Dive in Style

Tim sigmond introduces the reader to the best of diving, with beach resorts and spas that are truly world class! What this book does best is help to plan a vacation for a discerning family of both divers and non-divers that want only the best, in and out of the water...and are willing to pay for it. Having been to a few locations, Tims reviews are factual, the photographs true to form and the dive facilities well detailed. All in, "Dive in Stlye" is one of the best books in its class. My only suggestion to Tim... Can you do a "Safari in Stlye" next?!!

This is what I've been looking for -- satisfies my love of diving/snorkeling with my husband's sense of style AND tells me which resorts my son (age 7) is welcome at! :) We LOVE to look through & dream about visiting all these amazing resorts --my son said, after looking through the book for the first time, "This is like a book about Heaven!" ;) That says it all!

The photos are beautiful. We have been to 2 of the resorts and the reviews are pretty accurate. It will be useful for planning future trips.

Fantastic guidebook for those of us who don't mind paying a little extra for service and comfort. Unlike other books that concentrate on single or regional locations, Tim Simond has spent 2 years seeking out not only the best dive sites, but the best lodging and operators at those locations. Forget about trying to decide where to go on your next dive trip, just randomly open the book, and go!!! Tim has done all of the hard work for you. Painstakingly researched and beautifully photographed, Tim has gone out of his way to present the information on each location in such a way that you feel you are sitting down after a day's diving, and talking about previous trips over cocktails! It is filled with small details, because he has been to each location. Buy the book, and you don't have to think about where to go for your next 25 dives vacations.

In the introduction, Simond stresses that Dive in Style is not a book about dedicated "dive hotels." Rather, it's a book about "wonderful resorts" for families...that cater to divers as well as tennis players, hikers, beach-lovers, etc. That said, however, each of the resorts Simond visits has a dedicated dive shop either on the premises or adjacent to the property. Moreover, four of the destinations he details are liveaboards. Ultimately, despite his protests, it's a book about destinations that may not cater exclusively to divers, but who consider divers among their top priorities. Each of the destinations Simond profiles is divided into four sections. First, he briefly describes the Destination in a general sense ("...the Great Barrier Reef is home to an incredible diversity of marine life"). Second, he describes the Hotel in a fair level of detail, spotlighting its architectural design; discussing the layout of the property; mentioning the kinds of food and activities a visitor might expect; and providing several large, high-quality images of the resort. Third, Simond talks about the Dive Center that caters to the resort and mentions the highs ("They are highly conscious of safety") and the lows ("it's a shame that no courses are offered at such a flawless dive operation"). Fourth, he lovingly details the Diving; carefully describes several of the local must-dives; painstakingly outlines the kind of marine life you're likely to see; and clearly indicates the level of experience you should have to truly enjoy the destination. Then, it's on to the next destination...even before you're ready to leave. There are a couple of things I really like about this book: 1.) It discusses diving from the perspective of a seasoned diver who really knows what appeals to divers. Simond provides plenty of dive-oriented information: How does the dive center run its dives? What kinds of fish are you going to encounter? What are the boats like? When is the best time to visit? 2.) The photos in the book are absolutely, unequivocally top-notch. I found myself staring at the pictures and muttering, "Ooh, that's pretty...". Moreover, there are none of those models-posing-as-they-stroll-along-the-beach shots. 3.) Although there are plenty of gorgeous pictures in the book, I think they look as though anybody could see that very same image in real life. 4.) Simond has really done his research. He writes that he whittled the finalists down from a list of 125 candidates, and that the final choices were "based on merit only, and none of them paid to be included." Moreover, he includes tips about which rooms are the best; when is the best time of day to hit particular dive spots; and mentions some of the local marine life by name. The resorts are from all over the world -- from Mozambique to Florida to Sardinia to Thailand. All in all, this is an awesome book that I think will motivate existing divers to consider some different dive destinations in the future. Mor