Studying in the sun

CLOSE TO HOME
From the UK (and in Europe, of course) the closest and most easily accessible diving destinations nestle around the beautiful dark blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. There are many islands worth exploring under water, and a few have a specific reputation for diving. 

The ones that are best known are probably Cyprus and Malta, although the lovely Greek isles are now becoming popular, too. Each of these has British-run dive-centres that often tend to be PADI- or BSAC-affiliated, so
language is never going to be a problem. 

Malta is known for its dramatic underwater landscapes, with sunken caverns and tunnels to swim though, while the Cyprus coast has a few spectacular wrecks to explore.

The Greek government approved diving only a few years ago after many years of keeping the waters closed for fear that ancient artifacts might be plundered from the seabed.

While no Mediterranean island has the prolific marine life that is associated with coral reefs, you will be so busy on those first dives that this may not matter too much.

The downside of spending your first-ever dives in these areas is that the water only reaches a summer high of just 25?C; in winter it could be only 15?C.

A LITTLE FURTHER AND MORE EXCITING
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and would like to learn while exploring the planet’s most northerly coral-reef system, the Red Sea is the place for you. It’s amazing how different the undersea world is just another hour or so by plane to the south.

The Egyptian coast has to be the most popular destination for a huge number of European divers, both novices and experienced, as this spectacular sea is right on our doorstep. 

The water temperature is far warmer, with a summer high of 29?C. In winter, it remains a relatively balmy 21?C and the water itself is a bit clearer than that of the Med, so you will see more than you ever imagined.

If you have never been to Egypt, you might think that language and learning facilities could be a stumbling block, but with decades of experience and masses of European-run operations, this country is a major contender for doing your first course in comfort.

The costs are reasonable and the resorts are varied. They are lively too, so there are lots of other things to do between your daily studies, or if you have friends or family with you. 

However, if you want to combine your course with a more chilled-out ambience, then Jordan at the top end of the Red Sea is also a great option. Same diving, same facilities and prices, just a bit less crowded.

Another option to consider, a similar flying distance from the UK, would be Spain’s Canary Islands off the West African coast – they have plenty of dive-schools, shore- and boat-diving opportunities and, most importantly, they too can be dived year-round.

INDIAN OCEAN IDYLLS
It’s often the pattern that most people start their diving days in the Med or Red Sea, chalk up some experience and then head eastwards.

The next stop on the flight route is the Maldives. Of course, there is no reason why you can’t start somewhere as amazing as this (we did!) on islands that are romantic, Robinson Crusoe-style specks of land.

The water is always warm too, at 26-29?C, with almost no variation from summer to winter. There can be more rain at certain times of year, so check your intended season.

The twice-yearly change between monsoons can put a damper on things if you were expecting perfect sunny skies all the time. However, as you are going to spend most of your days in or under the water, a bit of rain is rarely a deal-breaker.

While the Maldivian islands also have well-established diving operations with highly professional instructors, one thing to note before booking one is that some islands are owned by specific nationalities. You might want to avoid, say, an “Italian” island, unless you have a little of that in your repertoire.

The marine life in the Maldives is simply amazing. The Red Sea reefs are perhaps a bit more colourful, as corals grow better in waters that have a seasonal temperature range, but what makes the Maldives so special is the big animal life.

If you want to swim beside manta rays, or come face-to-face with reef sharks, turtles or even a whale shark, this is the destination for you – just don’t expect to see all of that lot on your open-water course!

GO WEST!
No further than the Maldives and often as appealing to many new divers and divers-to-be are the Caribbean islands. In fact a lot of people who holiday there tend to do a basic course on one trip, then return on their next holiday to complete it.

The Caribbean islands vary according to the nationality of their colonial past, so ones like Grenada, Tobago and St Kitts are easy choices, with direct flights from the UK. Hotels tend to have dive-centres on site, or be affiliated to one, with many businesses run by Americans if not Europeans. Divemasters are often locally trained too, making it a lot of fun to learn in water temperatures that vary between 24-29?C.

The marine life in the Caribbean is less prolific than that in the Red Sea or Maldives, but again, you’ll be busy learning, so the pretty reefs and fish life will keep you fascinated.

If you’re really interested in marine biology, however, head for the islands just off the coasts of Honduras or Mexico. The marine life is a bit more prolific and unusual there, as offshore currents swirl species inwards towards the Central America coasts.

Utila in Honduras is renowned for training new divers and is said to have the cheapest courses in the world – buyer beware, however, make sure to use a well-respected operation!

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS
Divers are known trailblazers, adventurers who head to parts of the world that you would never consider for any other reason. If you already have the travel bug you could consider some of the destinations that are as far away as you can get.

The planet’s most famous barrier reef is, of course, the Great one in Australia. There are good reasons why the GBR is targeted by many as “the” dive destination of your life, so if you are up for the longest of long-haul flights, you can certainly learn on it. Facilities are great but, in reality, it’s a long way to go to spend time with your nose in a book.

South-east Asia is popular with experienced divers or those who learned to dive there on a gap-year trip. It’s another long haul, but about six hours less in a big metal tube than Australia to reach the world’s most bio-diverse marine region.

Travel to Indonesia and the island of Bali, which has masses of flights, even more accommodation options an