Resort Diving

Updated November 16, 2022

This is the one hundred and forty-seventh in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations worldwide.  In this post, the focus is on Langkawi, Malaysia.  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 Hong Kong 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 in Hong Kong

Background

Located to the east of the Pearl River delta and off the south of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong consists of a peninsula, a couple of large islands, and many smaller ones, around 200 in all, with a number of bays and passageways between the islands.  In 1841 when the British took control after the first Opium War, the population was 7,450.  From there the colony developed into the major economic powerhouse that blossomed in the 70s and 80s and now has a population of 7.5 million.  With little arable land and few natural resources, low taxation encouraged the manufacturing and import/export that fueled the growth.  As cheaper labor has become available elsewhere, Hong Kong has shifted largely to a service economy.

Since moving back to full Chinese control in 1997, Hong Kong has become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China with the promise of a “one country, two systems” form of government.  From the outset, the promised second system separate from the totalitarian one of mainland China has been eroding.  As of this writing, massive public demonstrations are resisting more intrusive control and it is a big question as to how China will suppress it.  Let’s hope the people and culture of Hong Kong don’t suffer much more.

92% of the people are Han Chinese with 94% speaking Cantonese as their first language.  53% can also speak English and 48% Mandarin Chinese.  When I lived there in the 80s and 90s I found it difficult to find anyone to talk to in Mandarin.  In fact, the Swiss company I was working for there in 1989 sent me to Shanghai to open an office because they couldn’t find any suitable local Hong Kong Chinese that spoke Mandarin well enough to be functional in China.  With the takeover, more Mandarin speakers have moved in and there are incentives for locals to learn it.  There is also a substantial population of Filipinos, Indonesians, and South Asians, many working as domestic servants, and ex-pats of many other nationalities in Hong Kong for employment and business.  On the streets of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, it is easy to see the international presence.  One can still find traditional religions including Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism being practiced in spite of the mainland Chinese influence.

This photo of Hong Kong is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Undersea World

When people brainstorm about the best diving locations, Hong Kong doesn’t often spring to mind.  I found myself living there in the early 90s and wanting to find a healthy and exciting way to get out of the city when I had time off to refresh my brain and get a little exercise.  I signed up for my open water course without any previous experience, did the pool sessions at the Mariners Club in Kowloon, and the open water dives in 30 feet of water on relatively non-descript dive sites.  The visibility was poor and the marine life not as impressive as hoped.  It was good enough, though, that a year later I had the enthusiasm to go to the Philippines and pursue the coursework up through the instructor level.

Since that time diving has developed substantially around Hong Kong.  More sites are known and the protection and development of the environment have improved.  In fact, there is a relatively diverse range of marine life with over 300 fish species and 80 species of hard and soft corals.  An artificial reef area was initiated in 1995 with many steel and wooden vessels scuttled to become dive sites that are part of a marine park with fishing banned.

A lot of the sites are shallow from 5-10 meters (16-33 feet) but there are others as deep as 30 meters (100 feet).  There is an interesting range of sandy bottoms and rocky outcrops with reef communities, especially on the eastern coastline.  You can find barrel sponges, anemones, lobster, crabs, shrimps, octopus, blue parrotfish, soldierfish, cowfish, trumpetfish, hogfish, grey angelfish, and even the occasional Olive Ridley turtle, to name but a few of the marine life inhabitants.

There are several diving clubs along the lines of BSAC-oriented groups in Britain and the dive shops are run by very sophisticated professionals.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in Hong Kong.  During the fall and winter months when the water is coolest sites are not busy.

• Air temperature average daily highs reach 31°C (88°F) in July and August and dip to 19°C (66°F) in January and February.
• The rainy season is from May through August with more than 100mm (4 inches) per month during that time frame.  Typhoons are also possible at that time.
• The water temperature reaches lows of 19°C (66°F) in February and highs of 29°C (84°F) in July.  During the warmest times, a 3mm wetsuit will be the maximum thermal protection needed for most.  When the water is at its coolest, a 7mm wetsuit or even a drysuit with a hood and gloves would suit many.
• Currents are generally mild but strong at times in some locations.
• Visibility is often in the 10-meter (33-foot) range.  However, it can be much worse depending on location, winds, and tidal conditions.  It is best to get good advice from local dive professionals as to what to expect.
• There are sites suitable for all levels of divers from beginner to advanced levels.  20 or more dive shops are in operation that can provide a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.  Click here for details on 18 of the best shops in locations around Hong Kong.

