Cold-water scuba divers have more choices than ever in their exposure protection. Here are the features you should consider when purchasing a drysuit, plus a look at the newest suits and undergarments on the market.
For an underwater photographer, muck diving can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable ways to spend time underwater. To get the most out of a muck dive with your camera, follow these simple steps.
Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tim Ho is a photo pro with Peterpan Cruise, which offers live-aboard itineraries in Thailand’s Andaman Sea. He works with a compact camera and gotten stunning results, including a memorable encounter with a whale shark. View a photo gallery and read more here…
Because of an emphasis on design and technology, divers tend to assign greater priority to things like face masks and fins than they do to their more important biological bits and pieces. Take ears, for example.
Safety first. The new dive computers on the market are certainly eye-catching, with superlative graphics and gorgeous exteriors. But it’s the advanced algorithms and cool features that help you dive safer.
The Galapagos Aggressors I & II are ready to take you on a trip of a lifetime with more day dives, more night dives and more land hikes! The new itinerary includes Wolf and Darwin Islands, Baltra, Punta Carrion, Bartolome, Cabo Marshall and a brand new addition to our itinerary, Cabo Douglas where guests will have the opportunity to interact with marine iguanas as they feed in the water.
Take only memories, leave only bubbles. It’s never been easier for divers to take underwater photos and videos, with a number of new compact systems that are not only easy to use, but also easy on the wallet.
Buoyancy, comfort and a whole lot more. New BCs don’t just provide buoyant lift on the surface and underwater; they do it in comfort, style and with features that’ll make you never want to come up for air.
You can breathe easy now. Gone are the days of 10-pound first- and second-stage regulators. The new breathers are lighter and more compact; you’ll breathe so easily, you’ll almost forget you’re 60 feet underwater.
Nauticam’s experience building professional-grade aluminum housings for the compact digital camera market shows with its NAS110. Every button, every control, is clearly labeled and easy to access—even with gloves on. Front and Rear command dials can be reached with forefinger and thumb without ever releasing the grip. With the NA-110 underwater photographers can take full advantage of all S-110 features in a rugged, easy to operate system.
7mm N2S neoprene
ARMOR FLEX shoulder and lower leg protection
Comfortable contoured 5mm GLIDESKIN collar with Velcroadjustment Set-in sleeve design for superior comfort and mobility Heavy-duty back ...
3mm FULL-STRETCH cuff material with silk screened oring seals out and GLIDESKIN in 5mm neoprene with durable full Kevlar palm and fingers 5 finger design, double-glued and blind stitched Precurved fingers Small diamond ...
Designed for all BARE drysuits with compression-resistant Soft Boots Excellent support for rocky shore entries, boat decks and boat ladders Velcro ankle closure, thumb loop and fin tab Durable toe and heel ...
3mm neoprene torso with BARESKIN chest and back plate and 2mm inner arm and lower leg
Comfortable contoured 2mm GLIDESKIN collar with Velcro adjustment Rolled GLIDESKIN wrist and ankle ...
3 mm neoprene nylon out with THERMALSKIN in
Pullover style layering piece for added warmth under any full suit Edges finished with stretch nylon binding Double glued with SECURE-LOCK ...
7mm neoprene with Full-Stretch Elastek material for ultimate stretch and comfort 5mm Elastek/Glideskin trimmable face and neck seal glides nicely over your hair Vented to allow trapped air to escape Hood neck seal mates ...
3mm neoprene torso with 2mm arms and legs
PROGRESSIVE STRETCH (Junior sizes utilize Hydrostretch II neoprene) LUMBARE-X-TENDER panel in lower back (n/a in Junior sizes)
Comfortable contoured 2mm ...
2mm N2S neoprene
ARMOR FLEX shoulder protection
Heavy-duty back zipper Rolled edges with zigzag stitch Flatseam construction throughout for stretch and comfort
Sizes S, M, ML, L, XL, ...
7mm neoprene with FULL-STRETCH ELASTEK material for ultimate stretch and comfort 5mm ELASTEK/GLIDESKIN trimmable face and neck seal glides nicely over your hair Vented to allow trapped air to escape Hood neck seal mates ...
