Phoenix Delray asked:


If you are looking for a vacation where you find yourself scuba diving and snorkeling, you owe it to yourself to check out Australias Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is where you can enjoy the immense beauty, color and richness of a truly natural underwater wonder. Do not forget The Wet Tropics Rainforest is just a short distance away from from any of the towns in the tropical Far North of Australia. You are sure to enjoy the salt spray while lounging on a tropical beach and take in the picturesque tablelands plateau.

The Great Barrier Reef is fun for all ages and group sizes. Sample luxurious resorts or stay in a more adventurous setting such as tent accommodations. Whatever you are looking for on your Australia vacation, A helicopter or seaplane ride is a once in a lifetime experience as you can get a birds eye view of the reef as well as marine life.

Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded as well as six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed. Bring your family or friends to check out Humpback whale season which last from June until September. Sea Turtles lay their eggs on the beach and their young can be spotted from November through May. In the Southern Hemisphere, November is the equivalent of May in the Northern Hemisphere so prepare appropriately for summer weather. Salt water crocodiles live in and around the mangrove and salt marshes and approximately over 120 shark, stingray, skates or chimera species live on the reef.

If you have the budget you can actually stay on the Reef at either Lizard or Hayman Island. Lizard Island is a luxury tropical resort with two dozen secluded beaches along with a comprehensive Pavilion Day Spa. Hotel staff can even prepare a picnic basked, arrange for snorkeling equipment, and even arrange for you to take a trip in a glass bottom boat perfect for viewing the reef and the sea creatures below. Spend the whole day but bring an underwater camera so that you can share your experience with those less fortunate souls back at home as well as save memories for years to come.

In order to arrive at your resort destination, you will need to coordinate with your resort which airport or helicopter service is most appropriate. Also keep in mind that you may not be allowed to bring very much along with you. 15 kilograms is a good estimate as to how much luggage you may bring. Because of the remoteness of some of your travel, be prepared to bring only what you are willing to carry.

Tom Bentley asked:


As the world has changed, travelers’ interests have changed with it. For a significant swath of vacationers, the old model of going to an established resort area, gobbling expensive meals and taking some hurried snapshots for a soon-forgotten album is long gone. Many travelers are now looking for—and finding—something different, something more authentic or participatory. For these travelers, vacationing can present educational immersion in a world unto its own, exciting physical challenges to overcome, or cultural explorations that open the mind to new ways of thinking.

The Los Cabos area is renowned both for the lively “party-town” aspect of Cabo San Lucas and for its laid-back, desert-meets-the-sea appeal. Any traveler can find its fabulous resorts and its luxury villas, and can spend the finest of times lounging around beautiful pools. But Los Cabos also has much to offer the new breed of travel pilgrim.

Los Cabos is a diverse region of intriguing eco-systems and unique terrain. Dubbed “the aquarium of the world” by Jacques Cousteau, the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez at Baja’s tip boasts an extraordinary profusion of marine life, both big and small. Cabo Pulmo, located on the East Cape, is a protected National Marine Park that boasts one of the largest and most diverse coral reefs in North America. There are also several biosphere reserves, where diverse ecosystems offer habitat to species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.  These rugged desert canyons, arroyos and cactus-laden hills are fed by mountain streams and often open up to spectacular views of sparkling seas.

Discerning eco-tourists can choose from a wide array of Los Cabos offerings, from whale and bird-watching excursions to turtle hatchings, kayaking, mountain biking, snorkeling and scuba diving, dolphin encounters, mountain climbing and more. Earth, Sea & Sky Vacations is pleased to offer a variety of organized tours and excursions that take enthusiasts far from the common tourist package, and into the soul of the Baja experience.

Take, for instance, our tours offered through the Carisuva (which means “in touch with nature”) Foundation, an ecological project that seeks to preserve Baja California’s Ecological environment through education of visitors and local children. The Rhino Safari tour lets you drive Yamaha Rhinos (essentially small, low-horsepower jeeps) on rugged off-track paths and canyon trails to a spectacular Pacific vista, with stops along the way to discuss desert flora and fauna. Carisuva also has exhilarating Pacific Beach horseback rides.

