Phuket, Thailand is a stunning and calm province that is located in the Andaman Sea and situated on the southwestern coast of Thailand. Anyone not only get mesmerized by the soothing and enchanting beaches of the province, but there are various other options as well that will definitely make a stay or vacation at Phuket, a really excellent experience. People who are great lovers of different adventure sports such as the scuba diving, fishing, and snorkeling can have a real blast at Phuket, Thailand.

Best Attractions of Phuket, Thailand

The most astonishing and attractive part about the island is that the place offers a great blend of the simple and complex, excitement and peace and the old and the new. A large number of travelers and vacationers from all across the globe visit Phuket, Thailand to have great fun and enjoy the calm environment of the place. Another reason that draws a large chunk of people towards this exciting location is the fact that they want to relax in the soothing atmosphere of the province and that too away from the hustle bustle of the hectic city life.

Excellent Climate Of The Phuket, Thailand

The province of phuket is also gifted with great climatic conditions. There are two main season types that this charming place experiences. The summer season is enjoyed from the months of November to April and the rainy season is experienced from the month of May to October. Phuket is also popularly known as the 'Pearl of South' due to the fact that it is situated in the Andaman Sea. This beautiful and magnificent province of Phuket is the biggest island in the whole of Thailand.

Greatly Affordable Accommodation Options At Phuket, Thailand

The island promises luxurious and comfortable stay at this Thailand province to the visitors. A large number of travelers also admire this place for its excellent accommodation amenities. The best part about the Phuket, Thailand accommodation facilities are that the visitors can experience a comfortable stay at affordable and cheap rates. All the lodging services contribute tremendously in taking care of the conveniences of the travelers.

People looking for the accommodation options in this marvelous province can enjoy the luxury of three star, four star and five star hotels which are well maintained and equipped with contemporary amenities and fittings.

Must Visit Tourist Destinations Of Phuket, Thailand

The most popular tourist destinations of this place are the Patong Beach, which attracts a numerous amounts of travelers from even across the international borders. People who are the great lovers of exciting night life and endless shopping, this beach is a must visit place and it should be a top tourist spot in the list of famous spots to be visited. Other exciting and famous beaches of this island includes Karon, Nai Yang, Kamala, Kata, Rawai, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Bang Tao to name a few.

One of the mind-blowing activity for which Phuket is popular for is the plantation of the rubber trees. It is both interesting as well as educational to watch the process of making latex from rubber trees. This tradition of rubber tree plantation can also be viewed at the night time as the Thais feel that doing the job at night would make them work in a cool environment so that they can easily make the latex and support their income from this night job.

Phuket, Thailand is also highly appreciated and admired because of its exciting Mai Khao Beach where the visitors can witness the laying of eggs by the huge turtles anytime between the months of October to February.

Scuba season is over? I don’t think so!

As the holidays speed towards us like a freight train, and the waters turn cold.  Many of our thoughts turn from Scuba diving to other projects and endeavors.  For many, the dive season has come to a close and their gear is dried and stored, waiting for that January trip to warmer waters.

Just because the temperatures outside are a little colder doesn’t mean we should lose focus on our passion for Scuba diving.  In fact, there are plenty of things that you can do to keep your head in the proverbial Scuba game.  After all, you don’t want those skills you developed over the summer to rust.

Following is a list of tips and ideas to keep you in the water (both mentally and physically):

Take a refresher course.  Dive shops offer group and private refreshers to keep folks in the water and their skills fresh.  Also look for open pool nights or demo nights as a way of keeping in the water at your local dive shop.

Buy a dry suit.  Dry suit diving is a great way to keep in the water throughout the year.

Take a non-diving course.  Even though you are not in the water, a non-diving course is a great way to keep your head under virtual water.  You are learning new skills and meeting future dive buddies.

Take a warm water vacation.  At least once, during the winter, I find my way to warmer climates and tropical reefs.  It’s a great way to recharge the batteries and do 10 or 15 dives.  Can’t take a week off in the middle of the winter, I am sure you can find a long weekend and a cheap dive boat within a two or three hour flight.

