving throughout the voyage. Liveaboards often offer supplementary courses, such as photography or natural history, hosted by resident experts. There are few marine dive destinations on Earth that are not accessible via liveaboards, and for many this is the finest way to experience extensive reef systems, remote sites, or sprawling island groups.
There is also a range of diving expeditions available in the modern travel market. Some are conservation¬ oriented and others more adventurous, such as seeking out big animal encounters or spectacular wrecks. Take the time to investigate the results and credibility of the group coordinating your project, since some that claim high ethical standards in conservation and research fall well short of expectations. There arc-others, of course, who perform genuinely valuable work, and for many divers this is the most rewarding and educational aspect of their entire diving career.
Most vacation destinations in coastal regions around the world provide sonic sort of diving facility. Indeed, the sport is now so convenient that you can turn up on the day, certification card in hand, and be decked out from head to toe with rented gear, before being guided around local dive sites. This is one of the greatest joys of the sport - the ability to visit different parts of the world and explore local sites with relative ease.
A step up from the more casual "just-passing-through" diving experience is the dedicated diving vacation. This is usually arranged through a resort-based dive operator, most of which will run a series of dives to local dive sites and offer a range of equipment for rent.
Developments in diving equipment over the last decade mean that most dive centers worldwide can offer a reasonable caliber of gear for rent. With the addition of local knowledge from a divemaster who knows the waters well, you should be assured of a reasonable diving experience, regardless of the location. While most dedicated div e operators work to a high standard, there are a few rogue operators around, and you should be wary of any that show a cavalier approach.
Liveaboards provide an even more intense diving vacation. These are dive vessels designed for long-range trips to more inaccessible places, and they provide nonstop diving throughout the voyage. Liveaboards often offer supplementary courses, such as photography or natural history, hosted by resident experts. There are few marine dive destinations on Earth that are not accessible via liveaboards, and for many this is the finest way to experience extensive reef systems, remote sites, or sprawling island groups.
There is also a range of diving expeditions available in the modern travel market. Some are conservation¬ oriented and others more adventurous, such as seeking out big animal encounters or spectacular wrecks. Take the time to investigate the results and credibility of the group coordinating your project, since some that claim high ethical standards in conservation and research fall well short of expectations. There arc-others, of course, who perform genuinely valuable work, and for many divers this is the most rewarding and educational aspect of their entire diving career.
