http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19272
At just eight to ten metres’ depth, we swam with the resident turtles and hovered over rays, cuttlefish and octopus, in sheltered bay El Puertito, where the team has been working to restore the ecosystem. Close to the south’s plush resorts, but a million miles away in every other sense, this is a really special experience, thanks to the firm’s enthusiastic boss and his team.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18674
The town is growing quickly and is becoming more and more popular from year to year. A lot of building work is also going on in the town and it is becoming a popular area for people looking for property investments. I'd recommend visiting.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18674 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18284
The capital of the island is Pothia, worth seeing are the villages of Vathy, Masouri and the small island of Telendos. You can get there by ferry from Piraeus or by plane via Kos or Rhodes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18284 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18166
This place really is a paradise on earth for marine life, and you get a great restaurant too. There are also chalets for sleeping over as it is quite a way from Jeddah city centre on the north road, past the airport, then third exit at the famous camel roundabout. This road hugs the coastline with palaces on your left and desert on your right, although by now it is probably built-up. This place with Marlon and friends made life liveable for three years of my life. Say hello to Marlon.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18166 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17797
The atmosphere is friendly and the managers always managed to fulfil my requirements. I had a great time and superb dives. They have the only diving centre in the area.

I was surprised at the things I was able to do in Kilwa in one week - diving, visiting the Kilwa Ruins, see hippos a short boat ride from the lodge.

I flew in from Dar es Salaam, it was about one hour's flight and drove back to Dar es Salaam, four hours trip on a good road going through beautiful scenery and small traditional villages. It could have been possible to stop at the Selus Game Reserve on the way, but I left it for next time. Overall a wonderful experience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17797 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17607
I'd recommend it for those on a budget as the snorkelling rivals any organised trip on the Great Barrier Reef and can be done to your own schedule.

Stay at the nearby campsite for a few days and you can venture out on to the reef as many times as you like and see reef sharks, turtles, trumpet fish, octopuses, you name it. It's also handy if you fancy doing a diving course without being out at sea for days, or if you want to take in a leisurely glass-bottom boat tour. It's best to visit outside of the school holidays.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16927 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16927 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16497
Two months ago, I had two friends who came here for diving and they were surprised with the beauty of the waters. They said it was incredible and amazing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16497 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16249 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16249 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14610 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14610 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13844 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13844 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13580
About a 45 minute drive from Exmouth around the top of the cape and back down the other side, these beaches offer fantastically clear water, beautiful sand, an isolated setting and snorkeling over a reef that you can easily swim to from the shore.

In Drift Bay, walk to the 'left' when you come onto the beach, swim out, and then let the current carry you over the top of the reef for a few hundred metres, where it will drop you at a small headland that pokes out into the bay. It's not as dangerous as it sounds, and can be done without the need for flippers, or any swimming at all, just float and let yourself be carried along.

There is a huge variety of underwater activity, with turtles, wrasse, angel fish, butterfly fish and even leopard sharks amongst the hundreds of fish doing their thing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13270 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13270 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12940
I dived with BSAC (the British Sub Aqua Club) after being recommended by a friend who told me that I could join BSAC no matter where or who I had originally trained with. After a few weekends in my local swimming pool refreshing my skills I finally was able two join my local BSAC branch who just happened to be planning their trip down to Plymouth a few weeks later.

The dive was great and it was such an enjoyable experience to spend a day with a group of active, adventurous people all around my own age and all on hand to support me with my dive.

Once in the sea the sunken Scylla was breathtaking. Although originally an artificial reef there is now an abundance of colourful, lively marine life at this site and I could have been entertained for hours. There was perfect visibility and I was able to spot sea urchins, reefs, corals, crabs and much much more. I’m not sure of all the correct names but it was definitely a bright and interesting show that was easily on par with the few dives I have done abroad in the past.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12940 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12173
Also a great side trip if in Manila is Anilao, in Batanges, Philippines. The resorts leave much to be desired, but the diving is phenomenal (think backpacker diving, go for the underwater sights, and hope the food at the resort is edible afterward, or be smart and pack a picnic), the diving is worth it though.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12173 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11348
From Amelia (age 11).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11024
Kata is ok, Patong is just awful - I couldn't find a single redeeming feature. Other parts of Phuket are doubtless interesting, but not the beaches in the south.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11024