It doesn’t seem so long ago that I rolled into Key Largo, Florida, with a Nikonos II camera and a darkroom sink in the back of my Chevy van to figure out how to make a living as an underwater photographer. Things have changed since 1978, and underwater photography is not the novelty it was when I started.
The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) had an exceptional summer in 2024. By July 31, AMITW patrollers had documented 683 nests on 9.6 miles (15.4 kilometers) of beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. That was the most nests they had recorded in one season since they started monitoring 41 years ago.
Diving at Eastport was always special for me, and I tried to visit there a couple of times each year. The nutrient-rich massive tides fed a series of stunning habitats along the coast.
Dive sites are vulnerable to a variety of threats, including air and water pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels and lionfish, destructive fishing practices like blast fishing, and even sunscreen.
There is a magic art to keeping divers’ attention long enough to impart safety-critical information. Talking about the cool things you will see is easy, but briefings also contain vital information that will keep your divers safe.
This is Fakarava — a remote atoll in French Polynesia that feels more like a gateway to another world than a dive destination. Nestled in the remote Tuamotu Archipelago, this UNESCO biosphere reserve is where discriminating divers come to leave the ordinary behind.
Recreational diving is a fun and relaxing sport meant to be enjoyed. But what happens when things don’t go as planned: Your mask comes off, your regulator gets knocked out, or someone in your group runs out of air?
The Kingdom of Thailand, a sprawling Southeast Asian country slightly larger than California, shares land borders with four countries and neighbors a fifth by sea. It is a progressive sovereign nation that remains deeply rooted in culture and customs.
You check in at the dive shop, sign your waivers, get your gear on the boat, and set up your BCD on your first tank for the day. The divemaster introduces you to your dive buddy for this trip — a total stranger from another part of the world who is here for the same things you are: great diving and returning home safely.
DAN Medics and Researchers Answer Your Dive Medicine Questions
