Facebook
Twitter
It’s that time of year, when Sport Diver editors are kicking back with a cup of nog, gazing into the fire as we contemplate the year that was… or is that just the sugarplums talking? Really we’re hard at work on our upcoming March Gear Buyers Guide, an all-equipment extravaganza that will give you all the information you need to complete your kit or to upgrade to the latest technology. But where should you take that gear, once you’re newly stocked? Here’s a look at our 10 favorite travel stories of 2011 (in no particular order), worthy of inspiring a plane-ticket purchase in 2012.
- Croatia. We dove into history off the island of Vis, where ancient Greek amphorae, caves, critters, wrecks and Cold War lore — plus more than 2,000 islets — offers much to explore. And the cevapi sausage is awesome. Learn more: Manta Dive Center (manta-diving.com)
- Japan. What exactly is the mysterious underwater pyramid of Yonaguni, off the island of Okinawa? Is it the sunken Stonehenge of Japan? Or a naturally occurring phenomenon? Whatever the answer, the place is spooky cool. Learn more: divejapan.com
- USVI. The first big fans of these gorgeous emerald isles were pirates, but divers weren’t far behind. Here we discovered a place with a longstanding dive culture that embraces newcomers — and a place we saw eagle rays, turtles or sharks on every single dive. Learn more: sportdiver.com/usvi
- Bonaire. You know it for its diving, but Bonaire is a multisport paradise for adventure junkies, with hiking, biking, wind surfing, cave snorkeling, kayaking, kite boarding and more. Learn more: tourismbonaire.com
- Palau. It’s famous for thrilling reef dives like Blue Corner, but how does a reef like that evolve in this verdant archipelago 500 miles east of the Philippines? With the help of Palau’s marine lakes, nurseries that lie hidden among its iconic Rock Islands, best explored via a kayak-dive-camp adventure. Learn more: Sam’s Tours (samstours.com), visit-palau.com
- Tobago. Is this Caribbean jewel the island that Daniel Defoe had in mind when he penned one of the world’s first novels, Robinson Crusoe? Even today, nearly 300 years later, clues remain above and below the water. Learn more: tobagoscubadiving.com, visittobago.gov.tt
- Bahamas. One nation: endless vacations. From Bimini to the west, Grand Bahama to the north, New Providence in the center and Long Island to the east, the Bahamas offers limitless dive options — and sharks, sharks, sharks. Learn more: Bahamas.com
- Hawaii. Nighttime is the right time on the Big Island, for Pelagic Magic — where you’re tethered in 4,000 feet of water to watch the psychedelic parade go by — and Manta Night Dives, where the big guys put on a Cirque du Soleil-worthy show. Learn more: bigisland.org
- Grand Cayman. Now celebrating 25 years of serious marine conservation, and it shows. Learn more: caymanislands.ky, dive365cayman.com
- New Zealand. The Poor Knights Islands are sacred to New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people and divers alike, bridging the gulf between man and nature. And its Northland region is a growing wreck mecca. Learn more: newzealand.com
