http://www.bbc.co.uk/oceans/360/reefsharks/

Scuba diving requires quite a bit of gear, and the most important of all is your diving mask. This single piece of equipment can literally make the difference between a great dive or spending all your time exhaling water. The same thing goes for snorkeling masks. So how do you choose a good mask without testing it in the water? I have listed below the techniques I have used to literally help hundreds, maybe thousands of people find the right scuba mask.

Types of scuba masks

There are basically two types of scuba masks, a single lens mask and a two lens mask. Each has it’s own benefit.

Two lens mask

A two lens mask allows the mask to sit closer to your face, allowing for a lower volume. This means less effort to equalize and also makes it easier to clear water from the mask. Since the lens sits closer to your face, you will also generally have better peripheral vision. Depending on your face shape, some people may notice the center piece.

Single Lens Mask

The advantage of a single lens mask is that you have one unobstructed vision. As they tend to be larger, they are generally the preferred choice for anyone who may feel a little claustrophobic. Since the overall volume is larger, single lens masks do take more effort to clear.

The materials

Any quality mask should be made of crystalline silicone. Almost all masks from any major manufacturer now use this type of silicone. It should feel very soft and flexible. Lower quality masks (such as those sold at sports stores, Walmart, target, etc) generally use a vinyl silicone that is not nearly as durable or as flexible. You can generally recognize vinyl silicone by its lack of clearness. These type of mask should not be used for scuba diving as the frames can crack under pressure.

How to fit the mask

1. Set the mask on your face (without using the strap).
2. Gently inhale into the mask until it sucks onto your face (you should not have to use any force to push the mask onto your face).
3. The mask should stay on your face with the initial suction you created. If you have to continuously inhale then there is not a good seal and the mask does not fit well.
4. Most masks have an inner and outer seal. Look into a mirror to make sure that both of these seals are sitting firmly against your face.
5. Make sure that there is nothing uncomfortable about the mask. If it bothers you now, it will be amplified when you dive.
6. Now that you have the mask on, look around and check your vision.

The Price

In general, a good scuba mask should cost around $40-$80. There are masks that go above this, but in most cases the difference in performance does not warrant the difference in price. If you find a mask below this price, then make sure you are getting a good deal, and not just a lower quality mask.

Take your time

Be sure to try on several masks. The more you try on the more you will start to figure out what you like and don’t like. Be sure to take you time with each mask. Make sure that it feels very comfortable and fits your face well. Since the mask will be your most important piece of gear, don’t purchase one unless you can first try it on.

If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will be glad to help.

Tourists are attracted by the island’s rustic charms, mystical culture and tradition, spectacular tropical sceneries and beautiful white sandy beaches. Many of these tourists are also scuba divers and are in Bali for scuba diving. After all, Bali was voted by several scuba diving magazines as one of the top ten dive location in the world.

Bali have many scuba diving locations where awesome underwater landscape and marine creatures abound. Let’s take a tour of some of Bali’s diving destinations.

Sanur and Nusa Dua – These 2 dive spots are located just 5 minutes away from the shore and therefore are very accessible. Beginners and novice divers will enjoy diving here because of the very gentle current. Visibility depending on seasons is low to moderate. Although hard corals are scarce, the many species of colorful fishes made up for the shortfall. Soft corals and sponges can also be found thriving on the reefs.

Nusa Penida and Lembongan Islands – Drop off reef diving is the main attraction on these islands. It is a 45 minute speedboat ride to the islands. Water visibility is rated as good because the islands are further away from the coast and therefore less polluted. The current here is very strong and experienced divers can enjoy drift diving. Sometimes the current may get too strong and dives may be abandoned.

There is a very good variety of hard corals, colorful sea gorgonian fans and many huge pelagic fishes to see. Highlights of diving here are sightings of huge schools of sweet lips fish, huge hawksbill turtles, sharks and giant manta rays.

Amed and Jemeluk Beach – These dive spots are one and half hour from Denpasar, a popular tourist town. Only experienced divers can dive here because of the strong current. The dives here can be very spectacular because of the long coastal reef, reef slopes and wall diving. Water visibility is moderate to good. This diving location is reputed to be the home of the best hard coral community in Bali.

The Padang Bay – This dive scuba diving location in Bali have a flat bottom seabed and is made up mixed reef and sandy bottom. Because of its close proximity to the shore, the water visibility is rated at best to be moderate. The attractions here are frequent sightings of large triggerfish and blue-spotted stingrays.

Tulamben Wreck Dive – For those who enjoy shipwreck diving, then this is the dive site in Bali that you must not missed. Water visibility here is fair to good and the current is generally gentle. Night dive on this wreck is described by many divers as spectacular.

The wreck was the USS Liberty, sunk in World War 2 by Japanese submarine torpedoes 1942. Since the wreck is so near the beach, scuba divers can simply swim to the wreck from the beach.

These are merely some of the many scuba diving destinations in Bali. For more excellent diving sites, you can check out with the many scuba diving operators when you are in Bali.

Well, I have decided to take the big plunge. After living here in Tokyo for two years (three all together), I have decided to quit my job and move to the remote location of Miyakojima. Miyakojima is a small island of Japan southwest of Okinawa and about 400k east of Taiwan. And the best part is that Miyakojima Island scuba diving is absolutely amazing.

I travelled to the main island of okinawa about four years ago and did a couple of divies there. I absolutely loved it. I went in January the first time to the main island about 4 years ago and the amount of marine life was amazing. I had a chance to go to Miyakojima island in June and after spending everyday in the water, I decided I wanted to go back. So I quite my job and am moving to Miyakojima in two weeks. You can find the full story of how I quit my job and moved to a tropical island here. You can also find pictures of the island here. I probably won’t have a chance to do too much diving on the island this winter, but will be prepared to go next spring.

