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Scubaspa Maldives

Scubaspa Maldives comprise a fleet of vessels located in the Maldives. Yin and Yang are two identical 165ft long luxury scuba diving yachts. So, they were built in 2013, and renovated in 2015. Each ship can hold 40 guests. Manta Suites and Dolphin Suites with oval panoramic windows are located on the main deck.  The Cowrie suite and the sea star suites with portlights are on the lower deck. Moreover, each suite has air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms with shower, room for storage, safety deposit box and wifi. Enjoy our blog article on The Maldives: A Garland of Islands in the Indian Ocean

Scubaspa Maldives Diving

Both yachts are PADI 5-star scuba diving resorts and teach intro to advance diver courses. Diving is done from one of the two 60ft long dhoni (dive boats). Local reef ecosystems include channels, overhangs, drop offs, shallow coastal and deeper underwater islands called Thila. More importantly, there are 187 corals, 1050 fish, 400 mollusks, and hundreds of crustacean species. Scubaspa Maldives guests will be rewarded wherever they choose to dive. So, whale sharks and manta rays are top attractions for Ari and North Male Atoll. Manta Point dive site showcases manta ray cleaning stations. South Male Atoll channels attract many pelagic fish. Rasdhoo Atoll is famous for Scalloped Hammerhead sharks. Also, Aduuls Atoll has Turtle Point with increasing numbers of turtles, white/black tip reef sharks and eagle rays. Lastly, Baa Atoll has brilliant carpets of swaying soft corals with an abundance of reef fish. Nitrox is available.

Attractions and Activities

The chefs onboard Scubaspa Maldives prepare 3 buffet meals daily unless they are cooking a BBQ feast on a deserted island. They cook international favorites and local cuisine as well as lobster to order and fresh seafood. Above all, these two sister ships are uniquely designed with Spas with 6 treatment rooms. You might say that they are a fleet of floating 5-star luxury spa resorts. So, they work with individuals, and you can also get a couples massage. When not diving or getting a message, you might like to relax in a lounger or sit in a hot tub. There is a mini fitness center and yoga classes are offered by a yoga master. There is also an open air cinema.

They also have special charters available for 7 night or 4-night holidays, trips to the Deep South, Far North, Central Atolls, as well as cruises for those that love shark week, love whale sharks, love mantas week, freediving week, Christmas and New Years week, solo travelers cruise, weddings, anniversaries, last minute cruises, and much more.

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Namale Resort

Namale Resort is a scuba diving destination on the north island of Vanua Levu. There are 22 private bures and villas set out on a 525-acre former coconut plantation. There are garden bures, ocean view bures, Honeymoon bures, villas, and Luxury grand villas with 2 bedrooms. It’s the perfect adults only get away. Furthermore, if you need more privacy, you can rent out the entire Namale Resort. So, each accommodation has complimentary wifi, private deck, and mini fridge. Enjoy our blog article on Experience the Fiji Firewalkers of Beqa Island.

Namale Resort Diving

Namale Dive is the onsite scuba diving center. The Namale Pearl is parked at the private cove and waiting to take you almost anywhere in this region of the soft coral capital. Here, you can arrange multiple day 2-tank packages. In addition, rental gear and enriched air are also available. Some of the top destinations near the Namale Resort are the Namena Marine Reserve, Purple Gardens, Lepper’s Wall, and more. So, most divers visit here to view the kaleidoscope of several hundred soft coral species colors. However, Ribbon eels, clownfish, and juvenile coral trout along with 1,000 other species of fish put on a daily colorful display. Oh, and don’t forget the 500 species of uniquely shaped and colored mollusks. Finally, the turtles, sharks, and sea snakes avail themselves for the perfect photo/image opportunity.

Attractions and Activities

For indoor options, Namale Resort has a Spa, fitness center, an oceanfront basketball court, billiards, darts, a bowling alley, and private lounges. To enjoy time outside, there are two resort pools, hot tubs, a 9-hole golf course, and a tennis and volleyball area. Outside, you can go kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, or go on a reef walk. Tours to waterfalls, villages, game fishing, and sandbar picnics are also arranged.

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Dreams Cozumel Cape

Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort and Spa in Mexico is an all-inclusive scuba diving resort. They offer 154 guest rooms or suites with Garden, Pool, or Ocean views. Enjoy 24 hour room service or multiple restaurants and bars. Rooms also have a balcony, mini-bar, flat screen TV with satellite channels and wifi even in public areas. Enjoy our blog article Destination Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico.

