CALL US NOW @ (416) 604-4203     ..OR VISIT OUR STORE IN TORONTO!
  • My Account
  • Checkout
  • Cart
  • BLOG
  • Uncategorized
  • 11mm
  • 2mm
  • 3mm
  • 5mm
  • 6mm
  • 7mm
  • 8mm
  • 9mm
  • Akona
  • Apeks
  • Aqualung
  • Atomic
  • Backplates
  • Bags
  • Bare
  • BCDs
  • Bigblue
  • Boots
  • Brand
  • Camera Accessories
  • Cameras
  • Catalina
  • CCR Diving
  • CCR Diving
  • Compasses
  • Computers
  • Continuing Education
  • Course Materials
  • Cressi
  • DAMs, SMBs, Lift Bags
  • Dive Xtras
  • DPV Accessories
  • DPVs
  • Drysuit Accessories
  • Drysuit Insulation
  • Drysuits
  • DUI
  • Faber
  • Fins
  • Fourth Element
  • Freediving
  • Garmin
  • Gauges
  • Gloves and Mitts
  • Go Pro
  • GoPro
  • Halcyon
  • Henderson
  • Hollis
  • Hoods
  • K01
  • Knives
  • Kraken
  • Light & Motion
  • Lights & Torches
  • Mares
  • Masks
  • McNett
  • Nauticam
  • Nuvair
  • Ocean Reef
  • Oceanic
  • Octomask
  • Octopuses
  • Other Accessories
  • PADI
  • PADI
  • Poseidon
  • Prescription Masks
  • Reels
  • Regulators
  • SANTI
  • Scuba Certification
  • Scuba Gear
  • ScubaPro
  • SeaLife
  • Seasoft
  • SeaYa
  • Servicing Gear
  • Sharkskin
  • Shearwater
  • Skins & Rash Guards
  • Snorkels
  • Specialty Diving
  • Stahlsac
  • Stand Up Paddleboards
  • Sub Gear
  • SubGravity
  • Suex
  • Suunto
  • Tanks & Valves
  • Technical Diving
  • Trident
  • Trips
  • Tusa
  • Underwater Light Accessories
  • Uwatec
  • Waterproof
  • Watersports
  • Weights & Belts
  • Wetsuits
  • xDeep
  • XS Scuba
  • YRVA
  • Zeagle
0
No products in the cart.

Facebook Page

Be one of 100,000+ divers who like our Facebook page: updates on our scuba activities are regularly posted.

Instagram

Follow us on Instagram as we capture and share the underwater world.

Youtube

Subscribe to our Youtube channel to stay up to date on the latest gear, courses and trips available for all our divers.
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Brands We Carry
    • Maps & Directions
    • Contact
  • Scuba Courses
      • Learn to Dive

        • Open Water Referral Class + Pool
        • Full Open Water Class + Pool + Open Water
        • Open Water Checkout Dives
        • Private Scuba Lessons
        • Discover Scuba Diving
        • Freediving AIDA
        • Private Snorkeling Lesson

        Continuing Education

        • Refresher Course
        • Advanced Open Water
        • Enriched Air Nitrox
        • Other Specialty Courses
        • Rescue Diver
        • Master Scuba Diver
        • First Aid

        Go Pro

        • Divemaster
        • First Aid Instructor
        • Instructor Development Course
        • Specialty Instructor
        • Master Scuba Diver Trainer
        • IDC Staff Instructor

        Technical Diving

        • Intro to Technical Diving
        • Advanced Nitrox
        • Decompression Procedures
        • Extended Range
        • Advanced Nitrox/Deco Combo
        • Trimix
        • Sidemount
        • GUE Fundamentals

          FATHOM CCR

          • FATHOM MK III CCR MOD 1
          • FATHOM Gemini CCR MOD 1
          • FATHOM MK III CCR Crossover
          • FATHOM Gemini CCR Crossover

          JJ-CCR

          • JJ-CCR Helitrox Diver
          • JJ-CCR Air Diluent Diver
          • JJ-CCR Air Diluent Deco Procedure
          • JJ-CCR Crossover
      • Shop online
          • Scuba Essentials

            • Masks
            • Fins
            • Snorkels
            • BCDs
            • Regulators
            • Octopuses
            • Computers
            • Gauges
            • DPVs

            Accessories

            • Lights
            • Knives
            • Weights & Belts
            • Reels
            • Compasses
            • Cameras
            • Tanks & Valves
            • Scooters
            • Other Accessories

            Exposure Protection & Bags

            • Wetsuits
            • Drysuits
            • Insulation / Undergarments
            • Boots
            • Gloves
            • Hoods
            • Skins & Rash Guards
            • Triathlon & Surfing Suits
            • Bags

            Snorkeling, Swimming & Freediving

            • Masks
            • Fins
            • Snorkels
            • Freediving Gear
        • Service
            • Disassembled

              Air Fills and Rentals

              • Tank Fills
              • Gear Rental

              Gear Servicing & Repair

              • Regulator Servicing
              • Tank Servicing
              • Scuba Gear Servicing
              • Computer Battery Change
              • Drysuit & Wetsuit Repairs
          • Dive Trips
              • shutterstock_596677187

                Liveaboards & Dive Resorts

                • Raja Ampat 2019 Trip Report
                • Galápagos 2023 Sold Out
                • Tubbataha 2023 2 Spots Left
                • Newfoundland 2023 4 Spots Left
                • Cozumel 2023 Now Booking
                • Socorro 2024 6 Spots Left
                • Red Sea 2025 Coming Soon..
                • Raja Ampat 2026 Coming Soon..

