Escaping Asheville: A Rough Start to the Nomad Journey
Existing in Asheville after Hurricane Helene's hit was a depressing start to the nomad journey.
How the Adorable Sea Bunny Became an SEO Goldmine
Why is everyone and their grandmother writing about the sea bunny?
Dived or Dove? That Is the Question
Ah, the English language—a glorious mishmash of borrowed words, baffling idioms, and grammar rules that seem to have been drafted during a
Essential Marine Life Guides: 11 Must-Have Books for Exploring the Pacific Northwest
For those of you living in the Pacific Northwest and who love marine life (or who love identifying it) these books are
Tabla rasa or informed? What’s the best way to travel?
The best way to travel depends on both your personality and the goals you have for your trip.
Tidepool Reflections
In winter, Oregon’s coastal communities circle briefly like a bear and curl in on themselves ready to ride out months of wind,
A Recipe For a PROPER Cup of Tea
As every British person knows, there is a right way to make a cup of tea—there's also a wrong way.
How to Pick the Right Destination For Your Next Dive Trip
Before you book your dive trip, consider your dive skill level, the marine life you want to see and the type of
Liveaboard or Day Boat? What’s the Best Way to Dive?
Ah, the question dive travelers love to ask. Should you book your next dive trip on a liveaboard, or perhaps go the
How Much Does Scuba Gear Cost?
As most seasoned divers know, the way to dive more is to buy your own gear and dive local.
Scuba Diving Mike’s Beach Resort: Dive Site Review
Nestled along the serene shores of the Hood Canal, Mike's Beach Resort is one of Washington State's most popular dive sites.
Scuba Agnostic: AKA, Why I Train Broadly
I’m a PADI scuba diving instructor. I’m also a NAUI/AAUS Scientific Diver, a TDI Tech Diver, have done my GUE fundies, and
12 Non-Fiction Books for New Scuba Divers Based on Real Events
If there’s one thing I’m glad I got my teeth hooked into early in my diving career, it’s non-fiction books about scuba
How Much Does It Cost To Get Scuba Certified?
Scuba diving can be a very affordable hobby. Here's how much it will cost to get certified.
Scuba Tips for Beginners: You WILL Learn To Clear Your Mask
Mask skills are the ones new divers are either most nervous about, or that they struggle most with. It's both logical and
Scuba Tips for Beginners: Embrace the Unknown
No matter how many times people tell you you'll get used to breathing underwater (you will), it's still a seriously weird feeling
7 Techniques to Hide a Belt Bag When Flying
Belt bags used to be the height of uncool. In fact, until recently in the U.S., they were called fanny packs—a term
Why Dive Travel Is More Than Just a Vacation
Dive travel provides a blend of adventure, relaxation, and insight into the environment like nothing else.
Travel Comfy: What I Wear When I Fly
I never thought I'd have a "travel outfit" but I do. It's the product of three years of intense traveling for dive
What It Means to Be Human Underwater
When Ellie Hudson shared a photo she’d taken of me underwater, I was blown away. Not only had she used a simple
The Break Before the Adventure: My Nomadic Transition
Ironically, I hadn’t planned for my nomadic life to start with a two-week break, but that’s how things unfolded. This break gave
7 Things That Make Nomadic Living Possible
Simply wanting to embrace a nomadic lifestyle isn’t enough. While many people are drawn to the idea, certain factors can either ease
Why I’m Going Nomad
I'm going nomad, it's official! This is the first post in what I hope will be a weekly series. Follow along and
Scuba Divers, Before You Consider the Insta360 X4 Be Aware of This Major Flaw
Lately, a lot of scuba divers have been asking me about my experience with the Insta360 X4 camera. It has after all
How Aquatica Digital Kickstarted My Journey into Underwater Photography
Though the photo bug bit early-ish for me, probably just a year or two into diving, taking the next step felt daunting
Breaking Surface: The First (More) Realistic Diving Movie
I'll admit, I was not frothing at the bit to watch Breaking Surface, not after 47 Meters Down made a mockery of
Vegan Salmon Lox—Who Knew Carrots Could Do This?!
If there’s one type of fish I miss the taste and texture of, it’s salmon. My mom used to bake it in
How to Mark Your Bolt Snaps and Double-Enders (So You Know They’re Yours)
As a traveling (and sometimes teaching) diver, one of my biggest gripes is losing double enders and bolt snaps to others. I
Scuba Diving the Wrecks of Chuuk Lagoon
Exploring the world's most renowned wreck destination—and the inner mind.
Traces of the Past
In 2022, the Managing Editor of Scuba Diving magazine asked if I wanted to head out on a trip to the Caribbean
Keeping a Log Book: Your Essential Tool for Writing Compelling Travel Articles
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Though it’s very little, I appreciate the help. I do not recommend anything
Perfect is the Enemy
Aiming for perfection and then not achieving it is bound to make you feel more like a failure than chipping away at
Scuba Diving Sund Rock Marine Preserve: Dive Site Review
If you hate wolf eels, giant pacific octopus, epic wall dives and schooling rock fish, absolutely do not visit Sund Rock. It's
I’m in Love with Ray-Ban Stories Because POV!
