diving travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

These Lagoons are of exceptional natural beauty. The New Caledonia Barrier Reef is located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific. It’s the third largest coral reef structure in the world.

The Lagoons of New Caledonia are a group of six lagoons that contain coral reef ecosystems. Its flora and fauna are one-of-a-kind in the world, with more than 1,000 species of fish and 6,500 species of marine invertebrates.

The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000 square kilometers (9,300 sq mi), which has an average depth of 25 meters (82 ft).

The lagoons features an exceptional diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to sea grasses. About 5,000 pairs of Roseate Tern ( Sterna dougalli ) have been found.

The reef complex is globally unique in that it is “free-standing” in the ocean and encircles the island of New Caledonia.

The Lagoons of New Caledonia were recorded on the prestigious list of sites that are declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, which is a first for an overseas territory of France.

The Republic of Nauru is a small oval-shaped island in the western Pacific Ocean, located just 42 kilometers south of the Equator. The nearest neighbor is Banaba Island in the Republic of Kiribati. One of the world’s smallest island nation, the smallest independent republic, and the only republican state in the world without an official capital, Nauru offers travelers a truly unique Pacific Island visit.

Total area: 8 sq mi (21 sq km)
Population (2007 est.): 13,528
Largest city (2003 est.): Yaren
Languages: Nauruan (official), English
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)
Currency: Australian dollar.

The Nauruans originated from a mixture of people from Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. During the early 1800’s, Nauru was a base for American whalers. In the late 1800’s it came under German administration. In 1914 it was surrendered to Australia and eventually became independent in 1968, the world’s smallest. The country’s predominant economic development has been based on phosphate exports, which has given Nauruans one of the highest living standards in the world.

The island is surrounded by a coral reef, exposed at low tide and dotted with pinnacles. The reef is bounded seaward by deep water, inside by a narrow sandy beach. A 150-300-meter wide fertile coastal strip lies landward from the coast, ending in forested coral cliffs that rise to the now mined-out central plateau. Nauru has limited tourism activities, however, those in the know recognize the diving and fishing conditions here are world class. Discover excellent deep sea fishing, scuba dive amazing ocean depths, take a tour of the island’s past economic mainstay the phosphate mines or simply experience a holiday in a world far from your own.

If you enjoy Caribbean dive vacations then Cayman Brac may be the place for you. Cayman Brac is 86 miles northeast of Grand Cayman – the main island of Cayman Islands, 480 miles from Miami and 175 miles northeast of Jamaica. The island offers lots of topside opportunities as well, it is a great diving destination with interesting above-water outdoor activities, such as hiking and rock climbing as well as great shore and boat diving. Cayman Brac, with its awe-inspiring bluff and laid-back lifestyle, is the perfect place to get away.

Rock climbing was developed beginning in 1992 (when two climbers from Colorado  discovered the Bluff cliffs on the north end of the island) and the island is now known as a world-class climbing destination. One must be somewhat experienced to climb here as the terrain is steep, many times over-vertical. The island offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Caribbean. Today climbers come from all over the world to sample superb limestone climbing on Cayman Brac. Also over 75 climbs exist on Brac and climbers even maintain a home here.

The clear calm waters that surround the 12 mile island host a pristine reef which offers great visibility and a profusion of fish life. Snorkelers and divers can enjoy the reefs from shore, or from one of the boats operated by the diving operators serving the island. Wall dives start quite deep on the island (about 70-100 ft) and provide quite a different dive experience. In addition to stunning corals and sponges divers can expect to see a variety of marine creatures ranging from squid, turtles, lobsters and rays to occasional sharks and dolphins.

The cool highlands and mountains of Papua invite trekkers to explore largely untouched territories. Visit Dani honays or huts that are built close together in a traditional village compound in the Baliem Valley. The two highest peaks in the Jayawijaya mountain range are the world’s few capped mountains located on the equator. Take a boat ride on Lake Sentani in Jayapura and enjoy some tranquil fishing.

Papua is an exotic experience offering a rich variety of dives and amazing fish and marine species. See WWI fighter ships and planes in their watery graves in the shallow waters of Cendrawasih Bay and in the island off New Guinea’s western tip. Raja Ampat has a variety of diving sites; shallow bays, lagoon channels bordered by rain forest, rock islands and offshore reefs that contain some of the richest species of marine animals and corals in the world. The bird park on Bosnik in Biak Island offers chance to see birds of paradise and other rare species. There is also an orchid park that grows as many as 72 types of orchids. Manokwari and the Arfak mountains are famous as the habitat of rare butterflies and insects. Discover carvings and other treasures of the Asmat in the swamp regions of the south coast. East of Senatali, in the Waena suburb, the Museum Negeri displays Asmat bisj poles and decorated skulls, fine Baliem axe heads and interesting items such as mammoth shark’s teeth. Doyo Lama Village around 45 km from Jayapura has megalithic monuments that are engraved and believed to have supernatural powers. west of Biak, see fire-walking dances at the Adoki Village. The annual Baliem Festival held every August showcases traditional Dani dances and music. Mock tribal wars are also staged during the event. Taking months to prepare, the Sago Grub Feast is an important event that brings together different clans. The attending clans dance and feast on sago grubs.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are surrounded by one of the most extensive coral reef systems worldwide. A 22 mile-wide channel, the Columbus Passage, separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. This 8,000 foot deep passage serves as major transit lines for migrating Humpback Whales, Spotted Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Turtles and Dolphins. Excellent visibility, pristine reefs, abundant tropical flora and fauna, fish and other marine life, quality diving services and easy conditions make the Turks and Caicos Islands a world class and award-winning diving destination. There is exceptional wall diving starting in shallow turquoise water and beach which makes for accessible beach dives. Shipwrecks, old and new further increase the multiplicity of the islands as an outstanding diving destination.

Where to dive in Providenciales ?The remarkable walls of the Northwest Point Marine Park, starting at just 50 – 60 feet of water features vertical structures laden with elaborate, thick clusters of multi-colored sponges. There you could find schooling fish, Turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays and much more. To the north of the island is a well-developed spur and grove system, with thick fingers of coral sloping from 30 feet to a minimum of 60 feet. This drops abruptly to a sand shelf at 100 feet and is well decorated with soft corals, Black corals and thick growths of gorgonians. Many dive sites and packages as well as certification are available. Each year brings Manta Rays, Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Whale Sharks. You may be lucky to spot JoJo our local dolphin who loves to play with the divers.