Snorkelling and diving in Phuket – How to get about it

Phuket is an island of stunning beauty when it comes to land, everyone knows that! But what about under the water? if you really want to know you’ll just have to see for yourself. Here’s a bit about snorkelling and diving in Phuket.

fitri agung from Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia, Indonesia, Phuket 2012 (8481635621), CC BY 2.0

Best time to dive

The best time to dive in Phuket would be during the period when the weather is warm. It is at this time that visibility is at its best. This season would be between November and April. Nonetheless, the dive sites are less crowded and Phuket resorts bring down their prices.

Marine life

Each dive site may differ in marine life slightly, but the Andaman Sea definitely offers an under-sea spectacle with creatures like manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks and a variety of turtle species.

Diving schools

Phuket island has plenty of diving schools to choose from. If you are staying at a resort like Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, it’s best to ask for recommendations from your hotel. Scuba Cat, Sunrise Divers and Merlin Divers are some of the recognised schools here.

Phuket diving spots

Within the waters of Phuket are some wonderful, yet underrated diving spots! Phuket Shark Point, Anemone Reef and Karon Bay are a few sites you ought to check out.

Dhow Cruise in Dubai Creek

Embarking on a cruise in Dubai is a brilliant way to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and grab a few quiet moments with your loved ones. Not to mention the stunning views that await!

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Experience the hospitality

The best thing about taking a cruise in Dubai, particularly the dinner cruise is being taken care of by a crew of service professionals. They will ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed at all times. If you are staying at one of the Dubai hotel apartments with kitchen such as the Citadines Culture Village Dubai, be sure to skip a meal before visiting.

Enjoy a stunning dinner

This meal will certainly be a decadent one, especially with a full course of Emirati and international cuisines being mustered by the kitchen staff.

Entertainment awaits

Once dinner is done, you will be able to enjoy the performances of Tanoura dancers which is an art form that stems from the times of the Ancient Egyptians.

Sit back and relax

Once dinner is over, you can simply settle in for a gentle ride along the river and take in the sea breeze and the night sky.

The Best Adrenaline-Rush Activities in Maldives

The Maldives may be known for its laidback charm, but don’t forget it has lots of action-packed activities too! Here’s a look at some of its best.

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Night Diving & Snorkelling

These two activities are captivating during the day, but at night, provide a whole new level of adventure! Available at private resorts like Huvafen Fushi Maldives that have PADI-certified diving courses, night diving and snorkelling let you encounter nocturnal creatures of the deep and bioluminescence via yellow mask filters and UV lights.

Jet-Skiing

If speed is what will fill your desire for an adrenaline rush, then jet-skiing is not to be missed; think of the vast Indian Ocean as your water-filled playground in the Maldives! Island resorts provide jet-skiing excursions which are ideal to explore the area around where you stay or even to head further afield into the horizon.

Seabob Adventures

A relatively new entrant into the field of water sports in Maldives, the Seabob is a high-powered underwater scooter that propels you on an amazing ride. It can reach speeds of around 20 km/h and you just need to hold on tight and manoeuvre it in and out of the water; if you ever wanted a “dolphin experience”, this will provide it!

Parasailing

If you’re not afraid of heights or want to conquer your fear of it, in an exhilarating way, then parasailing is perfect. You will be securely attached to a parasail which will be lifted to heights of around 150 metres when the speedboat reaches optimal velocity; couples seeking to take their love to new heights can opt for tandem parasailing at sunset!

5 Incredibly Unique Things You Can Do in Brisbane – Top 5 Unique Activities Tourists Can Experience in Brisbane

Home to some of Australia’s top highlights, Brisbane is hardly a daredevil’s playground according to most tourists. But here are 5 unusual activities that may change your mind about the city.

Kayaking After Dark

Exploring the wrecks that lie just off the coast of Moreton Island in the dead of night is not for everyone but it is one of the most engaging travel experiences available in Brisbane. Not only do fish and turtles come out to say hello but kayakers can also enjoy an overnight tour of the island thanks to tour operators such as Australian Sunset Safaris.