Dreams Cozumel Cape Diving

Juan Leca’s Dive House and dedicated dive training pool are onsite. As a PADI 5 star scuba diving facility and they do intro to scuba up to specialty scuba courses.  They also do night dives as well as 2 tank boat trips to some 18 dive sites. From Dreams Cozumel Cape you can view over 300 species of fish and over 100 species of coral. Stingrays, groupers, barracuda, turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters, and eels are everywhere. You’ll have the chance to do explore walls, pinnacles, and tunnels. Most importantly, many of the dive sites near Dreams Cozumel Cape are easy drift dives. Dive boats commonly drop divers off. Afterwards, the boats drift with the bubbles until the divers resurface. Some of the popular dive sites include Santa Rosa, Al Cedrals, The Caves at Palancar Reef, San Francisco, La Francesa, the Bricks. Oh, and don forget the Plane wreck! In addition, you can also dive at nearby Chankanaab National Marine Park.

Attractions and Activities

At Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort and Spa, not only do you have access to four restaurants and two beach bars, but you also have access and privileges at the two sister resorts. So, Secrets Aura Cozumel and Sunscape Sabor Cozumel are just a few steps away. After a swim in the pool, snorkeling, biking, kayaking, the fitness center, or resting on a lounge chair, you may wish to go into town. The Dolphinaris, and the Kaokao Chocolate Factory are popular tourist destinations, but don’t miss the Mayan Show back at the resort.

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Bandos Island Resort

Bandos Island Resort is a scuba diving destination in the Maldives. The resort has 215 accommodations that range from Garden Villas to Sunset Water Villas. So, each room or villa has a flat screen cable tv, air conditioning and mini bar. Beach Villas have a bath tub and outdoor shower while Premium Villas have a jetted tub. The Bandos Island Resort Beach Pool Villas have an infinity pool. Moreover, the Sunset Water Villas have a private pool and direct lagoon access via a private staircase. Enjoy our blog article; The Maldives: A Garland of Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Bandos Island Resort Diving

Dive Bandos is the onsite scuba diving center. There are more than 40 dive sites to explore out here, but the first one should be the Bandos Island Resort House Reef. Manta Point and Banana Reef are also very popular along with most channels, passes, rocks, and caves. Moreover, the local islands are home to 1100 species of fish, 5 species of turtles, 187 species of coral, 145 species of crab, 48 species of shrimp, and 21 species of whales and dolphins. More importantly, there is an onsite Medical Clinic with a decompression chamber.

Attractions and Activities

At Bandos Island Resort, Gallery Restaurant offers buffet style dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grill Bar has fresh seafood and grilled entrees. So, Sea Breeze is a café that offers a la carte Italian entrees, Indian curries, burgers, and pizzas. Umi Yaki uses Japanese style teppan hot plates with a dash of theatrical flipping and sizzling with its selections. Furthermore, at Bandos Island Resort you can enjoy an Intimate dinner on the beach, a Candle-Lit Dinner, or a Lobster Dinner for two. At sunset, the place to be is Huvan; the Sundeck bar at the end of the walkway covered tombolo. More importantly, Sand Bar is where you can find karaoke, live music, and discotheque events.

Above all, there is something quite relaxing about the swim up Pool bar. It could be the shade, the soft fragrant breeze, or the feeling of bubbles from the jetted stools; we are still testing our theories out. Keep in mind a visit to the Spa, jet skiing, kayaking, the fitness center,  a glass bottom boat tour, a tour of Malé, a whale shark expedition, a sand bank picnic, a sunset dolphin cruise, or other island hopping or snorkeling adventure.

 

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Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort

Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort is a scuba diving destination in St. Eustatius. The newly designed resort opened in September of 2021. They are located near Oranjested behind the Quill volcanic mountain. They have ocean views and mountain views. They have Junior suites and Superior suites. Each suite at Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort has a balcony or patio. Each unit also has a coffee maker, microwave, kitchenette, mini-fridge, toaster, dishwasher, and more. The private bathroom has a shower, hairdryer, and bathrobe. A wardrobe, flat screen TV, and seating area are also standard features. Free Wi-Fi. Enjoy our blog article on Sea Turtle’s; The Godfathers of All Dive Magazines?

Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort Diving

For scuba diving you may wish to visit Scubaqua Dive Center. They are the number one dive operator on the island. More importantly, they have Green Flash, a 36′ long boat, and Yellow boat, a 28′ long boat. In addition, there guided dive ratio is 6 divers to 1 dive master. They cater to experienced divers with personal attention to newer ones. Also, they have air and free nitrox available, and also do snorkeling tours. Finally, before you visit, you should know that all the marine waters around this dormant volcanic landscape are part of the protected Statia National Marine Park and a small fee of around $30 per year is required to dive this protected marine reserve.

Moreover, because of the volcanic nature of the island, expect to dive soft and hard coral encrusted lava fissures, pinnacles, and walls. There are 36 official dive sites all within 5-20 minutes by boat and some accessible by shore. Some sites to visit while staying at Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort include: Grand Canyon, Hangover, Barracuda, Drop Off, Mushroom Gardens, Aquarium and The Cave. For wreck dives there is the 327′ long cable layer Charles L. Brown (Charlie Brown). Furthermore, they have Double Wreck and Chien Tang.

Attractions and Activities

Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort is the onsite location of The Breeze Restaurant. Their chefs prepare delicious dishes lunch and 3-course cuisine for diner. There is also an onsite tennis court, a pool, children’s playground, fitness room, and gift center. Smoke Alley Beach and Lynch beach have great sand for laying down and getting tanned. Zeelandia is a black sand beach, so be sure and bring a beach towel. Crooks Castle beach is great for snorkeling. Be sure and keep a lookout for 17th century blue beads. For hiking, you can hike the Quill dormant volcano and step into the jungle filled crater.

You can also do a history tour, or visit Fort Oranje, the St. Eustatius Historical Museum, or the Historical Foundation Museum. The Miriam Schmidt Botanical Gardens are a beautiful sight too.

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Iberostar Cozumel

Iberostar Cozumel is an all-inclusive  resort on the scuba diving island of Cozumel in Mexico. The resort features 293 guest rooms. In total they have 12 categories of double rooms and suites. They have secret garden views, pool views, ocean views, near pool, and ocean front rooms. They also have palm thatched roof bungalow-style suite ocean view rooms. All this ensures that there is a guest room to fit just about any desire. More importantly, Iberostar Cozumel is a 5 Star all-inclusive resort. Each accommodation comes complete with an in-room mini bar, air conditioning, and bathroom with shower. Furthermore, each unit has a flat screen tv, and a coffee maker. Best of all, each accommodation has a private balcony with hammock.  Enjoy our blog article on Cozumel Mexico, Always A Top Dive Destination.

Iberostar Cozumel Diving

Dressel Divers is the onsite scuba diving center but other dive operators can be specified. They use two boats to do two tanks and one tank dives daily as well as offering a night dive. The destination depends on weather and currents.  So, at Iberostar Cozumel, the local shoreline is rocky. Therefore, all dives here are done by boat. Fortunately, this works well because most local diving is drift diving. More importantly, most dive sites visited are less than 10 minutes away.  So, from Iberostar Cozumel expect to see some of the 300 species of fish and over 100 types of corals. However, you may use the stairs near the far end on the elongated dock to go snorkeling. Stingrays, grouper, barracuda, turtles, nurse sharks, and spiny lobsters are everywhere. You may also have the chance to do wall dives, explore pinnacles and tunnels.

Some of the popular scuba diving sites include: Santa Rosa, Al Cedrals, Palancar Garden, San Francisco, La Francesa, and the Plane Wreck. In addition, you also might like to spend a day diving at nearby Chankanaab National Marine Park.

Attractions and Activities

The Iberostar Cozumel international buffet has nightly themes. Some popular themes include: Italian, Mexican, and American cuisine. Cantina Las Dos Marias offers Mexican and American ala carte meals. So, reservations are recommended here. Moreover, LA Pagoda offers cold and hot ala cart dinning featuring Asian cuisine. Here, reservations are required. So, dishes range from Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Korea, the Philippines, and Japan. There are some dress codes for the ala carte venues. Drinks can be served at the El Patio lobby bar, La Perla pool bar, and La Cieba Beach Bar. In addition, at the Theatre Bar, they have nightly entertainment. The spa, fitness center, and sauna are all located onsite. There are two pools for adults and one for kids at Iberostar Cozumel.