For those wanting to be in the water rather than looking at it, you might consider Manta Scuba diving or a live-aboard dive trip on the Solmar V. These organizations will transport you to select spots such as Cabo Pulmo or on a nine-day trip to the Socorro Islands, where you’re likely to encounter dazzlingly colorful fish, giant manta rays, sharks, sea lions, turtles and spectacular underwater canyons. Extended multi-day trips include all meals, and can also include a variety of optional equipment. Those who might want a bit more luxury in their boating experiences should consider a week-long private yachting venture into the Sea of Cortez aboard a lavish vessel like the Panache.

Looking for something with a little more zip? What about whipping through the air on a zip line over an enchanting canyon, courtesy of Cabo Adventures? This exciting activity is conducted by experienced guides that are absolutely dedicated to the protection and preservation of this protected biosphere. The picturesque desert mountain canyon, deep stream-fed pools and waterfalls are sure to satisfy adventure seekers and eco-tourists alike.  

For visitors who want to practice true “voluntourism,” you could consider participating in one of the local resort’s protected sea turtle programs. Resort guests can watch adult turtles laying their eggs, observe the hatched turtles in their holding corral, handle the baby turtles in a supervised setting and personally release them into the sparkling Sea of Cortez.

Some people might gravitate to far-flung lands like the exotic Galapagos or frozen Antarctica for their ventures; some people might even crave an unusual jungle outing like gorilla tracking in far-off Rwanda. But some will wisely choose Los Cabos, where they’ll find a bright world of intrigue and excitement, where a vacation doesn’t merely have to be a vacation, but can be a lifetime experience. Let one our Los Cabos vacation experts make your next vision a reality.

David Cowley asked:


American Lobsters
Lobster hunting is becoming a favorite pastimes for many divers.  These tasty crustaceans, also known as bugs to divers, are delicious.  But in order to capture a lobster you must first find them.  Lobsters need places to hide from other predators so prefer corral reefs, rocky area, old shipwrecks and man made areas where there are plenty of holes to hide in.
Lobsters are nocturnal feeders and they rarely venture far from their hole during the daylight hours.  You will find them sitting on there front porch of there chosen home with just there antennea sticking and there back end inside the hole.  Then threatened they will simply scoot back into there homes and then push down with there legs and brace there backs against the surface of the hole.  This defensive action, also known as locking-up, makes it very difficult to pry the little buggers out.
Blue Lobsters
While I have heard of people snorkeling or free diving during the day, most lobster hunting is done at night with scuba tanks.  Hunting for these elusive crustaceans in their natural environment has become a sport and after you have a little experience under your belt you may want to enter some of the contests available to the hunters.  Prizes are given for the first lobster found, the largest one, the most found and anything else the promoter of the event can think of.
The first thing the new treasure hunter will need to accomplish is to become scuba certified.  Follow the PADI rules set down for scuba divers and please use common sense.  The PADI rules state that you always surface with 500 psi of air left in your tanks.  It does NOT say surface with 500 psi of air left in your tanks unless you are lobster hunting.
Spinney Lobsters
The most common PADI rule violated is to always dive with a buddy.  You may start with a buddy in the water but when both of you are chasing after a fast moving lobster you will become quickly separated and very rarely will two divers make the effort needed to find each other again.
Gloves.
Next you will need a pair of good quality gloves.  The claws of the lobsters are a great defense and if the bug should get a hold of you with them they can cut right through the cheep gloves and can give you a nasty cut.  It has been said that the larger lobsters can crush a coke bottle with his claws and they bite as well.  Not all lobsters have claws, such as the spinney lobster, but they make up for them with the spines on the underside of the tail, hence the name.  Another hazard of night hunting is digging broken sea urchin spines out of your hands when you do not have a pair of good quality of gloves.
Yellow Lobsters
Underwater Light.
The more powerful the better.  The wider the beam of light the easer to spot the bugs wandering around.  Do not shine the light directly at the lobster until you are ready to make your final darting run at him.  The light will blind him for a second or so just like a dear in automobile headlights.  When he freezes you may just have enough extra time to make the capture.
The capture.
If the lobster is out in the open, do not try to grab them, just pin them to the bottom of ocean floor with your hand.  Watch out for sea urchins, this is why most night divers will be digging sea urchin spines out of there hands after the dive is over.
If you discover a lobster sitting oh his home porch grab him by his head just below the antennae.  If you grab him by the antennae they will just break off.  Once the capture has been made point his tail at your capture bag and just let go.  He will swim tail first right into the bag.
If you have missed your first grasp at him all is not lost.  He will wedge himself into his crevice with the locking up maneuver.  Grab him by the head and give him a good shake.  If you are able to throw off his equilibrium he slide right out.
Size Limit
All divers are required to have a lobster gage with them at all times.  It is used to determine if your catch is of legal size limit.  If you do not have a gage with you the Coast Guard will give you a heavy fine.
Happy Treasure Hunting.