Layers perfectly with the 7/6 or 5/4 Velocity Full Attached 7mm vented hood with 5mm skin-in face seal Skin-in seals around the shoulders Heavy-duty front zipper ...
3mm N2S neoprene torso with 2mm arms and legs
ARMOR FLEX shoulder and lower leg protection
Comfortable contoured 3mm GLIDESKIN collar with Velcro adjustment Heavy-duty back zipper Loop at base of ...
Maya Palms Beach Resort is offering a special deal on a 7 Night Exploratory Dive Package. Book a 7 night 5 dive day package at the Maya Palms Beach Resort which includes 5 days of 2 tank boat diving, 3 meals a day, tanks, air, weights, and unlimited air for shore diving . This special deal will include 4 days of 2 tank dives and one day of exploratory diving on virgin pristine reefs along the Meso-American Barrier Reef System for only $1,055.00 not including airfare. Your dive boat is guaranteed to be the only one on the dive site. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Book a 4 or 5 dive package at the regular price and get a free Mine Diver Certification. SPACE IS LIMITED! This offer applies only to Dive/Lodging Packages offered through West End Diving Centers in St Louis. All packages are based on double occupancy.
Aqua Cat offers weeklong live-aboard diving cruises thru the Exuma Cays. This remote chain of islands is surrounded by incredible diving. The variety is the most amazing as you will log wall dives, reefs at all depths, night dives, drift dives, wreck dives, a blue hole and our famous shark dive too! Plan now for December 14-21, 2013 and save $400 off the regular rate! Kick start the holidays with a treat for yourself. We offer up to 26 dives per week, gourmet meals, fully en-suite cabins and a professional crew to insure your trip is magical!
Have a big family? Lots of friends? Get a small group together, pay for 5 divers and the 6th diver travels free. Enjoy an incredible scuba diving trip diving in warm, 84-degree water with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions' luxury liveaboard dive vessel Spoilsport. Witness incredible shark action and glide along bottomless wall with 45m (150ft) visibility. Our Great Barrier Reef sites will have you exploring rarely visited, pristine reefs where the size, biodiversity and density of large tropical marine life are truly amazing.
MAY MADNESS AT LAGUNA BEACH RESORT IN UTILA HONDURAS!!!Book a vacation for travel between April 27 and June 1, 2013 and receive 25% off the second package!!!Diving package includes: 3 meals a day, 3 boat dives a day, 2 night boat dives a week, unlimited shore diving/snorkeling, horseback riding & kayaking, r/t transfers Utila airport/resort and hotel taxes.
Belize Diving Services is the longest running dive service on Caye Caulker and one of the oldest in Belize. It was founded in 1978 by cave explorer Paul Heinerth and friends. Today, Belize Diving Services is owned by James “Chip” Petersen and his wife, Danielle.The shop is housed seaside on a half-acre, palm-tree-lined property just two blocks off the island’s main street. It features:• 8 staff, including owners, instructors, and guides. Our exceptionally qualified staff certifies more divers than any other shop in Belize.
Moms and dads, this is your last opportunity to travel to the Galapagos and dive as a family. Galapagos Buddy Darwin family adventure is offering Sport Diver readers a $850 discount from $4,950 pp to $4,100 pp for July 20-27, 2013. Plus, get a FREE DC1400 SeaLife digital underwater camera with their reservation!
WESTIN PLAYA CONCHAL ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT -SAVE $800 PP WINTER SPECIAL- Jan 3 to March 31- $2195 Per Person & Nov 1-Dec 23 ,2013 SAVE $800 PP7 NIGHTS 8 DAYS , ALL INCLUSIVE DELUXE JR SUITR, MEALS, DRINKS, 3 DAYS DIVING CATALINA ISLANDS-known for large pelagics OPTION ADD ON TOURS; ZIPLIE CANOPY, RAFTING ,JUNGLE RIVER TOUR OR OTHER TOURINCLUDES 13.4% TAX, LIBERIA AIRPORT TRANSFERS- Plus International AirWESTIN PLAYA CONCHAL RESORT - ALL INCLUSIVE
Eden Beach Resort, Wannadive Bonaire and Spice Beach Club welcome you to divers paradise Bonaire.Stay in one of Eden Beach’s refurbished studio’s, king studio’s or two bedroom apartments for seven nights including daily breakfast, 7 days or dive truck rental and enjoy 6 days of unlimited shore diving with Wannadive Bonaire. More than 80 dive sites are waiting for you to be explored. If you feel more comfortable by doing boat dives, no problem: you can upgrade your dive package to 6 or 11 boat dives easily.
