If you like scuba diving, then share in this thread!

[Neweller]

I was certified through Naui back in 1992. My diver certification was done up in the Puget Sound and believe me, I would have rather done my first 30' dive in clearer waters. I haven't gotten to dive near as much as I would have liked to, but have been thinking about taking a dive vacation again. My favorite place I have went diving so far was off the Island of Malapascua (Logon) and got to see some Thresher Sharks. Hopefully, I will be going back to the region in a couple months and try it again. Probably another Island this time.

I have been researching a couple of areas much closer to the states and would like to check out a couple of wreck dives off the Florida Coast since that is accessible by driving and if a replacement comes my way, that should make the agenda.

So, if you are into diving and would like to share some of the fun you have had whether hanging out in your coach or wherever, please do. I'm curious to see whom all that comes on here maybe likes this hobby.

[folivier]

Now you're talking about one of my passions. My wife and I have been diving since the late 70's. I studied marine biology back in the early 70's so have always had an interest in marine life and underwater photography. I started taking pictures with a Nikonos 5 in the 80's and have since moved up to a Canon 5D2 in a Subal housing.
We've dived mostly in the Caribbean, Cozumel is nice and popular with new divers since it's drift diving. A lot of larger fishes.
Belize is dependant on the winds, you either get outside of the barrier reef where it's really nice or dive inside the lagoon which is so-so.
Roatan is one of our favorites, great reefs, good quantity of marine life, but the no-see-ums can be fierce.
We've been on a few liveaboard trips when then Nekton Pilot was still around in the remote reefs of the Bahamas and the outer islands of Belize. The Bahamas are really nice if you do a liveaboard.
Another favorite is Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos islands. Nice reef walls and very close to the beach (short boat rides).
Virgin Islands are just kinda okay.
A couple years ago we spent 2 weeks on Bonaire and found our newest favorite place. Dutch owned, good facilities, groceries, etc. Mostly shore diving so you rent a truck, pickup tanks and dive as much as you want, whenever and wherever you want. Great diving and good variety of marine life.
Check out my facebook albums for pictures of Bonaire. We are thinking of a month of Bonaire either this winter or next year.
If we ever make it to the Keys in the coach we'll dive there. I think the wreck diving in the Atlantic is kind of deep and has currents to contend with. One thing is we've given up deep diving. We find much more marine life in the shallower waters and much longer bottom times. Nitrox is your friend.

[Neweller]

Wow! You have done some tremendous dives it sounds and that is fantastic! I have dreamed of that kind of diving. This Bonaire sounds amazing too and I can't even imagine some of the great memories you must have from these different dives.

It has been quite a while since I have dove and the last place was in Belize around the time I got my first Newell. I have been itching to gear up and go again. Maybe renting is the way to go?

I never tried underwater photography, but was an avid photographer back in my earlier days. I still love to shoot photo's and underwater sounds very cool. You must have tons of great shots and I bet shots out of that Cannon 5D2 are sweet. I will check out the blog.

[rellick]

I have been to Rarotonga in the south pacific, ( between Figi and Tahiti) great diving was certified there in 99, havent went since then though I loved it. Its a small island, takes 1/2 hr to drive around the perimiter. large lagoon. water was 82deg down to 130 ft. very clear water and the corals and fish are amazing. Saw giant turtles, reef sharks, barracudas, one day saw a giant whale shark. There is a few dive outfits there and found them very friendly. It is still a small enough place its not highly commercialized and the people are very friendly.

[Neweller]

I'll bet that was a blast. Like me it has been a while and I plan on doing at least a couple of dives this year to get myself reacquainted. It was mostly time constraints or injuries that have kept me away from going. I no longer own any gear but will just rent it now anyways. I have only dove down to 90 feet once and don't know that I need to go that deep unless I want to try wreck diving and that may not make sense like I thought it once did.:unsure: I am planning a return to South America and to the Philippines this year and plan on taking advantage of those trips to go diving. I'm looking forward to leaving what I call the norms of my world for some underwater enchantment.

[rellick]

I find it very relaxing, just float around and look at the scenery, I have always wanted to check out the great barrier reef near Australia, maybe one of these years when I finish up some of these projects!