The next major change in our vision when we are diving is that the colors often seem drab. This is because water absorbs light. Colors are simply light of different wavelengths and water absorbs them at different rates so that after light has passed through about 5 meters (16 feet) of water, most of the reds are absorbed. After 10 msw (33 fsw), the oranges are also absorbed.

The yellows disappear next followed by the greens and blues so that by the time we are deeper than about 20 MSW (66 fsw), everything appears bloc / grey. Using artificial lights restores the colors but the light from an underwater light is not exactly the same as the light from the sun and the colors will not be quite the same as if the object was out of the water.

The amount light is focused when it passes through the cornea is due to the difference in density between air and the cornea. The cornea has a density almost the same as water and therefore the difference in density between water and the cornea is very small. When light passes from water to the cornea, very little focusing occurs and the light will not be in focus until it is behind the retina. Therefore, when we open our eyes underwater everything appears blurry!

The solution is to wear a dive mask. The dive mask creates airspace in front of the cornea, allowing the normal amount of focusing to occur when light passes from the air to the cornea, giving us the same vision as on the surface. Nov that we can see clearly, we notice that everything appears larger underwater than it does on land. What is going on?

The glass in the dive mask has almost the same optical properties as water and therefore very little focusing occurs as light passes front the water into the mask lens. However, the density of the mask lens is much greater than the density of the air in the mask. As light passes from the mask lens into the airspace in the mask, it diverges (the opposite of focusing)! This results in objects appearing larger than they would out of the water. The magnification is about 25%, so that a 40 cm long fish will appear to be 50 cm in length. Exactly the same mechanism occurs when we look down into very clear water from above the surface (light coming from the fish diverges as it passes from the water into the air) so that fish we see in the water appear 25% larger than they really are.

We have several mechanisms for helping us determine how far away an object is. One is the apparent size of the object. We know how large our dive buddy is on the surface at various distances (they appear smaller when they are farther assay). When we look at our buddy underwater, we notice how large they appear to be and use our experience on land to determine how far away they are. The problem is that underwater they appear 25% larger than they do in the air and thus we think that they are 25% closer than they actually are. If we reach out to touch them (or anything else) we may find that our arm is too short!

The bottom line is that underwater things generally appear to be 25% larger and 25% closer than they really are. Therefore, divers have a much better excuse for telling stories about how large the fish was than their above water friends!

Water quality in Bass Strait is generally good, with visibility varying from five to 20 meters, but averaging around 10 meters. The best sea conditions are usually around June with predominant northerlies and water temperature around 14 degrees. February through March sees water temperatures around 18 to 20 degrees and periods of favorable winds. If there’s a lot of rain from August to October, vis will be constantly less than 10 meters until late December, but low rainfall can result in October to December having the best vis!

All these sites are within 20 minutes by quality charter boats from both sides of the bay out of Queenscliff and Portsea, and as a bonus you get to cross the boiling waters of the notorious Rip at the Heads. There’s plenty of other world class dives in this region, including some of the world’s most colourful reefs. Diving the reefs and wrecks around Port Phillip Heads will seriously lift your benchmark for great dive locations. For surface intervals and non divers, the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas boast a range of quality restaurants, vineyards, and world-famous sandbelt golf courses.

There are also plenty of fun and adventure activities available for all age groups. Melbourne Airport is less than two hours from the action, and Avalon Airport is just over half an hour away. So do yourself a favor, slip on your pirate hat and come dive for scuttled treasure…Captain!

An Australian owned, operated & built dive resort located on one of the Pacific’s most beautiful & peaceful islands. If you’re looking for lots of crowded dive boats, then stay away from Kosrae, chances are that you & your dive buddies will be the only ones out there, at least until the rest of the world discovers this hidden gem. Imagine yourself diving a steep vertical wall with hundreds of Pacific barracudas encircling you, feel your eyes widen in amazement at the huge and remarkably colorful coral reef systems, or watch the resident spinner dolphins as they jump and twirl for your entertainment. Leisurely drift dives with visibility from 25 to 60 meters are typical on Kosrae, with our purpose- built dive boat waiting to bring you aboard at the end of the dive.

