At the summertime when everything around you seems to be melting down, there's nothing more appropriate than bathing. But wouldn't you like to try something different this year? How about scuba diving?

Scuba diving refers to swimming underwater while using breathing equipment which is self-contained. Other swimming underwater activities such as free-diving or snorkeling use breath-holding techniques. Scuba diving implies having a compressed air source, which means that the scuba diver can remain submerged for a longer period of time and he/she is not hindered to a remote air source. Scuba diving is swimming underwater with fins which are attached to the divers feet. However, there are other options for scuba divers to move around, such as the diver propulsion vehicle or sleds pulled by a boat. The latter are surface tethered devices.

The term SCUBA is the acronym for â self contained underwater breathing apparatus. However, the term now refers to scuba apparatus or scuba equipment. The term goes back to World War II when it arose to refer to the oxygen rebreathers used by US combat frogman in underwater warfare.

It's worth mentioning that there are persons who confuse scuba diving for an extreme sport, and this false impression will be changed as soon as get to actually practice scuba diving. The divers wears a diving suit at all times, in addition to his/her breathing apparatus. This diver suit helps avoid skin cuts that could be caused corals, marine animals or underwater objects. They also prevent the loss of body heat. Scuba diving doesn't require a substantial physical effort on the part of the diver. Therefore, we could say that anyone who can walk a few miles can successfully complete a scuba diving session. Although it's underwater, scuba diving does not require swimming abilities, but some certified scuba divers may be asked to have swimming skills, just to check the extent to which candidates can adapt to water. Refer to great white shark diving for more information.

There are many reasons why number of people engrossed in this sport is constantly increasing. Here are some of the reasons why people go scuba diving. First of all, those interested in marine life can be close to it. The variety of underwater wildlife, coral reefs and the numerous species of colorful fish leave the scuba diver with a wonderful experience. Secondly, there's something different and unusual about each dive because of the numerous diving variations and the variety of marine life. Then, studies, researches and investigations are truly feasible with scuba diving. Marine biology, for instance, has experienced great improvement with the help of scuba diving. Not to mention that scuba diving is a relaxing activity, as it shows a soothing environment. This outdoor activity is also very educational, as the scuba diver combines fun with learning about marine life during a dive. For more information visit great white shark diving

The terms scuba diving refer to various diving activities, such as recreational diving, technical diving, public safety diving, commercial diving, military diving and scientific diving. Technical diving includes cave and cavern diving, wreck diving, deep diving and ice diving. However, these are not the only categories that scuba diving is limited to, because it is still evolving. For more information refer to great white shark diving

Santa Catalina is unofficially Panamas Pacific Scuba Diving capital. Scuba divers, snorkeling, underwater photographers and underwater naturalists as well as a few deep sea divers, anxiously await their chartered boats leaving Santa Catalina for explorations in the coral-filled Pacific waters around the Isla Coiba and the Coiba National Park. Refer to Great white shark diving for more information.

Panamas one million acre Coiba National Park which encompasses much of the Gulf of Chiriqui and some of the Gulf of Montijo, has the honor of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has achieved international acclaim testifying to the significant impact these Panama islands and abundant waters. This is the bridge between humanity and nature.

Santa Catalina and particularly Isla Coiba and the Coiba National Park can certainly boast about its treasury of acclaimed aquatic and island life. Coiba National Park contains the second largest reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. This provides Coiba divers and underwater photographers with the possibility of seeing 760 species of fish, 23 different species of whales and dolphins as well as white tip reef sharks, Galapagos Sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, Sailfish, Leatherback Turtles, Giant Tuna Fish, Rays and puffer fish. Scuba Divers frequenting the area between June and October may even be given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a humpback whale giving birth.

The Reefs of Santa Catalina and its Pacific Islands will provide scuba divers and snorkels with magnificent views of massive schools of ornamental tropical fish, butterfly fish and angel fish, hard corals and soft corals in every imaginable color, octopuses, turtles, eels, crabs and lobsters, as well as schools of barracudas - all within their natural environment. Divers with all levels of experience will be able to see the natural wonders of the Pacific Ocean from waters at Santa Catalina.

Excursions to Santa Catalina and its islands can be made through various travel agencies. There are Panama agencies that specialize in scuba diving tours and can arrange for small groups to tour the reefs and waters of the Coiba National Park and even spend the night at the ranger station.

