Drive, dive, feel alive

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It's called Dive Sites of South Africa and Mozambique and it contains detailed descriptions of 157 diving spots, plus maps of how to get there and information about where and when to dive the various spots.

If you enjoy driving to out-of-the-way places then this handy encyclopaedia should become a constant source of reference and live permanently in the glove box of your car, double cab or 4x4.

Produced by MapStudio (the same publishers who for many years have been producing inexpensive, detailed guides to South Africa's cities, suburbs, towns and road networks), this is not only an invaluable source of information but also highly entertaining and beautifully illustrated with more than 300 colour photographs.

There's a lot more to it than simply the spots...

Taking the South African coastline from south to north it starts off by listing popular as well as out-of-the-way diving spots in the Cape Peninsula and False Bay and then takes the reader on a fascinating journey all the way up to Pemba and the Quirimbas Archipelo in Mozambique.

It really is a comprehensive overview of a vast selection of diving-related subjects, from responsible diving and caring for the environment to the difficulty rating of all the spots, emergency information and whether you can access the various dive spots from the shore or by boat.

What I found of particular interest is a marine identification section which lists 157 species, all beautifully illustrated in colour.

... Or even marine dive sites

With Christmas just around the corner this is the perfect time for divers to start dropping hints to partners, parents and friends about this fab new book that you would love to find under the Christmas tree when the old fatty with the red suit and the reindeers come a-calling.

If you enjoy holidaying at out-of-the-way places then use this guide for a drive-and-dive holiday of a life-time...collar a few mates, load up the gear (and don't forget the beer) and head for the sea.

Oh, and just in case you live far away from the coast the guide also lists several inland dive sites.

Dive Sites of South Africa and Mozambique by Fiona McIntosh retails for R199.95 and is available from most book stockists.