John Anton asked:


A recent article in the Wall Street Journal named Roatan the Caribbean’s next “it” spot – an underdeveloped island that is poised to become a major tourist destination.

These days there is a definite buzz about this peaceful island lying just 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. No wonder: Roatan features lush tropical forests, warm turquoise water, and sugar white beaches without the crowds.

Continental Airlines now flies directly to the islands from Newark, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas. Delta flies directly from Atlanta, Georgia. Major cruise lines are stopping by more frequently, and both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean are expanding their ship terminals to bring more passengers. Celebrities including Michael Douglas and Richard Gere have been spotted on the island in recent months.

Roatan has long been famous among scuba diving aficionados. The island sits atop the world’s second-largest barrier reef system and features some of the best diving in the Western Hemisphere. Scuba diving is still the main attraction drawing visitors to the island.

But Roatan offers much more than diving and makes a great family vacation destination.

Whether visiting with your family, making a stop-over on a cruise ship, or taking a break from diving, here are five Roatan adventures you can enjoy.

1) Zip Through the Rain Forest. Roatan features lush tropical forests where wild parrots and monkeys roam freely. A canopy tour is a great way to get close to nature while having some exhilarating fun. Guests climb to a tree-top platform, and then move among the trees by gliding on zip lines or walking over swinging bridges. It’s a thrilling ride.

Roatan has several canopy tours from which you can chose. Palmetto Bay features a 20 platform tour that includes a climbing wall and swinging bridges. The West Bay also features a 16 platform tour including two bridges. Please keep in mind that canopy tours require children to be at least four feet tall.

2) Swim with the Dolphins. The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences on the island’s north shore features several dolphin encounter programs that are open to the public.

One of the most popular tours on the island is their dolphin swim. Guests are taken to Bailey’s Key, a white-sand island frequented by schools of dolphin. During an initial 20-minute beach encounter, trainers coax the dolphin to join your group, giving you a chance to pet them.

Guests can then snorkel and swim freely with the dolphins in 20 feet of water. Guests are accompanied by a dolphin behaviorist and videographer and photographer to capture the memories. The dolphin swim requires children to be at least 13 years old.

Divers can also chose the institute’s Dolphin Dive program, which lets you interact with dolphins off a reef wall in 60 feet of water. This dive lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participants in the Dolphin Dive must be certified scuba divers.

Not enough for you? The institute also offers a Trainer for a Day program, which gives you the chance go behind the scenes and work with the staff as they feed and care for the dolphins. Participants will learn dolphin training techniques during a hands-on session with the dolphins.

3) See Coral While Staying Dry. Even if you are not a diver, you can get a glimpse of Roatan’s gorgeous reef formations with a ride on the Coral Reef Explorer. This glass-bottomed boat seats 25 persons below the water line in air conditioned comfort. Passengers look through windows at multi-colored coral, tropical fish and graceful Spotted Eagle Rays.

The Coral Reef Explorer departs daily from West Bay Beach and you can expect the tour to last approximately 50 minutes.

4) Horseback Tours. What could be more romantic than a horseback ride along Roatan’s pristine white beaches? Guided horseback tours start in West End, passing through some of Roatan’s best scenery before ending at the West Bay, where you can take a quick swim.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are suitable for beginners as well as experienced riders.

5) Pet an Iguana. Perhaps the most unusual attraction on Roatan is Sherman Arch’s Iguana Farm. This private preserve is real treasure and a real treat for kids.

Over 2,700 of the big, spiny lizards roam freely on its grounds, which are located just east of French Harbor. The iguanas are tame, having been raised in cages until old enough to fend for themselves. Come during the early afternoon feeding for the best chance to hold and pet an iguana.

More to See and Do

TropicalRez, a Roatan central booking agency, can assist you in booking Roatan hotels and tours.

The Honduran Ministry of Tourism web site features a good overview of Roatan and the other Honduras Bay Islands.

