BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - April 1, 2010) - Colorful coral reefs, long-forgotten shipwrecks, exotic sea creatures, mysterious caves -- all these undersea treasures offer divers and snorkelers an adventure beyond comparison. So on your next beach holiday, skip the lounge chair in favor of the underwater environment and observe some of the world's most beautiful marine life.
At Cheapflights.com, we've pulled together a list of our favorite beach destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. See a sampling here and view the complete list in our blog. Continue reading below for our travel tips on planning a smooth trip and making the most of your time underwater.
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Belize: While some refer to it as the Great Barrier Reef's kid sister, there's no joking around when you dive into the Belize Barrier Reef. This coral masterpiece runs the length of the coastline and is considered the diving "holy grail" of the area. Search and compare cheap flights to Belize.
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Bonaire: Bonaire's surrounding waters are designated as an official marine park, and diving here offers a chance to explore a seemingly untouched and unspoiled environment. The South Caribbean water is exceptionally clear, making underwater photography a must. Search and compare cheap flights to Bonaire.
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Cayman Islands: Exploring the Grand Cayman's seven miles of reefs and wreck dives offers travelers a world of sponges, corals, algae and tunicates in an unimaginable variation of color to discover. Search and compare cheap flights to Cayman Islands.
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Cozumel, Mexico: The sea off Cozumel, Mexican Caribbean's largest island located just 12 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula, is home to many eels, nurse sharks, barracudas, crabs, lobsters, and sting rays. Save the Corona for dry land however! Search and compare cheap flights to Cozumel.
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Fiji: The soft coral capital of the world, Fiji has plenty of luxury resorts and eco-hideaways that pair stunning beaches with exotic underwater environments. Its ever-changing current allows the corals to bloom into color. Search and compare cheap flights to Fiji.
The next five destinations to make the list include the Galapagos Islands; the Great Barrier Reef; Hawaii; Rocktail Bay, South Africa and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. To read more on these diving and snorkeling hot spots visit our blog at http://news.cheapflights.com/2010/03/top-10-snorkeling-and-diving-beach-destinations/
To make sure you have a great underwater getaway, follow these quick hints:
- Pack a small medical kit. Decongestants and ear drops, sunscreen and sea-sickness pills are all good to have on hand.
- Pack smart to stay within the weight limits. And think ahead about what to check and what to carry-on. Obviously, check your dive knife but also your wetsuit, booties, fins, snorkel and buoyancy compensator. Your scuba dive computer can go into your carry-on luggage, packed in a box that will prevent accidental activation. You should also bring your mask, log book and certification cards in your hand luggage.
- Make sure your travel insurance will cover you. There are a couple of things to think about here. There's your scuba gear -- how much will you be covered for if it's lost or stolen? Are you covered adequately if you need medical attention?
- When you're finished diving, build in a day to relax. It's dangerous to fly immediately after scuba diving. You'll need 12 to 24 hours to avoid decompression illness.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Dalia Blumenthal, Publicist
Tel: +1 416-926-1967
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