Dive Coral Reefs

If you are already planning a trip to dive coral reefs or thinking of doing so, then this section is for you. Here, we provide some helpful information regarding coral reef dive trip planning.

Where to go, where to stay?

There are many options when it comes to where to go and where to stay for those planning to explore coral reefs themselves.

Obviously there are many factors involved in making such decisions, including distance, accessibility, cost, and other attractions of the destinations. Choices based upon such factors can only be narrowed down by each traveler, depending upon financial resources and main goal(s) of the trip.

Selecting the right dive destination and accommodations can be a challenging task. Photo Credit: Copyright Fotolia

Where is the would-be coral reef explorer to turn when it comes to reliable tips regarding the best destinations at which to dive coral reefs? What basic information is most useful for making key decisions involved in planning and executing a great coral reef diving trip?

Let's examine some alternatives.

Caveats on Internet and Dive Magazine "Travel Reports"

You can easily settle most of the practical aspects of travel-related transactions online nowadays, from booking cheap flights, to making well-priced hotel reservations.

Such "aggregator" websites make the task of making travel arrangements much more efficient by offering visitors the ability to access results from multiple air travel or lodging providers with a single search.

In terms of online information sources regarding the best places to dive coral reefs there are some useful general guides such as Trip Advisor, but these should be used with some caution.

It is not at all uncommon for unscrupulous dive resorts and dive operators to "stack" the ratings of such sources in their favor by having friends and colleagues submit overly favorable but inaccurate reports. If a given review consists of a relatively few individual reports (less than 10), and/or consists only of a number of "very high" ratings and very low ratings (with few in between), that is a red flag.

The resort and liveaboard dive boat operations regularly "reviewed" in monthly print dive publications should likewise be viewed with skepticism in terms of whether or not they should be accepted as "unbiased journalism".

Despite their glossy spectacular cover photos, many of these publications are little more than thinly disguised paid promotionals written by a surprisingly small cadre of photojournalists who are compensated (usually by being provided all expenses for their visit) by the very resorts and/or operators whom they "review".

The writers are additionally compensated by the publications, who depend heavily upon the advertising revenues derived from these "reviewed" operations.

Obviously, the last thing the publications or writers want to do is alienate the "geese that lay the golden eggs". It is a combination that simply invites biased reporting, and these publications are places where it can truly be said, "And never is heard, a discouraging word".

Alternatives

Once you have narrowed your choice down to a particular geographic area, an excellent source of information on many dive destinations throughout the world is provided by unsolicited and uncompensated member input at Undercurrent.

We also strongly suggest that you give careful consideration to our website sub-sections listed under the heading "Coral Reef Scuba Diving" (Navbar, left column). The pages included under each of the geographical area links (e.g., "Caribbean Diving)" include our top picks for the best vacation destinations at which to dive coral reefs in each region.

What to bring?

The question of what (and what not) to bring along in the way of dive gear and accessories is critical for the novice setting out to dive coral reefs for the first time.

For both scuba diving and snorkeling, bring along proper thermal protection. Keep in mind that water temperatures in some coral reef areas (e..g., The Bahamas) during local winter can be in the low-mid 70s, while summer temperatures in most coral reef dive destinations will generally be in the 80s.

If you plan to use scuba, bring along everything you own EXCEPT tanks and weights. Almost all operators also supply weight belts, but if you prefer your own padded weight belt, bring it.

Regardless of time of year, to comfortably dive coral reefs you should bring full body protection of appropriate thickness for the season. Even in the warmest months, you can encounter stinging plankton in the water column, and areas of exposed skin are vulnerable.

Proper equipment is key to successfully diving coral reefs. Credit: Phil Dustan

Particularly indispensable for travel to dive coral reefs are two pieces of accessory equipment. First, you should bring along a sturdy, good quality gear bag large enough to hold everything you will want on the dive boat. This will enable you to conveniently keep all your gear in one place during travel, and provide a safe place to store your dry clothing, towels, sunglasses, etc. while in the water.

Second, bring along a quality pair of polarized sunglasses, with dark lenses designed for the brightest conditions and plastic or nylon sport frames that can take some rough use. At sea or on land in the tropics, quality eyewear is essential for good vision, and polarization allows you to see the water colors of varying depths as well as reefs as you approach dive sites.

How can I prepare myself for coral reef diving?

Diving coral reefs presents some unique challenges not encountered in other popular diving habitats. Ensuring that your visit is both fun for you and friendly to the coral reef ecosystem is neither difficult nor overly time consuming.

Many useful tips and suggestions can be found on our "Related Pages" (see below) on reef diving skills and "reef friendly" diving practices.

The information presented there will help inform you of a few advanced diving skills useful in coral reef diving, and minimize the impacts of your visits to coral reef environments.

Proper and throrough preparation and planning often make the difference between a fantastic coral reef diving experience and a mediocre or even unpleasant trip.

Related Pages

Reef Diving Skills: Advanced scuba diving skills and techniques to enhance your coral reef diving experience

Reef Friendly Diving: Tips for scuba divers and snorkelers to minimally impact the reefs they visit

Bahamas Diving: The Bahamas as a coral reef scuba diving destination, including our picks for the 3 best coral reef diving vacation islands

Caribbean Diving: The Caribbean Sea as a coral reef scuba diving destination, including our picks for the 4 best coral reef diving vacation islands

Pacific Diving: The Pacific Ocean as a coral reef scuba diving destination, including our picks for the 3 best coral reef diving vacation islands