Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

Best Locations for EcoTravel and Diving

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There are many places in the world that can be called “eco-friendly” locations. What does this mean? A place with a high percentage of wildlife and natural habitat, as well as low pollution levels. This is an important list to know about for those who want to travel responsibly and see the beauty of nature first hand. The five best eco-friendly destinations for travelers include:

 

1) Belize – Known as one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, Belize offers not only great diving opportunities but also incredible eco-tourism opportunities too.

 

2) Jamaica – Jamaica has been ranked among some of the top five spots on Earth by National Geographic Traveler magazine due to its rich biodiversity, white sand beaches, and Jamaican culture.

 

3) Galapagos Islands – The Galapagos Islands are one of the most incredible islands in the world for diving enthusiasts due to their abundance of wildlife and unique features. Along with this, there is plenty of ecotourism opportunities on land as well.

 

4) Great Barrier Reef – The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest and most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Starting from Australia, this reef will take divers to some of the most incredible corals and fish they have ever seen.

 

5) The Maldives – With over 1,000 islands filled with palm trees and white sand.

 

6) Madagascar – This Island is the fourth largest in the world and is home to some of the most unique wildlife. Currently, less than 5% of Madagascar’s native forests are intact, which makes ecotourism opportunities on land more important.

 

7) Indonesia – The Coral Triangle in Indonesia is known as one of the richest ecosystems on Earth for its biodiversity, coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine life.

In conclusion, the world is full of many different eco-friendly locations for travelers to visit. It is worth noting that there are different places that can be visited and happen to provide a critical and analytic framework that can be used to analyze the situation. The different locations are fundamental when trying to have an overview of the specific components which are associated with the situation. These are just a few of the top ones that are available.

Scuba Influencers to Follow on Instagram

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Scuba diving is a sport that many people admire. Millions of people every year are taking up the sport. For those who love exploring the underwater seas, scuba diving is a great way to do it. The SCUBA of scuba diving stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. With this apparatus, a person can breathe underwater. The proper way to learn how to scuba dive is to take a course and get certified. Beginners dive between 100 to 133 feet. More experienced divers go deeper. Following scuba divers on Instagram is a fun thing to do. Here are five of the top scuba influencers to follow on Instagram.

Nadia Aly

Nadia is a resident of Northern California and a skilled scuba diver, content creator, influencer, and expedition leader. Nadia, who won Ocean Photographer of The Year for 2020, has over 300,000 followers on Instagram. On her account, you will find up-close-and-personal pics of sharks, whales, penguins, and crabs. These are photos that would look great in your home and office, and Nadia sells her pictures on her website.

Sean Havas

The scuba diver, photographer, and videographer Sean Havas displays interesting photographic angles of the bridges over ocean waters and sharks that he shoots. Havas runs his site Pirates and Palm that features videos and other information about sea life.

Alicia

Alicia Ward, a Mexican American raised in Hawaii, is a scuba diver, photographer, and cinematographer with 125,000 followers on her Instagram, Alicia Underwater. The photos she posts are colorful, bright images of dolphins and stingrays. She has a website with her scuba-diving husband, Jim.

Enric Sala

Scientist Enric Sala is a National Geographic and Explorer-in-Residence. Scuba diver Dr. Sala’s Instagram feed displays lovely, bright underwater pics of various aquatic sea life, such as sharks, stingrays, fish, and turtles. Sala has a website, and he is the author of Pristine Seas: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places (forward by actor Leonardo DiCaprio) and The Nature of Nature: Why We Need the Wild.

Brian Skerry

Award-winning wildlife photographer Brian Skerry is a scuba diver and wildlife photojournalist for National Geographic Magazine. His photographs have been exhibited in such countries as France and Spain. Skerry, who has a website, also has over 900,000 followers on Instagram. His pictures often focus on one subject, such as the face of a seal or a dolphin.

3 Animals to be Aware of When Diving

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Scuba diving is a wonderful way to evade the hustle and bustle of daily life. There is something about being underwater and surrounded by sea life that helps divers find their center and experience a sense of tranquility that helps their souls heal.

While there are many benefits connected to diving, experienced divers know that there is also an element of risk. Experienced divers know that while many of the animals that call the ocean home are beautiful, many are also deadly. A single bite or sting from one of these ocean creatures can put a diver’s life in danger.

Stonefish

Many people don’t realize that the stonefish is one of the most deadly animals a diver could encounter. The good news is that stonefish aren’t aggressive. They don’t even pursue the reef fish they consume.

The problem with stonefish is that they are camouflage masters. They blend in so perfectly with the seabed and are so still, both fish and human divers often mistake them for a simple rock. If the diver inadvertently steps on the stonefish, the fish’s needle-sharp spine instantly injects a highly toxic venom into the diver. The diver will immediately experience extreme pain. The venom presents two dangers. The first is that it’s strong enough to potentially kill the diver. The second is that the diver may be in so much pain, they’re unable to swim to the surface and get help. With treatment, it can take 24-48 hours to recover from an encounter with a stonefish.