You can find more info on Miyakojima below:

• Miyakojima Wikipedia
• Miyakojima official website (Japanese)
• Okinawa
• Wikitravel Okinawa

Which is the best certification agency?

The simple answer is that there really isn’t one. While each diver will swear that the agency they got certified is the best, the individual practice of the dive shop or instructor is much more important. There are a general set of standards throughout the industry, and while some agencies hold to them more than others, the quality of the program really lies with the individual shop or instructor. I have listed the most common certification agencies below.

• PADI
• NAUI
• SDI
• SSI

What should I look for when searching for a good scuba program?

There are essentially three parts to every scuba program: the book work, the pool work, and the open water training.

• The book work covers all of the information you will need to know to dive safely. Such things as the scuba gear and what it is used for, diving physics and the effects of pressure on your body, and safe diving practices and emergency situations. There are now a number of options available for the bookwork section including: classroom, computer, internet, and hybrid systems which mix the above. I actually prefer the traditional training because there is an instructor there to answer any questions you may have, but the important thing is to make sure that you understand these principles well. Also, the materials you purchase for the class will be the minimum you need to pass the course. I definitely recommend that you continue to study and learn.
• The pool training is where you get the chance to practice everything you have learned. A good program should have a decent amount of pool time. The more time you are able to spend int he pool the better. Receiving insufficient training time in the pool will make your open water training more difficult and stressful and may also take some of the enjoyment out of your diving career. Breathing underwater and moving in all that gear is not something that comes natural. It takes training and time. The pool training should at minimum be broken into at least a couple of days with several hours per day.
• Lastly, the open water certification is where you get to practice the skills you have learned in a real diving environment. If you found a program with sufficient pool time, this should be no problem. The open water certification should include about 5-6 open dives including a dive with just your diving partner. If it is much less than this you are not really receiving a decent course

If you are unable to pass on the first time around, what happens then?

The scuba shop should be willing to continue to work with you and help you gain the skills you need to be a competent and safe diver. Everyone has different comfort levels in the water and some may require a little extra training. It is actually a good sign if the shop requires you to spend more time in the pool or ocean. Just be sure they are doing this for your benefit. For instance, many shops don’t charge you again if you go through the normal classes (attend with the next class) again.

What type of scuba gear do they use?

I have always found that you can determine the quality of a scuba shop by how well they take care of their scuba gear. It should be serviced once a year and the gear should not be all patched together. Also, scuba gear changes, make sure they are using newer gear. There is no reason to learn on gear that is outdated.

To what level can they certify?

This is more a question for a shop than the individual, but I recommend that you choose a place that offers additional courses. Continuing education will improve your experience as a diver.

How knowledgeable are the instructor and shop staff?

They should be able to answer your questions regarding the course and the gear. You should feel like you are getting quality information and not just being sold something. if you feel you are just another number to them, I recommend you continue looking. It is perfectly okay to ask to speak with customers who have already taken the course.

And finally, remember to have fun. That’s the whole reason you decided to do this. Learning to dive should be fun and exciting. There will be difficult times, but overall you should have a blast.

You can find more info below:

• Looking For Scuba Diving Schools – In fact, most of the scuba classes are conducted in pool facilities that give the instructors the advantage of a controlled surrounding in which to train the fundamentals or basics of scuba. And for somebody who’s new to the diving …

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay – Oahu, Hawaii – Whether you’re interested in scuba diving or snorkeling, Hanauma Bay on the Southeast side of Oahu is a fantastic destination. The floor of Hanauma Bay was once a volcano crater which filled with ocean waters when its outer, …

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling – Big Island, Hawaii – Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Big Island, Hawaii. A scuba diving or snorkeling adventure off the coast of Big Island will be one of the most memorable experiences of your Hawaiian holiday. The waters at Big Island tend to be calm and a …

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Big Island, Hawaii – A Hawaii scuba diving or snorkeling adventure at Big Island will be the highlight of your experiences in Hawaii. Big Island is one of the premier snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in the state thanks to calm waters, …

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Hanauma Bay, Hawaii – Hanauma Bay on the Southeastern shore of Oahu is an outstanding place to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling in Hawaii. Once a volcanic crater, today Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life and conservation area. …

• Scuba Diving in Hawaii – Scuba diving is a very rewarding experience for anyone who is eager to investigate issues of life and death within a watery world. Therefore, some devote themselves to the study of varied life forms in the ocean and others to rescue and …

• Affordable Scuba Diving Trips – … travel destinations like Thailand and Australia are still out of your price range, remember that an area that continually ranks among the top 10 Scuba destinations in the world is right here in the United States – The Florida Keys. …

• Into the Blue – Thousands of scuba destinations to pick from. A recent study by Forbes Traveler revealed the best underwater sights in the world to help narrow down the choices: Palau tops the list for most diversity in sights. …

• Best Scuba Diving Locations for Beginners – Bonaire a small island off of the coast of Venezuela in the Dutch Caribbean is generally recognized by Scuba professionals and Dive magazines as one of the top Scuba destinations worldwide. All of Bonaire’s waters have been legally …

• The Best 10 Diving Destinations in the world – But with 70 percent of the globe consisting of water, and thousands of scuba destinations around the world, even the pickiest travelers will have trouble narrowing it down. So put aside your nautical maps and read on, because we’ve …

• World’s 10 best scuba spots (MSNBC) – But with 70 percent of the globe consisting of water, and thousands of scuba destinations around the world, even the pickiest travelers will have trouble narrowing it down. Continue… LOS ANGELES—-PeopleSupport, Inc. , a leading offshore …

• Top 10 Caribbean Island Desinations – According to The Orbitz Insider Index, a monthly, in-depth look at travel trends from an industry insider’s perspective, the most popular….