Hawaii is a year-round destination, and the temperatures are pleasant enough to provide you with bathing fun every day of the year.  Although there are many different climates on the islands , the coastal regions are always bathing temperatures.  If you come to Hawaii for scuba diving, you only need to pack your diving gear, swimwear, t-shirts, shorts and a light jacket.

When is the best time to Scuba dive in Hawaii

Hawaii has only two seasons: summer, which lasts from May to October, and winter, which lasts from November to April.  On average, temperatures in Hawaii reach around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, with the thermometer often climbing to 86 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.  At night, it cools little.  Although the temperatures are never stiflingly hot, it is still necessary to protect yourself from the sun.  The Island State is near the equator and therefore the sun is strong.  Especially on clear days appropriate sun protection is essential.

From July to August the visibility under water is perfect and with the calm seas, the ideal time for diving or sailing.  The intensity of the currents varies from weak to very strong, depending on the site, but dive centers can offer more accurate readings so you feel safe before diving deeper.  Similarly, the level of difficulty varies by location, but novices can certainly complete their first scuba dive during a Hawaiian vacation.

Between the months of November and April, the rainy season prevails on the Hawaiian Islands, which is characterized by varying levels of rainfall.  Thus, the windward coasts in the northeast of the islands get a lot of rain, on the other hand, the wind-turned-off coasts in the southwest show little to no rain.  Most hotels are generally on the rain-poor side.  The sunniest and driest places in Hawaii include Waikiki on Oahu , Kohala and Kona on the Big Island , Kihei and Makena on Maui and Poipu on Kauai .

Characteristic of the rainy season are stronger winds which makes scuba diving Hawaii a less attactive option.  The winds invite surfers to Hawaii during the winter months for fun and competitions.  The Christmas holidays are usually perfect conditions for the popular water sports .  The daily surf report in TV or newspaper gives information about the highest waves of the island. Windsurfers, on the other hand, are best off in summer when the trade winds are constant.

For all those travelers who fly to Hawaii for swimming, the following applies: no matter if it is cloudy or sunny – swimming and splashing in the sea is always possible.  Depending on the time of year, the Pacific Ocean can reach temperatures ranging from 71 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Travelers planning to hike one of the Hawaiian volcanoes should not expect such temperatures.  The mountains and volcanoes of the islands are expected to be cool all year round.  As a rule of thumb, the temperature drops by about two degrees every 1000 feet of altitude rise.

The amount and intensity of rain varies from day to day, and in all likelihood, it does not rain so much as to deter one from venturing out of their rooms.  For some people this is definitely the best time to visit Hawaii, as you can see the island in all its splendor and beauty.

There are certain pockets within the Island, where it will rain more than other parts, and this is due to the trade winds that blow differently from east to west of the island.  As a result, the west and south sides are quite dry and warmer, while the east and north sides of the island are cooler and more humid.  The best time to visit Hawaii may depend on each person’s individual choice of whether or not a little rain can be tolerated.

At any other time of the year you will see a couple of showers during the day and this is perfectly normal.  The weather at this time will be slightly warmer.

If you do not mind traveling there in the relatively warm summer months, then this could be the best time to visit Hawaii for you.  Do your research about the beaches of Hawaii.

To summarize: The best travel time is probably mid-April to the end of June and in October and September.  When it’s summer in Hawaii the temperatures are higher and the rainfall is less.  In terms of climate, the months of July and August, offer the perfect weather but the islands are often full of tourists.

 

Did you know that scuba diving is the closest thing to flying?  The immense freedom you experience as you scuba dive is out of this world.  Once you get into the water, you become a part of the marine world and you experience the peace and calm that only exists in the water (No traffic noise, phone calls nor talking just the sound of marine life).  If that is not soothing, what is?  One of the best places to scuba dive is Iceland.  Below are ten of the best sites to scuba dive in Iceland.

1. Silfra Rift

Located between America and Eurasia continents, Silfra Rift is a freshwater rift considered to have the clearest water in the entire world.  The rift is made of sand; lave rock and algae making it beautiful. Not only is this scuba dive beautiful, but it is also easy to access and interesting.

