By The Shore Scuba Instruction

Category: locations

  • Your Unforgettable Excursion to the Florida Keys

    key west island florida highway and bridges over the sea aerial view panorama

    If you live in the United States or Northern Hemisphere, consider the Florida Keys your next diving destination. Located in the Subtropics, this diving paradise is in touch with mildly tropical maritime waters and experiences tides from the Gulf Coast and storm fronts from the Caribbean, making it on alert for any oncoming hurricanes. Locations throughout the Caribbean are highly sought after by SCUBA divers and vacationers alike, but there are benefits to diving in the Florida Keys. These are the reasons you should consider the Florida Keys as your next diving destination. 

    Affordability for Mainlanders

    If you live in the United States, the affordability of the Florida Keys makes it a great location to start your SCUBA excursions. Numerous boat charter companies are in the Florida Keys, making prices competitive. The affordability of charting boats makes it all the easier to get a dive crew together. The hotels in the Florida Keys are available through Priceline, saving you money upfront. All you need to do is fly to the Orlando or Miami airport and rent a car to drive onto the islands. No cruise required or passport is required.*

    Reliable Charters 

    Since charter companies for boats are competitive, you can be sure that most recommended companies are safe and reliable. The diving community in the Florida Keys is a large part of the local economy, meaning charter companies must be on top of their safety game and obtain proper certifications. Booking a hotel in the Keys may also come with excursion packages as many of these companies partner up. 

    Gear Rentals

    For individuals looking for a quick and convenient getaway, you may choose to rent equipment in the Keys rather than try to drag your own through the airport. There are numerous affordable gear rentals throughout the islands. The Keys residents know people forget their masks and fins, so they have you covered in case of a dive emergency. You won’t be stranded without oxygen tanks here, and it’s probably better you rent your tanks once you get on the island, especially if you are traveling in a large group. With all the sights to see, you may want to leave the heavy-duty artillery at home.

    Numerous Islands

    The Florida Keys are not just one island or ecosystem. Key Largo, Islamorada, Duck Key, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West are the main islands in this archipelago. Still, there are so many smaller surrounding areas that require a boat charter. Each island is known for its unique ecosystem inside and outside the water. Big Pine Key is known for the protected Key Deer making this tiny ecosystem even more precious than expected. Check out the main sights, and then chart the lesser-known areas as you go. 

    Historical Dive Sights 

    With a slew of islands, there are some beautiful “key” areas to check out on your next diving trip. For history lovers, dive sights such as the Christ of the Abyss statue in Key Largo, Thunderbolt cable, or the USS Wilkes-Barre military cruisers offer viewers impressive history experiences. Italy gifted Christ of the Abyss to the United States after the third casting of the Il Cristo Degli Abissi statue. It was purposefully placed 25 feet under the sea in 1965. The FP and L the Thunderbolt cable intentionally into the waters to grab diver intention in 1986. While these intriguing historical dives are well-known, lesser-known artifacts include the estimated 1,000 shipwrecks in the Florida Keys available through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

    Beautiful Underwater Ecosystems

    The Florida Keys are known for their beautiful underwater ecosystems. The best time to visit these locations is during the Spring or Summer when the sun is bright and out. The tropical sunlight opens up more visibility. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers so much natural beauty. Listed as the top choice by numerous sources, the lush towering corals were protected and cultivated for a beautiful dive experience. This sea sanctuary protects a host of marine communities allowing viewers an unforgettable view of the marine wildlife. If you are looking for a less controlled environment Islamadora is known for gorgeous reefs, and Big Pine Keys and Lower Keys are lesser-known protected underwater ecosystems. 

    Local Shopping and Cuisine

    Along with being able small charters or luxury yachts, the Florida Keys offer a beautiful array of local shopping and unique cuisine. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop on the Key’s well-known Duval Street boasts the best key lime pie in Florida’s Key West declared by Food Network. Fill up on that after your next dive, or try the ever-abundant conch dishes, such as some conch chowder at a top keys restaurant. Louie’s Backyard offers Bahamian Conch Chowder and famous Caribbean-American cuisine. It’s only a stop short of the actual Bahamas. Stroll down beautiful, brightly colored tropical coastal homes or the quaint historic conch cottages. The Key West Historic District is home to the Hemmingway Home, Trolley Tours, Cuban Coffee Queen, and Bahama village. Not far away is the Key West Nature Preserve. Indulge in scenic photo ops and a walkthrough of Florida’s tropical paradise. 

