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Friday, April 15, 2011
Patch Reef 1 off Broad Creek
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Shamrock
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DEMA Trader
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Orion
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Biscayne Freighter
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Thursday, April 14, 2011
Golden Beach Boulder Reef
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Princess Britney
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2 - What is the Open Water Scuba Course ?
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4 - Wreck Diver (Part 1) - Did You Forget Anything ?
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13 - Proper Boat Diving Techniques (Part 1)
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
8 - Types of Decompression Sickness
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6 - Diver James welcomes Jack LaPenta - Owner Jacks Dive Center, Inc.
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10 - The Lungs (Part 1) Potential Problems
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9 - Factors Predisposing Divers to DCS
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11 - Diver James welcomes Ron Carmichael of Splash Dive Ctr Alexandria VA
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3 - Advanced Open Water Diver Program
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
5 - Wreck Diver (Part 2) Basic Techniques 1
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12 - The Lungs (Part 2) Potential Problems, 1st Aid
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7 - Wreck Diver (Part 3) Basic Techniques 2
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1 - What is Scuba Diving Learn to Dive Safe and Who is Diver James ?
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New ethical adventure sports website
muchbetteradventures.com promises a clean break for outdoors people
by Alex Narracott
January 14th, 2010
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Photo Caption Goes Here
By Photographer Name Here
Whether you fancy skiing, surfing, walking, kayaking, or just about anything else which gets you outdoors, a new website called muchbetteradventures.com has come on the scene, promising you the chance to do it better.
Their independent travel directory puts you in direct contact (no commission) with handpicked holidays, tours, courses and accommodation from friendly local experts with a strong commitment to sustainability. They also provide travellers reviews, the resources you need to book a low carbon journey, and have started a collection of community built guides to each sport, where users are invited to share their favourite spots, useful info, ideas and inspiration.
Since going live with 2 members a few months ago the site has grown quickly. Although it is still early days, the site already features nearly 100 holiday options to satisfy the adventure seeker, and there are plenty more in the pipeline. It doesn't stop there either. They are already working on a much better shop, which will showcase the equipment, clothing and accessories needed to perform stylishly and sustainably.
The ultimate goal is to provide the widest and fairest selection of responsible adventure choices ever seen, and bring support to many important conservation and community development projects around the world.
With a strong emphasis on personal experience and performance throughout the site, founders Alex and Ed believe the site will appeal to even the most hardened of green sceptics, proving once and for all that you don't need to be an eco warrior to have adventures that are muchbetter for everyone.
-ends-
For further information, comment or to request a full media pack, please email alex@muchbetteradventures.com or call 01172302414
http://www.muchbetteradventures.com
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Four Wild Islands
No matter which activities float your boat, these getaways are a slice of paradise.
by OutdoorNewswire Staff
May 10th, 2007
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The British Virgin Islands:
nothing like Britain.
photo by CV Travel
When we hear the word "paradise," we tend to picture a tropical island. It's quiet and peaceful, aside from the sound of waves crashing on a pristine beach. Maybe there's a hammock involved.
But not all paradises are created equal. So, in the spirit of island getaways, here are four destinations that offer four distinct versions of paradise. Whether you prefer sea kayaking, scuba diving, or just chillin' beachside with plenty of rum in hand, these trips fit the bill.
BORA-BORA (scuba diving, snorkeling)
The main attraction here is crystal-clear. The water surrounding this iconic island in the South Pacific is some of the clearest in the world. Hundreds of species of tropical fish populate the waters, and which also act as breeding grounds for manta rays.
Getting to Bora-Bora has never been easier. Air Tahiti now flies direct to French Polynesia from New York and Los Angeles, flying to Papeete, Tahiti first and then tacking on a 40-minute flight to Bora-Bora.
Swimming with manta rays may sound a little sketchy at first, but the locals aren't shy about feeding -- or even petting -- the rays sharing the water. No scuba gear is required for this activity; a snorkel and a mask are all that's needed.
Scuba divers are rewarded with a wider variety of fish, plus the aquarium-like sensation of bright, clear water at substantial depths.
BAJA CALIFORNIA (sea kayaking, whale-watching, camping)
If your imagined paradise features more wildlife than people, Baja's a great spot to turn that into reality. The southeastern coast is a sea kayaker's playground writ large -- five major islands can become beachfront campsites in between paddling expeditions.
On the water, you'll be sharing the scene with pods of bottlenose dolphins, as well as migrating humpbacks and gray whales. They're not exactly shy, so keep a camera handy (or a hydrophone, if you're into eavesdropping). Brown pelicans and California sea lions are also abundant, feeding on the schools of fish that populate the Sea of Cortez.
Starting in the city of La Paz, and ending up in Loreto, a curious kayaker could easily spend three weeks soaking in the scene. The islands of Danzante, Monserrat, Santa Catalina, San Jose, and Espiritu Santo offer great beach camping, and the fishing is usually reliable.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (snorkeling, sea kayaking, sailing)
Sometimes it's the simple stuff that makes all the difference. In the BVI, it starts with the sand -- soft, white sand that feels good between your toes. You don't even have to recline to relax. Of course, the water's not bad either, and the steady 15- to 20-knot winds make sailing a breeze.
The island of Tortola, the largest in the BVI, is a great place to get started. You can charter a boat, or check out the party scene at the infamous Bomba's Surfside Shack in Little Apple Bay.
Another popular island is Jost Van Dyke, which boasts plenty of palm trees (and hammocks!), mountain paths to explore, and a vast array of bars. The nearby Dog Islands are part of the BVI National Parks Trust, and offer stunning snorkeling and diving.
The coral reef surrounding the atoll of Anegada is the most colorful in the BVI, and because it's relatively far-flung, offers more privacy than many of the other islands.
ISLAS LOS ROQUES (kiteboarding, windsurfing)
This archipelago off the coast of Venezuela is a National Park. It's pristine, largely uninhabited, and just 45 minutes by air from Caracas. You can leave your wetsuit at home -- the water often exceeds 80 degrees in temperature.
The main island of Gran Roque offers places to stay overnight, including inns right on the beach. While the water and beaches both fit the paradise bill, the big attraction on Islas Los Roques is the steady breeze.
The consistent east-northeasterly trade winds make for one of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing spots in the Caribbean. If you don't want to bring gear, or are new to the sport, Vela Windsurf Resorts on neighboring Francisqui Island has everything you need.
Many of the islands are so close together you can reach them via kiteboard. Not a bad way to find your own private paradise.
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Monday, April 11, 2011
Freedivers Go Deep Into Record Book
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank leads a field that set 12 new records.
by OutdoorNewswire Staff
May 3rd, 2007
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Tuesday, May 1st saw the end of the 2nd PFI Cayman Competition held over four days on Grand Cayman, BWI. Eleven international athletes from across the world spanning Canada, USA, Japan, Brazil and the UK competed in 6 freediving disciplines involving time, depth and distance with points being awarded per meter of depth, distance and time.
Most amazing was that one world record and eleven national records were broken during four days of intense competition.
Freediving or breath-hold diving as a sport is where athletes compete in disciplines involving time, depth and distance with different sub categories in each.
The competitive world of freediving emerged in the late 1940's and today is enjoying unprecedented growth and booming popularity with underwater enthusiasts the world over. Although freediving as a sport is relatively new, freediving as a means of sustenance can trace its roots back 4500 years.
Performance Freediving International Inc (PFI) was the organizer of the competition as well as providing two weeks of coaching and Advanced Freediver training for all the athletes in attendance. PFI has been involved in providing educational courses and athlete development since February 2000.
During this time its Founder and President, Kirk Krack, has trained/coached and supported 8 world record athletes to over 20 world records along with numerous national record holders.
The premiere performance was that of Mandy-Rae Cruickshank of Canada who on day two of the competition broke the women's world record in constant ballast (kicking down to depth and back with weights under her own power) with a depth of 88m / 289ft on one breath of air, the equivalent of a 29 story building in a time of 2 minutes 48 seconds.
This record was held previously by Natalia Molchanova of Russia at 86m / 282ft. Mandy-Rae now adds a seventh world record to her trophy mantle.
The following list of athletes accomplished the following World and National Records:
WORLD RECORDS
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank - Canada
Constant Ballast 88m / 289ft
NATIONAL RECORDS
Carolina Schrappe - Brazil
Free Immersion 61m / 200ft
Constant Ballast No-fins 36m / 118ft
George Bell - USA
Constant Ballast (Masters Division) 30m / 98ft
Dynamic Apnea (Masters Division) 51m / 167ft
Julie Russell - USA
Constant Ballast No-fins 44m / 144ft
Jill Yoneda - Canada
Dynamic Apnea 133m / 436ft
Junko Kitahama - Japan
Dynamic Apnea 133m / 436ft
Constant Ballast 62m / 203ft
Wes Lapp - USA
Constant Ballast No-fins 48m / 157ft
Rob King - USA
Constant Ballast No-fins 48m / 157ft
FREEDIVING DISCIPLINES
Constant Ballast Swim down and up with fins retaining any weight taken.
Constant Ballast No-fins Swim down and up without fins retaining any weight taken.
Free Immersion Pull down and up a line without fins retaining any weight taken.
Dynamic Apnea Horizontal distance across a pool.
Dynamic Apnea Horizontal distance across a pool without the use of fins.
Static Apnea Breath hold at the surface for time.
The 2nd PFI Cayman Competition is supported with the generous financial help of ICU Medical and the Hyperbaric and Problem Wound Center at Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida. Stingray Watersports of Grand Cayman is helping provide diving and accommodations. Professional equipment is furnished by Oceaner Sporting Goods and Yamamoto Corporation with additional support provided by Doc's Proplugs.
The members of Performance Freediving International teach educational clinics around the world and are involved in both team and athlete development along with ongoing research programs.
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Xtreme Sports Emergency ID Wristband
Much needed safety option to athletes in extreme sports
by Unknown
May 13th, 2008
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AFFORDABLE EMERGENCY ID WRISTBAND LAUNCHED IN HAWAII
Stylish Silicone Band Could Save Lives
Lahaina, Maui, HI. May 2008 ? A new Emergency Identification Wristband from Xtreme Sports ID hit the surf in Hawaii last month, bringing an affordable, stylish, and much needed safety option to athletes in extreme sports.
Extreme athletes, weekend warriors, and concerned parents alike can now purchase an Emergency Identification Wristband that provides access to detailed information about the wearer.
The process is simple. The user locates the unique 8-digit ID number on their wristband, clicks on the ?Register? link on the company?s website, and then follows the step-by-step guide to enter their ID number and vital information. Details like name, emergency contact numbers, allergies, and medical history are instantly accessible with a call to the toll free number.
