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Best Scuba Diving in Saba

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Green Turtle - Saba
Green Turtle – Saba

Updated May 4, 2022

This is the one hundred and ninety-second in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Saba.  In addition to this series on diving destinations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been scuba diving in Saba before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Best Scuba Diving in Saba

Background

Saba is located in the Lesser Antilles to the southwest of St. Martin and northwest of St. Kitts.  Previously part of the Netherland Antilles, upon its dissolution in 2010 Saba became a special municipality of the Netherlands.  At 13 square kilometers (5 square miles), it is the smallest territory or sovereign state in the Americas.

Volcanic in origin with no permanent beaches, the circular island has rocky shores and cliff faces with rain forests and endemic wildlife nurtured by the warm wet climate.  Landscape views are dominated by the potentially active volcano, Mt. Scenery at 887 meters (2,910 feet).

Originally sighted by Christopher Columbus, Saba has an intriguing history of traders, pirates, and plantations. Today there are 2,010 residents along with 200-300 medical students.  Most can trace their ancestry to a mixture of African, Dutch, English, Scottish, and Irish roots.  English and Dutch are spoken with English more dominant.

With 25,000 visitors annually, tourism is the leading driver of the economy with eco-tourism, scuba diving, climbing, and hiking the most important.  There is little nightlife.  Saba is most famous for hand-stitched Saba Lace, a tradition dating back to the 19th century, and Saba Spice, a rum drink.

Undersea World

In the spirit of eco-consciousness found on land as well, Saba has 30 protected dive sites around the island on its mostly volcanic subsea terrain.  A lot of it mirrors what you can find above the shoreline with dramatic walls and drop-offs, pinnacles, seamounts, swim-throughs, tunnels, caverns, some more gradual rocky slopes, coral gardens, muck areas, and grass beds.

The Leeward Caribbean side sites are more protected from winds and generally have smoother surface conditions and less current than those on the windward Atlantic side.  Sites are mostly pristine with a rich array of hard and soft corals, sponges including huge barrel and tube sponges, gorgonians, and other encrusting invertebrates.  Other marine life highlights are macro critters like nudibranchs, arrow crabs, spiny lobsters, urchins, cleaner shrimps, octopus, flying gurnards, and seahorses along with blue and brown chromis, garden eels, filefish, trunkfish, porcupine puffers, blue tangs, goatfish, trumpetfish, batfish, Atlantic spadefish, Queen angelfish, grunts, snappers, groupers, barracuda, pompano, southern stingrays, spotted eagle rays, hawksbill and green turtles, nurse sharks, blacktip, and Caribbean reef sharks, dolphins, and the occasional manta ray.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in Saba.

  • It’s always warm with air temperature average daily highs of 31°C (88°F) in summer and 28°C (82°F) in winter.
  • The water temperature range is 26-28°C (79-82°F).  A 3mm full wetsuit or shorty will be sufficient for most divers when the water is at its coolest.
  • The strongest rains come from June through November when there is a possibility of hurricanes but rains don’t often interfere with the diving.  Hurricane George in 1998 was the last with any major impact.
  • Currents are generally mild though there are locations and conditions when they can be strong.  Surface conditions tend to be rougher on the windward Atlantic side dive sites.
  • Visibility is usually excellent in the 18-60 meter (60-200 foot) range throughout the year.

There is diving suitable for all levels around Saba.  Three dive shops are in operation that offer a range of PADI coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.  There is one excellent liveaboard that cruises Saba and St. Kitts.  Here is my review and links to the vessel:

Caribbean Explorer II

MV Caribbean Explorer II, St Kitts & Saba Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

For reviews of diving in other Caribbean locations, please check out these posts:

Saba Map

Selected Saba Dive Sites

Diamond Rock:  24 meters (80 feet), located between Torrens Point and Wells Bay, pinnacle site with walls, canyons, and tunnels, richly encrusted in sponges, corals, and sea fans, marine life includes batfish, flying gurnards, and yellowhead jawfish, strong currents are possible making for interesting drift diving, suitable for experienced levels

Eye of the Needle: 30-35 meters (100-110 feet), horseshoe-shaped pinnacle reachable at 30 meters (100 feet), richly encrusted with corals and sponges, macro life in the nooks and crannies, look for schools of Creole wrasses, groupers, turtles, nurse and Caribbean reef sharks, rays, jacks, yellowtail snappers, and possible manta rays

Customs House: 21-38 meters (70-120 feet), Ladder Bay rectangular site, a sloping reef with a sandy section providing good habitat for garden eels, and southern and roughtail stingrays, on further descent, there are gorgonians and sponges, look out for Caribbean reef sharks and some old encrusted anchors, suitable for experienced levels

Tent Reef:  12-30 meters (40-30 meters), off the southeast coast, large area with 4 sites, a variety of features with a steep wall, a mini-wall, boulders, an archway, lots of soft corals and sponges, macro critters include long snout seahorses, scorpionfish, frogfish, spiny lobsters, and garden eels, look for barracuda, jacks, nurse sharks, and green turtles, suitable for all levels depending on the depth

Greer Gut: 18-27 meters (60-90 feet), south end Windward site, light-colored sand patches with a horseshoe-shaped group of hard coral outcrops with large barrel sponges on a limestone non-volcanic base, split by sand channels and patches, look for spiny lobsters, scorpionfish, a variety of shrimps, anemones, Queen conchs, and nurse sharks, suitable for experienced levels