    A Great Getaway 

    Making memories doesn’t have to be complicated or cost too much money. The availability of different hotels ranges throughout the season. Luxury resorts, Air BNBs, or hotels on Priceline give visitors options; check out the Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort or the more affordable Isla Bella Beach Resort. The Pelican Key Largo Cottages start at $200, a steal on the island. Book in advance to ensure you have a place to stay and try to avoid major holidays, Spring Break, or the end of Summer. Early Fall (Post Labor Day) will still offer you the warm, clear waters of the Gulf without too many tourists. Visit By the Shore SCUBA Instruction for Chartered Dive Trips and your PADI certification. Be sure to check weather reports and chart your unforgettable excursion to the Florida Keys. 

    Sources- 

    PelicanKeyLargoCottagesQtG66ExMwzYrp6

    Best hotels in the keys

    Conch House – Wikipedia

    Best Historic Homes in Key West | Florida Travel + Life

    Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe Locations – Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe

    Historic Key West Locations

    Key Largo’s Premier Scuba Charter – Award-winning Scuba Diving Charter (sunsportscharter.com)

    Key West fine dining with an ocean view | Louie’s Backyard (louiesbackyard.com)

    7 Places to Scuba Dive in the Florida Keys | VISIT FLORIDA

    5 Top Places To Dive In The Florida Keys – Forbes Travel Guide Stories

    Best Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys | Worldwide Boat Charters

    National Association of Black Scuba Divers to Help Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Unravel Shipwreck Mystery (noaa.gov)

    How many shipwrecks are in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary? (noaa.gov)

    Best Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys | Worldwide Boat Charters

    Home Page – Key Largo Dive Center

    Florida Keys Climate Data (weather.gov)

     

  • Why Diving in Greenland is a Bucket List Must

    Why Diving in Greenland is a Bucket List Must

    When people think about their diving bucket list, the Great Barrier Reef, Cancun, and the Bahamas usually come to mind. While these tropical paradises are a dream come true, the curious diver may find an unlikely fantasy come-to-life diving in Greenland. 

    Many people believe that Greenland is green, but this body of land is mostly ice. The misnomer came about when exiled Icelandic Viking Eric the Red wanted to attract settlers to Greenland, starting a tiny nation of his own. Greenland is a tundra. [Tundras are frozen barren lands with minimal vegetation like an ice desert.] Despite its rocky, empty appearance, a whole ecosystem exists here near the Arctic Circle. 

    Here are the reasons we think diving in Greenland should be on your bucket list.

    Narwhals

    Beautiful, gentle, mysterious, and frequently referred to as unicorns of the sea, narwhals are worlds (or oceans) apart from any other cetaceans [cetaceans-carnivorous aquatic mammals including dolphins, toothed whales, and baleen whales]. Unlike their chirping talkative cousins, the Beluga whales, narwhals are low-frequency animals, only speaking in deep bizarre buzzing sounds. Recently scientists have been able to pick up these guttural clicks that the narwhals use to communicate with one another. Like other whales, narwhals dive deep (about a mile) into the icy black waters to find fish. Human interaction with narwhals is limited because they are afraid of people with good reason. The local Inuit are estimated to kill 400 narwhals a year out of the 1000 narwhals killed worldwide. Conservation efforts are in effect, but narwhals do not do well in captivity. Unlike belugas, dolphins, and orcas, narwhals are terrified of human beings. Many attempts to keep them in captivity arose during the 60s and 70s, but the longest living narwhal made it to a mere four months. The Vancouver Aquarium lost its longest-living narwhals four months after their arrival. This tragedy brought to attention the ethics of marine life in captivity. No narwhals have been in captivity since then. Recently when scientists tagged narwhals in the wild, narwhals’ heart rates dropped to dangerous levels as they tried to outrun humans. This experiment made them determine that any sort of human interaction was harmful to these elusive creatures. If you want to see a narwhal up close, your best bet is diving into the icy waters yourself. Just remember not to get too close, which can cause them duress. 

