Liveaboard Scuba Vacations: What You Need to Know

Scuba diving is a thrilling adventure. Once people experience scuba diving, it is not unusual for them to be hooked for life. They usually look for every chance they can get to explore the mysterious world that lies beneath the sea.

Scuba divers typically plan their vacation around the sport and can spend much time getting to and from their diving spots. A liveaboard is a great alternative to a land-based scuba diving vacation. You will cut out the travel time and be able to spend it where you want to, under the sea.

scuba liveaboardBe Free to Explore Uncharted Waters

On a land-based scuba diving vacation, you will need to spend time traveling to your boat and from there, to the dive spot of the day. On a liveaboard, you merely board your boat upon your arrival and jump off the side when the seas promise untold treasures just waiting to be discovered by you.

Typically the best dive spots are far out to sea, so with a land-based scuba vacation, you may not be able to access the better diving spots available. A liveaboard scuba diving vacation allows you to explore new waters each day, and you can even enjoy the almost mystical experience of diving at night.

Your Friends will be Many

Another advantage of a scuba diving liveaboard vacation is the people who will be traveling with you. They too are avid enthusiasts of scuba diving, and joining together in the evenings to discuss the day’s findings will be the highlight of your day.

What to Expect

Typically your schedule might look something like this; wake in the morning and join your fellow passengers for breakfast. You then will go to the area where you will be briefed about the day’s events. You will go to your gear, suit up and just fall off the boat. When you get back from your morning dive, a hot shower will await you. Have a snack before you return to the water for the second dive of the day. Lunchtime will have the crew taking you to your next dive site. This will be repeated several times throughout the day, allowing you to take one dive after another.

Generally a liveaboard scuba vacation will last for seven days. You will be able to dive for at least five or six of those days.

Where You might Go

Some of the best diving spots in the world can be found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. You are not limited to just those places; you can dive the waters of the Mediterranean, the Pacific Ocean as well as a host of other waters just waiting for you to explore.

Popular liveaboard dive destinations are Belize, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Bay Islands.

Is It Expensive?

It is easier than ever to find the right price for a vacation such as this. The internet is a powerful tool that enables the user to visit all kinds of travel sites looking for a great deal.

A scuba diving liveaboard vacation will include your meals, snacks and beverages while you are on board, though the final dinner before you depart may not be included. This type of vacation is no more expensive than any other, and you can rest assured you will get your money’s worth.

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America’s Best Surfing Beaches

For any surfer, nothing beats the idea of just hanging out in a beach riding the waves all day. The thrill of riding giant breaks and staying there a minute or two is enough to thrill any surfer. Some surfers save money just to go to certain locations around the world to experience the waves they will cherish their whole life. Read on and we’ll tell you where to go and what’s the best place in the world to surf ever.

Let’s start with the simplest. Cocoa Beach in Florida is one of the key surfing destinations in US. However, don’t go there during summer as the waves could be unpredictable, and most of the time you’ll just end up sitting there for nothing at all. The good thing about this beach is that you can still enjoy the waters and the party mood especially in summer time. The best time to go this beach for surfing is from November to March, that’s right: winter season. During these months the Atlantic winds becomes stronger and the water responds perfectly! Expect to have waves that will reach up to 10 feet. The beach is perfect for beginners in the sport.


Of course we don’t want to leave out the state that started it all: Hawaii. Specifically Oahu, Hawaii; which is the home to one of the biggest waves on earth. During winter months, the waves could reach up to 20 feet. During summer, the place is surprisingly calm. There are various beaches in Oahu that cover at least 20 miles of beautiful white sand shores. Among them perfect for surfing is Ehukai Beach and Waimea Beach which are paradise for most surfers as they try their skills to the dangerous waves of Hawaii. It’s just a humble tribute to the islands that started this great sport.

Next is the unofficial place for surfing in USA. Calling themselves, Surf City, USA, Huntington is the home for many known surfers around the country and the world. People from all parts of the country visit this place just to enjoy the perpetual sun and waves in any given month. If you’re still not sure about this place, just ask its 11 million annual visitors.

If Oahu is the surfers paradise, then this one should be the heaven. Tell any avid surfer about Jeffrey’s Bay in Southern Africa and they can tell many tales that go with the bay. 10-foot waves are a regular occurrence in this bay. Every July, all pros in the world congregate in this bay and enjoy the waves in the highly competitive Billabong Pro. Even though the waves are there all year long, it’s best that you go there from June till November. In these months the waves are consistent. During these months the waves are very predictable, making it the best place to surf. Watch out for the waves that you can ride for as long as three minutes.

These beaches are recommended for the fans of surfing. Depending on your skill level, go to the place that will develop your skills slowly but surely.


Scuba Diving Gear 101

Scuba diving is clearly one of the most exciting hobbies to take. This activity takes you to depths, literally and figuratively. Of course, just like any physical endeavor, scuba diving requires the proper scuba diving gear to make sure you get the most out of your diving experience and that your gear won’t get in the way of your fun. It is so important to get some basic information and know-how on scuba gear before you get in and take the plunge, that’s why the concepts on scuba diving gear are usually included when one applies for a scuba diving certification.

There are a lot of items which constitute a competent scuba diving gear. Some of the items to consider include the scuba booties, the swimming fins, the scuba mask, scuba tanks, scuba regulators, dive computers, BCDs, gauges, snorkels, wet suits/dry suits, weights, belts, extra gadgets and of course, the underwater camera to make sure you capture meaningful underwater moments. Of all these gear, the most basic ones include the tank, the masks, the booties, the fins, snorkel and the belts.


The most famous of all parts of scuba diving gear is the scuba tank. It is usually made of aluminum, but the aluminum types are more easily dented and prone to wear and tear. The more durable and reliable type would have to be the ones made of steel. However, steel tends to rust so it needs to be given the utmost care. The size an amount of air that can be placed on your scuba tank depends on how much your body will actually need underwater. It requires some knowledge of scuba diving physics so that you will be able to purchase the right scuba tank for you.

Underwater, you will not be able to see anything worth seeing if you are not aided by your scuba diving masks. All those creatures and plant life under the sea will be to your eyes’ delight when you get to select the perfect scuba mask. There are various scuba masks available in shops of scuba diving gear, but before you consider its color or how good it will look on your scuba diving ensemble, you must first take into consideration the more important things such as its specifications. Is the silicone seal tight enough to keep the water from coming inside your eyes? Does it fit? Does it have a good field of vision? You must answer yes to all three questions before you even consider buying the scuba mask.

It is not just on land that you have to watch over rough surfaces. It also works underwater, so make sure you have the right scuba booties to protect your feet from hard surfaces and unnecessary bruising. These scuba booties are well padded to protect you underwater, making your feet able to walk faster and safer. Since it protects your feet and is one of the more delicate among other scuba gear elements, you need to take good care of it and maintain it well.

You may not be able to transform yourself into a fish while underwater like magical mermaids, but you can still move freely and with fluidity with competent swim fins to propel you without having to exert too much force on your feet. The thing about swim fins is that they will enable your feet to cover a greater area in the water as you paddle your way in your underwater activities. These fins are usually worn over the booties.

The snorkel is also very important in completing the basic scuba diving gear. The mechanics behind the snorkel originates from the whale’s natural ability to spew out water from a hole in its back. It’s not just for esthetic reasons or for building a fountain. It is actually vital to be able to keep your head in the water and at the same time, have enough air in and out of your body. The snorkel alternates with the regulator. While you are still near the surface of the water, the snorkel will be your ally against instant engulfing by waves and other unpredictable sea elements.


 
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