?We wanted to create something cool and functional, but also easy to use and very affordable,? says Bryan Console, co-founder of Xtreme Sports ID. ?At some point, everyone?s out there solo. Having some additional peace of mind can go a long way.?
The ?Where Am I? feature on the company?s website may be the most widely used. Allowing the wearer to leave notes for friends and family containing details such as flight information, directions, or simply the remote location of the day?s hike.
The durable silicone wristband is available for purchase online at www.xtremesportsid.com and also at select retailers across the country. For $8, the wearer receives the wristband and a one year subscription to the interactive service; the annual renewal fee is $5. It is currently available in four sizes (including children?s sizes) and three colors: Desert Camouflage, Green Camouflage, and Pink Camouflage.
Xtreme Sports ID is a sportswear accessory company based in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. They have pending endorsements with professional surfing, kite-surfing, and triathlon athletes and have been recently featured on Tahoe TV.
Xtreme Sports ID ? Freedom, Style, Peace of Mind ? NEVER GO OUT ALONE
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Freediver Will Go Deep to Reclaim Title
Martin Stepanek hoping to break "constant weight" freediving record.
by Sandy Garth
June 24th, 2007
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On August 5, 2007 world champion breath-hold diver Martin Stepanek will begin a series of attempts to set another world record, this time in freediving's most elite and coveted discipline: Constant Weight. Martin, a single breath of air in his lungs, will attempt to swim down to a depth of 112 meters and return to the surface using only his monofin, his strength, and his endurance.
The current World Record holder in this discipline is Austrian freediver Herbert Nitsch, with a depth of 111 meters.
Martin Stepanek frequent record-setting performances have demonstrated that he's got no intention of yielding as World Champion. His achievements, growing fame and media exposure in his native Czech Republic achievements have made freediving a wildly popular sport even in that landlocked country.
The SONY Free event is organized by FIT (Freediving Instructors and Trainers) in partnership with SONY, and will run from August 5 -11 in Dahab, Egypt. During the event week Martin will have three opportunities to break the current World Record.
Martin and his team will spend three weeks preceding the event in Dahab acclimating, planning and training. FIT teammate Niki Roderick of New Zealand will train alongside Martin and will make her debut as a world -class freediver by attempting to break one of the freediving's longest-standing World Records, in the Womens Variable Weight discipline. Niki, a rising star in competitive freediving, currently holds the New Zealand Womens National Record in the Constant Weight discipline and has been training at FIT under Martin's supervision.
The record attempts will be observed and ratified by AIDA International Judges. AIDA is the world sanctioning body for competitive freediving, and the AIDA International Judges will make sure that the event follows the agency's strict protocols.
The SONY Free event will be like no other. Event diary and video updates are available on www.martinstepanek.com.
Freediving is an advanced form of snorkeling which has evolved into the performance sport of breath-hold diving. Athletes compete for depth, for distance and for time underwater on a single breath of air.
Freediving's roots are as old as humanity itself, appearing in the most ancient accounts of Japanese and Korean oyster divers, Greek sponge divers and Persian pearl divers. Freediving has been practiced as a competitive sport since the early 20th century and has swelled in recent years into a global lifestyle phenomenon. The boom began in Mediterranean France and Italy, and has rapidly spread all over the world, led by Martin Stepanek and a new generation of divers.
The Constant Weight discipline is called the ?holy grail? of freediving, and the Constant Weight World Record is the most respected in the freediving community. The Constant Weight athlete completes his dive under his own power, with no artificial propulsion.
AIDA is the International Association for Development of Apnea ? theglobal governing body for the sport of freediving.
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Ecotourism Project Launched in Abu Dhabi
Desert Islands plan will combine six nature reserves, eight islands.
by deeperblue.net
May 4th, 2007
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Abu Dhabi yesterday launched a Dh11.5 billion eco-tourism project - Desert Islands - combining six nature reserves spread across eight islands, including Sir Bani Yas, Dalma and Discovery, an e-mailed statement said.
"Development of the destination will be phased ... estimated total investment from both the government and private sector will be more than $3 billion (Dh11.5 billion)," the statement said.
"When fully operational, the Desert Islands are expected to generate Dh1.2 billion ($326 million) in tourism revenue annually, and create around 6,500 jobs."
World-class destination
Desert Islands will attract around 250,000 visitors when the first phase is completed in 2010, rising to over a million a year by 2017, according to deeperblue.net.
All these islands will be linked by a ferry and hydrofoil service, water taxis, private resort boat service and regional and sea planes.
"This project embodies Abu Dhabi's ambitions to develop its islands and other natural resources in line with the guidance and vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to progress the tourism sector in the UAE capital," General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said in a statement.
"Such projects will contribute to the generation of career and training opportunities for UAE nationals. This will be a world class tourism destination with local, regional and international appeal and one which will be developed in line with the environmental and heritage legacy laid down by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan."
Designed as a sanctuary of nature and authenticity unique within the Arabian Gulf, the Desert Islands will significantly raise Abu Dhabi's international tourism standing creating a singular destination with experiences rivalling those of the Caribbean and the Maldives.
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Who said diving couldn't be romantic?
Mango Creek Lodge is offering a Valentines Week Special for all fishing, diving and eco-adventure week-long packages.
by Terry Kyle
January 11th, 2010
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Mango Creek Lodge is offering a Valentines Week Special that includes a romantic in-room candlelight dinner for two on the deck of an over-the-water cabana, a bottle of champagne and two 30-minute massages for all of our week-long fishing, diving or eco-adventure package guests.
Located in Roatans East End, and accessible only by water, Mango Creek offers their guests the perfect romantic getaway. Whether fly-fishing, diving the pristine East End reef or going on a guided hike, kayak trip or snorkeling trip, there is something for everyone. Guests looking for a more relaxing time can enjoy the solitude of their over-the-water cabana and laze in a hammock on their private deck or swim in the warm Caribbean waters right from their room. True romantics can take a picnic and spend the day exploring the deserted white sand islands of the nearby Pigeon Cays.
Week-long packages include accommodation in over-the-water cabanas, fishing, diving or eco-adventures (kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling), meals, beverages and airport transfers. Packages start at $1000.
About Mango Creek Lodge:
Mango Creek Lodge is Roatan's premier ecolodge located in historic Port Royal, on the island of Roatan. Offering world class fly-fishing, Mango Creek is known for its abundance of permit, bonefish and tarpon and was rated as one of the top ten locations in the world for permit. The healthy reef and abundant aquatic life that surrounds the lodge is also a paradise for divers.
Mango Creek Lodge has received a five star eco rating as an ecolodge. The lodge is powered primarily by a large solar array and windmills, and is committed to preserving the fragile environment surrounding it.
Photos available.
Contact:
Terry Kyle
Mango Creek Lodge
+ 504 8916 8704
mangocreek@hughes.net
http://www.mangocreeklodge.com
###
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Great Whites Gain Good Friends
Guadalupefund.org steps up to protect sharks off Isla Guadalupe.
by Guadalupefund.org
June 9th, 2007
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The fund hopes to raise
$100k a year.
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico has become the internationally recognized destination for divers seeking unprecedented encounters with Great White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). The 90 square mile island located in the Pacific is also home to many rare endemic species of animals and plants.
In 2005 Mexico declared the island a Bio-Sphere Reserve under the watchful eye of CONANP, the Comisi?n Nacional de ?reas Naturales Protegidas. As is the case with many watch dog and eco enforcement organizations worldwide, long term funding for actual onsite protections of this resource and the Great Whites that seasonally inhabit these pristine waters do not exist at this time.
Globally, shark aggregation sites like Isla Guadalupe have been decimated in the past few years by poaching, overfishing, and an uncontrolled trade in shark fins that takes an estimated 70 million sharks a year.
Recently a concerned group of shark diving operators, vessel owners and researchers stepped in to create and launch the Guadalupe Fund 501(c)3. Its stated goal is to move much-needed cash and donated equipment into the Bio-Sphere for park staff and continued funding for long term white shark science/monitoring.
?The timing for the Guadalupe Fund couldn't be better,? said John Conniff, owner operator of the MV Islander, which runs white shark diving expeditions to the island. ?I've been fortunate enough to spend the past 8 years working at Isla Guadalupe. Over that time I've marveled at both the diversity and uniqueness this island has to offer. This fund, in conjunction with a robust effort from the Mexican government will insure that future usage is managed in a way that maintains the island's integrity and protects its many resources.
?This island is truly one of a kind. Our goal is to make sure it stays that way for generations to come.?
Nicole Nasby Lucas from the Marine Conservation Science Institute has been involved in ongoing white shark tagging and photo identification research at this site for the past six years.
"Our tagging and photo-ID research have shown that the Guadalupe Island white sharks aggregate here in large numbers during the fall and winter, leave the island and travel as far as Hawaii and then come back to the same spot. This makes Guadalupe Island a critical habitat for the white shark in this region and demonstrates the importance of protecting the island and its sharks.?
The diverse and often contrary nature of this coalition of dive boat operators, researchers and eco-tour operators is a testament to the immediate need for a long term funding source for this unique Bio-Sphere Reserve and all its inhabitants.
The Guadalupe Fund is being managed by Marinebio.org with assistance from shark diving operator SharkDiver.Com and hopes to generate a minimum of $100,000 a year from concerned divers and shark lover?s world wide. All donations to this fund are tax deductible and gifts ranging from free trips to the island and the opportunity to name a Great White shark after donors exist for interested parties.
For more information visit:
Guadalupe Fund-www.gudalupefund.org
Shark Diver-www.sharkdiver.com
Nautilus Explorer-www.nautilusexplorer.com
Islander Charters-www.islandersportfishing.com
Horizon Charters-www.horizoncharters.com
Marine Conservation Science Institute -www.marinecsi.org
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Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sharks in the Mist, Part II (wetdawg.com)
A Great White...
Photo by Ken Steil
Check out the full
"Sharks in the Mist" Photo Gallery here...
Photo by Ken Steil
Check out the full
"Sharks in the Mist" Photo Gallery here...
Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part story. Click here to read part one. The author, C.J. Bahnsen is a freelance writer based out of Orange County, CA. Parts of this story previously appeared in the LA Times.
Guadalupe represents an aqua Eden for researchers and shark divers. Unlike South Africa, Australia and the Farallon Islands, visibility is often crystalline, well over 100 feet on the best days and, provided you chum the water, white sharks are almost guaranteed to show up everyday during the season.
It was Benchley's first time diving at Guadalupe and his last encore with great whites. He and Wendy were celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary on the trip.