    Icebergs and Biome

    Icebergs in Greenland are a specialty and said to be the Arctic Explorers’ dream. The best icebergs are near Tasiilaq, Greenland, where you can find the coral reef, on-land diving lagoons, caverns, huts in the fjords, and the bluest icebergs. Think of diving in Tasiilaq like submerging yourself into a giant sea of blue arctic snow cones without the berry flavor. Don’t be deceived by the icy blue. There is a vivid world of kelp, amphipods, comb jellies, seals, humpback whales, and more Arctic creatures in the Biome of Tasiilaq. The time of year doesn’t affect the iceberg count as much. You can still find icebergs floating around even in the summer months. The icebergs do capsize in the Summer, offering a captivating sight. Save up and book in advance. Only a handful of charters will take people on the tour of nature’s frozen wonders. This option is relatively inexpensive compared to charting a boat to the North Pole [starting at $35,00]. A flight to Greenland from SeaTac Washington begins at $720. You need to pay for a hotel [starting at $208 per night] and chart a boat starting around $400 a day]. 

    Help Greenland’s Tourist Based Economy

    Aside from fishing, Greenland’s source of income relies on its tourist-based economy and the Danish government. By booking a stay, kayak expedition, dive, or tour in Greenland, you support their unique economy and lessen the need for Greenland’s mining industry. The mining industry is said to be progressing the side effects of climate change. Touring Greenland opens up trade for their nation and allows them to sustainably fish, lessen narwhal hunts, and open them up to external revenue. Awareness is the first step toward reducing our carbon footprint.

    If you are interested in visiting Greenland, save up, and look for travel packages. Most people book stays in Canada and Nova Scotia before traveling to Greenland. Check out visitgreenland.com for diving info and updates. Talk with a local PADI SCUBA school such as By the Shore SCUBA Instruction to see if you can book a group charter. Usually, groups get better deals when charting dives. If you want to travel the road less taken or you want to save on a trip to the Arctic Circle, Greenland is for you. 

    Chartered Tours | Guide to Greenland

    Chartered Tours | Guide to Greenland (visitgreenland.com)

    Diving in Greenland | PADI

    Best time for Diving in Greenland 2022 – Best Season – Rove. me

    Island Divers

    Blake Butler: Tragic history of Vancouver Aquarium’s narwhals is worth revisiting | Vancouver Sun

    Meta population modeling of narwhals in East Canada and West Greenland – 2017 | bioRxiv

  • 7 Beautiful and Unique Swimming Holes for SCUBA Diving

    7 Beautiful and Unique Swimming Holes for SCUBA Diving

    There are places where brave divers dare to dive. Secret swimming holes and springs throughout the Western Hemisphere have drawn attention on the internet and are part of the integral gems that make up the natural world. Here are some secret swimming holes you might want to explore.

    Aztec Falls

    Located in California’s San Bernardino National Forest, this secret swimming hole is a beautiful paradise. Divers will find this particular hole exciting because of the blue cliffs. The water appears blue in the reflection of the sunlight, and you can see the drop off into a deep hole. When the sun shines at a certain angle, it looks like a long narrow arrowhead from above. 

    Tobermory Caves 

       While these caves in Canada are shallower than most secret swimming holes, they offer wreckage sights and blue waters. You can enter by diving into the Grotto of Bruce Peninsula national park. This experience will put one in mind of The Little Mermaid as you dive through caverns and deep blue waters. 

    Devil’s Den

    Panama City in Florida is home to one of the oldest prehistoric dive holes. The Devil’s Den is owned and operated by a small diving company. You can’t enter the hole unless you are SCUBA certified or a snorkeler, which makes this hole a rare experience. The swimming hole is located underground in a prehistoric sinkhole hardened over thousands of years. Minerals and spring waters give these waters a beautiful blue crystalline appearance.

    Jardin del Eden Cenote 

    Jardin del Eden (which translates from Spanish to English into the Garden of Eden) is a large swimming hole in the middle of the Jungles of Quintana Roo, Mexico. You will want an experienced tour guide or SCUBA diver to take you to this swimming hole since the area is surrounded by wildlife. The swimming hole itself does not have a lot of creatures, but the caverns are an experience to behold for cave divers. 

