"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever." Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Perhaps because I live landlocked, I always dream of the sea. About fifteen years ago I had my first experience of snorkeling. Like so many "first experiences", it was certainly memorable, though not exactly stellar. A few years later I found myself on the Polynesian island of Moorea. It was there that I fell in love with snorkeling.
Sadly, due to deforestation and the effects of tourism, things have changed dramatically over the years but, back then, the lagoons were filled with seemingly endless coral gardens teeming with millions of fish in every color and hue imaginable.
I will confess, my snorkeling experience is, by no means, extensive, but it has been at least varied enough to know that there are interesting places to snorkel (anywhere in French Polynesia, but especially Taha'a) and not-so-interesting places to snorkel (avoid Ixtapa Island unless you like cold murky water and about five non-descript fish). Dear Reader, as always, I am seeking your counsel: what are your recommendations for best and worst places to snorkel?
Song of the day: Under the Sea by Alan Menken
Photo: Clownfish - Taha'a, French Polynesia
2 comments:
Just a few miles south of Eilat there is an island in the Red sea called “Coral Island”. While the general landscape that surrounds the island is breathtaking by itself, the real emotion comes as soon as you get into the water. It is just indescribable the world that awaits you down there.
One word of caution: get ready for temperatures higher than 110 degrees if you go there in the summer (very dry type of weather, though).
A quick search on the web will yield plenty of results concerning this Island. The following is one in which you can take a look at the way this place looks like.
http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2002/268/16.htm
Gustavo
Thank you! I regret that when I was in Israel I did not make it down to Eliat. Should I ever return, I will absolutely take your suggestion to heart and, hopefully, immerse myself in the wonders you beheld.
Post a Comment