Gape beneath sea as you scuba dive in Kovalam

Several tourists arriving at the famed Kovalam beach in Thiruvananthapuram enjoy an incredible scuba diving experience. The mysterious world beneath the mighty Arabian Sea would reveal itself to the seeker who dares to take a plunge in it with the aid of breathing apparatus and expert guide.

The extremely professional team of scuba divers at Kovalam makes sure that you are safe while enjoying the depths of the sea. (SCUBA means self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.) The safety gear includes a mask, air cylinder and a jacket. One should wear a diving dress which could be zipped from the waist up to behind the neck. A waist belt which comprise of iron blocks should be worn to regulate the body weight which helps the diver to maintain the correct buoyancy.

It is widely assumed that a scuba diver carries oxygen in the cylinder. However, the divers at Kovalam say that recreational divers, who do not dive very deep, carry compressed air in the cylinder which weighs almost 17 kg. The mouth piece through which the diver breathes should be held with teeth and lips. Mask should be worn for the safety of eyes. Breathing through nose is impossible once the mask is worn over the eyes. Air should now be inhaled and exhaled through your mouth.

It is the professional diver who actually does the swimming by grabbing the belt worn by the guest. Meanwhile the adventure enthusiast in you can relax and delight in all the mesmerising sights that the ocean has in store for you. The sand at the bottom of the sea looks as if someone has thrown a fist full of sugar granules on it. Vivid and vibrantly hued molluscs and shells adorn the little sand hills beneath the ocean. The sight of the various species of shoaling fish is breath-taking.

The bottom of the ocean looks straight out of a fairy tale, where the mermaids and the different species of aquatic life live a harmonious life. The unique designs and patterns on some of the fish species are so amazing that you gape at it in wonder.

Hand gestures are used to communicate with your instructor under water, and you will be trained in all these before taking the dive. Even after getting back to the shore, it would take some time to shake off the hangover and your body gets a while to regain normalcy. But the mesmerising memories of the ocean are sure to stay with you for a life time. Now the adventure lovers need not head to the Lakshadweep Islands to enjoy scuba diving. Just pack your bags and catch a bus to the Hawa Beach or Eve's Beach in Kovalam, which is first recreational beach in Kerala.

Details:

Bond Safari scuba diving

Where: Kovalam beach

Organizers: Cool Divers

Duration: 3 hours (including instructional session, practical training and diving)

Each guest would be assisted by internationally certified professional divers who have more than 10 years of experience in scuba diving. The underwater videos and photographs of the guest, shot on a GoOro camera, would be copied on to a DVD.

For more information: 99465 50073, www.bondsafarikovalam.com