"In South Africa, they do most of the cage diving off these monster seal colonies," said Benchley, when I asked him how Guadalupe rated against other shark sites. “The sharks are all over you there; 15 to 20 at a time in a given day… I've been to South Australia half a dozen times and I've always had pretty bad luck there. On one trip, we saw only one shark in eight days. Guadalupe was certainly better than my experiences in Australia. There were more great whites there and they were much less shy. To have about three or four sharks around the clock for four straight days was top of the scale."
I also saw sharks regularly during those same days. Although Benchley and I were on separate boats under different eco-operators, the drill was essentially the same on the Odyssey and her sister vessel, the Horizon. Each one-hour dive rotation constituted dropping into on of two 10' X 20' cages deployed over vessel's stern, four divers per cage. Unlike everyone else on the Odyssey, I was not a certified diver at the time—the reason why Patric had stressed taking an introductory scuba course, pre-trip. "Some people get claustrophobia or panic," he had warned. "The last thing you need to worry about is breathing through a regulator with great white sharks swimming in your face."
Non-certs are allowed on these dives since you don't go below ten feet and breathing is done with a hookah. Odyssey divers were each cinched in a 60-pound weight harness so we wouldn't be bobbing around like loose corks. The water temp here averages 60-62 degrees, which constitutes coldwater diving. And because you're standing immobile in a cage rather than swimming, your core body temp drops like Bush's approval ratings. "I don't like coldwater diving," said Benchley, who wore a 40-pound harness and considered the water temp "marginal for a wetsuit."
On my first dive, I was bordering on sensory overload as I wrestled into a 7mm wetsuit, then the head-shrinking hood, boots, and gloves—all borrowed from Alan. The whole getup felt like a black python had me in a goodnight squeeze. There was so much to think about, like the rules Tracy had laid down at first dive meeting: Never stick any part of your body outside the cage and never make any sudden movements that might trigger a "predator-prey reaction," she admonished. It was easy to get distracted by Tracy's easy, Sandra Bullock looks, until she administered instructions with disarming authority. By day she wore navy blues—pants, collared shirt, and a tight cap, brim low slung. But at night it was as if she stepped out of a phone booth, transformed from serious-mannered dive ops manager into sensual hostess, wearing a flowery sheath, her dark chestnut waves braided and no longer stuffed under a cap.
Tracy would monitor us from the dive platform. Another sharky would man a push-pole during rotations. "If a shark were to come in too close to the cages, we push it off," Tracy said. "It doesn't harm the shark. We just give them a little extra nudge to keep them from entering the cage, because sharks don't have a reverse mode."
Patric and crew had been tossing five-gallon buckets of tuna parts, hang bait and powdered chum—made from dried fish and blood meal—over both gunwales. "By using dried product, we hope to not put anything into the environment like parasites or bacteria," Patric told me.
Sharks in the Mist (wetdawg.com)
On Shark Alert...
Check out the full
"Sharks in the Mist" Photo Gallery here...
Check out the full
"Sharks in the Mist" Photo Gallery here...
Editor's Note: "Sharks in the Mist" is a three-part story. The author, C.J. Bahnsen is a freelance writer based out of Orange County, CA. Parts of this story previously appeared in the LA Times.
"Peter Benchley is on The Horizon," our dive ops manager, Tracy Andrew, announced as she disembarked from the panga boat and climbed aboard our 85-foot charter dive vessel, The Ocean Odyssey. I was among the 16 shark divers and 10 crewmembers who stood bunched and excited on the afterdeck upon hearing the news. Hard as I tried to keep the dignified aura behooving a journalist on assignment, I found myself hip-checking through the small crowd and, with overeager impatience, asking, "Did you talk to him?"
It was November of 2004. Our vessel sat anchored in the northeast leeward side of Isle de Guadalupe, some 300 yards off an area known as "Shark Heaven." The Horizon, sister boat of the Odyssey, sat at anchor not far off, also loaded with shark divers, led by ecotour operator, Paul "Doc" Anes. I was signed on with Patric Douglas, youthful swarthy-tanned CEO of Absolute Adventures-Shark Diver, for a five-day live-aboard package. Tracy had been tooling around on a panga with the shipboard shark researcher, Mauricio Hoyos Padilla, who was tracking acoustic transmitter signals from tagged sharks with a hydrophone. When they motored past the Horizon, there was Peter Benchley and his wife, Wendy, among the dive party. "We just waved a 'Hello' to him," she said to my disappointment.
Guadalupe breaks open the sea 160 miles offshore of Baja California Norte. Cinder cones, geological folds and vermillion striations of lava rock are evidence of the island's volcanic birthing. It is a rugged, 22-hour, stomach-churning steam, 220 miles due south from San Diego Harbor to get there. As far as weather during the journey, we had drawn the short straw. And Patric hadn't minced words amid his welcoming orientation, forewarning us that seas were not ideal for the long crossing as the boat pulled out of H&M Landing. "I hope you're all ready," he said, "because this isn't going to be a trip; it's going to be an expedition."
To further send that message home, Cory Grodske, head chef, emerged from the galley in apron and a white paper hat and said, "Since we'll be traveling due south, we'll be in a trough." To illustrate, he held one hand up as a makeshift boat, rocking it side to side. He warned us to pour our own hot liquids. Trying to find someone else's cup with a pot of scorching coffee in rough seas would be an act of scalding stupidity. He demonstrated how we should brace a shoulder and hip against the center serving island, while keeping one foot spread out, braced against the base molding during the act of pouring. Cory also requested that, as the seas deteriorated, the male divers (there were four women among us) sit down when using one of two heads to relax our bladders. "The women will love you for it," he said, smiling serene through his reddish beard stubble. My first thought was, Geezus, are we going thru a typhoon?
When we hit 10-foot swells about five hours into the trip, I realized my chewable bonine pills, ginger root capsules, and Queaz-Away wrist bracelets weren't doing jack to ease the barf knell. "As we travel farther south, we'll be getting into more unprotected waters," Cory said, when I had discreetly asked how bad the seas would get. Also a scuba instructor with a 100-ton captain's license, Cory struck me as a nurturing soul gifted with steel nerves. He looked out the starboard galley window at the sugar-topped rollers then back at me: "This is calm… So can I set you up with a little bucket to have in your bunk?"
Alan DeHerrera, my dive bud from Fullerton, California, gave me a knowing look as we sat in the salon, aware that my main concern wasn't the great white sharks on this trip but the seasickness that dotted my past. (Especially the deep sea fishing trip as a preteen off Miami Beach, when I ended up doing "the big spit," as Hunter S. Thompson called it, over the starboard rail, my dad bracing me with his arms and body saying, "Let 'er rip, kid!"—which is how I ruined his brand new Sperry deck shoes.)
Grecian Rocks
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Mike's Wreck
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Saturday, April 9, 2011
USCG Duane
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Benwood Wreck
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Avg Rating:
Located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the Benwood. This 285-foot 1910 English-built ship sailed a crew of 38 with 12 rifles and one four-inch gun.
The actual sinking of the Benwood, which occurred in 1942, has been a subject of much controversy. One account goes as follows. The freighter was torpedoed during World War II by a German submarine off the Florida Keys. As she sailed in search of shallower waters, she was again hit, this time by a passing ship, the Robert C. Tuttle. Five shells on board exploded ending this ship's possibility for being salvaged. A second more likely account claims the two ships, the Benwood and the Tuttle, collided. Rumors of German U-boats in the area required her to travel completely blacked out. The Robert C. Tuttle, also blacked out, was traveling in the same area, bound for Texas. The two ships were on a collision course, and the bow of the Benwood collided with the port side of the Tuttle.
After she sank, her bow was destroyed to avoid navigation hazards and her hull was used for bombing practice. The remains of her bow now lie in 25 feet of water and provide a home to many fish. Depths of this dive range down to 55 feet at her stern. Goatfish, grunts, moray eels, glassy sweepers, snapper, lobster, grouper and hogfish frequent this wreck. The site is home to a healthy collection of sea fans, sea whips, brain coral, sponges and fire coral. Be careful to avoid contact with the potentially harmful fire coral and with all corals as contact will result in damage to the organisms. The still and careful observer will be able to see tiny jawfish emerge from their protected homes.
Bioluminescent creatures create the nighttime beauty of this location. Divers should be aware that a moderate current is often present at this site. Night diving is meant for the more experienced diver while divers at all levels will find this a great day-time dive.
Although her location is a bit hard to describe, she lies between French Reef and the Dixie Shoals and is marked by a spar buoy and four mooring buoys.
North Dry Rocks / Minnow Cave
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Thiorva Wreck
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Carysfort Lighthouse
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The Carysfort Lighthouse marks the main body of the four mile long Carysfort Reef system. The lighthouse is the oldest functioning lighthouse of its type in the United States. It's an impressive 112 foot tall structure constructed in 1852.
Carysfort Reef is named for one of its earliest victims, the twenty-eight gun frigate HMS Carysford, which ran aground in 1770. Since that time, the reef has claimed many other ships, which is why this reef is home to the oldest reef lighthouse. Thirteen mooring buoys surround the lighthouse, each marking a beautiful dive spot.
The lighthouse lies six miles off of Key Largo. The shallow reefs surrounding the base of the lighthouse prohibit a close approach by boat. Snorkeling near and around the lighthouse is fantastic with good visiblity, magnificent coral and plenty of fish.
Carysfort Reef is one of the best developed reef systems in the Keys, and contains a wide variety of reef features including well-developed stands of elkhorn coral. Reef development is enhanced by the water quality, temperature, and salinities of the Gulf Stream, which sweeps close to the seaward edge of the reef.
Located ENE of the tower is "Carysfort Trench" (a.k.a., "Caryfort Wall"), a beautiful wall of Staghorn, Brain, and Sheet corals. The wall drops 65-80 feet to a sandy bottom. Five cannons from the 1800s rest in 15 feet of water approximately 1/2 mile to the north of the tower. And two large anchors thought to be from an 1800s frigate rest in 30-40 feet of water four hundred yards NNW of the tower.
Carysfort/South Carysfort Reef is accessible from the Ocean Reef community and from Card Sound through Angelfish Creek.
HMS Winchester
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Friday, April 8, 2011
Elbow Reef
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French Reef
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Christ of the Abyss
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Christ of the Abyss is a 8 1/2 foot, 4,000 pound bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ that stands in 25 feet of water off of Key Largo, Florida. It is located near Dry Rocks, about six miles east-northeast of the Key Largo Cut, in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
This reef is a very shallow dome shaped reef which breaks the surface at low tide on the landward side, and slopes to 25 feet on the seaward side. The statue is one of three cast from a mold by an Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. It was originally made for Egidi Cressi, the dive equipment manufacturer and later donated to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in 1966.
