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Friday, May 29, 2009

SCUBA Diving Pattaya's Near Islands

Koh Krok:

The Western face and the Southern point of the island are where the corals are. The corals start on the sand at 15m and extend right up to near the surface. An excellent site for a drift dive as the prevailing currents run parallel to the island. Large "bommies" are a feature of this site; Staghorn, brain,Mushroom and table corals are in abundance. Neptunes, Barrel and blue sponge are amongst the soft corals found here. Bushy Antipatharian corals can be found at the deeper sections.

The southern point is home to a few turtles and Pufferfish, Parrotfish, "Half and Half" Wrasse and Six banded Wrasses are plentiful . One section of the West face has an area covered with giant sea anemones along with the usual Anemone and Clownfish. Schools of small Barracuda, Jacks and Tangs can be seen at the North point. There are a few small caves at the southwest end allowing entry only at high tide.

The area is great for snorkeling, in particular the southern point. Another benefit for divers and snorkellers, is that there is little or no surface traffic of speedboats and jetski's.

Koh Larn:

The left of the bay there is a breakwater of large boulders. Along the seaward side of this breakwater the area is good for snorkeling and diving, although the diving is very shallow. As you continue South West towards the head, the corals get progressively deeper, extending down to about 15 meters. At this point you round the head and come upon an area of short gullies with rock walls about 3m high. The sandy bottom offsets the walls and the corals very well. The marine life is plentiful and good and the area is home to a few Turtles and numerous Grey Nurse Sharks

Still with the same area, set off to the North East from the bay towards the cliff face on the island. The diver will find an area with flat sandy bottom and many large coral heads and groupings, Here you will find numerous Giant Sea Anemones with their inhabitants as well as a variety of Elephant Ear Anemones and the Black and White Clown Fish. Many divers may have seen these clown fish and observed their habit of disappearing into the mouth of the anemone as the divers approach. These fish make very good photographic subjects. A point to note around these islands is the large number of fishing boats that operate with their nets very close to the reefs. It is a pity that the authorities cannot control the practice of netting so close to these islands as they are visited daily by thousands of visitors hoping to view the excellent corals and the myriad of fish.

Koh Sac:

Is a small almost kidney shaped island lying just to the North of Koh Larn. It is very popular with the large numbers of Asian tourists that come to Pattaya, and the waters can be very busy particularly in the mornings. From midday onwards the tourists tend to depart, leaving the divers and snorkelers to enjoy the beautiful bay and plentiful corals. This bay is well protected from the prevailing winds for most of the year and the water is calm and clear. For more information about this island please see my article "Scuba Diving Pattaya's Koh Sac Island.

For more information on diving in Pattaya please visit Aventure Divers website or type www.pattayadivers.com



About the Author
Robert Camp, an Earthman, born in France, citizen of the world, now living in Thailand, is the owner and operator of Adventure Divers

Scuba diving in South Pacific

Try some scuba diving in the South Pacific islands, the next time you want to try out something different in your vacations. It's the best possible way to spend your vacations around the world. You will get to experience rich marine life like sharks, turtles, whales and rays when you go out on your scuba diving trip. Besides this you will also get to experience beautiful corals. You will be able to treasure this experience for the rest of your life. Some of the ideal destinations for scuba diving in the South Pacific are Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii and Palau.

Fiji can be a perfect starting point to your scuba diving program - it's ideal for scuba diving as well as snorkeling. You will not feel lost even if you are alone on your trip as it is always a popular destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. You will come across some of the best soft corals in the world. There are ample resorts which cater specially to the needs of scuba divers. Facilities like scuba diving charter boats are easily available at your service. You can use these boats to explore all the beautiful scuba diving points in this area. You also have the option of contacting the scuba diving instructors in case you need a bit of expertise on your trip. Fiji is especially wonderful for fish enthusiasts as there are over 1200 species of fish besides dolphins and whales. The sea temperature out here is pretty warm. You should ideally go for a dive out here in the early morning before the wind picks up.

On the other hand Hawaii is well known for its submarine lava tubes which are present on the Big Island, Maui and Lanai. You will be amazed when you come across over 2000 species of fish. You can easily spot manta rays, dolphins, whales, eagle rays, and turtles out here. You will not get to see any soft corals in Hawaii. Plan your diving budget in advance as scuba diving can be pretty expensive out here. You can get scuba diving operators who will be at your service to teach you courses of different levels in diving.

You can also try Tahiti, but remember it's again quite expensive when you compare it to the other options available in the South Pacific. It has a fine display of sharks and rays and a fine collection of colorful reef fish too. Head off to Bora Bora and Moorea if you want to scuba dive. Tahiti is a must for coral reef lovers. The visibility out here is very good and the sea temperature too is ideal for scuba divers. Tonga is another good option for scuba diving. You will be able to spot whales around this area. If you are a beginner, you can choose the Cook Islands as all the dive sites are just off the coastline of Rarotonga. You will hardly need any time to reach your diving destination. Thus South Pacific is where you need to head for these vacations, if you want to have an out of the world experience.