KrabiDivers asked:


Ringing in good tidings for the new year, a newly immigrated resident to Krabi was spotted by one of our KrabiDivers.com instructors on New Year’s Day. At 4-cm long, he appears pregnant. Yes, “he” was pregnant as the male in this species are the ones to get pregnant and productive!

Krabi, south of Thailand, is the gateway to the famous Andaman Sea where scuba divers and snorkellors from all over the world convene as winter approaches in the western world. Famous for its incredible waters, great visibility and huge variety of dive terrain, Krabi is a must-stop for all nature and water lovers on vacation in Asia. KrabiDivers.com operates the premier scuba-diving and eco-tourism center in the heart of Aonang, the sea-side town of Krabi. Here, you can launch off to the amazing Similans, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi islands, Phuket and Lanta. And lets not forget the relatively unexplored local Krabi waters where the caves and caverns provide a great underwater adventure. And here is where we found our Tiger-Tailed Seahorse on New Year’s Day!

Seahorses are amazing creatures. The seahorse is one of four families in the syngnathiform family which also includes pipefish, flag-tail pipefish and seadragons. They swim in an upright position with their tails down and their heads up using their dorsal to move forward and pectoral fins for steering control. Also unique for their prehensile tail (able to twist & grasp),tube-like mouth (with no teeth), and small gill openings. Seahorses (like chameleons) can even move their two eyes independently of each other. Ranging in size from the tiny 10mm to 35cm, the largest is the Pacific Seahorse. Seahorses eat small crustaceans which they catch by staying still and lying in wait till their prey comes near, and they snap them up. Then their tube-like mouth creates a vacuum that sucks the prey in and they swallow their food whole.

Sea horses are unusual in a couple of ways. One is that they are monogamous and have long courtship periods when mating. Monogamy is unusual in all animals but particularly among fish. The longer a couple of seahorses stick together, the better they are at producing babies. It is the males of seahorses that carry their eggs in a pouch on his belly, after the eggs have been deposited there by the female. The eggs are fertilised in the pouch and incubated between 10 days to 4 weeks before they hatch. At hatching, the male gives birth to fully developed but tiny little seahorses. The natural lifespan of seahorses is not known, but believed to be from one year for small species to five years for the larger species. Highly elusive and difficult to spot in moving water, finding a seahorse is every diver’s dream come true.

So, you can imagine our absolute euphoria when we spotted the little yellow Tiger-Tail. Being creatures of habit, once settled into a location, they tend not to move too much. Hence, we can find it again and would love to show it to you.

Come dive with KrabiDivers.com and let us take you out to the amazing underwater world of Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket and Lanta. Or join one of our liveaboards for the Similans Islands. We run fun dive trips daily. Our group of international instructors are available to conduct all scuba-diving courses in English, Italia, Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Chinese. Centrally located at the Sea of Love Plaza (opposite McDonalds) in heart of Aonang, Krabi in Thailand, come visit us if you are planning a trip to Krabi. Or email us for more information info@krabidivers.com. Also check out our website www.krabidivers.com where you will find lots more in store about our adventures.

Marty Davis asked:


Whether you fancy white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking or hiking, these are just some of the adventure holidays on offer in France, and with so many different activities on offer your holiday can range from the extreme sports to the more sedate, through to adult only adventures, what ever you decide this sort of holiday is never going to be boring, plus all the family can be involved together, which can also make for a great learning experience.

Complete package holidays are a good way of getting the holiday you want without the hassle and these can be catered specifically for your needs, yet you can also choose to book specific activities for a day here and there whilst on your holiday. And when booking your adventure holiday, you would normally be in a reasonably small, informal group of around three to five families, or a social group of around 15 to 30, which would be headed by a trained tour leader and representative. You will also find that this can be a great way to meet other like minded families and individuals, whilst enjoying yourselves and, of course, testing yourselves to the limits along the way.

There are some people that would think of white water rafting or sky diving as extreme adventure sport, whilst others would think of cycling to one place, then going on horse back to another as a great adventure. But the truth is, there is an adventure holiday available to suit all tastes and some are more strenuous than others, so please do always check the itinerary thoroughly and make sure it is going to be suitable everyone.

You can also choose from activities such as canoeing and rafting in the Ardeche, canyoning, tubing and mountaineering in the Alps, horse riding in Brittany, paragliding and climbing in the Pyrenees, or why not go to Chamonix which is a real mountain town, full of history and is popular for skiing holidays, but also provides amazing summer mountaineering and with the diverse terrain it is mostly suited to the experienced for some of the worlds best winter riding.