The original "Il Christo Degli Abissi" statue was placed in the Mediterranean Sea off Genoa, Italy, in 1954. In 1961, a second statue "Christ of the Deep" was cast from the same mold. The Cressi family of Italy donated the statue to the Underwater Society of America, which in turn donated it to the Florida State Park Service, in recognition of the conservation efforts involved in the creation of America's first underwater park.
The Christ Statue is one of the most famous and visited underwater sites on earth, accessible to divers and snorkelers alike! Shallow high profile spur and groove coral formations are surrounded by relatively flat, coral and sponge encrusted hard bottom, and sand. Large Spotted Eagle Rays and Southern Stingrays are often sighted near the sandy perimeter.
City of Washington
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Spiegel Grove
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Avg Rating: The largest vessel ever intentionally sunk is the USS Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot landing ship dock. To give a better visual understanding of the immensity of this ship, she is roughly equivalent in length to two football fields.
The Spiegel Grove was named after President Rutherford B. Hayes's Ohio estate and was launched in 1955. She was later cleaned and sunk in 2002 in 130-feet of water near Dixie Shoals in Key Largo. Depths range from 60 to 130 feet with the majority of the ship lying between 80 and 90 feet.
The sinking of the Spiegel Grove is an extraordinary tale. Her sinking was scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2002 at approximately 2:00pm. However, she had a mind of her own and prematurely began to sink, rolled over, and remained upside down for several days with her bow protruding from the water. A salvage team managed to fully sink the vessel three weeks later, but she came to rest on her starboard side rather than keel-up as hoped. Later efforts to right the ship failed despite the best efforts of all involved, including two very determined tugs. Then three years later, much to the surprise of the entire diving community, Hurricane Dennis righted the 510-foot ship with seas over 20 feet and a driving current. She know rests keel-up, fully dignified and ready for new adventures!
The Spiegel Grove is the backbone of the artificial reef system that has formed in this area. Algae, sponges and coral mingle with 130 species of fish to create enormous biodiversity in this region. Divers may see Goliath Grouper, barracuda, large jacks, and a large colony of gobies.
Mooring buoys allow divers an easy tie-in and a steady hold. The lines are attached to the ship and allow divers to travel down them until they reach the hull. This is a very popular site. Divers will need multiple dives to become oriented and it may take countless dives for one to be able to experience all that this massive vessel has to offer. This is a great dive for using multi-level diving techniques and offers an incredible opportunity for exploration and excitement.
This is a dive not to be missed. The reef formation that has arisen is impressive and has fostered growth of much pelagic life.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Molasses Reef
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Avg Rating: This is arguably the most beautiful collection of reefs in all of Florida! Rather than a single site, Molasses is an extensive reef complex with diving depths from about 10 feet to more than 70. At depths ranging from 10-40 feet, Molasses Reef features high profile spur and groove coral formations. At 40-60 feet down, seaward sand chutes separate a gently sloping hard flat bottom adorned by hard and soft corals, along with a variety of sponges. The "drop-off" begins in the 50-60 foot range, and extends downward at various angles to the 70-100 foot range. Excellent drift diving can be found here.
Certain areas have distinct features for which they have been named, such as Spanish Anchor Winch Hole, Fire Coral Caves, Hole in the Wall and many others. Snorkelers will enjoy the shallow spur and groove formations typified by Elkhorn and Boulder Corals punctuated by seafans. Divers will find plenty to occupy them as well. Visibility is generally excellent on this reef as it is "rinsed" by the currents of the nearby gulfstream.
This is probably the most visited site in the Florida Keys and possibly the United States. Because of this, Marine officers generally patrol this area. These officers make sure that divers understand that even touching coral reef can kill these beautiful organisms. This site houses massive brain coral, star coral, and other large barrier corals. Caves and ledges provide homes for lobsters, crabs, moray eels, parrot fish, angelfish, filefish, turtles, rays, and sometimes nurse sharks. Divers will be able to come fairly close to these creatures. Sandy patches divide areas of coral and create an amazing sight. An old ship winch and an eight-foot anchor help to create the unique and interesting nature of this dive. Boaters must tie off to one of the 40 mooring buoys surrounding the large tower marking the reef.
This area was harmed when the freighter, Wellwood, ran aground here in 1984. Damaged areas are marked and should be avoided. Part of the remaining rubble from Wellwood is contained in the .3 square nautical mile Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) which reaches down to 60-feet. This is a dive not to miss for anyone traveling to the area. Those looking to snorkel should stay to the northern, shallower end of the reef while divers will want to explore the southern end. This is also an easily accessible and highly used night-dive site.
Local legend suggests that Molasses is named for a barge that grounded here many years ago carrying a cargo of molasses barrels, but much of the strewn wreckage is probably from a wooden hulled Austrian ship named Slobodna, run aground here in 1887.
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Pickles Reef
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Turtle Reef
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Snapper Ledge
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Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Winners Announced
The Ocean Art Underwater Photo competition, organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, has announced its winners for 2010. Judges included professional photographers Martin Edge, Chris Newbert, Marty Snyderman and Bonnie Pelnar. Over $67,000 worth of prizes were awarded to 77 photographers.
There are 7 winners in each of 11 categories, including Wide-angle, Macro, Portrait, Behavior, Novice, Nudibranchs, Supermacro, Fashion, and 3 Compact Camera categories. Best in show was judged “Crocodile Smile” by Keri Wilki, of a dangerous saltwater crocodile in the Marine Life Portrait category.
The Underwater Photography Guide is a comprehensive website and community for learning about underwater photographyand dive destinations, with over 500 pages of organized tutorials, forums, reviews, articles and workshops.
You can see more of the winning photographs at http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/ocean-art-contest-winners-2010.
SCUBA News is published by Scuba Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world. We also publish a newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) - with destination reviews, ocean facts, marine creature of the month and underwater news.Creature of the month is the Tassled Scorpionfish
Photo copyright Tim Nicholson.
Taken on Elphinstone Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Tassled Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
News stories about the Red Sea.Further Reading
The Underwater Photographer: Digital and Traditional Techniques, by Martin Edge, Paperback, 536 pages (2009)
Coral Reef Guide Red Sea by Ewald Lieske and Robert Myers, Collins, 384 Pages, Paperback (2004)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Best Diving in Europe: Top Ten Dive Sites
How are the votes counted?
The first criteria is number of votes (weighted to favour the first choice dive site above the second). Where two dives tie for a position, priority is given to those with the most enticing descriptions and those whose area has several votes for different dives.
Buy with 20% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites ed Jack Jackson, New Holland Publishers, 2008, 300 pages, Hardback
Buy with 20% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com Dive - The Ultimate Guide to 60 of the World's Top Dive Locations by Monty Halls, Ultimate Sports Publications Ltd, 2004, 320 pages, Softback
Monty Halls' book describes 60 of the world's best diving areas, and highlights specific dives not to be missed whilst you are there. It also aims to provide independent travellers with the other information they will need, such as about water temperatures, visa requirements, the best time of year to go and addresses of dive centres and recompression chambers. For more details read our review... or visit amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.
Buy with 10% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com
Every month we send out a free newsletter featuring the best diving areas, underwater life, diving book reviews and interviews with authors. To receive this please fill in your e-mail address below. For an archive of previous issues see the SCUBA News page.
Top Ten Dives in the World?
How are the votes counted?
The first criteria is number of votes (weighted to favour the first choice dive site above the second). Where two dives tie for a position, priority is given to those with the most enticing descriptions and those whose area has several votes for different dives.
Buy with 20% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites ed Jack Jackson, New Holland Publishers, 2008, 300 pages, Hardback
Buy with 20% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com Dive - The Ultimate Guide to 60 of the World's Top Dive Locations by Monty Halls, Ultimate Sports Publications Ltd, 2004, 320 pages, Softback
Monty Halls' book describes 60 of the world's best diving areas, and highlights specific dives not to be missed whilst you are there. It also aims to provide independent travellers with the other information they will need, such as about water temperatures, visa requirements, the best time of year to go and addresses of dive centres and recompression chambers. For more details read our review... or visit amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.
Buy with 10% off at Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com Diving with Giants: The World's Best Pelagic Dives by Jack Jackson, New Holland Publishers Ltd , 2006, 160 pages, Hardback
Features the best places in the world's oceans and seas to dive with pelagic species: sharks, manta rays, dolphins, whales, barracuda, etc.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk Ultimate Diving Adventures: 100 Extraordinary Experiences Under Water by Len Deeley and Karen Gargani, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, 218 pages, Paperback
Details some of the best dive sites around the world, with some lovely photographs. The authors have included many of the dives listed in our top 10 list.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com
Every month we send out a free newsletter featuring the best diving areas, underwater life, diving book reviews and interviews with authors. To receive this please fill in your e-mail address below. For an archive of previous issues see the SCUBA News page.
Creature of the month: 3 Spot Dascyllus
Photo copyright Tim Nicholson.
Taken on Little Brother in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Anemone fish (Amphiprion bicinctus) with Threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus).
News stories about coral.Further Reading
The Blue Planet, by Alastair Fothergill, Martha Holmes, Sir David Attenborough, BBC Consumer Publishing, 2001, ISBN 056-33-8498-0
The Red Sea in Egypt, Part II, Invertebrates, by Farid S Atiya, Elias Modern Printing House, 1994, ISBN 977-00-6697-4
Books for Divers
The Silent World (National Geographic adven...
by Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Cousteau's classic book. Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid Wo...
by Tim Ecott
£6.95
Ecott's meticulously researched stories into the history of diving, interspersed with his own provides a delightful and enligh... Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die: Diving...
by Chris Santella
£9.09 Diving with Giants: The World's Best Pelagi...
Dive as Deep as You Dare
by David Blackmore
£8.99 Diver Down: Real-World SCUBA Accidents and ...
by Michael R. Ange
£10.44
Written by the the technical editor of "SCUBA Diving" this book entertains with compelling stories. The Diving Manual
by Deric Ellerby
£16.15 Down Time: Great Writers on Diving
£12.15
Collection from some of the best writers on diving: novelists, scientists, poets... Deep Descent: Adventure and Death: The Andr...
by Kevin F. McMurray
£14.44
An in-depth look at the danger-loving divers of the Andrea Doria, the so-called 'Everest' of deep-sea diving. 1 2 Next > >
by Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Cousteau's classic book. Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid Wo...
by Tim Ecott
£6.95
Ecott's meticulously researched stories into the history of diving, interspersed with his own provides a delightful and enligh... Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die: Diving...
by Chris Santella
£9.09 Diving with Giants: The World's Best Pelagi...