Inntimate Treasures PromotionExperience the charm of the islands' boutique hotels.Receive $100 in savings. $50 dining certificates $50 in attractions & activities certificates Gift bag with island goodiesOffer is only valid on bookings of four nights or more. Offer is only valid on bookings made on this specific promotion. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Offer is not valid on existing reservations. Individual hotels may establish blackout dates.
If you want a great dive experience and more... it's Magdalena GrandTobago is the drift diving capital of the Caribbean. Tobago’s pristine reefs are rich in color and their diversity of sea life, from hammerheads and mantas to the smallest of reef fish. Popular sites include the “Diver’s Dream” and the wreck of the “M/V Maverick”.
Includes: 7 nights deluxe oceanview accommodations, 6 days of 1-tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving, roundtrip aiport transfers, hotel tax, and service charges.Valid through 5/4/13, 6/1/13-6/29/13 and 8/31/13-10/5/13.
Includes: 7 nights deluxe gardenview accommodations, 5 days of 2-tank boat dives, unlimited shore diving, all meals, snacks and beverages, resort activities, up to $200 in resort coupons per room to use on applicable items as stated by hotel, roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes, and service charges.
Pay for 5 Nights get the 6th & 7th Night FREEPay for 5 Days of Shore Diving get the 6th Day FREE SAMPLE SELLABRATION PACKAGES: Ride to the Reef packages from $551.00 per diver/$401.00 per vacationer based on four people sharing a two-bedroom/two-bath condominium.
Take advantage of some great diving adventures this summertime for the family. With warm clear waters, colorful shallow reefs and an award winning staff all set in an idilic resort on the NW tip of Grand Cayman, you'll have a great family adventure! Options are available for kids age 8 and up to kern about he marine environment, or continue the adventure for kids and teens already certified. New bookings only. Blackout dates: July 2013. Kids 12 and under stay free. Kids 12-17 qualify for the 25% off diving reward.Kids eat at 50% Kids dive at 25% off
SHARK ADVENTURE WEEK - Ranked one of the top 100 Dive Resorts in the world FREE Resort Course in the pool to refresh or learn how to Scuba Dive $1199.00 Rate per person/Double Occupancy required SHARK WEEK Adventures Bimini BIg Game Club Resort & PADI Dive Center 60 foot glass bottom dive boat with bathroomsFull Line of Dive Equipment
Our 2013 season is almost sold out*! Just 3 cabins in July available, otherwise we’re fully booked until next year. That’s a great excuse to book a last minute trip this summer ... or start planning your 2014/2015 dive calendar! MORE ON OUR 7 JULY 2013 CRUISE This trip is an incredible ‘2 for the price of 1’ itinerary, visiting both of the West Nusa Tengara destinations; KOMODO and ALOR! Trip departs Labuanbajo on 7 July 2013 for 13 nights, ending 20 July in Maumere.
During this exciting time of the year, where diving is at it peak, with everything from flat calm seas to coral spawning, Sunset House is offering for travellers booking early 25% off accommodation portion of their package and 20% off the dive portion of their packge.
Tick Papua New Guinea off your dive bucket-list today!The coast of Papua New Guinea is home to some of the world's most spectacular diving. Located in the Indo-Pacific Area, experts say that the oceans surrounding Papua New Guinea have up to twice as many marine species as the waters of the Red Sea and up to five times as many as the Caribbean. Divers in our oceans enjoy a huge diversity of dive sites, including barrier reefs, coral walls (drop off), and coral gardens, patch reefs, fringing reefs, sea grass beds, coral atolls, and WWII wreck dive sites.
