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Diving in Australia

This page is an overview of scuba diving in Australia, primarily of dive destinations. Check individual destinations for operators and accommodation.

Queensland

The east coast of Queensland, particularly to the north, has Australia's busiest dive industry and most famous dive sites. Most of the diving is tropical reef diving. The bread and butter of many dive operations is teaching tourists to dive, but experienced divers will find some shops that cater to them with longer and more challenging dive trips.

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, a long tropical reef system off Far North Queensland, is Australia's biggest dive attraction. Most divers will dive with shops in the Cairns and Port Douglas region or from the Whitsunday Islands. The reefs to the far north are generally visited by extended liveaboards rather than day trips. You can dive on the shallow Inner Reef or do shore dives from some of the islands in a day trip. Operators usually visit the Outer Reef on liveaboards, but some day trips are available. Week long liveaboards will take you to the ribbon reefs and the Coral Sea; huge tame potato cod and maori wrasse can be seen at nearby Cod Hole. Some liveaboard packages to the northern reefs include a flight to Lizard Island at the north of the reef system so that you don't spend so much of the trip getting to your destination.

The wreck of the SS Yongala lies towards the south of the reef in open water. The SS Yongala sank in a cyclone in 1911 and by the time the wreck was properly identified in 1958 it had become a haven for sealife. Thanks to the currents, the wreck is populated by oversized reef species. Other commonly seen sealife includes sharks, turtles, Queensland groupers as large as small cars, rays and sea snakes. The coast at Townsville is further away from the reef than the coast at Cairns, but some operators leave from Townsville, and Townsville is the obvious point of departure if you want to dive on the Yongala. Another operator leaves from Ayr, which is closer to the wreck.

The Southern Reef Islands have good diving on Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island.

Sunshine Coast
The HMAS Brisbane was sunk off the Sunshine Coast in late July 2005 in order to create a diveable artificial reef with a depth range of 12–27 m (40–89 feet).. Operators visit this site from Noosa and Mooloolaba.

New South Wales
The diving in New South Wales is somewhat overshadowed by Queensland to the north. However, there are several dive destinations along the coast that are more than worth a visit: many coastal areas have vibrant local dive communities, and some of the more northern towns do an extensive trade in teaching travellers to dive.

As you travel south in New South Wales you move into more temperate waters and will need to be prepared for cooler water temperatures. Water at and below Sydney's latitude ranges between 22℃ (71℉) in summer to 13℃ (55℉) in winter. Divers will typically wear at least 5-mm wetsuits in summer and add hoods and vests in winter, or will use semi-dry or drysuits.

North Coast
Byron Bay's excellent diving is starting to become a well known competitor to the best Queensland diving. As in much of northern New South Wales, the waters have a mix of tropical and temperate species. In addition the water temperature goes as high as 27℃ (81℉) and the visibility is on average around 15 m. The sites are well managed: there are few commercial vessel launching licences available, vessels use permanent moorings and over-diving isn't taking place. Dolphin sightings are common on the boat trips and whale sightings regular between May and October.

The Solitary Islands Marine Park off Coffs Harbour has both tropical and subtropical marine life. Notables are grey nurse sharks, hard and soft coral, anemone fish, and colourful wrasse. Seeing large rays is unusual but not unheard of. Visibility is between 10 and 20 m, and most of the interesting diving is shallower than 20 m. Water temperature may be up to 25℃ in summer.

Sydney
Sydneysiders are usually astonished to discover that there's Sydney diving: their beautiful harbour has heavy commercial use. But there are several sites within the harbour, primarily inside the north and south heads. Most operators leave from Manly or Balmoral. There's good shore diving from Bare Island off La Perouse and at the tidal Shiprock site at Port Hacking. The Magic Point site off Maroubra is a grey nurse shark sanctuary: during the day you can see a number of sharks sleeping in their cave. There are a number of wrecks off-shore that are regularly dived, but most are in 45 m (150 feet) or more of water and require technical training for that depth. Introductory wreck diving is usually taught on the Valiant in 27 m (88 feet) of water and the Coolooli, in 36–48 m (118–157 feet) of water. Gordon's Bay has an underwater nature trail, depth 10–15 m, marked a chain, access from Clovelly parking lot, where you can find a map with explanations.

Visibility near Sydney is usually 5–15 m. Soft coral lives even inside the harbour, and it's relatively common to see Port Jackson sharks.

While Sydney is not totally unused to diving tourists, it is primarily a local dive scene. Many smaller operators only have rubber dinghies and some do not provide much in the way of dive site briefings, although you might get paired with a patient experienced club member if you're new to diving. Some operators do not hire out mask, snorkel or fins. Ask the operator about the level of experience they cater to when booking.

South Coast
The Jervis Bay area has the best diving in southern New South Wales. It caters to diving travellers far more than the Sydney region and liveaboard trips are available in addition to boat dives. Most dive operators start from Huskisson. Good dives are around Bowen Island (weedy seadragons) and Point Perpendicular (nurse sharks).

Montague Island, off Narooma, offers the chance of diving with fur seals during spring.

Western Australia
There are diving locations scattered all around the long Western Australian coast.

Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is located off the coast of the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Although it is a beautifully untouched fringing reef, able to be snorkelled from shore at some points, the area is most famous for providing opportunities to snorkel with whale sharks (diving is available on the same trips, but not with the sharks). See photos of the Ningaloo Reef. Operators leave from Exmouth and Coral Bay.

 * Rottnest Island
 * Albany

South Australia
Some information about diving in South Australia can be found on the official Diving Information Site of the South Australian Government. Some highlights follow.

Shark cage diving
Three South Australian dive operations operating from Port Lincoln allow divers to dive in a cage and view great white sharks at the Neptune Islands.

Ex-HMAS Hobart
The Ex-HMAS Hobart was sunk in Yankalilla Bay on the west coast of Fleurieu Peninsula in 2002. The former warship sits upright on the bottom at 28 m. One dive operator offer charters. More information on diving the former HMAS Hobart can be found on the official website.

Rapid Bay
One of South Australia's most famous dive spots featuring the leafy and weedy seadragons, rays and other large fish. The Rapid Bay Jetty lies about 100 km south of Adelaide near Normanville and Cape Jervis. The dive spot is suitable for a shore entry and exit from the new jetty, but you has to swim nearly 500 m to get to the T-section of the old jetty where most of the beautiful fish shelter among the pilings.

Port Noarlunga Jetty
Easy and beautiful dive location in Port Noarlunga, about 40 km south of Adelaide. Offers a reef and underwater trail directly accessible by a jetty. The inner side of the reef offers shelter from the weather and is considered a good dive spot for entry-level divers.

Coastal waters of Adelaide
The coastal waters of Adelaide offer also some great dives. There are many reefs and wrecks off the coast.

Kangaroo Island
There is diving on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. A few hours drive and boat ride from Adelaide.

Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park
Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is a 543 ha protected area in south-eastern South Australia. It adjoins Discovery Bay on South Australia’s Limestone Coast Piccaninnie Ponds contains three main features of interest to divers. The 'First Pond' is an open depression about 10 m deep with a silt floor and much aquatic life, the ‘Chasm’ is a sinkhole with a depth of over 100 m, and the 'Cathedral' is an enclosed area with limestone formations and a depth of about 35 m. Underwater visibility is excellent and may exceed 40 m.

Wardang Island
Wardang Island, also known as Wauraltee Island, is a low-lying island in the Spencer Gulf close to the western coast of the Yorke Peninsula. The waters around Wardang are popular with recreational divers because of the opportunities for wreck diving. A dive trail showcases eight of nine shipwrecks around the island, which are associated with the trading port of Port Victoria in the early 1900s. Of the wrecks, five are of schooners and coastal steamers – Monarch, Australian, Investigator, MacIntyre and Moorara – that carried wheat and other local cargo, and three– the Aagot, Notre Dame D’Arvor and Songvaar – are larger vessels that transported grain to Europe.

Victoria
Diving destinations in Victoria:
 * The Lawrence Rocks — Two rocky islets with an associated reef, 2.4 km south-east of Point Danger in western Victoria, about 6 km south-east of Portland. The rocks are the basalt and tuff remnants of an extinct volcano.
 * Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, near Portsea.
 * Within it, Portsea Hole is a remnant section of the drowned valley of the Yarra River, descending sharply from the 12 m depth of the surrounding seabed to 32 m, exposing changes in the strata of the limestone sides with depth. It is characterized by diverse and abundant fish assemblages as well as a rich benthic community of marine invertebrates, encrusting algae, sponges and soft corals
 * Pope's Eye is the uncompleted foundation for an island fort intended to defend the entrance to Port Phillip. It is about 7 km inside Port Phillip Heads and is named after a naval midshipman and has no religious connotations. The inside of the ‘eye’ is only about 2 m deep and is accessible to small boats as a sheltered anchorage. It is protected from strong currents and the whole structure is popular with snorkellers and scuba-divers. The reef provides a rich habitat based on the underwater forest of marine algae, such as Giant and Leathery Kelp, that sustains a rich fauna of fish and marine invertebrates, including sponges and soft corals. The site is often visited by Australian Fur Seals and Burrunan (bottlenose) dolphins.

Learn
The majority of dive shops in Australia have instructors who can certify you to dive through either the PADI or SSI certification agencies, and a very small number of shops certify through other agencies. Since agencies generally recognise each other's certifications the most important consideration when choosing a dive course is to feel comfortable with your instructor's teaching style and proposed program. The vast majority of instruction is in English. Japanese and German instruction is offered by some shops in Far North Queensland.

If you intend to take an introductory certification course in Australia, you will need a medical examination to comply with Australian Standard 4005.1-2000. Ask your dive center for a dive medical form and a list of local doctors able to perform the examination; it needs to be performed by an especially certified Australian doctor. It will cost AU$40 or so. Most dive shops will refund your course fees if the doctor performing the examination refuses to allow you to dive, but do ask before paying upfront.

Typical land-based Open Water certification courses cost between $300 and $500 depending on location; expect to pay the upper end if you are learning on a resort island with one dive shop available and the lower end if you are learning in a major dive area with many shops. Certifications on liveaboard trips generally cost between $100 and $200 on top of the base cost of the trip.

