Product Description

DIVE the ultimate guide to 60 of the world's top dive locations really is the guide with a difference that gives you all the information you need to choose the right destination: * 60 of the world's top dive locations brought to life * including top 10 shipwreck dives* 320 pages lavishly illustrated with over 300 colour photos and maps* local geography, marine life and the dives explained* important travel and safety information* dive centres, dive organisations and activities for non-divers* packed full of practical travel information and well-designed data tables* with local telephone numbers and websites Carefully planned and researched with visits to most locations within the past two years, this totally up-to-date one-stop reference guide has everything you need. Whether an aspiring beginner, expert diver or somewhere in between, travelling independently or with your preferred dive tour operator or simply interested in reading about the world's best dive locations, DIVE offers you everything you'd expect of a top quality guide, but with added extras that make it cutting edge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #343058 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Author and leading underwater explorer MONTY HALLS has been diving since 1984 leading teams around the world including two epic diving expeditions to the world's greatest dives 2002 and top ten shipwreck dives 2003. A regular contributor to UK's Diver Magazine, BBC Wildlife Magazine and other travel publications, he has also presented TV programs for Channel 4, Sky and National Geographic and was the winning 'Super Human' in Channel 4's flagship program 'Super Humans' in February 2004.

Customer Reviews

What a disappointment
When I first saw this book, I was impressed - nice page layout, good maps and wow, look at all those places I want to go. Then I got down to studying it and became more and more disappointed. Why, for example, does it have a few pages on Papua New Guinea but no dives from there? Yet in other chapters there are dives, not enough to give a real flavour of a place, but at least some. So it made me wonder whether the author has actually been to as many places as he claims and it's hard to tell. Certainly this is not an "ultimate" dive guide - how could it be when there are so few dives in it? It will be useful as a quick reference, but that's about it.

Ultimate guide to .... - I don't think so
So what are the world's top dive destinations according to Monty Halls. Apparently, Bonaire in the Dutch Carribean is not one of them as it's not included in the list. Bonaire has been voted the worlds top dive destination. On the other hand, Cyprus 'the Zenobia' is one of them!
There are 320 pages with 60 destinations,that is, roughly 5 pages per destination. The pictures are beautiful but the printing is not the best. The information on each dive site is brief. The book is part of the series 'Ultimate Sports' unfortunately it is not the ultimate guide to dive destinations.

A big thumbs up from me ...
If you are a dedicated Discovery Channel fan, you will definitely enjoy Monty Hall's DIVE - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE to 60 of the world's top dive locations. Halls is a regular contributor to Diver magazine and works as a biologist and expedition leader. In 2002 he led a team of divers on a round the world trip to find the world's greatest dives, and in 2003 they wen in search of the top ten wrecks of the world (which explains the inclusion of Cyprus - The Zenobia). Many of the old favourites , such as The Thistlegorm in the Red Sea, are featured, but there are also some lesser-known sites, which make for interesting reading. Each location includes a detailed map, safety information, contact numbers and beautiful colour photographs. I was pleased to see South Africa well represented with four sites, including Gansbaai. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Ireland (The Skelligs), eastern United States and Brazil. Cost, how to get there, visas, visibility, water temperature and diving tips are added to answer any questions divers might have. Hall's writing style is entertaining and informative, and even if you don't agree with all his choices, you will definitely be inspired to do some travelling.