Dive Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto with one of our experanced diving instructors.Who will help you see the best of these two outstanding reefs.Explore the caves and tunnels and see tropical fish, sponge and coral close up. The maximum depth is 45 feet two dives with equipment for the special price $100.00 per person. Starting times are 9:00 11:30 and 2:00 PM. If you have all your own equipment except for tanks and weights the cost is $80.00.
Pay for 6, Play for 7 at Anthony's Key Resort Roatán from $1008 pp DIVE package. Book a new stay now & get a free night! Good for any available week in 2013 (AKR is closed Oct 5-26). Book anytime, but our best weeks are filliing up fast! Payment due within 7 days of reservation
Dive at least three days during your stay at Small Hope Bay Lodge and receive 10% off all your dives during your stay! Come and dive the world's 3rd largest barrier reef, just minutes from our dock. We have walls, wrecks, caverns, shark dives, inland and ocean blue holes, and beautiful coral gardens!
Package includes:7 nights in a standard cabin, 3 dives per day, breakfast and dinner, one night. Utila airport transfers, welcome cocktail, all taxes included. PLUS: a free Padi Nitrox certification for travel before August 25th 2013. Prices per personDouble occupancy $959Triple occupancy $839Quadruple occupancy $779
Clients Favorite Adventure & Dive Tour Package- 9 DaysArenal Volcano, Rafing, Papagayo Diving or Catalina Dive SitesOne night & 1 day diving FREE -Valid for different dates for each Beach Resort $1695 Per person Dbl. Occupy Valid May 1 to Dec 14 -Plus Int'l AirfaresDay 1 - ARRIVAL TRANSFER TO Beach Hotel – ocean view room. Includes breakfast daily & taxFlamingo Marina, Ocotal Dive Resort or Tamarindo Diria-4 days diving 2 tank boat dive with wts. tanks belt and snack
Technical diving has always seemed a bit out of reach for me — too complicated, too difficult, too risky. But my mind has been seriously changed thanks to PADI’s recent Tec Xplor Days, a series of three events offering divers the chance to sample the latest in tec diving gear and rebreather technology in a safe, controlled — and free — environment.
You’re seriously itching for some bottom time, and you need it right now — this weekend. So where can you go to get wet in a hurry? For many, the answer is as close as your workday commute. Only a few hours from the US mainland, easy weekend dive trips await in renowned scuba diving destinations like the Bahamas, Hawaii, Cozumel, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Book your ticket now, and come Monday, it’ll be all right — we promise.
A family-friendly gem in the Bay Islands, Laguna Beach Resort on Utila has everything you could want from a dive resort, along with plenty of attractions for nondiving — or not-yet-diving — partners and kids to enjoy too.
Built over the bay in the heart of Utila Town, rustic Utila Lodge dive resort is home to the Bay Islands College of Diving and the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center, perfect for adventurous divers with a passion for the environment.
In exotic Malaysian Borneo, Sipadan and Mabul islands have earned heavyweight reputations with underwater photographers. Now, new islands in the region are being opened to exploration. This photo gallery documents just a small sample of the amazing marine life inhabiting this new area.
From huge humpback whales to tiny clownfish, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is home to an astonishing variety of marine life. Here are 8 species of marine life scuba divers won’t want to miss.
Warm-water divers will appreciate TUSA's lightweight and compact Voyager for its packability and performance. Weighing in at just 4.4 pounds, the BCJ 1800 Voyager is the perfect option for jet-setting divers who want a light, compact BC that performs like a heavyweight champ. Patented TUSA features, like the Independent Harness System and the Ultimate Stabilizing Harness combine for stability and security both at depth and on the surface. Click here for more info.
With its custom configuration, the JT40D has been engineered to allow complete personalization or set-up for mission-specific diving. This deluxe technical diving system carries up to a 95-cubic-foot tank and is ideal for divers wearing a dry suit. The narrow front contour and donut-style air cell make for a streamlined profile in the swimming position. The stainless steel back plate, weighing in at almost 5 pounds, becomes a part of the weighting system and reduces the need to carry additional lead.
