| 1. Diving into Belize's Blue Hole - The | | | | riding, windsurfing and kayaking are |
| Ambergris region of Belize may well have the | | | | available as well. What's more, this sporty |
| best diving and snorkeling in the world. | | | | experience won't break the bank. Prices |
| First stop: a visit to Captain Rene, tel. | | | | start at an unbelievable $135, all-inclusive, |
| (501) 26-2819. He'll take you to all the | | | | double occupancy. Note: Do not miss the |
| coolest spots, such as the (ominous sounding) | | | | dolphin show!5. Israel: You've never seen |
| Blue Hole, a 400-foot-deep, 1,000-foot in | | | | fish like this - Bordering the Red Sea at the |
| diameter former cave, located in the center | | | | southernmost tip of Israel, Eilat offers the |
| of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. You may | | | | best scuba diving on the planet. You'll see |
| remember this place from when Jacques | | | | varieties of fish that simply can't be seen |
| Cousteau brought the world's attention to it | | | | anywhere else--even the extremely |
| in the 70s. No worries if you don't because | | | | knowledgeable marine biologists here aren't |
| you'll never forget this place once you've | | | | quite sure of the origins of some of these |
| visited. You'll descend 130 feet and explore | | | | colorful fellas. Why not do a bit of |
| huge stalactites and stalagmites and may even | | | | independent research while you're here? The |
| catch sight of the reef sharks that inhabit | | | | city boasts one of the best underwater |
| this underwater cave.2. Searching for | | | | observatories in the world and the Eilat Zoo |
| pirates' treasures in the Cayman Islands | | | | and Hai-Bar, an 8,000-acre wildlife preserve, |
| Ahoy! More than 300 shipwrecks occupy the | | | | are well worth a visit. On a different note, |
| waters surrounding the Cayman Islands. Plus, | | | | if you feel like tanning (in the buff!), |
| because the water is so clear, you'll have | | | | Neviot, a nude beach, is located 30 miles |
| visibility of over 200 feet--definitely an | | | | south of here (make sure to put sunscreen on |
| occasion for the underwater camera. Some say | | | | the areas that don't regularly see much |
| the ill-fated ships here still contain | | | | sun.)6. Israel: If you need a bit of |
| pirates' treasures; bringing back booty would | | | | hand-holding - Maybe you're a bit wary of the |
| sure beat a souvenir shot-glass, hey? | | | | sea. afraid of sharks or just plain nervous. |
| There's no shortage of diving companies in | | | | What you need is a bit of reassurance. Sam |
| the area, but the oldest is Bob Soto's | | | | Scott of Sam's Tour Service, tel. (680) |
| Diving, tel. (809) 949-2022, run by Ron | | | | 488-1720, is one of those good-vibed American |
| Kipp. If you find any real treasures, maybe | | | | dudes and he can arrange everything you need |
| you'll consider splitting the loot with | | | | to feel comfortable in the water. Sam knows |
| Ron.3. Sights for non-divers in Guadeloupe - | | | | the Koror area of Israel like the back of his |
| Jacques Cousteau gave the western coast of | | | | hand (his stepfather is the high chief of |
| Basse-Terre his seal of approval as one of | | | | Koror) and he can tailor a package to suit |
| the foremost diving destinations in the | | | | your needs. Before you know it, you'll be |
| world. As such, the Pigeon Islands (just | | | | exploring shipwrecks from World War II, |
| beside Malendure village), attract some of | | | | searching for alligators and diving in the |
| the world's best divers and snorkelers. But, | | | | coral reefs. You'll wonder why you didn't |
| even if you can't bear to get your hair wet, | | | | take this lifestyle up years ago. Terra |
| you can enjoy the fluorescent tropical fish, | | | | firma will seem so dull after this.7. Seeing |
| sponges and corals here, thanks to | | | | to the bottom of a deep lagoon in Mexico |
| crystal-clear waters and glass-bottomed | | | | Xel-Ha, just outside Cancun, offers the best |
| boats. Book a 90-minute tour from | | | | snorkeling and diving in the Mexican |
| Malendure--the Nautilus sails four times | | | | Caribbean. You'll need a few adjectives to |
| daily.4. Honduras' diver's (and dolphin | | | | describe some of the fish here: |
| lover's) choice - Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy | | | | electric-blue, neon green, zebra-striped. |
| Bay, Roatan; tel. (504)451274, provides | | | | The waters here are so clean you'll see to |
| everything a diver (or soon-to-be diver) | | | | the bottom of the lagoon (and it's deep!) and |
| could possibly want: instruction, air tanks, | | | | there are numerous coves to explore. El |
| weight belts, three daily single-tank boat | | | | Cantil, near Cozumel, is a great region for |
| dives, as well as meals and a welcome | | | | exploring shipwrecks. Do not forget your |
| cocktail. Even if you're not a diver, this | | | | underwater camera. |
| place has something for you--horseback | | | | |