Liveaboard Diving

None of the major liveaboard yachts travel to Hong Kong.  However, there are quite a few that cruise regional sites in the Andaman Sea on the west side of Thailand and Burma and to the Philippines.  Here is a couple of the best with links for booking and details:

SY Diva Andaman, Similans and Mergui Archipelago Liveaboards – Check the Price & Details

PY Atlantis Azores, Philippines Liveaboards – Check the Price & Details 

Selected Hong Kong Dive Sites

East Ping Chau Island: 15 meters (50 feet) maximum depth, located north of Mir’s Bay, several dive sites, sedimentary rock formations with a rich variety of hard and soft corals, anemones and clownfish, sea urchins, macro critters in the nooks, frequent turtle sightings, suitable for all levels of diver

Port Island: 10-25 meters (33-82 feet), just north of Mir’s bay, has 3 small sheltered bays on the north, south, and west sides, a number of patch corals in rocky areas, sites include some drop-offs, a variety of corals, crustaceans, muddy sea bed at 25 meters (82 feet) without much to see there, possible strong currents on the south side, suitable for experienced level divers

Hoi Ha Wan Wreck: 7 meters (23 feet), in Sai Kung Country Park, 300 meters from the jetty, remains of a 20-meter (66-foot) reclamation barge, concrete-filled drums at the bow, a large number of urchins, anemones around the base, look for nudibranchs, muddy seabed, suitable for all levels of diver (check out the video above)

Breaker Reef (Shek Ngau Chau): 10-20 meters (33-68 feet), in the center of Mirs Bay, large group of rocks with rich corals and a variety of marine life with nudibranchs, crinoids, and larger fish including sharks, variable currents, east wind can affect visibility, beware of fishing nets and lines abandoned on the reef, suitable for experienced level divers (check out the top video)

Nine Pins: east of Clearwater Bay, interesting rocky seascape with lots of soft coral and marine life including nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, scorpionfish, and cuttlefish, good visibility, suitable for all levels of diver (check out the video below)

Pedro Blanco: 2 hours by boat to the south, pinnacle with depths suitable for deep and technical divers, evidence of dynamite fishing, possibility of manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, blue marlins, barracudas, and octopus, suitable for experienced level divers

Aberdeen: 8-18 meters (25-60 feet), in the south between Ap Lei Chau and Hong Kong Island, multiple plateaus at varying depths, look for macro critters like nudibranchs and crustaceans, suitable for all levels of diver

Things to Do in Hong Kong (aside from scuba diving)

With its mix of east and west, Hong Kong offers some of the best shopping, sightseeing, and dining you’ll find.  Here are some of the highlights to consider:  Temple Street Night Market, Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife, Cruise on a Junk, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Snake Soup, Yuen Po Bird Garden, View at the Peak, Ladies Market, Lantau Island, Cross the Harbor on the Star Ferry, Ride a Cable Car, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Space Museum, Street Food at a Fishing Village, Disneyland, Ocean Park, Po Lin Monastery, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Get Your Fortune Told, Hike Tung Ping Chau, Floating Restaurants, Horse Races at Happy Valley or Sha Tin, Tai Chi Class.

This video is a nice introduction and overview of what Hong Kong has to offer.

Hong Kong Transportation, Hotels, & Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at Chek Lap Kok opened in 1998 and is one of the busiest in the world.  Well designed but a ways from town like a lot of airports, many options are available to get to the city including Airport Express, public bus lines (which you can take to the nearest MTR subway line), and taxis.  Coming from China it is reasonably convenient to use the Shenzhen International Airport (SZX).  There are several ways to get across the border from there.  Likewise, Macau International Airport (MFM) can be the gateway with access to Hong Kong by ferry.  For many details on how to get to Hong Kong from these 3 airports, please click here.
• Around Town – With its dense population, Hong Kong has provided many methods of public transport including MTR (Mass Transit Railway), light rail, trams, buses, and ferries.  For details on these, click here.  With the heavy traffic and expensive parking, car rental is not advised, though available.

For additional transportation and tourist details, go to Wikivoyage-Hong Kong.

Hotels and Diving

In Hong Kong, there are more than 1,000 lodging options starting from as low as $3 per night (believe it or not) and around 20 dive shops in operation, some associated with hotels.  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 and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  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.

• Hong Kong Lodging

Photography in Hong Kong

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

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

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 Hong Kong 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<<

Updated April 28, 2022

This is the one hundred and eighteenth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Muscat, Oman. 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 Muscat 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 Muscat Oman

Background

Muscat is the capital and largest city in Oman.  Located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman it has been a trading port between the west and the east since the 1^st century CE.

Historically dates, mother of pearl, and fish were the main goods.  Today they still hold a small place in the economy which is dominated by oil.

Over the millennia Muscat saw itself under the control of Persian, Portuguese, Iberian, and Ottoman leadership and has absorbed a lot of foreign influences.

Arabic is the national language but speakers of many other languages are evident including English, Balochi, Swahili, and numerous from Southern Asia.  Likewise, Islam is the national religion with others tolerated as long as there is no proselytizing.

Muscat is divided into three sections covering 3,500 square kilometers (1,400 square miles) and has a metropolitan population of 1.72 million.  One section known as the “walled city” is the site of the Royal Palaces.  The second, Mutrah, is in the area of the original fishing village and the site of the Mutrah Souk (market), and the commercial center, Ruwi, is the third.

Undersea World

If you are looking for world-class diving with warm water, pristine coral reefs, great marine life of abundant macro critters, and a big variety of megafauna, as well, and want a convenient uncrowded location but don’t have time for a liveaboard, why not take a look at a trip to Muscat?