Dive as Deep as You Dare
by David Blackmore
£8.99 Diver Down: Real-World SCUBA Accidents and ...
by Michael R. Ange
£10.44
Written by the the technical editor of "SCUBA Diving" this book entertains with compelling stories. The Diving Manual
by Deric Ellerby
£16.15 Down Time: Great Writers on Diving
£12.15
Collection from some of the best writers on diving: novelists, scientists, poets... Deep Descent: Adventure and Death: The Andr...
by Kevin F. McMurray
£14.44
An in-depth look at the danger-loving divers of the Andrea Doria, the so-called 'Everest' of deep-sea diving. 1 2 Next > >
Adventure Scuba Diving: A Guide To The Most Breath Taking Diving Spots In The World
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Fish mucous cocoons: the mosquito nets of the sea
It is well known by SCUBA divers that many parrotfish and wrasse sleep soundly in mucous cocoons during the night. Until now the reason has not been known, but has been thought to be some sort of protection against predators. New research by scientists at the University of Queensland, Australia has found that the cocoons actually act as a kind of “mosquito net”.
Fish are a target for external parasites that feed on their blood, much as mosquitos feast off humans. During the day fish can visit “cleaner stations” where cleaner wrass remove the parasites (gnathiids). But are the parrotfish are vulnerable to attack during the night?
The scientists exposed the coral reef parrotfish Chlorurus sordidus with and without cocoons to gnathiids overnight. Fish without mucous cocoons were attacked more by gnathiids than fish with cocoons. The cocoon acts as a mosquito net. It takes little energy for the fish to construct and is an efficient adaptation for preventing parasite infestation that is not used by any other animal.
Cocooned parotfish are a popular sight on night dives. Dr Lexa Grutter, from UQ’s Centre for Marine Studies, said while most fish guide books and biology textbooks presumed mucous cocoons protected fish from nocturnal predators such as moray eels, no experimental studies had examined their function.
“At night, when cleaner fish sleep, mucous cocoons act like ‘mosquito nets’,” said Dr Grutter, “allowing fish to sleep safely without being constantly bitten, a phenomenon new to science.”
Further Reading:
Biology Letters, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0916
SCUBA News is published by Scuba Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world. We also publish a newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) - with destination reviews, ocean facts, marine creature of the month and underwater news.Urchins Depend on Sea Temperature
The water temperature is of major importance for how well juvenile sea urchins grow, new research trials by Nofima (The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research) shows.
The scientists charted how quickly juvenile farmed sea urchins grow at different water temperatures and consequently how much feed and water they need to achieve optimal growth.
In the wild the green sea urchin is found in water temperatures ranging from -1 to +20 °C. The researchers found that a temperature of 10 °C was the optimal temperature for feed conversion and growth.
The report points to the fact that there is a linear connection between feed intake and temperature.
“This project started thanks to the good collaboration between Sea Urchin Farm AS and Nofima. The Regional Council for Western Norway has been one of the funding sources, and contributed to the project being able to be implemented,” says Project Manager Sten Siikavuopio.
The results from several different sea urchin projects will be presented during the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund (FHF) sea urchin seminar “From problem to resource” in Tromsø on March 17.
Further Reading:
Grows best at 10 degrees, Nofima
SCUBA News is published by Scuba Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world. We also publish a newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) - with destination reviews, ocean facts, marine creature of the month and underwater news.Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Study finds alarming increase in flow of water into oceans
Freshwater is flowing into Earth’s oceans in greater amounts every year, a team of researchers has found, thanks to more frequent and extreme storms linked to global warming. All told, 18 percent more water fed into the world’s oceans from rivers and melting polar ice sheets in 2006 than in 1994, with an average annual rise of 1.5 percent.
“That might not sound like much – 1.5 percent a year – but after a few decades, it’s huge,” said Jay Famiglietti, UC Irvine Earth system science professor and principal investigator on the study, which will be published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He noted that while freshwater is essential to humans and ecosystems, the rain is falling in all the wrong places, for all the wrong reasons.
The evaporation and precipitation cycle is accelerating dangerously because of greenhouse gas-fueled higher temperatures, triggering monsoons and hurricanes. Hotter weather above the oceans causes freshwater to evaporate faster, which leads to thicker clouds unleashing more powerful storms over land. The rainfall then travels via rivers to the sea in ever-larger amounts, and the cycle begins again.
The pioneering study, which is ongoing, employs NASA and other world-scale satellite observations rather than computer models to track total water volume each month flowing from the continents into the oceans.
“Many scientists and models have suggested that if the water cycle is intensifying because of climate change, then we should be seeing increasing river flow. Unfortunately, there is no global discharge measurement network, so we have not been able to tell,” wrote Famiglietti and lead author Tajdarul Syed of the Indian School of Mines, formerly of UCI.
“This paper uses satellite records of sea level rise, precipitation and evaporation to put together a unique 13-year record – the longest and first of its kind. The trends were all the same: increased evaporation from the ocean that led to increased precipitation on land and more flow back into the ocean.”
The researchers cautioned that although they had analyzed more than a decade of data, it was still a relatively short time frame. Natural ups and downs that appear in climate data make detecting long-term trends challenging. Further study is needed, they said, and is under way.
Further Reading:
Tajdarul H. Syed, James S. Famiglietti, Don P. Chambers, Josh K. Willis, and Kyle Hilburn
Satellite-based global-ocean mass balance estimates of interannual variability and emerging trends in continental freshwater discharge
PNAS 2010 : 1003292107v1-6.
UC Irvine
SCUBA News is published by Scuba Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world. We also publish a newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) - with destination reviews, ocean facts, marine creature of the month and underwater news.Arctic Sea Ice Extent in January is Lowest in Recorded History
/top_stories/article/42404 
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2011 is the year of the Turtle
Turtle conservation groups are designating 2011 as the Year of the Turtle.
The sex of some species of turtles is determined by the temperature of the nest: warm nests produce females, cooler nests, males. And although turtles have been on the planet for about 220 million years, scientists now report that almost half of the turtle species is threatened. Turtle scientists are working to understand how global warming may affect turtle reproduction. To bring attention to this and other issues affecting turtles, researchers and other supporters have designated 2011 as the Year of the Turtle.
Turtles are central to the food web. Sea turtles graze on the sea grass found on the ocean floor, helping to keep it short and healthy. Healthy sea grass in turn is an important breeding ground for many species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Through outreach efforts to researchers, educators, natural resource managers, and the public, the Year of the Turtle campaign aims to increase US national involvement in local-to-national turtle issues. International outreach is extending Year of the Turtle efforts to a broader range of participants worldwide. In 2011, a monthly newsletter will highlight ongoing efforts. Visit www.yearoftheturtle.org for more information.
Further Reading: State of the Turtle
SCUBA News is published by Scuba Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world. We also publish a newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) - with destination reviews, ocean facts, marine creature of the month and underwater news.Death of Young Right Whale Highlights that Prevention of Entanglements is Key
February 4, 2011
The death of a young right whale off Florida drives home the point that while disentanglement responses give the animals a better chance at survival, prevention of entanglements in fishing gear is paramount.
On February 3, NOAA scientist Barb Zoodsma joined partners from numerous state and local agencies, along with researchers from academic institutions and nonprofits organizations, to perform a necropsy – animal autopsy – on a young right whale. The animal was observed floating dead off St Augustine, FL, by an aerial survey team from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission two days earlier, and was towed to shore for examination.
Scientists were already familiar with this animal. First sighted entangled with fishing rope on Christmas Day, this two-year old female whale had been the focus of much attention since the new year. In two separate disentanglement attempts December 30, 2010 and January 15, 2011, more than 200 feet of rope had been removed from this critically entangled species. Unfortunately, as scientists would learn, these unprecedented response efforts were not enough to save its life.
North Atlantic right whale that a team of state and federal biologists assisted in disentangling on Dec. 30, 2010, off the coast of Daytona, Fla.
High resolution (Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.)
Scientists from NOAA Fisheries Service approaching the young North Atlantic right whale they disentangled on January 15 off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla.
High resolution (Credit: With permission from EcoHealth Alliance)
Led by necropsy team leader, William McLellan of University of North Carolina Wilmington, and assisted by Dr. Michael Moore, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Alex Costidis, University of Florida, scientists examined this 31 foot, 15,000 pound whale for clues to its demise. Numerous lesions from its long term entanglement and shark bites were examined thoroughly, and tissue samples from the wounds will be shipped to labs for further study. The final results of the necropsy will depend on these analyses and will not be available for some time.
Initial observations lead researchers to conclude this whale had been entangled for months. Parts of the rope that could not be removed during the disentanglement efforts were found to be embedded in the whale’s mouth, possibly impeding it from feeding. The young female was significantly underweight. Weakened and injured by the long entanglement, she was easier prey for sharks. Bite marks on the carcass suggest that scavenging sharks may have finished off the wounded whale by severing major veins at the base of the tail.
The rope removed from the whale was floating groundline from a trap/pot fishery. NOAA Fisheries Service has prohibited floating groundline in U.S. Atlantic coast trap/pot fisheries managed under the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to try to reduce these lethal entanglements, but it is still used in some international fisheries.
NOAA Fisheries Scientist Barb Zoodsma joins stranding network partners to examine the dead right whale.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
The necropsy was a multi-organizational effort, with experts hailing from several states. NOAA necropsy partners include: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Aquarium Dolphin Conservation Field Station, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Hubbs Sea World, St John’s County, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Virginia Aquarium.
With only 300-400 in existence, North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered whales in the world. They are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Vessel strikes and entanglement in fixed fishing gear are the two greatest threats to their recovery.
NOAA Fisheries Service encourages people to report sightings of dead, injured, or entangled whales to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-2-SAVE-ME (272-8366). All live right whale sightings should be reported to the USCG via Channel 16.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Find us online and on Facebook.
Please note, photos and video taken under NOAA Permit No. 9321489 under the authority of the U.S. Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Update: Diving Australia
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The Yongala is a shipwreck in Queensland. She sank during a cyclone in 1911 killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The ship is 90 km southeast of Townsville, 10 km away form Cape Bowling Green. She is arguably the best dive in the world.109 meters long, the bow points north and the ship lists to starboard.The vessel was named after a small town in South Australia. In the local Aboriginal language, 'Yongala' (originally pronounced Yonggluh) meant 'broad water', or 'broad wide watering place'. It was launched on the 29 April 1903, and left Southampton on 9th October. Carrying passengers bound for Australia, it arrived in Sydney on 6 December 1903. More information is at the Maritime Museum of TownsvilleFull of life you may see manta rays, sea snakes, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral. You are forbidden from entering the ship: one diver was recently arrested and fined for doing so. Make the trip from Townsville.