Lucy’s Kid Club is also available for kids 4-12. During the day you can try kayaks, catamarans, and windsurfers for the first hour free. Dedicated loungers are located in a special shallow area of one of the pools. The nearest sand beach is San Francisco Beach located south about half a mile away. Peacocks, Parrots, Flamingos, and Iguanas appear to have the right away on all secluded paths.

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Grand Park Royal Cozumel

Grand Park Royal is a scuba dive destination in Cozumel Mexico. They have 342 rooms and a private beachfront. This is an all-inclusive resort with Deluxe rooms with either a garden or ocean view. The rooms have wifi available, furnished balconies, mini-bars, and hairdryer. Flat screen TVs have cable channels. 24hr room service is also available. Enjoy our blog article on Cozumel Mexico, Always a Top Dive Destination.

Grand Park Royal Diving

Aqua World is the onsite scuba diving center. They also do snorkeling tours and may combine this tour with diving tours. Moreover, they do submarine rides and glass bottom boat tours. Finally, they also work with cruise ships and join them in with the snorkel and dive tours. They have their own jetty/dock and other charter boat operators pay to stop and pick up or drop off passengers. Snorkeling supplies may be limited by demand. It’s best to bring your own gear, as your own gear almost always fits best. Now, one street away, or a short walk away from Grand Park Royal there are more than half a dozen boutique dive shops.

For those dive shops rating between 5-4.8 stars out of 5, you might like to dive with Aldora Divers, Dive Boutique, Dive with Martin Dive Shop, Jungle Divers, Roberta’s Dive Shack, and Living Underwater. You might say, that depending on when and where you want to dive, there is a local dive boat ready to schedule and take you there. Above all, there are some 250 species of fish on or around Palancar Reef.

Attractions and Activities

At Grand Park Royal, they have 2 a la carte evening restaurants: El Mexicano and El Italiano. La Veranda is the onsite buffet restaurant serving breakfast lunch and dinner. El Carbeño is open for lunch and dinner. Café Solé offers pastries and coffee for breakfast. Grad Park Royal is also known for their tacos and other snacks by the poolside at the Bikini Bar, and El Marlín Azul bar. As for drinks, they have five bars including 2-swim up bars, sports bar, and lobby bar. Oh, and don’t forget the nightly entertainment at the open-air amphitheater. A private underpass leads you across the street to the private beach area and Paradise Reef. Here, you can rest in a lounger near two pools, enjoy a hot tub, snorkel, or play volley ball.

Finally, the Royal Village Shopping Center, Atlantis Submarines, and Hard Rock Café are a short walk away down the street.

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Jungle Bay Dominica

Jungle Bay Dominica has 30 ecofriendly luxury villas above the village of Soufriere and near the scuba diving park known as Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Preserve. Villa suites offer king size beds and jungle spa bathrooms with raindrop shower heads. The rooms have a minifridge as well as biodegradable bath products. Spectacular views of the ocean, jungle and tropical gardens surround you. Enjoy our blog article on Dominica The Nature Island.

Jungle Bay Dominica Diving

Nature Island Dives is located next to Soufriere Bay and offer guided boat dives. So, they do 1 tank, 2 tank, and night dives. In addition, they offer open water and specialty classes, as well as an underwater photography class and tours. They also perform Lionfish Control, which might explain why their onsite restaurant Bottom Time Café, offers such savory lionfish sandwiches. The Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve which you can view from Jungle Bay Dominica is located inside an ancient submerged volcanic crater.

There are many dive sites in and around this area. The most interesting dive has to be Champagne Reef with an endless supply of sulfuric bubbles. Swiss Cheese, Scotts Head Pinnacle, and Dangleben’s Pinnacle have swim throughs. Crater’s Edge is a dive site where you can view sea turtle, sea horses, and turtles on the inside perimeter and large pelagics on the outside of the crater rim that descends down some 700ft deep.

Attractions and Activities

Jungle Bay Dominica has an adventure package that includes all meals at the Calabash restaurant and non-alcoholic drinks. The resort has an infinity pool, hot jacuzzi, and loungers. They also have Spa pampering and yoga classes. The resort is a 20-minute walk to Champagne Reef. Jungle Bay Dominica is a great place for corporate retreats, escape weddings, and honeymoons.