The dive has a visibility of more than 300 feet and divers and snorkelers get to experience the feeling of being between two continents at the same time.  Furthermore, there are certain places in the rift where the snorkelers and divers get to touch the two continents at the same time.

2. Gullfoss & Geysir

Located about 72 miles from the capital of Iceland, Gullfoss is an amazing waterfall that is considered to be one of the most beautiful nature sites in Iceland and the most beautiful waterfall in the entire world.  Its name translates to “Golden Waterfall” in Icelandic and the name fits it perfectly because on a sunny day, Gullfoss creates a mist that covers the whole area in shinning golden veil once the mist comes into contact with the sun.

Geysir consists of many boiling hot pots and two active geysirs.  Between the two geysirs, Strokkur is the more active one with eruptions every 4 to 6 minutes.  A visit to this amazing location not only gives you the chance to dive in the beautiful waterfall, you also get to experience nature at its finest.

3. Garður

Besides the beautiful marine garden and forest, Garður also features beautiful stretches of sandy patches.  Garður is located at the south of Reykjavik.

4. Strýtan

Recognized as the only place in the entire world where man can reach geothermal chimneys, Strýtan is located in Northern Iceland in the middle of the Eyjafjörður.  While here, divers get to feel the hot water welling out of Strýtan as they experience the amazing flora and fauna that have managed to thrive in such special circumstances.  However, it is worth noting that this place is ideal for physically fit advanced divers who are able to control their buoyancy to avoid coming into contact with anything.

5. Kleifarvatn

Diving into the Kleifarvatn Lake gives you the chance to experience the bubbling hot water springs found deep in the lake.  The lake might be remote looking but do not let that fool you because it has amazing landscape surrounding it.

With a depth of about 295 feet, the stunning Lake Kleifarvatn is among the deepest lakes in Iceland and is located about 18 miles from Reykjavi­k.

6. Bjarnagjá

If you are having a hard time deciding whether to dive into freshwater or the ocean, Bjarnagjá lava ravine is where you need to go.  Located near Grindavik town, the freshwater in Bjarnagjá is mixed with ocean water that enters it from the end of the fissure giving this 59 feet lava ravine an amazing mix of both fresh and salty water.

This amazing site is also close to the beautiful and famous Blue Lagoon, which you can visit once you get to Bjarnagjá site.

7. Nesgjá

Considered the Silfra of the north, Nesgjá is a stunning freshwater fissue with clear water that can only be found in Iceland.  This beautiful dive site gives you the chance to experience water in its purest form.  Its lagoon is also huge and if you have the best quality dive mask, you get to enjoy the highest level of visibility that can go beyond 300 feet.  If you are lucky, you can see a type of salmonide known as arctic charr, in the fissue.

8. Westfjords

Known for numerous steep fjord cliffs and stunning beaches, the Westfjords is an area that leads to the clearest ocean water in Iceland.  The number of dive sites in this area is countless giving you the chance to pick your favorite dive spot.

Besides the many dive sites, the area also consists of several wrecks and old artifacts.  In addition, you get to explore the rich marine life such as monkfish, dolphins and whales.

9. El Grillo

If you love history and exploring wrecks, then you will definitely fall in love with this dive site. The El Gillo is a British oil tanker wreck that is approximately 492 feet long with a weight exceeding 7000 tons.

Located in the Seyðisfjörður in the fjord, the British tanker was sunk by the German fighter planes in 1944.  However, for you to dive here, you need to be an advanced open water diver certified by Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or another recognized organization.

10. Gullkistuvik

Located in Reykjavik, Gullkistuvik is considered the gold treasure of box bay and that is exactly what it means in Icelandic.

Surrounded by large rocks and a beautiful beach, the Gullkistuvik bay may be shallow but you can reach depths of up to 49 to 55 feet.  Once you reach under surface, you experience the beautiful kelp forest and the marine life found in between the boulders and rocks. H owever, be sure to stay inside the bay once the currents on the outside become strong but if you trust yourself, you can dive against it.

