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posted
03-May-2006 04:49
by: Cosmopolitan »

last reply
17-Jun-2009 16:19
by: lesmamours »

19 replies , 18,053 views

Pages 1 2

Diving and snorkeling FAQ

Welcome to the branch that covers one of the most fascinating sports: scuba diving and – to a lesser extent – snorkeling. For those who always wondered what scuba diving actually stands for, it is the term used to describe the use of a “Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus” to stay underwater for periods of time greater than the average individual can breath-hold.

*Please read this thread to find answers to the most common questions. *

If you have more general questions such as accommodation you should also check the country/region related branches.

Feel free to add generally interesting topics which have not been addressed yet; to make navigation easier on the FAQ, I recommend to start with a bold headline to allow people to find topics.

+Before you send your reply, please carefully check if the URL's work properly by using the preview butt... more »

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posted
02-Dec-2009 05:01
by: scubajunky »

last reply
02-Dec-2009 05:01
by: scubajunky »

0 replies , 6 views

Bunaken/Lembeh Strait - Who to Dive with / Where to stay ?

Hi everyone,

Thank you to those who responded to my thread Dive Sipidan or Bunaken - What would you choose?

Based on the responses, I am happily off to Bunaken/Lembah - any recommendations for dive operators / dive packages / accomodations for both Bunaken and Lembeh Strait

Thanks!

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posted
02-Dec-2009 00:27
by: kuhnuk »

last reply
02-Dec-2009 00:27
by: kuhnuk »

0 replies , 16 views

Maldives Liveaboards-Death...May-2008

Maldives Death-May-2008



Many world-wide divers posted comments last year pertaining to a death and subsequent abhorrent behaviour of the boats owner....an Austrian named Gundi Holm. There is a lot of information in the "Accidents and Incidents" forum....see threads named..."Strictly Maldives bad air diver death" and "In Memory of Roman Rudakov"

This operator attempted to deny,deflect,ignore and otherwise make a complete sham of responsibility and accountability for a death directly attributed to her non-compliance of basic safety rules. Many of us predicted she would go "underground", wait for a period of time and emerge as another name/company.

Well...it's happened...following is the link to Gundi Holm's new Maldives based scuba travel company...

Maldives Dive Travel - Best price maldives... more »

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posted
01-Dec-2009 00:45
by: safari_nightmare »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 00:45
by: safari_nightmare »

0 replies , 35 views

Cheap Diving Website

Hi,

I use to search for diving holiday sfrom a website which I have forgotten. all I rremember is it was something-something.com the layout was excellent and it was easy to find what you were looking for.
(cheap-diving or something like that)

Not much info I know. It is in My Fav's on my laptop several thousand km's away, not much help right now.

Any help appreciated.

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posted
29-Nov-2009 12:44
by: CammyDC »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:21
by: scubatravel »

2 replies , 78 views

Best Diving on a Budget

My spouse and I want to go diving in January or February. It will be a 9-day trip. We only want ONE layover from Kansas City, MO USA so we can maximize our vacationing time, rather than spending it all traveling! Our primary goal is the best diving we can get for our money.

Although we only go diving once a year, we've had some out-of-this-world experiences (Galapagos, Utila--Bay Islands, Honduras, Belize--diving around Caye Caulker incl. Great Blue Hole, and around Cabo Pulmo and Loreto Bay, Mexico. I think most of these experiences have spoiled us a bit.

The problem with the Baja peninsula diving we did was that it was outrageously expensive and very lackluster! No real variety, just very blah. Also, a two-tank boat dive was $90-$120 EACH. Yikes!!

We are looking at the over-all cost of the trip. Under major consideration is Bonaire. We can do unlimited shore diving... more »

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posted
28-Nov-2009 21:38
by: Zonnegloren »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 02:15
by: Zonnegloren »

2 replies , 80 views

any parents out there who dive as a couple?

Hi folks,

Does anyone have any recommendations for diving locations where we can dive as a couple, and have someone safely watch over our two pre-schoolers whilst we dive?

Granny & Grandad doesnt work as the ones that are left are not healthy enough to be left in charge of the kids.

Location not really issue. Personal recommendations preferred!

thanks, Z

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posted
26-Nov-2009 00:09
by: divinginsulawes... »

last reply
30-Nov-2009 08:19
by: klaush »

3 replies , 156 views

Diving in Lembeh or Bunaken? (NORTHERN SULAWESI)

Hi,

I'm flying to Manado this December for 2 weeks to do some diving and wanted to get some people's opinions on where is best to dive?

I love my little critters but my partner hasn't seen sharks / rays / coral reefs and I want him to see these so we're stuck in a bit of a quandry!

I had orginally booked to stay at Bastiano's on Lembeh Island, but I heard that the diving was purely muck diving there and there were little or no reef's there to speak of. So I was thinking of cancelling my booking on Lembeh and going to Bastiano's on Bunaken instead.

Has anyone dived with Bastiano's? (Are they any good, safe etc?)

Has anyone dived in both places? If you have, which did you prefer?

Many thanks for any input anyone has with this! I'm totally stuck!

:-)

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posted
23-Nov-2009 09:37
by: jessica_fletcher »

last reply
23-Nov-2009 09:37
by: jessica_fletcher »

0 replies , 76 views

Dm in europe

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a good place to do their Dm in Europe Summer 2010.