More importantly, this is the Nature Island. So, prepare to do some birding to view the endemic Sisserou & Jaco Parrots. Above all, you have to take a guided hike into the old growth rain forests. There are also 365 rivers and 12 waterfalls to see. So, you can also go waterfall repelling and canyoning. More importantly, Boiling lake is the 2nd largest boiling lake in the world. Sea Kayaking is big here too. Finally, there are 20 marine mammal species out here from spotted dolphins to sperm whales, so whale watching is big too.

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Papagayo Beach Resort

Papagayo Beach Resort is a scuba diving destination in Willemstad, Curacao. The resort has a large manmade swimming lagoon over at the Beach Club, and is a 3-minute walk to Jan Thiel Beach & Bay. They have 2-bedroom villas with garden rooms, 2-bedroom villas with ocean views, 3bedroom villas, and even a Royal Suite Villa. The luxury villas have AC flat screen tv’s and open plan kitchens. Enjoy our blog article: Curacao. Can We Say Choices?

Papagayo Beach Resort Diving

Dive Center Scuba Do is the local scuba diving place to go. They are a short walk away at Jan Thiel Beach near Zanzibar, the restaurant with amazing ribs. Dive Center Scuba Do offers multiple guided and non-guided shore dives. Depending on the day, they do drift dives from Barbara Beach to Directors Bay, and Directors Bay to Tugboat. You can do full day diving to West Point to Cas Abou. Moreover, they do boat diving over at East Point, Klein Curacao, and other west coast beaches. Finally, they do wreck diving on the 115ft deep, 400-ton Superior Producer or on the 15ft deep Tugboat. They also teach PADI courses including many specialty courses such as Lionfish Hunter, wreck diver, deep diver, drift diver, and night diver, to name a few. Expect to see turtles, stingrays, dolphins, eels, sponges, soft corals, hard corals, and a plethora of happy fish.

Attractions and Activities

Papagayo Beach Resort has its own restaurant.  Furthermore, 11 other restaurants are within a short stroll from most villas including the Beach Café near the Beach Plaza and Beach Club. The Beach Plaza is home of the Van Den Twerl Supermarket as well as several gift and clothing shops. Laman Spa and Wellness and Diamond Beach Casino are also located in this area. Thursday nights you can dine and dance, Friday nights are for live music and later DJs. Mojito’s and Bites is another hot place to dance and enjoy night clubbing. At adjacent Blue Coast Water Sports, you might like to try a hydro-flight or jet ski during the day or just become a lounger next to the lagoon at the Beach Club and vigorously work on a tan.

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Dreams Curacao Resort, Spa and Casino

Dreams Resort, Spa and Casino is a scuba diving destination in Willemstad Curacao. They have 197 rooms that range from Deluxe Island and Deluxe Pool rooms up to Junior or a Presidential suite. This is an all-inclusive resort with unlimited luxury with 5 onsite cafes and restaurants, plus 24/7 room service. The rooms also include free wifi, balcony, and flat screen tv. Enjoy our blog article: Curacao. Can We Say Choices?

Dreams Resort Diving

Caribbean Sea Sports is the local scuba diving center. They have been next to the beach here for more than 15 years. They have a Pro 42ft boat that takes up to 22 divers out at a time, they offer two tank boat dives followed by free unlimited shore diving. Dive sites include locations at Seldom Reef, Bullen Bay Wall, Bachelor Beach, Double Reef, and Directors Bay. While staying at Dreams Resort you can also do guided shore dives, night dives, or take one or more PADI dive courses. The beaches are small, but the home reef diving is great, you just have to look closely to spot the seahorses. Nitrox or Enriched air is also available. They also do half day snorkel trips, and fishing trips.

Attractions and Activities

Dreams Resort, Spa and Casino offers 3 ala carte restaurants including Portofina; Italian cuisine, Oceania; seaside restaurant, and Seaside Grill featuring steaks and other grilled items. World Café is buffet style and open for breakfast and lunch. Finally, you can get your fresh morning cup of coffee and pastry at Coco Café. For adult beverages, Dreams Resort has the Hideaway Beach Bar, and the Crafty Iguana Brew Pub. This brewery offers Tex-Mex as well as handcrafted local microbrews. Moreover, for those looking for one bar open from morning until after midnight, Rendezvous Bar is located next to the main lobby. As for exercise, they have tennis, volleyball, a pool, and whirlpool. Caribbean Sea Sports also rents kayaks, paddle boards, and dive lights for night time snorkeling adventures. They also have their own Spa. The resort is 15 minutes from the airport.

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