A DIFFERENT WORLD
The underwater explorer, Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacque Cousteau,
says, "It's a whole different world down there filled with
beauty, mystery, excitement, and adventure."
WHAT'S DOWN THERE, ANYWAY?
This fascinating underwater world is filled with brilliant colors and
vivid patterns an ' innerspace ' of texture and motion. Drifting
gently through this wonderland, you will experience firsthand the
weightlessness and thrill of a ' space-walk ' just as if you were in
outerspace.
It is a water world filled with fabulous gardens of coral reefs, seafans, sponges and other marine life that is more than a match for any botanical garden. These brightly colored and intricate communities are like vast cities under the sea.
CORAL, CAVES AND WALLS
Just as on land, sanctuary and shelter is provided in naturally formed
caves, caverns and grottos. Vertical walls rise from the depths and form
undersea cliffs that would challenge the best of climbers; but you will
soar around these ramparts like a seabird on the wing.
FISH, AND MORE FISH
Angels and parrotfish, groupers and grunts this world is filled with
such a variety of fish and other marine life. The vivid colors and
exquisite patterns are amazing the variety of lifestyles,
intriguing.
This is home to the very largest of creatures and the tiniest organisms that exist on this planet. The variations in color, shape and size of the different species are staggering!
Friendly inhabitants greet you with the enthusiasm of a puppy or follow you around, showing as much fascination with you as you have of them. It's sometimes hard to tell who's watching who!
ENCOUNTERS OF ANOTHER KIND
One of the most awe-inspiring underwater experiences is to come face to
face with a large fish or animal in its natural habitat. You will be
surprised at the intelligence and gentleness of these marvelous creatures.
Seeing a ray up close 'fly' through the water, or being subjected to
'teasing' by a playful sea-lion, are encounters that will not be quickly
forgotten.
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO?
Besides exploring the reef and identifying the types of coral, or adding
to your list of species of fish sighted, there is drift diving
catching a current and riding it through the rifts and canyons in
the terrain; there is wall diving floating down the face of a coral or
rock cliff as effortlessly as sailing on a hang-glider. It is here, in the
nooks and crannies of the wall face, that you will see the smaller
creatures timid fish, tiny shrimp, and baby octopus.
Shipwrecks offer one of the most mysterious of undersea excursions. Thousands of ships have sunk over the past 500 years, and many have become overgrown with a mantle of coral and marine life, becoming a living reef and an attraction for fish and marine animals. Wreck diving can be a particularly satisfying experience like floating through a haunted house as would a ghost, and 'flying' along the promenade deck where passengers once walked. Then, there's the chance of finding treasure!
TREASURE!
The thought of discovering undersea treasure attracts many divers. An
underwater metal detector will help. But, finds of gold doubloons and
sea-chests of pirate booty are rare. More mundane, but equally
exhilarating, is bottle collecting. Antique bottles can be found in a
variety of locations around old piers, ancient harbors and on
shipwrecks.
Archeology has an underwater component, too. Many ancient cities succumbed to the sea and much of the history buried under water is still to be discovered.
DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST
There's so much to choose from. Underwater photography and videography can
capture it all. But, whether you want to concentrate on cave diving, or
bottle collecting, or studying fish behavior, or even taking part in
environmental and conservation programs, you have to begin . . . .
VISIT A DIVE STORE
Visit a dive store or scuba training center in your area and enroll in a
scuba class. Qualified and experienced dive personnel will advise you on
what you need for the class, how long it will run, and details of the
schedule.
FIRST LESSONS AT THE POOL
Your introduction to scuba diving will begin at the pool, where scuba
skills can be learned and practiced in the safest possible environment.
Here you will experience the joy of blowing bubbles and the thrill of
weightlessness.
OPEN WATER TRAINING
Your first open water experience may be in a protected area, such as a
lake, or an easy dive from the sea shore. This gentle introduction to open
water helps build confidence.
TAKE A DIVE BOAT TRIP
The dive boat is your magic carpet to an unseen world of beauty and
excitement. Go aboard a real dive boat, meet other divers and learn about
boat etiquette. Most of all, you'll be entering the undersea world of high
adventure.
BUYING THE GEAR
Half of the fun of diving is buying the equipment. There's so much to see
and so many things to consider. A qualified dive technician will guide you
through the process of equipment selection.
TAKE A DIVE VACATION
You have come a long way since that first dip in the pool. Now it's time
to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Arrange a dive vacation and take a
giant stride into earth's other dimension.
FIND YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST
Water world offers something for everyone but it's up to you to find your
own personal underwater interest. photgraphy, exploration,
fish-watching, wreck-diving or whatever. That special passion lies within
you and once you find it, it will become a lifetime pursuit.