David’s Dropoff:  12-36 meters (40-120 feet), off the southeast coast, shallow granite boulders on a slope to a sandy bottom at 36 meters (120 feet), sections of wire and staghorn corals, and gorgonians, look for wire coral shrimps, schoolmasters, yellowfin groupers, sharks, and dolphins, suitable for experienced levels

Saba Transportation, Hotels, and Dive Shops

Transportation

  • Air – Saba is served by Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport and Winair which has 5 flights daily from St. Martin’s Juliana International Airport.  The runway is 400 meters (1,300 feet) long and handles STOL aircraft and helicopters.
  • Ferry service to and from Saint Martin is available on two vessels, Dawn II and The Edge.  Each makes several trips per week.  One-way travel time is 1.5 hours.
  • There is one main road on Saba that goes from the airport to the harbor and connects all of the four villages on the island.  Taxis are available and regulated for pricing.  A couple of car rental agencies are in operation, one in The Bottom and one in Windwardside.  The roads can get steep, so take care when driving (or walking).
  • Within the villages walking is adequate.  Between them, a taxi or car is preferable and safer.  Hitchhiking is possible.

For further details on transportation and tourist information, please check Wikitravel-Saba

Hotels and Dive Shops

There are three dive shops in Saba.  All offer full services including equipment rental, PADI dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.  The lodging options are limited and tend to be fairly expensive.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking for accommodations.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on that site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

Things to do in Saba (aside from scuba diving)

This beautiful volcanic island with a very small population offers low-key enjoyment and a relaxed atmosphere that is hard to match.  Here are some locations and activities to consider:

Mount Scenery, Hiking Trails, Booby Hill – JoBean’s Glass Studio and Guava Tree Orchard, Peanut Gallery, El Momo Folk Art, Chez Bubba (bistro), Brigadoon (restaurant), Island Flavor (restaurant), Saba Rainbow Festival (November), Queen’s Gardens Restaurant, Ocean Bar, Saba Artisan Foundation, Bizzy B Bakery, Five Square Art Gallery, Cove Bay (swimming), Wells Bay, Kakona (gift shop), Tipsy Goat Bar, Sacred Heart Church.

Photography in Saba

With the interesting volcanic subsea terrain, colorful corals, and encrusting life, gorgonians, macro critters, schools of fish, southern stingrays, eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks, turtles, and fascinating scenes on land, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on scuba diving in Saba interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Best Cenote Diving Yucatan Mexico

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Chac Mool Cenote (Photo by Manta Divers Cancun Courtesy of TripAdvisor)

Updated September 18, 2022

This is the one hundred and ninety-sixth in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations worldwide.  In this post, the focus is on the cenotes of Mexico.  In addition to this series on diving destinations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been scuba diving in the Mexican cenotes before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, water temperature, wildlife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Best Cenote Diving Yucatan Mexico

Background

The Yucatan Peninsula is a low-lying flat area with a limestone foundation resulting from ancient coral reefs that became exposed when sea levels were lowered during the ice ages.  Massive cave systems were formed when slightly acidic rainwater caused the dissolution of the porous limestone with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and columns remaining in the hollowed-out sections.  Sea levels subsequently rose to flood the caves.

Today there are virtually no surface rivers or streams on the Yucatan but there are three substantial subterranean water systems running throughout these caves.  The limestone in many places has collapsed from the surface in the form of sinkholes which are known as cenotes.  Today estimates range to 30,000 for the number of exposed cenotes providing access to these underground cave and water systems.

Underwater World

For the purposes of scuba diving, we can consider that cenote diving is cavern diving.  Only a basic certification is all that is required to participate.  You are diving in a cavern when there is natural light (in the daytime) that is always visible.  You will never be more than 40 meters (130 feet) horizontally and vertically combined from the surface.  It is true there are opportunities for deep penetration into small passageways far from the surface, but that is only for individuals with advanced technical training to attempt.  Most of the sites have got the major pathways well marked with safety lines for guidance.

Cenotes are often set in a tropical jungle setting requiring a vehicle and sometimes a nature trek to get to them.  The water typically has exceptional clarity and supports at least 15 species of freshwater fish including tetras, mollies, catfish, blind cavefish, and blind crayfish, as well, along with chara, a common species of algae in cenotes.  In areas near the openings, there can also be fallen trees and other plant life from land that rests inside.

Haloclines are an interesting visual phenomenon to watch out for that occurs when higher density seawater that has penetrated from coastal waters below meets the freshwater on top of it creating a swirling blurry effect.

In addition to the fantastic natural formations like stalactites, etc., there is also evidence of ancient sacrificial and burial grounds to explore.  Typically there are large chambers with magical vistas that are the delight of wide-angle photographers.

Dive Lights

For your journey into the caverns and caves of the cenotes, you will need a good flashlight or two for safety and to fully explore the large chambers and nooks and crannies.  Here is my review to introduce some top models:

Cavern Diver Training

For training in cavern diving, you could consider the PADI Specialty Course – Cavern Diver available from many area dive centers.  If you are looking for advanced technical overhead environment training, there are also several shops on the Riviera Maya that offer it.

Riviera Maya Caribbean Diving

For my reviews of diving in Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Banco Chinchorro, Cancun, and Cozumel, please check out these posts:

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in the cenotes on the Yucatan.  December through April is the busiest time.  Early booking is advised.  From May to September light is better making for better visibility and photography conditions.

  • The air temperature average daily high range is 28-33°C (82-91°F).
  • The water temperature in the cenotes can be cooler than in the nearby Caribbean with a range of 20-26°C (68-78°F).  On average the temperature is 24-25°C (75-77°F).  Check with your guide for what to expect on the day and select the appropriate thermal protection.
  • The strongest rains come from June through October with 10-16 days of rain per month during that time frame.  This is also the season when there is a possibility of hurricanes.
  • Currents are minimal to non-existent in the cenotes.
  • Visibility is excellent.  Divers need to exercise caution not to stir up sand and silt to spoil it.

