Diving in the Caribbean [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Lawson Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

This lavishly illustrated book profiles the 17 best sites for divers in the Caribbean-the world's most popular diving destination-from the Central American coast to the Dutch Antilles.

Each chapter opens with a map and a quick-reference guide to climate, currents, visibility, and permits. Superb color photographs are integrated with informative text describing both the above-water and underwater aspects of each destination, the quality of the marine life, and the different adventures awaiting the traveler in each region.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lawson Wood, a highly experienced diver, is one of the world's leading underwater photographers. He contributed to Diving: The World's Best Sites (Rizzoli, 1997)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847821323
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821327
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,527,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous guidebook., November 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Diving in the Caribbean (Hardcover)

"Diving in the Caribbean" is a gorgeous guide to over 100 underwater attractions in 17 of the most splendid sites in the Caribbean. Veteran underwater photographer and author Lawson Wood takes us from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean coastline. He not only writes an informed and concise essay on each locale, he provides a side-bar that lists such helpful details as Best Time to Go, Climate, Getting There, Special Interest, Accommodations, and Dive Operations. Wood's photos are large, clear, and plentiful. Some pictures are even double-paged (e.g., giant stingrays at Grand Cayman, a stretch of craggy coastline at Dutch Antilles, and a school of tiny bluehead wrasse patroling resplendid reef crests). Wood is such a fine photographer that I wish he had included more exterior shots of the islands and dive locations! This handsome volume is a commendable purchase.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice pictures and good information about diving sites., October 16, 2000

By 

Luis Gallo "Luis Eduardo Gallo" (Valencia, Estado Carabobo Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diving in the Caribbean (Hardcover)

With more than 250 photographs and maps, this book will give you plenty of information about one of the world's hottest diving destinations. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Windward islands, passing through Cuba, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, Belize, Bonaire and Curacao, you will get to know the best dive sites in the Caribbean, with indication on the best time to go, how to get there, the climate, accommodation and dive operations and useful emergency information. The pictures, by underwater photographer and author Lawson Wood, are extraordinary and there is also a well-written description of the islands and diving locations, and although the book is a little expensive, it is worhty, specially if you are a snorkeler a scuba diver or just love the sea. Go for it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Diver's Dream Book!, February 26, 2011

By 

Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diving in the Caribbean (Hardcover)

Photographer and author Lawson Wood has assembled some of his best work in this 160-page sampling of the Caribbean's best dive spots. The photos are lavish and detailed and the book covers over one hundred (100) underwater attractions of seventeen (17) of the most amazing dive sites in this area. Each chapter focuses on a country with a detailed description of the history, population, habitat, eco-system and other mainland attractions. The diving locations are located and described with even more specific information, including: Best Time To Go, Climate, Getting There, Special Interest, Accommodation and Dive Operations, electrical supply and Emergency Information. The latter includes the closest decompression chamber and a local telephone number.

Whether it's a specific island or a dive site, Lawson goes into exciting detail about the best dive sites and what kind of bizarre and beautiful creatures to expect to see there. The glossy photographs are amazing and enticing. Coral (hard and soft), sponges, fish, anemones, caves, swim-throughs and more are described and photographed brilliantly. Each site is different, citing from the friendly rays in Sting Ray Alley of the Cayman Islands to the shipwrecks of the Leeward Islands. This book is one of the most exhaustive collections of Caribbean dive sites available.

Also included in various chapters are good knowledge items such as, `Golden Rules' (things to not do or touch underwater to protect the wildlife), Buoyancy Control (one of the most important diving skills) and Classification and Nomenclature (scientific and common names of particular animals).

Also handily included are, a Glossary of Reef Types, Tourist Boards information and a handy Index. No matter what your specific interests are, you'll find numerous locations that will pique your interest. The Foreword is by Jean-Michel Cousteau. Dive safely!