Let me say up front, that any scuba diving vacation is, by nature, not going to be cheap. However, diving to new depths and exploring new worlds doesn't have to break the bank.
People are quick to think of the Caribbean as a scuba location, but if you are willing to travel farther afield, many exciting and unique underwater pleasures await.
If you are a relatively experienced diver, nothing is more fulfilling than a chance to dive a shipwreck, where sea life congregates on artificially created reefs. Alternatively if you have never dived before, this may be your chance to take the plunge.
Vanuatu
Besides being the location of the latest Survivor series, Vanuatu is also home to the largest shipwreck in the world -- the USS President Coolidge. Sitting in only 60 feet of water, she is largely intact and extremely accessible from the island of Santo.
Getting to Vila, Vanuatu from the US can be a little tricky as there are no direct flights. It can also be costly as in high season these flights, often via New Zealand from Los Angeles can cost upwards of $2,000. Your best option is to fly via Fiji and enjoy that Pacific hospitality from the minute you step on your flight. Air Pacific (tel. 800/227-4446; www.airpacificusa.com) has flights from Los Angeles to Vila via Nadi, Fiji starting at a super low $965. This airfare is valid for departures from now until December 11, 2004 and from December 29, 2004 until March 31, 2005. Airport taxes and fees of approximately $118 are additional.
Air Pacific also has a "Pacific Air Pass" for US$449 if you want to include a few more islands in your travels. It originates in Fiji (flights to Nadi start at $910 from Los Angeles) and is good for Apia in Western Samoa, Tonga, and Port Vila on Vanuatu. The pass is good for 30 days from the date of commencement of travel. In order to qualify for the pass, travel must originate in North America and the ticket must be issued in the U.S.
Fathom South Pacific Travel (www.fathomtravel.com) has an all-inclusive eight-day dive package that includes accommodation for seven nights in Santo at the Deco Lodge, three meals per day, roundtrip domestic airfare (Vila/Santo/Vila), transfer to and from the resort in Santo, eight dives on the SS President Coolidge, all diving equipment and gear, two separate day trips to Champagne Beach and Duck Dive and all government taxes for $1,173. Non-divers who accompany divers pay $949. Airfare to Vila is additional.
Queensland, Australia
Qantas (tel. 800/227-4603; www.qantasusa.com/webDeals/217) offers an easy and affordable way to combine a trip to Australia with a diving adventure with its new "Aussie Air Pass." For $1,199 from Los Angeles or Honolulu or $1,499 from New York, the pass includes roundtrip economy class airfare on select flights plus three qualifying domestic flights within Australia (including the Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns). Travel is available from November 1 to December 9, 2004; April 26 to June 17, 2005; or July 19 to August 26, 2005. Travel must be booked a minimum of 30 days before departure with a minimum stay of seven-days and maximum stay of 30-days required.
The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a magical place to dive, nowhere more so than on the SS Yongala, a shipwreck that sank during a 1911 cyclone. Identified as one of the world's top ten dive sites, here you can experience a menagerie of sea life from sharks to dolphins, turtles to 800-pound groupers. Located 48 nautical miles south east of Townsville, it's easy access with regular flights into Townsville from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.
Diving is possible all year round due to the lovely warm waters of tropical Northern Queensland. Water temperature ranges from 72-77°F in the winter to 79-84°F in the summer.
Yongala Dive (tel + 61-7-4783-1519; www.yongaladive.com.au) runs day trips out to the SS Yongala, only a 45-minute boat ride away from shore. A day trip includes two dives, a dive guide, all scuba gear (including wetsuits, tanks, weights etc.), a BBQ lunch, refreshments, fruit and snacks for $140. Transportion from Townsville to the launch town of Alva Beach (about one hour away) is not included.
Koh Tao, Thailand
A marine national park on a magnificent tropical island, where you can dive with sea turtles, explore shallow reefs and then come back to your beachfront bungalow and enjoy an exquisitely prepared authentic Thai seafood dinner -- what could be better?
Like many of these exotic destinations, getting to Koh Tao can be an experience in itself as you will need to make at least one to two stops on the way, most likely in Bangkok. From there you will need to fly to Koh Samui -- one-way flights on Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) are $86 and flights depart at least hourly. From there catch one of the regular ferries or smaller boats to Koh Tao. The trip takes approximately two hours and costs around $10. A stop-over in either Bangkok or Koh Samui is advisable to break up the journey. You can also do day trips to the dive sites of Koh Tao from Koh Samui, so many travelers choose to remain on the larger more resort-oriented island.
Cheap Flights (www.cheapflights.com) currently has roundtrip airfares to Bangkok via Taipei starting at $602 plus taxes from Los Angeles valid for travel until June 6, 2005. Note that some blackout periods apply.
Go-Today (tel. 425/487-9632; www.go-today.com) has a "Bangkok Special" from Los Angeles, which includes roundtrip airfare and five-nights' accommodation in Bangkok (even if you forfeit some or all of this accommodation, it may end up as cheap as a regular flight to Bangkok), breakfast daily, a city tour and transfers. Prices start at $699 plus taxes of approximately $100. The booking deadline is October 19 (although this may be moved back) for travel from October 26, 2004 to March 31, 2005 (with a blackout period from December 1, 2004 to January 12, 2005). Add $75 from Seattle, $120 from New York and $250 from Chicago. Other departure cities are also available.
Koh Tao is an excellent location to learn to dive, with crystal clear water, white sand, an abundance of marine life and the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Open water PADI four-day dive certificate courses, which accredit you to dive anywhere in the world, start as low as $200 per person, making Koh Tao among the cheapest places anywhere to get accredited. Don't let the low price dissuade you -- Koh Tao is renowned for its excellent dive schools with internationally trained instructors, making them safe as well. There are numerous dive schools here, so you might choose to wait until you arrive and shop around for the courses or dives that suit you best. For more information and listings of dive schools visit www.kohtao.com.
Do Your Research
Despite being enjoyable, adventurous and relaxing, scuba involves a certain element of danger -- so you need to research the company you're considering using. Be sure to ask about:
- If company and instructors are internationally accredited and certified with a reputable organization like the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
- If the instructors or dive leaders speak English
- If the equipment they use is well-maintained and how often
- To find out what procedures they have in place for emergencies and accidents
Don't let that film Open Water put you off -- scuba incidents are extremely rare, especially with high quality dive operations. We recommend heading to PADI's FAQ page for more detailed information at www.padi.com/english/common/courses/faq.asp.