Product Description

This definitive guide to underwater sightseeing in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao details over 175 dive and snorkel sites off these three beautiful Caribbean islands. Designed for divers and snorkelers of all levels of qualification and experience, this indispensable guide also provides comprehensive coverage of many of the fascinating tourist attractions. Popularly known as the ABC islands, this trio is considered by many to be one of the world's most exciting dive destinations. The region's clear and calm waters facilitate superb diving conditions all year round.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #796241 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781566567077
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"The best dive guides available." -- Diver

About the Author
Diving legend Jack Jackson has an in-depth knowledge of Caribbean diving. A fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in underwater photography, his images appear on everything from National Geographic to postage stamps. He is based in Woking, England.

Customer Reviews

Dive Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao
Very disappointed! Practically identical guidebook (from Contemporary Books) published in 2000. I was generally happy with the initial release, as it was informative (though dated @ time of review). However, the Author has not updated any of the dive site information since his initial review, as some sites are no longer available. By switching to Interlink Books, one thinks this is an updated guidebook (2008), it is not... Consider a different book that is current, rather than one that is 8 years old with a new jacket! The only changes denoted were in the Directories for each Island, and the information provided appears essentially to have been copied from a phone book.

Acceptable But Not Always Accurate?
I recently returned from an 8 day dive trip to Curacao. I had purchased this before the trip, but accidentally left it at home. During the trip I completed 10 dives and I was excited to compare to my actual dives and see how my experience compared to the book once I returned.

Of the 10 dives I did, 5 were on sites that were specifically listed in the book. There may have been a couple more that I actually did dive...I have found that dive shops have their own names sometimes. Of course, there are usually more sites than are covered in these kinds of books too so I don't mind that they were not listed that much.

As far as the 5 dive sites listed in the book that I did dive (Light Tower, Seldom Bay, Bullen Bay, The Wall, and Blue Bay), I have found that I don't agree with some of the descriptions. For example, Seldom Bay is described as having "difficult conditions only suited for advanced divers"...and hence the name Seldom. I would still consider myself a beginner diver and I had no trouble at all...in fact it was one of the better dives as I remember it. I did agree with most of the book's dive site ratings for quality of dive...all of the dives were exceptional and I generally found those descriptions accurate.

I was also disappointed that the book did not go into better descriptions of the various dive operators...I am always interested in knowing about the crew, the equipment, boats, average group sizes, etc. I find it odd that a book like this would not go into that kind of detail and it makes me suspect that this is less of a consumer guide with critical reviews and more of a extended format travel broshure meant to paint an always positive picture. As a diver, I want to know if I am booking my dives with a good outfit and I could not get that info here.

I did find the travel information in the book regarding the other non-dive activies to be usefull in advance of the trip...and the general information about the island and culture to be accurate and helpful.

All in all, this book was a useful purchase. The picture quality is good and the overall information was helpful...but the dive info somewhat questionable though and I feel that should be important in a travel dive book. For these reasons I am rating this book with 3 stars.

I would not discourage anyone form purchasing this book, but I would also base your dive site decisions on the dive shop's recommendations as well as other divers due to the inaccuracy of information I experienced in this book.

(FYI...for anyone considering a dive trip to Curacao...the Marriott Resort is outstanding and the dive shop at the resort, Caribbean Sea Sports, is world class. If I could rate them here they would both be 5 stars for sure.)