The rules and regulations for water exploration in protected waters are very strict and be advised beforehand that you will not be able to take any specimens of coral, aquatic life or fauna from the islands back with you. An underwater camera would provide far more memories of your diving or snorkeling expeditions than a single coral ever could. For more information go to white shark diving

Scenic explorations, water adventures and nature expeditions are not uncommon in Panama, or the province of Veraguas where Santa Catalina rests on its shore. With Coibas new World Heritage status, international attention is being brought to these otherwise quiet tropical islands.

As visitors discover the magnitude of the beauty and abundant sea life, the reputation of Santa Catalina and its nearby Islands grow in popularity. Tourism and real-estate development is rising as well as small businesses providing to the diving experience. Santa Catalina, the port for almost all diving expeditions has locals that provide scuba diving lessons from beginner to advanced, businesses that sell snorkeling and scuba diving equipment and of course generations of charting and boating services which take divers and surfers to their remote locations. The national tourism bureau has recently zoned Veraguas for tourism. This license together with the onset of new real-estate developments is sure to have investors swimming in droves to the Santa Catalina shores.

Fortunately, Panama is very conscious of the evils of over-exploitation and Panamanians take great care to balance the benefits of tourism with the conservancies of nature. The Island of Coiba is, however, well protected. Theres no doubt that Coibas status as both a National Park and a World Heritage site will protect it from over-development, but its strongest protectors will be the Santa Catalina villagers themselves. Santa Catalina, however, has a new airport on its way. Travel to this somewhat remote scuba diving haven and natural marine aquarium will no longer be as obscure as it has been over the years. Diving visitors are sure to multiply as rapidly as schools of tropical fish.

Santa Catalina shores and island reefs are no longer the best kept secret of sea-faring adventurers. The experienced scuba divers may be sharing the reefs with beginning divers and snorkels swimming along the rocky waters might be more able to see other snorkels before they see exotic marine life. Although this may be likely; the millions of acres of Pacific water for divers to explore around Santa Catalina and its Islands and Panamas natural ability to protect their tropical treasures, will keep Santa Catalina Panamas unofficial scuba diving capital of the Pacific waters for generations of divers to come. Visit great white shark diving for further information.

Rangiroa is an incredible coral atoll, situated in the Tuamotu Archipelago, of French Polynesia. With a land mass covering an area of about 40 square kilometers, Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the South Pacific and one of the largest in the world. Its lagoon in the center is the largest in the world, after Kwajalein of the Marshall Islands.

Covering an area of about 1650 square kilometers and measuring 75 kilometers across and 25 kilometers wide, the lagoon is much favored for its sparkling clear as well as warm waters, dramatic landscape, and abundant marine life such as manta rays, sharks, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and schools of barracudas. With a string of coral surrounding the glowing turquoise, jade-colored lagoon, Rangiroa is a paradise for diving and snorkeling. Rangiroa is only an hour's fly away from the Pepeete, the capital as well as the administrative center of the Tahiti. Refer to Shark cage diving for further information.

Literally meaning 'Long Sky,' Rangiroa get its name from the enormous length formed as a result of its more than tiny 200 islets that surround its gorgeous lagoon. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Rangiroa are truly a great experience, since it is surrounded by two separate bodies of water, such as, the Moana-uri and the Moana-tea.

A good number of travel agencies and top notch hotels are in the scenario to make your diving in Rangiroa a great experience. There is also an array of centers in order to impart diving classes and render rental diving equipments. Few among them are Blue Dolphins Diving Center, Rangiroa Paradive, Raie Manta Club, and The Six Passengers and Topdive. In fact, diving in Rangiroa is highly prized because of the pass dives in the dive sites of the island and the waters of the lagoon teeming with scores of marine life. Go to Mako sharks for further information.

No matter you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an experienced hand, Rangiroa boasts of diving sites to cater to all levels of divers and snorkelers. For beginners, one of the best spots in Rangiroa is the Aquarium, otherwise known as Nuhi Nuhi. Located near a motu within the Tiputa Pass and with a maximum depth of about 35 feet, the Aquarium is a great diving spot thriving with an array of interesting coral as well as reef fish species such as triggerfish, threadfin butterfly fish, eels, parrotfish, Moorish idols, and damsels. Another great diving site for beginners is Mahuta, where you can swim along with marine species such as reef fishes and sharks.

