Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

The Best Diving Spots in Belize

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Belize is an under the radar diving spot, home to the largest barrier reef on that side of the world, and with more islands to explore than one person could ever get to. Because it is only opening up to tourism, there is plenty of untouched sand, little known dive spots, and plenty of wildlife to discover.

These are the best diving spots in Belize and should be added to your list when you travel to the country.

The Barrier Reef

As one of the longest and best-preserved reefs in the world, The Barrier Reef has plenty of space to explore. There are several unique species to be seen, and sea turtles use this reef as a safe hunting ground because it is so pristine.

Ambergris Caye

The word is out now in regards to Ambergris Caye and it is easily one of the most popular cayes and diving spots in Belize. From here you can arrange transportation and a guide to just about anywhere in the region, and the local guides will have their favorite spots they are eager to take tourists to.

The Blue Hole

The Blue Hole of Belize should be considered one of the natural wonders of the world. If there is one dive you should make the time to do in Belize, this is it. Normally the dive will take you 40 meters deep to explore the stalactites that hang from an underwater cavern.

Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is a great and easy dive spot that you can actually snorkel. This sandbar is a favorite spot for nurse sharks and marine species come for an easy meal because they know that the locals like to stop here to clean their catch.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Reserves are great spots to see a diverse amount of marine life, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve is no different. The location is what makes this spot so special and unique, as a channel or crack in the Barrier Reef that sits along the coast of Belize, there is a strong current to feed the area moving through here. The reserve status also means that the reef is intact here because it is protected.

The Best Diving Spots In Thailand

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The best diving spots in Thailand can be hard to pick out for first-time visitors, which makes local guides your best resource. Thailand is rich in marine life and home to over more than three hundred named spots. With so much coastline and so many different areas to dive in, there is a dive spot for divers of every skill level.

These are the best diving spots in Thailand.

Hin Muang

Dive spots in the Andaman Sea are among the favorites for local guides and the type of dive spots worth traveling around the world for. Beautiful corals, rare marine life, and several species of sharks and other large fish that you only see when deep diving are all within easy diving range.

Koh Kradan Wreck

Wrecks make incredible dive sites and the Koh Kradan Wreck is definitely one of the better spots. The Japanese destroyer is entirely covered by corals, sea fans, and other underwater growth where marine life is bountiful throughout the entire year.

Hin Nok

The beauty of diving in Thailand is that the environment in each dive site is so unique that you can dive for days and see something different every time. Hin Nok features a large plateau and gullies that you can spend days exploring. Sea turtles are commonly found in this area and the elusive and strange Ghost Pipefish.

Shark Point

Named for the sharks that frequent this dive spot, leopard sharks are able to be seen here year-round. Other interesting species that can be seen here include the cute cuttlefish and seahorses. The gullies here protect divers from the strong currents making this a great dive for newer divers.

Koh Dok Mai

Koh Dok Mai is a great cave dive and night dive spot, but it is a spot for strong divers and swimmers. The cave you dive into leads to a cavern that is filled with sea snakes, leopard sharks, and eels.

While there are plenty of dive options in Thailand it is best to pick the spot that matches your dive abilities and offers you a unique experience among the many different types of dives that are offered.

The Simple Path to a Perfect Road Trip

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The best vacations are often the most self-produced. Waiting in long lines, being enslaved to a rigid itinerary, or shelling out hundreds of dollars for a stuffy flight can feel more restricting than relaxing. It’s no wonder, then, that self-guided road trips are such an alluring vacation alternative. While there are dozens of phenomenal options when it comes to planning the perfect trip, picking a direction and just driving isn’t always the best course of action (no matter how tempting it may be). There are several key considerations that can make or break the elusive “perfect road trip.”

First, it never hurts to come up with a goal for the trip, no matter how vague. Is this particular road voyage about catching some spectacular natural views, or would it be more fun to focus on visiting several major cities? A drive up the West Coast and through the Rocky Mountains might be the perfect option for the former, while an East Coast urban crawl will satisfy the desires of the latter. Setting even a simple goal can determine the tone of the trip, and help make planning out the desired destinations that much easier.

After deciding on that general goal, the next step is picking a part of the country to visit. One of the spectacular things about the United States is that its diverse topography provides both natural wonders and metropolitan centers in almost any area of the country. So, whatever the purpose of the trip, it can be fulfilled almost anywhere. The Pacific Northwest is an iconic part of the country that’s on many people’s bucket list to visit. However, the often-overlooked Midwest has its trove of hidden gems worth exploring. Because of this rich diversity, the geography of the perfect road trip is a simple matter of preference.

With a goal and a (general) location decided upon, the amount of planning to be done next is entirely up to the discretion of the travelers. While some prefer more structure to their trip, with a day-by-day plan as to the sights and destinations, others are more apt to discover their path as it unfolds before them. Regardless of the nature of travel, having these two aspects of the journey decided, the goal and the geography can turn any trip into the perfect road trip.

Best Diving Spots In Hawaii

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If you have a passion for scuba diving, look no further than the Big Island of Hawaii. The island has plenty of stellar diving spots that anyone would love, and has had the admiration of scuba diver’s around the world. Check out these great diving spots for the next time you plan to go to Hawaii!

Golden Arches

If you’re looking for a great photo opportunity, be sure to check out Golden Arches. This diving spot is known for the colorful fish who live on the reef, moray eels, whitetip reef sharks and like many other Hawaiian diving sites, you may see a group of spinner dolphins!

Naia

Speaking of dolphins, be sure to check out Naia the next time you want to go diving in Hawaii! Naia means Dolphin in Hawaii, it’s likely you’ll run into a few when you take your dive. What you’re even more likely to see are rare fish like stonefish and frogfish who live at this spectacular dive site.

Au Au Crater

If you’re looking for something a little more interesting, check out Au Au Crater. If you hadn’t guessed it by the name, Au Au Crater is a submerged volcano crater that is one of the best when it comes to showing off the unique underwater topography of the various Hawaiian islands. Be wary though, as you’re likely to spot larger ocean dwellers such as white tip and hammerhead sharks.

Best Diving Spots for Beginners

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Scuba diving is a fun hobby or vacation activity everyone will enjoy. It’s a great way to explore the ocean and get a whole new view of life under the sea. If you have never gone scuba diving before, here are the best diving spots for beginners:

 

The British Virgin Islands

Not only are the British Virgin Islands a beautiful and relaxing vacation spot, but it is also an incredible place to go scuba diving. This is great for beginners because it has a huge span of protected coastlines and reefs. It also offers a lot of wreckage to explore to find souvenirs to take home.

 

Bonaire, Caribbean

The diving at Bonaire, Caribbean is a beautiful experience and very easy for beginners to handle. They’re also very affordable and known as one of the best places to dive in the world. This is a great area to explore either on your own or with a dive guide if you do not have enough experience to dive on your own yet.

 

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia is an amazing location of breathtaking views and an abundance of sea life. While it isn’t as full of life as it once was due to global warming, it is still a great place to dive and explore the sea. Beginners will find shallows reefs that are perfect for inexperienced divers.