Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

How to Travel and Dive Responsibly During the Pandemic

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A year into the Covid pandemic, many people are eager to get back out to travel. Preparing in advance is essential at this time. Anyone can have a wonderful and safe trip, full of great experiences and memories, but only by putting in the effort. 

Travel Planning

Before booking a trip, be sure to check into the travel restrictions based on location and type of transportation. Whether it is a country, U.S. state, or city, many places have their own rules. Venues may also have travel restrictions based on the location. For example, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California are in two states and must comply with their respective state’s rules. For other countries, check the embassy website, which should provide covid guidelines. While it is rare to find travel insurance for Covid, carrying some travel insurance is a matter of good practice. Also, plan to bring along any documents, such as medical insurance cards, that could be useful in an emergency.

Covid Testing

Some countries and places require Covid testing before a flight. Check if rapid Covid testing is available while you wait, like at the Denver International Airport, or the requirement is to have a negative test three days in advance, which is the rule in the United Kingdom.

Covid Gear

There are several items every traveler should take to protect themselves from Covid. First, bring several masks. It may be easier to use disposable masks and throw them away after each use. However, if a cloth mask is more comfortable, be sure to bring enough for each day. Next, pack hand sanitizer as it may not be readily available. Finally, if possible, bring a forehead thermometer for venues that take body temperature before entry to any venue. Some businesses have the right to refuse access to their locations if customers do not meet body temperature requirements. 

Social Distancing

During travel and while at any venue, try to maintain social distancing. Some places have markers for social distancing or guides to remind visitors of the rules. While social distancing is not possible in every situation, it is best to observe the six-foot rule when appropriate.

Finally, enjoy the trip! Preparing in advance can give travelers the peace of mind they need to enjoy the sights and activities that drove them to travel in the first place.

The Best Holiday Gifts for Scuba Divers

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The holidays are around the corner. Therefore, people need to start preparing gifts for scuba diving enthusiasts on their gift list. The gift a person will give to a scuba diver friend will depend on their budget.

Choosing the best holiday gift for scuba divers can be challenging, especially for people who aren’t enthusiastic about scuba diving. Moreover, they are many gifts for scuba divers. Therefore choosing the best one can be confusing. People can find these gifts at local dive shops or online. Here are the best holiday gifts for scuba divers.

Ocean-Themed Jewelry

Scuba divers love the ocean. They enjoy scuba diving and taking photos or videos of marine life. Ocean-themed jewelry such as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces reminds them of ocean life.

If a scuba diver prefers to wear a wet suit instead of a suit, handmade bracelet cuffs with marine life designs can be a good holiday gift for them. Masks, diving helmet cufflinks, and snorkels are also great holiday gifts for a scuba diver.

T-Shirts or Hats

Scuba divers don’t always spend all their time underwater. When they are not Scuba diving, they are probably basking on the beach. Hats help protect their head from sunlight rays, which can be harmful. When people buy PADI gear hats, they somehow help keep plastic out of the ocean. It is because they use recycled plastic to make hats.

A t-shirt is yet another gift a scuba diver would love to receive. Before buying a t-shirt, it is advisable to ask the scuba diver which dive shop they prefer. The t-shirt can have phrases such as “I work well under pressure.”

Books about Sea Creatures and Scuba Diving

Before sending a holiday gift to a scuba diving enthusiast, the sender should consider the diver’s interests. If they enjoy reading books about sea creatures and scuba diving, then such books are the best holiday gifts.

For instance, National Geographic books inspire individuals to love and protect the underwater world. Books about scuba diving can also help them become better scuba divers and safe places to do it.

Scuba Diving Gadgets and Accessories

Thanks to technology, there are several gadgets that individuals can give to scuba divers. It includes a dive torch, GPS devices, underwater cameras, etc.

The above are some holiday gifts for scuba divers. The gifts should be unique and fit their budget range.

Fall Destinations for Scuba Diving

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Depending on where you live, the end of summer may mean an offseason for your diving practice. If you don’t mind traveling, however, fall is a great time to check out new destinations. Here are some places you should consider scuba diving this autumn.

Costa Rica

If you’ve never dived in Costa Rica, this destination should be at the top of your list. The west coast is cooler than the east side, and it’s home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife. On your adventure, you may see bull sharks, seahorses, and harlequin crown shrimp among others. If you enjoy exploring on land as well, you can also head out to a nearby jungle.

Oman

Fall is the perfect time to visit Oman. You’ll enjoy perfect weather and breathtaking sights without fighting the crowds that frequent other destinations. Among the sea life, you can expect to see thousands of triggerfish and whalefish as well as many other creatures.

