500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [34]
At Palau, don’t miss snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake. The lake has two different species of non-stinging jellyfish, which pulsate and reflect light with a unique eeriness. At Truk, be sure to visit the gun emplacements, caves, and fortifications during your gas-off day. —LF
Federated States of Micronesia ( 691/320-5122;www.visit-fsm.org). Diving Palau (www.skin-diver.com/palaudest/sites.html). Truk Lagoon.com (www.truk-lagoon.com). Rananim, dive information on Palau and Truk Lagoon (www.rananim.com).
When to Go: Jan–Mar are the coolest months with the lowest humidity. Best time to visit Truk: Dec–Apr is the dry season.
Chuuk International Airport and Palau International Airport.
Truk Blue Lagoon Resort ( 691/330-2727;www.bluelagoondiveresort.com). $$–$$$ Pacific Resort in Palau ( 680/488-2600;www.palauppr.com).
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Wreck Diving in Bermuda
Uncovering History in the Wreckage
Bermuda
Ships have come to grief on Bermuda’s reefs since a Spanish ship went down between 1500 and 1503. Depending on the person you ask, you’ll hear there are between 300 and 400 documented wrecks on the reefs encircling the six major and 120 minor islands that comprise Bermuda. Exploring these wrecks connects you to the past in a way few other experiences can. It’s a thrill to see the wreckage up close. So take a dive into marine history and explore the amazing wrecks off the isles of Bermuda.
Unlike most wreck diving adventures, many of the wrecks in Bermuda are in water shallow enough to make diving up to three wrecks in a day possible. Wreckage can be found as shallow as 6m (20 ft.) and diving below 24m (80 ft.) isn’t necessary, so divers can usually count on great visibility and adequate bottom time, allowing the flexibility for multiple dives in 1 day. This is a great trip for those who want to see as much as possible with limited time.
Around Bermuda there are actually 36 known diveable wreck sites, 12 of which are most frequently dived, 12 more occasionally dived, and 12 rarely visited. One of the premium sites is the Cristobal Colon which, weather permitting, is a must for divers—it’s a spectacular site. The wreckage of the 150m (500-ft.), 1920’s ocean liner covers acres of the sea bed more than an hour’s boat ride from shore. She ran aground in 1936 and was used for bombing practice during World War II. Look for the huge boilers and deck equipment.
If you don’t want to go so far out in the ocean, visit one of the wreck dives just off the coast. One of the oldest is the Virginia Merchant, which carried colonists from England. The ballast stones of the three-masted ship lie in 12m (40 ft.) of water. The King, a U.S. Navy Tugboat built in 1941 and sunk as an artificial reef in 1984, is intact and lies upright at nearly 20m (65 ft.). The 77m (255-ft.) Mary Celestina was a blockade-runner that now rests at 17m (55 ft.) underwater. One of her paddlewheel frames makes her readily identifiable. The Hermes was sunk as an artificial reef and sits on the bottom at 24m (80 ft.). It is upright and intact. So take your pick—you certainly won’t be bored for lack of options.
There are numerous dive operators in Bermuda—we’ve listed a couple below. All operations make dive-site selections based on the weather as well as diver experience and preferences.
Bermuda is vacation heaven on-shore as well, with many big resorts offering alternative adventure and sporty activity. The kid-friendly Fairmont Southampton has a tough 18-hole, par 3 golf course, and can make arrangements for sport fishing, diving, tennis, and cycling. Cambridge Beaches is adults only and has five private beaches and a spa. You can also rent a motor scooter and cruise around. —LF
Bermuda Tourism ( 800/BERMUDA [237-6832] in the U.S.; www.bermudatourism.com). Dive Guide International ( 303/484-7575;www.diveguide.com/berm-scuba.htm).
Tours: Blue Water Divers ( 441/234-1034;www.divebermuda.com). Fantasea Diving ( 441/236-1300; www.fantasea.bm).