SPECTACULAR SCUBA MARINE LIFE GUIDE!!
343864
I'm a recreational diver at the moment and I love this reference guide to some of  the amazing stuff you can encounter while diving! Although it's just a small sample of what you'll run into underwater, it's a very informative and helpful guide to browse through before and after your dives to give your dive a fun scavenger hunt!  It comes with a retractable clip that prevents it from getting lost or misplaced. A great gift for those considering becoming a scuba diver and veterans alike. Even if you don't go diving it will take you into the amazing underwater world through the wonderful pictures along with a description of the marine life shown.
1909277
This book has been one of the most interesting dive books that I have ever read. I am moving from Florida where I am a Master Diver and have done all of my diving to NY where I didn't think that I would be doing any diving unless I went to the Islands but this book as proven me totally wrong. The writer is incredibly experienced and helpful and makes diving in New York sound like a whole new world of diving is about to open up to me. I am totally excited to get up there and begin discovering new dive spots.

Thanks again for all of the information!

Claudia and Wendy
3198418
As a master diver who has dived over 50 years and has visited many of Fiji's dive sites, I would advise any potential diving visitor to save their money here and buy the newer and much more complete Lonely Planet "Diving and Snorkeling Fiji" by renowned dive guides Casey Mahaney and Astrid Witte (also available on Amazon). Just be aware- Fiji has so many and varied dive sites visited by day operations and liveaboards NO book can really do justice comprehensively. Nope, no connections with LP or Mahaney, I just want to save other divers the trouble... and if you love diving, you will LOVE Fiji diving!
2675037
Fiji Handbook, 6th Edition... As president of Sea for Yourself snorkeling tours, it's my professional obligation to stay informed about the regions we visit.  We have operated tours to Fiji every year since my first visit in 1985, and David Stanley's Fiji Handbook (now in it's 6th Edition) has been with me each time.
Over the years, I have found David's Fiji Handbook so useful that I strongly recommend it to all our Fiji program participants. Although our clients don't need to worry about travel logistics (that's our job), the introductory chapters offer excellent background information on Fiji's cultural, political, and natural history.
Because our programs focus on tropical marine biology, I was especially impressed by David's concise and clear explanation of coral reefs. And in the section dedicated to fauna, David gives marine creatures as much attention as terrestrial animals.  I was also pleased with the many tips encouraging environmental sensitivity, both above and below the water.
The introductory overview is complemented by accurate and extensive descriptions of each island group.  These sections include the expected (and appreciated) regional maps, listings of where to stay, where to eat, where to hike, where to dive, plus how to get there (and back).
This new edition of the Fiji Handbook contains many updates, but it's impossible for any guidebook to remain totally current.  David knows this. So for the absolute latest information, simply turn to the website and email directories near the end of the book.
When I need a detailed reference for Fiji, I'll continue to use this 6th edition of the Fiji Handbook ... until David comes out with the next edition.
2598190
Whether you are a beginning of advanced swimmer, or even a triathlete seeking to improve your open water swim skills look no further - this is the book you need.

The author, Lynne Cox is nothing short of a true master of the sport. Drawing from her vast experiences that include breaking English Channel swim records as a teenager to swimming the Antarctic and nearly every body of water in between it is the most complete resource available to open water swimmers.

She begins by covering equipment needs to assist the reader in making appropriate choices in swim suits, goggles, caps, wetsuits, and skin care products.  Next, she presents skills and drills that are essential to developing comfort and balance in the water and translate well into developing training programs. Her extensive research also combines the expertise of Navy SEALS, Wilderness medicine doctors, university based researchers, US Masters Swim coaches, and seasoned athletes to provide guidance in the areas of course scouting, tides, water quality, darkness, hydration/fueling needs, navigation, riptide, fog, waves, and marine hazards (like sharks!) For the advanced swimmer, there is even a chapter on the nuts and bolts of preparing for your own Channel Swim.

It might be tempting to think that open water swimmers can skip all the technical details outlined in this manual but the rash of triathlon related swim deaths over the past couple of years highlights the need for all swimmers to respect the water and the challenges it presents.

Most importantly, woven throughout this book is a real love for swimming that will inspire swimmers of all abilities to jump in and enjoy the water.