                Local Dive Trips

                • Tobermory
                • Brockville & Rockport
                • Christian Island
                • Lake Ontario

                Our Travel Partners

            • Resources
                • scuba_resources

                  Resources & Information

                  • Tank Fills
                  • Air Fill Policy
                  • Gear Rental
                  • Maps & Directions
              • Media
                • Video Gallery
                • Blog
              • Contact

              Diving in Paradise

              1. Home
              2. Our Blog
              3. Diving in Paradise

              Diving in Paradise

                Diving in Paradise: Mind Blowing Destinations You Shouldn't Miss

                By: Tommy Birn  ·  December 10, 2016

                    For most of us, the diving bug manifests itself at an early age in the form of sheer curiosity towards the secret world of underwater creatures. As we learn that there are literally millions of colorful characters to be found underneath the surface of our oceans and seas, our curiosity gets piqued even further.

                    And once you’ve gotten your first taste of what that world really looks and feels like, there’s little chance of turning back.

                     

                    Beauty of Diversity

                    Fortunately, our planet is filled with excellent dive spots that stand as a testament to Mother Nature’s seemingly infinite creativity.

                    Places like the Galapagos Islands west of Ecuador, the Blue Corner in Micronesia and Jardines de la Reina in Cuba have become internationally renowned for the diversity and breadth of their offerings. In fact, the latter even allows you to dive with salt-water crocodiles. In addition, spectacular shipwrecks like the Yongala in Australia and the Thistlegorm in the Egyptian Red Sea perfectly illustrate the power of nature and its ability to take over man’s creation in no time- spots like these truly make the experience of diving worthwhile.

                     

                    Pearls of Southeast Asia

                    Like any other diver, I too have certain places that are dear to my heart. These include the areas where I first learned to dive alongside experienced instructors, who instilled in me a great respect for underwater life and nature in general.

                    To that end, Malaysia is the first country on my perennial list of favorites. To this very day, I make it a point to come back here from time to time, whenever I feel like revisiting some of my first diving experiences. Of course, when I started out I didn’t know anything about diving gear or how to master buoyancy control, so I just followed the instructions given to me by local divers. Even so, I was instantly hooked.

                     

                    Sharks from Layang Layang

                    It wasn’t long until I splurged all my vacation money on a 1-week trip to Layang Layang. Located in a remote part of Malaysia, this resort island offered me access to 13 linked coral reefs and a huge variety of underwater life. Everything from manta rays to melon-headed whales to large schools of dogtooth tuna can be found here, but if there’s one creature that truly steals the show, it’s the hammerhead shark. Known for its almost comically-shaped head, this shark travels in large groups that can be seen whizzing around the waters of Layang Layang, especially in areas like the Gorgonian Forest and the aptly-named Shark’s Cave.

                     

                    Unforgettable Indonesia

                    Aside from Malaysia, another place that I wholeheartedly recommend to all divers, regardless of experience, is Indonesia. This vast nation in Southeast Asia has a plethora of diving hotspots that everyone should experience. To mention just two of them: Raja Ampat is perfect for people who fancy themselves as pioneers who are seeking to explore the last semi-uncharted waters of the world, while Sulawesi offers the kind of marine-diversity that every diver can only wish for. In addition, places like Bali also have plenty of non-diving related attractions as well, thereby ensuring a truly all-encompassing travel experience that you won’t soon forget.

                    Personally, I have a soft spot for Maratua Island, where I met my wife and future diving partner during a vacation centered on the Derawan archipelago. Needless to say, I can’t help but view this experience with rose-tinted glasses, but I am certain that there is a special kind of magic in these exotic waters. Some memorable highlights of the experience include swimming with brightly coloured eels at the Eel Garden and braving the extreme currents found in the Channel.

                    All in all, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of choosing a great diving place when first starting out. A truly magnificent spot can make you a lifelong devotee of diving, whereas a comparatively lackluster one could potentially leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. That being said, keep in mind that safety is also a priority, so don’t dive in more difficult spots unless you’re absolutely certain you can handle yourself in them. And remember to be patient above all, as scuba diving is best done by those who can still their minds and live perfectly in the moment, ready to take in life’s miracles one at a time.

                    Photo Credits: Jardines de la Reina: Steve Besserman, Layang Layang: Olden2012, Maratua Island: Yohana Wu

                      CONTACT

                      4020 Dundas Street W
                      Toronto, Ontario M6S 4W6
                      Canada
                      T: 416 604 4203
                      E: diving@aquariusscuba.com

                      FREE PARKING

                      STORE HOURS

                      MON-FRI: 11am – 7pm
                      SAT: 11am – 5pm
                      SUN: Closed

                      Closed on Holiday Long Weekends (Sunday & Monday)

                      Customer Service

                      Air Fill Policy

                      Returns & Refunds Policy

                      Shipping & Delivery

                      Recalls

                      ABOUT US








                        All prices listed in Canadian dollars | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | © Copyright 2023. Aquarius Scuba Diving Centre Inc. All Rights Reserved.

                        FREE shipping within Canada for orders over $150. Dismiss