Catch a Show

When it comes to Brisbane’s underground music scene, one cannot get more literal than the shows staged by The Underground Opera Company. Hosting theatre and musical production in locations deep beneath the city, the acoustics of these live shows are simply unparalleled. Those based at Oaks Brisbane Festival Suites or any other hotel accommodation in Brisbane CBD will have easy access to these performances.

Diving With Mantas

Head down to the Manta Bommie site in the summertime to enjoy a diving experience with countless manta rays that flock to this part of the coast during this time of year. In addition to the mantas, divers will also spot leopard sharks, bamboo sharks and guitar sharks occupying these waters.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Walk to Paradise

Forget about boats, you can simply walk to a tropical paradise off the coast of Brisbane named King Island by simply treading over the sandbank which appears just off the Wellington Point bay.

Bar Hopping on a Helicopter

A pub crawl in Brisbane with a difference, those who sign up with Pterodactyl Helicopters can travel in style from one legendary bar to another.

Stunning Tangalle Beach: A useful guide – Explore a wonderful beach!

With white sands, shades of palm trees, and turquoise waters, Tangalle Beach stands special among other Sri Lankan beaches.

Tangalle, Sri Lanka

Tangalle is a coastal town located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. It’s a tourist destination today with many great resorts such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. All the tourist hotels in Tangalle offer world-class hospitality services.

Heading to Tangalle

You can always choose to travel using public transportation to reach Tangalle. You may use a train or bus to have a local experience. If you want a comfortable tour, you may also hire a taxi.

Best time to visit the beach

Visit the beach during November and April. From May to October, you won’t meet a huge crowd because that’s the off-season.

Things to on the beach

In addition to resting and relaxing, you may also engage in several water sports here on this beach. It’s also great for swimming and snorkelling too.

Image via Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Other attractions nearby

You may explore Silent Beach, Medaketiya Beach, and Mulkirigala Rock temples during the same tour. Don’t forget to meet the fishing community here and have a good chat. Let them share their interesting stories with you.

Best Adventure Activities in the Maldives That Challenge the Daredevil in You

Adventurers heading to the Maldives may be surprised to find the sheer variety of thrilling activities on offer. Here’s a rundown of some of the country’s top activities for active visitors.

Catamaran Sailing

Although there are a great many sailing adventures accessible to visitors based at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives or any similar Maldives beach hotels, none are quite as exciting as catamaran sailing. Offering one the chance to sail across the azure blue waters of the archipelago on board a vessel that is not as easy to navigate as a modern-day yacht can prove to be the experience of a lifetime for those who dare.  

Parasailing

Those who wish to take to the skies and catch a glimpse of paradise from a unique vantage point should sign up for a parasailing tour of the coast. Available through a plethora of local tour operators and resorts, the thrill of being suspended above the waves is a feeling that is difficult to describe and replicate outside a beach paradise such as the Maldives.

Scuba Diving

Diving
Diving | Image via wiki media commons

Often listed among the best scuba diving hubs on the planet, no trip to the Maldives would be complete without travelling through the underwater caves, channels and shipwrecks that litter the seafloor of the archipelago. From HP Reef to Banana Reef and Manta Point, the large number of excellent dive sites makes this water sports activity a true adventure. The best time to visit the Maldives for a diving holiday is from December to March.

Kitesurfing

The idyllic lagoons of the Maldives are perfect for kitesurfing excursions for both seasoned surfers and novices.

5 Informative Facts That You Must Know About the Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly among honeymooners. The island nation boasts a rich history, delicious cuisine, and a range of exciting activities.

The Maldives Is Located Close to the Equator

The Maldives is located quite close to the equator. And this means that sun rays will shine almost directly on you while you’re relaxing at your Maldives resort. So, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin!

The Maldives Was Initially a Buddhist Nation

The Maldives was only converted to Islam in 1153 A.D. and today it stands as a proud Muslim nation. So, make sure that you leave any other religious texts, pork products, and alcoholic beverages at home when you’re about to head towards Kurumba Maldives or any other resort in the country for a splendid tropical vacation.

The Maldives Boasts Over 1000 Islands

maldives islands
maldives islands | Image via Pixabay

The Maldives is formed out of 1,192 coral islands that are grouped in 26 atolls. These are peppered over the Indian Ocean over an area of roughly 90,000 square kilometres.