Centurion Cruises, Tel: +61 414615082. - Rating: 
Rating: 
Christmas Island is a small territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean, 2,360 kilometres (1,466 miles) northwest of Perth. There are flights to Christmas Island from Perth or Singapore. Dive operators: see Christmas Island Dive OperatorsPerpendicular wall, Christmas Island
Pro Dive, PO BOX 168, Lord Howe Island, NSW 2898. Tel: (02) 6563 2253. E-mail: Lgatherer@bigpond.com.
Howea Divers, Lagoon Beach, Lord Howe Island, NSW. Tel/Fax: 02 6563 2290, 02 6563 2298. E-mail: howeadivers@bigpond.com.au.
The best time to dive the Great Barrier Reef is between August and December: but you can dive there all year round. The water temperature ranges from 22 oC in June rising to 28 oC in March. Although January, February and March are the warmest months they are also the wettest.
For Western Australia, the coral spawning in March and April is a good time to go as this is when the big pelagics like whale sharks arrive.
Yongala (Queensland) • Coral Sea • Western Australia • Christmas Island • NSW • Queensland and Barrier Reef • South Australia Rating: The Yongala is a shipwreck in Queensland. She sank during a cyclone in 1911 killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The ship is 90 km southeast of Townsville, 10 km away form Cape Bowling Green. She is arguably the best dive in the world.109 meters long, the bow points north and the ship lists to starboard.The vessel was named after a small town in South Australia. In the local Aboriginal language, 'Yongala' (originally pronounced Yonggluh) meant 'broad water', or 'broad wide watering place'. It was launched on the 29 April 1903, and left Southampton on 9th October. Carrying passengers bound for Australia, it arrived in Sydney on 6 December 1903. More information is at the Maritime Museum of TownsvilleFull of life you may see manta rays, sea snakes, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral. You are forbidden from entering the ship: one diver was recently arrested and fined for doing so. Make the trip from Townsville. "Just awesome. Corals are so bright, and all the fish look like they've been on steroids. It is like a bustling city down there, only the inhabitants are fish, sharks, turtles, clown fish, eels, snakes everywhere, potato cod, you name it, it is there. "
Tina, Australia, 2010
"Absolutely amazing. We had humpback whales swim up right beside the boat! I was mm's away from a marble ray. we were fighting our way through fish. "
Kristen, 2010
"The place you never forget..one of the best wreck dives in the world. Dive adventure with its coral encrusted structure and incredible array of marine life, including eagle rays, turtles, giant Queensland groupers, schooling barracuda, sea snakes and much more."
Hemlin, 2009
" For sheer variety and numbers cannot be beaten. Six-foot giant trevally hunting batfish up and down the ship, tiger shark in the distance being mobbed by giant trevally which were only about a third of its length, 2 bull sharks up close being mobbed (in a split second) by a pair of dolphin that flashed by, eagle rays, turtles, giant grouper, seasnakes....all in one dive. Unbelievable!!
Also memorable for getting the bends on this dive.....something to do with a severe case of the shits causing dehydration plus a desire to stay down as long as possible, not allowing sufficient leeway for the former although technically within the limits. "
Anita Malhotra
" Like swimming in an aquarium. National Geographic quality video with a larger variety of marine life than I've ever seen, including a grouper the size of my couch! "
Jennifer Mengel
" Beautiful colours and full of life. "
Mike O'Neill, 2009
" More life than you can shake a stick at!! "
Jamie Furness
" By far the best dive I've ever made. It feels like swimming in a "Blue Planet" video. The amounts of different types fish and their size (the grouper with the name VW) are incredible. "
Vincent
" Like discovering the Titanic! "
Carolyn Hedley
" Travelled the world to try and find a dive to top the Yongala to no avail! The most awesome dive due to the variety and numbers of marine life down there including sea snakes winding themselves round your legs. You hardly know which way to look there is so much. "
Lottie
" It's ALL about the fish! Nowhere I've dived (including the Carribean, Thailand, Great Barrier Reef and Red Sea) comes anywhere near to the awe inspired by this wreck dive. The Sheer weight of numbers AND the size of the specimens that you are able to approach to sometime alarming proximity really allows you to feel part of the wreck based ecosystem rather than a cumbersome intruder from another realm. At times you wont even be able to see your buddy cause you'll be engulfed by a few hundred >3 kg snapper. The 800 lb queensland Grouper was an obvious highlight but don't get too close, could have you AND your buddy for breakfast, in one mouthful! They dont call him VW for nothing.
Loved the tens of sea snakes who are very friendly. Could spend a month enjoying the fauna before even noticing the magnificent 111 m ship which is responsible for the oasis of life in a sea of surrounding sand. Well worth the long boat ride from Townsville. "
Dr Russell Garnett
" As part of the Advanced course we got two free dives on the S.S Yongala which was a commercial liner built in Northampton (U.K) which took passengers from Melbourne to Cairns. We had to get up at stupid o clock (05:30) to get all the kit ready and loaded into the ute to take down to the waterway terminal. The boat left at around 07:00 in the morning and it took around two and a half hours to get out there. Once there one of the Dive masters tried to take a guide rope down toa submerged buoy that sits at 5 meters below the surface which is used for decompression stops. Unfortunatley there was a really huge current that was ripping that morning and he used a third of a tank just getting down to 5 meters so we all had to hang back and wait for the current to die down. We resorted to playing 'Shit Head' on deck cos we were all really bored. Luckily though there were loads of huge sea turtles and sea snakes coming to the surface for air so there was plenty to do in the meantime.
After about three quarters of an hour of waiting the current was still ripping over the wreck and there was no way we were going to be able to swim against the current at 30 meters so the skipper changed the plans. They went over and attached a buoy to the bow of the wreck and we were going to decend to 30 M down the line and do a 'drift dive' along the hull of the wreck. This turned out to be a really cool idea because as we were anchored to the stern of the wreck, we all had to be ferried over tot he bow line four by four in a zodiac (army style dingy). Because of the current we all had to do a backwards roll back out of the zodiac at exactly the same time to avoid tipping it over which was pretty cool. Once we were all in the water, the dingy was already gone. It was a bit of a mission decending down the line because the current really was strong! Once we hit around 19 meters it was really dissorientating because you could neither see the wrech or the surface so you get a kind of vertigo which is weired. At around 22 meters you could see the wreck which was entirely encrusted with really colourfull correl. We headed straignt down to the sea bed where the rudders and propellers used to be and let go of the line. It was the easiest dive I have done yuet because you don't even have to swim. The current just took you right along the side of the wreck. The vis was really good and I got some really cool pictures, saw really huge fish, some around a metre long and built like brick s//t houses!
Once we were at the stern we had two chances to grab onto the mooring line before being swept off which was a bit un nerving but we all managed to do it thank god! Ascending up the line was also a mission though because the current was still really strong and we were all literally dragging ourselves up the line! Had to stop at 10 meters for a decompression stop for five minutes which wasn't too bad because although we were hanging onto the line really tight we saw loads of sea turtles coming up for air which was amazing!
We had lunch and chilled on deck for about an hour and a half bu which time the current had died down so it was possible to do the seckond dive after all. This time we decended down the stern of the wreck and dived against the current along the other side of the hull. This was a much better side because there are huge gaping holes into the cargo area where you can see inside the ship! Saw a few big sea snakes slithering around the bottom and yet more huge fish. Went down to 28 meters and got Nitrogen Narcosis (reaction by your body to brething compressed air at depth), he he. It was really funny. Aparantly it's the same effect as taking narcotics ... aparantley I was swimming around and around in circles for about three minutes on the sea bed before somebody noticed. My dive buddy grabbed me and we ascended a few meters which is all that it takes to immediatley dissepate. By then I was fine but that was the best feeling in the world, it was cool. Aparantle the week before one guy also got it and he was trying to feed his regulater to a sea turtle!
We carried on diving along the hull and it all of a sudden wasn't so funny when our instructor spotted a bull shark. It didn't bother anyone but came swimming right besided us about 5 or so meters away! It was over 3 meters long and looks like ti took steroids for breakfast! we were crapping ourselves at the time but the adrenaline rush when we were back on the boat was amazing!!! "
Daniel Delaney
"I can see why the Yongala is at the No 1 spot for diving. Just returned to UK from Oz. Can't wait to return to do it again."
Fred
"Everything you could wish for. Amazing rainbow of coral, 3 m rays, 3 m+ sharks, turtles, nudibranch, you name it!"
Jayson Everett, 2006
" I dont think i willl ever find a better divesite than the Yongala. She is amazing, lying upright surrounded by sand eveything is attracted to her. I saw turtles, seasnakes, eaglerays, grouper, batfish and all the usual suspects and the beautiful coral that grows on her."
Alex Bruce
"Not and easy dive, but one of my first Ocean warm water dives. I did it 15 years ago, and still have not found one to out rank it. A brief list where I have been trying so far: Canada, (West Coast), Australia (Coral Sea with Taka II- several dives are a close, but not quite) Belize (blue hole-it?s trying), Mexico and Thailand. Still trying and expecting to get close in Egypt this year.
The site is absolutely amazing, everything seems oversized and so abundant your feel like you are missing twice as much as you are seeing. Definitely a site to put on anyone's list. Just make sure you go with a good-sized boat. "
G Pavan
"This is what novice divers imagine their first dive experience will be like. Of course, it seldom is. I have done hundreds of dives and have only experienced what I consider the best dive of my life very recently.
Kick ass current, but the life and colour that awaits you at the Yongala is breathtaking. I could not believe that even in average visibility the beauty and sheer abundance of marine life swarming around both my head and the wreck excited me so much!.
Massive schools of Giant Barracuda, basking in the ripping current near the buoy line. Huge, silver Giant Trevally, gangs of Maori wrasse, spectacular in stature and in colour. Friendly turtles, one in particular using my arm to propel himself upward to take some air from the surface..
A shovel nosed ray/shark, sea snakes, and just fish everywhere..
This is what diving is all about especially for those of us that do it for a job, to re-kindle the passion for the underwater world is worth it's weight in gold. I'm in love with this dive site. "
Tasha
"It has everything in a small spot. Colourful coral, big fish, history. "
Regan Washer
" Although I am nominating this as the best dive site, due to other factors this was the worst dive I have ever done. I am adding these comments so that other divers will be able to experience the amazing marine life at this wreck without experiencing the problems I did.Dive operators
1. Choose a large boat. I went with a smaller dive company on a small boat- the waves were particularly large and even the dive crew were being sea sick on the 3.5 journey from Townsville.
2. Choose a calm day to avoid the strong current. The current is particularly strong around the wreck and my dive company would only take people who had an advanced diving certificate or who were on an advanced course.