Diving sites in Rangiroa also include the Tiputa Pass, which is located between the deep lagoon and Open Ocean. Boasting of The Valley - one of the most challenging spots for drift diving in the world, this area is however recommended only for advanced levels of divers, since its strong current cannot be sometimes manageable for novices.

Further, this area contains underwater valleys whose edges are criss-crossed with crevasses and crevasses, where a number of fish species can be seen such as eels, lionfish, hammerheads, and stone fish. Found at the edge of the Tiputa Pass is another popular diving area, namely, Shark Cave, which is about 120 feet. This area consists of an overhang where one could shelter from the current as well as spectacle some species of sharks such as blacktips, silvertips, and greys.

Apart from these, one could also come along a number of other fish species including unicornfish, surgeonfish, snappers, and trevallies. Other popular diving spots within the Tiputa Pass are Hammerhead Plateau and L'Eolienne.

Also, a great diving destination in Rangiroa is Avatoru Pass with strong current, al though not as strong as that of the Tiputa Pass. With a depth varying from 60-90 feet, the Avatoru Pass allows you to swim along a plethora of tropical fish species such as spotted leopard rays, pompano, rays, patrolling grey sharks, eels, and much more. Rangiroa's other popular diving destinations are Giant Wrasse Shelf, The Wind Turbine, The Blue, Napoleon Manta Point, Motu Fara Pass, and Mahuta.

Rangiroa is diveable throughout the year. According to the interest of divers, diving in Rangiroa is classified into three seasons: the hammerhead shark season, which is January through February; the manta ray season, which is from September to October; and rest of the year when other species of fish, apart from manta ray and hammerhead shark, can be seen.

Nowadays, many of the high-end hotels in the area provide superb facilities for an enjoyable diving in Rangiroa. Some even render packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and facilities for diving and snorkeling in the destination.
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Located in the south Caribbean, Bonaire has a hot climate with only a little rainfall. This means that the waters in this area are exceptionally calm and clear, giving the divers a visibility that can reach 100 to 150 feet. The temperature of the water in this area is also very conducive for diving -- around 25.6 to 28.9 degrees Celsius. Because Bonaire diving sites are under the protection of the Bonaire Marine National Park, the coral reefs and marine life are abundant. In fact, the capital of the town is Kralendijk, a Dutch word that means coral reef. For more please visit Great White Shark Diving

Bonaire National Marine Park

The reefs around Bonaire extend up to 984 feet from the shore. Because the area is well-protected as part of the Bonaire Marine National Park, it has the most diverse fish population in the Caribbean. With so many Bonaire diving sites to choose from, divers of all levels and ages will definitely find a spot that they could enjoy. Even at the bottom of the shallow areas surrounding Bonaire, there are a lot of growing coral formations. These are usually strands of elkhorn and staghorn corals combined with fire corals and soft corals. A dazzling variety of reef fishes inhabit this area. Divers are bound to run into a lot of damsel fish, angel fish and butterfly fish gliding in and out of the strands of corals.

The shallow part of this Bonaire diving site resembles a terrace overlooking the drop off point. The drop off point features a lot of huge star corals which form a structure that resembles a pagoda. These corals are made up of the Boulder Star coral, and the Lettuce corals. As the diver goes deeper, he will be able to view the plate-forming corals and the Great Star coral. In this area, there is also an abundance of soft corals and colorful sponges that are inhabited by a variety of brightly colored fishes. For more please visit Great White Shark Diving

In these depths, divers should keep an eye out for turtles, seahorses and yellowtail snappers as well as moray eels and seargeant major fish that may hide inside the crevices. Some divers have also run into a nurse shark, a whale shark and a dolphin. Because of its wonderful climate and fantastic sites, Bonaire diving is one of the best experiences a diver could ever have. No wonder it is one of the four diving spots in the world.

Besides Bonaire Diving

Although Bonaire is popular for coral reefs and diving, there are a lot of other attractions that non-divers can visit in this island. They can view the Flamingo Sanctuary, one of the largest flamingo breeding grounds in the western hemisphere. They can also head to the capital of Bonaire to view Fort Oranje which was built in the 19th century as well as the lighthouse adjacent to it. In Kralendijk, they could also view some of the exhibits on Caiqutio Indians where they will find a lot of artifacts and household items

With so much to offer, Bonaire can be appreciated by both divers and non-divers alike. For more please visit Great White Shark Diving