Many dive shops are rather strict about certifications. For example, someone with an Open Water certification and no Advanced certification may be restricted in depth (usually to PADI's 18 m/60 foot limit for non-Advanced certified divers) regardless of their dive experience.

If you want to work in diving, there are a limited number of programs that take uncertified divers and train them to Divemaster or Instructor level, which usually includes these courses: introductory Open Water, advanced Open Water, a course in dive rescue procedures and a dive master course. In addition you will do at least 30 more dives to build up your dive experience. Such courses cost around $6000–8000 and take 3–6 months to complete.

Work
It can be difficult for foreign travellers to find work as divemasters or instructors in Australia: Australia is pretty good at supplying its own instructors. The most likely way to get work is to get short-term work in Far North Queensland during the peak season (the Australian winter, roughly May to September) when demand is highest.

You will need to have native or near-native command of English if you intend to instruct most students; command of some other languages, particularly German or Japanese, is an asset. Diver operations also have divemaster, cook, coxswain (skipper), deck hand and retail work available. In all cases, the opportunity for independent diving is extremely limited: on most trips all your diving will be work related.

You will not normally be able to get a dive operation to sponsor an Australian work visa for you, unless you have a truly outstanding set of skills unavailable locally. Most foreign instructors work under the Working Holidaymaker visa arrangements.

Emergency treatment
The Divers Emergency Service (DES) is a 24-hour emergency service operating in Australia. It can be reached on 1800 088 200 (free call within Australia) or on +61 8 8212 9242. Contact this number if you have any medical concerns after diving. Dive physicians are available 24 hours a day. After an initial assessment you will usually be referred to a local emergency department or other medical service for a fuller assessment. They can arrange evacuation in a serious emergency. DES is operated by the Hyberbaric Medical Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with support from the South Australian Ambulance Service and with financial backing from the Divers Alert Network Asia Pacific.

If you suspect diving related illness, you can also seek treatment in the emergency department of a hospital. If you need ambulance assistance to reach the hospital, the general emergency number to seek ambulance assistance in Australia is 000 (112 from mobile/cell phones). They can refer you for recompression or other treatment as needed. Recompression is covered by Medicare for eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents. Evacuation by air within Australian waters is usually covered by Australian private health insurance policies with ambulance cover or by state & territory ambulance service subscriptions, but divers should check with their insurer. All other divers should have travel or dive insurance covering evacuation and medical costs; it's not usually the case that the dive operator has separate cover for it.

Chambers
Civilian hyperbaric (recompression) chambers are available at the following locations:
 * Queensland:
 * Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, tel +61 7 3371 6033 (note that the Wesley Hospital is a private hospital, but will treat Medicare patients in their chamber when referred from a public hospital)
 * Townsville General Hospital, Townsville, +61 7 47962080
 * South Australia:
 * Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, tel +61 8 8222 5116
 * Northern Territory:
 * Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, tel +61 8 8922 8888
 * Western Australia:
 * Freemantle Hospital, Fremantle +61 8 9431 2233
 * Tasmania:
 * Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, +61 3 6222 8308
 * Victoria:
 * The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, +61 3 9276 2269
 * New South Wales:
 * Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, tel +61 2 9382 3880

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title: Diving in Australia


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Diving in California

This article is intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of California, whether as a local resident or a visitor. Information is not guaranteed accurate or complete. Use it at your own risk.

Understand
With hundreds of miles of coastline, California is a great place to scuba dive.

Northern California
Farallon Islands:

Central California
Monterey

Southern California
Channel Islands:

San Diego:

As one might expect, the San Diego area is a haven for Scuba Diving and assorted diving activities, none more so than La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores. La Jolla is the home of the Leopard Shark, and despite the ferocious name, this summer resident is not dangerous. The Leopard Sharks cruise in schools, with many congregating on the bottom at the beach between La Jolla Shores and the Marine Room. This is where the pups are born, and in general they grow to about four feet long and live 25 years.

Dive sites include:

 * La Jolla Cove - features many reef areas, caves and kelp. This is the area for underwater photographers, deep divers and night divers. The water here is rich in nutrients, hence the abundance of marine seals that are absolutely harmless and who will sometimes join in the dive with you.
 * La Jolla Shores - a long sandy beach close to La Jolla Cove, just a short walk from the village of La Jolla. The area is also an international snorkeling destination, and advanced divers have easy access to the La Jolla submarine canyon. This is where the slope steepens rather dramatically, and depths can reach up to 60'.
 * HMCS Yukon - a sunken Canadian destroyer and is one of San Diego's more popular dives. It was sunk intentionally in 2000, and lies about two miles of the coastline of San Diego. Almost all of the ship is within easy reach of the weekend diver, and she lies in about 100 feet of water. Many holes have been cut in the hull to help the divers, and all the hazardous items were removed prior to the sinking. Coins were also hidden in the ship to provide prizes for divers who found them. The ship was supposed to sit upright on the bottom, but an accident the day before the sinking, means she now rests on her port side. The ship however is beginning to deteriorate fast, and the chilly waters at that depth make this now a challenging dive.
 * San Elijo State Beach - known for great surfing. When the conditions are suitable in June and September, it can be a relaxed dive and not as crowded as some others. The shallow reefs are abundant with kelp, and you can also expect some high surf.
 * Pipes - located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and the shallow reef and kelp are perfect for experienced shore divers. The water is less than 30', and the heavy surge can be dangerous, as can be the surfers that must be avoided when passing through the surf zone.
 * Ruby E - a local wreck that lies in about 80' of water off the coast of Mission Beach. The upright ship is part of the 200-acres Mission Beach artificial reef, and she is well marked with buoy from the Department of Fish & Game. Ruby E is a Coast Guard Cutter Cyane who is enjoying her retirement after duty in World War 11. She was sunk in 1989. The area is known for heavy swells, and visibility can vary considerably due to the silt on the bottom.

title: Diving in California


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Diving in the British Virgin Islands

This article is intended to provide the qualified scuba divers with information which will help to plan dives during a visit to the British Virgin Islands. It may also assist non-divers who are considering learning to dive whilst on vacation in the territory.

The British Virgin Islands is principally known as a sailing destination, although like most Caribbean islands, it is also popular with scuba divers. Almost all of the dive operators offer "rendez-vous" diving, which involves picking up guests from a yacht, doing a one or two-tank dive, and then dropping them back at their vessel afterward. Similarly, many dive operators will drop fresh tanks off for rental customers (to save the customers having to find somewhere to refill them).

In qualitative terms, the standard of diving is generally quite good, although it is not as good as the premier Caribbean diving destinations (such as Bonaire, Little Cayman, Saba and Turks and Caicos), but by most counts it is not too far behind. The islands are relatively affluent, and so there is little of the subsistence fishing which has decimated marine life in other areas of the Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands is also blessed with a number of good diving wrecks, including the territory's signature dive: the wreck of the RMS Rhone, a 310 ft (94 m) mail packet steamer which sank in a hurricane in 1867.

Understand
The British Virgin Islands are made of approximately 60 islands and islets, most of which are within a few miles of the other. The islands as a whole are in relatively shallow water, and almost none of the dive sites in the British Virgin Islands go deeper than.

Almost all of the major dive sites have mooring balls for boats which are attached and maintained by the National Parks Trust. Anchoring on the reefs is strictly prohibited.

The diving is predominantly wreck and reef-based diving, within recreational depth limits. No dive operators which offer technical diving in the British Virgin Islands, and only one offers Nitrox (as of 2011). There is only one known cave/cavern dive (called Grand Central Station) although it is not marked with a National Parks mooring ball, and is rarely dived either by locals or by visitors.

English is the universal language spoken in the British Virgin Islands, although a few dive operations have staff who also speak other languages. The currency in the British Virgin Islands is the U.S. dollar, and credit cards are widely accepted (even on dive boats).

General topography

Most of the islands in the archipelago are volcanic, and rise sharply up out of the water. Correspondingly, below the water the topography tends to slope down at different angles until hitting about 90–100 ft, which seems to be the depth at which sand levels out most of the bottom in the island chain. A common feature of dive sites in the British Virgin Islands is long ledges, which provide homes for nurse sharks, moray eels and lobster. Because there are no rivers and there is no significant rainfall, visibility is not hampered by run-off from the land as happens in some larger Caribbean islands.

Climate, weather and sea conditions
Although it may not appear so to the visitor, there is something of a seasonal variation to diving in the islands. During the winter, the seas tend to be rougher, although the water is clearer. The water is also colder, it is quite common to see divers wearing full wetsuits during the winter months. During summer the seas tend to be warmer and calmer, and normally divers will simply use a shorty, or even dive in a simple T-shirt or rash guard. Visibility is normally slightly lower during the summer due to the plankton blooms.

Various dive sites do have currents from time to time, although in relative terms they are not remotely so problematic as (for example) the Red Sea or other areas affected by very strong currents. Because the islands are so closely packed together, the risk of being "swept away" is virtually non-existent, and many divers eschew standard SMBs for this reason.

Marine ecology
In common with more affluent areas of the Caribbean (where people don't need to eat fish to survive) the marine life is more abundant in the British Virgin Islands. One of the more pleasant aspects of the British Virgin Islands is the abundance of turtles. Although critically endangered worldwide, there seem to be a plethora in the BVI. It is not immediately obvious why this should be—the BVI is one of the last places in the world where it is still legal to hunt them, although it is frowned upon when people do so. Other mega fauna which are popular with divers are sharks (particularly nurse sharks), barracuda, moray eels, eagle rays, southern stingrays, grouper (including goliath grouper), spiny lobster and tarpon. Marine mammals are not particularly common in the territory. Although dolphins do pass through regularly, they rarely interact with divers. Similarly, although whales and manatee are sometimes seen from boats, it is almost unheard of for divers to see them.

The coral reefs in the British Virgin Islands are for the most part quite healthy; laws prohibiting people from anchoring on reefs no doubt help. A number of the shallower sites suffered during the early part of this century as part of a worldwide phenomenon of coral bleaching caused by rising water temperatures. Fortunately, water temperatures seem to have stabilised and the shallower reefs are now recovering (coral takes decades to grow, so it may be a long time yet before they fully recover).

