Are you itching to dive? The « Cast Off » section offers a selection of ideal destinations for beginner divers. Whether you have recently obtained your level 1 certification or wish to explore the underwater world, head to the Azores, the Visayas, and Nosy Be for accessible dives starting from level 1!
The Volcanic: The Azores
Located 1,500 km from the Portuguese coast, the Azores form an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the heart of the Atlantic. Each of them offers varied dives, perfect for divers limited to 20 meters in depth.
- Terceira, Pico, and Faial: These islands offer beautiful shore dives, featuring canyons, rock formations, and lava flows, populated by a great diversity of marine life. The sites, often protected, host many juveniles, ensuring biological richness even at shallow depths.
- Santa Maria: Although some offshore dives are reserved for advanced divers due to currents, several spots are suitable for beginners, such as the cave of La Caverna de Maia, famous for its light displays.
- Baixa do Ambrósio: A must-see where, attached to a cable between 5 and 15 meters, you can admire the ballet of mobula rays.
- São Miguel: Ideal for level 1 divers, this island offers a multitude of colorful sites: reefs, tunnels, and even a wreck. You will encounter groupers, damselfish, moray eels, anthias, tunas, and jacks.
Photo: Nicolas Barraqué
Head Above Water
The Azores are also a sanctuary for cetaceans. At sea, you will have the chance to observe dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, and even sperm whales, all strictly protected. Don’t forget to admire the breathtaking landscapes of this volcanic archipelago.
Practical Info
- Time Zone: -2 hours all year round
- Water Temperature: 22 °C in summer, 16 °C in winter
- Ideal Season: June to September
- Equipment: 5 to 7 mm wetsuit
- Budget: 7-night stay including flights, breakfasts, and 10 dives starting from €1,046
- Agencies: Ultramarina, Oceanes, H2O Voyage, Subocea, Spots d’Évasion, Awateha, Seal Adventures
The Lush: The Visayas
In the heart of the Philippines, the Visayas archipelago is perfect for beginner divers. Whether on an island stay, an island-hopping safari, or a dive cruise, you will enjoy ideal conditions.
- Bohol: This island offers rich underwater life, accessible even for snorkeling. Dive along walls starting from 5 meters deep, on coral gardens and coral-covered rocks. You will encounter schools of jacks, barracudas, frogfish, and pygmy seahorses.
- Negros: Nearby, this island also offers fascinating and accessible sites, with the possibility to try muck diving. With around 800 species of corals and 2,500 species of fish, divers, whether beginners or experienced, will be amazed.
Head Above Water
Bohol is famous for its Chocolate Hills, thousands of green hills that offer a stunning spectacle. Enjoy the white sandy beaches, tropical forests, and authentic villages.
Practical Info
- Time Zone: +7 hours in winter, +6 hours in summer
- Water Temperature: 27 °C all year round
- Ideal Season: December to May
- Equipment: 3 mm wetsuit
- Budget: 7-night stay including flights, breakfasts, and 10 dives starting from €1,950
- Agencies: Most tour operators
The Abundant: Nosy Be
Nosy Be, located in the northwest of Madagascar, is a must-visit for all divers, especially beginners. Its numerous sites offer a colorful underwater spectacle.
Photo: Nicolas Barraqué
- Biodiversity: Admire the beautiful corals, fields of gorgonians, and a multitude of macro species like seahorses, leaf fish, and barracudas. The marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely offers dives accessible just a few meters deep.
- The Big: Observe oceanic mantas at their cleaning station, and from October to November, the majestic whale sharks make their appearance.
Head Above Water
Between August and October, humpback whales come to give birth in the warm waters. Go meet them and witness their majestic jumps. Also, discover the welcoming villages and postcard landscapes of Nosy Be.
Practical Info
- Time Zone: +1 hour in summer, +2 hours in winter
- Water Temperature: 27 °C from November to May, 25 °C from June to October
- Ideal Season: March to December
- Equipment: 3 mm to 5 mm wetsuit
- Budget: 7-night stay including flights, breakfasts, and 10 dives starting from €1,450
- Agencies: Most tour operators
The Choice of Pros
A Stay in Bonaire
Gérard from the Ultramarina agency recommends Bonaire for diving freely.
- Accessibility: Most sites are accessible from the shore, allowing for great autonomy.
- Ideal for Level 1: The dives are easy, shallow, and with little current, offering a multitude of species to admire.
Learn More: 7-night stay, flights, unlimited dives, and car rental, starting from €2,464 on Ultramarina.
A Trip to Egypt
Sylvie from the C6Bo agency offers you a stay in Quseir.
- Accessibility: Quseir stands out for its reefs accessible directly from the coast.
- Ideal for Level 1: Two outings per day are offered to beginner divers with appropriate supervision.
Learn More: 7-night stay including flights, full board, and 10 guided dives starting from €1,458 on C6Bo Plongée.
Conclusion
Whether you choose the Azores, the Visayas, or Nosy Be, each destination offers unique experiences for beginner divers. Get ready to explore underwater environments rich in biodiversity and to create unforgettable moments beneath the waves.
This article, originally written by Margot Harty for our print edition, has been adapted for the web.