It’s a big city that is easily accessible by air with attractive reasonably priced accommodation, situated right on the coastline with 3 major diving destinations within the range of day-trip diving.  The great nearby dive sites to explore are the Daymanayat Islands, Fahal Island, and Bandar Khayran.

There is a nice variety of undersea terrain with a rich coral reef that includes staghorn, orange cup, cabbage, and whip coral, among many others, big gorgonians, colorful soft corals and sponges, and numerous other encrusting invertebrates.  In the nooks and crannies you can find, moray and snake eels, shrimps, crabs, nudibranchs, lobster, scorpionfish, lionfish, octopus, squid, and cuttlefish along with an array of reef tropicals like parrotfish, angelfish, and goatfish, with schooling fusiliers, snapper, batfish, jacks, and barracuda.  Megafauna highlights include 6 species of turtle, mola mola, eagle, mobula, and manta rays, and reef, guitar, leopard, and whale sharks, topped off with dolphins and pilot whales.  In addition, there are several intriguing wrecks.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is great all year in the seas around Muscat.

• Air temperature varies significantly from summer to winter with daily average highs of 40°C (104°F) in June which fall to 25°C (77°F) in January.
• The water temperature stays in a range of 24-30°C (75-86°F).  A 5mm wetsuit will likely suffice when the water is at its coolest.
• This is a desert area that is dry all year with a total rainfall of 100.3mm (3.95 inches) annually.
• Currents are variable depending on the tides and location.  They are often mild but can be strong on some sites.
• Visibility is usually in the 10-25 meter (35-82 foot) range all year.
• The best time to see whale sharks is from July through September during the plankton bloom.  Big schools of pelagics and manta rays are more likely in November and December while January through March is the season for humpback whales.  Dolphins are quite possible in April, and March through June is the time for sea turtles.

There are sites suitable for all levels of diver.   Numerous dive shops are in operation in Muscat, some in or associated with hotels, that offer a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.  Day trips are often arranged to the highlighted sites.

Oman Liveaboard Diving

The Aggressor fleet and several dhows offer liveaboards for the Muscat area and to the other sites in Oman.  For details on Oman liveaboards, itinerary, and boat and dive site descriptions, please check out my post and links to a couple of top vessels:

• Best Liveaboard Scuba Diving Oman

Oman Aggressor, Oman Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

Queen of Musandam, Oman Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

For information on great liveaboards to Red Sea dive sites, here is my review of them and some links to top vessels:

• Best Red Sea Liveaboards – Reviewed and Compared

MY Excellence, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

MS Royal Evolution, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

MY Emperor Elite, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

 

Muscat Dive Sites

Daymanayat Islands: located 70 kilometers (44 miles) from Al Mouj Marina in Muscat, 9 small islands, white sand beaches, excellent visibility to 30 meters (100 feet), fringing reefs, swim-throughs, and caves, 100 species of soft and hard coral, 10% endemic to Oman, 280 species of fish, large schools of fish, moray eels, kingfish, stingrays, leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles, moray eels, leopard and whale sharks, manta rays, bottlenose and spinner dolphins, and humpback whales sometimes encountered, UNESCO nature reserve with turtle nesting and a bird sanctuary, diving suitable for all levels of diver

Fahal Island:  located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Ras Al Hamra in Muscat, also known as Shark Island, limestone island with a rocky wall site on one side with lots of broccoli soft coral, a large coral garden with seasonal turtles, eagle rays and whale sharks on the other side, lots of reef fish and macro critters all around, blacktip reef sharks and barracudas are often sighted, diving suitable for all levels of diver

Bandar Khayran: located to the southeast, a short fast boat ride from Marina Al Rowdha in Sidab, Muscat, 15 dive sites with a variety of terrain, shallow coral reefs, swim-throughs, and drop-offs to 30 meters (100 feet), rich soft and hard corals, squid, giant honeycomb moray eels, snappers, goatfish, grouper, turtles, stingrays, and huge schools of fish, also the site of the 84-meter (276-foot) Al Munassir wreck, a landing craft scuttled in 2003 to become an artificial reef, at 30 meters (100 feet), home to lots of macro life including nudibranchs and pipefish, and much of the same rich marine life mentioned for the other sites, there is diving suitable for all levels of divers at Bandar Khayran

Things to Do in Muscat (aside from scuba diving)

When you are not diving, Muscat offers an interesting array of sights to see, shopping, eating, and recreation.  Here is a list of highlights to investigate: Mutrah Souk, Jawahir Oman (silver), Amouage Perfume Factory Tour, Qurm Beach, Dolphin Watching, Kalbooh Park, Yiti Beach, Bandar Al Rowdah, Al Alam Palace, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Al Qurom Park, Qantab Beach, Al Mirani, Mutra Corniche, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Children’s Museum, Children’s Library, Paris Gallery, Al Jalali Fort, Food and Drink – Trader Vic’s, Al Angham, Kargeen Café, On the Rocks, Rukanah Café, The Cave, Ubhar.

The video below gives you a glimpse of some of these attractions.