I look forward to using this book as my go-to-guide for my future triathlon swimming endeavors.
4173823
Just when you think you've read the best ever book on underwater phontograpy in Larry's "Begginners' Guide," he surprises us with a follow up that's even better!  Larry practices what he preaches and is able to put very technical information in words which we all can understand.  One of the best things about diving is to take pictures which we can share with our land-bound friends and which will last forever.  This is a must read!
2607506
Mr. Farb has imparted an impressive degree of research and personal diving experience in this second edition to his original 1985 work.  The reader will find comprehensive histories of each wreck featured, detailed maps of  the wrecks as they presently exist, and useful advice on how to dive each  wreck.  Even sport fishermen will find this work useful, as each wreck  description contains useful information on what species inhabits the area.  Experienced divers and recreational fishermen are yearning for a 3rd  edition, however, since time and weather have impacted many of these wrecks  and some mysteries have been solved, such as the location of the  "Ario" wreck, while new mysteries have been uncovered (are the  Papoose and Hutton wrecks reversed?).  Additionally, each wreck description  should include precise GPS or Loran coordinates to assist first time  visitors to the wreck sites. Many locations in the 2nd edition, when  provided, are often inadequate for the reader to find the wrecks.
1765581
A must have fun read for the adventurous diver! Little known places and new discoveries await you. Great photos too!
2700628
I am a budding SCUBA Photographer and decided to use the new Step Zero: Getting Started a SCUBA Photo Trip book as a guide for my preparations on my dive vacation to Indonesia.  I invested many thousands of dollars in SCUBA equipment and underwater camera gear and the trip to Sulawesi itself and wanted not to be kicking myself for a simple error that could ruin my enjoyment.  Well, the trip was fantastic.  We spent 5 days at a dive resort and then 10 days on a live-aboard dive ship....SCUBA diving and shooting.  I have thousands of photos both above and below water... and video as well.  Given that this was such a major endeavor to cart all my gear half-way around the world, I am thrilled to say this book saved my vacation.  I followed the simple but non-obvious rules and guidelines the book presented and found myself prepared and enjoying my vacation.  If you are an experienced world traveller, this book can at least present reminders and lists to follow.  But, if you are a moderate world traveller like me,  or a novice and want to be sure that your SCUBA photo vacation is 100% relaxing and fun, then I highly recommend this book to you.
415840
Very helpful book!  Covers everything not covered in your OW certification class, and then some.  Clay Coleman is a life-long diver who wraps up all of his knowledge and helpful hints in "The Certified Divers Handbook".  Topics include equipment (what works and what doesn't), what to expect on that first dive trip, how to strike out on your own (can't find a dive buddy), important weather conditions, staying out of trouble, dive sites in the U.S and internationally, and much more.  His style of writing keeps you reading and laughing at the same time. I find myself referring back to this book frequently as I continue to gain diving experience (primarily for his helpful tips/hints on all topics), and I consider it invaluable.  If a newly certified or "fantasy" diver (one that talks the talk but rarely ever actually gets wet) is going to buy one book, this should be it. You will be educated, motivated, and ready to hit the water!
520502
You can pretty much sum up this book in one word... AMAZING! Throughout the entire book, you come across creatures of the sea you may already know, but more importantly creatures that were just recently discovered! The crisp, clean, vivid photos make you feel as if you can reach out and touch these creatures. It's a truly captivating and breath taking book. This book takes you on a real adventure that is based on the real journeys of scientists involved in the Census of Marine Life. This book is jammed packed with information that I never knew before, and some information that's really hard to believe it's so out of this world! Children would love, love, love, this book! Children love to ask questions and learn new things, their minds are like sponges so why not give them information on the latest discovery of new ocean creatures to absorb?! :)
671141
This dive computer was exactly what I was looking for and performs all of the essential functions required for a safe SCUBA diving trip. It is water activated and has a very audible alarm to let you know what is going on while you are busy scouring the bottom for the treasures that people constantly drop into the water. From water temperature and depth to when it is safe to fly after your last dive,  this unit does it all! Even though the first computer I ordered arrived and failed to work,  Amazon was able to ship me a replacement with no questions asked. The only suggestion that I have is to buy a few CR2450 coin cell batteries that are used in the unit. Not only will you need them, but it can prevent you from having to return the unit needlessly. Once again, I would recommend this device to anyone that loves to dive and can be certain that Amazon will take care of you 100%.
1264049
Franko's maps are the best!  I've used them diving off Cozumel, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Maui and Belize, in addition to Bonaire.  They provide a wealth of information, not just on dive sites but fish/sea creature ID, land attractions, city map insets, info on other things to do, weather & water temp and more.  Pretty much every square inch is filled with information.  Especially on Bonaire, where you're probably going to be driving to shore diving sites on your own, this map is invaluable.  The waterproof, tear-resistant material is great too.  If you're going diving or snorkeling off Bonaire, get this map for sure!  If you're just visiting the solid portion of the place, it's quite useful too.  They're sometimes available locally, but they'll cost more than here, and you want to peruse the map BEFORE your trip so you can be thinking about what you want to do!
2793865
I always refer to this either when I'm shopping for a new fish or checking on compatibilities of the current stocking of my aquarium.  Great guide with detail and clear photos of different families of fishes.  Scott Micheal is an excellent author and photographer.  I highly recommend this guide and it's companion guide by Ronald Shimek, Marine Invertebretes.

