Scuba Books

Good all round description of dive sites and resorts. All you need to plan your holiday.

Rod Macdonald has put together a very professional guide book to the dive sites of Scapa Flow. Personally, I have conducted professional assignments to Scapa on a number of occasions and, as a "guide," I have yet to find this book lacking in any way. It also served another very important purpose in that it is a very good read.

"Dive Scapa Flow" measures a little under 10" x 7" with a hard cover and comes from "Mainstream Publishing" of Edinburgh. There are 160 pages of narrative - all well supported by a large number of black and white photographs (most of which are historic), diagrams and maps plus a further eight pages of colour photographs in the middle. The book is well laid out. The first 2 chapters are devoted to historical events - the scuttling of the Imperial German Fleet and the incredible salvage operation that took place in later years, with the remainder of the book being dedicated to diving.

1919 was a time when Europe was coming to terms with the revelation that "millions" had died on all sides during the carnage of WW1. The Imperial German Fleet had been defeated and was interned in Scapa Flow with a skeleton crew on each vessel. The German Navy itself was in complete disarray with lawful orders being ignored and workers co-operatives running most of the ships. This was a time when all sides awaited the outcome of the Armistice from which the final decisions with regard to the disposal of each German ship would come. Basically, the ships would be distributed amongst the victorious allied navies with the Royal Navy getting the lion's share - thus making the British Fleet so large as to be unassailable throughout the world. Despite his many difficulties, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter retained overall command of the fleet - and he had other ideas. Knowing he could rely on sufficient people on each vessel to carry out his final command, Admiral von Reuter ordered the German Fleet scuttled and that order was executed on 21st June 1919 - right under British noses.

Rod Macdonald's account of those historic events is a fine précis and most relevant to this book. The same comment applies to the following chapter describing the incredible salvage operation which explains why so many of the scuttled ships are no longer to be found in Scapa Flow.

So, after two chapters of well-researched material and some equally excellent historic photographs, we now get down to the diving. This commences with an overview of what the diver can expect to find. All the ships are listed and this is followed by information on such important factors as; bye laws, visibility, seabed, equipment, photography, decompression and the various means of getting to and from each site.

The scene is now well and truly set and it's time to get down to cases. In chapter 4, each shipwreck is fully described in excellent detail in which there are 4 elements; An historic photograph of each vessel, a sketch describing her attitude underwater, a painting which shows the entire vessel as she lies on the seabed and a narrative which not only gives the technical details of the vessel in question but also goes on to describe the specific diving conditions relevant to that ship.

Of course, the wrecks of the Imperial German Fleet are not the only shipwrecks in Scapa Flow and the next 3 chapters are entitled; Alternative Wreck Dives, Diving the Blockships and Scapa's War Graves - all of which are self-explanatory. With a final chapter reserved for travel, accommodation and dive boat charters, this book is as complete a guide as one would hope to find.

NM

For most first timers, the areas covered in this book will be more than enough. While the Periplus guide "Diving Indonesia" covers more areas, this one has the plus of containing information for snorkellers as well.
Practical details are a bit dated by now, though.

This small book (64 pgs.) is filled with good, albeit summarized, information about diving opportunities all over Florida. The Keys information details a few of the larger sites and wrecks, and has nice charts. We like this book, especially for the price. A "hell, why not?" book that's definitely worth it.

The book is out of print and almost 20 years old (1986). But the descriptions of and location of dive sites is of course still relevant and very informative. Dive shops come and go as well as accomodations so this must be taken into account also... Aged and all, it's still the best all around all Mexico diver's guide book on the market.

I was someone thinking about taking up scuba diving and I wanted to find a book that would give me some basic information. This book fit the bill perfectly. I found it to be well written and attractively laid out. However, If your already a certified diver, this book won't tell you anything you don't already know. It could be gifted to friends your trying to convince to take up diving.

This book is a good reference source about diving in southeastern Florida. Because of the Keys, many people don't realize the quality of diving that can be found off the coast of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. The book describes many sites in detail and also provides depth, visibility, and difficulty information.

I had purchased a Pisces Book once before so was expecting the same informative style. The Smit's book surpassed my expectations. The descriptions of the dive sites are very complete with specific details about how you should approach each site. For example: when giving information about one site they said, "...keep your fins away from the bottom because it is covered with fine sediment, which when disturbed will immediately reduce visibility."

I found the section on Potentially Hazardous Marine Life fascinating and quite blood chilling. The method for staring down a barracuda was gripping but not something I want to try.

The photographs are absolutely marvelous. They really make the book a treasure.

The only criticism I have is that I would like a little more detail on the maps. I also would have liked some background about the geological history and environment that has spurred the fantastic coral growth.

The book provides an excellent guide to dive sites from Monterey Bay northward to the mouth of the Russian River. Each dive site includes recommendations for diver ability (novice to advanced), descriptions of entries and exits, and details of the surf, water and environmental conditions. It also includes such important issues as parking, legal (and illegal) places to unload equipment and don gear, and nearby dive stores.

The beautiful photos are also useful for sharing the diving experience with non-divers!

This guide is a quick reference for lots of interesting places to dive in Texas. It provides a nice table at the beginning of each entry giving depth, visibility, water conditions, ease of entry, nearest place to get tanks refilled and suggested dive ability.

Color pictures, both in and out of the water, are provided for practically every dive site listed.

On the strength of this guide, I'll be buying guides from the same publisher to other dive destinations.