Muscat Transportation, Hotels, & Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – Connections can be made with a large number of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries through Muscat International Airport located 37 kilometers (23 miles) west of Mutrah (which is in the northeast section of Muscat).  Public buses are available and taxis can be booked at a taxi counter.
• Buses – Long-distance service is available for trips around the country and to Yemen and Dubai.
• Taxis – Minibuses, known as baisa buses, operate along the highways and on the main routes in town.  They are reasonably priced, with haggling.  If they are traveling in the direction you want to go, they can get you to your destination.  Discuss it before boarding.  They are also available at the airport.  Regular taxis, usually orange and white) are a little more expensive.  Secure your price before boarding.
• Rental cars by major chains are an option and reasonably priced.  They are available at the airport and at locations around the city.

For more complete details on transportation and other tourist tips, please go to Wikivoyage – Muscat.

Hotels and Diving

Many hundreds of lodging options are available in Muscat starting at $12 per night.  There are a number of dive shops in operation, some within or associated with hotels, offering a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange a 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.

• Muscat Lodging

Photography in Muscat

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

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

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 Muscat 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<<

Updated April 4, 2022

This is the twenty-sixth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is the Isle of Man.

In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard dive 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 the Isle of Man 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 Isle of Man

Background

Situated in the Irish Sea between Ireland and Great Britain is the historically rich self-governing British dependency, the Isle of Man.  It is 52 by 22 km (32 by 14 miles) and encompasses several smaller islands.

Well known for its motorcycle races and low taxes, the diversified economy is led by the insurance, gaming, ICT, banking, and aerospace manufacturing sectors.

The population of 83,000 has a rich cultural and historic tradition that is evident in the architecture and sites around the country.

For more details on the demography, culture, history, and geography of the Isle of Man, click here: Isle of Man

Undersea World

Not well known outside of a circle of true aficionados is its outstanding scuba diving.  There are good sites all around the island, but most of the organized diving is off the southern tip.

There can be substantial tidal currents and plankton which help provide nutrients for a variety of invertebrates like carpets of hydroids, anemones, and soft corals, not to mention the largest of sea creatures including basking sharks and whales.  In between is a full range of interesting adaptations to the specific ecology of the region.  Aside from the aforementioned, these are some undersea highlights:  scallops, crabs, lobsters, conger eels, tompot blennies, deadman’s finger soft corals, plumose anemones, dahlia anemones, velvet swimming crabs, various nudibranchs, shoaling pollack, cod, lingcod, coalfish, mackerel, flounder, bullhuss, wrasses, lesser spotted dogfish, grey seals, porpoises, dolphins, and orcas.

In addition, there are a number of shipwrecks.  Take care to have the authorization to dive the wrecks that you choose.  Some require a permit.

Seasons and Conditions

There is diving suitable for all levels, with some sites having substantial drift and, of course, the water is cold.

It is possible to dive year-round, but most do it from May through September.  Water temperature is at an annual low in March at 5-8°C (41-46°F).  In August it reaches a high of 13-17°C (55-62°F).  In the warm season, many divers are comfortable in a 3-5 mm wetsuit and hood.  Offseason a 7 mm wetsuit or drysuit with a thick hood, gloves, and booties is recommended.  You should make sure you are well prepared and have appropriate training and experience with the correct gear.

Additionally, one of the big draws to Isle of Man diving is the excellent cold water visibility running from 10 meters (35 feet) to greater than 30 meters (100 feet).

For information about cold water gear, please check out my review:

• Best Cold Water Scuba Diving Equipment

Selected Isle of Man Dive Sites

The Booroo: rock shaped like a dragon at the southern tip of Calf of Man, to 40 meters (130 feet), kelp in the shallows, underwater cliffs, declines, boulders, gullies, nooks and crannies, a timber from a ship, all surfaces encrusted with corals, sponges, and oaten-pipe hydroids, dahlia, plumose and elegant anemones, nudibranchs, snakelocks, crabs, lobsters, ballan wrasse, pollack, grey seals, strong tidal currents possible

Chicken Rock: most southerly Isle of Man island, old lighthouse on a rock, 800 meters (half a mile) from Calf of Man, great variety, gullies, encrusted walls, wildlife similar to that of the Burroo, strong current

Garden Rock: south of Port St. Mary, pinnacle rising from 18-meter (60-foot) sandy seabed, lobster, crab, soft corals, little current

The Ledges: close to Garden Rock, rock gullies, small walls and overhangs, similar in wildlife to Garden Rock, little current

Sugarloaf Caves: near Port St. Mary, behind Sugarloaf Rock descend to 12 meters (40 feet) to the entrance of the system of caves, sheer rock wall corridors to a junction to the entrance of the next cave section, walls covered with hydroids, sponges and anemones, grey seals may follow you in to play, all but the final section has direct access to the surface

Clan McMaster: 6,563-ton cargo ship sunk in 1923 in Calf Sound in shallow water, broken up, humongous engine, boilers and prop shaft are on a rock bed with plumose anemones and kelp, strong currents, timing with the tides necessary for safety

Outer Breakwater and Craw Row: outer breakwater ruins in Port Erin, to 12 meters (40 feet), nooks and crannies, lobsters, conger eels, cuckoo, ballan, and corkwing wrasse, tompot blennies, orange octopus, good night dive, and training site, easy access, minimal current