    The Great Blue Hole of Belize

    Unlike most swimming holes, this secret swimming hole lies in the open ocean off the coast of Ambergris Caye in Belize. Dive in and explore vast coral reefs with fish. You will need to chart a boat out to this location which isn’t hard to do. Thousands of visitors chart dives to the Great Blue Hole of Belize. The visitors are spread throughout the year, making this location relatively high profile. 

    Cenote Ik Kil, Mexico

     Explore the swimming hole that holds small catfish and vines. Cenote Ik Kil or the Sacred Blue Hole is home to a deep swimming hole full of ruins to explore. Immerse yourself in the sacred place of the Ancient Mayans. Archaeologists believe human sacrifices occurred in the Sacred Blue Hole. Critics believe that people tripped and became trapped in the sinkhole. Curious divers can decide for themselves in this ancient ruin.

    The Blue Hole 

    In Santa Rosa, New Mexico lies the beautiful scenic Blue Hole. Trees and rocks surround this picture-perfect diving hole. Choose to swim or dive into the caverns below. The water reflects a blue hue and offers beautiful night dives. The swimming hole has lights and buoys so divers can safely explore.

     Swimming holes offer divers a chance to practice diving before entering the open ocean. The deep swimming holes offer mystery, discoveries, and a contained environment for curious divers. If you are interested in charting a swimming hole dive, contact By The Shore SCUBA Instruction. We can offer advice and training for cave dives. 

    Sources

    These Are The 10 Best Swimming Holes In The World (junkee.com)

    The Cenotes Of Mexico: Ancient Mayan Sacrificial Sites – WorldAtlas

    What You Need to Know About Diving Belize’s Great Blue Hole – Sandy Point Resorts

    12 top-secret swimming holes (usatoday.com)

    Devil’s Den Spring – Scuba Diving Florida, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving Certification (devilsden.com)

         

  • 6 Beautiful Locations to SCUBA Dive through the Ice

    6 Beautiful Locations to SCUBA Dive through the Ice

    SCUBA Dive through the Ice

    Have you ever fantasized about diving below the surface of the Arctic Ocean or swimming amongst the icebergs? The open ocean seems vast, mysterious, and dangerous. Diving in Polar regions seems impossible, and the dark waters seem lifeless once macro life has passed through. However, macro life is not the only form that passes through the sea. There are Polar Regions that have incredible micro life beneath the sea. If the open Polar ocean intimidates you, many frozen lakes offer a more controlled environment. Here are some of the most breathtaking, Polar regions where you can dive around the ice. You may need a dry suit before you go.

    Antarctica

    Even though you need to be a scientist to stay in Antarctica, there are voyages available to the public. These start around 7000 for the ship and 500 for diving. Antarctica includes beautiful macro life, surprisingly stunning icebergs, and surprisingly a vivid micro life in the ocean. The macro life alone is a reason to embark on this unforgettable journey. You will only find the emperor penguin in Antarctica. These birds are unique to the region. Here you will get to experience them in their natural habitat, diving for fish. Also unique to Antarctica is the leopard seal which preys on the emperor penguin. You may find them sometimes visiting New Zealand. The likelihood of finding them there though is relatively low. These are the primary apex predators of the ocean. They are aggressive but very curious. They rarely see divers and will be inquisitive when you enter the water. Other macro life includes the minke whale, humpback whale, and occasionally orcas will pass through. They are Apex predators but, they do not settle down in Antarctica like Leopard seals. Another unique aspect of diving in Antarctica is there are no sharks. The stunning icebergs create burrows of beauty in the colder months. However, it is micro life that surprises new divers. Fish inhabiting the Circumpolar current survive by producing a natural anti-freeze in their body. No fish pass through the Circumpolar current so, these fish can never leave this environment. Beneath the Arctic sea, you will find large, bright, and red starfish that feed off lipids, beautiful shiny spiral-shaped snail shells, and lots of bright red krill. Lichen grows among the rocks near the coast. Microlife in Antarctica is more fertile and diverse than expected. Down here, you will find a diverse ecosystem that has adapted to subzero temperatures over the years. It is surprisingly warmer in the water than on land. Along with the underwater magic, you will find the mysterious Norwegian vessel, Guvernøren. This shipwreck and icy glaciers, add to an unforgettable scenic drive. 

