Experience Shark Cage Diving In South Africa

Posted on December 9, 2008
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The concept of shark cage diving may sound a little outlandish to many people. In addition to sounding peculiar to those of you that are unfamiliar with shark cage diving, it may also sound completely insane – climbing into a cage and being submerged into open sea, only to be greeted by Great White Sharks beneath the surface. The Great White Shark can only be described as a behemoth of the sea, and it has become one of the most feared creatures in light of ridiculous Hollywood movies that have been that portray these magnificent creatures as ‘man-eaters’ and ‘mutant’. The riskiest part about going shark cage diving is choosing the right tour operator. The shark cage diving industry in South Africa is strictly monitored with the interests of the sharks and marine life kept at the forefront. At Ultimate Animals, the crew has undergone professional training and only operates with all the required licenses and certified equipment. However, it is imperative to your safety and that of the marine eco-system that you consider the following before embarking on a shark cage diving expedition:
• How long has the charter been in business? You will find that the most trustworthy operators are well-established because they have been tour operating for more than five years.
• Research the prices of different shark cage diving tour operators. The majority of operators charge in the region of R1300 for a tour that lasts 4-5 hours. A competitive price normally suggests a competitive, safety-conscious tour operator that knows the industry.
• What are the terms and conditions concerning photography onboard? Does the tour operator use an in-house photographer/videographer? Is this service included in the price of the tour? If there is no in-house photographer/videographer onboard, does the operator sell disposable underwater cameras?
• Where is the shark cage diving tour operator located? Should an injury occur how close will we be to medical facilities? All tour operators in Cape Town are close to first-world medical facilities.
• What is the maximum amount of people allowed on the boat? You are guaranteed a better experience with fewer people onboard the boat. What other perks are included in the cost of the trip? Drinks and snacks and an educational lecture are some of the offerings you should be on the look out for.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Big Island, Hawaii

Posted on August 28, 2008
Filed Under Diving | 1 Comment

A Hawaii scuba diving or snorkeling
adventure at Big Island will be the highlight of your experiences in Hawaii. Big Island is one of the premier snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in the state thanks to calm waters, unique underwater formations, and an incredible array of sea life.

There is so much to see and experience underwater at Big Island, no two diving or snorkeling adventures will be the same. You can explore sea caves, lava rock formations, underwater arches and of course, beautiful coral reefs. Hawaiian tropical fish and spinner dolphins, green sea turtles and the elusive Hawaiian monk seal are some of the animals you can encounter beneath the waves.

Big Island features a variety of diving and snorkeling spots that offer different adventures and opportunities. You can choose a diving charter or guided snorkel tour featuring sea caves and chasms, or take a special night time tour to spot manta rays. Equipment rentals, instructions, guides and dive operators are readily available along the coast of Big Island.

Whatever your skill level, you can enjoy an exciting adventure underwater at Big Island – and even swim with dolphins, if you choose. Kealakekua Bay is considered by many to be the very best snorkeling location on the Island, but it is certainly not your only option.

Underwater or Above – Dive Cameras That Take a Beating

Posted on June 12, 2008
Filed Under Diving, Technology | Leave a Comment

Are you tired of always having to “mind” the camera whenever out and about at the beach, hiking or biking some back trails, or just romping with the kids on vacation? I want it with me to catch all those moments, but end up worrying about breaking the thing.

Well no more! A handful of manufacturers have finally come out with digital cameras that can be dropped, dunked, or banged about, yet keep on working as advertised. These things are almost better than sliced bread or ATM machines.

There are a couple I really like that are virtually indestructible and both take great pictures.

Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital CameraFirst are the Olympus Stylus SW models. The name says it all in that “SW” stands for “shockproof” and “waterproof”. There are four versions, the 770, 790, 850, and just released, the Olympus 1030. Depending on model, image resolution ranges from 7 to 10 megapixels and they are waterproof to 10 feet or 33 feet of depth.

This depth rating makes them great for snorkeling, the beach, or any other water-sport, plus being airtight makes them impervious to sand and mud. For scuba diving, there are housings available making them watertight down to 130 feet.

Besides being waterproof, they are super small, and can be dropped from 5 to 6 feet without harm. For those who live or visit in the snow country, they are also freeze-proof down to 14 ° F or -10 ° C.

SeaLife Mini Dive CameraSecond are the SeaLife Mini and ECOshot dive cameras which are waterproof to depths of 130 feet and 75 feet respectively, without any additional housing.

They are both 6 megapixel models, rubber-armored, and shockproof even when dropped from as high as 6 feet high. The SeaLife models have actually been subjected to torture tests where they had a car run over them and worked fine, suffering only some scratches.

Both these Olympus and SeaLife waterproof cameras are made to stand up to rough treatment. The Olympus models are extremely compact and can easily slide into a shirt pocket, whereas the SeaLife models are larger due to their housing that allows them to go deeper.

If you want the ultimate sports and outdoors camera, you can’t go wrong with either make. Main differences besides size and price, are image resolution and the optical zoom featured on the Olympus Stylus.

Resources: Dive Cameras

Grand Cayman & Bob Soto’s Diving – End of an Era

Posted on December 28, 2005
Filed Under Diving, Travel | 9 Comments

The year is about over and with it, the passing of an institution in the world of diving. Anyone familiar with diving in the Caribbean, surely knows about Bob Soto’s Diving on Grand Cayman. Well it seems it is no more. Along with the other dive operators and pretty much everyone on the island, they suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ivan in late 2004. There are many businesses still trying to recover, and some are up and running, but Bob Soto’s closed their doors early in 2005… continue reading….

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