Peel Castle and Fenella Beach: midway up the west coast, breakwater entrance, to 10 meters (35 feet), rocks, kelp forest, caves, around the corner to the cliff face, rock channels, playful seals

Skerannes: off Langness Peninsula in the southeast, gullies, and trenches, macro life like nudibranchs, sea hares, seals, easy dive

Glendun: Belfast steamer sunk in 1940 by running aground, south of Maughold Head in the northeast, to 12 meters (40 feet), mostly broken up and scattered, 8-meter (25-foot) tall boiler, penetration of boiler casing possible, lots of scattered brass bits, easy dive

The Iron Pier and the Dolphin: at Ramsey beach in the north, pier running from the beach to a concrete structure called the Dolphin, to 14 meters (47 feet) at high tide, crabs, lobster, scallops, queenies, conger eels, tompot blennies, long swim out

Here are two books with some detailed discussion of the Isle of Man dive sites.  Please click on the cover photos for details.

Isle of Man Transportation, Lodging, and Diving

Transportation

Isle of Man Airport, near Castletown, has regular 30-minute flights by 5 airlines connecting to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England.

From the airport, bus and rail service is available to destinations around the island.

Lodging and Diving

On the Isle of Man, there are dozens of hotels of all levels starting at under $40 per night. As for the diving, the Port St. Mary area has several shops and the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) is active with training and outings.  This website is a good source for the available housing options and can arrange a booking:

• Isle of Man Hotels

Isle of Man Things To Do (aside from scuba diving)

Although the lifestyle on the Isle of Man is modern, its rich heritage is a major attraction to tourists.  Castles, ancient sites, landmarks, museums, galleries, and exhibitions are a testament to Manx history.  Outdoor activities are abundant including golf, hiking, climbing, cycling, fishing, horse riding, wildlife watching, and other water sports.  There are also the famous Isle of Man motorcycle races to watch at the end of May.

Isle of Man Photo Opportunities

With the macro life, beautiful, diverse reef life, lots of fish and large mammals, caverns, and wrecks, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of diving cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed

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 Isle of Man 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 there.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

 
King Cruiser Wreck – Krabi, Thailand (Courtesy of TripAdvisor)

Updated November 21, 2022

This is the one hundred and fortieth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Krabi, Thailand.  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 Krabi 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.

Diving in Krabi Thailand

Background

With a population of 53,000, Krabi is the capital city of the province of the same name situated at the mouth of the Krabi River on the west coast of Thailand 783 kilometers (489 miles) by road from Bangkok.

The province has several national parks and 80 islands including Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi well known to day-trippers from Phuket looking for some adventure at sea in the form of boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Dramatic rock faces at Railay Beach attract rock climbers and numerous other beaches, like the most popular and well-developed tourist area, Ao Nang Beach, bring a large volume of visitors during the winter dry season for fun in the sun.

Undersea World

The beautiful shoreside scenery extends below the surface of the 7 nearby islands and the other 73 islands and islets that are part of Krabi Province.

There are bays and islands with shallow fringing coral reefs, limestone rocky outcrops, walls, caves, caverns, and swim-throughs with 200 species of fish and 80 coral species providing real biodiversity.

Many sites suffered damage during the 2004 tsunami especially those closest to the mainland, which have been recovering since that time.

The nearest sites usually have little current and shallow depths providing an interesting setting for beginner divers and snorkelers and are quickly in reach of the local long-tail boats from local beaches like Ao Nang or Railay.

For most of the dive operations, the bread and butter are the day-trip cruises to the best diving in the area at Koh Phi Phi, the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, and Anemone Reef, to name a few.

The reefs boast rich hard and soft corals, sea whips and fans, big barrel sponges, and a multitude of other encrusting invertebrates.  Macro highlights include seahorses, pipefish, banded sea kraits, nudibranchs, hermit crabs, jellyfish, cuttlefish, octopus, scorpionfish, and lionfish.

Huge schools of a variety of fishes are the norm on many sites with sweepers, yellow snappers, and several species of fusilier commonly seen.  Otherwise, attractions around Krabi to look for are pufferfish, checkered snappers, emperor fish, sergeant majors, schools of 2-spot snappers and juvenile yellowtail barracudas, butterflyfish, bannerfish, bluefin jacks, gold-spotted trevallies, green and hawksbill turtles, titan triggerfish, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, and the possibility of manta rays and whale sharks, especially during the plankton bloom from January to March.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in the Krabi area of the Andaman Sea.  The best time to dive is during the dry season from November through March.  In December and January it is the heaviest time for tourists, so early booking is advisable

• Air temperature is always warm with average daily highs from 31-34°C (88-93°F) with the warmest time from February through April.
• The range for water temperature is 27-30°C (80-86°F) all year.
• Currents are often mild but there are sites where they can get strong.
• The rainy season is from May through October when it rains 16-24 days a month roughly corresponding to the southwest monsoon. The dry season from November to March corresponds with the northeast monsoon.  During the rainy season, conditions are rougher with significant surface chop which can curtail diving.
• Visibility is variable based on the site, season, and plankton bloom.  The best visibility is during the dry season.  For most sites, the range is from 10-30 meters (35-100 feet).  There are some locations where it may get as poor as 5 meters (16 feet) at times, especially when there is rain or wind.  The plankton bloom in January through March will also cause a decrease in visibility but has the benefit of drawing whale sharks and manta rays at that time.
• There are sites suitable for all levels of divers from beginner to advanced levels.  15 or more dive shops are available that can provide a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises including those taking several hours to get to the most distant day-trip sites.

