BELIZE:
Center America is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef and by far Scott’s favorite dive destination. Off the shores of Belize lies this rich barrier reef with three coral atolls and the infamous blue hole, a spectacular natural underwater phenomenon. Abundant marine life awaits the adventure diver with wall diving and a health protected reef system. Turneffe, Lighthouse Reefs, Half Moon Caye Wall, and the Blue Hole are some of the can’t miss dive locations. Reefs in Belize are adorned with huge crimson gorgonians, sponges, huge crimson gorgonians and giant, orange elephant ear sponges. Moray eels, spiny lobsters, tiny arrow crabs hide in every crack, crevice, cave and tunnel of these beautiful coral formations. Dolphins often escort the boats between dive sites. Deep divers explore the mystical Blue Hole, a 1,000-foot wide, 600-foot deep, collapsed freshwater cave system. This is something that no one should miss. After your finished diving, explore the lush tropical country visiting ancient Mayan ruins, diverse flora and fauna.

Weather: Tropical on the water and inland. High 70’s to mid-80’s, lots of sun, so bring sunscreen.

Documents: Valid passport required.

Money: Belize Dollar – BZ$, Conversion 1US$ to 2BZ$

Time: Central Standard Time

Electricity: 110V, 60Hz same as US and Canada

Getting there: Belize City is the major airport in Belize, flying through Houston or Miami. (Note: Belize City isn’t the greatest place to hang out, us it as the entry location but plan on leaving to explore shortly after arriving.)

Can’t miss: Half Moon Caye Walls, Blue Hole

Recommended Operators:

Land:
Belize Yacht Club

Live aboard:
Aggressor Fleet
Peter Hughes

Other websites:
Belize Tourism Board

BONAIRE

This is the shore diving Mecca of the dive world with over 60 prime dive sites that are simply marked by yellow stones on the side of the road that dots the leeward side of the island. It also happens to be the first dive destination for Scott many years ago before it was discovered by the world. It’s a great place for first time warm water divers as well as seasoned divers. All dive sites are just a short kick from the beach and clear water conditions make it easy to navigate. Just fill the rental truck with your tanks and gear that are available 24x7 and pick a site when you feel lucky. As you soon will discover, they are all awesome. This isn’t by accident, Bonaire has over 20 years of experience protecting their marine environment and it shows. Klien Bonaire can add to the mix of diving with a short boat ride to this little island paradise.

Weather: Arid, average daily temperatures hold around 81°F all year, and humidity is tolerable. This is close to the equator with strong winds for great windsurfing.

Documents: US citizens need a passport and return or onward tickets.

Money: US dollars are widely accepted but you're likely to get your change in florins

Time: Atlantic Standard Time

Electricity: 110-130V, 50Hz

Getting there: From the US, American Airlines has flights between New York and Aruba, connect with Air Aruba flight to Bonaire. Fly to Caracas and connect to Bonaire or from Chicago to Jamaica and then connect to Bonaire.

Can’t miss: Tower Pier, Salt Pier for macro life and photo opportunities. 1000 Steps - Scott’s personal favorate, and the sloping southern wall of Klien Bonaire which is the richest of the island region

Recommended Operators:

Land:
Sand Dollar Resorts
Buddy Dive
Plaza Bonaire
Capitan Don's Habitat

Live aboard:
This is a land based dive paradise, no need for live-aboards.

Other websites:
Bonaire Tourism: Info Bonaire or BMP

HAWAII, OAHU & KAUAI

Hawaii:
Volcanic islands, whales, rays, and turtles everywhere are the things that come to mind when you think of diving Hawaii. This isn’t the Caribbean diving adventure where you're there for the coral. This is Hawaii with volcanic lava reefs, some hard corals but great pacific fish life combined with islands of land fun to make it a perfect multi-activity trip. After you’re done diving, rent a sailboat or try your hand at surfing from one of the local surf schools. Interested in just hanging out, then Kauai is your place to get lost either on a remote sandy beach or hiking up the lush green island mountains. Oahu and Kauai are the ying and yang of each other. Oahu has the fast paced life of Waikiki with all of the tourist attractions of ones dreams (or nightmares.) While Kauai is remote, must less touristy and as laid back as you want to be. Just pick your pleasure island of choice and have fun!