While the stonefish is native to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, it has been found in the Caribbean and popular Florida dive sites.

Moray Eels

Moray eels are dangerous, though not quite as deadly as some people assume. Moray eels aren’t aggressive and will usually ignore divers. Most moray eel attacks are the result of divers inserting their hands into holes and crevices that the eels are using as dens.

Lionfish

Lionfish are gorgeous, but divers should give them a wide berth. The very spines that inspired their names are potentially deadly to divers. The spines are full of venom which can cause extreme pain if it enters the diver’s bloodstream. While it’s unlikely that the venom will kill a diver, the pain they experience could make it difficult for them to reach the surface. The venom is a protein-based neuromuscular toxin that inhibits the body’s nerves, brain, and muscle’s ability to communicate.

These are just three of the animals divers should be cautious of while they explore reefs and shipwrecks.

Diving in Croatia

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For all of those who have never tried scuba diving before, but always wanted to, Croatia is the place to go. With dozens of crystal clear springs, there are fish so colorful they don’t seem real. Sealife in this country is plentiful and you will be amazed at what lives in the water just beneath your feet. Diving in Croatia can be done by all levels of divers with one of the best spots being Trogir’s Castle on the island of Krk.

Top Reasons to Scuba Dive in Croatia

The Water is Pristine and Clear

Croatia’s waters are famously blue. Its lakes and rivers glisten and so do its seas. There are lots of fish and coral reefs in Croatia. And the best part? The fish don’t seem to mind visitors.

Various Islands to Visit

Visitors can explore the beautiful islands of Krk and Hvar, which are two of the most notable. Meanwhile, other islands can be found on the Croatian coast such as Culinary Island and Cres. These islands are a great way to begin your scuba diving experience.

Relatively Cheap Diving Courses

While the prices of courses may fluctuate, Croatia is not too expensive when it comes to scuba diving courses for beginners. In fact, there are numerous ways to find the money you need to pay for your classes and gear.

Warm Sea Temperatures

If you want to dive in a warm climate, then Croatia is the place for you. The sea temperature ranges from the high 60s to the low 70s in Fahrenheit, perfect for new divers and veterans alike.

Unique River Diving

Not only can you dive in pretty lakes and seas, but Croatia also has many rivers for divers to explore. The most popular river dive site is the River Plitvice, which is a series of lakes that flow into one another. Unlike many places where there is a strong current, the Plitvice’s water is slow-moving.

Exceptional Underwater Scenery

The scenery beneath the surface of the water has to be seen to be believed. The visibility here is great which means that you can explore the depths of the sea with both a camera and your eyes. The underwater scenery in Croatia can be said to be among the most beautiful in the world.

Safe Diving Environment

Croatia has one of the lowest drowning rates in Europe, so it is a safe place to learn how to dive. With good training, you are less likely to be hurt by accidents on the water or while diving.

Potential Careers for Scuba Diving Enthusiasts

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Scuba diving is a passion for many people all over the world. It is loved for a variety of different reasons. Whether it be the adventure or the peace a person can achieve by being alone under the water, it can be unbelievably fulfilling.
Some folks wish they could find a way to scuba more often, and even turn it into a career. While it may not be readily apparent to everyone, there are several career paths that a person could take if they wanted to make scuba their profession. Here are just a few careers that scuba enthusiasts may want to explore.

Protecting and Serving

One career that scuba divers may want to explore is the position of public safety diver. Law enforcement needs scuba divers to assist with getting evidence from bodies of water. It is a great way to assist with investigations and serve the public. This position would require a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification.

Entering the Field of Science

If an aspect of scuba diving that appeals to an individual is the exploration piece, they may want to consider a job in marine biology or scientific diving. These fields allow scuba divers to get into the water to find out more about the underwater world around them. It can also lead to some neat discoveries and experiences.

A Part-Time Gig

Some folks want to do more scuba diving in their spare time. If that is the case, one profession that some part-time scuba enthusiasts take is that of a Golf Ball Diver at a golf course. Someone needs to fetch the golf balls out of the bodies of water. It is a nice way for a person to strap on their scuba gear and earn a little extra cash.

Teaching Scuba Diving

For those who have a passion for scuba diving and want to share their love, becoming a dive instructor might be a good position. Dive instructors are hired by many different types of organizations, and people can get the benefit of traveling while they do their job.

Explore the Possibilities

People who love to scuba dive, and are interested in pursuing it as a living, should not assume that it is impossible. There are many careers that a person can explore if they are motivated. Those who want to make scuba diving their profession should figure out how they want to do it, and explore the steps needed to reach their goal.