When Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico back in 1493 he wasn’t aware of the fact that he had found one of the most beautiful pearls of the Caribbean Sea. And it seems the spirit of camouflage hasn’t left the island ever since. In scuba diving circles, Puerto Rico is hotly tipped to be the best kept secret of the Caribbean, these days. Hardly known and half forgotten, are East Puerto Rico’s most beautiful dive sites, where one can enjoy scuba diving with dolphins, manatees, sharks and sometimes even with huge whales, passing by the island. The variety of underwater life, the colorful coral gardens of the Caribbean sea, the clarity of the water and the friendliness of the Puerto Rican people  are a combination that suits every scuba divers dream!

Today, Puerto Rico is better known for its great beaches and surfing grounds like ‘Little Malibu” than for scuba diving. Compared to other scuba diving destinations in the world, like Egypt or Thailand, Puerto Rico has only a few dive centers and diving schools. Even though the diving is amongst the best in the world, Puerto Rico hasn’t been discovered by the masses yet.

East Puerto Rico Diving is one of the dive centers that offer scuba diving tours along the east coast of Puerto Rico. Dive tours are starting at the Yacht Club in Palmas del Mar. The comfortable 37ft long purpose built dive boat of East Puerto Rico Diving  can reach up to 20 mph and will get you to any of the dive sites in no time! The dive boat has an extra wide swim platform and a custom built, extra deep dive ladder so getting back on the boat is easy, even in choppy seas.

Diving in Puerto Rico offers a wide variety of undersea life and coral reefs hardly seen anywhere else in the world. But Puerto Rico also offers a great variety of sightseeing, like Old San Juan and its famous fortress El Morro and the El Yunque Rain Forest. Beautiful long sandy beaches are waiting for visitors all around the island. Puerto Rico is worth more than one visit! If scuba diving is not your thing, enjoy snorkeling or swimming in the warm Caribbean water, sun bathing under palm trees with a cool cocktail glass in your hand or go for a walk through the only rain forest of the US!

Find more information about Diving in Puerto Rico at www.eastpuertoricodiving.com

Post from: NELSON WADE Magazine

Scuba Diving in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico – The best kept secret of the Caribbean!

One of my very favorite tropical locations on our planet is in the south pacific, the island of Bora Bora.

When you fly over the Island of Bora Bora, it’s like you are viewing a sparkling emerald, rich with history and beauty. Landing on the palm fringed outer perimeter area of the Island (Motu) and looking across the lagoon back to the main island, you are presented with perfect white sand beaches with air and water temperatures that average around 79 degrees (F).

The turquoise colored water that just relaxes your senses like nothing else!

You start to realize why you packed so light. (One needs to be like nature). But as you focus back to your view of the main Island, your view takes you to one of the world’s notable landmarks. The castle like mountain of Mount Otemanu with it’s lush slopes and blossoms of the hibiscus through out the valleys has been the subject of many writings through the decades about this majestic mountain and the Island of Bora Bora.

You are often speechless because of it’s shear beauty.

When I first saw Mount Otemanu,the beauty of it overwhelmed me. It later inspired me to paint many paintings of it as it has for so many other artists.

Bora Bora is part of the Society Islands, administratively part of French Polynesia, comprised of Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea. Bora Bora is easier to travel to than you might think. Actually the Tahitian Islands are located halfway between California and Australia and are in the same time zone as Hawaii.

For us on the west coast Tahiti’s Faa’a Airport is under 8 hours by air from Los Angeles (LAX) and then a 1 hour flight from Papeete get you to Bora Bora. You can also fly direct from the east coast. Flights are available from JFK International Airport (JFK) with under 13 hour flights on Air Tahiti Nui Airlines.

What makes Bora Bora so attractive, unique and romantic?
Well, of course, first it is the beauty of the island itself!

Bora Bora still remains the island of dreams, where the warmth of the Polynesian people whose love for their islands are certainly reflected by their music and dance. The indigenous people of Bora Bora-Tahiti are the maohi or Eastern Polynesians (as opposed to the Western Polynesians from Samoa and Tonga).

Some of the popular activities for visitors are Lagoon Exploration, where there are so many activities in the lagoon at Bora Bora that some visitors never leave the water!

Breakfast by Canoe; Why not start your day with an unforgettable breakfast brought to you at your over water bungalow or villa by outrigger canoe.

4×4 Safaris; Even though the island of Bora Bora can be circled by car in about an hour. There are many adventures on the overgrown forest roads that wind high above the lagoon with panoramic stops that are described as breathtaking.

Diving, Snorkeling with the Turtles and exotic Fish, Shark feeding. Touch and see the graceful large Manta Rays circle yourself with ballet like movements.

Sailing; Bora Bora’s lagoon is a very popular anchorage for vacation sailors. You can also rent a Hobie Cat in Bora Bora or take a half-day or sunset cruise around the lagoon on a giant catamaran.

Motu Tapu is the ultimate private island escape. This tiny motu, just a few hundred yards from the main island of Bora Bora is best described as the world’s most perfect island to relax on. Motu Tapu is reserved for guests of select resorts and groups with invitations.

Of course there is unique shopping and dining on the island of Bora Bora.

You can enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful islands by staying and sleeping in a bungalow above the soothing lagoon waters.

At NELSON WADE, we recommend a few resorts for your consideration, such as…

Intercontinetal Resorts.
Intercontinetal Hotel & Resorts has two beautiful resorts in Bora Bora. One them, Le Moana Bora Bora has beachfront privacy on dazzling Matira Point.

Click here for a link to the resorts web site.

Four Seasons Resort.
Exotic over-water suites, and beachfront villas with pools, immerse you in ultramodern comforts.

Click here for a link to the resorts web site.

Le Meridien Resort.
Welcome to paradise with Bungalows perched over spectacular lagoons and beach bunglows.

Click here for a link to the resorts web site.

St. Regis Resort.
Located on its own island, the St. Regis Resort Bora Bora offers a variety of overwater bungalows, with butler service, private day-bed cabanas on the beach, and a swim-up bar.

Click here for a link to the resorts web site.

Romantics from around the world have laid claim to Bora Bora, with it’s castle like Mount Otemanu, valleys blossoms of the colorful hibiscus, perfect white sand beaches that give way to turquoise waters where vibrant colored exotic fish, elegant large turtles and giant manta rays animate the beautiful coral gardens.

Simply said, Bora Bora is the most beautiful tropical island in the world!

LIVE WELL, DRESS WELL!
-NELSON WADE

At NELSON WADE we will give you a 15% discount on any fine Italian Leather Travel Luggage when you mention this article.

Live Web Cam in Bora Bora.
The Tahiti Traveler

Photos courtesy of www.Tahiti-Tourisme.com and Air Tahiti Nui Airlines.

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