3. Take extra weights
My problems started as the dive master said that I would not need my usual 4 weights as I could sink and cut myself on the sharp edges of the boat. This is RUBBISH- it is better to take too many weights than too few. I listened to the dive master and started to descend down the guideline. Even though most people were struggling against the current and had to pull on the rope- I could not get down at all and the dive master had to pull me down- all the way to 28 metres. (This is deeper than you need to view the wreck, however, some people were doing a 'deep diving' module, so went down that deep. A minute later, I started to ascend very quickly to the surface- I could see my buddy and the dive master waving me to come down, but soon I had lost them in the poor visibility. Ascended past giant trevelly, sea snakes and through schools of fish. There was no air in my jacket-so I tried to do the recommended somersault and swim down-but still carried on ascending till I was at the surface. (I hadn't even done my safety stop at 10m. aI was quite a long way from the guideline and the boat and after doing the 'I'm OK but need some assistance sign'the current started carrying me further away. When I realised noone had seen me I started shouting. When I was spotted, a motorised dinghy was sent out to get me. The crew were worried that I would get the bends, but even so they advised me not to see a doctor as they would be obliged to put me in a decompression chamber- think they were trying to cover themselves. The next 24 hours, I was terrified- but luckily I escaped the bends. Later someone said they had spotted 2 giant bull sharks in the area where I was stranded. This is an amazing site and would advise people to go, however, please go with a larger company. "
Naomi
Centurion Cruises, Tel: +61 414615082. - Rating:
"Fantastic crew and great diving. 3 day - 3 night liveaboard, diving the SS Yongala, SS Gothenburg and then finding other wrecks that are un-charted was a real buzz for the whole trip. The boat is fully air-conditioned and the bunks are first class. Cost was $565 Australian dollars (November 2004), value for money compared to other operators and boats that have been there for many years. Their boats are a bath tub compared to MV Centurion"
Paul
"Amazing caves, 1000 Metre walls, pinnacles, turtles' grave yard, incredible night diving. A dive company called Coral Sea Diving Co takes you there, aboard Rum Runner.
Mal Brookes
Incredible visibility and amazing variety of marine life in the Coral Sea.
Steven Corrigan
"Heaps of sharks, I mean heaps. White tip, silver tip, blue, hammerheads. Lots of huge potato cod. Tutles. Awesome coral. 1000 m walls
Brakto
"Osprey Reef (in The Coral Sea) has 50 m+ of viz! (But a fast drift at Shark/Yolanda in Ras Muhammad, Red Sea, does it for me every time.)"
Martyn Roberts
"False Entrance, Osprey Reef: 1000 m + drop off. 50 to 60 m vis. Fantastic wall dive with everything there just being massive! Remote ocean diving at its best."
Robert Salisbury, 2005
"North Horn, large number of reef sharks and silvertips. Nice corals."
Mark Goodchild, 2005
"North Horn, Soooooo many sharks, great vis."
Elisabeth, 2006
"6000ft vertical walls, endless sharks, giant cod, great coral on top and the side, amazing macro as well, even swam with a black marlin!"
Pat Ward, 2009
"Shark Reef is 8 miles south of Osprey and is my number one dive site so far. Fussilers by the thousands, silver tip sharks, schools of banner fish, trevally in schools, plenty of Tridacna clams, anenomes and variety in coral and fish species. Goliath Grouper, lionfish, clownfish, etc.
Jerry Hamberg
"Lived on a dive boat for 5 nights, 6 days in the coral sea and GBR with about 24 other people with a company called Undersea Explorer, Port Douglas. Managed to get 22 dives in at world famous sites. The variety of life was amazing: there was everything there that one would want to see. Plus another benefit about diving in the Coral sea was that we were the only dive boat there. The staff were really friendly plus they served great food and plenty of it after each dive. I will go back again one day!
Pete Fleming
Rating: "Extending about 300 m from shore, the T-shaped structure is 300 m wide, including two outlying "dolphins" (platforms for larger ships to tie up to). Although a very defined and somewhat compact site (the main part of the pier is about 10 0m across) I felt I could spend 5 days diving there and not be bored, particularly at night. On any given dive there were lots of nudibranchs and flatworms, eels, woebegone and white tipped sharks, octopuses, lion and scorpion fish, stargazers, and the usual smaller finned friends. A couple of times we came across absolutely huge rays dozing in the sand: One brown ray was wider than my 1.8m tall dive buddy's outstretched arms, another spotted eagle ray was just slightly smaller."
Alan Gurevich
"Myriad of species here on probably the best shore dive on the planet.
Steven Corrigan
"Biggest wow in diving makes Yongala look like the poor relation.
Mike Mounstephen
"Navy Pier was fantastic, lots of large White tip reef sharks, Woobygongs, large sting rays, trevely and heaps more marine life. Far better than the Great Barrier reef.
Emma and Dean
"Like Diving in a big Aquarium, so many fish to see.
Charnelle
"Navy Pier was an absolutely fantastic dive site. I was lucky enough to do two dives there and saw a real abundance of aquatic life...ranging from the small and miniscule, to Woebegone Sharks, to 6 Humpback Whales which came pretty close to the pier during the second dive. A fantastic experience!
Edward Eckhard
"Amazing shore dive. Amazing fish life in such a small space. Impressive large fish.
Mark Goodchild
"Best critter dive on the planet.Dive operators: see Ningaloo Reef Dive Operators
Chip Sherman
"For those who absolutely must get in the water with a whale shark and who have a fair amount of time for a vacation, the remote Ningaloo Reef would be for you. If you like really small critters like nudibranchs, or odd animals like woebegone sharks, and once again don't mind travelling to the ends of the Earth, Ningaloo is a fair choice. But if you don't have a lot of time, want lots of really flourishing, colourful coral and excellent visibility, or want to be at least somewhat spontaneous about your dive-schedule, it may not be the place to go."
Alan Gurevich
Read the full article for more details...
"I have dived the Ningaloo reef in February from Coral Bay: the dive shop was most helpful. I only booked the day before and it was incredible almost everything you could wish for even a 2 m plus leopard shark to finish off the second dive. The sea temp was 23 deg C but after diving in the UK that was a luxury. I will certainly be back to the Ningaloo before too long. It is well worth the long drive, may it long remain isolated.
David Flint, Aylesbury UK
"Ningaloo reef was spectacular. I learnt to dive on the Great Barrier Reef & Ningaloo was 10 million times better. First we snorkelled with the Manta Rays which was an amazing yet exhausting experience, and then did a further 3 dives over the next couple of days. Heaps of big turtles, bright sea snakes, wobbegong sharks, heaps and heaps of little fish ... more sharks ... and so much else to see that i couldn't possibly name it all here. Definitely would recommend it to anyone. I went with Exmouth Dive and they were really good."
Laura Barker
"If you are after Manta Rays, Sting Rays, Sharks, Turtles, all sorts of Cod (including the occassional too inquisitive Potato Cod)and virtually everything else, then there is no better place than the Ningaloo Reef. Exmouth Dive were fantastic and took really good care of me and the rest of the divers. "
Edward Eckhard
"Ningaloo Reef on australia's West Coast is pretty cool, less visited and as much to see than the GBR on the East Coast. "Dive operators: see Ningaloo Reef Dive OperatorsBlizzard Ridge, Ningaloo Reef, Western AustraliaRating:
Sam Seed, UK, 2007
"Limestone ridge, tonnes and tonnes of fish life"100s and 1000s, Ningaloo Reef, Western AustraliaRating:
Dave Scanlon, Australia, 2007
"Amazing amount of marine life"Rowley Shoals, Western Australia
Dave Scanlon, Australia, 2007
The best time to visit Rowley Shoals is Spring to early Summer (September to early December).
"Rowley Shoals is three separate atolls, two with sand bars that are exposed full time or at low tide. We visited Clark and Mermaid Atolls, both of which have outer edges marked by a combination of vertical drops to deeper than you can see, drop offs to a sandy shelf/bottom, and walls that are intricately cut with channels, swim throughs, and some interesting caves, some of which are also swim throughs. The insides of both atolls have some scattered bommies which made for nice night dives.
Animal life is plentiful so long as you aren't thinking macro. The fish life was wonderful, and there were grey or white tip reef sharks on each dive, but if you're looking for small critters - crustaceans, nudibranchs, flatworms, etc., there weren't many to be seen. That said, three of the most incredible nudibranchs I've seen were here - so I guess I just wasn't looking in the right places.
And even given my love of macro-life, and the lack thereof, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to go back. "
Alan Gurevich
Read the full article for more details...
Christmas Island is a small territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean, 2,360 kilometres (1,466 miles) northwest of Perth. There are flights to Christmas Island from Perth or Singapore. Dive operators: see Christmas Island Dive OperatorsPerpendicular wall, Christmas Island"Nothing less than amazing. We saw black and white reef tip sharks, a 2 m grouper, an array of moray eels, masses of soft and hard corals and too many fish to discribe. We went 32 m. This dive is on the drop off, as are most dives on Christmas Island, so you have the sheer cliffs which house so much life. A truly magical place that I miss very much. "
Meagan Maher, 2007
"The dive begins with the boat pulling up 10 m from the cliff, sparking divers to consider 'is it deep enough to jump here?' However the cliff sheers through the water to depths of 10-50 m directly. This makes Perpendicular wall, at the north-western tip of the island, the best wall dive on Christmas Island. Generally the conditions are perfect, 40-50m visibility, gorgonian fan corals, pelagics and other big fish; however care must be taken to check the currents before diving. Whale sharks and Manta rays are spotted crusing along the wall during their season. "
Hannah Boughton, 2007
"Another great spot. Most days you will see giant green sea turtles, ribbon eels, space crab, sea urchins, banded shrimp, starfish, coral crab, soapfish, butterfly fish and moray eels. Most of the year the vis is 30m+. A divers paradise. "Flying Fish Cove ('the cove'), Christmas Island
Meagan Maher, 2007
"The cove is a beautiful dive site beginning with a shore entry and short fin out the jetty or boat ramp. Divers can choose to go left or right to experience great corals and fish. The coral gardens extend from 3-30m deep before the 'drop off'. At the southern end of the cove is 'admin point' a sheer wall where many pelagics and other big fish cruise by. Many times whale sharks are spotted in the cove during the season. "
Hannah Boughton, 2007
"For a really eerie dive go to pigrock. Not always easy to get to but if you can it is quite amazing. The water is so incredibily flat and as you submerge it is an indescibable feeling. It was a bit creepy but an incredible dive that I have experienced nowhere else. Almost anywhere you dive over here you are in the company of spinner dolphins, with them being attracted by the boat and then you just pop overboard and have a play. And in the whalesharks season you are garanteed to see these majestic creatures. "
Meagan Maher, 2007
"Great diving to be found in Mandurah, Western Australia. Purposely sunk wrecks for beginners and great selection of early Dutch Schooners etc for the more accomplished. All sites are marked with plinths and location markers on land."