Conclusion

So there you have it, ten of the best scuba dive sites in Iceland.  If you have not visited any of the above sites yet, you definitely need to make it a priority.  The thrill and experience you are going to get is totally out of this world.

 

Every scuba diving enthusiast dreams of scuba diving Iceland.  This is because Iceland offers an extremely unique diving experience.  Apart from the conducive conditions and the spectacular sites, it is only Iceland, where you can get the rare chance of diving in between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates.  In short, this equals to scuba diving in a site where two continents were initially connected.  This particular idiosyncratic diving spot that is found in Iceland is known as Silfra.

Iceland boasts having diving sites with the clearest water in the world.  This is the kind of visibility that allows you as a diver to have a crystal clear view of what the ocean has to offer. The best thing is that you are not limited to one diving site.  Besides Silfra, there is Gullfoss and Geysir, Strýtan, Garður, Kleifavartan, Davíðsgjá, among others.

However, you might be wondering when is the best time to scuba dive in Iceland.  As much as that question lacks a clear-cut answer, this article will attempt to answer it in the best way possible.

So, what is the best time to Scuba dive in Iceland?

Every diver feels confident to dive in certain conditions or sites.  While some don’t like diving in extremely cold weather conditions, there are those who are comfortable in such conditions.

With that being said, there is no ideal time to dive in Iceland. In fact, divers go to scuba dive in Iceland all year round.  Visibility and water conditions don’t have significant variation throughout the year.

However, winters are likely to challenge some divers, not unless you are the kind of a diver who doesn’t mind cold water.

Nevertheless, your aptness to reach your preferred diving site, as well as your ability to dive, may be hampered by the weather.

But what are you targeting?  Is your objective to experience a midnight or daylight dive?  Well, if you are looking for the midnight sun dive, the ideal month of the year would be June.  This is a dive that is done right before the sun comes up.

If you don’t have a specific goal and just want to enjoy for scuba diving Iceland, the conditions are favorable from April to October.  Usually, you will find that a majority of divers and snorkelers come to dive in Silfra during the summer.  In case you like a diving experience that involves a lot of people, summer is the perfect season for you.  The common diving temperatures in Iceland range from 35-37 F.

While optimal conditions prevail between April and October, this may not apply to all the diving sites for scuba diving Iceland.  Fortunately, dive operators are conversant with each and every site. It is, therefore, important to ask them about the conditions you are likely to expect on a particular site.  In addition, they can recommend the best diving sites that may coincide with your interests.

Normally, if you want to go for scuba diving Iceland, you are advised to carry with you some warm clothes that you can put on, right after diving.  The recommended diving gear is a dry suit.  Also, some diving sites may require you to be of a certain height, posses a drysuit certification and have the relevant diving certification.  However, the diving gear shouldn’t be a matter of concern as most diving operators provide you with one.

Iceland is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for scuba divers in the world.  Firstly, regardless of the time or the site you choose to dive, you will undoubtedly have a great experience.  With the immense visibility, you are guaranteed of the best view of everything, including the plants as well as the sea creatures.  It also allows you to take high-quality underwater photos.

Secondly, there are a variety of diving sites.  This allows you to have an all-round diving experience.

Finally, you can choose to dive into one of the most coveted diving sites in the world (that’s Silfra). In fact, it’s been said that the tectonic plates that you will be diving in between still drift to an estimated distance of one-eighth of an inch (1/8″) each year.  Isn’t that awesome?

 

India does not appear on many bucket lists of divers around the world, and yet it should!  While the Maldives is the dream of many scuba divers, the Indian archipelago of Lakshadweep goes unnoticed.  This archipelago, composed of about thirty atolls, is located in the Arabian Sea, and is very similar to the Maldives.  The Lakshadweep archipelago offers excellent scuba diving with immaculate sites, and is less crowded than those of the neighbouring archipelago!

In addition, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered one of the best dive cruise destinations in Thailand, but they actually belong to India!  They therefore represent some of the best scuba diving sites in India.  In addition, the area around Pondicherry, on the east coast of India, is increasingly being explored by divers.  There are immaculate reefs and great wreck sites.