Equipment
Many divers bring their own equipment with them on vacation, but (slightly unusually) most dive operators in the territory do not charge guests paying for dives any additional rental fees for equipment that they need.

Local equipment tends to be U.S. manufactured (so expect any locally provided depth gauge to read in feet and any pressure gauge to read in PSI). Most operators rotate their rental gear about every three years—some less, some more. If you rent equipment and it appears old and tired, best course is to ask if they have something newer—better for everybody if you don't have to ask for a replacement to be brought out to your boat because you find something leaks.

DIN fittings are still quite uncommon in the BVI, so check in advance for options if you plan to bring a DIN regulator. Otherwise you may need to borrow or rent an adapter.

More experienced divers often prefer to dive directly from their boats without using a local guide, and thanks to the National Parks mooring balls on the sites, this is relatively straightforward to do if you have sufficient confidence in your diving skills and navigation. Divers can rent any gear that they need (usually at least weights and tanks) from one of the dive operators, and then drop them back at the end of the week.

No dive operators in the British Virgin Islands offer support or servicing for rebreathers.

Respect

Spearfishing of any kind is strictly prohibited in the British Virgin Islands, as is any kind of marine harvesting on scuba equipment. With appropriate licences, visitors may hunt whilst free diving (i.e. breath hold diving) for lobster and conch during the relevant hunting seasons. It is still legal to hunt turtles in the BVI (even though they are endangered and internationally protected) with a licence and in season, but it is frowned upon.

Fishing permits are available for charterers who intend to fish (including harvesting whilst free diving) while in the BVI. This temporary fishing permit can be obtained from:

There have been instances of extremely zealous enforcement of penalties for fishing without licences involving up to 5-figure fines, including one infamous case in 2007 where a U.S. citizen who was unable to pay his fine was imprisoned (he was later released).

Get service
All BVI diving operators belong to an organisation called (imaginatively) the BVI Scuba Organisation.

Most operators are land based, although the British Virgin Islands does have two liveboard dive boats.

Get around
There is virtually no shore diving in the British Virgin Islands, and so one way or another, you have to get on a boat to dive. The two most common ways to accomplish this is to take a guided tour with one of the local dive operators, or to rent a boat of your own and travel to the sites. If you are renting a boat, be cognisant of direction of the wind and the waves—many dive sites are exposed, and can only be dived in calm conditions. If it is choppy, have a backup plan.

If you come to a dive mooring and someone is already on it, it is bad manners to simply tie up to their boat or run a long line if there is no one aboard (not least because of the risk of driving your boat over divers who are below, but also it is pretty distressing when you are doing your safety stop to see a boat pull up alongside and see a number of people jump across—you assume you are being robbed!). If people are still aboard, it is perfectly acceptable to ask if you can moor up, either alongside or by running a long line. If they anticipate leaving the site shortly, they may well decline and ask you wait for 15 minutes or so until they can clear the mooring.

Alternatively, many of the dive moorings are located in clusters, and so frequently one can simply switch to an alternative site. For example: Ginger Steps, Alice in Wonderland, Carval Rock, Dry Rocks East and Devil's Kitchen are all within a few hundred yards of each other. The same could be said of Blonde Rock, Dead Chest North, Painted Walls and Shark Point. Or Cistern Point, Inganess Bay, Wreck Alley, Thumb Rock and Markoe Point. You get the idea. On the other hand at remote dive sites, like the Chikuzen or Santa Monica Rock, it can be frustrating to find an empty boat tied on and not know how long you will have to wait to dive.

Stay safe

The BVI is a pretty safe diving environment. The dive sites are not deep, and with few exceptions are not in remote locations. Incidents of accidents involving divers are rare, and usually involve pre-existing medical complaints rather than accidents strictly attributable to the diving.

Virgin Islands Search And Rescue (VISAR) have a rapid response team which deals with all boat related accidents, including diving accidents, and they can be reached by dialing 767 (SOS) from any telephone. There is no recompression chamber in the British Virgin Islands. Cases of decompression sickness are extremely rare in the British Virgin Islands, and are treated in the chamber in nearby Saint Thomas.

None of the marine life represents a particular hazard to divers. Sharks, morays and barracudas are all common, but are not threatening. Fire coral will sting, and any coral will hurt if you scrape yourself on it. Very rarely the BVI will suffer an influx of box jellyfish, and divers and swimmers are warned to be careful, but never has an influx been sufficiently bad that water activities have actually been proscribed (Caribbean box jellyfish are much less lethal than their Australian cousins). Lionfish represent a theoretical hazard, but thankfully are still very rare in the British Virgin Islands.

See
Predictably, there are a huge number of dive sites in the waters of the British Virgin Islands. The National Parks Trust has placed moorings on 70 sites, and there are several other unmarked sites as well. A summary of some of the key sites is set out below (all sites below have NPT moorings on them).

Wreck dives

 * RMS Rhone, the signature dive of the islands is the RMS Rhone off Salt Island. Sunk in a hurricane in 1867 with the loss of almost all hands, the 310 ft (94 m) Royal Mail Steam Packet's iron construction has survived well over the centuries.  She is normally dived as a two tank dive, first the deeper bow section (85 ft or so), followed by the shallower stern section (50 ft or so).
 * Chikuzen, a Korean refrigeration vessel that sunk halfway between Tortola and Anegada in 1988 in about 75 ft of water. Very hard to locate without GPS coordinates.
 * Airplane wreck (also called Coral Gardens) an Air BVI flight which crashed was dragged to Great Dog island, and is now a popular dive site. Approximately 60 ft.
 * Wreck Alley is a collection of four shipwrecks (Mary L, Pat, Beatta and Island Seal) deliberately sunk in about 90 ft of water off Cooper Island. Mary L and Pat are quite small, but the other two wrecks are decent dives in their own right.
 * Inganess Bay, a largely broken up vessel in about 90 ft, off Cooper Island and quite close to Wreck Alley.
 * Fearless, a very frail wooden vessel which can be found just outside of Great Harbour, Peter Island.
 * Parmatta, a paddle steamer that sunk in the 1850s. A rarely dived wreck located off Anegada.
 * Rohas, also known as the "Bone Wreck" after its cargo of cattle bones. Another rarely dived wreck located off Anegada.

Reef dives

 * Alice in Wonderland, for some reason the coral grows in north–south lines with channels of sand between them, making orientation easy. Depth varies between about 50 and 60 ft.
 * Angelfish Reef, a very sheltered and shallow dive on the southwest tip of Norman Island, good for beginners.
 * The Aquarium, a popular reef dive on the southwest side of Virgin Gorda.
 * Blonde Rock, a deep water pinnacle which can only be dived in calm weather, located between Salt Island and Dead Chest. Site drops from about 20 to 80 ft.
 * Bronco Billy, supposedly Jacque Cousteau's favourite site in the BVI, famed for its arched coral which (in rough weather) you have to ride the surge through.
 * Brownpants, a shallow site, about 30 ft, exposed to the weather on the south side of Norman. Colorfully named for an encounter with some bull sharks many years ago, sharks are actually relatively rare on the site.
 * Carval Rock, an uninhabited rocky islet between Ginger and Cooper provides some excellent diving. If the slope is followed all the way down, you get down to about 100 ft, but most of the dive is in about 45 ft of water.
 * Ginger Steps, a wall dive that literally goes down in steps, one at 35 ft, another at 65 ft and the bottom at around 95 ft.
 * The Chimney, a scenic rocky dive on the north side of Great Dog. Very sheltered and relatively shallow.
 * Indians, these four rocky pinnacles probably the most popular reef in the BVI, for both divers and snorkellers. The west side for divers is about 65 ft deep, the east side is normally snorkelled at around 15–20 ft.
 * Painted Walls, a shallow site on the southeast side of Dead Chest Island. Famed for a highly colourful swimthrough (the famous 'painted walls'), the site can be difficult to do in rough weather.  Maximum depth is only about 45 ft.
 * Rainbow Canyon, located opposite the Indians on the west side of Pelican, another sheltered and shallow site which is good for less experienced divers. Maximum depth is around 60 ft.
 * Santa Monica Rock, a deepwater pinnacle south of Norman Island which is heavily weather dependant (and hard to locate without GPS). Arguably the most rewarding site in the BVI, varying from a shallow reef at 15 ft all the way down to deep ledges at around 105 ft.
 * Spyglass, a very shallow and sheltered wall dive on the north side of Norman Island, about 15 ft at the top and about 60 ft at the bottom.
 * Thumb Rock, a good dive often overlooked in favour of nearby Wreck Alley. A shallow dive, limited to about 50 ft, and can be rough—but usually clear water and excellent marine life.
 * Two Towers, two twin underwater pinnacles on the north side of Green Cay. The very bottom of the site goes to about 95 ft.
 * Wall to wall, no walls, but known for excellent marine life, this site is off the south west side of Great Dog. Can be exposed in rough weather.

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title: Diving in the British Virgin Islands


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Diving in the British Virgin Islands/RMS Rhone

The wreck of the RMS Rhone is the most popular scuba diving site in the British Virgin Islands. It is regarded by some commentators as one of the best wreck dives in the world.

Understand
Like many great wreck dives, the Rhone has a great shipwreck story behind it.

The RMS Rhone was a royal mail steam packet ship that transported mail cargo between England, Central America, and the Caribbean. She was one of the earliest iron hulled ships, and was powered by both sail and steam. She was built in 1865 in London, and she measured in at 310 feet/ 94 meters long. Her propeller was only the second bronze propeller ever built, and she was regarded as unsinkable. During her maiden voyage she weathered several severe storms.

On 19 October 1867, the Rhone pulled up to a temporary coaling station in Great Harbour, Peter Island, alongside the RMS Conway. The original coaling station had been moved from nearby Saint Thomas due to an outbreak of yellow fever. The captain of the Rhone was one Robert F. Wooley. On that day Capt Wooley noticed his barometer dropping precipitously, and was concerned it might mean a possible hurricane, despite it being very late in the year for storms. But he elected to remain at anchor. However, a hurricane it was, and a ferocious one it was too - stronger than the instruments of the day were capable of measuring. The Rhone weathered the first half of the storm, and then the 'eye', a patch of calm weather at the storm's epicentre, passed over.

