Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008 - (Page 35)

immensely popular activity here.With that said, the Galapagos Islands, along with Belize’s Blue Hole, are arguably the greatest spot for diving in all of Central and South America. Certain areas of the Galapagos Marine Reserve offer divers the opportunity to take part in either deep or shallow diving and to have up-close and personal contact with exotic sea creatures. One can see whales, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, swordfish and more. The sea creatures are much more visible here than in many dive spots. In fact, there is about 50 to 80 feet of visibility in the Galapagos waters. Specifically, there are about 30 dive spots in the Galapagos archipelagos, and dive operators use only internationally approved boats and equipment. Riviera Maya, Mexico The waters of the Caribbean Sea are great for scuba divers to experience underwater life on the Great Maya Reef in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The coral formations extending along a large portion of the coast (the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere) are an unforgettable sight. The numerous subterranean rivers and cenotes (underwater caves formed by water filtering through the limestone) provide another option for those who love diving. Many locations within the jungle provide rental equipment as well as guides and instructors for cave diving. Dominica Along with Bonaire, Dominica is one of the best dive spots in all of the Caribbean. In fact, the tourism board has reinvented the destination recently by marketing it as an eco-friendly dive destination rather than a typical “fun in the sun” Caribbean destination. Dominica offers one of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean, with vertical walls, volcanic craters, lava pinnacles and shallow reefs teeming with marine life.The majority of Dominica’s more than 40 dive sites are located close to shore and can be found in three locations: the southwest, central west and northwest coasts. Located at the southwest tip of the island is the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve, which includes dive sites like Scott’s Head Pinnacle, Champagne (an underwater hot spring), Crater’s Edge, L’Abym, Condo, Suburbs, Village and Dangleben’s Pinnacles. Other notable dive sites are Rodney’s Rock and Toucari Bay. Bonaire Not only is Bonaire perhaps the top dive spot in the Caribbean, some actually describe this location as the best dive spot in the world. Specifically, the Bonaire National Marine Park, known as a “Diver’s Paradise,” in the Netherlands Antilles, is a must for ecotourists who want to learn about the environment in the water. The Marine Park includes 6,450 acres of coral reefs and sea grass and mangrove ecosystems. In addition, it has eliminated all destructive practices, such as anchoring and spear fishing, and reefs now support a variety of non-destructive tourism activities. The park carefully monitors the impact. Another diving gem found in Bonaire is the “Alice in Wonderland” complex. Accessible by boat, Alice in Wonderland is a double reef complex separated by a sand channel and extending from Point Vierkant south toward Salt Pier. There are a number of good dive sites within this reef system, all marked by dive buoys. Angel City, one of the most popular sites, is home to the 1,000-ton freighter Hilma Hooker, Bonaire’s most notorious shipwreck. Twenty-four reef sites with depths of 20 to 130 feet surround Klein Bonaire, a small uninhabited islet, and all HB are easily accessible from shore. O CTO B ER 2008 PHOTO BY JULIA HENDRY/TOURISM CORPORATION BONAIRE We recommend seeing all three. Looking for some exotic fish in Belize? Dive in Shark Ray Alley. Located about five miles southeast of San Pedro Town and Ambergris Caye, this dive spot is home to an array of nurse sharks and Southern sting rays. Waters about eight feet deep allow for clear visibility as visitors observe and interact with these rather friendly sea creatures, which were originally drawn to the area over time as it served as a common location for fisherman to clean out their catch for the day. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador In general, the Galapagos Islands are a must-see in Ecuador even if you aren’t a dive enthusiast, as bird watching is also an Home-BasedTravelAgent 35

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Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Publisher’s Note Your Lifeline Agent Profile New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Charging Fees Cover Story: Divers’ Destinations For the Traveler - Cruise - Groups For the Agent - Cruise - Groups Top Hotels in Italy For the Traveler - Destinations - China For the Agent - Destinations - China For the Traveler - Destinations - Caribbean For the Agent - Destinations - Caribbean For the Traveler - Destinations -Las Vegas For the Agent - Destinations - Las Vegas Home-Based Agent Expo New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008

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