The state of Goa, on the southwest coast, also offers beautiful diving sites in India.  With a coastal area stretching over 3,000 miles, in addition to more than a hundred offshore islands, India has great potential to become a leading scuba diving destination!  It’s time to go and play the great explorers!

The best scuba diving sites

The biggest concern you will have when planning a scuba diving India is knowing where to go!  The diving industry in India is not very developed and the infrastructure is scattered over a long distance.

In addition, as the industry expands, more and more locals are learning to dive, and visitors from all over the world are beginning to scuba dive in Indian waters.  Some parts of the country are less well developed in terms of tourism and only attract experienced divers, who enjoy quiet, uncrowded diving.

There are 10 main regions to dive in India

1. The Lakshadweep Archipelago

Sometimes, the islands are still referred to as the Laccadives Islands, their original name.  These are part of the same chain of seamounts that form the Maldives.  Located about  a one and one-half (1 1/2) hour flight from the Indian coast, the islands are undergoing moderate and controlled development, in order to preserve the natural environment.  Also, only a few islands are inhabited, and those that are inhabited have very few inhabitants.  Scuba diving is known to be beautiful there, on unspoilt reefs in their pristine state.  It is important to practice responsible scuba diving in order to leave only bubbles at these beautiful reefs!

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The islands form the border between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.  The majority of divers refer to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as some of Thailand’s most beautiful scuba diving sites. However, although the Andaman Sea borders the Thai coast, the islands do belong to India.  This is a common mistake and easily explained by Thailand’s hyper-developed tourism industry, and India’s less dynamic tourism industry.

3. The state of Goa

Located on the southwestern coast of the country Goa has a long history with the West as it was once a very important port.  The tourist industry is more developed there, and you will find many diving centers.  The diving sites are beautiful and varied, always offering a good density of marine life.  Between the wrecks, seamounts and coral gardens, you will be amazed.  Of course, divers can explore several beautiful scuba diving sites in India all along the coast.

4. Pondicherry

Pondicherry has become a more recent tourist destination whose good reputation for scuba diving is growing.  Indeed, new sites are frequently discovered by local operators, including new wrecks.

5. Narcondam

In Narcondam it is possible to visit places where you will easily find manta rays, since the docile giants inhabit both Lighthouse Reef and Ooh La La.  Also in these two locations of diving it is possible to observe the richness of colors of hard corals, moles and big sponges.  Many dive trips also visit Barren Island which, even though its name means infertile island, it has extremely rich and colorful marine fauna and flora.  This volcanic island is also a meeting point for stingrays and even whale sharks, for the more fortunate.

6. Big Island, Goa

Located some distance from the coast, this island offers several dive sites where small fish are teeming with crystal-clear water; You will see colorful corals, beautiful shells and other representatives of marine life.  You will also see the sunken ships of different eras.

7. Netrani Island, Goa

The island of Netrani (also called Pigeon Island), which lies off the coast of Karnataka, attracts with its clear waters an abundance of marine life, including many corals and reef fish.  The location in  the Arabian Sea provides an opportunity to see humpback whales, minke whales and killer whales; whale sharks periodically appear, moving along their migration routes.

8. The Top of Dixon, Andaman Islands

Giant rocky peaks rise from the dark depths, covered with multicolored corals and large sponges.  In the water column, barracudas patrol, joined by platax and mackerel.  Ramps, stingrays and Napoleon fish go above the bottom among the schools of snappers.  On the tops are places where small fish busily clean large marine animals from parasites.  Turtles, moray eels, manti and whitefin sharks are not averse to using their services.

9. Wall Aravind, Pondicherry

Wall Aravind is becoming an increasingly popular dive site for drift diving; it occupies a large area, and visibility here sometimes reaches 130 feet, although the average annual figure is about 50 feet.  The popularity of this dive site is because of the different representatives of marine life, including whale sharks and mantas.  Numerous shoals of quranks, sea snakes, spotted stingrays are also often found here, not to mention the many species of sea fans and corals on the reef.

