The first book to combine lifestyle inspiration with a practical guide to the fast-expanding universe of scuba diving. With millions of practitioners worldwide, scuba diving has changed radically in recent years: once perceived as an extreme sport practiced by a small group of enthusiasts, it has emerged as a leisure activity with mass appeal. Spanning the globe from Australia to Zanzibar, the Mediterranean to the Maldives, this book's twenty-six destinations—including four luxury dive boats—offer something for everyone, pairing each region's most spectacular dive sites with the ultimate places to stay. Step aboard the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II in the Caribbean to swim with humpback whales and their newborn calves, or simply watch their tails slap from the comfort of the boat's outdoor hot tub. Float over an endless carpet of coral on the Great Barrier Reef, or take a private picnic to one of Lizard Island's pristine white-sand beaches. Backward-roll into a scene of circling sharks straight out of a James Bond movie at Muri Muri, or play it safe and soak up the breathtaking beauty of Bora Bora. • Dazzling color photographs showcase the marine life particular to each locale • Lively and informative texts describe the accommodations, dive center, and diving conditions at each destination • "At a glance" features give an instant overview of practical information for divers • 743 color illustrations.