Please click YES if my review have been helpful to you, it will encourage me to continue writing and updating my reviews, and leave a comment if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer if I can be of help.
3828303
I enjoyed this book as much as my son.  It is very well organized, the format makes it easy to read and understand the information presented about the sharks and rays, and thought the 'how to dive' section at the back was a very useful bonus (my son and I both scuba dive).  The pictures are excellent.
2689300
My own experiences eye to eye with fish on the bottom did not  prepare me for the breathtakingly beautiful photos of animals and plants taken from inches away by one of the world's greatest underwater photographers, Cathy Church. The clarity of the picture, the designer's eye for color juxtaposition, the artists mind for composition and framing her exotic subjects just blew me away. My own experiences with closeup photos on dry land gave me a huge appreciation for the difficulty Cathy must have had while composing portraits of tiny fish, snails or coral polyps less than an inch in size, while trying to stay put in the natural flow of the sea's currents and waves.

While children will be mesmerized to look face to face, eye to eye with strange and colorful creatures from far away oceans, adults will also be thrilled to see what most will never encounter personally.

Not only is the book a huge collectible for it's beauty and art, but it's the first stage of a comphrehensive, free, instruction method so the reader can learn how to prepare for the same kind of underwater journey. Like every master teacher, Cathy shares with humor and environmental sensitivity how to do what she does with hints with every photo. And even better yet, follows up the basics with much, much more at her website, so on the next dive the reader goes on, they might copy with success what took Cathy years and years of experimentation to achieve.

This book is a treasure, worth twice the modest price, to be kept at home, but shared for a lifetime with children and young adults who will be responsible for protecting and preserving in the future what is a world seldom seen but vital for all life on any part of our increasingly fragile planet.

Make My Underwater Photo Journey by Cathy Church a gift to yourself and your family, then to everyone you know during the holiday season, for birthdays, and especialy to anyone interested in SCUBA, marine biology or environmental issues.

Great photos, text and design all together in one book, plus extended instruction on Cathy's website. What a masterpiece!
4628628
Generally speaking, too many books of inferior quality are produced at this time. Sadly, a great many of these are of interest to the Scuba Diver - especially some of the so-called "Dive Guides." So, as I hoist a placard demanding better quality books on diving-related subjects, I can think of no finer benchmark for comparison than "Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse" by Constantinos Petrinos.

This is a book which stands out from the rest, it is a large format (12" x 9") and hardback. Constantinos Petrinos is credited with all the text and photography and, because his name is not known to me, if this is his first book then all I can say is he has started at the top.

"Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse" is an exciting and imaginative work which will start your heart racing with the high quality images of all those creatures found in that part of Sulawesi where the central creature - the Pygmy Seahorse, is endemic. The Macro photography is particularly stunning - not just the minute Zebra Crab which actually measures 1.5cm across or the Imperial Shrimp which is only 2cm long (to name but two.), but the close-up of just the eyes of the "Smasher Mantis Shrimp" is macro photography at it's very best.

If this book had been a life-time's work of any author (thankfully that is not the case) then that life would have been well spent with the resultant record of those labours being both well documented and extremely well presented.

Even if you are never likely to visit Sulawesi, you really should consider obtaining a copy for your own enjoyment. You are guaranteed to learn a great deal...

5 stars really is not enough for this particular product.

NM