Diving tips

You don’t have to travel too far for adventure-filled vacations as there’s plenty of outdoor playgrounds across the United States where you can try everything from surfing on sand dunes to scuba diving to shipwrecks.

Waking up to ocean waters lapping underneath me, a breeze rustling through a thatched roof, and sea salt coating my skin is my vision of an ideal tropical vacation.

The first time I visited Honduras, I was backpacking through Central America and heard Roatán was a cheap and beautiful place to dive. I planned on a few days. I ended up staying a month, diving every day, twice a day, not wanting to leave. 

Celebrating photography beneath the surface of oceans, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest has announced this year’s amazing winning entries.

It doesn’t take much of a search online to figure out what my hobbies are — after all, I’m a travel editor, and I write about the things I like to do when traveling. Usually, that involves some kind of outdoorsy activity, like mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, wildlife watching, or something else in that vein.

Any parent knows that traveling with teens can be fraught with tension, arguments and challenges. Teenagers at home aren’t the easiest bunch and that’s no different on the road. However, one thing that can really help make traveling with teens easier, is to find an activity that can be done together, but minimize the amount of talking (arguing) that can take place. Enter scuba diving.

The Maldives might not be the world’s cheapest holiday destination, but it is possible to cut back on what you spend with some clever planning and a spot of compromise.

The tropical Indonesian island of Bali has enticed travellers for over a century with its coralline seas, sacred volcanoes, mist-shrouded lakes and vibrant living heritage. A favoured holiday destination for antipodeans, Bali's irresistible beaches beckon backpackers, surfers and families alike. The south-coast areas of Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu, close to the airport, are where most visitors flock to, but it’s even better when you roam a little further.

It’s time to bust the myth that there’s nothing to do in the Maldives apart from sipping rainbow-hued cocktails, snapping beachfront selfies and sprawling on chaise longues.

Wellness in travel is nothing new, but certain adventure activities—like scuba diving—are getting their turn in the spotlight. “Scuba divers benefit from a boost of vitamin D, become more conscious of their breath, enhance their fitness levels, improve their quality of sleep, and become connected with a like-minded community,” says Julie Andersen Global Senior Director of Brand for PADI Worldwide.

Maybe it’s the nation’s glut of centuries-old cellars and tunnels. Or perhaps it’s the world-class bar scene, which led the way with speakeasy-style drinking dens when they were trending a few years back. Either way, the UK today is full of quirky places to say ‘cheers’ at a subterranean level. Whether your preferred tipple is wine, beer, whisky or a mixologist-crafted cocktail, these celebrated bars from London to Edinburgh will serve it to you amid atmospheric underground vibes.

There’s been an increasing trend in travel to celebrate teen and tween milestone birthdays and graduations with special trips and travel experiences, instead of presents and parties.

Mauritius, a subtropical island country in the Indian Ocean, is just over 500 miles east of Madagascar, off the south-eastern coast of Africa. The closest neighbor is Reunion Island. Often referred to as the jewel in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius boasts some of the best diving in the world.

Scuba diving is one of the most amazing ways to see the world. And since about 70 percent of the world is water, it also means you get to see islands, creatures, and underwater worlds most people can barely dream of.

An underwater art exhibition, known as the ‘EDP Art Reef’ is available to visit off the coast of Portugal.

The Grenada Tourism Authority has unveiled 31 new sculptures to be added to the Underwater Sculpture Park – a thriving underwater oasis that has become a symbol of art, conservation and cultural pride in Grenada. The unveiling of the new sculptures is part of a rehabilitation and upgrade initiative for the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park, which celebrates artistic expression and cultural richness by embracing the preservation of marine life.

Due to fears of environmental damage caused by tourists, the popular Thai island, Koh Tachai, will close indefinitely on October 15. All marine national parks are closed in Thailand during monsoon season, from mid May to mid October, which means Koh Tachai is no longer allowing tourists. The island is in the Similan National Park and is a popular spot for both Thai and foreign tourists, especially divers.

Airbnb is at it again. The home rental company that awarded a romantic stay for two in the Paris catacombs last fall is now offering up a free night’s stay inside a shark tank alongside 35 new toothy friends.

Enter the Travel Channel “The Trip: 2018” sweepstakes by March 30, 2018, for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip for two to Antigua and St. Lucia, including airfare to, between, and from the islands, six nights’ accommodations in Antigua, 13 nights in St. Lucia, spa treatments, a swim with sting rays, a cooking class, a jet ski adventure, a water ski lesson, a scuba lesson, and a catamaran cruise.