Thailand Liveaboard Diving

A number of liveaboard yachts travel to sites in the Andaman Sea including the Phuket/Krabi area, the Similan and Surin Islands, and the Mergui Archipelago.  Here are several liveaboard reviews and links to some great yachts for booking and details:

• Best Scuba Diving Phuket Thailand Liveaboards
• Best Scuba Diving Thailand (Similans) Liveaboards
• Best Scuba Diving Burma Liveaboards

Merdeka 3, Southern Andaman Sea Liveaboards – Check the Price

SY Diva Andaman, Similans, and Mergui Archipelago Liveaboards – Check the Price

MV Pawara, Similans, and Andaman Sea Liveaboards – Check the Price

The Phinisi, Similans, and Andaman Sea Liveaboards – Check the Price

For my reviews on other great diving locations in Thailand and Cambodia, please check out these posts:

• Scuba Diving Khao Lak Thailand
• Chumphon Scuba Diving Thailand
• Scuba Diving Koh Chang Thailand
• Best Scuba Diving Pattaya Thailand
• Best Koh Tao Thailand Diving
• Best Scuba Diving Cambodia

Selected Krabi Dive Sites

Ao Nang Local Islands (Koh See, Koh Ha, Koh Taloo, Koh Daeng, Koh Mae Urai and Koh Yawa Sam, Koh Yawabon): 21 meters (70 feet) maximum depth, 30-50 minute trip by long-tail boat, speedboats, and big dive boats also make the trip for many dive shops, many small rocky islets with slopes, walls, drop-offs, caverns, and swim-throughs, good sites for macro with ghost pipefish, mantis shrimp, lobsters, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, lots of schooling reef fish, blue-spotted stingrays, possibility of bamboo and leopard sharks, barracudas, groupers, and mantas, at times visibility is as poor as 5-10 meters (16-35 feet), current is usually mild, but can be moderate to strong on occasion,  suitable for all levels of diver

King Cruiser Wreck: 12-30 meters (40-100 feet), 2-3 hours from Krabi, 85-meter ( 279-foot) passenger ferry that sank in 1997 after running into Anemone Reef, no lives were lost of the 500 passengers, resting upright on the sandy bottom, Captain’s cabin is at 12 meters (40 feet), penetration isn’t possible, thickly encrusted with corals, swarms of schooling fish including juvenile yellow-tail barracuda, many lionfish, sweetlips, and jacks, moderate to strong current is possible, suitable for experienced level divers

Anemone Reef: 30 meters (100 feet) maximum depth, 2-3 hours from Krabi, limestone pinnacle peaking at 5 meters (16 feet) below the surface, covered in multicolored anemones, lots of reef fish including, snappers, fusiliers, bannerfish, butterflyfish, sweetlips trumpetfish, triggerfish, and moray eels and other macro critters in the nooks, turtles and leopard sharks are also commonly sighted, moderate to strong current is possible, suitable for experienced level divers

Shark Point: 28 meters (92 feet), 2-3 hours from Krabi, not far from Anemone Reef, formation of 7 pinnacles breaking the surface, lots of sea fans and mushroom coral, highlights are banded sea kraits, moray eels, pufferfish, seahorses, and leopard and bamboo sharks, currents are usually mild but can be moderate to strong on occasion, suitable for all levels of diver

Phi Phi Islands: 2.5-3 hours from Krabi, 20 different dive sites around the islands and offshore on pinnacles and shipwrecks, spectacular walls and caves, rich coral reef with lots of hawksbill turtles, leopard, and blacktip reef sharks, lots of reef tropicals, currents aren’t usually strong, visibility is okay but rarely great, has dives suitable for all levels of diver

Kred Gaeow Wreck: 14-30 meters (46-100 feet), 3 hours from Krabi, off the coast of Phi Phi Ley, a 50-meter (164-foot) Thai Navy vessel scuttled to become an artificial reef in 2014, still developing as a reef but already has substantial coral encrustation, lionfish, scorpionfish, frogfish, pufferfish, schools of barracuda, and fusiliers, suitable for experienced level divers

Koh Ha Yai: 5-21 meters (16-70 feet), 3-4 hours from Krabi, the southernmost island in the Koh Ha group southwest of the Phi Phi Islands, cave opening at 5 meters (16 feet) into an air pocket that reaches to 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level like a cathedral, can exit at an opening at 16 meters (52 feet), lots of sea fans and whips, schools of sweepers, snapper, and barracuda, pufferfish, bannerfish, sea kraits, cuttlefish, and nudibranchs, turtles and leopard sharks possible, suitable for experienced level divers

