This page contains a list of many of the websites, apps, magazines and blogs that we have found incredibly useful for scuba diving information.
Diver Resource Center
Passport Information – US State Department – Passport Information and requirement.
DAN Travel Insurance – Protect your travel investment! Trip insurance covers interruptions of trips and cancellations. It won’t cover you if you just change your mind, but if there is a hurricane or illness or death in the family, it is nice peace of mind. The cost is based on the cost of the trip. Polices can be purchased per trip or some offer annual coverage for multiple trips.
DAN Equipment Insurance – Dive Computers and underwater cameras are a big investment. Equipment insurance can cover flooding your equipment as well as losses due to theft.
Divers Alert Network (Scuba Diving insurance) – Even with the best dive planning, accidents happen. Diver Accident insurance will help pay for the cost of medical treatment and getting you back home if you miss your fight. This coverage is extremely important if your treatment should a visit to the hyperbaric chamber or other unfortunate accidents. Supporting divers for over 30 years. As well as being the leading source of answers concerning diver safety, they offer Diver Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance and Equipment insurance.
DIVE ASSURE – Dive Assure offers a variety of Diver Accident Insurance as well as trip Insurance.
PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors is a recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson.
SSI – Scuba Schools International is a for-profit organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving and freediving, and supports dive businesses and resorts. SSI has over 2,500 authorized dealers, 35 regional centers, and offices all over the world.
Useful Scuba Diving Resources
These are for Pacific Northwest scuba divers and many of the links fall within this niche.
Tides, Currents, Weather & Charts – Meaningful oceanographic data for the nation.
Saltwater Tides, US – Welcome to your source for tide, moon, and sun predictions for the Gulf Coast, US East Coast and US West Coast.
Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast – MSW is the oldest, most popular and most detailed free long range surf forecast on the web.
Storm Radar – Over and above superior accuracy, AccuWeather delivers superior value to help people understand the impact of weather and make the best decisions.
Marine Traffic – Live ship position map worldwide.
DeepZoom Nautical Charts – DeepZoom displays wind, temperature, and pressure from the NOAA 0.25° GFS model.
Other Online Resources
Marine Mammals West Coast Region – Information about the Marine Mammal Protection Act (NOAA Fisheries).
Project Noah – A global community of nature enthusiasts photographing and learning about wildlife
Marine Life Encyclopedia – Explore the Marine Life Encyclopedia to learn fun facts and more about your favorite marine animals. From sharks and sea turtles to ecosystems and corals, you’re in the right place to take a deep dive into life under the sea.
REEF – Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is an international marine conservation organization that implements hands-on programs to involve local communities in conservation-focused activities.
Tech Diving Resources
V-Planner – V-Planner is a decompression program that uses the Varying Permeability Model (VPM-B) for decompression profiles.
Useful Formulas For Gas Math 1 2 3 4 – Useful formulas for gas math.
Scuba Tech Philippines – Resources and pre-reading assignments for technical diving students.
Decompression Theory Links and Resources 1 2 – Selection of educational articles and resources for further reading on scuba diving decompression theory.
U.S. Navy Diving Manual – Free pdf download.
Scuba Hacks/Technology
Secchi App – Secchi enables you to take part in the Secchi Disk citizen science study and help collect essential data on the phytoplankton.
Plan Your Dive – FREE tools for planning your dive.
Dressel Divers – We help you, we have made a selection of the best diving apps of the moment, totally free for one of the two major platforms: Android and/or IOS.
Science
The Science of Marine Reserves – An international collaboration to study, synthesize and share the scientific information about marine reserves and other types of marine protected areas around the world.
Rocky Mountain Research Station – Stream temperatures monitoring and modeling.
Estimating Your Air Consumption – These simple steps may significantly improve your gas consumption rates and make your dives more enjoyable.
Partial Pressure Blending – The mathematics behind partial pressure gas blending or why you shouldn’t calculate your mix in your head.
RDP 1 2 3 – Best & easiest intro to PADI RDP Tables used by divemasters & instructors.
The Physics of Scuba Diving – A deep dive into the science of staying alive underwater.
The Science of Diving – What’s the science behind scuba diving? Charlotte Mausolf explains.
Broadreach Lecture Series – Join PADI dive instructors and Broadreach HQ staff members Patrick and Claire as they talk about some of the scientific fundamentals behind scuba diving.
