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Posts Tagged ‘Tropical Islands’

South Pacific Dive Sites

June 27th, 2009 1 comment
by Matthew James

One of the best places in the world to scuba dive is in the South Pacific. Some of the best tropical islands in the world are here and off these islands you will find a rich diversity of reef systems. From cheap Thailand to expensive French Polynesia, in the south pacific a diver could see all the major types of fish and coral systems in a vast array of color and diversity.

Diving in the south pacific is also a good way to learn about the area. The reef systems here are very well preserved and by coming here you can learn about how they work and they dangers they face elsewhere in the world. Diving in the south pacific is more than just fun- it’s also educational. In many parts of the world, reef systems are dying but here they are still vibrant.

There are many great facilities on Fiji for diving. You can use these boats to explore all the beautiful scuba diving points in this area. You also have the option of contacting the scuba diving instructors in case you need a bit of expertise on your trip. Fiji is especially wonderful for fish enthusiasts as there are over 1200 species of fish besides dolphins and whales. The sea temperature out here is pretty warm. You should ideally go for a dive out here in the early morning before the wind picks up.

A good off the beaten path islands is the island of Samoa. Samoa scuba diving holidays are very limited and dive sites and professional scuba diving operators are rather limited when compared to other islands in the region. There are some very good reefs for scuba diving but these sites are limited to the south coast. The main attractions here are pinnacles and marine life such as dolphins and turtles. You won’t find amazing diving here but if you want to avoid the crowds, this is a great place to do it!

You can also try Tahiti, but remember its again quite expensive when you compare it to the other options available in the South Pacific. It has a fine display of sharks and rays and a fine collection of colorful reef fish too. Head off to Bora Bora and Moorea if you want to scuba dive. Tahiti is a must for coral reef lovers. The visibility out here is very good and the sea temperature too is ideal for scuba divers. Tonga is another good option for scuba diving. You will be able to spot whales around this area.

There are many great dive spots all over the world. Yet for its size and complexity, the region of the South Pacific must always be the top area to go diving. Here you will find a wide variety of fish, coral, and sea life that just can’t be found anywhere else. It’s size also ensures that you won’t have to dive with lots of people and you can have wide areas to just yourself.

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How to Stay Safe on A Tropical Island

April 19th, 2009 No comments

Though it is a pleasure to laze around in the sandy beaches of tropical islands, there are many things to that can get in our way of having a memorable and wonderful holiday. Islands can be a lot of fun but if you don’t practice good safety, they can be a disaster. You could get sick or injured. Though most people only get sun stroke or a few bug bits, there are many things that can happen to you while away. Here are some tips that can help you stay safe during your next island holiday:

It is very important that you guard against tropical insect bites that can be dangerous to your health. Since most tropical islands have thick rain forests and have a lot of humidity, they have many dangerous insects that may bite and cause you harm. You want to make sure you dont get malaria or dengue fever as well sick from some other insect bit. Mosquito repellents should be carried with you at all times. If you are outside a lot, you want to always make sure you apply bug spray, especially during sunrise or sunset when mosquitoes are the most active.

Don’t forget your common sense at the airport. Be sure to watch your belongings and other personal items while you are away. Most islands have a lot of tourists going to them making them rich with cash and the target of thieves or con artists. Be sure to watch your valuables and don’t flash a lot of money around. Being on vacation is no excuse for not practicing common sense.

Make sure to spend a limited amount of time in the sun. You don’t want to get burnt or end up with sun stroke. Be sure to apply a lot of of sunscreen while outside. Make sure to choice a high SPF and let the sunscreen dry before you go outside as sunscreen doesn’t work when it is wet. If you are getting burnt, get out of the sun. Getting burnt can lead to sunstroke and you don’t want that to happen. You want to go home with some color not looking like sick lobster.

Lastly, be careful about what activities you do. Scuba diving, parasailing, jungle trekking may all seem like fun things to do but they come with many risks. Make sure you go with licensed tour operators with a proven record of safety. Moreover, make sure your travel insurance covers you if you get sick or injured. The last thing you want to do is go on vacation, break a leg, and then find out you don’t have insurance to cover the costs.

In general, island vacations are very safe. In general, tropical islands are very safe but they do contain some hazards you need to look out for. Next time you go on holiday make sure you practice good safety to make sure your trip is a good one. If you follow these rules, you’ll have a great holiday at your tropical destinations.

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The Great Caribbean Island Cruise

April 18th, 2009 No comments

A Caribbean cruise vacation is the ultimate deal and if you have not tried it yet, now is the time; treat yourself and be treated like royalty while you spend time on these idyllic tropical islands. You can have everything you want with a different Caribbean island every day and all the wonderful evening entertainment of a resort on board the cruise liner. Some people only take a short break and visit perhaps only a couple of islands as part of a larger vacation but most people are doing a tour of as many islands as they can with some lasting over two weeks.

Vacations like this are about enjoyment and it what these companies do best irrespective of weather or environment, it is your choice; enjoy the on board entertainment or that at each destination. If anything, you will have a hard time keeping up with everything that you can possibly do on a cruise liner.

