Travel Agent Dive Specialist - March 31, 2008 - (Page DS13) it starts with snorkeling Phang Nga, Thailand For the novice, underwater exploration usually begins with snorkeling. Here are a few places to send these clients: In Thailand, snorkeling trips are available around Phuket, Ko Samui, Pattaya, and all other beach destinations in Thailand. Snorkeling excursions are usually combined with excursions to isolated islands and marine national parks. Malaysia’s Layang Layang Atoll and Langkawi are great for snorkeling and scuba alike. Indonesia’s Bunaken National Marine Park offers incredible marine bio-diversity and crystal clear water with visibility up to 130 feet. In Fiji, a real treat for snorkelers are the “bommies” — large coral heads, sometimes huge, that rise like pinnacles from the ocean’s depths to within just a few feet of the surface. whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, rays, swordfish, turtles and numerous other specimens. Palau: Surrounded by a barrier reef that separates shallow reef lagoons from sheer walls, the 340 islands of this isolated Pacific archipelago, some 500 miles east of the Philippines, teem with more than 1,400 fish species and 350 varieties of coral. Truk, Micronesia: Famous for its collection of diveable wrecks, mostly Japanese ships sunk during World War II, must-sees include the 385-foot San Francisco Maru, with much of its cargo — including mines, torpedoes and bombs — still on board, and the nearly 440-foot-long aircraft ferry Fujikawa Maru. Australia: Off the coast of Queensland lies the Great Barrier Reef, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 1,200 miles of reefs, cays and islets, and the biggest marine park in the world. Crown-of-thorns starfish, green sea turtles, giant clams and myriad kinds of coral are some of the treats this incredibly biodiverse area has in store for your diving clients. Thailand’s Treasures For clients who think of Thailand Tahiti Nui’s Aquarium is ideal for beginners, only in terms of its exotic culture, fasand offers a lagoon dive of 10 to 40 feet. cinating traditions and incredible cuisine, it may come as a surprise to your clients that the country’s coast and its islands Ko Yai, and the twin islands of Ko Racha, provide plenty of prime dive sites as well. extending to the Similan and Surin islands to Scuba divers will find good water visibility, the west, Krabi and Trang to the east. In the abundant marine life and all the support they Gulf of Thailand, the best sites are around need, from transportation to accommodaKo Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao, Ko Nang tions. All reputable dive shops are affiliated Yuan, Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National with PADI, NAUI or other international dive Park, and Ko Chang in Trat Province near bodies, and most have courses in English. the Cambodian border. Diving is possible at all times of the year, For divers who want a luxury live-aboard although visibility changes according to the experience, Worldwide Dive and Sail [www. season. In the Andaman Sea, the best time worldwidediveandsail.com] can take them is from October to April, and in the Gulf of to Similan and Surin islands, Ko Tao and Thailand from May to September. Phuket. For more information on diving in Prime dive sites in the Andaman Sea are Thailand, visit www.TourismThailand.org/la found off the coast of Phuket, including such or www.diveasia.com. spots as Shark Point, Red Rock, Ko Yao, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef features a number of shallow reefs perfect for beginners. PACIFIC OCEAN DIVING CLOSER TO HOME Clients who want to get their feet wet (so to speak) in Pacific waters can start closer to home. Great diving is available in California’s Channel Islands, the most famous of which is Santa Catalina, where Jacques Cousteau filmed two TV specials. Visibility runs 30 to 80 feet and the currents are generally mild. Each of Hawaii’s eight main islands offers outstanding dive spots with an array of unique marine animals, coral reefs, lava tubes, caves and caverns. Most diving occurs on the calmer, leeward coasts of all the islands, where visibility often exceeds 100 feet. Dive shops abound with gear rentals, dive trips, lessons and certification. The North Pacific waters off British Columbia are home to more than 5,000 species of invertebrates — including large octopi — and nearly 400 species of fish. Malaysia The best locations for serious divers in Malaysia include the island of Sipadan, praised by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best diving spots in the world. Wreck diving is renowned in the waters around the island of Labuan. Mabul Island is a standout in the growing sport of muck diving, which sends divers in search of the ocean’s more elusive creatures. Colorful reefs, stellar visibility and tame baby sharks make the waters around Langkawi a paradise for divers. For more information, visit www.tourism.gov.my. A TRAVEL AGENT UNIVERSITY PROGRAM DIVE SPECIALIST 13 http://www.worldwidediveandsail.com http://www.worldwidediveandsail.com http://www.TourismThailand.org/la http://www.diveasia.com http://www.tourism.gov.my
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