Weather: Tropical inlands with warm water but Alaska swells in the winter bring the water temp down so at least a 3mm is needed. High in the mid-80’s, lots of sun. Kauai gets rain every day but the showers are short so hang in there, the sun is right around the corner.

Documents: This is the USA! Although walking around you may think your visiting Asia with all of the visitors.

Money: Good old green backs, US dollars.

Time: 5 hours behind Central Standard Time

Electricity: 110V, 60Hz

Getting there: Most major airports in the US have flights direct to Honolulu, Hawaii including LA, San Francisco and Chicago. Connecting in the US will save you money on the flight. From Honolulu you can connect on local flight of Hawaiian Air or Aloha Airlines for reasonable costs.

Can’t miss:

Oahu sites: YO-257, V/V Mahi, and Makaha Caverns
Note: Dive shops in Waikiki will want to take you to the Cosair airplane, this is a nice easy dive if you have only 2 to 4 people on the boat any more and all you’ll see are other divers fins!

Kauai Sites: Key Hole, Turtle Bluffs and Sheraton Caverns

Recommended Operators:

Land:
Oahu: Ocean Concepts

Kauai: Fathom Five and Ocean Quest

Guide Books:
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by wizard publications

Other websites:
Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau

THAILAND

Thailand:
Spanning over 402,000 sq km of marine environment including over 500 islands in the Indo-Pacific region, Thailand brings together the union of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. These nutrient rich waters supplied by some of the world’s major rivers flow from the richest tropical rain forest of Asia. Thailand offers multiple environments to dive. From the Andaman Sea, which is best seen from November to May; To the Gulf of Thailand where April to October is the peek time to dive. The Gulf of Thailand includes three world famous islands that shouldn’t be missed for land diving adventures, Ko Samui, Ko Pan-ngan, and Ko Tao. Day boats whisk divers to the reef during the day and back to shore in time to enjoy some of the great nightlife these islands offer. Across the Thai peninsula is the Andaman Sea, known for soft coral, macro creatures, and whale shark encounters. Here live-aboards are a must if you want to enjoy some of the best diving in Thailand. Must stops during your week of live-aboard diving include the Similan Islands, Kon Bon, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Note, live-aboard boats are not regulated in Thailand so be careful of your selection and expect to see more than one dive group on a site. Even still, the diving is some of the best in the world.

2005 Tsunami:
Thailand has bounced back quickly from the tragedy of the Tsunami. Our visit in March of 2005 showed only hints of the Tsunami effects both above the water and below. Phi Phi Island was the only place where great devastation was still evident and even on Phi Phi the island life was returning with the help of numerous volunteers. Coral reefs below about 20 ft were untouched and ready for the next photo pro to capture their beauty.

Weather: Hot! Tropical on the water and inland. High 80’s to mid-90’s, lots of sun, so bring sunscreen.

Documents: Valid passport required.

Money: Thai baht, $1 US = about 42B

Time: Thailand’s time is 7 hr ahead of GMT London, so Noon Bangkok is 11 pm Milwaukee time the previous day.

Electricity: 220 volts

Getting there: From the US flight from Los Angeles and San Francisco with connections in Hong Kong and Singapore arrive in Bangkok. Flights around Thailand are easy with both Bangkok Airways and Thai Air, with service that is far above any US air carrier.

Can’t miss: Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock for diving. Adventures to Angkor Wat Cambodia to explore the historic majestic accent temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Tom. Thai food, can we say more!

Recommended Operators:

Land:
Ko Samui – The White House
Ko Samui – Zazen

Live aboard:
Aqua One live-aboard

Other websites:
Thailand Tourism Board