I was thinking Malta or maybe Cyprus, and was wondering if anyone had done theirs there, or could point me in another direction.
Im not looking for the best diving ever, just a nice place, chilled, cheap and enjoyable diving shop.

And one other thing, if I may!

Id love to do some Archaeological dives in and around Greece, any info on this anyone?

Thanks alot

J xxx

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posted
23-Nov-2009 05:16
by: dazednconfused81 »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 01:40
by: ayeshaandwilco »

2 replies , 169 views

Diving in Thailand - Krabi coast

Hi,

Will be in Krabi and Ao Nang after New Years' and really want to go for at least a day or two day dive trip. Any recommendations? Will only have a week in the area so anything quite close would be good. Similians are too far off, aren't they? Any thoughts on good diving companies and prices would be highly appreciated as well. :)

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posted
22-Nov-2009 23:45
by: doctorblack »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 04:16
by: jrose0812 »

4 replies , 248 views

Similan liveaboard - Manta Queen II?

Hi. I've been considering all the different options for a similan/richelieu liveaboard and I think I've settled on Manta Queen II, mainly because everything I've read about them sounds positive, it fits with my dates and the price is excellent.
Has anybody out there been on the Manta Queen II? Have I made a good decision?!
Thanks very much for any help!

(I've posted this on the Thailand branch too.)

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posted
20-Nov-2009 06:16
by: MarkMark »

last reply
21-Nov-2009 14:19
by: stevenl »

6 replies , 219 views

Haven't been diving in a couple of years

since my daughter was born. My tank needs hydro, my regs all need service, and I bet my BC needs work too from being stored in the shed for so long. My 7mm wet suit is likely to be a little tight since I have gaind a few pounds since becomming a father. Here is my dillema, Should I spring for the $$ to hydro the tank, service the regs, repair the BC and, if possible, alter the wetsuit? Or, since money is really tight for me and it's hard to justify this expense for $150+ diving trips a couple of times a year, should I sell the lot (1999 vintage stuff, scuba pro regs, mares guardian computer), pay down a credit card or two, and get new gear when my daughter is old enough to have interest and learn? What would you do?

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posted
17-Nov-2009 02:21
by: vlvet79 »

last reply
22-Nov-2009 13:03
by: Karlo »

3 replies , 263 views

Banda Islands / Bunaken

Hi all,
planning on heading for BANDA islands and BUNAKEN in Feb or April for 3-4 weeks,
planning on arriving in Ambon on Thursday/Friday and trying to get on to the plane or the Pelni ship to Banda on Saturday
expecting to find some excellent snorkelling at both
got our PADI OW this year and did a couple of advanced OW dives

according to their website the pelni ship to banda seems to be going each 2nd saturday - if not broken, is ist usually on time (not more delayed than say 1 day)?

what time on Saturdays is the plane supposed to leave?

regarding weather/calm seas - would you prefer February or April for snorkelling/diving? (got mixed reports especially for Banda. some say April is fine but there is more rain?)

is there excellent snorkelling off the beach (somewhere close to accomodation or walking distance thereoff) in both locations or do you need to take ...
more »

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posted
16-Nov-2009 08:36
by: indochris »

last reply
23-Nov-2009 15:17
by: jimmypal »

5 replies , 293 views

Diving Mexico

Can anyone tell me the best areas to dive in Mexico
Thanks

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posted
16-Nov-2009 01:06
by: PeterCZ »

last reply
19-Nov-2009 07:23
by: globaltourist »

1 replies , 195 views

Underwater Camera Strobe for Nikon Coolpix S1 or S3

I want to buy a decent but cheap strobe (one of the stronger round ones) for this camera. Any suggestions? Many thanks.

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posted
16-Nov-2009 00:33
by: PeterCZ »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:27
by: scubatravel »

6 replies , 288 views

Diving in Cebu - Moalboal or Mactan? Coron or Subic Bay?

I know Moalboal would be a much better place to stay but I`d like to see the big stuff (thresher sharks, mantas etc) - I`ve heard Mactan is a better place to see these. Or is Pescador Island in Moalboal just as good?

Also, I want to do some wreck diving in the Philippines and can`t decide between Coron and Subic Bay.I`ve been to Subic but the visibility wasn`t great (going in December now), whereas Coron is said to be a bit more colourful. Any suggestions? Many thanks!

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posted
14-Nov-2009 21:55
by: clanline »

last reply
22-Nov-2009 03:41
by: txemi »

5 replies , 309 views

Red Sea advice please

Hello,

My wife and I are planning to go to the Red Sea next April for 2 weeks and would like some advice as to where we should go as she is a NON diver ( or it would be livaboards)!

She is happy on the beach as long as there is shelter and that I am not away all day diving so boat diving near the resort essential.
I am a bit old in the tooth for shore diving or strong currents and would rather do all diving from a boat..

I like wreck diving so a few wrecks in the area a bonus.

The higher the water temperature the better!

One or two trips to keep her happy would be useful even if it does waste diving time!

I have started looking at holidays on line and we like the quiet life so night clubs and discos banging away all night a definite NO!

We have never been before so no idea on costs of things, is it worth going all inclusive? We like a drink in the evening but th... more »

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