Why not visit the Gorge d’Ardeche is also known as the Grand Canyon of Europe and as the river winds its way past steep canyon walls and towering cliffs, this creates the ideal location for canoeing, climbing and walking both for the experienced and the novice alike.

The Alps Maritime is like discovering the true France and even though the Roya Valley is only around one hours drive from the Riviera, it is still very unspoilt, and the valley itself is renowned for its many canyons and with the fast flowing river and mountain scenery, this could be the perfect location for an exhilarating family adventure holiday with lots of different activities to choose from, so you could never become bored, just possibly exhausted!

Also, France has lots of lakes and miles of coastal water suitable for water skiing and other water sports, although the areas in the South of France are far warmer, which gives it an added advantage.

Also this country has some of the finest terrain for mountain biking, which is probably why France has been able to produce some the best mountain bikers in the World, but there are also lots of other adventures that might take your fancy, which could include pony trekking, kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, hiking, rope courses, caving, abseiling, thrilling jumps into pools, quad biking and much, much more.

Just make sure that whatever type of adventure holiday you are looking for, you think of everyone that is in your party, as some activities are not available for children under certain ages, so you do need to consider what will be appropriate, after all if you like cycling but have a heart condition, then mountain biking is not going to be beneficial!

There are some trips that will cater for the experienced, such as rafting down rapids or ice climbing for the experienced rock climber, whereas a novice or for instance someone that has never even been in a canoe or on a horse before, would need to look at having some tuition incorporated within their holiday before they could attempt some of the activities on offer.

Also, do confirm the equipment, if any, that you will need to take with you along with any specific clothing requirements, such as hiking boots or your own life jacket, just as we had to get a life jacket for our daughter due to her age, as there were not any available in very small sizes and the last thing you want is to get to your destination and realise you cannot participate in the activities you were so looking forward to.

So for anyone who is interested in outdoor adventure travel then this type of holiday can really show you the real France by taking you off the normal beaten track and into the heart of this remarkable country.

Derek Both asked:


Shopping is not the first activity to come to mind when you come to the Maldives, but it can be one of the most fun. Even if you didn’t plan on buying any souvenirs to take home for your friends, or even for yourself, you will find yourself drawn to the colourful local shops and all they have to offer. As beautiful and breathtaking as the beaches of the Maldives are, the souvenir items in the many shops definitely live up to the standard.

The most popular item from the souvenir shops and the bustling local markets are the hand carved masks and statues from traditional Maldivian culture. Another pride of the Maldives is their lacquered boxes, which are also handmade. You will also find beautiful reed mats, which are woven into eye-catching and colourful patterns and available in different sizes.

The Maldives is perhaps one of the best places to buy exquisitely gorgeous pearls at surprisingly low prices. Other gems are available as well, but make sure not to fall for fake jewellery, which can be found in smaller stores. The gem stores that are almost a standard in most resorts are the most reliable stores to find authentic gems and pearls, as well as precious and semi-precious stones, which come straight from Sri Lanka. All resorts also have stores for your personal needs, as well as casual outfits you can wear around the resort and even disposable underwater cameras.

If you are looking for top brands like Gucci and Prada, you won’t see these in any local shop in the Maldives, but you can find them, and an array of electronic gadgets, perfumes, cosmetics and other toiletries, in the duty-free shop at the Male International Airport. There are souvenir shops here as well, but you’ll find better bargains in the shops near the resorts. There is also fine dining at the airport, and, alternately, a grocery for snacks to take with you on your flight home.

The local currency in the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. One British pound is equivalent to 25.5 Maldivian rufiyaas while one US dollar converts to 12.8 rufiyaas. In local currency, one rufiyaa is equal to 100 laari, although you probably won’t need this information as you actually won’t need to convert your cash to local money while on vacation in the Maldives.

Local shops actually prefer accepting US dollars to rufiyaas, although they do accept the local money as well. US dollars are accepted in many establishments and it is actually advisable for you to bring US dollars to the Maldives instead of converting your dollars to the local currency. Exchange other currencies, including Euros and UK pounds, to US dollars before arriving at the Maldives.

Not all shops accept credit cards, so it is best to ask first before making any purchases. Usually, the more progressive stores accept Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Diners Cards are not popular in the Maldives, so leave those at home. Leave at home also your debit and ATM cards.

