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SNUBA is a form of introductory diving that allows people with no training in scuba to experience what it is like to breathe underwater like a scuba diver. SNUBA is the registered trade name (SNUBA International, Inc.) for the underwater breathing system. The word SNUBA is both a portmanteau of the words 'snorkel' and 'scuba' and also and acronym for Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Destinations

Tropical islands and beaches are one of the most popular travel destinations. Before the introduction of SNUBA visitors were resigned to snorkeling, touring in a glass bottom boat, or spending vacation time learning to use scuba diving equipment in order to see the coral reefs. SNUBA has opened up the underwater world by offering nearly the same expereince of scuba diving, but in a simpler, safer manner. This introduction to diving has in turn led many SNUBA participants to later take dedicated scuba diving courses to learn how to safely dive on their own.

Asia

• Phuket in Southern Thailand — The islands surrounding Phuket have great coral reefs that are in the perfect depth range for SNUBA diving. The best reefs for SNUBA are found on Racha Yai (Raya Island) 34km South of Phuket. Other SNUBA locations around Phuket include Phi Phi, Coral Island and Koh Poo off of Kata Beach. ALOHA SNUBA Thailand

• Phi Phi also in Southern Thailand has several sites that are great SNUBA diving locations. Hin Klang, Bida Islands, and Maya Bay.

• Okinawa in Japan offers SNUBA on some of Japan's most beautiful reefs.

Hawaii

• The Big Island ofers SNUBA diving on boat trips from Honokohau Harbor and beach dives Kamakahonu near King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel.

• Oahu has SNUBA from the beach and also at a beautiful state park Hanauma Bay on the South East side of the island. Hanauma Bay is volcanic crater that has a reef that has attracted thousands of visitors. Due to the number of visitors that have stood all over the coral, much of the inner reef is in poor condition. However, the outer reef is still alive and home to many large fish and turtles. The depths are perfect for SNUBA. In addition, recently there has been a big push to help educate the public about reef conservation and numbers are being limited to help the reef.

• Maui is home to one of the highest concentrations of SNUBA operators in the world. No visit to Muai is complete without a trip to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. The waters at the crater are crystal clear and home to large fish and the occasional small black tip shark. Turtle Town is often the second stop for boat tours and home to many green sea turtles. Other SNUBA locations are off the beaches on some of Maui's fringing reefs.

• Kauai has one SNUBA operator that provides underwater tours from several beach locations.

Mainland USA

• Florida has many SNUBA operators and dive sites located in the Florida Keys.

Caribbean

• Aruba

• Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort.

• Belize

• Dominican Republic reef dives which have many rays.

• Grand Cayman

• Honduras Gumbalimba Park has reefs with both hard and soft corals. There are also jungle hikes for time out of the water.

• Puerto Rico San Juan's Aqua Adventure's does boat SNUBA dives.

• St. Lucia

• St. Maarten

• Turks and Caicos

Virgin Islands

• St. John

• St. Thomas

Atlantic

• Bermuda

• Spain The Canary Islands

South Pacific

• Fiji Islands

• Guam

• Bora Bora

Red Sea / Middle East

• Israel

Mexico

• Riviera Maya / Cancun

• Cozumel

• Cabo San Lucas

Cruise Lines

There are so many activities available aboard today's cruise ships it is sometimes hard to choose. The following is a list of cruise lines that offer SNUBA Underwater Tours at some of their destinations. Inquire about SNUBA aboard your cruise.

• Carnival Cruises

• Holland America Lines

• Norwegian Cruise Lines

• Royal Caribbean International

• Celebrity Cruises

• Costa Cruises

Get In

There are two main choices when considering a SNUBA dive while on holiday - Beach or Boat.

Beach

A Snuba dive from the beach is a very good way for people who are not very confident to get used to being in the water at extremely shallow depths. Snub tours from beaches generally visit reefs that are just offshore of some of the worlds major tourist destinations. Beach dives are often much cheaper as they do not include transportaion and boat costs. A beach dive is good if the guest does not have a whole or a half day to commit to a boat tour. A Snuba dive from the beach will usually take approximately 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours including the safety briefing, gear preparation, Snuba underwater tour, and debriefing.

Boat

Usually presented as full or half day tours, Snuba boat dives are able to visit islands and reefs that are further afield. Getting further away from the beaches often presents clearer water and less crowds. Many Snuba boat dives are offered as an add-on to snorkeling tours for those that want to get closer to the marine life. Boat dives can be done from speedboats, which get guests to the reefs quickly and also have shallow drafts allowing the boats to drop guests on deserted beaches and do more exploring. Large boats and catamarans, which offer more room to spread out and relax. Lunch is usually served on board large boats and the main purpose is to spend the whole day on the water with no land stops.

Buy

Snuba does not require the guest to purchase or rent any equipment. All Snuba underwater tours include all of the gear you will need to participate. Guests will use the following pieces of equipment while SNUBA diving:

• SNUBA raft - The floating platform that holds the air tank, which follows the Snuba diver everywhere they go.
• Standard scuba air tank
• Scuba regulator
• Lightweight harness
• 7 meter (21 foot) air lines
• Soft weight belt - to achieve neutral bouyancy
• Dive mask
• Fins

Of course if guests have their own mask or fins they can ask their Snuba Guide if they will be appropriate for the Snuba dive.

Work

All SNUBA Guides are experienced diving professionals. Before training to become a SNUBA Guide experience and training to top levels of a recognized diving organization (PADI, Naui, SSI, etc.) is required. Snuba guides are chosen based on their diving experience, safety, and professionalism. Each Snuba guide has recieved and additional level of training on the use, safety, and guidance of Snuba underwater tours. All Snuba guides are licensed and insured members of SNUBA International, Inc.

SNUBA Regional Offices

SNUBA's Regional Offices provide support, training, and quality control for SNUBA International, Inc. Regional offices are a good contact point for more information about SNUBA.

USA

Hawaii Regional Office - Steve Foulger 523 Ekahi Way Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753 Phone / Fax: +1 (808) 875-2866

Mexico

Riviera Maya Adventures - Alex Edelmann Centro Comercial Marina Edificio C Local 2 Q. Roo, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico 77780 Phone / Fax: 011-52-1984-876-2358

Thailand

Thailand International Office and Training Center - Matt Croft 48 / 22 Moo 2 Tambon Rawai, Amphur Muang Phuket 83130 Thailand Phone: +66 81-91-SNUBA (76822) Fax: +66 76-289-638

Japan

SNUBA Japan - Sunny Kamiya 6-47-3-301 Ooyma, Ginowan City Okinawa Japan 901-2223 Phone: (098) 829-0577