The SeaLion BC from SeaSoft comes in just four sizes. But that doesn’t mean it fits just four sizes of divers. With the SeaLion, a diver can actually keep the same-sized BC for a lifetime. For example, the extra-small SeaLion will fit a typical 10-year-old who weighs about 50 pounds, but will then adjust to fit an adult up to 180 pounds. The SeaLion is equally at home in warm, tropical water or over a drysuit and features an integrated retractor, brass gauge clip, dual tank straps, integrated weights and a full component of D-rings.
The Express Adjustable delivers kicking power and comfort for year-round diving in all conditions. Now available in an open-heeled version, the Express Adjustable Fin uses Aqua Lung’s patented mid-foot flex joint to take strain off the toes and ankle. The blade is made of a customized techno-polymer compound that provides a high-spring effect and flexibility to maximize acceleration, while large rubber side ribs channel water down the blade to increase kick efficiency. The foot pocket has an extremely low profile, which eliminates drag and turbulence.
Swedish manufacturer Waterproof is known for making wetsuits and drysuits for bone-chilling Scandinavian waters. The 3.5-millimeter W3 harnesses those same qualities, but this time, in a tropical wetsuit. Like its heavy-weight siblings, the W3 offers a gender-specific cut for a precise anatomical fit. Wave-flex panels in the back and in the pre-bent arms and legs create enhanced flexibility and freedom of movement. The W3 features a back zipper for easy donning and a front-gusseted neck zipper for increased comfort at the surface.
Utilizing Aqua Flex four-way stretch neoprene throughout, the Aqua Lung SolAfx packs 8 mm in the torso for heavy thermal protection to the core area and 7 mm in the arms and legs for enhanced flexibility on the surface and at depth. Featuring an attached hood that prevents cold water from entering at the neck and an across-the-chest “Plasmaloc” zipper that utilizes its design to increase water resistance, the SolAfx then adds a dam at the neck and shoulders to provide an additional level of warmth.
SCUBAPRO’s balanced diaphragm first-stage MK 11 is engineered to prevent the flow of cold or polluted water into the regulator, yet provide easy airflow regardless of tank pressure. New for this year, the MK 11 is now forged, making for a lighter-weight yet just as durable version of this five-year-old regulator design. The compact second stage features SCUBAPRO’s OFD, Optimal Flow Design, an improvement over traditional downstream valves. At the same time, diver-adjustable VIVA and inhalation controls make for a truly personalized breathing effort.
Waterproof’s D1 Hybrid is a new concept in drysuit design – it’s the world’s first insulated Constant Volume Drysuit. Utilizing a three-dimensional mesh inner lining, the diver is kept warmer by insulating the air between the outer shell and the body.
The RS-680 regulator from TUSA features a compact, lightweight design. It contains two high-pressure and four low-pressure ports and is available in both DIN and yoke versionsThe RS-680 also incorporates TUSA’s Sequential Exhaust Assist (or S.E.A.), a new design featuring a dual exhaust system to decrease breathing effort during exhalation. The entire second stage also swivels 360 degrees to prevent jaw fatigue and add to overall comfort.
The RayGun High Beam from SEASOFT SCUBA weighs in at just 6.5 oz, even with its two 3-volt lithium batteries. This AMERICAN designed and manufactured featherweight dive light is a heavyweight in performance, however, delivering one of the brightest spots in ScubaLab testing.
Manufactured of both nylon and high quality spandex, the full body Lycra Diveskin by DiveGear provides both function and fit. Worn as a stand-alone in warm water, a Lycra skin provides abrasion protection from accidental contact with coral and stinging marine life, as well as sun protection, with 95% of UV rays blocked. The DiveGear Diveskin is a good addition to your gear bag whether it’s worn by itself for warm water protection or as the bottom-layer with a wetsuit.
BARE’s new SB SYSTEM Drysuit is the world’s first STRETCH BREATHABLE drysuit. Its unique blend of fabrics provides 4-way stretch for a “next-to-skin” fit, and breathability for a balanced body temperature on the surface. In recent ScubaLab tests, divers found that the BARE SB SYSTEM effectively eliminated humidity, keeping them warmer, drier and more comfortable during the dive. It’s a good investment for drysuit divers.