You’ll enjoy the comfort of a full shade canopy and a powerful engine to transport you to the best dive sites. Our intimate 16- room grounds are located in tropical gardens, staffed by friendly faces ready to attend to your every comfort. Rest easy in our air- conditioned rooms, all with two double beds, cable TV, mini bar, and tea/coffee-making facilities. Venture out from your room into our full restaurant and bar, and take a dip in the swimming pool. At Nautilus, we aim to please: and your pleasure is our uncompromising goal. The restaurant offers cool, air-conditioned comfort, or outside dining by the pool. Western and local foods – think breadfruit chips and incredibly fresh sashimi.

Discover Bali with Tulamben Wreck Divers – we are a modern newly-built Dive Centre & Resort, situated in the heart of Tulamben village, a picturesque three hours drive from Kuta. Our Resort accommodation is the best in Bali and consists of a variety of stylish rooms from penthouse to deluxe, set around a sparkling tropical pool serviced with western standards and friendly professional service. Our Dive Centre is a stone’s throw away from one of the world’s most celebrated wreck dive, the USAT Liberty, amongst many other fantastic dive sites — more being discovered every day. We have every type of diving to suit the entire range of certification.

Want a gorgeous reef dive? We have it! Want a deep wreck discovery? We have it! Want a shallow, colorful wreck with a stunning array of marine life? We have it! Wall dives, reefs and wrecks; Tulamben has everything close to hand. A perfect place to Learn to Dive or combine your diving with Advanced, specialty or Dive master training. We have top diving equipment, fully serviced ready to use. For Day Trips and Cultural Tours other than diving; Tulamben Wreck Divers can organize anything from White Water Rafting to Kings Palace & Water Gardens. Bali has so much to offer, let us help you discover it!

PRO DIVE CAIRNS SIMPLY 7140 NM’ Since 1983 Pro Dive Cairns has developed and maintained an international reputation as the premier dive company in Cairns. Our commitment to providing our customers with the highest standards in quality, safety, professionalism and value in both dive education and live aboard dive trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef has made us the most highly awarded dive operator in the region. For the certified dive we have 3 day/2night dive trips departing 6 times each week, all year round. These trips visit a variety of our 16 exclusive outer reef dive sites on every trip and allow the diver up to 11 dives per trip.

Our 3 multi-million dollar purpose built live aboard dive boats carry a maximum of 32 passengers in air conditioned, twin or double cabin comfort. In conjunction with our 3 day trips we have a range of PADI higher education and specialty courses available. Advanced and specialty courses are available on every trip, Rescue and Dive master programs start weekly. Instructor courses commence 8 times each year and are taught by our staff Course Director. We also have great ‘Learn to Dive courses for your non certified friends. All dive and snorkeling equipment including dive computers, a guided orientation and night dive, twin or double cabin accommodation, meals, and transfers to/from accommodation are included. For those doing courses we also include the relevant PADI course manual and passport photos required for certification. Pro Dive Cairns really is ’simply the best’ when it comes to diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Ocean Diving & Photographic invites you to join us aboard our spacious 8.4 m, (225 hp) purpose built dive boat “Ocean Dive” (not one of those cramped little rubber ducks) for superb offshore diving adventures. Go to the entire well known and not so well known offshore reefs and wrecks in the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads area. (Experienced & Inexperienced) certified divers catered for. Ocean Dive is large and fast, a maximum of 20 mins to any dive site.

We have sit down tank racks, canopy for shade and side curtains to protect you from the wind during the surface interval while tea & coffee are being served, between our two dives. We have the latest electronic navigation equipment to pinpoint our dive sites. Our operation is purely dive charters with no dive shop or ’shop front’ involved (hire gear available.) Ocean Diving & Photographic is most fortunate to have the expertise and experience of Chris Mair (Master Mariner) who is one of the most experienced dive charter skippers on the coast.

The Tugs, Empire Gladstone Wrecks, The Cave & Reefs. Dive the Safest and most accessible wrecks on the south coast of NSW. Suitable for open water to advanced divers and great for underwater photographers! Other sites include the wharf at Merimbula — easiest shore dive around giant, cuttlefish, morwongs, rays, groper, moray eels, and beautiful soft corals.

Dive Short Pt Bommie, the Pestles, Nth Head, The Pinnacle, Big Kangarutha and more! After your dive relax in the newly refurbished, fully self-contained units at the Divers Lodge. We have accommodation for up to 24 people and each unit has its own lock-up room, wash off area, color TV, microwaves, lounge, dining, bathroom, kitchen etc. Package deals for groups, clubs and dive schools, special mid-week rates available. Dive courses done regularly.