Scuba Diving Equipment » Professional Association Of Diving Instructors

Wreck Diving in Malta – the paradise of the Mediterranean Sea

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:14:03 +0000

The Maltese Archipelago is a real paradise for divers and snorkellers. In the case of wreck diving, for many it is a dream come true. The islands have fortunately retained their natural state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its fauna.

The attraction of Malta and Gozo for the diver, however, is based on their unique topographic structure, the healthy water situation which offers a visibility of over 25 meters at most dive sites, the rich fauna and the large amount of wrecks. The combination of sheer cliffs, caves, wrecks, shelves and sandy and rocky sea beds, means there is a large variety of fauna and flora to see and explore in Maltese waters.

Wrecks, as artificial reef habitats, have provided a home for a great number of species in recent years and make excellent dive sites. Even more exciting for both the beginner and the experienced diver, there is also a large amount of wrecks from the First and Second World Wars. They are wrecks of all shapes and dimensions that make Malta and Gozo a clear cut ahead for wreck diving in the Mediterranean.

Some wrecks have also been scuttled as artificial reefs and all offer perfect living conditions for fish and marine organisms. Dives on offer in Malta are either from land or from a boat, depending on the level of experience and the dive sites selected. Maltese diving schools and clubs have highly qualified and experienced professional instructors running courses under the world’s largest diver training organisation, PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors).

The best amongst Malta’s diving schools have their own dedicated top grade scuba equipment as well as all necessary support materials. Academic instruction and practical training can be carried out in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Russian and Arabic.

For the less daring – snorkelling

The active, colourful world that lies beneath the surface of the Maltese sea is full of secrets to be discovered and revealed by the ardent snorkeller. As one explores this world he soon learns more about its inhabitants and the rich life to be found there. It is easy to see why people can become passionate about the underwater world surrounding Malta and Gozo.

As an activity, snorkelling is within the reach of practically everyone. It does not ask for expensive or complicated equipment, and the basics are easy to learn. Most snorkellers take their holidays in areas that are ideal for snorkelling and for people of practically all age groups, which is why Malta has been regularly attracting more of them.

Snorkelling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually flippers. In cooler waters or in winter time, a wetsuit may also be worn. Combining these tools allows the snorkeller to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

Snorkelling is an increasingly popular recreational activity for visitors to Malta and Gozo, with hotels and holiday resorts offering lessons and snorkelling activities throughout the summer months. They give you the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting. This may include some fascinating reefs and their denizens, such as fish, cephalopods, starfish, sea urchins, and mollusks. Snorkelling in the sandy areas may allow sightings of rays and various flatfish.

Other organisms that can be seen while snorkelling in Malta include various forms of seaweed, jellyfish, shrimp, and very rarely, sea turtles and other colourful species. It is a world inviting you in. Don’t hesitate. If the idea of scuba diving is a bit too scary, but you still want to connect with the world under water then snorkelling is the perfect compromise.

By: Lucborg

Your Guide to Scuba Diving Organizations

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:37:53 +0000

Even before man ventured into space, scientists and engineers had begun exploring the deep blue ocean. Explorers were sent in mini-submersibles or in watertight armor with some breathing equipment inside to see what lies beneath the water.

Nowadays, almost anyone can do the same thing. You will just need some diving equipment and certification from a scuba diving organization.

There are three major organizations known throughout the world.

The first is called PADI or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Established in 1967, it continues to be a pioneer in teaching new and experienced divers new techniques about underwater exploration.

A student as young as 10 can be allowed to take a basic certification course before being able to move up to the next level. This scuba diving organization boasts to having issued almost a million licenses every year to adventure seeking enthusiasts around the world.

The second is known as NAUI or the National Association of Underwater Instructors. This was established a few years before PADI existed which means it has been in the industry much longer offering more programs.

Some of these include night diving, nitrox, search and recovery, scuba rescue, skin and diving. A kid as young as 8 can start learning the basics and then move up as he gets older.

The third is called SSI or Scuba Schools International. This was established a year after NAUI started operations. It has an official website with tie-ups with different resorts and schools around the world offering the same quality of education to beginners and experienced divers.

In any of the three diving organizations, the only way to move up to the next skill level will be by spending a certain number of hours underwater as well as taking written exams.

Should the student pass, the diver from basic will move up to silver or gold class. The names for the various levels is different and those with a lot of experience can even become a dive masters to also teach beginners about this adventure sport.

Is one scuba diving organization better than the other? The answer is no because each of the three offers the student a similar program allowing the individual to appreciate the wonders of the ocean.

