SCUBA and Snorkeling Trips Archives - ETB Travel Photography

Wreck Diving on a Budget: Your Guide to Short Egypt Liveaboards

The lure of the Red Sea’s wreck cemetery is powerful, isn’t it? For those of us who feel a deep connection to maritime history, the legendary Northern Wrecks of Egypt are practically a pilgrimage. You want to see the famous SS Thistlegorm, sure, but maybe you don’t have 10 days or $5,000 to spare. The good news is that you can absolutely secure a world-class wreck diving experience without sinking your savings account.

The key lies in bypassing the standard, week-long safari and opting instead for a focused, short-format liveaboard Egypt trip. This “wreck express” approach lets you pack the absolute best sites into three or four days, proving that a premium Egypt diving liveaboard experience doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag. It’s about being smart with your time and money, transforming an expensive dream into an accessible reality for the dedicated wreck enthusiast.

DIVE IN!

SCUBA Diving in Indonesia

I recently returned from SCUBA diving in Indonesia on the Mermaid II liveaboard. The 7-day itinerary was Bali-Komodo-Bali, and we dove six of those days, with the rest being transit.

The Mermaid II spends most of its time in Bali, Komodo, and Raja Ampat with a few weeks in Lembeh, Alor, and the Banda Sea. The SCUBA diving in these areas is superb! The marine life and biodiversity are like none other. Mantas swoop overhead while rare nudibranchs, frogfish, pipefish, and pygmy seahorses hide in the colorful corals.

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Komodo Island’s Komodo Dragons

After three days in Singapore and three days in Bali, we finally boarded our dive boat to explore the waters of Indonesia on the way to Komodo Island and back. I’m embarrassed to admit that on our 7 day dive-centric trip, I was most excited about potentially seeing a Komodo dragon! That statement probably sounds like blasphemy to my fellow SCUBA divers, but I had never seen one of these endangered creatures.

The Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world, may only be found in the wild in Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is comprised of three large islands in Indonesia’s Lesser Sundra Archipelago: Komodo, Padar, and Rinca, as well as many smaller ones.

GO KOMODO!

Things to Do in Loreto

After escaping Hurricane Norma whose rains flooded the dirt streets of Cabo Pulmo, we arrived in Loreto at dusk. The drive past cacti forests with views of mountains and the ocean was pleasant, as was the weather in Loreto. We had nothing planned, but soon found out there are many things to do in Loreto.

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Diving Cabo Pulmo

I’ve contemplated how to write this article on Cabo Pulmo for a while now. Normally, I write a “things to do” post upon visiting a small town, but with Cabo Pulmo being a solar village of only 100 people, there is not a whole lot to do, which is the beauty of it.

Adding Hurricane Norma into the mix of limited local food supplies, dirt streets, and solar power without air conditioning, our glamping vacation in the Villa del Mar turned into quite an adventure! All things considered, we had a remarkably good time. But first here are things to know about Cabo Pulmo.

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Top Things to Do in Dominica

Dominica is the youngest island of the Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean. With its lush, mountainous rainforest and variety of a rare flora and fauna, Dominica calls itself the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Adventure awaits those who visit the 290 square mile island. Below are some top things to do in Dominica.

History of Dominica

But first, lets it explore its history, because that will explain why the culture leans French, but the driving is English style on the left side of the road!

Dominica was first settled by the Arawak in the 5^th century. They were later displaced by the Kalinago in the 15^th century. Christopher Columbus sailed by the island on a Sunday in 1493, and as a result called it Dominica, latin for Sunday.

The Spanish had little success colonizing Dominica. Consequently, the French claimed it in 1632, though they did not establish a permanent settlement until 1690 when woodcutters from the neighboring French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe began harvesting trees.

The French ceded Dominica to Great Britain in 1783 under the Treaty of Paris after losing the Seven Years’ War. For nearly the next 200 years, the British ruled Dominica until it granted the island independence in 1978.

Despite the more recent and longer reign of the British, the culture is predominately French Creole, though Dominica’s official language is English.

Today, Dominica draws global interest not only for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes but also for the Dominica citizenship by investment. Launched in 1993, this initiative allows individuals and their families to gain citizenship in Dominica by making an economic contribution to the nation.

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Diving Dominica

Dominica is one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean. Known as the nature island of the Caribbean, Dominica features a variety of dive sites. Its underwater topography mirrors the dramatic landscape above. Canyons, pinnacles, and steep walls of pristine corals and sponges provide homes to magnificent marine life. Seahorses, frogfish, electric rays, eels, and turtles are just a few of the special underwater creatures found at the dive sites in Dominica. There are even underwater hot springs!

The SCUBA diving in Dominica takes place in three marine reserves. The marine section of Cabrits National Park is located in the north, the Salisbury Marine Reserve is on the west coast, and the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve is in the south.

GO DIVING!

Top Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii

A year ago, I was on my way to the South Pacific via Hawaii. I spent a week on the Big Island, including three days in Hilo. Now that visitors with a COVID check may travel to Hawaii, and Hilo is a popular winter destination, I thought I’d write about things to do in Hilo. Find the list below:

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The Sunken City of Kekova

A long time ago, I read an article about SCUBA diving in underwater, ancient ruins near Istanbul. I thought that would be cool to do, so it has stayed with me for years. Having said that, during my six week trip to the Middle East which included Oman, Israel, and Turkey, SCUBA Diving didn’t make the list.

Instead, I signed up for a two-week tour through the western half of Turkey with G-Adventures, a budget-minded National Geographic Company. Having completed little research and being rather dependent on the tour company, I was surprised to learn that there were underwater ruins in Kekova, one of the destinations on our travels.

SAIL AWAY!

Top Things to Do in Muscat

About Oman

Pre 1970

Dating as far back as 5,000 BC Oman was the center of the frankincense trade. Before the 7^th century, during pre-Islamic times, it prospered through the trade of copper. Later, Oman came under the leadership of the Bani Nabhan Dynasty which lasted 500 years where it suffered many civil wars between the tribal factions and the Sultan’s forces.

EXPLORE MUSCAT!