There’s Many Reasons Why We Can’t Wait To Diving Again
Scuba diving is a lot more than just getting wet. It’s been 9 weeks now that we’ve been unable to go diving. Although we understand why, that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. There’s many reasons that so many decide to take up scuba diving and continue to do so for the rest of their lives. We asked our staff and some of our guests what they get out of diving and here’s what we’ve come up with.
Marine Life
Obvious we know but it really is so different from what we see on land. The colours and sheer amount of life can be a sensory overload but it’s the behaviour and interactions that stand out. Marine animals tend to completely ignore you. Not great for those with fragile egos but it allows us to see the wildlife go about their normal daily business.
They hang around and not just swim off into the distance as soon as you appear. If an animal does decide to interact with you we must stress that you don’t touch or block its path. Just watch and take in a great experience.
Watching an octopus hunt is a surreal experience. It moves from rock to rock changing, colour, shape and even texture as it probes arms into cracks searching for small fish and crustaceans. They’re generally followed by an entourage of small groupers and wrasse. All hoping to snap up any prey flushed out by the octopuses endeavours.
Cleaning stations are a hive of activity. Many species that would be usually fighting or eating each other respect the “rules” and happily co-exist for a few utopian minutes.
Some marine animals will go out of their way to interact with you. On a recent trip to the Komodo National Park onboard a fantastic Indonesian liveaboard. We found out that if you wiggle your figures at reef mantas, they will come and check you out. Felt a bit stupid at first especially knowing the guide likes to wind guests up but indeed the mantas curiosity brought them much closer.
komodo guides wiggling fingers at reef manta
Some interactions we could definitely do without. Titan triggerpests love to interact with divers but we really wish they wouldn’t.
Stress Relief?
As soon as you drop below the surface an immediate sense of calm literally washes over you. All you can hear is your own bubbles as you slowly free fall towards the dive site. Shapes and colours come into focus and a whole new world opens up.
From your very first scuba diving lessons, you should have been taught to be calm and relaxed with a slow, deep breathing pattern. With that mantra in mind, divers can leave their troubles on the surface, relax and take in all the incredible life that’s swimming around you.
For our staff it can be slightly different. Their focus is on your safety and enjoyment. So it can be slightly stressful making sure that you see as many things as possible and ensuring that you return safely from the dive with a big smile. Repeat guests are so important in this regard. Guiding divers that our staff know and trust is almost like a mini vacation. We do get many return guests so we we really do hope you keep returning, if only for the sanity of our dive staff.
smiles: our end game
Having said that, it doesn’t always have to be tranquil and calm. Thrill seekers can go for exhilarating drift dives or explore new dive sites. Diving with sharks is an incredible experience, your first sightings will probably get your heart rate to sky rocket. Once you realise you’re in no danger you’ll simply just appreciate these magnificent apex predators but it will always remain a thrill.
Physical Relief
Diving for those with temporary or permanent injuries that still allow them to participate can get relief from buoyancy control. With good buoyancy you’ll essentially feel weightless, taking the pressure off from a great deal of injuries that may hamper your movement on land. Our staff are always willing to assist our guests if they require help entering or exiting the water.
We’re A Community!
Whether it’s an affinity to the ocean, wildlife or any number of other reasons. Scuba diving attracts a lot of like minded individuals so it’s very easy to strike up a conversation and turn a stranger into a friend. Scuba divers are generally well travelled with an adventurous, curious spirit. A divers friends list will contains people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Many life long friendships are brokered on dive boats.
New divers should never be afraid to approach the more experienced. Shared experiences and advise is freely given and you can pick up many hints, tips and ideas from your fellow scuba divers. Although we do suggest running it by your PADI professional first, we have heard some slightly strange advice being handed out.
What’s Waiting?
After two months out of the water and at least another week or two before we can take the boat out of the marina. We really don’t know what our dive sites will look like. This season had been terrific before the closure. So we’re hoping for more of the same and greedily ask for a little extra. It won’t be long now before we can get out for our fist post covid trip, we’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
We can’t wait to see you all again, put smiles on your faces, create new memories, relieve your stress and catch up on your latest adventures.
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