Mal Brookes
"A truly spectacular dive but often overlooked by divers concentrating on the Great Barrier Reef!
At this special place warmer tropical and cooler nutrient-rich currents meet and result in an amazing wealth of marine life.
I have seen turtles almost every dive and also a selection of sharks (wobbegong, leopard and grey nurse depending on the time of year) and rays (bull, manta, eagle, blue spotted, shovelnose) every dive. Plus over 400 species of fish, huge schools of snapper, trevally kingfish, sweetlips, batfish and many others.
The site is just a 5 minute boat ride from the famous beaches, hinterland and laid-back lifestyle of Byron Bay, so a great place to stay. I dive with Byron Bay Dive Centre, always fun, informative and professional.
And in case divers are missing more of Australia's top spots, check out Fish Rock Cave (South West Rocks) for an awesome cave swim through and the Solitary Islands. Australia has more unique and spectacular diving than the Barrier Reef alone! "
Helen Buteux
" I did my openwater ticket at Byron Bay. The diving at Julian Rocks was amazing. We saw manta rays, turtles, woobegong sharks and one big grey nurse shark."
Alex Bruce
"A must do Shark dive. Have been here several times, and have seen up to 35+ large Gray Nurse Sharks on any one dive. Sit on the bommie and just watch in awe as these majestic creatures swim above, below and around you. Also, Wobbegong and Port Jackson Sharks abound. Shark wise seems to beat South West rocks and certainly Magic Point in Sydney. Better than the Yongala."Fish Rock, Off South West Rock, NSW
Paul Thompson
"On my dive: Around 40 Grey Nurse sharks, wobbies, a great cave full of lobsters, angel sharks, stingrays etc. "
Peder, South Korea, 2009
"Best cave dive i've ever done. Many grey nurses, fantastic topography and marine life. A stunning dive. "Balls Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, NSW
Al Mitchell
Lord Howe Island is nearly 2 hours flying from Sydney. It is one of just four island groups to be inscribed on UNESCO?s World Heritage list for the global significance of its natural beauty and heritage.
"600km off the mainland this site is situated in a marine park. Less than 50 divers per year get to this site so it is totally unspoiled wilderness. With out a doubt the most beautiful dive site in Australia. 30m depth. Rivers of fish and amazing benthics. "Dive operators
John Johnstone, 2008
Pro Dive, PO BOX 168, Lord Howe Island, NSW 2898. Tel: (02) 6563 2253. E-mail: Lgatherer@bigpond.com.
Howea Divers, Lagoon Beach, Lord Howe Island, NSW. Tel/Fax: 02 6563 2290, 02 6563 2298. E-mail: howeadivers@bigpond.com.au.
"The inner reefs near Cairns have taken a battering from the constant divers and snorkelers. You best bet is get further up North. There is an excellent liveaboard called the Spirit of Freedom that does a 3 day trip from Cairns to the Cod Hole. The reefs further up North are unspoilt and leave the inner reefs near Cairns for dead. It's well worth the money. "
Damian De Conno
"Our first two dives were at Cod Hole. The maximum depth of this dive was 100 feet to a sandy ledge. You would then make your way around some coral ridges and bommies to a coral wall that went up to within four feet of the surface. Larger fish we saw here included Potato and Camouflage Cod, Trigger Fish, Maori Wrasse, Coral Trout, jacks and snapper. The coral here was in pristine condition. The second dive was also here about an hour later but this time it was to watch the dive masters feed the 200 pound cod we saw. (It should be noted that what they call large cod here would be similar to what Americans call large groupers.) On this dive we were requested to swim out to the sandy feeding area as quickly as we could and lie still while the dive master did a controlled feeding. We were told that feedings were permitted by park officials as long as it was no more than about 2 pounds per day. The reasoning was that the fish would still have to hunt on their own and not be totally dependent on the divers."
Tab Hauser
"Rather artificial because the dive leaders feed the fish but the result is amazing, the Cod are huge and swim very close allowing the divers to stroke them and on the return to Lizard Island we had dolphins as escorts who did somersaults in the air. "
Cliff Chapman
"Vis up to 50 m,large cods in abundance and more fish than you could poke a stick at. "
Elisabeth, 2006
"The best coral and fish dive I have ever done. Barracuda, Scorpian fish, Nudibranchs, Lion fish and much much more "No Name Reef, Ribbon Reefs, off Lizard Island
Renee Ker, Australia, 2008
"After my 3000+ logged dives, this has site has it all. The best GBR coral growths, great 10m plateau, 40m wall, all 500m from the continental shelf drop off, so pelagics available -mantas, minke whales, sharks, sea snakes, giant grouper, giant clams, even ghost pipe fish!"
Pat Ward, 2009
" This is a large coral bommie starting at about 100 feet and making a cone type shape until it reaches about 10 feet from the surface. Our ship literally stopped in the middle of what seemed to be open ocean between the Ribbon Reefs to dive here. Next to Steve's Bommie was a memorial plaque to Steve himself who is said to have dived this particular place often before he died. Depending on who you talked to, his death was either a motorcycle accident or a free dive accident."
Tab Hauser
"This is a plateau type coral structure starting at 100 feet and making its way to a flat area about 9 feet under water. It took about 45 minutes to circle the reef where we kept our depth between 40 and 60 feet. This site had more fish life than some of the other places we visited because of the way the very slow current comes by with the needed nutrients. One note on the lighter side is that during the dive briefing we were advised we really can "Find Nemo" here. What we saw in the middle of the plateau in about 10 feet of water was an anemone about one and half times the size of a basketball with the small center opened about 12 inches protecting three small, very cute, clown fish. I have seen films and pictures of clown fish swimming in and out of their protective environment and it was neat to see it up close and personal. "
Tab Hauser
" As the name states, this place is known for the large clams famous in this part of the world. We saw clams ranging from 3 to 6 feet long with different colors on the inside. The varied colouring was attributed to a type of algae that grows under the skin. What I liked about this reef was the diversity of the area. Because the dive briefings were so detailed, we were able to navigate around the bommies in the area and eventually make it to one of the most colorful sun drenched coral walls I have ever seen. "
Tab Hauser
"The third dive this morning was at Challenger Bay. Challenger Bay was another beautiful dive that started at about 60 feet and again worked its way up around a few coral bommes until you reached a pure coral wall that went straight up to about four feet. Each piece of coral was laid out beautifully next to one another. Here we saw lionfish, garden eels, tangs and a school of barracudas. The bottom time allowed for this dive was 45 minutes. This was also the same place that we did our night dive. My 13 year old son Daniel with a total only of six dives under his belt decided to try his first night dive at Challenger Bay. Here he spotted the large jacks and snappers chasing after the fish that left the safety of the reef. The hunting for these small fish was made even easier to the big fish anytime a diver put their flash light on small fish. The land analogy would be like blinding a deer with your headlights. Daniel also was excited when he spotted two five foot white tipped reef sharks in separate areas."
Tab Hauser
"Night dive at reef called Beer Gardens. We were told the name comes from this being the last night of the 3 night cruise and people celebrating with a beer or two. Seriously though, this is the place to see sleeping turtles. "
Tab Hauser
Horseshoe bay, Bowen, Queensland
"Easy beach dive, close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, guarantees good fishlife: wobbegongs, angelsharks, rays,m orays and plenty of small stuff for the muck divers. "
Andi Hutchinson
"My son Steven and I recently dived the HMAS Brisbane; an Australian Destroyer recently sunk on the 31st August 2005, off the coast of Mooloolaba, Queensland. Mooloolaba is about a one hour drive north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast. Nearest airport is Maroochydore. The HMAS Brisbane is now a purpose made diving site with all the appropriate holes cut in it for exits and of course safety. It's beginning to get a lot of marine life attached as well as fish life. In one of the holds inside we saw a superb Lion fish. You'll need to take your torch with you and if you like to swim through hatches and small spaces, in holds etc., then this is a dive for you and well worth the trip!"
Chris Hall
"Just a normal Bommie, but I've never seen so much coral or fish life anywhere In The world."The Fish Bowl, Great Barrier Reef
Chris, UK
"Nothing deep or unusual just the best fifty square feet of pristine coral I've seen in many years of diving. You swim into a bowl shape of coral heads and from the middle you're surrounded by color."
Robert Osborne, 2006
"5-10 minute boat rides from marina gets you to various dive sites with visibility of 100+ feet revealing sea turtles, 60 foot high coral mountains, small sharks and lots of colourful fish. "
Jeanne, 2007
"I have just come back from 3 months in Australia and tried to get in as much diving as I could. I went to all the places recommended, Morton Island, which i would not go back to again, the dive club there was dreadful! Then the Coral Sea, inner & outer reefs and even Stradbrooke Island, they were all very good and saw loads, sharks, rays, dolphins octopus, cuttle fish, scorpion fish etc.
But the best place of all was a single day dive trip at Mission Beach. The guy there was a great guide, very unassuming and if you were expecting a big boat and a fantastic lunch then this is not for you! But he took us to couple of very beautiful sites. The reefs were all in regeneration stages and the fish were inquisitive and very photogenic!! Great place to practice on your photography techniques without risk of harming any sealife or yourself. The dives were not particularly deep but they were well worth it.
Go on! try it out somewhere off the beaten track! "
Yvonne Miles
"Cooler water diving, abundant fish life and leafy sea dragons. Clear water "
Leona Fitzgerald, 2009
This page is regularly updated: to be alerted when new dives have been added, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter - SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011). Meanwhile, for details of other dives in Australia, try one of these books. Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkelling Australia's Great Barrier Reef by Len Zell, Paperback, Lonely Planet, 160 pages, (2006)
Buy from Amazon.co.uk, 30% off
Buy from Amazon.com A Reef in Time: The Great Barrier Reef from Beginning to End by J E N Veron, Hardbackback, Harvard UP, 304 pages (2008)
A historical, geological and biological study of the largest coral reef. The chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science uses the Great Barrier Reef as an alarming case study on the future of coral refs. Although it is a hypothetical tale, it is a worrying look at how the Earth is in danger of suffering the worst case of mass extinction seen for 6.5 million years. Water proof Fish Species Guide to reef fish of the Australia Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com \ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Deep Sea Diving Info Bog\Deep Sea Diving Blog 1\ausbook.jpg)
Top Dive Sites of Australia by Becca Saunders, Hardback, New Holland Publishers, 160 pages, (2001)
Buy from Amazon.co.uk, 30% off
Buy from Amazon.com
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