scuba diving trips for seniors

Divers of a Certain Age: Scuba Diving for Seniors

We have been avid divers for more than three decades now, and can honestly say that we enjoy diving now as much if not....

By Dive Training

We have been avid divers for more than three decades now, and can honestly say that we enjoy diving now as much if not more than we did 30 years ago. Certainly there are things we don’t do now that we once did and our approach to diving has changed a bit but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. And when we travel, we do take advantage of the perks — the “senior discounts” offered to the over-50 crowd. So what does an older diver need to be aware of and how can they continue in a sport they truly love?

Physical Fitness and Our Growing Waistlines

No matter your diving age, fitness is important. Just consider some of the activities you will need to do while diving. Can you do a surface swim in your equipment if you come up away from the boat? Can you physically get yourself into or out of the water before or after your dive? Could you help your buddy if they needed it? As we age our physical abilities decline and we may not exercise regularly or adequately. And like the rest of the country our waistline may be growing. Did you know that the average person gains about 3 pounds (1.4 kg) per decade starting at age 20? Being overweight may not itself be a restriction to diving but it may indicate a lack of physical fitness and certainly can put you at greater risk for cardiac incidents.

Being in poor physical shape as well as being overweight has also been shown to affect bubble formation after diving. You may remember from your training that bubble formation can be an indicator of your susceptibility to decompression sickness. In a recent study (J Appl Physiol. 2002 Oct; 93(4):1349-56. Ascent rate, age, maximal oxygen uptake, adiposity, and circulating venous bubbles after diving. Carturan D, Boussuges A, Vanuxem P, Bar-Hen A, Burnet H, Gardette B.), scientists found that “Younger, slimmer, or aerobically fitter divers produced fewer bubbles compared with older, fatter, or poorly physically fit divers.”

Being overweight can also put you at risk for Type 2 diabetes (noninsulin-dependent diabetes). Diabetes is usually considered to be a contraindication to diving by Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Is Age a Barrier to Physical Fitness?

We commonly assume that the older we get, the less we will benefit from exercise. However researchers have found that when it comes to improving the strength or endurance of our muscles, age is not a barrier. The cause of age-related differences in fitness appears to be the cumulative effects of our lifestyle choices. We choose to do less, and our bodies adapt. No matter what your age, if you reverse this downward trend you will see that your physical fitness and health will improve compared with others of the same age. Maintain your activity level, and fitness becomes easier to keep over time.

So how do we determine whether we are physically fit enough to do diving? Neal W. Pollock, the research director at DAN, in a 2007 article on fitness and diving, discussed measuring physical fitness by calculating aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity testing is most commonly completed with treadmill running or stationary cycling. Pollock recommends that a diver be able to maintain a capacity of 10 MET (metabolic equivalent) or greater. A MET is the amount of energy being burned when a body is at rest, with the normal MET in a healthy population ranging from 5 to 25. A diver under relatively calm dive conditions can dive safely with a capacity of only 7 MET. But add in any challenges and that capacity might not be enough.

For more information on assessing your physical fitness to dive, see Alex Brylske’s “Are You Fit to Dive” article in the September 2010 issue of Dive Training.

My Aging Heart

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are the leading cause of death in the United States and according to DAN one of the most common causes of fatal diving accidents. As we age the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases increases. From DAN’s 2008 Annual Diving Report it was reported that the 2006 collection of data included 75 scuba fatalities investigated by DAN. Of these cases, 38 percent were attributed to heart disease, with the majority of the victims being classified as overweight or obese by body mass index. Annual death rates for insured DAN members were stable during 2000-2006, with a mean of 16.4 deaths per 100,000 members. Fatality rates increased dramatically with age. Among divers 15-25 years of age, the fatality rate was less than 10 per 100,000 members but increased to 30 per 100,000 among divers 65 years of age and older.

High blood pressure is another factor to consider in assessing your fitness to dive. The average 60-year-old American male has a blood pressure of 140/90; 120/70 is considered normal. Chronic hypertension is associated with damage to the heart, kidneys and an increased risk of stroke. Antihypertensive medications, however, can help reduce the risk of serious illness. Most antihypertensive medications are compatible with diving as long as the side effects experienced by the diver are minimal and their performance in the water is not significantly compromised.

Physical activity on a regular basis will certainly help improve cardiovascular function. Make sure that you discuss any new physical program with your doctor before proceeding.

Is That In Focus?

As a photographer, one of the things I really notice with aging is the change in vision. My arms are no longer long enough for my gauges and seeing pygmy seahorses even with a viewfinder is more than difficult. As we get older, the closest point at which we can focus moves away from the eye about 0.4 inches (1 cm) per year. By the time we get into our 40s most people will be having some trouble reading. At this point the drug store reading glasses become our friend. Underwater you may be able to put your gauges on a retractable holder so you can pull them out to arm’s length or you may opt for corrective lenses in your mask. Several inexpensive options are available at your local dive store. These can include lens spots, lens bonded into your mask or even ones that adhere to your mask by water surface tension. And for spotting small stuff, we also carry an underwater magnifying glass.

Did He Say Go Right or Left?

As we age our hearing becomes less acute and for many of us this begins to affect our daily lives. The National Institutes of Health predicts that an estimated one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 75 and close to one-half of those older than 75 have some degree of hearing loss.

