Why Try Scuba Diving? 10 Reasons To Give It A Go
The biggest question that divers are asked is; “Why do you scuba dive?” For some, it is the thrill, the challenge and the adventure. For other divers its the calm, peace and beauty. There are 101 reasons why we dive and why you should try scuba diving.
So why should you try scuba diving? For so many reasons, I have narrowed it down to just 10. Here are my 10 fantastic reasons why you should try scuba diving this year!
1. Explore Underwater World
Most people who want to try scuba diving are curious about what lies beneath the waves. It’s one of the major reasons to try scuba diving. Opening up a whole new world full of spectacular marine life and fascinating history. You get to see small slices of the ocean and have chances to experience marine encounters that many never will. Whether that is diving with sharks in the Bahamas or with the Grey Seals at Lundy Island, diving gives us a chance to experience the ocean in a unique way.
2. It’s A New Hobby
Our hobbies and interests are ever-expanding. They are what add excitement and happiness to our lives. Giving us something to look forward to on duller days. As an activity that is good for the mind, body and soul, it’s a good idea to add scuba diving to your list of hobbies. It’s also easy to add scuba diving into your current hobbies too!
3. Good For Your Mental Health
We all know getting outside is good for our mental health. Scuba diving can take this to a whole new level. Descend beneath the waves to a place you can’t talk or hear voices. Somewhere you can just breathe, taking in the sounds of the ocean. Fully focus on your diving and forget about life on land. For many divers, scuba diving is a way of meditation and escaping day-to-day life for a few moments.
4. Let’s Not Forget Physical Health
Let’s not forget about our physical health as well. Like any activity From getting steps in around the dive site, lifting and carrying dive gear to finning underwater. You can get a full-body workout on a dive day. The more you dive the more it’s realised that good physical health is only going to make your diving stronger and safer. Making the walk to the dive site in heavy dive kit even easier. Who knew you can get healthier while having fun underwater?
5. Have A Positive Impact On Our Oceans
Every day we read more about the impact climate change and the human population have on the oceans. By learning to scuba dive, you become an advocate for the oceans. Someone to explain to others what impact we have on the reefs we dive. You can even get involved in conservation projects with scuba diving too. From coral restoration to underwater litter picks. You have had a small but mighty impact on helping create a healthier future for the oceans.
6. Qualifications That Can Take You Anywhere
Most scuba diving qualifications do not expire. If you try scuba diving and go forward to complete your open water, your qualification stays with you for life. Even if you take a break from diving, you can complete a refresher dive/course and continue diving as normal. Diving qualifications can take you all over the world and into a whole host of careers too, including marine science, engineering, dive instructing and more.
7. The Diving Community
A huge reason to try scuba diving is the diving community. Overall the people in diving is what makes scuba diving so fun. You dive in buddy pairs so plenty of chances to dive with a wide range of people. If you step onto a liveaboard boat then you can have fellow divers from all corners of the world. All with amazing dive stories to share. When diving locally its worth joining a dive club or seeing if there is a group of regular divers to join online. Everyone just wants to enjoy the dive, support newer divers and encourage everyone to take the next step in their scuba diving.
8. A Chance To See Spectacular Marine Life
As I mentioned at the start scuba diving gives you a chance to see the amazing marine life in our oceans. Being in the water with some ocean giants such as Manta Rays or Hammerhead Sharks is a surreal moment that you’ll never forget. Diving allows us to get closer to the action and appreciate the beauty of marine life. Even down to the smaller creatures such as the brightly coloured Nudibranch or tiny Seahorses, it’s always a privilege for a diver to spend time in the marine life’s natural habitat.
9. Give Purpose To Your Travels
If you are someone who cannot spend a week’s holiday sitting by the pool. You just need to get out there and do something then try scuba diving. Most coastal holiday destinations will offer scuba diving and it is a great chance to see something new. Scuba diving can also take you to places you never usually would go to. Diving gives you a purpose to visit further away or more unusual places. It doesn’t take long until trips are planned around the wrecks or marine life you might see on a dive.
10. Making All Important Memories
Scuba diving isn’t just for the individual, it’s for all the family and friends! Even kids can try scuba diving and it’s a great way for everyone to get involved in exploring the ocean. Many divers’ best memories are related to their dives whether it be a funny moment on the boat or an encounter with a shark.
Personally, scuba diving started as something to try as part of a cancelled trip. Slowly but surely it has become a huge part of my life. Holidays are booked around the diving available, joining the local dive club to explore the UK waters and continuing my diving education to become a Divemaster to help new divers take their first breaths underwater too! It doesn’t grow like this for everyone but every diver I have met loves the feeling of floating around underwater, seeing what the ocean has to offer.
Want To Try Scuba Diving?
If you are wanting to give diving a go but aren’t too sure about the first step, don’t fear! The best thing you can do is contact a local dive centre or a centre close to where you are visiting and ask about a try dive. Most centres will offer a discover scuba diving session which will give you a chance to look at the kit, and go on a short dive. If you want to know more about a try dive in the pool then check out this post: Doing Your Scuba Try Dive – Taking Your First Breaths Underwater
