How many of you dive or would like to dive a reef someday?

[arussellnsg]

I would love to snorkel and dive. May be a bucket list... someday
I've just always loved aquariums and sea life in general. Started with freshwater, 10 years old

 

[Foggy Pirate]

Most of us saltwater aquarium hobbyists have a fascination for the ocean and more specifically coral reefs! Seeing the fish and all the critters zooming around a coral reef is really inspiring to those of us who are reef keepers. But how many of you are actually certified divers and have you got to dive any coral reefs yet? Let's talk about it!

1. Are you a certified diver and how long have you been diving? Seen any cool reefs?

2. If you're not a certified diver now, would you like to get certified in the future?


PS. Show off some of your dive pics and videos!

 

[Foggy Pirate]

It would be a dream however I can’t travel, waiting for lung transplant and could never be cleared after one. So a small reef tank is best I can get, until I can’t have the anymore either

 

[tigerlili]

I Diving. Diving is what got me into reefing! I live in Texas, so blue water diving takes time and effort.
I am a master scuba diver and hubby is a scuba instructor.
Nothing beats diving

 

[Trever]

GBR, Jamaica, and Maui, but all snorkeling.

Want to dive badly but couldn't get to 15' in the certification course. Terrible Eustachian tubes.

The aussies told me not to bother seeing a doctor or anything. Told me stories of pulling people out because they couldn't equalize and wouldn't come up, then the diver collapsing on the deck, ears bleeding, permanent damage.

 

[bkbrowning]

Having a reef tank as a teenager in the 1980s was what made me want to dive. Been certified since '93 with dives all over the world. Have the privilege of living and working in HI, so get plenty of time in the big blue aquarium. I also take a few pics

 

[Culater94]

Stuart Cove's Bahamas Shark Dive. In the second pic, the shark's belly rubbed against my head and curled my hair

 

[FishyFishFish]

I've had the chance to dive a couple of times but have always chosen to snorkel instead. People might turn their nose up at the snorkelers but I find it amazing in the right place. For casual day-trippers it's great to jump off the boat whilst the divers are still getting their kit ready. I often spend an hour more in the water than them, and on shallow reefs there is still plenty to see.

Maybe I'll get myself qualified to dive one day.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I'm in Canada but this summer I will be spending some time in Tampa Bay, hoping to get certified!
Although I don't think you need certification to legally be allowed to dive in Florida, it's always best.
Anyone have any Florida Gulf Coast scuba pics?

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

I have snorkeled in the keys and I saw eels, hogfish, parrotfish, conches, anemones, jellyfish, a royal gramma surprisingly, and various other amazing sea creatures. Always have wanted to get certified.

 

[mnofziger1]

Currently my favorite dive has been Bon Aire.

Definitely. I spent a week there last year only to come home to covid lockdown the next month. Looking forward to getting wet again in a few weeks.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

I'm not certified, but have been lucky enough to dive the Great Barrier Reef 3 times

 

[Pmacha1a]

I’ve been diving for 30 years. Done it in Mass, RI, Florida, Hawaii and Cancun. Absolutely love it

 

[58e970b2-3f88-4897-87ba-5]

1. I’m not certified and don’t know how to dive. I have snorkelled a couple Caribbean reefs though.

2. Hoping to learn to dive and get certified over the next couple years.

 

[swee10]

I’ve been certified for about 25 years.
I live in South Florida and am able to dive a lot. Recently most of my dives have been to catch lobster.
I do have a corky finger I was able to get that is the centerpiece of my 90 gallon reef.

 

[Mark Gray]

Got out of the hobby after loss of some family. Then I made a mistake I went scuba diving in Thailand. My picture is a dive spot.

 

[Jack Ravensbergen]

Certified PDIC (Professional Diving Instructors Corporation) 1992.
Activ diving till 2010 , after that got problems with ears.

 

[Peanut]

I'm in Canada but this summer I will be spending some time in Tampa Bay, hoping to get certified!
Although I don't think you need certification to legally be allowed to dive in Florida, it's always best.
Anyone have any Florida Gulf Coast scuba pics?

Huh?!?!?!?

I guess technically, you're right, you don't need to be certified to dive anywhere on the planet. If you want to take your life into your hands, that's your choice.

However, there is not a reputable dive shop or boat anywhere that will fill your tanks, rent you gear, etc etc. without a certification.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

I would love to however i have ear drum problems and cant go below 10ft without extreme pain. Sucks cause ever since i was little i wanted to be able to scubadive. I have however snorkeled a few reefs and loved every second of it.

 

[Luvspinball]

Most of us saltwater aquarium hobbyists have a fascination for the ocean and more specifically coral reefs! Seeing the fish and all the critters zooming around a coral reef is really inspiring to those of us who are reef keepers. But how many of you are actually certified divers and have you got to dive any coral reefs yet? Let's talk about it!

1. Are you a certified diver and how long have you been diving? Seen any cool reefs?

2. If you're not a certified diver now, would you like to get certified in the future?


PS. Show off some of your dive pics and videos!

Got certified back in 1982 and been diving ever since.
Last big dive was in Fiji. Did 8 dives over the week.
Playing with manatees back in the 80s was still the coolest dive I have done. Can't do that now.
Simply love seeing the life all around you.
Still haven't dived on the west coast, but my daughter lives in San Fran, so I really should go!
Bob