Great Barrier Reef
Author: Imants Jansons0 COMMENTS
The Great Barrier Reef boasts a truly inconceivable diversity of submarine world. All the creatures of tropical wildlife are there, just name it! Vales (in particular seasons), dolphins, sharks, barracuda, sea turtles, bright-colored clownfish, sea stars, and many more...Nature loves to play tricks on divers, as some creatures skillfully camouflage themselves, adopting coloration of other nearby living beings. And, of course, reefs, both live and fossil, with their dazzling multitude of forms and colors!
A jellyfish sting is a pretty common hazard for divers at certain times of a year. A wetsuit can protect you to some extent only, as a jellyfish can penetrate it and you may feel the sting anyway. They concentrate close to the water surface and their burning touch can be felt snorkeling right above the corals.
Live-aboard trips are highly advisable for closer exploration of the Barrier Reef. Most tour operators are located in Cairns city, and you will be able to find a diving company that suits your traveling schedule (www.reeftrip.com). Such a trip includes up to 4 dives per day, individual ones or with an instructor. And you can enjoy a relaxing time on the boat and a fabulous gourmet meal at the end of the day.
Another exciting experience is wreck-diving along the Great Barrier Reef. Fish and other forms of water life gradually start to dwell there, and you can witness a process that perhaps will go on for thousands of years.
Shortly about scuba diving training:
Anyone can learn scuba diving, as no special physical preparedness is needed. There is nothing extreme about it, unless you venture to dive into caves or other risky underwater areas.
Several schools in Latvia offer scuba diving training and issue internationally recognized certifications. The most widespread is PADI training system, which allows diving anyplace in the world, wherever you see PADI sign.
The 1st level initial Open Waters Diver certification provides that you can dive to a maximum depth of 18m.
The 2nd level Advanced Open Waters Diver certification allows extending ones maximum depth to 40m. A total of 5 dives must be completed for this purpose - 2 core dives comprise a deep and underwater navigation. And then you can choose 3 adventure dives - dive into a current, identify fishes, dive with a scooter, etc.
There is a possibility to pass training and obtain a certification abroad too, at the same time getting the first glimpse of exotic underwater world there. Another option is to pass the first level in Latvia, and then continue elsewhere in the world - where visibility is better and water warmer.
To be able to dive in very cold water using dry suit, you have to complete a Dry Suit Specialty training course as well.
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