There are sites suitable for all levels of diver from shallow caverns to deep penetration through narrow passageways requiring advanced technical skills.  From the primary locations of access in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, there are more than 75 dive shops, some associated with hotels, that offer a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, and guiding in the cenotes.  Some of the shops specialize in services provided but overall they can offer trips to the top cenotes in the region, local ocean dives, and sites along the Riviera Maya and around Cozumel.

Liveaboards

There are not any liveaboard yachts cruising the Riviera Maya, however, there are several world-class dive safaris to relatively nearby Belize, Roatan, and the Caymans.  Here are links to the vessels followed by my reviews of diving and liveaboards at Caribbean destinations including these three:

Belize Aggressor III - Belize Liveaboard Diving

Belize Aggressor IV, Belize Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Belize Aggressor III - Belize Liveaboard Diving

Belize Aggressor III, Belize Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Roatan Aggressor Stern - Roatan Honduras Liveaboard Diving

Roatan Aggressor, Roatan Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Cayman Aggressor IV - Cayman Islands Liveaboard Scuba Diving

Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Island Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Yucatan Cenotes Scuba Diving Location Map

Selected Cenotes Diving Sites

  • The Pit:  40 meters (130 feet), in the Dos Ojos Park, a stairway leads down to the entry, the deepest known cave entrance to 120 meters (393 feet), hydrogen sulfate cloud at 27 meters (90 feet), many stalactites to 30 meters (100 feet), the summer sun beams down to 30 meters (100 feet), average water temperature is 20°C (68°F), dress appropriately, suitable for advanced levels (check out the top video)
  • Dos Ojos (Two Eyes):  8-10 meters (24-40 feet), two cenotes connected making one of the ten largest cave systems in the world, worth two or more dives, not completely explored with expeditions to only 61 kilometers (38 miles) of passageways, two main sections, one called Barbie with lots of light, the other called Bat Cavern which is dark with lots of bats, lots of stalactites and stalagmites, limestone caves, and sinkholes, many colors, several fish species and freshwater shrimp, average water temperature is 24°C (77°F), suitable for all levels
  • Angelita:  30-60 meters (100-197 feet), interesting fossils, an underwater tree, and a swim-through, interesting mirrored lighting effect from surface light reflected on the opaque zero visibility layer of hydrogen sulfate at 30 meters (100 feet) resulting from bacteria breaking down tree and plant life, average water temperature is 20°C (68°F), suitable for advanced and technical levels (check out the second video from the top)
  • Gran Cenote:  8-15 meters (25-50 feet), in the Sac Aktun System, lots of sunlight reveals blue-green water, white stalactites, and columns, many passageways, an average water temperature of 20°C (68°F), suitable for swimmers, snorkelers, and all levels of diver
  • Chac Mool Cenote:  12 meters (40 feet) maximum depth, three water entrances to the Chac Mool system, most of the dive is dark requiring a torch, no open water is overhead for much of the dive, through the main entrance is a large dome room with ambient light where divers can surface and find fossils and stalactites, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), suitable for advanced and technical levels
  • Car Wash: 14 meters (46 feet), large open water area with many dead trees and water lilies, rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, bright wall of light outside, with greenish water, look for freshwater turtles, fish, the possibility of a crocodile, fossils and broken pottery, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), good training site for cavern specialty and side mount, suitable for all levels
  • Pet Cemetery: 7 meters (23 feet), animal skeletons can be found on the bottom including a camel fossil and portion of a tapir jaw, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), suitable for all levels (check out the video below)
  • Dreamgate: 7 meters (23 feet), a narrower site with lots of stalagmites and stalactites and a dark sedimentary background, divers should employ extra caution to avoid damaging them, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), suitable for all levels
  • Calavera (Temple of Doom): 16 meters (52 feet), several meter jump to enter and ladder to get out, cantaro or jug type of cenote with a small entrance into a large chamber,  greenish visual effect in the entrance, a halocline at 12 meters (40 feet), named Calavera, which means skull, due to the sensation that you are inside a large skull looking out through eye, nose, or mouth holes, look for a small ledge with bones and pottery, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), suitable for all levels
  • Casa Cenote (Tankah): 8 meters (25 feet), set in a mangrove forest, big open-top areas, has fresh and saltwater fish, the possibility of manatees, a sensation of diving in a tropical rain forest, look for a halocline, suitable for all levels (check out the video above)

Riviera Maya Transportation, Lodging, and Dive Shops

Transportation

  • Air – Playa del Carmen has a small airport.  There is also an international airport on Cozumel that requires you to catch a ferry in order to reach Playa del Carmen.  Generally, the cheapest and most convenient airport is Cancun International Airport (CUN) which connects to 30 countries and 20 destinations within Mexico.
  • Bus – From the Cancun Airport, an ADO bus departs every 30 minutes to 1 hour for Playa del Carmen.  Travel time is 45 minutes to one hour.  The ADO service continues on to Tulum for a total time from the airport of just over 2 hours.
  • Rental cars are a convenient option available at the airports and in Playa del Carmen from major agencies, especially at the north end of 5th Avenue.
  • Hotels can often arrange airport transfers.  Private companies are available for this, as well.  Check with your hotel, online, and at Wikitravel.
  • Taxis in Playa del Carmen are unmetered but reasonably priced based on rates from zone to zone.  Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is a pedestrian-only zone with taxis available at major intersections for travel away from there.  In Tulum taxis are available and inexpensive.
  • Boats to Cozumel are available from at least two companies with hourly departures for a journey of 30 minutes one way.
  • Several levels of buses are available for regional trips.  There is a scheduled public bus service to most destinations.  Reasonably priced First-class ADO buses leave every hour for many major tourist destinations.  Second-class Mayab buses travel along the highway to Tulum, making stops along the way.  Colectivo shared vans are a popular government-regulated alternative, traveling along the coast between Cancun and Tulum.  Pricing is reasonable and they will drop you off along the route as needed but no door-to-door service is offered.  Organized bus tours are also available from many companies for trips to a variety of tourist destinations.

