seas & oceans
Britain’s last remaining wild places
In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around 13% forest cover, making it one of Europe’s least densely forested countries. The post Britain’s last remaining wild places appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska | Atlas & Boots
The word 'epic' does not do Alaska justice. The state is home to North America's largest mammals, national parks the size of countries and glaciers bigger than some US states. It is the least densely populated state in the USA; has 17 of North America’s highest mountains, 100 volcanoes, 3,000 rivers and over three million lakes. The post 11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Best views in Cornwall: 12 Instagrammable spots | Atlas & Boots
It’s easy to see why Cornwall is one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations. The historic county has over 300 miles of jaw-dropping coastline boasting rugged cliffs and golden beaches, quaint fishing villages and bustling ports while inland, dramatic moors and ancient forests are waiting to be roamed. The post Best views in Cornwall: 12 Instagrammable spots appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to pass the PADI Open Water Diver course | Atlas & Boots
In theory, an expert diver should be writing this post. Logically, he or she could tell you what to expect, give you insider tips and prepare you for the challenge ahead. That said, I have one distinct advantage over the experts: I know just how hard it is for nervous first-timers. The post How to pass the PADI Open Water Diver course appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Snorkelling Baros Reef in the Maldives | Atlas & Boots
The private island of Baros in the North Male atoll of the Maldives is one of our favourite places on Earth. We first visited in 2012 on a press trip with flights, accommodation and all excursions included. The post Snorkelling Baros Reef in the Maldives appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
8 best day trips from Panama City, Panama
Situated on a small peninsula on the Pacific Coast, Panama City is Central America's most attractive and cosmopolitan capital. The city has an impressive skyline replete with sleek skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls, a charming old town in the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo and best of all, the city is a superb gateway to the country's top attractions. The post 8 best day trips from Panama City, Panama appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to visit the San Blas Islands from Panama City
When it comes to beaches, we've seen some stunners. From remote islands in the South Pacific to indulgent resorts in the Indian Ocean, we thought we'd seen the best of them. And then our little skiff washed up in the San Blas off the coast of Panama. The post How to visit the San Blas Islands from Panama City appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
8 day trips from San Salvador in El Salvador
As the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries, it's hardly surprising that El Salvador packs a lot into its borders. With a verdant tropical interior, charming colonial towns and superb surfing on its coast, El Salvador is arguably a microcosm of wider Latin America. And considering many of the country's best assets – hiking, hills and coffee – stem from its fiery geology, it's easy to see why the country is known as the 'Land of Volcanoes'. The post 8 day trips from San Salvador in El Salvador appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Things to do on Ambergris Caye: La Isla Bonita
The largest island in Belize is also the country's most popular tourist destination – and for good reason. La Isla Bonita, as it's affectionately known, is perfectly positioned just a short distance from arguably the country's greatest asset: the Belize Barrier Reef. The post Things to do on Ambergris Caye: La Isla Bonita appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Best dive sites in Belize: our top 8 picks
Pint-sized Belize on the Caribbean Sea has countless dive sites from laid-back shore dives to intense drifts and everything in between. The translucent seas hugging the country's idyllic coast are home to majestic coral gardens, aquamarine lagoons and out-of-this-world atolls. The post Best dive sites in Belize: our top 8 picks appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of Belize's most popular snorkelling sites. It offers vibrant coral formations and a diverse array of marine life packed into a small site with shallow waters in an easy-to-reach area of the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef. The post Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
What is the best way to see the Blue Hole of Belize?
The best way to see the Blue Hole of Belize is from above. Here’s our guide on how to make the most of your scenic flight In 1971, Jacques Cousteau famously described Belize’s Great Blue Hole (now the Blue Hole Natural Monument) as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. Ever since, the giant sinkhole in the middle of the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef has captivated the public’s attention. Measuring 318m (1,043ft) across and 124m (407ft) deep, the Blue Hole and its surrounding reef system are truly mesmerising. But it’s one of those sites that actually looks better from afar. We believe the best way to see the Blue Hole of Belize is from above. Here’s why. Best seen from the air While Kia and I are both qualified open water divers – and I have the advanced qualification – reports suggest...