The Captains of the Rhone and the Conway conferred. The ferocity of the storm had dragged their anchors, and they were both worried about being driven up onto the shore. A decision was taken to transfer the passengers from the Conway to the safer vessel: the Rhone. In accordance with standard maritime practice, the passengers were lashed to their bunks to prevent injury.

The Conway then weighed anchor and sailed up the channel, but was caught when the storm swung around, and foundered off the south side of Tortola with the loss of all on board. The Rhone struggled to raise her tangled anchor, and Capt Wooley eventually ordered it to be cut loose. It lies in Great Harbour to this day, its chain still entangled around the same coral head. Time was by now critical, and Capt Wooley decided to shoot for open sea, passing between Salt Island and Dead Chest Island. Between those two islands lay a deepwater pinnacle known as Blonde Rock. Fearful of hitting the shallow pinnacle in the swells, Capt Wooley ordered it be given a wide berth.

She almost made it to safety. Just as the Rhone was passing Black Rock Point, less than a boat length from open water, the storm came back around, and the winds drove the Rhone onto Black Rock Point. The hull cracked against the rocks, allowing cold water to flood into the superheated boilers, which then exploded upon contact, sinking the vessel with almost no chance for anyone to save themselves. Even over the noise of the hurricane, the explosion was heard over Salt Island, and the local salt workers rushed to try help the victims through the raging hurricane, a feat of courage for which Queen Victoria bequeathed the island which they worked upon to them and their descendants in perpetuity.

Local legends say that Capt Wooley was thrown directly onto Black Rock Point on first impact, never to be seen again, although this seems improbable. But his ship sank swiftly, and his body was never recovered. Of the original 146 souls aboard, plus an unknown number of further passengers transferred from the Conway, only 23 people (all crew) survived. The bodies of many of those who perished were later recovered and buried in a nearby cemetery on Salt Island. Due to her mast sticking out of the water, and her shallow depth, she was deemed a hazard by the Royal Navy in the 1950s and her stern section was blown apart by explosives.

The Rhone was actually dived as early as the late 1800s by a trio of Irish salvage divers known as the Murphy brothers, one of whom became the first (and believed to be the only, so far) death on the wreck relating to decompression sickness.

Position

 * N18°22'7.3"
 * W64°32'8.2"

The wreck is located on Black Rock Point on the West side of Salt Island. The site is only accessible by boat, and is served by eight National Park mooring balls for boats to moor up to. Because the site is a designated dive site, anchoring on the wreck or hooking into the wreck with a grapnel is prohibited by law.

Depth
Maximum depth is about 85 feet/26 meters. At its shallowest the wreck structure reaches to within 15 feet/5 meters of the surface.

Visibility
The visibility on the site is normally good, in between 50 and 75 feet/15 and 22 meters, but can be higher on very calm days.

Conditions
Prevailing seas tend to come from the Southeast, and so the wreck is normally in reasonably calm waters. However, when the sea comes from the south, it can be rougher. The wreck also has a periodic and highly variable current, which usually flows due north.

The site is dived year round.

Get in
The site is only accessible by boat.

See
The wreck has a number of features which divers can look out for:
 * The condenser is the deepest part of the wreckage, at 85 feet/25 meters.
 * The propeller is the shallowest part of the wreck, at about 35 feet/11 meters. When built it was the largest in the world, and is so large that often divers swim across it without recognising it for what it is.  Snorkellers on the surface actually get a better overview.
 * Signalling cannon, on the bow section near the mast.
 * "Lucky porthole", a porthole on the stern section which divers touch for luck, and as a result of which the brass has kept its shiny lustre.
 * Captain Wooley's teaspoon, on the stern section. Although unlikely to actually be the unfortunate Captain's spoon, a teaspoon is nonetheless embedded in the coral.

Marine life
The Rhone has been a protected marine preserve for nearly 50 years, which has had a predictable effect on the burgeoning marine life. Nurse sharks, spiny lobster, dog snappers, stingrays, Goliath grouper and moray eels are some of the more commonly seen mega-fauna. Turtles are also commonly seen, and there are reported to be two very shy sea horses living under the very tip of the bow.

Photography
Macro, wide angle, and anything in between. Artificial lighting will bring back the true colour.

Plan
The Rhone is normally dived as a two tank dive, although divers who have low consumption rates could conceivably do the entire wreck on a single tank. The deeper bow section is normally dived first, followed by the shallower stern section.

Stay safe
The Rhone is a relatively safe wreck. Having been blown open by the explosion which sunk it, there are relatively few entrapment hazards. The only real swim through is in the main part of the bow section, but the openings are large and roomy, and light is visible from both ends. Even the most claustrophobic diver ought to be comfortable swimming through.

Because the wreck is a marine preserve, no fishing lines or nets are on the wreckage to present an entanglement hazard.

Skills
Good buoyancy control recommended. Specialist wreck diver training is not necessary.

Back to Diving in the British Virgin Islands


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Scugog

Scugog is a township of about 22,000 people (2016) in the Durham region of the Greater Toronto Area, in Ontario.

Understand
Many residents commute to Toronto for work on a daily basis. The anchor and largest population base of the township is Port Perry.

When Lake Scugog was created by a dam in Lindsay in 1834, flooding created an island known as Scugog Island. The island was separated from Reach and Cartwright townships to form Scugog Township in 1856. In 1872 George Currie built a grain elevator which is now Canada's oldest grain elevator. The new township was part of Ontario County.

The name Scugog is derived from the Mississauga word sigaog, which means "waves leap over a canoe". This refers to the creation of Lake Scugog. Other sources indicate that it is a native word meaning swampy or marshy land.

Mississaugas of Scugog First Nations
Scugog First Nations Reserves consists of two tracts, east of Mississauga's Trail between Hood Drive and Pogue Road, and west of Mississauga's Trail from Pogue Road to Seven Mile Island Road/Chandler Drive.

Great Blue Heron Casino is located on the reserve. It is the largest private-sector employer in the area

By plane
There are two airports in Scugog, both are public airfields used by small propeller aircraft:
 * Greenbank Airport
 * Port Perry/Hoskin Aerodrome

Get around
Main roads in Scugog are:
 * Simcoe Street (Durham Regional Road 2) – connect communities north and south from Port Perry
 * Highway 7/Highway 12 – connects communities south and north of Greenbank, as well as to Oshawa
 * Highway 7A – connects communities east and west of Port Perry
 * Island Road (Durham Regional Road 7) – north and south areas on the west side of Scugog Island

Do

 * Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Area – 1,120-hectare (2,800 acre) protected area northwest of Port Perry and managed by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
 * Oakridges Moraine Trail – at south end of Scugog

title: Scugog


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Seabeck (Washington)

Seabeck is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.

Seabeck, an historic mill community, once a bustling seaport that dwarfed Seattle in population and size, has few traces remaining of its early logging years.

Understand
The name Seabeck comes from the Twana /ɬqábaqʷ/, from /ɬ-/, "far", /qab/, "smooth, calm", and /-aqʷ/, "water".[1]

Seabeck was founded in 1856 by Marshall Blinn and William Adams, doing business as The Washington Mill Company. Their lumber was in such demand they built a second mill, then a shipyard to build boats to haul the lumber to California, which had high demand due to the California Gold Rush. Eventually, along with four saloons, the town had two general stores and two hotels. In 1876, there were over 400 people living in Seabeck. After decades of success, in the 1880s, the demand had eased, and most of the easily accessible trees had been harvested. In 1886 a spark from the ship Retriever started a fire that consumed both mills, along with other buildings. Rumors flew that the mills would not be re-built, so most residents moved to other towns with mills, notably Port Hadlock, turning Seabeck into a virtual ghost town.

Today Seabeck has found its footing as a tourist destination and quiet community with basic services and hopes to soon become a major recreational port along Hood Canal when its marina is finished.

By car
Located on Seabeck Highway NW about a 16-minute drive west of Silverdale.

Get around
Seabeck is a small town and everything is easily accessible by foot.

Beachcombing
What Hood Canal beaches lack in white sand and warm water is more than made up for in the amazing scenery as the clear waters play against wild coastlines and snow peaked mountains Olympic Mountains scatter on the horizons. Nearby Scenic Beach State Park is excellent place to start a beach combing adventure offering accessible beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration. Hood Canal is considered the warmest water in Puget Sound but its still pretty cold.

Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.

Crabbing
Sport crab fishing is popular in the area with most fishermen looking for the elusive and meaty Dungeness Crab, but other less popular crabs are also plentiful in Hood Canal. Crab season starts with a two-day opener July 1st and 2nd and follows up with crabbing every Thursday through Monday through Labor Day weekend. A wide array of crab traps are available from a variety of area sporting goods stores and the red and white buoys marking the traps are a common site on the water during the short crabbing season. Fishing permits are required and can be purchased from a variety of local stores, more information is available from the Washington Dept of Fishing and Wildlife.

Sea kayaking
Seabeck offers Marina Beach Launch, perfect for launching smaller boats and Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the isolated Hood Canal allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Or just explore Kitsaps many harbor towns that cater to kayakers like Seabeck with shops and restaurants accessible from the water. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Kayak trails
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations.

Scuba diving
Scuba diving the cool waters of Hood Canal takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many areas are accessible via boat from Seabeck. The state has offers a guide to parks with launch sites HERE

Diving areas
Misery Point Reef is an artificial reef close to Seabeck created when the WDFW sank the debris here for a fish habitat and to create a fishing reef and is comprised of huge grey concrete slabs and steel I-beams, remnants from the old Hood Canal Bridge. . The shallow end lies about 45' deep and it extends to 80'. This is a great location to find lingcod, cabezon, rockfish, perch and greenling and invertebrate life such as plumose anemones, cucumbers and sea stars. Located north of the navigational marker north of Misery Point near Seabeck Bay.