Dive Magazines and Periodicals
Undercurrent – A Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975.
Quest Magazine (by GUE) – a great digital dive magazine, is a journal for the global GUE community to share our passion for the sport as well as our love for the environments we explore and protect.
X-Ray Magazine – The vision behind X-RAY MAG is to educate and raise public understanding and appreciation of the underwater realm and its significance to the world. The mission is to create a new type of dive media, rejuvenate the genre and become a significant worldwide media in our field.
Diver Magazine – Editorial content is wide ranging and while its main focus is on all things sport diving, it’s scope is broader. Often examining related man-in-the-sea activities in commercial, military, academic, archaeological, police/search and rescue, fisheries and other spheres of aquatic enterprise.
Advanced Diver Magazine – A holistic Scuba periodical.
Wreck Diving Magazine – Dedicated to wreck diving world-round.
Sport Diving Magazine – A dive magazine produced by PADI concerning all areas of Scuba.
Nonprofits
Montana Adaptive Aquatics Program – Assisting those with disabilities to enjoy Scuba and Snorkeling.
Fins Attached – To conduct research, promote conservation, and provide education for the protection of the marine ecosystem. We believe in the preservation of our world’s precious resources and that through the protection of the ocean’s apex predators, marine ecosystem balance can be maintained for the benefit of all living things on earth. As a result, we direct our efforts in the following categories: shark research, shark conservation and public awareness and education.
The SeaDoc Society – To ensure the health of marine wildlife and their ecosystems through science and education.
Oceana – Dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans.
Dive For a Cure – All proceeds from money raised from Dive for a Cure are donated to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute for breast cancer research and education.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society – Sea Shepherd’s sole mission is to protect and conserve the world’s oceans and marine wildlife. We work to defend all marine wildlife, from whales and dolphins, to sharks and rays, to fish and krill, without exception.
The Nature Conservancy – To make the highest possible impact on the climate and biodiversity crises between now and 2030, we’re developing breakthrough ideas, amplifying local leaders and influencing policy.
The Cousteau Society – Founded in 1973 by Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the Society has more than 50,000 members worldwide. Under the leadership of President Francine Cousteau, the Cousteau Society continues to carry out unique explorations and observations of ecosystems throughout the world that have helped millions of people understand and appreciate the fragility of life on our Water Planet.
The Black Fish – The Black Fish organization is taking aim at preventing the over-fishing of worldwide fish populations that could lead to eventual ocean depletion.
Project AWARE Foundation: This is a publicly funded non-profit with three registered charities across the globe. Our mission is to drive local action for global ocean conservation. We advance our mission through citizen science, public policy and community grants. With PADI – the world’s leading scuba diver training organization – we drive towards our collective vision to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean.
Support Defenders – Take action for whales near extinction from starvation, ship strikes and entanglements in fishing gear are killing vulnerable whale populations, including mothers and calves. Unless we act now, we could see them go extinct in our lifetimes.
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) – Supported by animal lovers like you for over 50 years, IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) works around the globe to rescue and rehabilitate animals, end illegal wildlife trade, and conserve habitats. We collaborate with local communities to create sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and animals.
Documentaries
Saving Atlantis – Saving Atlantis is a feature-length documentary film in production by Oregon State University that covers the dramatic decline of the world’s coral reefs and those who are fighting to save them.
Chasing Coral – A Netflix film inspiring support for coral reef conservation and climate action.
A Plastic Ocean – Plastic Oceans International is a US-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose goal is to end plastic pollution and to foster sustainable communities worldwide.
Sharkwater – A thrilling and inspiring action packed journey that follows filmmaker Rob Stewart as he exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it — a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks.
Mission Blue – Mission Blue tells the story of world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle as she travels the globe on an urgent mission to shed light on the dire condition of Earth’s oceans.
We Are One Ocean – As surfers and ocean lovers, the global ocean is more than just our favorite place to play. It is our arena, our office, and our inspiration. The global ocean, its waves and beaches, reefs and high seas, is truly our greatest resource and connector.
The End of the Line – The End of the Line is the world’s first major feature documentary about the devastating impact overfishing has had and is having on our oceans. The film provides a dramatic expose of those in power who are taking advantage of the seas with catastrophic consequences on the world’s fish supplies.