For additional details on tourist information and transportation, please check Wikitravel-Playa del Carmen.

Lodging and Dive Shops

There are more than 60 dive shops in the Playa del Carmen area and another two dozen in Tulum that offer full services including equipment rental, dive courses, and guiding to the cenotes.  Some can also make trips to more distant locations along the Riviera Maya and Cancun.  There are more than 1,000 lodging options starting at $10 some of which are associated with dive shops.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

Things to do in Riviera Maya (aside from scuba diving)

From a base on the major tourist areas in Playa del Carmen or Tulum on the seaside of the Riviera Maya, there are many attractions and activities whether it be nightlife, food, shopping, the beach and water sports, beautiful natural sites, or archaeological ruins.  Here are some of the options to consider:

Playa del Carmen – Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Jungle Buggy Tours, Golf, Xcaret, Xplor, and Xel Natural and Adventure Parks, Frida Kahlo Museum, 3D Museum of Wonders, Local Beaches – Mamitas, Playacar, Punta Esmeralda, Beach Day Trips, Xpuha, Xcacel, Nearby Cenotes, Mayan Ruins – Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Swim with turtles at Akumal Beach, Boat to Cozumel, Parque Fundadores, Rio Secreto Cave Tour, Taco Tour – El Gogon, Don Sirloin, Alux Cave Restaurant, Nightlife – Mandala, La Vaquita, Coco Bongo, Salsa Dancing at Zenzi, Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) Shopping and Nightlife.

Tulum – Tulum ruins, Muyil, explore the jungle, Ziggy Beach, local cuisine, paddleboarding, “the hippy vibes”, Playa Paraiso, mud bath at Laguna de Ka’an Luum, Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Coba ruins, kitesurfing, boutique shops, rent a bike, dance at Santino Bar, Happy Hour at I Scream Bar, Gelato at Origami, Tacos at Tacqueria La Eufemia, Sela Maya Eco Adventure Park, ATV off-road tours, Tulum Beach, Bar Hop Tulum’s town center, Parque Ecologico Labnaha, ceviche at El Camello, Xel-Ha Park.

This short video is a brief introduction to what awaits you on the Riviera Maya.

Photography in Playa del Carmen

With the interesting cenotes and the clear water, large chambers, fascinating rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, pillars, fish life, artifacts, scenic beaches, forests, and Mayan ruins, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on diving the Mexican cenotes exciting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:   >>comments<<

Best Scuba Diving Cambodia

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Whale Shark - Koh Prins, Cambodia
Whale Shark – Koh Prins, Cambodia

Updated August 13, 2022

This is the one hundred and seventh in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Cambodia. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Cambodia before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving Cambodia

Cambodia Map

Background

Cambodia (or Kampuchea) with a population of 16 million is encircled by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand.

Despite a history of war and the social and cultural upheaval of the Khmer Rouge Regime, 95% of the people are Theravada Buddhists.

Today the country is a constitutional monarchy with a president of 30 years, Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, and a virtual one-party parliament.

Agriculture makes up 90% of GDP but it is a surge in tourism and garment manufacturing that has pushed growth to a high percentage rate recently.  The development of the economy has been delayed by poor infrastructure including roads damaged by the years of war but that too is showing improvement.

Scuba diving in the Gulf of Thailand can be most easily accessed through Sihanoukville from the resorts there or by transport to the many islands where there is a good variety of dive sites and accommodation.

For more information about history, culture, and demographics, please go here:  Cambodia – Wikipedia

Undersea World

The seaside town of Sihanoukville is only a few hours south of Phnom Penh.  From there dozens of islands are a relatively short boat ride away.  Many are uninhabited and most have pristine reefs and rich sea life.

The commercial development for recreational scuba diving is 20-30 years behind the islands in the Gulf of Thailand near Pattaya to the west.  That means the tourist scene is more relaxed and there are not as many divers.

There is a nice variety of undersea terrain and the reefs are generally pretty healthy with a biodiversity of marine life.  Attractions include intriguing macro life like nudibranchs, sea stars, scorpionfish, cuttlefish, eels, and octopus along with triggerfish, sweetlips, snappers, batfish, parrotfish, huge cobia, big schools of barracuda and jacks, catsharks, reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, and whale sharks in season.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible year-round in the Gulf of Thailand off Cambodia.

It’s always nice and warm hitting daily average lows in December of 25°C (77°F) and daily average highs of 29°C (84°F) in April.

Water temperatures are likewise quite warm reaching a low of 28°C (82°F) in January and a high in May of 30.5°C (87°F).

The dry season is from November to May when visibility is better.  The annual vis range is 10-40 meters (35-130 feet).

Current is usually minimal, but on some sites, it can be a factor.

A lot of the diving is fairly shallow and there are sites suitable for all levels.

There are a number of dive shops in Sihanoukville and on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem where there is significantly supporting infrastructure with accommodations, a range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises locally and to more distant islands including overnight trips.

