Category Archives: fun
Aqua Lung Pro HD BCD – A review by Dive India
Yet another scuba diving spot
Netrani is about 10 nautical miles from Murudeshwar
Bangalore: After emerging as a trendsetter in wildlife tourism in the country, the State-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts is now planning to start a scuba diving camp near the famous Netrani Island.
A popular place for scuba diving in the country, the Netrani Island in the Arabian Sea is located about 10 nautical miles from Murudeshwar. A good destination for snorkelling and diving activities since it has a coral reef, the island boasts of a vast variety of aquatic and avian life.
“We will set up a nature camp at Apsarkonda, near Honnavar, which will act as a base camp for those coming for scuba diving,” Managing Director of JLR N.D. Tiwari, told The Hindu. Apsarakonda, incidentally, also has waterfalls also.
The JLR is planning to provide tent accommodation with about 20 to 30 beds for those undertaking scuba diving. “Scuba diving groups would be roped in to operate diving camps,” he added.
At present, the Indian Navy is using a portion of this small island for its target practise, which is being opposed by environmentalists stating that the coral reef, which is among the only few near a mainland, would be damaged. Only those with prior permission from the Indian Navy can access the island for scuba diving and snorkelling activities.
With regard to the permission from the Indian Navy, Mr. Tiwari said they would initiate talks on this issue and were hopeful of getting the permission.
The camp, he said, would commence in November. “There was a demand from the adventure enthusiasts for a scuba diving camp near the Netrani Island since it is the only place in mainland India where such opportunities can be provided.” At present, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands offer opportunities for scuba diving, he said.
On other projects, Mr. Tiwari said the black buck resort at Vilaspur near Bidar with a 15-cottage accommodation was ready for inauguration and 15-cottage resort at Talakalale near Jog Falls would be ready by May.
Deep Diving
Mention a “deep dive” and watch the reactions. Novice diver want to know what it’s like. More experienced divers who have been a bit deeper chat with excitement. Those qualified to venture to 40 meters show enthusiasm, though somewhat tempered with respect for the challenge deep diving presents. There’s something a bit attractive, exciting and mysterious about ‘ going deep’
As a OWD 18 metres marks the depth limit to which you’re qualified to dive. This limit isn’t arbitrary it’ based on no decompression limits, nitrogen narcosis an air supply but even if you’ve only made a few dives, you may be curious about deeper dives, perhaps simply to visit specific dive sites below 18 meters.
The Deep Adventure dive will satisfy some of this curiosity and give you access to some of those dive sites by qualifying you to dive as deep as 30 meters, in conditions as good as or better than those in which you have training and experience. You can do your deep dive speciality on the up coming Maldives Dive Trip. Just sign up with us and get ready to explore the deeper side of Maldives.
Drift Diving
As promised here is a write-up on drift diving speciality. This will be available on the Maldives Trip and it highly recommended as Maldives is one of the best places to enjoy drift diving.
If until now your experience has been that current are something you fight to swim against; drift diving will give you a whole new perspective. Drift diving grew out of the philosophy, “if you can’t beat them,join them” and is the prevailing practice in many areas with nearly continuous strong currents.
Drift diving can give you a real adrenaline pump. At some drift dive sites,the current rips you along far faster than you could swim, or even cruise with a DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle), sailing you along effortlessly. Some divers compare drift diving in clear water to hand gliding or horizontal sky diving but no airplane needed and you don’t have to worry about your chute opening.
Advantages of Drift Diving
- Drift diving usually requires little effort. During the dive, you just go along for the ride, buzzing through the scenery with the current “swimming ” for you.
- Drift diving opens up dive sites that are nearly impossible to visit any other way. In particular, rivers and some reefs are constantly in strong current that precludes non drift dive techniques.
- Since you are floating along in the current, you cover more area and see more on a drift dive.
- Many types of drift diving relieve you of having to return to or look for a specific exit point. The boat travels with you.
All you have to do right now is contact us and book for your drift diving speciality for the Maldives Dive Trip happening this month. Don’t miss out on a great oppurtunity!!
Soon to a blog near you.
Well, which goes to say is this blog, but yes coming soon i will be putting up some dive specialities that one can learn and master, i will start with a few that you can do right away at our up and coming Maldives Trip. Stay tuned, Also leave a comment if you are looking for any particular specialties or want something particular to be highlighted (scuba diving related and NO! Girls in bikinis have nothing to do with scuba diving). Stay tuned avid divers.