The individual will just have to think which one is the closest to the resort or where one resides to begin the adventure of seeing life under the sea.

By: Ollie Donovan

Thailand Holidays: Learning to Scuba Dive on a Budget

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:50:25 +0000

Thailand has so much to offer holidaymakers of all types. From the hustle, bustle and culture rich streets of Bangkok to the tranquil waters and picturesque beaches of the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand is a fabulous holiday destination. What most people might not have known is that it is also one of the best scuba diving locations in the world – especially for those on a tight budget.

Historically, the British pound has been very strong against the Thai baht and this has made Thailand a very affordable holiday destination. The pound has taken a dip over the past year, but it is slowly climbing back up against the baht and this is making a big difference to the cost of Thailand holidays.

The recent political unrest has also had an understandable impact on Thailand’s tourism numbers and the knock-on effect of this has meant cheaper flights and hotels for travellers who are willing to make the trip to Thailand’s exotic shores. The combination of cheaper holidays and a strengthening pound has meant that there isn’t a better time than now to visit Thailand and get yourself PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified while you are there.

With crystal clear, warm waters and an abundance of exotic marine life, including whale sharks, turtles and beautiful coral reefs, Thailand is a scuba diver’s paradise. You can often pay up to £500 in the UK the PADI Open Water Diver course, which runs for about four days and is the most popular dive programme in the world. In Thailand this same course can cost around £170 and with average sea temperatures of about 28oC – much better than around 16oC on the UK’s south coast.

Once you have your PADI Open Water Diver qualification, you can go for more advanced qualifications or just go scuba diving for fun. Again, Thailand has some of the cheapest fun diving and liveaboards in the world. You can find fun dives around the island of Koh Tao for as little as £12 per tank or £10 if you bring your own equipment.

Liveaboards can be found for all budgets and can last from two days to two weeks. Staying on a boat and diving each day is definitely a good way to expand your diving skills and get a wide variety of dives in during your holiday. A typical four day/four night liveabord trip in Thailand starts at around £400 and will often include multiple destination dives, accommodation and diving equipment.

There are many different dive locations around mainland Thailand and its islands, such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Phi Phi. One of the most recognised is the Similan Islands National Park, a group of small islands in the Phang Nga Province of southern Thailand. There are plenty of spectacular dive sites in this region, with sightings of whale sharks not uncommon. Visibility is around 30 to 40 metres in good weather conditions and the sheer abundance of marine life makes diving there something very special.

Thailand holidays are usually associated with relaxing on a beach or hunting a bargain in a busy Bangkok market, but learning to dive in Thailand is something that will make you holiday even more memorable. Scuba diving is a fun experience and will give you skills and memories that will last a lifetime and have a huge impact on where you will want to spend your holidays in the future.

By: Victoria Cochrane

Scuba Diving Malaysia

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:59:51 +0000

ng>Scuba Diving Malaysia – Sea Dragon Malaysia

Scuba Diving Malaysia Sea Dragon Malaysia Sdn Bhd is an independent, wholly Malaysian scuba diving training center conveniently located near Time Square in Kuala Lumpur.

Scuba Diving Malaysia is a member of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world’s largest recreational diving membership organization. The membership includes dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers, snorkelers and other watersports enthusiasts.

We recognize that our strength and competitive advantage is in performing outstanding service and developing excellent programs. We pride ourselves in listening to the need of our markets and exceeding their expectations.

The instructors and team that make up Sea Dragon Malaysia have amassed a wealth of experience and skills from teaching and servicing a diverse clientele range over these past 10 years. We are proud to offer the same limitless dedication and commitment to you.

We also offer diving or snorkelling Equipment to buy and rent, dive trips and can even sort you out with accommodation with a wide range of resorts throughout Malaysia.

Scuba Diving Malaysia Gallery :

Scuba Diving Malaysia Responsibilites

In all that we do, we will demonstrate our steadfast commitment to being a world-class leader in every aspect of our business – in the training of scuba divers and instructors, in the support and service we provide, in diving safety and education, in aquatic environmental education and preservation, in the way we design and develop our products. We honor our commitments, take personal responsibility for our actions and practice the highest ethical standards.

For further info please visite our Website http://www.scuba-divingmalaysia.com Or by Email web [at] scuba-divingmalaysia.com . Scuba Diving Malaysia – Bali Diving

Scuba Malaysia – Scuba Diving Malaysia – Sea Dragon Malaysia

By: Scuba Malaysia