Liveaboard Diving

There are no major liveaboard yachts cruising Cambodia but there are some others to sites around Thailand.  Here are my reviews on Thai diving and some great liveaboards there:

Thailand Aggressor

Thailand Aggressor, Similan Islands Liveaboard – Check the Price

Merdeka 3 Thailand Liveaboard Dive Boat

Merdeka 3, Southern Andaman Sea Liveaboard – Check the Price

Cambodia Dive Sites Map
Cambodia Dive Sites Map

Selected Cambodian Dive Sites

Koh Tas:  about an hour away from Sihanoukville by boat, 12 meters (40 feet) maximum depth, 3 main sites on a fringing reef, lots of hard coral and coral bommies dropping to a sandy bottom,  scorpionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, schools of yellow goatfish, large anemones with their clownfish, boxfish, big parrotfish, snappers, and sweetlips, visibility runs from 5-24 meters (16-80 feet), suitable for all levels

Koh Rong Saloem: 1.5 to 2 hours away from Sihanoukville, 9 main dive sites with a maximum depth of 18 meters

  • Cobia Point:  18 meters (60 feet) maximum depth, steep drop off from shore to the maximum depth, rich corals on the wall, curious 2-meter (7-foot) cobia (kingfish) often swim with divers, some current is possible, suitable for all levels
  • Sponge Garden: 17 meters (57 feet) maximum depth, the reef descends to 10 meters (35 feet) close to shore and extends down to the maximum depth, lots of barrel sponges with shrimps, crabs, lionfish, and scorpionfish within or nearby, massive schools of yellow goatfish are possible, parrotfish, barracuda, and cobia, suitable for all levels

Koh Kon: 1.5 to 2 hours from Sihanoukville, between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Saloem, 16 meters (53 feet) maximum depth, a small island with 4 sites around it, each with slightly different terrain, reef, and other marine life, many anemones, boxfish, schools of yellow goatfish, jacks, barracuda, and fusiliers, big parrotfish, snappers, sweetlips, blue-spotted stingrays, bamboo and catsharks, moray eels, squid, octopus, nudibranchs, flatworms, suitable for all levels

Koh Rong:  1.5 to 2 hours from Sihanoukville, north of Koh Kon sandwiching it with Koh Rong Saloem, a bigger island know for beaches and party atmosphere, it has a number of sites, and some it shares with Koh Rong Saloem

  • Back Door:  Koh Rong site with many large boulders that form a good habitat for macro life, marine life similar to that of Koh Kon and Koh Rong Saloem, suitable for all levels

Koh Tang: situated 4-5 hours from Sihanoukville, uninhabited except for a small military contingent, 30 meters (100 feet) maximum depth, 9 dive sites, has the reputation as one of the best dive sites in Cambodia

  • Three Bears: 6-16 meters (20-53 feet), the name comes from a formation of caves in the cliff onshore, fields of staghorn corals, then coral bommies as you move south, lots of juvenile fish and other marine life among the corals, visibility is usually excellent, suitable for all levels
  • Stingray Alley: 30 meters (maximum depth), a rocky site with many macro critters like scorpionfish, octopus, cuttlefish, and crustaceans, lots of blue-spotted stingrays, great for night diving, moving below 25 meters (83 feet) are small reef formations, suitable for all levels

Koh Prins:  situated 5-6 hours from Sihanoukville and 3 hours from Koh Rong Saloem, Koh Prins is the biggest of 3 islands grouped together, Koh Moan and Naked Island are the other 2, 8 dive sites around the 3 islands, 30+ meters (100+ feet) maximum depth

  • Shark Point (Naked Island west side): 5-30+ meters (16-100+ feet), anemone field starting at 5 meters (16 feet), sloping with rocky outcrops to below 30 meters (100 feet), blacktip reef sharks congregate at the northwest end at a cleaning station, whale sharks are often spotted in December and May, suitable for all levels
  • Eagle Ray Alley (Naked Island east side): 30 meters (100 feet) maximum depth, rocks to the maximum depth, a strong current is possible, eagle rays often seen, whale sharks in May and December, suitable for experienced level divers

Condor Reef:  situated 4-5 hours from Sihanoukville to the west of Koh Rong, 10-40 meters (35-130 feet), coral shoal with a huge rectangular rock, small walls and an arch, rich marine life including reef sharks, turtles, barracuda, pelagics, and whale sharks in May and December, many remnants from sunken Chinese junks such as porcelain dating to 1660, suitable for all levels depending on the depth

Things to Do in Cambodia (aside from scuba diving)

If you make it to Cambodia you won’t want to miss the most famous of its historic and cultural sites and activities.  This video is a nice introduction.

Cambodia Transportation, Hotels, and Diving Services

Transportation

  • Air – The gateway to diving in Cambodia is Sihanoukville.  Sihanoukville Airport is 17 km (10.6 miles) east of town next to the Ream National Park.  There are several flights weekly from Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur, Hainan, Shenzhen, and Ho Chi Min City.
  • Buses – A number of bus lines and mini-buses run from Phnom Penh at very low prices.  From Siem Reap, several lines run sleeper night buses.  Cheap bus service is also available from Ha Tien, Vietnam as are aircon mini-buses from Koh Kong/Hat Lek in Thailand.
  • Train – Services between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville were restored in 2016.  Travel is more relaxing than on the bus and costs around $7 one way.
  • Taxis  – Chartered taxis from the central market in Phnom Penh can get you to Sihanoukville in less than 3 hours for $25-$40.  In Sihanoukville, there are taxis, tuk-tuks, and motodops (bike-taxis) to cover the distances around town and between beaches.
  • Scooters – Motor scooters are available at around $4/day.  You have to haggle for it, though.
  • Ferries – Ferries and fast boat services run to both Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem from Sihanoukville.  The two to three times daily ferries take 2-3 hours and cost $5-$10 round trip.  The twice-daily fast boats take 40 minutes to an hour and cost $20 with an open return.

