Cozumel Cozumel is located in the western Caribbean Sea close to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. The island is bordered by the world’s second largest living coral reef system that extends south past Belize to the Bay Islands of Honduras. Drift diving, or swimming along with the current, is the way to enjoy the scenery of the Cozumel reef. Divers allow the current to move them along as their boat follows them by watching for their bubbles. The reefs are covered with colorful corals and sponges and are inhabited by a variety of tropical fish, as well as crabs, lobsters, eels, and grouper. The air temperature ranges from 21°C (70°F) in the winter to 32°C (90°F) in the summer. The water temperature ranges from 25°C (78°F) in the winter to 31°C (88°F) in the summer. The visibility is in excess of 30 meters (100 feet). Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas The Louisiana and Texas coasts on the Gulf of Mexico offer diving at offshore oil platforms. These platforms are located far from shore, so diving is normally done from a boat. The platforms are artificial reefs, attracting many different kinds of fish and other animals that live on the structure. You can see giant groupers weighing over 45 kilograms (100 pounds) at many of these sites. Visibility at the platforms is good most of the year and ranges from 10 meters (30 feet) to 45 meters (150 feet). The water temperature in the summer varies from approximately 21°C (70°F) to 27°C (80°F). Great Lakes The Great Lakes of the central United States offer some of the finest freshwater diving in the world. There are numerous shipwrecks located in these waters, many of which are relatively intact because there is no salt to cause corrosion and no marine creatures that attack wood. Some of the wrecks in the Great Lakes are hundreds of years old, yet still in excellent condition. Visibility in the Great Lakes can be very good, and Chapter 8- Diving Environment can exceed 15 meters (50 feet) at some of the better dive spots. Most of the wrecks are covered with fine layers of silt that are easily stirred up, limiting visibility. These waters are quite cold, even during the summer months, and most divers wear dry suits. The lakes’ great size allows ocean-like waves and storms to develop. Turks and Caicos The Turks & Caicos Islands are located in the British West Indies of the Caribbean Sea. The islands have coral walls, ledges, and drop-offs with plenty of underwater life(figure 8-29). Divers encounter reef fish, sea turtles, barracuda, eagle rays, and several species of sharks. Wrecked Spanish galleons and other ships are available to be explored. The visibility ranges from 30 meters (100 feet) to 60 meters (200 feet) and the average water temperature is 27°C (80°F). Truk, Federated States of Micronesia Coral reefs surround Truk Lagoon, which is the permanent resting place of over 60 ships and 250 planes sunk during World War II. Truk is located in the South Pacific, with Palau to the west and the Fiji islands to the southeast. Some of the creatures found in Truk include angelfish, tangs, lionfish, triggerfish, and clownfish as well as rays, moray eels, tuna, and turtles. Diving Environment 193 FIGURE 8-29. TROPICAL LOCATIONS AFFORD OPPORTUNITIES TO DIVE CORAL WALLS, LEDGES, CHANNELS AND OVERHANGS TEEMING WITH EXOTIC MARINE LIFE
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