| 1. Diving into Belize's Blue Hole - The Ambergris | | | | you--horseback riding, windsurfing and kayaking |
| region of Belize may well have the best diving and | | | | are available as well. What's more, this sporty |
| snorkeling in the world. First stop: a visit to Captain | | | | experience won't break the bank. Prices start at |
| Rene, tel. (501) 26-2819. He'll take you to all the | | | | an unbelievable $135, all-inclusive, double |
| coolest spots, such as the (ominous sounding) | | | | occupancy. Note: Do not miss the dolphin show!5. |
| Blue Hole, a 400-foot-deep, 1,000-foot in diameter | | | | Israel: You've never seen fish like this - Bordering |
| former cave, located in the center of the | | | | the Red Sea at the southernmost tip of Israel, |
| Lighthouse Reef Atoll. You may remember this | | | | Eilat offers the best scuba diving on the planet. |
| place from when Jacques Cousteau brought the | | | | You'll see varieties of fish that simply can't be |
| world's attention to it in the 70s. No worries if you | | | | seen anywhere else--even the extremely |
| don't because you'll never forget this place once | | | | knowledgeable marine biologists here aren't quite |
| you've visited. You'll descend 130 feet and explore | | | | sure of the origins of some of these colorful |
| huge stalactites and stalagmites and may even | | | | fellas. Why not do a bit of independent research |
| catch sight of the reef sharks that inhabit this | | | | while you're here? The city boasts one of the |
| underwater cave.2. Searching for pirates' | | | | best underwater observatories in the world and |
| treasures in the Cayman Islands Ahoy! More than | | | | the Eilat Zoo and Hai-Bar, an 8,000-acre wildlife |
| 300 shipwrecks occupy the waters surrounding | | | | preserve, are well worth a visit. On a different |
| the Cayman Islands. Plus, because the water is so | | | | note, if you feel like tanning (in the buff!), Neviot, |
| clear, you'll have visibility of over 200 | | | | a nude beach, is located 30 miles south of here |
| feet--definitely an occasion for the underwater | | | | (make sure to put sunscreen on the areas that |
| camera. Some say the ill-fated ships here still | | | | don't regularly see much sun.)6. Israel: If you need |
| contain pirates' treasures; bringing back booty | | | | a bit of hand-holding - Maybe you're a bit wary of |
| would sure beat a souvenir shot-glass, hey? | | | | the sea. afraid of sharks or just plain nervous. |
| There's no shortage of diving companies in the | | | | What you need is a bit of reassurance. Sam |
| area, but the oldest is Bob Soto's Diving, tel. (809) | | | | Scott of Sam's Tour Service, tel. (680) 488-1720, |
| 949-2022, run by Ron Kipp. If you find any real | | | | is one of those good-vibed American dudes and |
| treasures, maybe you'll consider splitting the loot | | | | he can arrange everything you need to feel |
| with Ron.3. Sights for non-divers in Guadeloupe - | | | | comfortable in the water. Sam knows the Koror |
| Jacques Cousteau gave the western coast of | | | | area of Israel like the back of his hand (his |
| Basse-Terre his seal of approval as one of the | | | | stepfather is the high chief of Koror) and he can |
| foremost diving destinations in the world. As such, | | | | tailor a package to suit your needs. Before you |
| the Pigeon Islands (just beside Malendure village), | | | | know it, you'll be exploring shipwrecks from World |
| attract some of the world's best divers and | | | | War II, searching for alligators and diving in the |
| snorkelers. But, even if you can't bear to get your | | | | coral reefs. You'll wonder why you didn't take this |
| hair wet, you can enjoy the fluorescent tropical | | | | lifestyle up years ago. Terra firma will seem so |
| fish, sponges and corals here, thanks to | | | | dull after this.7. Seeing to the bottom of a deep |
| crystal-clear waters and glass-bottomed boats. | | | | lagoon in Mexico Xel-Ha, just outside Cancun, |
| Book a 90-minute tour from Malendure--the | | | | offers the best snorkeling and diving in the |
| Nautilus sails four times daily.4. Honduras' diver's | | | | Mexican Caribbean. You'll need a few adjectives to |
| (and dolphin lover's) choice - Anthony's Key | | | | describe some of the fish here: electric-blue, neon |
| Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan; tel. (504)451274, | | | | green, zebra-striped. The waters here are so |
| provides everything a diver (or soon-to-be diver) | | | | clean you'll see to the bottom of the lagoon (and |
| could possibly want: instruction, air tanks, weight | | | | it's deep!) and there are numerous coves to |
| belts, three daily single-tank boat dives, as well as | | | | explore. El Cantil, near Cozumel, is a great region |
| meals and a welcome cocktail. Even if you're not | | | | for exploring shipwrecks. Do not forget your |
| a diver, this place has something for | | | | underwater camera. |