Start a workout regimen.  Being physically fit will help you improve your diving, air consumption and enjoyment. Not only that, but you will reap the other benefits of living a healthier lifestyle. Focus on cardiovascular and core exercises.  Be careful, if you lose too much weight, you may end up having to buy a new wetsuit in the spring.  A great fitness idea for Scuba is swimming.  Find a good gym, with a heated indoor pool.

Get social with other divers.  Many cities have shops or groups that host monthly dive club or meet and greet “get-togethers”.  Other social channels include online communities and “boards”.  These activities are a great way to learn what is happening in the dive community and meet new divers.

Read everything you can get your hands on.  There are many regional and national Scuba magazines, online news and media sites, training manuals, books and more.  The more you read, the more you learn.  Reading about Scuba will make you a better diver.  It will expand your horizons and your knowledge.

Make a plan.  Set some goals for the upcoming season.  Your plan should include; where you want to go, what gear you want to buy and what courses you want to take.  Also, start budgeting for these expenses.

Support your local dive shop.  It’s not just a slow time for you as a diver, but a slow time for most dive shops.  Their health is an integral part of our community.  Whenever possible, support your local dive shop.  If nothing else, stop in and visit with them.  Let them know you are still a customer and supporter.

Convince a friend or loved one to get Scuba certified.  Scuba diving is a very social sport.  Why not share it with someone you care about.  The more people you know that are divers, the more time you will spend below the surface.

Just because the regular dive season has come to an end, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about diving.  There is plenty to do during the off-season, to keep you in Master Diver shape.  Take some time every week to focus on diving and next season will be the most rewarding ever.

We, at the Academy of Scuba (http://www.academyofscuba.com) wish you a happy holiday season! 

Dive safe and have fun!

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The phrase 'best but used scuba equipment' might sound like an irony, but believe it or not, such is entirely possible. However hard finding the best but used scuba equipment might be, it is still something that is feasible, given your combined efforts and time. What you need to understand about scuba diving is that it can be so expensive. But why should you curtail your love for the sport just because of lack of money? Fortunately, you can get to experience your favorite sport with, at the same time, the best scuba equipment. The best part with having the best scuba equipment, also, is that it comes for a very cheap price. Indeed, all these you can have - only if you know when, where and how to look.

Why should I buy used scuba equipment?

The first step in scuba diving is having the scuba equipment you need to have in order to plunge yourself into the sea. Of course, you don't necessarily have to own your own scuba equipment in order to scuba dive. An option you have is to rent out in a scuba diving store, which, more often than not, also offers free tutorial services. There's nothing wrong with this. However, if you are already halfway toward being an amateur scuba diver, then you might have no need for a tutor in scuba diving. And if you are, really, an amateur scuba diver, then you must have already realized how much the scuba diving store is earning for your scuba equipment rental. Compute the total money you have paid them for renting their scuba equipment, and to your realization, you might find out that the money you have spent can well be spent already on used scuba equipment!

Early on, you have to realize just how far you are willing to go for scuba diving. This will determine your decision of whether or not to buy used scuba equipment. If you have rented scuba equipment one time too many but are not planning to be a hardcore scuba diver, then you should just as well buy used equipment. This will save you the money in the long run.

Is there such a thing as best but used scuba equipment?

Buying used scuba equipment is one thing, but buying the best but used scuba equipment is an entirely different thing. You ought to understand, however, that both are entirely possible, though in varying concentrations. Used scuba equipment can be found everywhere - from your nearest beach to even your next door scuba diving fanatic neighbor. The question, however, is this - what are the chances that the used scuba equipments that they're selling are fantastic and has no hidden defects?

The preceding question might have only increased your fear in buying used scuba equipment, but be totally unafraid. If you look hard enough, you can find the best but used scuba equipment deals around the corner. Yes, there is such a thing as best but used scuba equipment. These can be determined by the length of time used and the quality of the actual equipment. You, yourself, can determine this through your senses.

