I was nine the first time I slipped beneath the ocean’s surface with a tank on my back and fins on my feet. It was a resort dive in Mexico—my parents had a timeshare at the Palace Resorts—and I still remember the moment I descended past the surface tension into a dream I’d been having my whole life.

But really, the water and I go back much further.

I was only a few weeks old when my parents first took me into the water. Both collegiate swimmers, they passed on the rhythm of breath and buoyancy as naturally as a lullaby. By the time I was four, I was already competing. Chlorine was as familiar to me as air.

Swimming was just the beginning.
As I got older, I took to sailing—learning to read the wind and the water’s shifting moods. Then came surfing: wild, instinctive, full of surrender. Each new way of moving with water revealed something different. Each one brought me closer to the ocean—not just as an environment, but as an entire world.

And then came scuba diving.

Where swimming taught control, and surfing taught surrender, diving offered something deeper: communion. The moment I slipped below the surface, I wasn’t just playing in water—I was in it, among it, part of it. A quiet guest in an ancient, living world.

And I’ve never looked back.

A Hobby That Grows With You

Scuba diving isn’t just a one-time thrill or a checkmark on some adventure bucket list. It’s one of those rare hobbies that can move with you—growing and shifting alongside the tides of your life.

The first thing I loved about it? The certification never expires. Once you're trained, you're trained. You can pause for years and pick it back up with a quick refresher. It’s a commitment, yes—but not a pressure. You don’t have to be a dive-obsessed globe-hopper to get something meaningful out of it. You can dive once a year on vacation, or you can go all in and chase wrecks, reefs, caves, and certifications. It’s entirely your rhythm.

In college, I got my official scuba license while studying at Flagler in St. Augustine, Florida. The range of dives just in that state alone amazed me—saltwater, freshwater, spring-fed sinkholes. You could spend a weekend diving in crystalline inland springs surrounded by ancient cypress trees, then head to the coast for a wreck dive or a reef crawl.

One of the most surreal experiences? Diving in the giant aquarium at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, called DiveQuest. It’s strange, wonderful, and slightly theatrical. But the moment you're underwater, it flips. You’re not just swimming with the fish—you are the fish in the fishbowl. All the noise of the theme park fades. People press their hands to the glass to wave. And yet, even there, in a manmade lagoon, the magic shows up. Just in a different way.

That’s the thing—scuba finds you. Whether you’re diving into a cenote in Mexico, a spring in Florida, a coral reef off a remote island, or even an aquarium tank designed to educate, the experience is never exactly the same. It’s always a little wild, a little humbling.

And it’s always worth it.

Why Scuba Diving Is the Ideal Hobby

If you’re wondering why scuba diving deserves a spot on your hobby list, here’s the rundown:

• Accessible for All Levels: You don’t have to be an expert swimmer or an athlete to start. Certifications begin with basics and build up at your own pace.

• Lifelong Learning: Marine life, dive technology, safety regulations — scuba keeps your mind engaged and curious. There’s always something new to discover.

• Flexible Commitment: Dive once a year or several times a month. The hobby adapts to your schedule and lifestyle.

• Physical and Mental Benefits: Scuba is a full-body workout that’s low-impact. It’s also incredibly calming—like meditation underwater.

• Global Community: From local dive shops to international trips, divers share a unique camaraderie and passion.

• Adventure Meets Peace: Each dive is a blend of thrill and tranquility. Whether exploring a reef or drifting over a wreck, you’re immersed in an otherworldly calm.

• Environmental Connection: Diving brings firsthand experience with fragile ecosystems, often inspiring deeper environmental awareness and advocacy.

• Endless Variety: From tropical reefs to freshwater springs, wreck dives to cave explorations, the underwater world offers infinite diversity.

Getting Started: Your First Steps Into Scuba

Ready to take the plunge? Getting started with scuba diving is easier than you might think—and there’s a path for nearly every lifestyle, schedule, and comfort level.

Vacation Dive Courses: Intensive and Immersive

Many tropical destinations offer quick, immersive scuba certification courses, often called “Discover Scuba” or “Open Water” courses. These typically last 3–4 days and combine classroom learning, pool practice, and open-water dives.
If you’re short on time or want to jump straight into the underwater world while on vacation, this is a popular option. You’ll come away certified and ready to dive independently (with limits), all in a matter of days.

Local Dive Schools: Learn at Your Own Pace

If you’re not planning a trip soon or prefer a more relaxed learning environment, local dive shops and schools offer certification courses spread out over weeks or months. This lets you absorb the theory, practice skills in a pool, and take your open-water dives with less pressure.
You’ll also build relationships with instructors and other students, which can make diving a lifelong community experience.

Advanced Certifications and Specializations

Once you have your Open Water certification, the scuba world opens up further. You can pursue specialties like wreck diving, night diving, underwater photography, or rescue diver training. Many divers also advance to Divemaster or Instructor levels, turning their passion into a profession.
There’s always a next step, no matter your goals.

No matter which path you choose, the first step is the same: find a reputable dive school, ask questions, and remember that it’s about enjoying the journey as much as the destination. Your first breath underwater will stay with you forever.

Dream Dives to Inspire Your Next Adventure

Scuba diving opens doors to some of the most extraordinary places on Earth—and the experiences are as diverse as the ocean itself. Here are a few dream dives that capture just how incredible the underwater world can be:

Hammerhead Dive in the Galápagos Islands

Imagine drifting in the cool, nutrient-rich waters of the Galápagos, surrounded by majestic hammerhead sharks gliding in tight schools. It’s a surreal ballet of apex predators, a rare and thrilling spectacle that’s part adventure, part nature documentary come to life.

Whale Shark Encounter in the Philippines

Swimming alongside the gentle giants of the sea—the world’s largest fish—is an awe-inspiring, humbling experience. Places like Oslob in the Philippines offer the chance to get up close to whale sharks in their natural habitat, a moment that stays with you forever.

Night Manta Ray Dive in Kona, Hawaii

When the sun sets, the ocean comes alive with magic. In Kona, divers gather around lighted platforms where plankton attract graceful manta rays feeding in a mesmerizing, dance-like display. Watching these gentle giants swoop and twist beneath the surface at night is pure underwater poetry.

Nautical Archaeology Dive in the Mediterranean

For history lovers, diving ancient shipwrecks scattered across the Mediterranean Sea is like traveling back in time. Explore well-preserved vessels laden with centuries-old artifacts, uncovering stories lost beneath the waves.

Belize Barrier Reef Exploration

Many don’t realize the Belize Barrier Reef is the world’s second-largest barrier reef system—larger even than Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef. Diving here reveals vibrant coral gardens, abundant marine life, and incredible biodiversity in a relatively untouched environment.

Whether it’s the thrill of swimming with giants or the quiet wonder of exploring history beneath the waves, these dives remind us how vast and varied the ocean world is—always ready to surprise and inspire.

Dive Into Your Own Ocean of Wonder

From that first breath underwater at age nine to the numerous dives since, scuba diving has been more than a hobby—it’s been a doorway to childhood wonder, a lifelong adventure, and a way to connect with a world most people can’t even glimpse from the shore.

Scuba invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and explore an environment with fresh eyes. It grows with you, challenges you, and rewards you with moments of pure awe and calm. Whether you dive once a year or chase the next big expedition, the ocean always welcomes you with open arms.

So why not take the plunge? Your next hobby—and a whole new world—is waiting beneath the surface.