For more complete details of tourist information, please go here:  Sihanoukville – Wikivoyage

Hotels and Diving

There are hundreds of hotel and lodging options of all levels in Sihanoukville, Koh Rong, and Koh Rong Samloem starting at around $2 per night.  Each of those locations has a number of dive shops some of which are situated in or affiliated with lodging.  A range of services are available including equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours locally and to more distant islands.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

Photography in Cambodia

With the beautiful reefs, a variety of fish, macro critters, Chinese wrecks, and scenic shoreside targets, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Cambodian scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Best Diving in Malta

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Santa Marija Caves - Malta
Santa Marija Caves – Malta

Updated August 9, 2022

This is the eighty-ninth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Malta. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Malta before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Best Diving in Malta

Malta Location Map
Malta Location Map

Background

Nested in the middle of the Mediterranean just 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Italy is the Republic of Malta, a member of the EU.  The three-island nation of just 316 square kilometers (122 square miles) is densely packed with a population of 475,000.  Historically rich and inhabited since 5,900 BC, English and Maltese are the official languages, and Catholicism is the official religion.

Undersea World

Malta is an archipelago of three islands, Malta, the largest, Gozo, and Comino, the tiny one sandwiched in between.

There are intriguing harbors, plateaus, arches, tunnels, caves, and swim-throughs with a surprisingly rich and colorful reef and marine life.

The water is remarkably clear in a smooth sea with little to no current.

The rocks and walls are covered in a rainbow of encrusting sponges, corals, and invertebrates surrounded by fish and creatures including nudibranchs, crabs, damselfish, sea bream, octopus, lobster, rainbow wrasse, scorpionfish, Mediterranean parrotfish, triggerfish, starfish, grouper, barracuda, amberjacks, tuna, and an occasional turtle.

The highlight is the vast array of historic and scuttled ship and plane wrecks of all sizes, both shallow and deep, with something suitable for all levels.

Most of the sites are accessible from shore, but boat diving is done to more remote areas and the dives around Comino Island.  Sheltered, shallow sites are perfect for beginners, and their training and deep wrecks with penetration possibilities will excite the most experienced technical diver.  Overall there are more than 50 dive sites with more than 20 divable wrecks.

Seasons and Conditions

Malta is known for hot, dry summers with air temperatures from 21-30°C (70-83°F) with the driest time from May through August.  In January the range is 10-15°C (50-60°F).

Water temperature hits a low of 15°C (60°F) in February and March and a high of 26°C (79°F) in August.  At the coolest many will want a drysuit.

With little tidal flow, the current is generally minimal and the surface fairly smooth.

Visibility is usually quite good extending to 40 meters (130 feet) or more at times.

Some of the wrecks are deep requiring advanced or technical skills, but many sites are suitable for all levels.  Quite a few sites are accessible from shore.

There are at least 86 dive shops providing a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Here is my review regarding the range of gear suitable for cold water diving:

Mediterranean Liveaboard

There is not a liveaboard that directly cruises the Malta dive sites, but there are boats that go to the not too distant Tuscan Archipelago (Italy) and Turkey.  Here is my review of Tuscan Archipelago diving and links to those liveaboards:

Norseman Tuscany Liveaboard Dive Boat

Norseman, Tuscan Archipelago Liveaboard – Check the Price

Fethiye Diving Expeditions - Turkey Liveaboard Scuba Diving

Fethiye Diving Expeditions, Turkey Scuba Diving Liveaboard – Check the Price

Malta Dive Sites Map

Selected Malta Diving Sites

The Blue Hole: from a 10-meter (35-foot) inland pool, descent to 15 meters (50 feet) through a series of arches, tunnels, and rock formations with exceptionally clear water and marine life including moray eels, lobster, octopus, parrotfish, bream, and others, continue to the inland sea or go through a chimney at 18 meters (60 feet) back to a coral garden at 4 meters (12 feet), all levels

Blenheim Bomber: 42 meters (140 feet), British WWII light aircraft that attempted a belly landing and sunk intact, not all dive centers know the location, colorful anemones, sponges and corals encrust it, occasional turtles, advanced and technical levels

Um El Faroud: 35 meters (116 feet), 115-meter (390-foot) oil tanker scuttled to become an artificial reef after an explosion in 1995, upright on a sandy bottom, broken in two with prop and rudder in place, deep penetration possible, marine life includes conger eels, barracuda, squid, advanced and technical levels (see video above)

The Polynesian: 65 meters (220 feet) maximum depth, French ocean liner sunk by a torpedo during WWI in 1918, lying on the port side, superstructure reachable at 45 meters (156 feet), amidships damaged significantly by the torpedo, engine room accessible, deck cannon and anchor visible, cargo bay has pipes and motorbike tires, lots of penetration possibilities, technical level (see video below)

Santa Marija Caves: 10 meters (35 feet), Comino site, a system of 10 caves, some half in and half out of the water and some to swim through, damselfish, moray eels, banded sea bream looking for a handout, all levels

Qawra Reef: 15-40 meters (50-130 feet), shore entry, reef top around 15 meters (50 feet) with parrotfish, grouper, cardinalfish, steep drop-off to 40 meters (130 feet), big caves to the right of the wall with slipper and spiny lobster, hermit and spider crabs, nudibranchs, deeper there are finger sponges, possible barracuda, amberjacks, and tuna, all levels depending on the depth