If there’s anything that’s becoming popular on social these days it’s a first person POV. Your feet moving below you as you
Getting Fishy, or Why I Had to Buy a Fisheye Lens
If you've ever wanted to know why you should purchase a fisheye lens, here are the reasons. Now tell me you didn't
Love Scuba Diving? Buy a Microscope
When the COVID-19 lockdown began, much like everyone else, I found myself looking for ways to keep busy. I "covid baked." I
Vegan Caviar—A Pain-Free Recipe
What I remember of caviar has more to do with the emotions of childhood—joy and carefree abandon, playing at sophistication—than anything related
A Solution to All Your SD Card Storage and Carry-Case Woes
In January, I hopped aboard the Maldives Aggressor for a week of incredible diving, family time and, well, work. Yes, how I
Plant-Based Seafood Alternatives: Delicious Recipes for Divers & Ocean Lovers
Recipes you should know if you love the taste of fish but don't want to be a part of the huge problem
Egypt’s “Wrecks of the North” with All Star Liveaboards
This article was originally published in Scuba Diving magazine. The wreck we’re descending on is not like the formidable cargo ships I
5 of the Best Dive Sites in the British Virgin Islands
This article was originally published on Scuba Diving magazine. Perhaps best known as an idyllic sailing destination, the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
A Dive and Travel Adventure in Turks & Caicos
This article was originally published in Scuba Diving magazine. It’s 6:45 a.m., and I’m in a pocket-size rental car on the way
Scuba Diving Alexander Springs in Florida
This article was originally published on Scuba Diving magazine. Nestled in the heart of the Ocala National Forest, Alexander Springs is a
Scuba Diving the Wreck of the Comet: Dive Site Review
The Comet is a shallow tug boat wreck located just out of Port Hadlock. It's an easy shore dive in no more
Scuba Diving Titlow Beach: Dive Site Review
I wanted to dive Titlow before I even knew it was a Washington State dive destination. It's a stone's throw away from
Scuba Diving Fox Island West Wall: Dive Site Review
Fox Island West Wall is a great dive site for beginners and advanced divers alike. Although the site is easy to get
Dive Kind: My Diving Philosophy
When you Dive Kind you’ll not only be bringing light to the problems you see, but be taking action toward making changes.
From South African Meat Eater to Plant-Based Scuba Diver
If you eat meat, this essay is not here to make you feel bad. I loved the taste of meat and ate
The Ultimate Cold Water Diving Packing List
A couple of years ago I made my own packing list for cold water diving trips because I noticed that most packing
Would an Alien “Conservationist” Kill Us, Eat Us, or Something Else?
Any alien species with conservationists as we define them today, would kill us or eat us. But, what if they weren't like
Scuba Diving Clear Lake, Oregon
Whether you're from Oregon or traveling from further afield, Clear Lake is one dive site you're bound to have heard of—a tropical
How to Perform a Few Basic Scuba Skills
When you take a Discover Scuba Diving course or the PADI Open Water Course, these are some of the first few skills
7 Things That Blew My Mind When I Learned to Scuba Dive
When I registered for my Open Water Course in 2016, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that
Marketing Your Scuba Services During COVID-19
If you teach scuba diving, work at a dive shop, run a dive shop, sell scuba diving equipment, or are in any
Gear Review: BARE XCS2 Drysuit
I have been diving a BARE drysuit for three years and have never once regretted purchasing it as my primary means of
Success and the Law of Contraction
Of the many things I have learned recently, “The Law of Contraction” is perhaps the most useful and the most easy for
Why You Should Hire an Explorer to Do Your Marketing
When you think of “good marketing” what comes to mind? For me it’s something that makes me stop. Something unique. Something different.
Cold Water Dive Gear: A Shopping List for New Divers [INFOGRAPHIC]
For many people entering the cold water diving world for the first time, knowing what gear to purchase can seem overwhelming. This
Becoming an Oregon Marine Reserves Diver
The Oregon Marine Reserves Diver is an achievable goal. All you have to do to get there is love learning, have an
Diving the Kehloken Possession Point Ferry
This article is about a dive trip I did in 2018 out to the Kehloken Possession Point Ferry. The ferry burned in
Scuba Diving in Oregon: Dive Sites For Anyone
A list of the sites I have personally dived in Oregon. Most sites are suitable for beginners and all sites can be
North Jetty Dive Park Dive Site, Florence, Oregon
Of the many beautiful dive sites in Oregon, perhaps the most popular is the Florence North Jetty. In 2003 this site was
On Becoming an Inadvertent Naturalist
The more time you spend in one area examining just one rock or tide pool, the more there is that reveals itself.
The Eternal Search for the Perfect Dive Log Book
In June, when I hit the 180 dives mark, I stopped logging my dives. Since then I haven't been able to get
13 True Adventure Books for Aspiring Tech Divers (Published by TDI)
Because I am a hopeless wreck diving romantic, I've compiled a list of the great nail-biting reads that over the years have
The Woefully Misunderstood Wolf Eel
If sea lions are the dogs of the sea then the wolf eel is the cat of the sea. Curious, moody, affectionate,
Scuba Professionals Should Cultivate a Learning Mindset
What do bungee chairs, ambient light, essay-style answers, good habits, and how the brain processes information have in common?
