|
|
| Seychelles Scuba Diving Vacations and Luxury Adventure Packages |
|
Seychelles Scuba Diving trips, Seychelles Snorkeling, Seychelles dive boats, Seychelles scuba diving excursions----
For many people diving is an exciting, adventurous sport that they might just try, one day! Well, that day may have arrived! A combination of high-tech equipment and modern teaching methods has made this sport available to everyone. It is hardly surprising that the warm clear waters of the Seychelles have become a playground for visiting divers and have lured many new-comers underwater. The shallow inshore reefs are a wonderland of iridescent fish which are unafraid of visitors; spear-fishing is banned and the fish seem almost tame.
There are a number of Diving Centres where you can learn how to dive safely and in comfort. Most are members of the Association of Professional Divers and are staffed by internationally qualified staff. They offer popular one day introductory courses which can open the door to hours of under sea enjoyment.
The course starts with a tutorial which explains the effects of diving and the necessary safety procedures; this is followed by a session in the swimming pool where you learn the skills you will need to be comfortable. Then, if you feel ready, you can experience first-hand the marvels of the Seychelles reefs. Many hotels offer the pool-based course free to their guests, so that anyone who is medically fit can try.
The Centres also offer four day, intensive certification courses; these encompass five tutorials, five pool training sessions and four open water dives, resulting in a full diving license which is valid world-wide.
For the more experienced diver, the sites further off-shore and on the outer islands offer spectacular diving. Eagle rays wheel around dramatic rock pinnacles while other pelagic fish cruise in for a closer look and are a dream come true for underwater photographers. The wreck of the ill-fated Naval tanker, Ennerdale, is an eerie sight, while ancient ship-wrecks off the outer islands still hold their secrets and the legends of treasure.
SCUBA is yet another feature of the Seychelles experience; a whole new world, intimate wildlife interaction and the thrill of the "unknown" will add another dimension to your vacation, one that will have you coming back for more.
The best months for diving are March to May and September to November when the seas are calmest, visibility can be over 30 metres on offshore sites, and the water can reach 29ºC.
Will I need a wet suit? We generally recommend a thin wet-suit, especially in the colder months. On shallow dives you will spend longer underwater and may become a little chilled. All of the centres have these for hire.
What types of dives are there? Generally speaking most of the dives are from boats, although there is some shore diving at certain centres. There are two main forms of reef around the Seychelles, those composed of hard coral, like the famous Barrier reefs, and those of granite, which are generally encrusted with various soft coral formations.
Most centres offer several types of dive trip, including wreck dives, night dives and "off-shore" longer range dives to the more remote dive sites. On the islands of the Amirantes and further south there are also some true "Wall-Dives", but you should contact the centres to confirm the times of year to visit these outer islands.
How deep are the dives? The dives on the inshore reefs range between 10 and 20 metres, the maximum allowable depth on APDS run dives is 30 metres. Decompression dives are not allowed.
Are there any live-aboard dive charters? At the moment there are several charter yachts which will take diving groups; some of the diving centres will organise these charters, supplying the Dive master and equipment.
Where are the dive centers? Most are situated at the beach-side hotels, see the current list for details.
How do I get to the dive centers? If you are not staying at the hotel where the centre is situated, you can arrange for a daily transfer through any of the tour operators.
Is the diving properly organised? Most of the centres are members of the Association of Professional Divers, Seychelles; the association requires that all its centres are staffed by internationally qualified dive masters and instructors. They also lay down a code of safety and operating standards for all diving activities, so that you can be assured of properly organised dives.
Where can I learn to dive? Operations which are termed "Dive Centres" have internationally qualified instructors who are able to teach from Novice level onwards, as well as providing all the other services needed by qualified divers. "Dive Operators" have only Dive master rated personnel and are only allowed to take out qualified divers.
What about advanced courses? Many Dive Centres also run more advanced courses for qualified divers, some offering certification right up to Assistant Instructor. Speciality diving courses are also available at a number of Centres in a whole range of topics from Underwater Photography through to Deep and Wreck Diving.
Will the qualification I get be valid elsewhere? If you take a certification course at any of the APDS centres the license you receive will be valid world-wide. Most instructors are PADI qualified and issue the PADI Open Water Certificate for entry level divers.
What is PADI? PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors; it is the biggest diver training agency in the world and certifies the largest number of divers every year.
How long will it take me to learn? As little as one day! The APDS centres run one day Introductory Courses; these courses comprise a theory session, a training session in the swimming pool followed by a shallow dive in the sea, all under the close supervision of an experienced instructor. These courses are not certification courses.