The Blue Planet – A journey into the deep… Blue Planet is the definitive exploration of the marine world.
Sushi -The Global Catch – In this meticulously researched documentary, filmmaker Mark Hall traces the origins of sushi in Japan to its status today as a cuisine that has spawned a lucrative worldwide industry. This explosion in demand for sushi over the past 30 years has brought with it problems of its own, as fish stocks have steadily depleted, threatening the balance of the ocean’s ecosystems.
Turtle: The Incredible Journey – A critically-praised, award-winning film that follows the life and migration of a loggerhead turtle from hatching to maturity and a return to its original Florida nesting grounds.
Blackfish – BLACKFISH unravels the complexities of this dichotomy, employing the story of notorious performing whale Tilikum, who — unlike any orca in the wild — has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. So what went wrong?
Personal Favs
Alec Pierce YouTube Channel – Scuba repairs, equipment review and more.
SimplyScuba – Reviews, advice and good times.
ScubaLabs – Independent in-depth gear testing with the latest news on scuba training, marine conservation, diving safety and travel, and all the hot-button topics of interest to serious divers.
Essential Scuba Diving Hand Signals for Beginners – We can’t talk to one another underwater…..unless you own a full face mask and communication system, so for new divers beginning their open water certification, there is a whole new language to learn…..”Underwater Scuba Diving Hand Signals”.
8 Scuba Slang Terms And What They Mean – SimplyScuba’s official video based on scuba slang.
For Fun
Scuba Slang and Technical Terms – A list of slang and technical terms by Members of SCUBA-L.
Non-Metro Divers Episode 1 Sea Hunt Style – Video
Non-Metro Divers Episode 2, The Secret Sub – Video
Hitler isn’t AOW – The Fuhrer has a hard time dealing with scuba operators (video).
Sea Hunt Episodes – Sea Hunt is an American action adventure television series starring LLoyd Bridges about a scuba diver in the days when it was still very new (1958-1961).
Face Plant Water Entries – Scuba Divers attempting the James Bond Roll entry and failing miserably.
Funny 90s Video (of what not to do) Part 1! – A funny video made by crew and passengers during the live-aboard dive cruises on the M/V Caribbean Explorer.
Funny 90s Video (of what not to do) Part 2! – A funny video made by crew and passengers during the live-aboard dive cruises on the M/V Caribbean Explorer.
Best ‘Tank Face’ Compilation – Try to watch this without laughing! Fun times during surface intervals with SCUBA tanks.
Tutorials
Mask Removal and Replacement – Ways to remove and replace the mask while underwater.
Regulator Removal and Recovery – Methods to recover your regulator second stage, in case it is released or pulled from your mouth.
Safety Stops – How to safely ascend to the surface from a scuba dive.
The Surface Marker Buoy – Recreational technique for deploying the surface marker buoy while scuba diving.
The Frog Kick – Every diver must master this kick, most experienced divers use it around 80% of the time.
How to Perform the Controlled Seated Entry – Every diver begins his or her underwater adventure by some type of entry to the water.
Pre-Dive Weight Check – The ability to achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy throughout a dive depends on proper weighting.
Controlled Emergency Swimming Accent (CESA) – Breakdown of controlled emergency swimming accent.
Neutral Buoyancy (Diving Position) Recreational Skills – Another method to get the perfect buoyancy – oral inflation.
How to do the Five Point Descent without Bottom Contact – Control you’re decent safely without damaging the aquatic world below.
How to do No Mask Swim – How to swim without a mask for at least 15 metres/50 feet, then replace and clear the mask.
How to Remove and Replace Scuba Unit Underwater – Remove, replace, adjust and secure the scuba kit with minimal assistance in water too deep in which to stand, without losing control of buoyancy, body position and depth.
How to do Stationary Air Depletion Skill – Air depletion exercise and Alternate air source use (stationary).
Alternate Air Source Stationary – Breathe from an alternate air source supplied by another diver for at least 30 seconds.
Scuba Diving Resources
Globo Surf – Your #1 source for snow, land and water sports reviews, in one place.
Animal Survival International – Protecting our oceans is the single most important way we can ensure the survival of life on Earth.
Lonely Planet – Provide good guide books, with better diving sections than most of the general guide books.
