Entry

Diving Paradises On Four Continents

Apr 3rd, 2007 18:24
Harish Kohli, http://www.awimaway.com

Diving Paradises On Four Continents
If you're looking for an adventure that is physically active yet 
relaxing, mentally stimulating and spiritually uplifting, diving amid 
the wonders of a coral reef may be the ultimate answer. But where 
should you go, especially if you have a taste for something and 
somewhere a bit out of the way? 
Here are four corners of paradise for the discerning reef diver, which 
are teeming with wondrous wildlife but not yet with truckloads of 
tourists.
ERITREA 
Eritrea has perfect coral reefs untouched by humans and teeming with 
aquatic life in all the colours of the rainbow. At the bottom of the 
sea you’ll find sunken wrecks, ships, tanks, rocket launchers and even 
a complete dry dock. In the Dahlak coral reefs you can find 250 
species of fish, as well as sharks, dolphins, barracuda, tuna, caranx –
 narrow-bodied fish with widely forked tails – and dugong, the near 
extinct sea cow. Dugong are large enough not to have many predators; 
on the other hand, they have a long life span and are slow breeders, 
which make them vulnerable to threats. See them while you can. You 
need a visa to visit Eritrea. There are good hotels to stay in but 
sleeping on the beach is free and fun. 
BELIZE 
The Barrier Reef off Ambergris Caye (island) lies about a kilometre 
off the windward side of the island. At about 300 km, it is the 
longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest 
in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland. 
Inside the reef the water is shallow and blue-tinged; outside the 
reef, the water is deep and seen from the air looks a dark royal blue. 
Near Ambergris Caye the reef almost touches land and here it is a 
magnificent, almost so!id wall of coral formations, broken only by 
narrow channels called "quebradas". The coral is astonishing in its 
endless variety of shapes and colours: rainbow-tinged tropical fish, 
delicate sea fans, sponges and gorgeous coral gardens. 
Beyond the reef, the seabed drops sharply in a series of layers to 
enormous depths, where gamefish such as mackerel, tuna, sailfish and 
marlin.
To the east of the Barrier Reef there are three separate atoll reefs, 
which run northeast-southwest and are separated by deep marine 
trenches. Just to the north, in Mexican waters, is a fourth atoll 
reef, Banco Chinchorro, where there are abundant wrecks to explore. UK-
based operator AwimAway.com (020 7430 1766, www.awimaway.com) an 
adventure specialist undertakes some interesting tours to the region.
SOUTH AFRICA 
Tropical sunshine and the warm Aughlas current have allowed the 
formation of a unique coral reef at Sodwana, about 400 km north of 
Durban near the Mozambique border. The reef is home to over 1200 
species of reef fish and also hosts visits from mantas, whale sharks, 
Zambezi sharks, humpback whales and dolphins.
Sodwana Bay – the name means “little one on its own” in Zulu - is one 
of the most popular of the dive sites, being easily accessible by road 
from Durban and enjoying temperatures averaging a pleasant 24°–28°C. 
There are many shallow coastal pools suitable for snorkelling, with 
interesting reef formations and fish life. Check out with 
www.awimaway.com for your customised tour to the region.
AUSTRALIA 
Yes, of course there’s the Great Barrier Reef, but for something a bit 
different, think about Ningaloo Reef, which is off the town of 
Exmouth, pretty much as far west as you can go in Australia (flights 
from Perth daily).
Ningaloo Reef is a fringing, rather than a barrier reef, because it is 
quite close to the shore and only shallow water separates land and 
reef. This intricate reef system stretches over 260 km and, at some 
points, is only metres from the beach. It is home to myriad marine 
animals, including the largest fish in the world, the rare whale 
shark, some specimens of which grow to 18 metres in length. Whale 
shark visit the Ningaloo Reef between March and June looking for 
plankton to eat. Humpback whales, manta rays and green, loggerhead and 
hawksbill turtles can also be seen in their season. 
The little damselfish, which hide in the coral, the colourful and 
conspicuous wrasses, the exquisitely patterned and graceful 
butterflyfish and the similarly gorgeous angelfish, abundant 
cardinalfish and parrotfish all contribute to making this an 
environment of rare splendour, impressive as a diving destination all 
year round.
Thanx
Harish Kohli
http://www.awimaway.com