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