Seacology – Offers one-of-a-kind ecotourism adventures throughout the world’s islands. When you join one of our expeditions, you won’t travel like an ordinary tourist. Instead, you’ll visit a Seacology project and meet local people. Most important, you’ll see how we’re making a difference, both by conserving island habitats and helping island communities.
Pure Ocean – They Support innovative projects for a better understanding and conservation of marine biodiversity, Organize public events in order to draw attention to threatened marine ecosystems and Promote exchanges between ocean experts, researchers, companies and anyone interested in protecting the oceans.
Ocean Society – Their life-changing trips are meaningful for you and good for the planet.
The Ultimate Guide to Snorkeling – Need info on snorkeling? This is a great start.
Divesite.com – A worldwide tracker for divers of dive site and the specifics of them.
The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center – The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center is the bible for divers, residents and vacationers in this area of the world, with a special focus on hurricanes, tropical storms and cyclones that typically affect this region.
KRIS 6 News Hurricane Center – Another essential guide to hurricane readiness resources, including evacuation routes, storm surge maps and emergency information, mostly based in the area of Corpus Christi, TX, but still involved in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Central Florida Hurricane Center – Focused on the Florida area, with its tropical storms and hurricane season, definitely an indispensable resource for divers in this area, especially in the months going from June to November.
AccuWeather – An incredibly useful resource in images and maps, highlighting the weather in the United States both on land and at sea. In collaboration with NOAA and NWS, it focuses mostly on winds and temperatures.
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology – A comprehensive website with live predictions about weather, tides, sea levels, sea temperatures, but also tropical cyclones and tsunamis forecast. Definitely a must-have if diving in or traveling to Australia, South Pacific and Antarctica.
Magic Seaweed – Offering a detailed surf forecast for winds, waves and swell, with specific weather station reports and a network of live webcams, this website and app are to go-to resource for divers and boaters in the United States.
DeepZoom – This is the absolute best website for detailed nautical maps for rivers, lakes, seas and oceans in the North American region.
TIDES.net – The go-to website for tides charts and graphs, with saltwater tide tables and charts in the entire United States area but also main areas out of the US such as Puerto Rico, Pacific Islands, Canada and England. The website shows, for each selected location, a history of tides and the current forecast for the day, with specific times for low and high tide and exact water level measured in feet.
Project Noah – A stunning collection of photographs taken by the global community and posted in this comprehensive website with the goal of extensive land and marine life education. Sea birds, slugs, mammals, rays and fish can all be found on this interesting website and studied, promoting local nature and wildlife discoveries.
Survive Any Dive Catastrophe – It’s natural to think that accidents always happen to other divers, those statistical John and Jane Does who court disaster by idiotically violating every rule in the book. And it’s true, they take most of the heat. But even the most experienced and responsible divers aren’t immune to bad rolls of the dice.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary – The Flower Garden Banks are a US National Marine Sanctuary situated in Galveston, Texas: we are in the north western area of the Gulf of Mexico. Here, shoals of barracudas, chubs and jacks and even manta rays can be seen in the open water, while descending on the reefs, divers will be amazed by the colors of the reef and the banks thriving with marine life.
HHS Software Corp – An online resource specific to technical divers, this V-Planner is a decompression dive program calculating decompression profiles for your tech dives. It accounts for micro-bubbles and assists with keeping saturation as low as possible, reducing the decompression times and providing the best dive planning.
SportDiver – A scientific dive magazine with a rich collection of interesting dive related articles for the scuba diving community. With a section dedicated to the major dive areas of our planet, one about training and a keen eye on marine biology, you will certainly find something exciting to read on the Sports Diver Magazine.
The Scuba Doctor Dive Shop – A comprehensive website with resources about diving in Australia, including a list of Marine Protected areas, the Great Barrier Reef and plenty of diving articles.
Greenpeace – The Australian website of the world-famous non-profit organization Greenpeace where divers, snorkelers and sea advocates can find information, events and incoming actions aiming to fight for a healthier world.
The University of Queensland – The official website of the University of Queensland, leader in innovation and research for the marine environment: this website analyzes and explains common solutions being put in place for sustainable environments, industries and everyday lives, combining research and innovative technology to have a strong impact on the protection of global oceans, reefs and coastlines.
Scuba Diving Magazine – PADI’s Scuba Diving Magazine provides comprehensive reviews of travel destinations, as well as equipment reviews, tips and free web-based e-mail accounts.
