| You've thought about taking a dive vacation, | | | | The dive operators offer scuba packages, |
| but you're having a hard time picking a | | | | instruction, and rentals. |
| destination. It isn't easy, with all the | | | | |
| wonderful scuba spots in the world. To make | | | | Visit Cozumel |
| your decision a little easier, consider one | | | | |
| of these five prime locations. | | | | Cozumel is in Mexico so be sure to bring |
| | | | proof of citizenship, such as a birth |
| Cozumel | | | | certificate or passport. You will also need a |
| | | | valid photo ID and A Temporary Tourist Card. |
| In many circles, Cozumel is considered the | | | | |
| best place to dive in the Caribbean. A claim | | | | Fiji |
| that's hard to dispute. Nearly all the diving | | | | |
| is drift diving because the Gulf Stream | | | | Taveuni is probably the most preferred island |
| sweeps around the island from south to north. | | | | for diving in Fiji, but there is no shortage |
| The best spot is on the outer reef off the | | | | of dive spots. |
| southwest tip of the island, known as | | | | |
| Palancar Reef. You'll discover all kinds of | | | | Fiji is nicknamed "Soft Coral Capital of the |
| stuff here: arches, tunnels, sea fans, | | | | World" because of the famous soft coral that |
| corals, lobsters, parrot fish, and much more. | | | | thrives in the region. Naturally, the coral |
| Since Cozumel is such a popular dive | | | | grows in strong current areas, so you should |
| destination, it isn't difficult to find | | | | be thoroughly comfortable diving in those |
| travel package deals. | | | | conditions. The Great White Wall is a |
| | | | thrilling attraction. Not only will you |
| Cozumel is Mexico's largest Caribbean island, | | | | discover soft corals here; you'll also see |
| located off the northeast tip of the Yucatan | | | | tropical fish such as butterfly fish, parrot |
| Peninsula. Its culture is the legacy of the | | | | fish, and unicorn fish. |
| Mayan Indians. Legend says the island was the | | | | |
| home of Ixchel, Maya moon goddess and deity | | | | Great Barrier Reef |
| of childbirth and fertility. You can visit | | | | |
| Mayan ruins on the island. | | | | The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the greatest |
| | | | living thing in the world. All together, it |
| Cozumel's rich history doesn't end there. In | | | | is about the same length as the West Coast of |
| 1518, Juan de Grijalv discovered the island | | | | the U.S. It is so big that it can be seen |
| en route to Cuba and it became a sanctuary | | | | from space. The reef is most accessible from |
| for pirates. In the mid 1800s, mainlanders | | | | northern Australia, where the GBR is closer |
| began to resettle the island, which became | | | | to the shore. Many of the towns thrive on the |
| popular for its supply of zagote tree. The | | | | tourist industry that the reef brings, so all |
| tree provided chicle for the American chewing | | | | your diving needs won't suffer. You can |
| gum industry. In 1961, Jacques Cousteau | | | | either book a live aboard or take a day boat |
| introduced the island to the world. | | | | out from your hotel. The GBR is ideal for all |
| | | | divers, from novice to advance. |
| Diving Cozumel | | | | |
| | | | Galapagos Islands |
| Cozumel is famous for its reef diving, which | | | | |
| makes up the second largest barrier reef in | | | | These islands are located 600 miles west of |
| the world, the Belizean Reef. | | | | Ecuador right on the equator. Ninety seven |
| | | | percent of the islands are national park |
| In 1996, the Mexican government designated a | | | | areas. In the midst of three ocean currents, |
| 25-mile tract of reef as a national marine | | | | the waters are unpredictable, but support |
| park. Rules and regulations were established | | | | plenty of action. Thousands of species thrive |
| to protect the abundance of tropical marine | | | | under water, including hammerhead sharks, |
| life and plants. There are also caves and a | | | | rays, angelfish, bat fish, crabs, etc. The |
| wreck for those who get bored with the reefs. | | | | Galapagos are rugged islands and lack the |
| | | | reefs and lagoons of other tropical |
| | | | destinations. It's not ideal for beginners. |
| The dive sites fall into three basic | | | | |
| categories: shallow near shore coral gardens | | | | Sting Ray City |
| (such as Paradise Reef South for novices), | | | | |
| vertical walls with dramatic drop-offs (such | | | | Just off from Grand Cayman, Sting Ray City |
| as Santa Rosa Wall for intermediates and | | | | offers a diver to get up close and personal |
| Maracaibo Deep for advanced), and coral | | | | with rays. The sandy bottom and clear waters |
| pinnacles with labyrinths of eaves and | | | | attract a large population of rays. The rays |
| tunnels (such as Palancar Horseshoe for | | | | are pretty much used to divers hanging |
| intermediates). | | | | around, but you should still consider them a |
| | | | wild animal. They don't like to be harassed |
| Cozumel thrives on the tourist industry and | | | | and they have venomous barbs on their tails |
| there are many resorts to choose from. Many | | | | that they won't hesitate to use to defend |
| of the resorts run their own dive operations. | | | | themselves. |