Posts Tagged ‘scuba diving’

Steve
Steve

Top 3, Well Maybe 4, Best Dive Sites in Aruba

John (star5112) via Flickr

When most people think of Aruba, they don’t think much about scuba diving. I know I don’t, but then again I’m just starting to dip my toe into the world of scuba fun (more on that next week). It’s true there are tons of great pursuits to, umm, pursue on Aruba’s decidedly dry land, but I’ve learned recently that the island’s undersea treasures are worth checking out as well. Here’s a rundown and some helpful tips on a few of Aruba’s choice dive sites as described to me by some of our new dive buddies in the land of bon bini…

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Jan. 3rd, 2012 | Tags: , , | No Comments »
Steve
Steve

Forget Sipping this New Year’s Eve, Dive into Dominica’s Champagne Reef Instead

Courtesy Discover Dominica Authority

Christmas may only be 10 days away, but for the party people among us, a more blessed Holiday looms even larger on the horizon – New Year’s Eve… that most epic of annual blowout party nights when just about everyone strives to trip the Rock Star partylife fantastic.
Just about everyone, that is, except me.
To me, New Year’s Eve brings out amateur party-goers in such mass that the whole thing hardly seems worth the effort. For these amateurs, too much champagne is a bad thing, but for those like me who prefer a more uncommon way of ringing in the New Year, full submersion in the bubbly of Champagne Reef in Dominica is very good indeed.

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Dec. 15th, 2011 | Tags: , , , | No Comments »
Steve
Steve

Wish You Were Here

Sainte-Anne, Martinique/SBPR

Casting off for a morning plongée with Alex, owner/divemaster at Natiyabel, a PADI-certified scuba and eco-adventure tour operator based in the seaside village of Sainte-Anne in southern Martinique.

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Nov. 20th, 2011 | Tags: , | 1 Comment »
Steve
Steve

Saint-Pierre Wreck Dives Offer Undersea Journey to Martinique’s Storied Past

Photo credit: Craig Guillot

Every time I find myself in the historic seaside town of Saint-Pierre in Martinique, I take special note of the myriad of boats that always seem to be anchored here. Calm waters amid low winds, manageable depths and a charming, quiet town bursting with art, history and a nice collection of seaside bars and restaurants make this an ideal anchorage spot for local recreational boaters, as well as those passing through on sailing adventures.
However, it’s not the things you can see above the surface that really draw my attention here. I’m actually more intrigued by the boats beneath the water… and the tragic circumstances that landed them there 100+ years ago.

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Jul. 14th, 2011 | Tags: , | 2 Comments »
Steve
Steve

Saturday Video: Scuba Diving Frederiksted Pier, St. Croix

pier

Frederiksted Pier, St Croix. Beautiful yet overfished. from For The Sea Productions on Vimeo.
A couple weeks ago, when we called on our good friend Warren Solomon to highlight a few beginner scuba diving tips for those wishing to pick up the sport in Tobago, we got an impassioned plea via Facebook from an old friend to give some props to the undersea wonders in the waters around our own home island of St. Croix.
Well, Deborah Huber, this Saturday Video post is for you!
The video above showcases a bit of the dive experience that awaits beneath the Frederiksted Pier located off St.

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May. 28th, 2011 | Tags: , | 4 Comments »
Steve
Steve

3 Tips for First-Time Scuba Divers Visiting Tobago

Photo Credit: Ty Sawyer

Have you noticed that we don’t do too many scuba diving stories here on Uncommon Caribbean? It’s not that we’re against diving, or think that it’s not uncommon enough. It’s just that… well… we don’t dive.
*Gasp!*
This is a hard truth for many of my stateside friends (and probably more than a few of you) to swallow. How could someone who grew up among the most jaw-dropping undersea environs in the world possibly escape the siren song of scuba? Truthfully, I have no real answer.
I’ve always loved to snorkel, but just never took the time to get certified.

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May. 10th, 2011 | Tags: , , | 1 Comment »
Steve
Steve

Deal of the Week: Hunting Lionfish in St. Croix

tibchris via flickr

You won’t find hunting listed in too many Caribbean travel brochures among the myriad of activities for vacationers to enjoy in the islands. Then again, you should never find this colorful creature in our waters either.
This is a lionfish.
Beautiful? Yes.
Exotic? Without a doubt.
The allure of the lionfish’s looks, however, are far out-weighed by its devastating impact on marine environments where it’s not a native species, like the waters of the Caribbean.
How bad is this venomous, invasive beauty? According to Molly Buckley, owner of SCUBA Dive Shop back home in St. Croix, lionfish “…can decimate a Caribbean reef in just weeks.

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Aug. 18th, 2010 | Tags: , , | No Comments »