Sund Rock Marine Preserve. is one of the more popular dive areas on Hood Canal and can be reached via boat from Seabeck and is located just north of Hoodsport on Hwy 101. This site has a wide variety of interesting natural features and even a shipwreck for wreck diving and an abundance of marine life as well including many Wolf Eels and Giant Pacific Octopus and many species typically found in Hood Canal such as schools of colorful Striped Seapearch and Pile Perch and Quillback and Brown Rockfish. Gobies are also in abundance, as are Sea Cucumbers, seastars, anemones, shrimp, sea gherkins, an assortment of nudibranchs, and crabs of all different varieties.

Buy
A general store, restaurant, gallery, dockside pizza place, post office and the Seabeck Conference Center dot the waterfront now.

Address 15376 Seabeck Hwy NW Phone +1 360-830-4839

Go next
Silverdale is about 16 minute drive to the east.

title: Seabeck (Washington)


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Seabrook

There is more than one place called Seabrook:

United States of America

 * Seabrook Island (South Carolina) - A Resort Beach Community in South Carolina.
 * Seabrook (Maryland) - A town in Maryland.
 * Seabrook (Massachusetts) - A town in Massachusetts.
 * Seabrook (New Hampshire) - A town in New Hampshire.
 * Seabrook (Texas) - A town in Texas.

Also:
 * Seabrook Farms in New Jersey.

title: Seabrook


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Seabrook (New Hampshire)

Seabrook is a city on the seacoast of New Hampshire.

title: Seabrook (New Hampshire)


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Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Get in
The nearest airport to Seabrook is Charleston International which is about a 45-minute drive from the island. The island is a private gated community and security is tight. If you are not a property owner, guest of a property owner, or renting property on Seabrook, you will be denied access.

Get around
It is a good idea to bring your own vehicle or get a rental car if you're flying. Seabrook provides no transportation to or from the airport nor is any transportation available to get around the island. Furthermore, the speed limit on Seabrook is 25 MPH. This is strictly enforced. You will be ticketed at 26 MPH and they don't give warnings.

See
Seabrook is a very remote island but there is a lot to see on the island. There is plenty of wildlife. Deer, alligators, bobcats, racoons, and numerous species of birds call Seabrook home. There is also a three mile long beach and beautiful marshes on the island.

Do
If you are renting a home or villa on Seabrook, you'll want to make sure that the owner has a club membership. If the owner does not have a club membership, the only amenity you'll have access to is the beach unless you are staying in a villa complex with its own pool. With the club membership, you will be able to use the pool at the Seabrook club free of charge. Other amenities include golf, tennis, an equestrian center, fitness center, and very nice restaurants. Of course, these other amenities are not free but fees are quite reasonable. The island also has an abundance of activities for children as well. You'll also want to make the short drive into Charleston, which has a great deal to see and do as well.

Buy
Other than a small gift shop, there isn't much shopping on the island, however, you can go to Freshfields Plaza which has several great stores.

Eat
The island has one restaurant called the Island House. In order to eat here, you must be a club member or renting from an owner who is a club member. The Bohicket Marina is just before the security gate and has several great restaurants as well and of course, you can always go into Charleston

Sleep
There are no hotels or high rises on Seabrook so your only option as far as lodging is to rent one of the privately owned homes or villas. You can rent directly from a property owner or through one of the rental agencies on the island. It is not a good idea to come the first week of November because each year at this time, Seabrook hosts the Super Seniors Tennis Tournament and it will be tough to get any homes or villas. Not only that, but you can expect long lines at the security gate during this time.

title: Seabrook Island


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Seacoast (New Hampshire)

The Seacoast is a region in New Hampshire along the state's 18 mile long coast, between Maine and Massachusetts. It contains several large communities, and a handful of smaller towns and villages. The region is unique in New Hampshire for its historical significance.

History
The Seacoast region of New Hampshire was first settled in the early 1600s by English fishermen. By the 1630s a permanent settlement was created near Dover, NH. This historical heritage is an integral part of the Seacoast region of NH's character, and is reflected everywhere from its road design to its architecture. Portsmouth was once one of the busiest ports in America. In 1814 a fire destroyed many of the buildings in Portsmouth, leading to a law requiring all buildings to be brick with slate roofs, creating a charming historical feel to the downtown area. Dover and Exeter thrived off of the success of Portsmouth, especially in the lumber business, supplying ship makers in Portsmouth with lumber for ship making.

The industrial Revolution eventually led Portsmouth and the Seacoast to become less important than neighboring inland cities like Manchester, Nashua, and Keene, but the stagnation meant that the historic character of the Seacoast region was preserved into modern times.

During World War II, because of the importance of Portsmouth's naval yards, the United States bought most of the coastline, closed it to civilians, and transformed it into a military base named Fort Dearborn. In 1961 the state bought the land back from the Federal government, resold some of it, and reopened the rest to visitors and tourists. Remnants of Fort Dearborn can still be seen along the coast.

Climate
The Seacoast region of NH has a typical New England range, with very cold winters and summers that vary from hot to mildly cold. The most important piece of climate advice when traveling anywhere in the New England region is to prepare for any weather. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with rain generally being an all day event, as opposed to short showers. Thunderstorms are rarer then in other parts of the country, but they do occur. The ground is covered with snow usually from late December to March. Snow removal is excellent in the region, with only snowfalls greater than 6 inches (30 cm) affecting commerce and transportation in the area.

Get in
Public transportation to the Seacoast region is the second best in NH, following the Merrimack Valley region. Don't expect it to be nearly as available as public transportation is in more populous regions. Northern New England is an area of the country where almost all residents own cars, reducing the amount of public transportation available.

By plane

 * Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) 1 mile west of downtown Portsmouth, Pease Airport is a low-cost airport with scheduled commercial flights by Allegiant Airlines. The airport is a 24/7 port of entry with full service charter and general aviation amenities.  Long-term parking, rental cars and ground transportation to the Seacoast region area are available.
 * Logan International Airport 45 miles south of the Seacoast in Boston Massachusetts, "Logan" as it's called by locals is the only large airport within reasonable range.  Transportation from the airport to the seacoast region is available by Amtrak Train or Bus.
 * Manchester-Boston Regional Airport  About the same distance from the Seacoast as Logan airport, Manchester is liked by locals for being a smaller airport - thereby avoiding the bustle and congestion at Logan.  There is no public transportation from Manchester-Boston to the Seacoast region, so this airport is only viable if a rental car is planned, or someone is available to drive you.

By rail

 * Amtrak Downeaster, Toll free: +1-800-872-7245. The Downeaster runs from Boston MA up through Exeter, Durham (the UNH campus), and Dover. The train runs back and forth several times a day, with the schedule available on their website.  It's important to buy your tickets in advance if possible, as the train frequently fills in the morning, especially during the workweek.

By bus

 * C&J, Toll free: +1-800-258-7111. C&J provides bus service on air-conditioned coaches between Dover - Portsmouth and Boston on a regular basis. Check their website for pricing and scheduling.

By car
There are three major roads leading towards the Seacoast. Interstate 95 cuts through the area, providing the main road from which to enter from either Maine (traveling south) or Massachusetts (traveling North). Interstate 95 is a toll road. From the West Rt. 101 comes from Keene and Manchester and ends at Hampton, providing easy access to the coast, and since it crosses interstate 95, it's easy to access other seacoast cities like Portsmouth and Dover. Finally, the Spaulding Turnpike provides access between the three main Seacoast cities of Portsmouth, Dover and Rochester, before heading into the Lakes Region. Downtown Portsmouth has a parking garage, and almost all businesses (especially hotels) have available parking, usually free. In the cities metered parking is available on many streets.

By bus
Wildcat Transit, +1 603-862-2328. Wildcat transit is the inter-city bus routes run by the University of New Hampshire. Buses travel from Durham to Dover, Portsmouth, and Newington. The buses are clean, safe, handicapped accessible and usually within 3 minutes of their scheduled times. They cost $1.50 per ride for people not associated with the University. During the summer when school's out the buses run on a much reduced schedule, and don't run during the weekend at all.

Routes:
 * 3a (Dover) — Runs from Durham along Rt. 108 to Dover, then returns to Durham along Rt. 155
 * 3b (Dover) — Runs from Durham along Rt. 155 to Dover, then returns to Durham along Rt. 155 (3b is the 3a route backwards)
 * 4a (Portsmouth) — Runs from Durham to Portsmouth, visits Market Square before Islington St, Returns to Durham
 * 4b (Portsmouth) — Runs from Durham to Portsmouth, visits Islington St before Market Square, Returns to Durham
 * 4AM Express (Portsmouth) Same as routes 4a and 4b, but on return to campus skips Mall stop and Walmart.
 * 5 (Newmarket) Runs between Durham and Newmarket

COAST Bus, +1 603-743-5777. The COAST bus has routes running between and around Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter, and other surrounding towns. The cost is $1.50 for most buses, and $0.50 for the trolley (which connects destinations within Portsmouth.) Check their website for specific routes and schedules.

By bike
While biking around the Seacoast region is growing in popularity, the area has practically no specific bicycle paths. Biking in the cities is easy, as motorists are usually paying attention, and there are plenty of places to lock a bike to while your not riding. (While it is illegal to ride on sidewalks in NH, this law is almost never enforced.) Riding between cities is more dangerous then in cities as many intercity roads in NH are narrow, often with no shoulder. The speed limit in these areas are also often high, up to. If you choose to ride in these areas, don't be surprised to be passed within a few feet by a car going much faster than you. It is important if you choose to ride along these roads that you have excellent bicycle riding skills, and that your bicycle is in good condition. Under no circumstances should children ride along these roads.

Do

 * - in Candia

Eat
Try Country Brook Cafe at 98 Amesbury Road, Kensington (+1 603-777-5111) for small town charm and feel, the right price, and service with a smile.

Drink
The Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire's original brewpub, has been serving great food and outstanding handcrafted beers in a friendly, lively atmosphere since 1991.

Go next
Boston, Massachusetts is just an hour south of the Seacoast region, and Portland, Maine is just over an hour to the north.

title: Seacoast (New Hampshire)


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Seaford

Seaford is a commuter town and coastal resort in East Sussex, with a population in 2021 of 23,865.

Understand
Seaford was a medieval port, attached to the Cinque Port of Hastings, but it silted up and shipping moved to Newhaven. It remained a backwater until the railway arrived in the 19th century, when it became a seaside resort and commuter town for Brighton and London. Those commuters prompted a growth in schools, so a rollcall of the famous were educated here. They include Anthony Blunt the royal art keeper and Soviet spy, actor Nigel Davenport, comedian Dickie Henderson, and actresses Penelope Keith and Margaret Rutherford.