10. Kul Shark, Pondicherry

A great site providing ample opportunity for scuba divers of all skill levels with diving depths up to 75 feet.  The creatures that gave the site its name are most often found at a depth of 50 feet, along with platics, sea dogs and many bottom dwellers.  The reef is covered with a variety of corals growing among the sandy plains, and is located approximately 4 miles from the coast.

11. Havelock

Havelock is one of the main islands for divers, with incredible spots to be explored.  Jackson’s Bar has spectacular currents for drift diving that offers a chance to find sharks, eagle rays and mantas.  Johnny’s Gorge is also a meeting point with underwater life, with dolphins, sharks, stingrays and moray eels in abundance.

India is one of the countries with the longest coastline offering some of the best diving spots.  In particular, it is an excellent destination for scuba diving boat cruises to explore inaccessible reefs on day trips.

Best time for a Scuba diving in India

India offers a wide range of diving options, and it can be performed throughout the year.  With a water temperature averaging 68°F, the peak of the diving season is between April and June.  The months of June to November are considered the rainy season, but divers can still dive because it rarely rains every day.  Oddly enough, when Monsoon’s occur,  the monsoon generally have no impact on the visibility of dive sites!

The scuba diving season is similar to that which prevails throughout the mid longitude areas, all year round!   However, India being located on the northern equator, there are some variations between the seasons and depending on the location in the huge country.

In the southern portion of the country, the water temperature is generally 83°F in summer and 76°F in winter.  It is during the winter months that diving conditions are the best in the south of the country.

Better times to go to India

You may be wondering what is the best time to visit India?  The period from October to March is considered the best time to visit India.  December and January are the months when tourist numbers are at their peak, so if you want to avoid hordes of tourists and enjoy pleasant temperatures, October / November or February / March is the best time to come and see us!

When does the monsoon season start

Fewer tourists, fabulous discounts, a beautiful countryside, but a lot of rain.  The monsoon season in India begins in June and continues until September.  At this time, you can admire beautiful landscapes with exceptional light, lush green hills but showers can be torrential.  Visiting India during the monsoon season is a unique experience.

The regions of Kerala and Goa experience heavy rains during this period, which makes visits and outings difficult.  The only advantage of coming to these regions during the monsoon season is that you can get very attractive prices on accommodation (Discounts up to 50%).

The northern regions are drier, so it is quite possible to visit these regions at any time of year.   The north typically doesn’t have a high season, so hotels offer reduced prices and monuments are less frequented by tourists. The temperatures are pleasant as it is cooler.

When does summer start in India

It is wise to ask yourself what is the best time to come to India because it can be very hot there, unless you are in mountainous areas.  From the end of March to the beginning of the monsoons in mid-June or late June, temperatures can reach 113°F to 122°F in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan.  In the south, Goa and Kerala fresh breezes are pleasant early in the morning, but during the day it is very hot and humid.  Beware of sunburn on the beach!  On the other hand, it is the ideal time to visit the Himalayas or the northeastern part of India.

The high tourist season in India is between November and February.  If you are planning your holiday during this period, it is best to book at several months in advance to get the best choice of hotels and train bookingst.

Scuba diving India review

Visibility is best on the remote islands of Lakshadvipa and in the Andaman Archipelago, where it varies in the range of 30 – 150 feet.  Off the coast of Goa, visibility is usually 15 – 40 feet. Pondicherry’s dive sites has visibility of 15 to 70 feet.

The average water temperature is 80°F-82° Fahrenheit in the Andaman Islands, Goa and Lakshadweep. The waters of Pondicherry usually warm up to 79°-86° Fahrenheit.

The whole of southern India lies in the tropics, so it’s hot here all year round.  In the Andaman Islands, the best season lasts from November to April.  Monsoons often interfere with diving in June and July.  Diving off the coast of Goa is better from October to May.  From May to November, there are ideal conditions for diving off the coast of Lakshadweep.  In Pondicherry, the high diving season lasts from January to June and then from September to November, although diving is possible all year round.