About the Author
Matthew Kepnes has been scuba diving around the world for many years. You can find out about his two favorite dive spots in the South Pacific, cebu island and french polynesia at his website.

Kid Sized Key West Attractions

Sometimes the island can seem like an adult destination. While there are plenty of things to do -- from scuba diving to snorkeling and deep sea fishing to enjoying a few drinks on active and bustling Duval Street -- at a glance it might seems as though there are plenty of things to do for adults, but not many activities for the kids.

However, that is not actually true. Finding Key West attractions for the younger set is amazingly easy. There are many tours, museums, and excursions that are not only fun for those over 18, they are also a blast for teens, tweens, and even the youngest sightseers.

History Comes To Life On The Island

History is everywhere on the island and the number of attractions can't even begin to illustrate it. For kids who have grown up with stories of pirates, treasure, and shipwrecks, the Pirate Soul Museum brings these stories to life. It contains real pirate weapons and artifacts that can be viewed up close and will take visitors back over 300 years in time.

The Harry S. Truman Little White House is an amazing glimpse back in time. This Key West attraction is the spot where the president wintered from 1946 through 1952. It is where presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton vacationed or hosted events. Thomas Edison also once used it. The museum is open daily for guided tours.

Natural Experiences That Are Much Better Than Television

If your child is one of those children that simply can't get enough information or knowledge, your vacation might be well spent in Key West. Attractions on the island allow visitors to see nature up close. The Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens are great places for budding botanists and biologists to witness the majesty of nature and appreciate biodiversity. The forest contains two of the last remaining fresh water ponds in the Keys. It also serves as a migratory stop for neo-tropical birds coming from as far as South America. It is also home to diverse species of butterflies, birds, and beautiful flowers. Both attractions offer educational activities for all ages.

The Aquarium houses marine life indigenous to the region. It is open 365 days a year and will let youngsters see a wide selection of tropical fish, underwater plants, and other sea life. There is also the option to take a feeding tour while visiting the museum.

Touring On The Trolley

One of the most fun ways to get from Point A to Point B on the island is to hop aboard the Old Town Trolley. This guided tour will teach you and your children about over 100 different attractions. At 90 minutes, it is a non-stop learning trip through the heart of the Conch Republic. The trolley ride is also a favorite because it gives riders the option to get on and off the trolley if they want to make a stop and enjoy the city by foot.



About the Author
Christine O'Kelly writes for the experts at Best On Key West. They provide information on Key West attractions.

Key West Snorkeling -- An Eco-Friendly Activity

One of the most popular activities on the island is snorkeling. The waters around the island are known for being warm, clear, and tranquil. In the waters, visitors and tourists can encounter a diverse range of sea life, including marine plants and animals. Right off the coast of the island, you'll find one of the largest living coral reefs in the world.

With many vacationers and tourists going green on their trips and excursions, Key West snorkeling is a great option for greening your vacation. One of the best green activities is snorkeling. The boats used to get from port to site have low emissions and the activity itself makes no waste. For families looking to green up their trip, there are few better options. This article will cover many things you need to know before going on a green snorkeling adventure.

There's So Much To Do On The Island

The city is home to an amazing aquarium. However, for those interested in observing the underwater world firsthand, nothing quite beats scuba diving or snorkeling. Divers and snorkelers can book trips to the Dolphin Research Center for a firsthand educational glimpse at these marine mammals or they can book a sunset cruise and snorkel as the sun sets.

Other options for snorkelers in the area are fishing trips and glass-bottomed boat rides. These excursions give families the option of fishing or exploring. While under the sea, visitors are able to view the life surrounding the island while their friends and family fish just feet away.

For Newbies

It is always important to remember when booking a trip to scuba dive that you take into account whether or not you are certified. In order to take part in scuba diving, you must be certified. It is not only the law, it is a matter of safety. However, for those interested in Key West snorkeling, no certification is needed.

Visitors, tourists, and new divers are also invited to bring an underwater camera with them on the dive so they can document their experience. This policy does change from time to time, so it is helpful to ask your guide before you depart.

Snorkeling Is Safe For Kids Of All Ages

The waters surrounding the island are shallow and safe for swimmers of all ages and skill levels -- with the proper precautions and safety equipment. Children of all ages can go Key West snorkeling with adult supervision with no special training. It is simply asked that children be well behaved during the course of the trip.

Regardless of your interests, snorkeling is a great activity for visitors and tourists of all ages and skill levels. With highly trained guides and scenic out of the way dive sites, there is no limit to what you can visit, see, and experience. Snorkeling and scuba diving are family fun activities that are easy to find and easy to experience.



About the Author
Christine O'Kelly writes for the experts at Key West Scuba Dive. They provide information on Key West snorkeling.

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