Get in
has trains every 30 min from Brighton via Falmer, Lewes, Newhaven and Bishopstone at the west edge of town. There's a ticket office and machines, toilets and a waiting area. There is step-free access to the single terminus platform.

Coaster Bus 12 / 12X runs every 20 min from Eastbourne, taking 50 min to Seaford and continuing to Newhaven and Brighton (another hour).

A259 is the coast highway between Brighton (13 miles), Seaford and Eastbourne (10 miles).

Seaford doesn't have a port, see Newhaven for ferries from Dieppe.

Get around
Town is small enough to walk around, but you need wheels for the outlying sights, which are not on a bus route.

Taxi operators are Cuckmere Taxis (+44 1323 899214) and Beacon (+44 1323 898888).

See
is an attractive village four miles northeast. Sights include St Andrew's Church, the 15th century hall adjacent, and many 18th / 19th century cottages.

Do

 * Seaford Beach is a long pebble beach to the south of the town centre. There are a couple of cafes and free car parking.
 * Seaford Golf Club is at 111 Firle Rd north edge of town, and Seaford Head GC is at the east edge on Southdown Rd.

Buy

 * Morrisons is the main supermarket, on Dane Rd near the railway station. It's open M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Drink

 * Lots of pubs in town centre.
 * Harley House at 79 Sutton Rd makes gin.

Sleep

Connect
As of Dec 2023, Seaford and its approach highway from Newhaven have 4G from Three, O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from Three. The signal is patchy further east towards Beachy Head and Eastbourne.

Go next

 * Newhaven is a busy Channel port with limited attractions. Continue west to jaunty Brighton.
 * Cuckmere Haven east is a scenic area of the South Downs.
 * Eastbourne is a traditional seaside resort trying to reinvent itself along the lines of Brighton.

title: Seaford


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Seahouses

Seahouses is a small town on the Northumberland coast. It is a key tourist attraction and a working fishing port. This travel guide also covers the village of Bamburgh.

Understand
Seahouses is a coastal village with a population of 1800, which is both a fishing port and a visitor destination.

Bamburgh has a population of 450, and has a long history and was a regional centre in 420AD. It is known for its castle and as the birthplace of Grace Darling famous for a sea rescue in 1838.

Visitor information

 * Seahouses Development Trust

Get in
The main access is by road. The A1 trunk road provides the main access either south from Scotland or north from Newcastle upon Tyne. However to get to Seahouses you need to leave the main A1 and the town is accessed via the B1340.

There is also access by sea as Seahouses is a working fishing port.

By bus
Arriva run buses from Newcastle upon Tyne via Morpeth and Alnwick. They also serve Bamburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Get around
Seahouses is small enough to walk around. However it is not entirely flat and the road down to the harbour is quite steep. If you need a taxi then Hunters taxis are local,.

There are buses between Seahouses and Bamburgh, approximately one every two hours weekday daytime.

See

Do

 * Walk 3.5 miles northwards on the sandy beach leading up to Bamburgh Castle. There are alternative inland routes if you want to return by a different way.
 * The sandy beach is a very popular walk for families, dogs and everyone. Sometimes you will catch brave people trying to surf but throwing a frisbee is a more popular and safe sport here.

Buy
Smoked salmon and kippers are a popular present to buy when you visit Seahouses.

Eat
See the drink and sleep listings for alternatives.
 * Seahouses offers plenty of food restaurants and even more food stalls.
 * The Hut north edge of Bamburgh is a popular beach cafe open Tu-Su 9AM-4PM.

Drink

Sleep
Seahouses is very popular with tourists and many of the houses are second homes. There is a thriving market for self-catering in Seahouses and of course there are also hotels.

Connect
As of July 2021, Seahouses has 4G from Three and Vodafone, but no signal from EE or O2.

Go next

 * Farne Islands
 * Lindisfarne
 * Inland to Ford and Etal, Kirk Yetholm and the Cheviot Hills
 * North to Berwick-upon-Tweed
 * South to Alnwick and Alnmouth

title: Seahouses


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Sea Isle City

Sea isle is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey. Located at Exit 17 on the Garden State Parkway.

Get in
To get to Sea Isle is very easy and probably most sensible to go by car. If you don't have access to a car there is public transportation available to get you there.

By car- Your best bet is to take the Atlantic City Expressway. When in route on the AC Expressway you want to get off at exit 7S on the Garden State Parkway and follow that to exit 17 which is Sea Isle City.

By Train/Bus- New Jersey Transit offers transportation to and from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. All trains depart from the 30th Street Station. When in Atlantic City Train Station you must catch the 319 bus which stops in Sea Isle City. The train ticket is $8 and the bus ticket is $4. For more information regarding schedules visit

NJ Transit bus service to Sea Isle City has been suspended "due to continued weight restrictions on the Townsend Inlet Bridge (between Sea Isle City and Avalon) and seasonal traffic circulation issues within Sea Isle City that prevent continuation of this service.".

Get around
You are allowed to bike and roller skate on the Promenade from 5AM to 3PM on weekdays, and 5AM to Noon on weekends.

Or you can visit Surf Buggy Centers located on Pleasure Ave to rent a bike.

There are also rental agencies which sell motor scooters in order to get around the island. One such place is listed below under "rentals"

Public Transportation

Also the newly added trolley service runs from until 1PM on weekdays and until 3PM on weekends. This new service takes away from the limited amount of parking the island. The trolley runs up and down the main street of Sea Isle City which is Landis Ave. every 20 minutes. This will also decrease the amount of drinking and driving incidents with the trolley accommodating to all of the bars. The fair is only 2 dollars and you can catch the trolley by waving it down like a cab.

On Foot

The entire Island is about 5 miles long so walking the beaches is one way to get around. Also you can stroll the Promenade to observe the shops that Sea Isle has to offer.

The island is 5 miles long, but thin. It is entirely possible to park your car when you arrive, and not move it until you leave a week or a month later. Walking from place to place at any time of day is safe, as there are fewer people here than other beach towns and police regularly patrol the main and side streets.

See
The Sea Isle City Historical Museum is a good place to visit to learn about the rich heritage of Sea Isle City and the families that have made it what it is. There is no admission to visit here.

Beachcombing These are guided tours along the beach which allow you to search the beach for sea shells and other pieces of wildlife. You also learn how to do your part in preserving the environment of the beach. These tours are only one dollar for adults. All tours last approximately one hour.

Do
Kayak in the ocean or in the bay. You can bring your own kayak and go around your self in the bay, or join a tour. They are free. If you don't have your own kayak, you can rent one from one of many rental shops. Ocean kayaking is restricted to specific beaches.

Surf fishing can be enjoyed on specific beaches or from the piers. A fishing hot-spot at the tide change is under the bridge at Townsends Inlet at the south end of the island. You can also rent equipment to go crabbing. The people at the bait shops will be happy to inform you of what's biting where and the best bait to use.

Enjoy walks on Sea Isle's Beautiful Promenade. And is home to a lot of Sea Isle's local shops. Evenings in the summer are punctuated by music shows, movies, and dances that are fun and appropriate for the whole family, from babies to oldies.

 * JFK Basketball Courts-If you need exercise during your lazy relaxing vacation, located at JFK boulevard is the main basketball courts on the island. There are several courts but these are the largest and most popular. There are one regulation length full length court and two smaller full length ones. After exhausting yourself, cool down with some water ice or ice cream right across the street at Rita's.

Dealy Field has much to offer any enthusiast of sports. There is a baseball and soccer field. There is a giant playground for kids. They also have tennis and basketball courts and a street hockey rink. Last but not least is the fully equipped skateboard park. At each field or court there are games or tournaments that are open to any and all participants. The Skateboard Park has about 5 competitions per year and is still growing.

Sea Isle also is the proud host of the annual Oakley-Heritage Surf and Sport Pro Jr. Surf Competition  in August. This competition brings in surfers from all over the country both young and old alike to take part in this competition.

Events- Year round Sea Isle has many events and festivals for locals and tourists to enjoy. In the fall Sea Isle had their first annual Harborfest which was a great success which included seafood vendors, a beer garden, a clam eating contest, craft vendors, and a petting zoo for kids. In the February Sea Isle has their annual Polar Bear Plunge. This event attracts around 10,000 people. The event tests the fortitude of people who voluntarily take a dip in the extremely cold temperatures of the ocean. Many dress in festive outfits or compete in the costume competition the city holds. Then they party it up at the local bars to try and warm up.

Buy
Heritage Surf and Sport - Premier surfing, and clothing apparel. From clothing, shades, swimwear to custom surf and snow boards. Heritage has it all. There are 3 other Heritage Surf Shops located in neighboring shore towns of Ocean City and Margate. They also offer surf lessons by Professional surfers at discounted group rates.

The Promenade - Stores vary in range to suit any shopper. The Promenade is right by the beach and stretches from 57th street to 29th. There are specialty shops, clothing stores, jewelry stores, candy shops, arcades, and many food outlets. There is most certainly something for everyone on the Promenade in Sea Isle.

Eat
Sea Isle City has restaurants that satisfy any and every palette. Whether you are looking for something fast and cheap or a little more upscale you can find anything that you want here on the island. There are many restaurants that are full service and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Below is a sample of some of the restaurants Sea Isle has to offer.

Breakfast/Lunch
 * Rick's Breakfast- Located at 63rd and Landis Ave. Rick's offers your basic breakfast favorites that are in a somewhat diner setting. Their lunch menu is extremely affordable with specials from burgers to pizza.
 * Vince's - Vince's is in the heart of Sea Isle at JFK Boulevard. They cater to a wide variety of breakfast options and offer a unique selction of breakfast specials. You can also enjoy your breakfast or lunch with a great view of the ocean on their rooftop. For lunch Vince's offers a wide variety of soul food to local gourmet food with their residnet Chef Jim. For reservations call (609)263-4567.

