OAKLAND, Calif.-
If you’re planning a winter or spring vacation to an island or some other warm place with a beach, chances are you may be interested in going diving or snorkeling.
Lonely Planet has a series of books out on the subject that may help you plan your trip.
The travel publisher’s “Diving & Snorkeling” series includes titles on Cozumel, Mexico; Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; the Caribbean island of Bonaire; Hawaii; and the Florida Keys.
Each $24.99 paperback includes maps and detailed descriptions of dive sites, including depth, location and access information, and tips for finding and evaluating dive operators. Sites are also rated in the books as novice, intermediate or advanced, with notations on whether they offer good snorkeling. Other details in each listing include visibility at the dive sites, currents, whether wrecks can be seen, whether caves are part of the site and whether the site is so deep that it requires decompression stops.
The books also provide information on local marine life, travel tips, and even emergency contacts and advice for managing diving accidents.
For example, in Cozumel, a coral reef called the Paraiso Reef North is recommended as a good snorkeling site that you can access by swimming from the shore just north of the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel. But the listing also warns that there are also strong currents, and often boat traffic in the area, so beware of vessels that may not see you if you’re on or near the surface.