The certification courses will be at least four days long and include five theory tutorials supported by a training manual, five pool training sessions and four sea dives.
Do I need to be very fit? Not especially: all divers are required to have regular medical check-ups and should keep the certificate with their qualifications. People trying diving for the first time will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire on enrolling for any course at the centres; providing you are medically fit, not taking any medication and have no history of head or chest problems you should be okay. If you do have a medical problem or are in doubt, you should contact a doctor before you leave and get a written clearance from him to participate in diving activities.
What about diving during pregnancy? PADI recommends that women should not dive at all during pregnancy. Although there is probably no risk to the lady concerned, there have been some suggestions that it may affect the unborn child and thus is inadvisable.
Do I need to bring any special papers? Yes, as a qualified diver you should bring your log-book and proof of diving qualification. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your current medical certificate. If you are not a diver but you have decided to try diving then you need no paper work unless you have a medical problem, in which case you will need a doctor's certificate of fitness to dive.
What equipment do I need to bring? You need bring nothing at all; all the centres have full equipment rental, including demand valves with contents and depth gauges, BCD's with low power inflation systems as well as tanks, weights, masks, snorkels and fins etc. If you do bring your own equipment it must be in proper working order and you must dive with a BCD or similar buoyancy device with a power inflation mechanism; you must also use a contents gauge.
Can I get my equipment repaired if it goes wrong? Yes, several of the centres are authorised repair centres and can cope with most common types of equipment malfunction.
Are there any age limits? Yes; the youngest that we will accept on courses or dives is 12 years old and they must have written parental consent. There is no published upper limit but people over the age of 55 may be asked for a medical certificate from a doctor confirming fitness to dive.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber? In Victoria; this chamber is an emergency only chamber, designed as a portable transit chamber. The nearest full recompression facility is in Mombasa, Kenya.
What about insurance? All members of the APDS are required to have third party liability insurance cover. However, you would be wise to take out a holiday insurance on any vacation; if you intend to go diving then you should declare this when you book your policy. Normally there is a small surcharge, but this is well worthwhile.
Are there any sharks? Yes there are; however, these are not a problem to divers or swimmers. You are very unlikely to see any sharks around the main islands, those that are seen have never been a problem and are a rare but thrilling sight. On the offshore sites and more remote islands, sharks are more common, but again there has never been a problem. At certain times of the year, when the plankton-rich waters well up over the plateau, you may get the chance to meet one of the majestic Whale Sharks. These enormous fish are docile plankton feeders and are readily approached by divers. The dive masters will give full briefings on all the marine life likely to be encountered.
.What about poisonous fish? There are some poisonous fish, such as stone fish, on the reefs; as with sharks these are not a problem and your dive guides will show you what to look out for. Remember that poisonous fish are defensive rather than aggressive, if you don't know what something is then don't touch it!
What about flying after diving? PADI recommends that you have a full 24 hours break after diving before you fly.
Are there underwater photography facilities? Yes, several of the centres have full underwater photography courses as well as offering to photograph you and your dive or even video the event. Due to the high price of Underwater Photographic equipment there are few centres who will hire out equipment unless on a supervised photo course. There are no rapid slide and print processing facilities on the more remote locations.
Can I bring my speargun? NO; spear fishing is banned in the entire Seychelles marine zone. Anyone arriving with a speargun will have it confiscated at customs.
Can I take coral or shells? Most centres operate strict conservation policies on their dives and will not allow shelling or coral taking. In marine park areas it is against the law to take either.
What about turtle products? It is illegal to buy or sell turtle products in Seychelles.
Are there any guide books? Yes, there are a number of good guide books available on both general tourist information and also specifically on the marine, bird and plant life.
Can I book an all inclusive package? Yes, several centres offer packages either directly or through the various tour operators based in the Seychelles. The best way to book an all inclusive package of flight, transfers, hotel accommodation and diving is to contact these tour operators for details.
|
|
|
|
|
| Full Service Seychelles Scuba Diving Vacation Planner |
| Click here to start planning a great Indian Ocean vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to. Thank you very much! Call 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your Seychelles Scuba Diving vacations. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
   
We accept credit cards:   
|
|
During this time of price volatility in the Seychelles Scuba Diving vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the Seychelles Scuba Diving vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
Travel Agent Career Opportunities
State of California seller of travel License No: 2061139-40
We are on the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll.
© 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Seychelles Scuba Diving Vacations, Cruises and Custom Travel Packages Dept. All rights reserved. | |
|
|