Sandwiches
 * Welshies- Welshies is a shore classic. They have the best wings in the city. Their famous Barnyard and Sidewinder sandwiches are a great way to cap off a good night at the local bars. This is probably the most popular sandwich spot on the island, as it has been for over 20 years. They are located at 42nd and Landis Ave. and call ahead for pick-up (609)263-7455.
 * Mcgowans- offers a great selection of breakfast and or lunch sandwiches which are absolutely amazing. Their choices are seemingly endless but the only bad thing is that they usually close up shop once they sell out of rolls which can be as early as 3PM
 * WaWaIf you do not wish to pay a tip and eat out at a restaurant, WaWa is the place to go. They have a variety of drink choices, snacks, chips hot and cold hoagies as well as many other hot foods. They also have various tobacco products.

Ice Cream 1. Scoop Daddy's Ice Cream- Scoop Daddy's is located at 3210 Landis Avenue. They provide a huge selection of flavors of ice cream at good prices with exceptionally friendly service. They can be contacted at (609) 263-3141. Dinner
 * Andrea Trattoria II- The Andrea is a new restaurant in Sea Isle City only being in business for about 2 years. They specialize in Italian Cuisine, and so far have a very good reputation for the food they put out. For reservations call (609)263-5001. Their location is right next to Mike's on Park Rd.
 * Basilico's- Basilico's also offers great Italian Cuisine and fantastic pizza. They also cater to any request a customer has to customize their own dish. They are located right on 43rd and Pleasure Ave.
 * Sunset Pier- The name of this restaurant is exactly what you get. Sunset Pier is ideal for a good dinner with a great view of sunsets by the bay. The only downfall is the size of the restaurant because it is very small but very affordable.
 * Uncle OogiesLocated less than two blocks from the beach at 6118 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ, Uncle Oogies offers various delicious sandwiches but is most well known for their pizza. By the slice or by the pie, Oogies pizza is absolutely satisfactory. right next door is an arcade which is a great place for parents to bring their kids any day of the week for some good family fun.
 * Uncle OogiesLocated less than two blocks from the beach at 6118 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ, Uncle Oogies offers various delicious sandwiches but is most well known for their pizza. By the slice or by the pie, Oogies pizza is absolutely satisfactory. right next door is an arcade which is a great place for parents to bring their kids any day of the week for some good family fun.

Drink
Sea Isle is known for their fun and exciting night life. The bars offer live music and great drink specials every night of the week. They can cater to young and old bar goers alike,

 * Diamond's Liquor Store- If you are planning to drink at a house rather than at a bar, Diamond's is available for beer, Gift Baskets, Imports, Kegs, Liquor,Wine. It is open all year and has been in business since 1934. Contact-4009 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ..(609) 263-8411
 * The Oar House    Formally the Lobster House, is now owned by the owner of the old La Costa  Food is so so, live bands  in the summer. Is open year round.  Located at JFK Blvd and Park Ave at Fish Alley.
 * The Springfield- Now Demolished, a new club and restaurant to be located-under new condos. Outdoor Carousel bar is still there.
 * Braca's Cafe- This is more of a restaurant than a bar, but is the home of the 302, a baybreeze with a powerful punch. If you drink any more than one you probably won't remember the night. They are located at JFK Boulevard right by the Promenade.
 * Kixx Lounge- Kixx is the local watering hole for the locals. Its also the only bar on the island that has a Kareoke night. They are located on 63rd and Landis Ave. and are open 365 days a year.
 * Braca's Cafe- This is more of a restaurant than a bar, but is the home of the 302, a baybreeze with a powerful punch. If you drink any more than one you probably won't remember the night. They are located at JFK Boulevard right by the Promenade.
 * Kixx Lounge- Kixx is the local watering hole for the locals. Its also the only bar on the island that has a Kareoke night. They are located on 63rd and Landis Ave. and are open 365 days a year.

Sleep
The most popular form of places to stay in Sea Isle lie in the houses on every street of the island. Many real estate companies as well as personal owners rent out the houses to the first in line. They can cost what you are willing to pay. If you don't want a whole house because you aren't staying that long or don't have big family, there are a few motels on and around the island.

 * La Costa Motel- This motel is connected to the Beach Bar complex. It is at the end of JFK Blvd at Landis Ave. It is presently being upgraded by new owners. One good thing is that it's a block away from the beach and from the promenade. But if your there during a summer holiday look to pay something like $300 per night. Check out their website for any other offers.
 * The Sea Isle Inn- This motel is a lot better than Lacosta's and much cheaper. It even has a pool and is also a block away from the beach. It is located at 63rd and Pleasure Ave and has easy access to the supermarket and arcades. Check out their website for summer and winter rates.
 * The Colonnade- This is the only hotel on the Island. It is a Victorian style building and offers a maid service and a continental breakfast ever morning. To check out rates please go to their website.

title: Sea Isle City


text:
Sea Lion Island

Sea Lion Island is the southernmost inhabited island in the Falkland Islands, approximately south of mainland East Falkland. The island has a total area of 2236 acres, and is in length.

Get in
Most visitors arrive to the island using the government air service. The landing strip is dirt but well-maintained, and the old grass strip is still maintained in case of unfavourable winds.

Flying is the most reliable way to the island. Due to rough seas, cruise ship landings (and supply ship visits) are a "hit and miss" proposition.

See

The big attraction of this island is the wildlife. Elephant seals are at their height from September until November, with 540 breeding females having come ashore during the 2003/2004 season. Sea lions breed on the island later in the year, and gentoo penguins, imperial cormorants, rockhopper penguins, magellanic penguins, striated caracaras, and numerous small birds are found throughout the season. Orcas can often be seen offshore, and king penguins may occasionally be found resting ashore.

 * Rockhopper Point - A three-mile hike to the west of the lodge on the southern side of the island, Rockhopper point is the home to nearly 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins and a colony of king cormorants. Rock cormorant nest in an impressive natural arch nearby.  A memorial to the HMS Sheffield, which sank offshore during the 1982 conflict, is also located here.
 * West End - The far western side of the island is approximately from the lodge.  Small birds and the occasional black-crowned night heron can be found around Beaver Pond, which was named for the Beaver planes that once landed here, and not for the more common North American rodent.  The shore is home to several species of gulls, and magellanic penguins are found in large numbers in the grassy areas.
 * East End - Less than a kilometre east of the lodge is the main breeding area for more than five thousand gentoo penguins. Further east, a fine white-sand beach and lagoon is the breeding ground of over five hundred female elephant seals.  At the far end of the island giant petrels can be found nesting, although due to the skittish nature of these birds viewing is done only from a specially constructed hide.

Do

 * Landrover Tour - An introductory tour of the island by Landrover is available at £20 per person. A one-way drop off at Rockhopper point is £5 per person (prices quoted as of November 2004).
 * Wildlife Viewing - Nearly all visitors to the island come for the wildlife. Hiking can be done by following the landrover trails or cross-country.
 * Golf - Although the "golf course" is little more than three or four flags stuck in the lawn around the lodge, it is possible to hit a few shots. Be on the lookout for caracaras who frequently steal golf balls.

Buy
The lodge offers post cards, phone cards, and various souvenirs for sale.

Eat

 * The lodge provides full board, and the quality of meals is excellent.
 * For those who prefer not to return for lunch, packed meals are also available (an added bonus to eating outdoors is the likelihood of dining along side the scavenger birds, caracaras.)

Drink
The lodge has a fully stocked honour bar.

Connect
A phone is available for visitor usage, but a Cable & Wireless phone card is required. As of November 2004 a computer was being set up to provide internet access, also requiring a Cable & Wireless card.

Go next

 * Carcass Island
 * Goose Green
 * New Island
 * Pebble Island
 * Port Howard
 * Saunders Island
 * Stanley
 * West Point Island

title: Sea Lion Island


text:
Sea of Galilee region

The Sea of Galilee (Hebrew: Yam Kinneret) is the largest freshwater lake of Israel.

Cities

 * – Largest city in the region and convenient starting point for trips to the Sea of Galilee and the Golan heights, with its various archaeological remains.

Understand
The Sea of Galilee is a picturesque lake located in the east of the Galilee region (the Golan Heights are on the other side of the lake). The area is best known for its Gospel associations with the life and ministry of Jesus. As such, it forms a natural destination for pilgrimage among all varieties of Christians. Its beaches are also a prime recreational spot for Israelis and foreigners alike.

Get in
The Sea of Galilee region is mainly served through Tiberias by buses from most of the nearby Israeli cities like Afula, Nazareth, Karmiel, Nahariyya, Akko and Haifa, as well as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Get around
Virtually all buses in this region pass through Tiberias.

See
The following sites are listed roughly from north to south.
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Do
The Sea of Galilee is an interesting destination for water activities - leisure cruises, Christian holy site cruises, water sports, kayaking, SUP (standup paddleboarding), and more. Companies offering these attractions include Ein Gev Kinneret Sailing Company, Sail on the Sea of Galilee, and Halom Olami.

Eat
A regional delicacy is the so called St. Peter's fish. The fish lives in the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan river. It is also offered down the Jordan river very often. It is bony but very delicious.

Sleep
Tiberias has many accommodation options listed.

Go next
See also Tiberias for convenient destinations out of the Sea of Galilee region (by bus).

 * Golan Heights (northeast) – A flat plateau made out of volcanic basalt, with streams cutting through the plateau, forming deep valleys and occasional waterfalls. Looks and feels very different from the rest of Israel.
 * Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee (west) – Valleys and high mountains including the famous Nazareth.
 * Jezreel Valley and Beth Shean Valley (southwest) – Famous for Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) National Park and Mount Gilboa overlooking it.

title: Sea of Galilee region


text:
Sea Ranch

Sea Ranch is a planned unincorporated community in Sonoma County, in the North Coast region of California.

Understand
Sea Ranch has a population of about 750, of which about 300 are permanent residents. Landscaping in Sea Ranch is regulated by a design manual which prohibits perimeter fences and limits non-indigenous plants to screened courtyards. A herd of sheep is used to keep grass cut low to the ground to reduce the threat of fire during the summer months.