Book Review—Extreme: Why Some People Thrive at the Limits
When I started reading Extreme: Why Some People Thrive at the Limits, I thought I was in for another slog through psychology studies
A Student’s Perspective
Every now and then it’s good to step outside of the comfort zone of your own well-fitted scuba gear and don the
Diving Doubles in Open Water For the First Time
On Wednesday I tried doubles in open water for the first time. While this has been a long time coming, I have
Book Review—Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria
Given there is indeed an "Everest-like" obsession surrounding diving this wreck I felt this one merited a book of its own, if
The Honor of Being Eyed by a Starry Flounder
The best part of diving at the Oregon Coast Aquarium is that I'm in close contact with marine life. As I continue
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Reminders from This Week’s Rescue Course
While one hopes that one will remember what one learned in class, unless you’re reviewing the skills day in and day out,
The Never-Ending Question: Why Do You Want to Do Technical Diving?
If I could count on my hands, the number of times people have asked me why I want to do technical diving,
Book Review: Pirate Hunters
Having read "Shadow Divers," I was expecting another gripping read in "Pirate Hunters." Unfortunately, this book is nothing like "Shadow Divers." It
Host the Best Birthday Party Ever: A Discover Scuba Diving Party! (Published on PADI)
When Margaret McKenney, an Oregon-based scuba instructor, asked if I wanted to help out with a scuba diving party, I have to
Take PADI Women’s Dive Day Into Your Own Hands This Year (Published on PADI)
The PADI Women’s Dive Day event calendar is now open to all PADI Members. Now, for the first time, you can register
Book Review: Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
While I found the subject matter of this book very interesting, a lot of it was not new information. If you don't
Scuba Diving Crater Lake Still Not Allowed in 2024
On a quest to find out whether or not Crater Lake was still "diveable" (I'd heard otherwise though no one was 100%
Sharks, Salt and Surf: Reenvisioning the Sea
What happens when a non-surfing South African gives surfing a try for the first time? It's quite simple, really: Addiction. Here's my
Abort: When Not Diving is the Best Option
Until Saturday October 28th, I had never considered the Newport Fingers a potentially dangerous dive site. They were, after all, fairly far
Book Review: Fatally Flawed
If you're a woman participating in extreme sports, read this book -- you'll realize you're not alone. If you're a man, read
Guide to PADI Divemaster: The Rescue Scenario (Published on PADI)
Here's how we perform the Divemaster Rescue Scenario, Pacific Northwest Style!
Divemaster Training: 11 Reasons to Become a “Tank Monkey” (Published on PADI)
In my latest article on PADI's blog, you'll learn more about the value of being a tank monkey (AKA a Divemaster in
Back to Swimming
Where some people find swimming mundane, I find it both soothing and challenging. It's the one activity that allows me to totally
Bay Pipefish
If you’ve ever seen a Pipefish, chances are you initially thought it was a stray frond of seaweed, wafting in the swash.
Skeleton Shrimp
The first time I saw a skeleton shrimp, I could have sworn I was looking at an alien. Rising, up and down,
The Secret to Seeing More Underwater
What does it take to see more marine life when you dive. There's a hack most new divers don't know.
Gear Review: OMS Slipstream Fin
When I first got my OMS Slipstreams, I had a love-hate relationship with them. They were awesome for frog kick, but not
Guide to PADI Divemaster: Equipment Exchange Test (Published on PADI)
Apart from getting to dive even more, one of the best things about going through the Divemaster training is that I'm never
Book Review: What a Fish Knows
Aside from the fact that this was a New York Times Bestseller, longlisted for the PEN award, and one of the 10
Book Review: Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest
I had this book in my Amazon cart months before I placed the order. Why? Well, I simply couldn't justify the price
Red Flabellina: The Nudibranch Diver’s Love
If you’re a diver you should own this book Okay, before I tell you all about the red flabellina, I’m going to
Cataloging the World Below
Because I am increasingly fascinated by the life I see when diving, I am making a concerted effort to learn more about
A Tribute to the Ocean and Days Spent Diving
This weekend I helped out with Mike Allen’s Open Water checkout and it was wonderful. Yes, that very British word. Not only
How Many Scuba Units is That?
Of cave diving origin I am sure (Gilly Elor strikes again), this is the most sensible diction to use when referring to
The Less Dusty Version of Archaeology
Because I’m obsessed with diving in every way, shape and form, and because I once had romantic notions of being a globe-hopping
Gear Review: O’Neill Reactor 3/2mm Full Wetsuit – Women’s
I am quite ashamed to say that my quest to find the perfect wetsuit for the swimming pool lasted far too long.
#DiveHairDontCare
Hats off to all those swimmers and divers who can manage long hair. I'm not one of them. One, I don't have
PADI Totally Justifies Sailing Fun
In accordance with the PADI Divemaster Manual (page 165 to be precise), there are six skills outside of diver training that will
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