Things to Do in Krabi (aside from scuba diving)

Krabi is a well-developed international tourist destination with a lot of spectacular natural and cultural attractions and activities.  Here are a few to consider:  Khao Ngon Nuk Viewpoint, Railay Beaches and Caves, Wat Kaew Korawaram, Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, Koh Klang, Temple in a Cave at Wat Tham Sua, Old West Bar, Phi Phi Islands, Kayaking, Klong Thom Hot Springs, White Water Rafting, Khao Khanab Nam Mountains, Krabi Spa, Krabi Town, Thai Cooking Lesson, Susan Hoi, Rock Climbing, Night Market, Bird Watching, Wat Kaew Temple, Ao Nang Beach Party, Elephant Sanctuary, Phra Nang Beach.

The two videos below offer a small taste.  The first is an overview introduction to the scenic beauty and the second takes a closer look at 10 highlight spots and activities for a tourist.

Krabi Transportation, Hotels, & Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – Krabi International Airport (KBV) is 15 kilometers (9.375 miles) from Krabi town and 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ao Nang. There are numerous daily flights from Bangkok on Thai Airways, Air Asia, and Bangkok Airways, and direct flights from Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia and from Singapore on Scoot.  Aircon buses provide transport from the airport to Krabi town and to Ao Nang.  Motorcycle taxis and songthaews are available outside the airport.
• Bus – The Krabi Bus Terminal is about 5 kilometers (3.125 miles) north of the town center at Talad Kao. Several daily daytime and overnight VIP aircon direct buses come from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok for the 12-hour trip.
• Songthaews and taxis are available in town and Ao Nang for local transportation.
• Motorbikes and cars are both available to rent.

For additional details regarding the above transportation, rentals, scheduling, and other tourist matters, go to Wikivoyage-Krabi.

Hotels and Diving

In Krabi, there are around 1,000 lodging options running from $3 to $2,739 per night.  More than 15 dive shops are in operation, some located within or associated with hotels.  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 and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  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.

• Krabi Lodging

Photography in Krabi

With the colorful coral reefs, a variety of reef tropicals, macro critters, turtles, stingrays, leopard sharks, wrecks, and intriguing onshore targets, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

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 Krabi 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<<

Updated August 9, 2022

This is the one hundred and eleventh in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Puerto Vallarta. 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 Puerto Vallarta 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.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Diving

Background

Situated in the State of Jalisco, west of Guadalajara on the Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is one of the premier tourist destinations for snowbirds from afar and domestic visitors, as well.

On a narrow coastal strip, the area is prone to earthquakes but no major damage has happened in Puerto Vallarta save the crown getting shaken off the top of a Roman Catholic Church in 1995.

In the 1960s and 70s, it really started to take off as a travel destination, and today 50% of the workforce of the metro population of 380,000 works in tourism.  That’s not all that is happening economically, however, with the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors also playing a prominent role.  Many cruise ships stop in this party town which is known to be very welcoming to the LBGTQ community.  For more details of the culture, history, and demographics of Puerto Vallarta, please go here:  Wikipedia – Puerto Vallarta

Undersea World

With sites set in the Bay of Banderas and just outside around offshore islands, like El Morro and Las Marietas, Puerto Vallarta is the primary diving location on the west coast of Mexico.

A variety of underwater terrain provides habitat for the fairly rich marine life.  There are areas with stony structures, swim-throughs, arches, caves, crevices, and walls adorned with an array of sponges, hard and soft corals, gorgonians, tunicates, plants, and other encrusting life forms.

Macro life includes shellfish, shrimps, crabs, and octopus, accompanied by reef tropicals, schooling jacks, barracuda, snappers, and baitfish, sea turtles, manta and eagle rays, nurse sharks, and whales and whale sharks in season.

On top of that several wrecks are well within the recreational diving range.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in Puerto Vallarta.  Sea Conditions offshore from November through May are calmer making that the best time for diving there. Manta rays are seen throughout the year, while whale sharks are more likely to be sighted in winter and whales from December through March.  The season for pelagics is November through May.  Sea turtles nest on the beaches of the bay from May to October.

• Air temperature daily averages reach 28°C (83°F) from July through September and fall to 23°C (73°F) from January through March.
• Water temperature hits lows in winter of 25.5°C (78°F) and highs in summer of 27°C (81°F).  A 3mm wetsuit is probably the most thermal protection needed when the water is at its coolest.
• The wettest months are June through September.  Showers are usually brief and most often occur in the afternoon.
• Current – Generally the currents are pretty mild inside the bay and sometimes strong on the sites outside.
• Visibility runs from 5-12 meters (15-40 feet) from January through April and 9-30 meters (30-100 feet) from May through December.