Get in
Sea Ranch is located on the Pacific Ocean. The typical way to reach it is by car. From the south, the most scenic route is north on Highway 1, from Jenner or further south in Sonoma County or Marin County. However, the frequent turns can be tough on car passengers. An alternative is to take Highway 101 to Healdsburg, then Stewart Point - Skaggs Springs Road to Stewarts Point, about 10 miles south of Sea Ranch on Highway 1. California_State_Route_1 U.S._Route_101 The public transit alternative is Mendocino Transit route 95, one end of which is at the Sonoma County Airport.

Get around
A car is not absolutely essential, but many area attractions are not reachable by foot, and the Route 95 bus on Highway 1 runs extremely infrequently. Bikes are popular for side trips and on nearby trails.

See
One major attraction is the Pacific Ocean. Sea Ranch is a developed community that features a designed sea-side landscape, many beaches and marine and shore wildlife. The trails are restricted to guests and residents although there is extensive public access to the beaches. The development offers a complete trail system for residents and guests, suitable for bikes and horses, which mostly stays along the ocean ridge and includes access to several public beaches. Along the paths, one can see a wide variety of wildflowers, grasses and trees as well as roaming deer, other animals, birds and a protected seal habitat. A striking ocean landscape can be seen from almost everywhere.

The development's residential architecture itself is of interest as it includes many examples of mid-to-late 20th century modern design intended to integrate with the land. The Sea Ranch lodge features notable architecture, and not only has food (see below), but also common areas open to the public.

Do

 * Drive US 1, watch out for bikes and farm vehicles and driving off a cliff, but otherwise live the American dream.

 * Explore the public beaches (use the marked trails, from parking lots). Hike the Sea Ranch grounds (if a guest). Look for wildlife, including passing whales.
 * Check out the offerings of the Sea Ranch Lodge: art lectures, wine tastings, jazz nights, nature walks, private yoga classes, star gazing, cocktail classes, golf activities, and more.

 * Visit the nearby state parks and reserves.
 * Soda Springs Reserve regional park is 11 miles east of Sea Ranch. The park, with its huge redwoods, has relatively few visitors, and is great for shady summer walks.
 * Salt Point State Park, about a 30 minute drive south of Sea Ranch, has more than 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

 * Explore the towns of Gualala, just to the north, and Anchor Bay.

 * Golf the Sea Ranch links to the north of the development (open to the public). Have a meal at the lodge or poke around its little boutique.

Eat

 * The Sea Ranch Lodge, which reopened October 1, 2021, includes a general store, restaurant, cafe, and a friendly bar (with a happy hour with a good selection of wines by the glass) and a fireplace room to which one can repair with drink on a blustery day. The restaurant's menu leans to local ingredients prepared in a fairly-formal style.  Evening diners have a view of the setting sun over the undeveloped grounds and bluff. (Restaurant and bar/lounge open 5-9 p.m., Thursday-Monday; cafe open 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.)
 * The town of Gualala, just to the north, has two grocery stores and a number of places to eat.
 * Stewarts Point Store, about a 15 minutes drive south of Sea Ranch, is a lively general store and community hub, with an excellent bakery.

Drink
This is not the heart of wine country but local labels can be found from the grocery store to the fine restaurant.

Sleep

 * Many of the houses and condos in the Sea Ranch development are available for rental. The architecture and the development ranges from those basic properties developed early (often very private with fully-developed landscapes) to newer properties with actual lawns. Nearby communities offer small motels, inns and there is quite a bit of camping at parks and private campsites. Rentals start at around $300 per night (higher during peak seasons) and often require a minimum of two days or more.

 * See also the listings for Gualala, which is only 5 miles to the north.

Stay safe
The primary danger in this area seems to be hitting a deer with one's car or being run over by a car if on foot or bike. Also, be careful if near the ocean or on a ridge top. "Don't turn your back on the ocean" is the Sea Ranch motto, although walking backwards can be dangerous too.

Go next
The nearby towns to the north - Gualala and Anchor Bay - offer galleries and restaurants to explore. Two grocery stores in Gualala and a little organic shop in Anchor Bay can supply basics or carryout for picnics. "Barbequed oysters" are advertised up the north coast. As explained at Bones (a "biker friendly" bar that is simply friendly), along US 1 in Gualala, this means "cooked on a grill" and served with a vinegar dipping sauce. They are also generally very, very fresh.

Point Arena is about 40 miles north.

title: Sea Ranch


text:
Searcy

Searcy is in the Central region of Arkansas.

title: Searcy


text:
Searsport

Searsport is a city in Maine.

title: Searsport


text:
Seaside

There is more than one place called Seaside:

United States of America

 * Seaside (California) - A town on the Monterey Bay in the state of California.
 * Seaside (Florida) - A town in the state of Florida.
 * Seaside (Oregon) - A town on the Oregon Coast in the state of Oregon.
 * Seaside Heights - A town on the Jersey Shore in the state of New Jersey.

title: Seaside


text:
Seaside (California)

Seaside is a city in Monterey County in the Central Coast region of California. It is on the coast of the Monterey Bay, just north of the city of Monterey. Formerly the site of the Fort Ord military base, Seaside now has a PGA Tour-hosting golf course and the California State University of Monterey Bay. It is a good home base from which to see all the towns on Monterey Bay.

Sand City, a three-square-mile town with a population of around 300, is surrounded by Seaside on three sides. A former sand manufacturing area, it has become an artist's colony, and its industrial buildings now house an array of galleries.

Get in
Most visitors get to Seaside by driving. It is located directly on coastal Route 1. Visitors coming from Route 101 South can take Route 68 west to Route 1 North; visitors coming from Route 101 North can take Route 156 west toward the Monterey Peninsula. Route 156 merges with Route 1 South and leads directly to Seaside.

Visitors can also take Amtrak's Coast Starlight to Salinas, and then take Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Route 20 to the Edgewater Transit Exchange, at the Edgewater Shopping Plaza in Sand City, across the street from Seaside.

Get around
Seaside is a small town and can easily be seen on foot. Many people use bicycles to get around and they can be rented from vendors near the beach in Monterey. For car drivers, traffic jams are rare, and parking spots are plentiful.

Bus service from Monterey-Salinas Transit gives access to Seaside and nearby towns, such as Monterey and Pacific Grove.

See
Seaside Beach and Sand City beach are great places to watch the sun set.

Do
Seaside Beach is a popular spot for kite-flying, while Sand City beach is known for its parasailers.

Go next
Nearby cities include Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel. Big Sur is about 45 minutes south on Route 1.

 * - Neighboring Seaside to the southwest, Monterey was founded in 1770 and served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico, was a bustling fishing port until the 1950s, and is now a major tourist destination. Attractions include a pier filled with seafood restaurants, a world-class aquarium, a harbor that is home to an enormous number of seabirds, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and other marine life, the historic Cannery Row, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, or other excursions into Monterey Bay.
 * - Pacific Grove is a beautiful town that is home to the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the West Coast, and more Victorian homes per capita than anywhere else in America. It is also the northern gateway of the scenic 17-Mile Drive. The town's rocky coastline is filled with tide pools that are easy to explore, seals, sea otters and sea lions are commonly seen in the waters, and adding to its bounty of natural riches, in the winter thousands of monarch butterflies gather in a grove at the town's center.
 * - Located seven miles to the north, Marina is a small city that offers a handful of hotels and restaurants, but may be more interesting to travelers for the nature opportunities around the town. The Marina Dunes Natural Preserve protects the largest sand dunes on the Central Coast, while the Fort Ord National Monument offers 15,000 acres of countryside and 86 miles of hiking trails on a former army base that was declared a national monument in 2012.
 * - Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-Mile Drive and its dramatic ocean views.

title: Seaside (California)


text:
Seaside (Oregon)

Seaside is a city on the Northern Oregon Coast. Seaside is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Oregon Coast, helped largely by easy access from Portland.

Understand
Go to New York, take the Coney Island amusement park (minus the amusement park rides and midway), lift it up, and drop on the Oregon Coast. If you can imagine this, you've got a good idea of the look and feel of Seaside. It has all the trappings of a beach town: cotton candy, salt water taffy, and souvenir shops galore. This is a great place for kids and kids-at-heart.

By car
Seaside is on U.S. Highway 101, which runs along the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles to Olympia, Washington. The best way to get to Seaside from Portland is to take U.S. Highway 26 from downtown Portland and follow it approximately 80 miles to its intersection with U.S. 101 just south of Seaside.

By bus
The Amtrak Thruway bus provides service between Seaside and Portland twice daily in each direction. The bus leaves twice each day from the Portland Greyhound station, and picking up at Portland Union Station and Sunset Transit Center in Beaverton. Busses leave from Portland-Greyhound at 9:15AM and 6:10PM, and depart each day from the Youth Hostel (930 N Holiday Drive) at 9:03AM and 6:35PM. The trip lasts between 2½ and 3 hours. Fares are $18.00 one way with cheaper fares for children (12 and under) and seniors (62 and over). Tickets can be booked through Amtrak online or by calling.

By plane
Portland International Airport, is the nearest airport to Seaside with scheduled service.

By car
In Seaside's compact downtown area, it's easiest to park and walk. There`s usually ample free parking in the Convention Center lot (1st and Columbia), a block from Broadway and the Prom. No overnight parking, and RVs may be restricted during busy months. For a quieter stretch of beach, try the free lot at 12th Ave., at the north end of the Prom.

Eat
The main street Broadway offers a variety of dining choices. Doogers offers a fresh selection of seafood, steaks and chowder in a family atmosphere. McKeown's offers a variety of dishes ranging from gumbo like stews, pastas, steaks and seafood. Their Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch is also popular.

Cope
Public restrooms are available under the Turnaround, at Quatat Park by the Convention Center (493 Oceanway), and at the Seaside Cove area in South Seaside (Sunset Blvd.)

Go next

 * Cannon Beach, 9 miles to the south, has many art galleries and Haystack Rock.
 * Astoria, 17 miles north, has the famous Astoria Column viewpoint overlooking the Columbia River and several museums. It`s also become known as a trendier town on the coast, with several microbreweries and industrial buildings re-purposed as restaurants and hotels.
 * At the far north end of the Oregon Coast,Warrenton has historic World War II fortifications and the wreckage of the Peter Iredale still visible on a beach.

title: Seaside (Oregon)