Chris Chew asked:


The islands of Fiji are famous for its spectacular scenery and a world class attraction for sea sports such as big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving. Fiji is a favorite scuba diving location for scuba divers from all over the world and its highlights include a fantastic variety of colorful soft corals, more than 1200 species of fish, 12 species of whales and dolphins.

There are also many scuba diving resorts in Fiji which cater to all kinds of budgets and divers. Alternatively divers can choose live aboard dive boats or if you are a tourist on vacation in Fiji do not know how to scuba dive, you can take up lessons there or simply go snorkeling off the pristine beaches.

The Fijian archipelago is encircled by a huge reef and therefore there are many shallow lagoons to swim, snorkel or frolick in. There are also thousands of scuba dive sites to choose from. Most dive locations are easy to get to with plenty of resorts offering scuba diving scattered around the Fijian islands.

The water temperature is just perfect for scuba diving with at its coldest at only 25C. On warmer days, it is about 30C. Water visibility in Fiji is excellent with superb visibility of up to 40m or 120ft is a norm rather than exception.

Mamanuca dive sites in Fiji is easily be accessible by boat from the Nadi Airport area on the main island of Viti Levu. Several resorts in the Nadi offer full diving facilities and there are numerous day packages for snorkeling and scuba diving. The diving landscape in Mamanucas consist of shallow lagoons with hollows and bommies and excellent marine life. There are some interesting caves to explore, especially in Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawa Group.

If you are in Fiji for a scuba diving vacation, you must dive in the world famous Astrolabe Reef on Kadavu in the Southern Islands. This dive spot has excellent hard and soft corals and abundance marine life. There are more soft corals along the north and south coast with some interesting caves to explore. Majestic drop-off can be found on the western tip of Kadavu.

Another excellent dive spot is the Beqa Lagoon to the north of Kadavu boasts of beautiful soft corals, reef bommies and passages. This dive location is famous shark feeding activities with many species of sharks including hammerhead sharks.

The Rainbow Reef in Northern Islands is another world famous scuba diving destination. If you are diving in the Rainbow reef, you will enjoy diving the Great White Wall and advanced drift diving through channels.

These are just some of the many excellent scuba diving sites in Fiji.

Ryan Burden asked:


One of the Caribbean’s best-kept secret holiday destinations, the Turks and Caicos Islands are ringed by white-sand beaches and set like jewels amid warm turquoise waters.

Located at the southeastern tip of the Bahamas, 575 miles south east of Miami, Florida, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a vacation paradise famous for their stunning water color, endless wide beaches, world-renowned snorkeling and scuba diving, humpback whale migration, deep-sea and bone fishing, as well as, all types of water sports, golf, shopping and cultural activities.

Fishing & Diving

The Turks and Caicos Islands are fortunate in having some of the only unspoiled reefs left in the Caribbean. With 1,000 square miles of coral reef, the Islands are well-known among scuba divers for spectacular wall dives, turtles, manta rays, humpback whales and the oldest known shipwreck in the western hemisphere.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a year round bonefish heaven and deep-sea big-game fishing is awesome as well.

Beaches

For those visitors that are not fishing or diving enthusiasts, you can look forward to wondrous, lazy days of sun, sea and sand.

The Turks and Caicos Islands boast some of the most exquisite beaches in the entire Caribbean. Grace Bay Beach on Provo where courting couples find the perfect setting for a wedding is a 12-mile-long stunner voted best beach in the world on two occasions by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Best of all is that you can find many deserted beaches, small secluded coves and bays, which provide sheltered areas to swim, snorkel, sail and explore without the crowds except a pelican or two!

The rich and famous have known this for years with a long list of celebrities slipping away to the secluded shores of the Turks and Caicos for endless days of quiet relaxation.

Bruce Willis and Keith Richards have homes here and Justin Timberlake, Penelope Cruz, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Michael Douglas and many others have visited.

Accommodations

Whether you’re a young single, a couple or parents with kids you’re sure to find accommodations to suit your tastes and needs.

The Turks and Caicos Islands offer choices ranging from quaint inns to small boutique resorts, a few larger hotels with all inclusive options and luxury resorts with fantastic spas considered some of the best anywhere in the world. Renting a condo or a villa is also a popular option.

Many Islands To Explore

Providenciales is the most populated island with most of the hotels and tourist facilities, but Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay and Grand Turk are particularly alluring for those looking to get off the beaten path. On these islands you’ll find tiny towns, small personable hotels and pristine solitude.