There are sites suitable for all levels of diver. The currents and surface conditions at the offshore sites may not be suitable for beginners, particularly from June through October.  A number of dive shops, some in hotels, offer a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Central American Liveaboard Diving

There is not currently a liveaboard yacht diving the Puerto Vallarta dive sites.  There are cruises to Baja California areas in the Soccoro Islands, Guadalupe Island, and the Sea of Cortes, and to Cocos Island off Costa Rica.  Here are my reviews of the diving and links to some liveaboard yachts cruising those places:

• Best Belize Dive Trips & Cocos Island Diving
• Best Costa Rica Scuba Diving
• Guadalupe Shark Diving and Soccoro Islands Liveaboards

Nautilus Belle Ami, Soccoro Islands & Guadalupe Island Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

Quino el Guardian, Soccoro Islands & Sea of Cortez Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

MV Argo, Cocos Island Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

For reviews of diving in other Central American locations, please check out these reviews:

• Socorro Islands Scuba Diving Liveaboards
• Scuba Diving the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands Liveaboards
• Scuba Diving Loreto Mexico
• Scuba Diving Cabo Pulmo Mexico
• Scuba Diving La Paz Mexico
• Scuba Diving Caba San Lucas Mexico
• Best Scuba Diving Panama
• Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
• Cozumel Scuba Diving Review
• Best Roatan Honduras Liveaboard Reviews

Selected Puerto Vallarta Mexico Dive Sites

Las Marietas Islands:  wildlife sanctuary with endangered birds on shore like the blue-footed booby, undersea are volcanic formations, tunnels, arches, caves, and pinnacles, lots of fish, octopus, manta rays often sighted, dolphins are frequently seen on the boat ride along with humpback whales between December and March, suitable for all levels of diver

Los Anegados: located between El Morro and Las Marietas Islands, underwater formation topping at 9 meters (30 feet), rocky outcrops, caverns, an archway, and the remnant of a wreck, covered in corals and gorgonians, sandy bottom, gobies and their partner shrimps, nudibranchs, octopus, moray eels,  soldierfish, and squirrelfish, nurse sharks and eagle rays are usually there, possibility of manta rays, suitable for experienced level divers

El Morro: situated outside the bay on the Pacific’s edge, with caves and pinnacles, has a famous 60-meter (200-foot) long cave, depths from 27-40 meters (90-130 feet), caverns on each side, walls with corals, and sponges, gorgonians, rich macro life of shrimps, crabs, nudibranchs, octopus,  moray eels, and urchins, schools of batfish and jacks, Moorish idols, leather bass, schools of pelagics, sailfish, dolphins, big loggerhead turtles, manta rays are possible and whale sharks in season, strong currents and rough surface conditions make this site suitable for experienced and advanced level divers

Los Arcos: part of the Mexican National Underwater Marine Preserve, multiple sites, huge granite formations on the descent from 8-18 meters (25-60 feet), big drop off from the platform to great depths, huge population of resident reef fish, moray eels, lobster, angelfish, butterflyfish, pufferfish, green and loggerhead turtles, stingrays, eagle and manta rays, something suitable for all levels of diver

Colomitos:  sheltered cove down the shore from Los Arcos, from 10-40 meters (35-130 feet) in depth, steep slope of boulders and rocks, soft corals, lots of fish and macro life, dives suitable for all levels of diver

Majahuitas: located on the south of the bay just beyond Colomitos, a calm dive site off a sandy beach, garden eels on the sandy bottom, manta rays are often sighted, suitable for all levels of diver and snorkelers

El Chimo: offshore from a fishing village in the south of the bay, rock formations, sandy slopes, and impressive drop-offs, rich corals, big resident green and loggerhead turtles, occasional dolphins, large mantas and pelagics, strong current possible, good diving down deep, suitable for experienced and technical divers

La Corbeteña: located 2 hours offshore in the northwest from Puerto Vallarta, strong currents are common, an excellent site for pelagics, suitable for experienced level divers

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta (aside from scuba diving)

The following video is a nice introduction to the history, culture, sites, and activities of this top Mexican tourist Mecca:

Puerto Vallarta Transportation, Hotels, and Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) is 7.5 km (4.7 mi) north of downtown.  Connections to airports around the country, the US, Canada, and the UK operate year round.  Taxis and buses are available at the airport to take you to town, but you can have a more comfortable trip by prearranging pick-up through your travel agency or your hotel.  The hotel pricing will probably be expensive.
• Cruise ships dock in the city’s main port bringing tourists by the thousands usually staying for a day.
• Bus – Comfortable bus service from around the country is available on several lines.  Local city buses and out of town services are reasonably priced.
• Taxi service around town is available with some variation in pricing depending on where you are and want to go.  Your hotel can probably give you a price list or some idea on the charges.  Tips aren’t necessary unless you receive a special service like a long wait.
• Car Rental – Check your car carefully to see that everything works.  Police are eager to stop tourists for something minor and may try to squeeze bribes out of you to get your license back from them.

For more complete details on tourist information, please go here:  Wikivoyage – Puerto Vallarta

Hotels and Diving

Lodging options around Anguilla start at $8 and run to over $1,800 per night.  There are a lot of dive shops in operation, some located in or associated with hotels.  On offer is a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.  The website linked below has the details and can arrange a 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.

• Puerto Vallarta Lodging

Photography in Puerto Vallarta

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

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

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 Puerto Vallarta 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<<