P29: 30-38 meters (100-125 feet), 62-meter (208-foot) German minesweeper scuttled in 2007 to become an artificial reef, good penetration opportunities, pretty good marine life for such a new wreck, schooling fish, experienced level

Billinghurst Cave: 27 meters (90 feet), cave opening above the waterline down to 27 meters (90 feet), long tunnel within known as the Railway Tunnel leading to another cave where surfacing within the cave is possible, cardinalfish, soft corals, red sponges, not much natural light inside the caves and tunnel, experienced level

Rozi Tugboat: 34 meters (114 feet), 40-meter (130-foot) tugboat scuttled in 1991 to become an artificial reef, 150 meters (500 feet) from shore, sitting upright, propellers and engines removed, easy penetration, rainbow wrasse, sea bream, scorpionfish, cardinalfish, experienced level

Malta Photos

With the interesting undersea terrain of arches, caves, and tunnels, colorful encrusting invertebrates and fish, historic ship and plane wrecks, interesting landmarks, shoreside geographical sites, and city scenes as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

Best Malta Hotels, Transportation, and Dive Shops

Transportation

Malta International Airport has regular connections to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa on a number of airlines.  Ryanair has its base in Malta.  There are also many fast and regular ferries to several ports in Italy and Tunis and inter-island ferries between the three Maltese islands.  Boat charters are also an option.  Taxis are numerous and there is an extensive network of buses around Malta.  Cars and bikes are also for rent.  For more complete details please click here:  Wikivoyage – Malta

Lodging and Dive Shops

Malta is well prepared for its 2.2 million annual visitors with lots of accommodation options starting at $14 a night.  There are also at least 86 dive shops that offer full services including equipment rental, dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

Malta Things to Do (aside from scuba diving)

With a long and intriguing history, there are many sites and activities to enjoy when not diving.  Here are a few:  Old capital of Mdina, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Lascaris War Rooms, Casa Rocca Piccola, Fort St. Elmo, Most Dome, horse riding at Golden Bay, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, dancing at Isle of MTV, Palazzo Parisio and Gardens, Ggantija Temples, Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St. John, Marsaxlokk, National Museum of Archeology, Valletta Harbor, Auberge de Castille, Ta’Quali Craft Village, Tarxien Temples, Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum, Three Cities, Manoel Theatre and Museum, San Anton Gardens.

These videos give a nice overview of what Malta has to offer.

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Malta scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have diving in Malta.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Best Scuba Diving Kauai Hawaii

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Silky Shark - Ni'ihau, Hawaiian Islands Scuba Diving
Silky Shark – Ni’ihau, Hawaiian Islands

Updated August 6, 2022

This is the one hundred and sixtieth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Kauai, Hawaii. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you been diving in Kauai before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Best Scuba Diving Kauai

Hawaiian Islands MapBackground

Kaua’i, known as the Garden Island, with a more sandy coastline than any other Hawaiian island, has a population of 67,000 and is situated 105 miles (168 kilometers) across the Kaua’i Channel from Oahu.

Originating from volcanic activity 5,000 years ago it is geologically the oldest of the islands.  The highest peak is Mount Kawaikini at 5,243 feet (1,598 meters) and the climate is tropical with one region of the island receiving 460 inches (11.684 meters) of rain per year.

Captain Cook first landed in 1778 but Kaua’i has not been the target of economic exploitation to the extent of the other major islands.  However, today tourists number more than 1.3 million per year with only 3% of the population involved in agriculture.

The natural beauty of Kaua’i has been recognized by its inclusion in 70 Hollywood movies.  The biggest city is Kapa’a in the east with a population of 10,000.  Number two with half that number is Lihu’e, the site of the airport in the southeast.  Other towns are Po’ipu in the south, Princeville in the north, and Waimea in the west.

For more historic, cultural, geographic, and demographic information, please check Wikipedia-Kauai.

Undersea World

The volcanic origin of Kauai has left an intriguing undersea topography of lava ridges, caves, arches, walls, swim-throughs, craters, and pinnacles to explore on dozens of dive sites.

While not as rich in colorful soft corals as some other sites around the world at the same latitude, there is a nice encrusting life of hard corals, and other invertebrates including black coral, sponges, and gorgonians in places.

The other marine life is quite diverse with 25% of it endemic along the Hawaiian chain with 680 species of fish, 420 of which are inshore.

Megafauna highlights to look for are green turtles, dolphins, monk seals, humpback whales, groupers, whitetip and grey reef sharks, silky sharks, sandbar sharks, brown stingrays, and pelagics like tuna.

Among the macro marine life and reef tropicals, there are helmet conchs, lobsters, crabs, octopus, moray eels, longfin anthias, damselfish, blue-striped grunts, wrasses, parrotfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, snappers, and bandit angelfish.

On trips to Niihau Island to the west hammerheads and mantas are often sighted.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible on Kaua’i all year.

  • The average daily air temperature highs range from 78°F (26°C) in January through March to 85°F (29°C) in August and September.
  • Water temperature runs from 70-77°F (21-25°C).  3-5mm wetsuits are suitable when the water is at its warmest.  Some divers will opt for 7mm of insulation when it is at its coolest
  • There is substantial rain all year with a drier season from May through September.
  • Current can be strong with more on the east and west side sites.  The north and south side sites also have the possibility of moderate to strong currents at times.  Outside the surf zone, the surface chop is generally moderate with more likely in the winter months.
  • Visibility is typically excellent in the 50-70 foot (15-21 meter) range sometimes extending to 100 feet (30 meters).

