Destinations line Destinations

Have Mask, Will Travel

Scuba do your next vacation


October 28, 1996

(CNN) -- Do you want more out of this year's vacation than a suntan and a week at the beach?

If so, hundreds of feet below the earth's surface lies a unique travel option. It's a place where the sun doesn't shine, but where vividly-colored spectacles await around every corner.

Scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) Diving, one of the world's fastest-growing sports, takes you deep beneath the waves to see this fragile world.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI, says nearly 700,000 people worldwide were certified in 1995. And, most dive operators won't rent tanks without proof you've taken a class.

Courses cover basic scuba diving rules and procedures, as well as underwater safety and equipment usage. The instruction also includes friendly reminders to look at, but not touch, the precious underwater sites.

All or part of the lessons can be completed before you leave home, or once you reach your destination. Prices will vary depending on your diving goals. Full certification courses last several days and cost upwards of $300 including equipment rental.

If you want the experience but don't want to get fully certified, resorts also offer basic instruction courses and limited excursions with a skilled guide. These lessons average $75. Many places that cater exclusively to divers offer the classes in their vacation packages.

Getting certified is the easy part. The hard part is deciding where to test your diving skills. A good start might be the Cayman Islands, located in the northwestern Caribbean. The Caymans are considered one of the world's top dive destinations. They're renowned for incredible underwater visibility, often at depths of more than 100 feet.

Across the Caribbean are the Bay Islands, which lie off the coast of Honduras. Perched on the edge of the world's second-largest barrier reef, the islands' waters are a diver's delight, boasting vibrantly-colored sponges, coral and an amazing display of deep-sea life.

On Roatan, the largest island, preserving the natural resources is a priority. In fact, part of the island's reef system is now a marine preserve. Fisherman who once ravaged the marine life have been converted into dive guides. They now protect and earn a living off what they once destroyed.

Around the world is another choice diving spot, Vanuatu. This nation of islands lies between Fiji and Australia in the South Pacific. Algae-covered shipwrecks fill the nearby waters with tall tales of local history.

A visit to the President Coolidge, the world's largest and most accessible dive wreck, is an historical adventure. The ship, originally a luxury cruise liner, answered the call of duty in 1942 and was converted to a troopship. It sank off the island of Espíritu Santo after hitting a mine. The wreck is also the hangout of an enormous, but very friendly grouper named Boris.

No matter where you choose to dive, there are enough locations throughout the world to spread over a lifetime. One thing to remember before you go is that many dive schools recommend allowing 24 hours between flying and scuba diving. Also, some health conditions may prevent you from diving, so double-check with your dive operator before you leave.


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