    Lake Huron

    If you love shipwreck diving in a more secure environment, Lake Huron in Tobermory, Canada, offers an exciting excursion to explore the 119-foot wide Sweepstakes schooner sunk in 20 feet of water. By March, the water has frozen most of the way. You can walk or sled over to the dive site. You may even be able to swim into icy caverns. It is worth considering a charter with a group into the icy waters. Alongside diving into the deep caverns, you may stop and walk into the icy caves alongside the lake where pools of water have frozen, and there are beautiful ice crystals. 

    For deep water dive enthusiasts, this calm environment offers a soothing suspension deep below the icy waters.

    Baffin Island, Canada

    Baffin Island, Canada, is convenient for those who want to visit the Arctic circle. This location, referred to as the Arctic Kingdom, is one of the few places you will find the elusive narwhal. Narwhals are the most mysterious sea mammal since they dive deep below the ocean, are terrified of humans, and cannot survive in captivity. Baffin, Canada, is rich in these mammals due to its almost nonexistent human population. Environmental enthusiasts are drawn here as the Polar Bear population thrives in the icy waters. Towers of mountains, cliffs, and glaciers offer scenic thrills for divers who brave the Bay. Prices to stay in Baffin start at just above $2000. Dives start above $18,000 for seven days. For an Arctic dive, this price is relatively low since Arctic expeditions begin at $35,000. You may be able to chart your trip to Baffin, Canada if you find a Master diver that offers excursions to the water from a different outlet. Baffin, Canada will be one of the few locations you will be able to dive with narwhals.

    White Sea, Russia

    Unlike Baffin Island, the White Sea is less expensive and one of the few places to ice dive. The immense ice is layered in large blocks above the surface. This dive is one of the coldest dives (below 20 degrees) and the thick ice shuts out most of the light creating a dark green atmosphere. Divers pull off large chunks of ice. This dive is not for the faint of heart. There is not a lot of space to immerge from the icy water. There are strategically placed, ice holes that allow divers to immerge from the small spaces. The macro life includes the lovable Beluga whale and Harp Seal. Your best bet is diving near the Solovetsky islands if you want to find a Beluga. 

    Lake Sassol, Switzerland

    If you love icebergs then this place is for you. Even though Lake Sassol is a lake, the formations come from snow and ice rolling off the mountainside and packing into icebergs. Polar enthusiasts love swimming through the various icebergs. The icebergs hold ice caves that divers can enjoy. Even though the formations are tall, 6,900 ft, the lake is relatively shallow. 

    The only road to Lake Sassol is closed during the winter months. So you will need to visit in Early Spring before the icebergs melt. 

    Lake Baikal, Russia

    Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater in Asia full of biodiversity. The unique micro life includes krill, spiny amphipods, reefs, and fish. With over 2,500 species of animals and 1,000 species of plants, this lake is full of biodiversity. The hardened reefs offer a spooky, yet lovely scenic view underwater. For animal lovers, the adorable Nerpa seal can be found. These furry seals are the only exclusively freshwater seals. Along with the cute wildlife, Lake Baikal is a wreck divers paradise. 

    Diving in the North Pole? Can it be done?

    If you are curious about diving in the North Pole, there are occasional diving charters to dive there. Reserving a seat on a voyage to the North Pole costs about $35,000 or more per person. For this reason, many people do not dive here. People disembark from Helsinki. Diving here, you have the chance to see polar bears, narwhals, walruses, Weddell seals, and much more macro life. You will experience the Adelie penguins diving for food in the complex ecosystem. The ice is filled with caverns, small holes, and tunnels. Individuals can experience what it is like hiding as a seal from a polar bear. 

    If this dive is a dream of yours, save up for the experience and regularly check excursions.

    Ice divers need to proceed with caution. The freezing temperatures can challenge even the fittest diver. 

    You will need a drysuit to embark on your frozen quest. If you are interested in finding the right drysuit, By the Shore SCUBA Instruction can help you find all the materials you need.