Gozo

Gozo is remarkably warm even in October, so you can put this on your list of fall diving sites too. Divers across the world love to visit Gozo because the visibility is incredible. Whether you’re a new diver or a pro, you’ll enjoy Gozo’s swim throughs, caverns, and giant walls. 

With all of these options available, there’s no need to take a break from scuba diving in the autumn. All you need to do is hop on a plane and embark on a new adventure.

Diving Spotlight: Florida

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If you’re taking a vacation to Florida, or already live in the Sunshine State, activities like scuba diving and snorkeling might be on your agenda.  Don’t be too concerned about which coasts are nearest to you, fortunately for visitors and residents alike, Florida’s diving sites are located on multiple coasts throughout the peninsula.

 

Here are some of the best sites for scuba diving throughout Florida!

 

Biscayne Maritime Heritage Trail  

Biscayne National Park

Dive into some maritime history on the heritage trail at Biscayne National Park.  Groups of divers and snorkelers can take a visit here to experience an underwater history lesson spanned with shipwrecks dating back to the late 1800’s.  Provided with waterproof maps, divers can make their way to each separate wreck to explore the sites below.

 

Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary

Big Pine Key

If you’re looking to experience one of the states beautiful living reefs, Looe Key is a great place to start.  A protected underwater ecosystem, this site is full of high rock ledges, colorful exotic marine life, and of course, miles worth of living coral reef structures that are more than just a site to see.  In fact, the reef was previously home to the HMS Looe shipwreck dating back to 1744. Though the wreck is no longer present in the reef, but it’s a great back story to how the site obtained its name!

 

Devil’s Den

Williston

A name with an interesting history, the Devils Den is a warm spring set in an underground cave with a ton of ancient history behind it.  It’s name was given by early settlers who, due to the warm steam coming up from the above ground at the caves location, thought that the site may be the pathway to hell.  While in the following years that theory was debunked, visitors can experience this underground wonderland while enjoying the warmth and scenery of this 2 million year old cavern.

 

Half Moon Preserve

Biscayne National Park

An early 1900’s racing yacht originally named the Germania, is the setting to this underwater diving site.  From it’s build date in 1908, the Germania had a number of different captains, homes, and two name changes, officially taking its final name “Half Moon” around 1920.  By 1930, the Half Moon was being used as a fishing vessel, until its ultimate demise during a storm.  Today, the wreck sits about 10 feet underwater, is a home for marine life, and a great attraction for divers looking to experience a little piece of history.  

 

Blue Grotto

Williston

Quite close to our previously mentioned diving site, the Devil’s Den, Blue Grotto is a stunning clear water cavern, that is open to divers and snorkelers of all experience levels.  With a maximum diving depth of 100 feet, divers can experience what is said to be one of the clearest waters in Florida.  An additional perk for divers is the diving bell at the 30 foot mark, where divers can take an opportunity to take a quick break and converse with their diving partner.

Oceanic Wonders Only Scuba Divers Can See

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When you become a fully certified Open Water Diver, it does not simply mark the end of your scuba diving course; it marks the beginning of the endless underwater adventures that are now available to you. Those who are now certified do not just go out and practice their skills in a swimming pool. This is your opportunity to break out the map and start creating your scuba diving bucket list to find the top spots where you will make your memories. You can explore historic shipwrecks, go up close and personal some of the world’s most feared underwater apex predators, and even venture into caverns and peruse underwater museums. Becoming a certified diver ensures that there will be something out there for you to explore. Let’s take a look at some of the oceanic wonders out there for scuba divers to explore.

 

Great Barrier Reef – Australia

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world’s largest coral reef system and has over 2,900 individual reefs along with 900 islands that stretch for over 2,300 kilometers and over an area of about 344,400 square kilometers. It’s not just the immense size of the area that makes for the unforgettable experience; it is also the diversity of the encounters you can have. From the scores of great humphead parrotfish swimming past to the spying giant clams, the Great Barrier Reef has so much at its disposal. Some of the best times come in June and July when there is the migration of the curious minke whales.

 

Underwater Museum – Cancun, Mexico

The Underwater Museum in Cancun was installed as the first underwater sculpture park in 2009 by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. It includes life-size figures that act as a foundation. Each work in the underwater museum has become a habitat for many of the creatures in the surrounding area such as the budding coral, sponges, and shrimp and other crustaceans. Jason deCaires Taylor himself has recommended viewing his works at night as your view will be limited to what the light can illuminate which adds to the overall experience.

 

Ocean Cave – Palau

One of the most famous sites in Palau is Chandelier Cave which as mandarin fish who flit about near the entrance. Diving in this marine cave, you will find yourself along with stalactites and even find some reef fish as well. One of the things that make this place so spectacular is the four chambers that also have air pockets so that divers can travel through the dark tunnels and then pop their heads out to see a ceiling supported with formations that are as big as columns.