There are conditions suitable for all levels of diver.  At least 26 dive shops operate on Kaua’i providing a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Hawaii Liveaboard

There is not a liveaboard that directly cruises the Kaua’i dive sites, but there is one that dives on the big island.  Here is my review and a link to that liveaboard:

Kona Aggressor II Hawaii Liveaboard Boat

Kona Aggressor II, Hawaii Liveaboard, Check the Price

There is great diving on all the major islands of Hawaii.  Here are my reviews.

Kauai Dive Sites Map

Selected Kauai Dive Sites

Koloa Landing: 5-45 feet (2-14 meters), on the south side in Horseshoe Bay, shore entry, rich fish life includes, large schools of fish, butterflyfish, reef triggerfish, snappers, damselfish, surgeonfish, trumpetfish, cornetfish, moray eels, and turtles, suitable for all levels of diver and snorkeling

Sheraton Caverns:  20-65 feet (6-20 meters), on the south side 400 yards offshore from the Sheraton Kauai, best to have a guide to find it,  intriguing terrain of lava tubes, archways, and caverns with black coral and Kauai’s most abundant marine life, look for lobsters, octopus, frogfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, Picasso’s triggerfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasses, eels, surgeonfish, blue-striped grunts, reef sharks, and numerous turtles, suitable for all levels of diver

Brennecke’s Ledge: 65-84 feet (20-26 meters), on the east end of the south side, boat access, a large shelf at 75 feet (23 meters), and two big caves with macro life and reef tropicals including nudibranchs, arrow, hermit, and spider crabs, lobster, conchs, morays, boxfish, blue-lined grunts, triggerfish, butterflyfish, and squirrelfish, there is a possibility of whitetip reef sharks, and green turtles, deep along the drop-off is black coral, alongside there are often knife jaws, tuna, and dolphins, from December to May there is a possibility of humpback whales, strong current is possible, suitable for experienced level divers

Tunnels: 5-60 feet (2-18 meters), on the north side, shore entry, multiple tunnels up to 75 feet (23 meters) in length, 26 caverns have been counted, highlights are nudibranchs, triggerfish, unicornfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, bluefin jacks, green turtles, monk seals, whitetip reef sharks, and black coral, strong current is possible, best done at low tide with a calm surface, suitable for experienced level divers

General Store:  60-90 feet (18-27 meters), on the south side, named for the large selection of marine life, the site is the location of the Pele wreck which sank in the late 1800s, the remains include boilers, the deck, anchors, and some machinery, nearby is a horseshoe-shaped inlet with lava tubes and small caverns, marine life highlights are morays, lobsters, helmet conchs, crabs, octopus, pelagics, and dolphins, strong current is possible but there are places sheltered from it, suitable for experienced level divers

Ni’ihau Dive Sites: 17-mile (27-kilometer) boat ride to 11 or more sites around the island, rich variety of undersea terrain with pinnacles, caverns, canyons, and drop-offs, marine life highlights include nudibranchs, flatworms, red-striped pipefish, tiger cowries, pennant, and pyramid butterflyfish, Hawaiian turkey fish, triggerfish, Moorish idols, anthias, turtles, bluefin jacks, whitetip and grey reef sharks, silky sharks, sandbar sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays, for starters, strong current is possible on some sites, there are sites suitable for all levels of diver

Things to Do in Kauai (aside from scuba diving)

This sparsely populated island has unspoiled natural beauty with relatively few creature comforts making this a great destination for a person who loves the outdoors.  Here is a sample of sights and activities to consider:  Helicopter Tours, Sail the Napali Coast & Whale Watch, Waimea Canyon, Koke’e State Park, Poipu Beach Turtles & Seals, Beach Hop the North & South Shores, Polihale State Park, Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, Spouting Horn Blowhole, Eat Shave Ice, Eat at Warehouse 3540, Farmers’ Market, Wailua Falls, Hanalei, Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei Valley Lookout, Island Taco, Da Crack, Kauai Poke Co, Eat Healthy Café, Hanalei food trucks, Bar Acuda, Whaler’s General Store, Goodland Harvest Market.

This video is an overview that gives you a nice feel for the natural beauty of Kauai.

Kauai Transportation, Hotels, & Diving Services

Transportation

  • Air – Lihue Airport (LIH) serves as the main gateway to Kauai with interisland flights and non-stop links to the west coast of the US and Canada.
  • Boat – Cruise ships use the deepwater port in Nawiliwili for trips between the islands that start and end in Honolulu.
  • Taxi – Two taxi companies, Pono Taxi, and Taxi Hanalei are authorized for pre-arranged airport pickups.  They provide transport to any location on the island and do island tours.
  • Bus – Kauaʻi Bus makes runs between major population centers but does not go to many rural sights.
  • Tour companies are in operation that will take you to the major attractions.
  • Car rental is the best way to conveniently get to where you want to go.  They are available through most major rental agencies at the airport or by shuttle to a nearby location.
  • Bicycle – Bike paths are not complete all around the island yet, but are open on the entire east side of the island.

For more details related to all of the above transportation options and other tourist information, go to Wikivoyage-Kauai.

Hotels and Diving

In Kauai, there are at least 76 lodging options from $114-639 per night and two dozen or more dive shops in operation.  They offer a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.

The website linked below has the details for the lodging and can arrange a booking.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on their site.  The rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

Photography in Kauai

With the colorful coral reefs, a variety of fish, sharks, whales, seals, and beautiful onshore targets, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Kauai scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<