Cockburn Town on Grand Turk is the Island’s capital with a truly fascinating, one-of-a-kind museum. Cliffs and ancient caves await your exploration on Middle Caicos and you can watch the annual humpback whale migration right from the beach on Salt Cay.

Quick Facts

The Turks and Caicos are officially English speaking with a population close to 30,000 people made up of both “Belongers” (citizens) and expatriates. Most live on the main tourist hub of Providenciales or “Provo” as it’s commonly called. The official currency is the US dollar and major credit cards are accepted, as well as, travelers checks.

Traveling to the Turks and Caicos is typically more expensive than developed tourist destinations like Cancun or Nassau, Bahamas, but then that’s typical of most Caribbean islands. However, the Turks and Caicos Islands are much less crowded and developed (for now) then most other Caribbean islands.

Known internationally as a leading tax haven and financial center for investments and business, tourism is still in the early stages. However, recent development trends are fueling fast growth in the Turks and Caicos economy and real estate market where condos and vacation homes are experiencing rapid appreciation.

Travel & Transportation

Direct flights from New York, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami make traveling from the United States easy, and allow visitors to be relaxing on the beach within a few short hours.

All US Citizens traveling by air to the Turks and Caicos Islands must have a valid US passport. Canadians can enter with a birth certificate and photo id.

Transportation is readily available through local agencies and major car rental companies at the airport and around town. It’s best to book your rental well in advance especially if visiting during the peak winter season. Many resorts offer shuttle service from the airport. Taxis and small buses also serve the island.

Start Planning

The Turks and Caicos Islands are truly magnificent. If you want to get away from it all, you’ll certainly enjoy lounging on the beautiful white sand beaches.

For more adventure, the numerous national parks, nature preserves, sanctuaries and historical sites give you plenty of options for interesting excursions. Of course, the bone fishing, big-game fishing and scuba diving will have you coming back for more.

Plenty of inns, hotels and resorts are available perfect for young singles, couples or parents with kids. If you’d like to visit a Caribbean island that isn’t crowded or over-developed then the Turks and Caicos are your best bet.

Chris Chew asked:


The islands of Fiji are well known for its spectacular scenery and world class attraction for sea sports such as big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving.

Fiji is a favorite scuba diving location for many scuba divers from all over the world and its highlights include a fantastic variety of colorful soft corals, more than 1200 species of fish, 12 species of whales and dolphins.

There are also many scuba diving resorts in Fiji which cater to all kinds of budgets and divers. Alternatively divers can choose live aboard dive boats or if you are a tourist on vacation in Fiji do not know how to scuba dive, you can take up lessons there or simply go snorkeling off the pristine beaches.

The Fijian archipelago is encircled by a huge reef and therefore there are many shallow lagoons to swim, snorkel or frolick in. There are also thousands of scuba dive sites to choose from. Most dive locations are easy to get to with plenty of resorts offering scuba diving scattered around the Fijian islands.

The water temperature is just perfect for scuba diving with at its coldest at only 25C. On warmer days, it is about 30C. Water visibility in Fiji is excellent with superb visibility of up to 40m or 120ft is a norm rather than exception.

Mamanuca dive sites in Fiji is easily be accessible by boat from the Nadi Airport area on the main island of Viti Levu. Several resorts in the Nadi offer full diving facilities and there are numerous day packages for snorkeling and scuba diving. The diving landscape in Mamanucas consist of shallow lagoons with hollows and bommies and excellent marine life. There are some interesting caves to explore, especially in Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawa Group.

If you are in Fiji for a scuba diving vacation, you must dive in the world famous Astrolabe Reef on Kadavu in the Southern Islands. This dive spot has excellent hard and soft corals and abundance marine life. There are more soft corals along the north and south coast with some interesting caves to explore. Majestic drop-off can be found on the western tip of Kadavu.

Another excellent dive spot is the Beqa Lagoon to the north of Kadavu boasts of beautiful soft corals, reef bommies and passages. This dive location is famous shark feeding activities with many species of sharks including hammerhead sharks.

The Rainbow Reef in Northern Islands is another world famous scuba diving destination. If you are diving in the Rainbow reef, you will enjoy diving the Great White Wall and advanced drift diving through channels.

These are just some of the many fabulous scuba diving sites in Fiji.