Everything You Need To Know About Hot Underwater Vacations

Your vacation should be an adventure – after all, sometimes the best way to relax is to do something exciting. Underwater vacations are exciting, fun, and well-priced for what you receive in return. Underwater vacations bring out the fun for the whole family – with a little pre-planning even children can get in on the adventure!

What types of vacations are available underwater?

The two biggest attractions when it comes to underwater adventures are snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling is great for those that want to explore the deep blue seas without investing time and money into more expensive scuba gear. For those that have to become part of the mighty seas, diving is a great activity. With the aid of an underwater video camera, you can capture moments that very few humans get to see. However, if you want to stay above water while still getting a great underwater vacation, there is always the boating option. Unlike traditional boats, you can have an underwater adventure without getting wet by booking a boating tour on a boat that has a glass bottom. The glass-bottom boat may not bring you as close to the action as snorkeling or diving, but it is an option worth mentioning.

Depending on where you go, there are alternatives to both options. If you are not a certified diver, you can still enjoy the spectacular flora and fauna underwater by taking a semi-submersible coral viewing cruise. This is a little bit different from other glass-bottom boats, mainly due to the size. These semi-submersible boats are much larger, and can carry a lot more people at once. Semi-submersible cruises are great for viewing coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

What should I bring to maximize my underwater vacation?

The best way to prepare for an underwater vacation is to get your travel gear in order. Whether you’re traveling out of the country or sticking within the borders, it is best to pack efficiently in order to avoid delays with airlines. Airline travel gets a bit more complex when sophisticated equipment such as underwater video cameras comes into play. Make sure to pack all expensive equipment into hard cases, and to watch the screening of your luggage carefully. Make sure that your equipment does not fall in the hands of the X-ray machine – ask for it to be hand scanned instead.

In addition, make sure to have a set inventory of what you want to take with you before you actually depart. In case something is lost or stolen, this will make tracking down the item much easier.

For luggage that you cannot take onboard, re-check the claim tags carefully. Your name, address, and phone number should be clearly visible, and accurate. To be safe, it may also be wise to call the airline ahead of time and explain your unique luggage situation.

As far as equipment goes, you have a wide selection of underwater cameras and underwater video cameras to choose from. These devices range in price, but with underwater cameras, you can find inexpensive disposable models to take on your trip. Those that are trying the underwater experience for the first time should opt for an inexpensive camera with a decent underwater housing before purchasing a professional model.

What should I keep in mind when taking underwater pictures?

For optimal performance, you should take your underwater pictures while the sun is high in the sky. This will eliminate some of the darkness underwater. Make sure to get a good underwater camera that has a decent flash – remember that the camera will have to provide its own light to take good pictures. Also, take note of the weather patterns where you’ll be exploring. If there has just been a storm in the area, taking underwater pictures may not be a good idea – there is usually too much sediment tossed up after a storm.

What about those “underwater hotels”?

Underwater hotels and lodges do exist. They can be rented rather inexpensively, and gives the traveler an amazing opportunity to bring their underwater adventure up close and personal. For some underwater hotels, you can stay overnight, or even up to a few days without needing to come up to the surface. For others, a mere overnight stay may be all that you will be able to get. Underwater hotels are often a popular wedding spot for couples looking to find an exotic place to marry. The underwater hotel is set up for your maximum comfort, so if you stay overnight, you should be more than able to sleep.

Underwater vacations are a great opportunity to view the great seas and oceans of our world. Underwater adventures are opportunities to go where few have been. If you plan ahead, and keep respect for the aquatic life under the sea, you’re well on your way to a great vacation that you’ll be talking about for years to come!