This fully updated global guide to the world's top dive sites is an inspirational reference source for divers who wish to experience, personally or vicariously, the best diving the planet has to offer. Written by the experienced dive authors of New Holland's award-winning dive guides, the book is based on first-hand experience. Conservation is an important theme and the text is sensitive to conservation projects and issues.In addition to comprehensive mapping, the book features carefully selected superb quality underwater photography showing famous wrecks, a wide range of marine habitats and a huge diversity of species ranging from whale sharks to coral.Coverage starts with the Atlantic, from the west coast of north America, and proceeds west to east and north to south. Structured by oceans and seas, each section starts with a general overview of diving-related features and conditions. A large scale map shows the basic ocean topography and locates the featured dive regions to follow.Regional maps feature specific dive sites to help divers select and locate the type of diving experience they are looking for. Icons identify wreck dives, dive centres and emergency facilities with decompression chambers. These maps are cross-referenced with site text entries describing diving each site, highlighting special features and profiling dive conditions. For those inspired to travel to any of the featured sites or regions, there is an appendix with lists of travel and dive information, climate, best time to go, contacts, dive operators and emergency facilities.