What used scuba equipment should I purchase?

But not all used scuba equipment should be purchased. For one, buying a used swimsuit or mask is close to unacceptable. However shortly used the scuba mask and suit is, if it is used and had been worn and torn even for just a short period of time, then don't even reconsider. You might put your own life in danger in the end.

But there is best but used scuba equipment which you should look out for. This includes the scuba tank, scuba gauge, scuba regulator, and many others.

If you are a water baby and are planning to go to the Philippines then you should indulge yourself in the various water sports that are a kind of rage in the country. The one thing that you just would not want to miss is the dive safari that is organized by the various dive centers.

If you get in touch with any such dive centers your scuba diving experience will be catapulted to a different level altogether. They will take you to all the good diving spots and you will be able to enjoy yourself to a great extent. One of the spots that you will get to visit is Maolboal where you will be able to experience and witness scuba diving like never before. You will also get a chance to go to the dive spots around Pescador islands. You can go for boat diving and you can choose the timing according to your convenience. The dives are arranged at 7.30am, 10.00am and 2.30pm. Night dives are also arranged that will give you the unique experience to go underwater when the world is dark. There are usually deep walls in front of the centers and you can opt for shore dives whenever you want to.

In the dive safaris you can go cruising on outrigger boats from one island to another exploring new diving spots everyday. You can spend your nights in the beach resorts on the tropical islands of Philippines and this definitely is once in a lifetime opportunity. You must not miss the safari around the Cebu. You can also dive from the live boards and can take your pick from different diving styles like tech diving, wreck diving and shark diving. The places that are famous for these kinds of diving are Tubataha reef and Palau.

If you want you can go for wonderful day trips to the waterfalls of Kawasan near the Badian Islands. After enjoying a dive in the cool waters you can proceed to the nature park of Kawasan and see the beautiful tropical ravine forest of the valley and dip you feet in the ice cold water. You will also be served dinner and that will include smoking hot barbecue. Yummy!! If you want you can also go for canoeing, jungle trekking and volcano climbing. There are also other outdoor activities that you can engage in.

So when you go to Philippines don't miss the dive safari for anything in the world. The safari will guarantee you a great time and you will come back with memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.

Over 58 genera and sub genera of hard corals have been recorded in the waters that surround the Bunaken National Park, a province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia. This is almost three times that what you might find from the reefs of the Caribbean.

The ideal water temperatures for coral reefs to flourish are between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. They also require clear waters; this is because most corals rely on an algae species known as zooxanthellae for their source of food. The algae use photosynthesis to create food, of which the excess is passed on to the coral. This is known as a symbiotic relationship, where both species benefit. In fact it is the algae that creates the colors of the reef and not the coral itself.

Corals are colonies of the same animal, individually referred to as ‘polyps’. They are joined together by a thin layer of common tissue. As they grow they secrete a calcium carbonate structure which enables them to bind together with some other type of material.

The coral reefs of Sulawesi support an incredible diversity of marine organisms including thousands of different fishes, crabs, sea stars, sea cucumbers, snails, clams and worms. Coral reefs provide a solid habitat for these organisms to survive on. The coral reefs around Bunaken Island also generate income from divers who wish to dive Sulawesi.

The most predominant type of reef in the Bunaken National Park is fringing reef. Fringing reefs grow along the edge of landmasses and islands. Close to the islands of northern Sulawesi are mangrove forests, from here most commonly you’ll find sea grass beds, from which the reef flat usually extends for 30 â€" 50 meters before reaching the reef crest and reef slope, more commonly known as the ‘drop off’. Each of these habitats will be preferential to different marine life. For example mangrove forests are ideal grounds for juveniles as they provide protection, sea grass beds provide a feeding ground for hungry turtles and the reef flat will allow corals the opportunity to flourish.

Coral reefs are in desperate need of protection, The North Sulawesi Watersports Association is an organization set up by local dive operators to ensure the protection of the area. Let us hope that diving in Indonesia keeps its high standards with the efforts of this organisation.