The Maldives’ Sand Is Smooth as Can Be

Usually, the beaches are made of sands that are made from quartz. However, the Maldives’ beaches contain sands that are extremely fine as they are coralline in origin. Coralline beaches are quite rare and represent less than five percent of the world’s beaches.

Cruising the Huangpu River

Dubbed the ‘mother river of Shanghai’, the Huangpu River is a 113-km body of water dividing Shanghai into 2 sections: Pudong (east bank) and Puxi (west bank). It is a great point to view Shanghai’s past and future.

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Emmanuel Appiah,CC0

The river

A tributary of the Yangtze River, the Huangpu River flows through 10 districts in Shanghai. Its use is multifold, including shipping, fishing, and providing drinking water. If you are mulling over where to stay in Shanghai, consider booking hotels such as Citadines Jinxiu Shanghai located within an easy distance from the river.

The sights

On a Huangpu River cruise, you will witness Shanghai’s colonial past and trailblazing future. Many cruises depart from the Shiliupu Wharf as this is considered the most popular route for cruises. The west bank features the famous Shanghai Bund with its colonial buildings. The east bank is dotted with skyscrapers, including Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower. Consider a night cruise, as the city’s iconic landmarks are jazzed up with neon lights.

Cruise details

Various cruise companies offer different types of cruises, including meals. Cruise durations can be 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 3 hours. Be sure to check for updated information about departure times.

Best time to go

The ideal time to embark on a cruise is between March-May and September-November, as the weather is fair and temperatures moderate.

Unforgettable Scuba Diving in Bali

While Bali offers plenty of fun on the beach, don’t forget there’s much to discover beneath the waves too! Here’s more on scuba diving in this enchanting destination.

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Dive Centres

Beginners or those looking to get an additional certification will find plenty of dive centres on the island; choose one that offers PADI and / or SSI training and certification. Ideally, be based by the coast with options including a hotel near Ngurah Rai Airport for travel enthusiasts like HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali.

Best Time to Go

Scuba diving in Bali can be experienced year-round though generally, May to September, the dry season, is considered the best time; you can still enjoy this activity at other times when it doesn’t rain, while destinations like Pemuteran and Menjangan Island are popular places to visit the whole year through.

What to Expect

There’s plenty to encounter on your underwater adventures be it thriving coral reefs, fascinating marine species or even intriguing shipwrecks. Apart from a myriad of colourful tropical fish, you may also come across larger denizens of the deep including manta rays, sea turtles, various species of sharks and the elusive mola-mola or sunfish.

Diving Hotspots

There are diverse dive sites in Bali, each with something different to offer. On the east coast are popular spots at Tulamben and Amed where you will find shipwrecks, some dating to World War Two. Menjangan Island and Pemuteran on the north coast are also well-known for diving as are Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

Encounter Dolphins at Kiluan Bay in Lampung

A memorable experience awaits those going dolphin watching at Kiluan Bay in Lampung, Indonesia, where you can watch these marine mammals swimming wild and free.

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Planning a Trip

Kiluan Bay is in the Lampung Province on the island of Sumatra’s southern tip. For accommodation in Lampung, hotel options catering to budget travellers including families can be found at properties like POP! Hotel Tanjung Karang Lampung in Bandar. The bay is around 80 km away and is a three to four-hour drive.

The Excursion

There are boat operators at Kiluan Bay offering dolphin watching excursions on various types of boats with varying capacities ranging from four to eight passengers. Dolphins are best spotted in the mornings between 6:00am and 10:00am, though you may see them again in the evenings from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

A Marvellous Sight

This bay is on the migration route of dolphins which makes it an ideal spot to observe pods of these playful denizens of the ocean only after around a 20-minute journey off the coast. Spinner dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins are the two species widely spotted swimming wild and free amidst the waves.

Other Experiences

Kiluan Bay is best visited from April to September and the peak time for dolphin watching is usually from June to July. There are plenty more things to do here as well including snorkelling or fishing in the bay and if you’re lucky, spotting turtles. Within easy reach is Gayau Lagoon, a natural pool that’s worth visiting too.