Tuesday, 03 March 2009
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Best Scuba Diving in North America
by Molly
Scuba diving is an exciting adventure that we should all have once in our lives. There are hundreds of beautiful places all over the world that you can go to take in breathtaking views and see some pretty strange looking fish. Although, if you are planning on staying around North America, here is the Travel Channel's compiled list of the best spots to look into:
- Grand Cayman Islands
- Belize
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Maui, Hawaii
- Florida Keys
- Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
- Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
I have been to Nassau and Virgin Gorda, and I have to say, they aren't lying about the great scuba diving around those parts. The scenery was gorgeous and the water was crystal clear.Have you ever been anywhere on this list? Would you agree/disagree with it? Where is the best place you have scuba dived?
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About the Author
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- From: Molly
- About Me: Age: 23 Hometown: Colorado Favorite Places Traveled To: Peru, New Zealand, Greece, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal and California!! Ideal Vacation: Around the world!! I'd love to take a trip from one end of the globe to the other and then back. That would be ideal. If not that, I want to go to Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, Japan, oh no.....this is turning into quite the trip!
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Comments (9)
I've been to the Grand Caymens. The water there is gorgeous and clear. Another place that usually ranks pretty high is Cozumel, Mexico.
oh man i just blogged about the fantastic diving in bonaire. it was sooo great! i've also gone diving in the florida keys, which wasn't as good as bonaire.. the places i went seemed a little devoid of sea life. i've been to nassau but i don't think i've scuba'd or snorkeled there. my parents have been to most of these places. they really liked the cayman islands.
Watch out for the bendz if you go too deep.
oh I would love to scuba dive. It'll definitely be on my bucket list (if I ever need one)
I've been scuba diving just along the shore of...one of the Hawaiian islands. Haha, descriptive, eh? I'd love to go further, but 1. I'm a wuss, and 2. ...I'm still a wuss. Once, I saw a fish about a foot long (that's big for me) swimming around the general vicinity where my dad and I scuba'ed, and then it disappeared. A few seconds later, something bristle-y brushed along my leg...
HAH. Old man's flipper alert. -_- Boy, did I freak out.
I am a NAUI scuba instructor and have been lucky to have been to 6 of the 7 mentioned above. The only place I have not travelled to is the Hawaaian islands.
It all depends on what you want? Do you want safe, clear, shallow waters? Go to Bonaire. Most of the dives there are shore dives. Meaning you dont need boats.
My favorite on the list was Cayman Islands. Strictly for diving. If you want to stay away from the barrage of tourist crap..Dont stay on Grand Cayman. Stay on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. The sister islands. The Caymans do rest along the Cayman Trench. An amazing underwater trench that is more than a mile deep in places. Spectacular wall diving and a very healthy fish population.
Mexico has to be my ultimate destination. Not only for economical reasons but for the activities above water as well. Mayan ruins.. Hiking... etc etc. The diving is a bit more advanced. Mostly you are doing drift diving in Cozumel. The boat drops you off and instead of mooring to the reef it follows the trail of the divers bubbles and scoops ya up when you surface. For some people that can be a daunting experience. I also had a few run-ins with hammerhead sharks there as well! Stay away from Cancun! That place is trash. Unless you like that type of tourist exploiting crap.
Heh just get me anywhere underwater...I will dive the muddy quarries of the midwest United States as long as i am equally buoyant and floating in peaceful bliss.
@black_lie@xanga - The Keys have had a rough time with hurricanes over the past 5-10 years. The reef has really suffered down there because of it. A lot of dead (white) corral and very few fish. That and the ever constant struggle of being over fished and polution. I dont think the keys will ever recover. It is a shame.
@jfmichael@xanga - aww that is really sad! i actually got licensed there about 9 years back, so regardless of the sea life i still have fond memories, but the dying of reefs is always something to lament. i think it's really cool that you are an instructor, it was always a dream of mine to become one... well i guess it's never too late =P
@black_lie@xanga - That is where I got my open-water certificaion (basic) as well! Key Largo to be exact. Before that I had only been in swimming pools. I had never even snorkeled in clear waters. I also did my instructor training down there in Marathon Key. I love Florida. It will always be my first. heh.
If you dont want to seek employment in the industry then i wouldnt get your instructor certification. I would just go for your divemaster certification. It will not only give you an excuse to get wet it will also make you a more comfortable and confident diver.
If all you have is your basic certification... It would cost no more than 1,000 bucks. If you have your own equipment and have a local dive shop you can gradually take the course and not have to pay all at once.
At any rate. Goodluck on your diving adventures and stay safe!