March, 2016
Since Olympus’ announcement last summer of their superbright Zuiko 8mm f1.8 fisheye Pro lens (micro 4/3 series), I’ve been wanting to get one for my wreck photography and next big animal trip. The early reviews weren’t overstated. This is one impressive piece of engineering. And it’s just fun to play with.
January, 2016
The famous Blue Heron Bridge is located in West Palm Beach, Florida. It’s a macro lovers dream, and has even been called “Lembeh Straits East”, after the “critter diving” capitol of the world in the Philippines. Incredible biodiversity, and an easy shore dive nestled in a beautiful park. Little wonder this biological hot spot has been listed in the top diving sites of North America, and people from all over the world dive it.
(more…)
August, 2015
Imagine a place so diverse and dense with life that it is literally stacked on top of each other. You’re surrounded by emerald green coloured water on one side and on the other by sheer white coloured walls studded with kaleidiscopically coloured sponges, anenomes, and fishes. In between dives you will absorb beautifully rugged scenery, and there’s a good chance that you will see one or more stellar sea lions, sea otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises or even orcas. It’s virtually untouched and you’re most often the only ones out on the water. That place is God’s Pocket, British Columbia.
(more…)
July, 2015.
The Kona Coast of Hawaii stands out for its interesting volcanic formations that scuba divers can explore: lava tubes, caves, caverns, archways, pinnacles, and plunging walls. And owing to Hawaii’s isolation, about 25% of the fishes that you will see here are found nowhere else in the world. In addition, Kona is home to a resident population of about 130 Coastal Manta rays, with almost guaranteed sightings at their famous Manta night dive & snorkel.
July, 2015
The Manta ray night dive is Hawaii’s signature dive and snorkel. It’s consistently rated as one of the top ten dives in the world. In no other place can you see Mantas as consistently, in numbers, and up so close and personal that they will pass within inches of you. Exciting and visually stunning, this dive will stay with you forever. (more…)
June 7, 2015
The Wexford wreck is a 250′ steel freighter, distinguished as one of Cris Kohl’s “100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks”. Located about 7 miles (11 km) Northwest of Grand Bend, in Lake Huron, Ontario, it combines history and tragedy with an adventurous and unforgettable dive.
(more…)
March, 2015.
The North Shore of Grand Cayman is widely known for its wall diving. It’s distinguished from other areas of the island by its dramatic, sheer drop-offs, that make you feel like you’re diving an underwater mountain range. The North Wall is filled with colourful corals and sponges, in near pristine condition, and you can expect flybys of Spotted Eagle rays and turtles. It’s also where elusive Hammerheads are most commonly spotted as well.
(more…)
February 20, 2015.
I have a strong interest in history, and I’m always reading to gain insights and context into the places that I have been or want to visit in the future. While reading Jerome T. Hagen’s excellent award winning series “War in the Pacific”, I was most struck by Chapter 9 (Vol.1), the “Hell Ships”. I have reproduced this Chapter below for your reading, with the author’s permission, in order to help promote awareness within the scuba diving community.
The Hell Ships are probably one of the least known atrocities that occurred in WWII by the Imperial Japanese. They earned their namesake from the survivors that describe the conditions on them to be the worst experience of their captivity, even when compared to the Bataan Death March (Michno, p.306).
Having dived several Japanese transports (“Maru”) at Truk Lagoon -the “Wreck Diving Capitol of the World”- I was interested to see if any of these may have been listed as belonging to the more than 150 known Hell Ships. There are at least two. (more…)
January 26, 2015
If you read my post “Snorkeling with Manatees, Crystal River, Florida (Jan.1, 2015)” you’ll already know that Captains Mike & Stacy (of Manatees in Paradise) are passionate about Manatees. They are active members of the USFWS rescue squad. They are also tour operators. They don’t do it for the money, they do it to offer a different kind of experience, one that places the Mantee’s interests first. That’s why any form of harassment, as seen below, really disturbs them…
January 3, 2015.
Looking for a fun and relaxing dive with plenty of bottom time? And everyone, divers or not, can join you? Then the Rainbow River drift dive, near Dunnellon, is the answer. And when your finished, you’ll want to do it all over again!
(more…)