Before making the trip, it is wise to find out more, so go to your nearest travel agent to find the right package, but you can also find comments and reviews online. Don’t forget that there are a large number of Caribbean islands so cruise liners have a arranged packages which reflect certain island themes as they cannot visit every island in such a short space of time.

For those individuals and couples that enjoy parties and event filled vacations then choose a cruise vacation that perhaps is designed more for adults than families. Don’t forget that more and more information is put online these days and while the travel agent will be helpful, there is every chance you can take a virtual tour of the Caribbean cruise ships if you visit the website directly.

One important thing to remember is the type of clothes you pack for your trip as you will have the opportunity to wear all you normal holiday clothes plus those for dressing up in the evening. These are ideal opportunities to dress up which many of us do not get the chance to do these days so the ladies will want at least two evening gowns and the men will require a tuxedo.

There are also plenty of activities if you take your children along on a cruise vacation and they will probably burn off all their energy by the time the evening has ended. You can even take time off for a little quality adult time as there are fully trained staff to look after them.

But Caribbean cruises can be for adults to and there are those that do not have children on board. Other cruise liner packages are available and have been created for special occasions like weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries.

A Caribbean cruise will be your vacation of a lifetime as it has the scenery, locations, beaches and the first class service you can expect on board a cruise liner whether you are alone or with others.

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Islands Worth Seeing in Africa

March 2nd, 2009 No comments

Besides the South Pacific, one of the best areas on the planet to find pristine, beautiful tropical destinations is on the continent of Africa. Most of the islands are undeveloped and arent very touristy, they are often very rough|mountainous|tropical|rugged, the water is a stunning clear blue, the sea life abundant, and their beaches are fine white sand. If there were any islandson earth that looked like post cards, the following tropical islands would be it.

Zanzibar is an island that is part of Tanzania. Heavily influenced by its Arab trading partners, Zanzibar has a rich cultural history. The capital of the island is Zanzibar City. The old section of Stone Town is a World Heritage Site. The beaches here are untouched, and the area around the island has an large amounts of fish, as evident by the piles at the fish markets. The island is still sometimes called the Spice Island because of the significance of its production of cloves.

Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The country is the fourth-largest island in the world and has 5% of the world’s plant and animal species. The eastern side of the island is home to many tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts. For those looking for tough jungle trekking, cool streams, and beautiful waterfalls, consider Madagascar.

Mauritius is an island nation off the coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Reunion to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues to the northeast. This island is home to white sand and palm fringed beaches, warm water, and friendly locals. Its out of the way location makes it a great place to go to get away from the crowds. Interestingly, the island of Mauritius is renowned for having been the only known home of the dodo.

An island of true contrasts, Reunion is relatively unknown to many of the world’s travelers. This unique island in the middle of the Indian Ocean is simply one of the most intriguing spots on earth. With an active volcano on its south coast, 17 miles of warm, welcoming beaches in the west, and lots of mountains and forests in between, Reunion offers a little bit of everything to its travelers. Like Mauritius, it is also part of France.

Africa may be known for safaris, jungles, desert, and poverty but the continent also offers great tropical islands. With so many great places to visit, consider a trip to the islands in Africa the next time you are planning your tropical vacation.

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Tropical Destinations in Africa

February 18th, 2009 No comments

One of the best places in the world to discover pristine, stunning tropical beaches is on the continent of Africa. Most are undeveloped and not visited by many tourists, they are often very rough|mountainous|tropical|rugged, the water is a stunning clear blue, the coral copious, and their beaches are fine white sand. If there were any placeson earth that are postcard worthy the following islands would be it.

Zanzibar is an island that is part of Tanzania. Once its own state, Zanzibar has a rich history of spice trading with Arab cultures. The capital of Zanzibar is Zanzibar City. The citys old area of Stone Town is a World Heritage Site. The beaches here are undeveloped, and the area around the place has an amazing amount of fish, as evident by the piles at the fish markets. It is still sometimes referred to as the Spice Island due to its production of cloves.

Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean of the coast of Africa. The island is the fourth-largest island on earth and has 5% of all the world’s species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. The eastern end of the island is the location of many tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which are in the shadow of the highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts. For travelers desiring rugged jungle trekking, refreshing streams, and cascading waterfalls, a vacation to Madagascar should be on your travel list.

Mauritius is off the coast of Africa in the southwest Indian Ocean and is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Reunion to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues to the northeast. Mauritius has great palm lined beaches and crystal warm water, as well as nice people. Its out of the way location makes it a great place to go to get away from the crowds.

An island of true contrasts, Reunion is relatively unheard of to many of the world’s people. This different location in the middle of the Indian Ocean is simply one of the most captivating locations in the world. With an active volcano in the south, 17 miles of inviting beaches in the west, and lots of mountains and forests in between, Reunion offers a lot to its travelers. Its remote location means that little travelers are there. Like Mauritius, it is also part of France.

Africa may be known for safaris, jungles, desert, and poverty but the continent also offers great tropical islands. With so many great places to visit, consider a trip to the islands in Africa the next time you are planning your tropical vacation.

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