In diving hearing loss can pose a problem, especially during the dive briefing. You can miss important information about direction, timing, depth, conditions and safety factors. There are a number of easy steps to overcome this. Be sure to inform the divemaster that you are hard of hearing and may need for him to speak up or repeat things. Always confirm the dive plan with your buddy before entering the water.

Picking the Right Diving and the Right Location

As well as staying physically fit and maintaining a good diet, we can also alter our diving styles and locations as we age.

Both of us enjoy a “slow” style of diving not only because we are photographers but also because it helps us to conserve air and actually allows us to see more critters. We now try to find those dive operations that don’t enforce staying with the divemaster in a larger group. Many live-aboard operations fit this style of diving by giving you and your buddy the freedom to set your own dive plan and having the added benefit of limited gear handling. If you are diving with a day operation, it is important that you make sure that they know you and your buddy may drop behind.

As we have gotten older our choice of destinations has also altered. Places that offer good visibility, warmer waters, less current and easier shore access with shorter swims are more important to us now. We also have reduced the number of dives we do in a day. Our five-dives-a-day regime has given way to three or four dives, with more time for relaxing and socializing.

The Right Equipment

As with any sport, matching the right equipment to your physical needs is of great importance. Here are a few tips on how to synch your equipment with your aging diving aspirations:

Lighten the load. As we get older we lose strength and stamina. You can overcome this somewhat by reducing the weight of your dive gear. If your diving environments have shifted to less demanding conditions then you may not need a buoyancy compensator (BC) with as much lift capacity as before. Manufacturers have introduced many new styles that have reduced weight, are easier to carry and take up less space when traveling on a dive trip.

Smaller fins can also help. Stiffer, longer fins may be a thing of the past. Instead, like us, you may opt for some shorter and lighter full-footed fins. They are easier to pack, easy to put on and take off and don’t require a huge amount of energy to pump.

Lengthen your straps. Reduced flexibility comes with age. It gets harder to reach down and adjust those fins. Try looking for gear that makes it easier to deal with that lack of flexibility. Get fins that have large pull-tabs and that are easy to adjust. Look for options on wet suits that allow you to easily get into the suit — this may include extra zippers on the legs and arms.

Grow your gauges. As mentioned earlier it may be getting harder to see those gauges. Look for gauges and watches that have larger dials and are intuitive to read. An easy-to-read gauge will reduce a lot of unnecessary anxiety when checking air supply and time.

Roll your bags. Our bags seem to get heavier every year. Over the years we have reduced our footprint, lightened our load and added wheels. There are a number of choices out there today for wheeled duffels of all shapes and sizes. These bags make it a breeze for getting your dive gear from A to B.

Keep the core warm. Studies have found that the body’s response to cold changes significantly over a lifetime, with older people less able to maintain their core temperature at a given cold exposure than young people. You can help overcome this by staying warm, before, during and after the dive. Make sure you have the proper clothing to keep you warm before getting suited up for the dive (a hat helps). Make sure you have enough thermal protection to get you comfortably through the dive (a hood helps) and finally make sure you have clothes that will keep you warm after the dive.

The Incentive

There are challenges to diving as you age but there are also a number of psychological and physical benefits associated with continuing to dive.

Although diving may not be something that you do every day it can be an incentive to staying in good physical shape. And by being in good physical shape through regular aerobic activity such as walking, jogging, biking or swimming as well as muscle-strengthening exercises, we are more able to continue to perform the routine tasks of daily life. Stronger muscles also help to reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones. Physical activity helps in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease as well as developing high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes. Studies have also indicated that physical activity is linked to improvements in positive psychological states such as confidence, well-being, mental energy and personal image. Although there is still much debate as to the reasons for these benefits, the overwhelming evidence supports the relationship between positive mental health and physical activity.

Diving can also be a very social sport. It is a great way to travel and meet new friends. Participation in social activities as well as physical activity help to reduce the severity or chances of developing disorders such as anxiety and depression while reducing the deterioration of cognitive functions associated with aging.

Your senior status may mean you actually have more time to devote to leisure activities like traveling and diving. Certainly diving can be enjoyed through your senior years. So stay active, eat healthy and get out there and dive.

By Karen and Ian Stewart

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Scuba Diving for Seniors: Is It Too Late to Start Diving?

Have you always wanted to dive but never got around to it? Now, you’re a senior and worried it might be too late. Actually, retirees and seniors make great scuba diving students, and scuba diving can offer amazing adventures at almost any age. This article will address the most frequently asked questions regarding scuba diving for seniors.

Beyond all else, scuba diving offers a sensation of weightlessness, freedom, and adventure. It can be a fantastic means of remaining active and social for seniors. Imagine swimming among the fish, visiting shipwrecks, and seeing vibrant coral reefs. Besides being a great form of exercise, scuba diving also improves mental health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether seniors may be too old to learn to scuba dive. The brief response is no. There is no upper age limit for scuba diving. Many seniors finish the PADI Open Water Diver course (the entry-level course you need to take to become a certified scuba diver) and enjoy diving for years. PADI Dive Centers and Instructors can accommodate individuals with different learning styles and abilities, improving their skills at a comfortable pace.

There is no maximum age limit for learning to scuba dive. However, the first consideration before signing up for a scuba diving course should be your general fitness and health . Scuba diving students older than 45 years old (as well as those with current or prior major medical conditions) are recommended to undergo risk assessment with a medical professional before beginning any scuba diving courses. You can download a copy of the “Diver Medical | Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form” to take to your doctor here.

Absolutely! Many 60-year-olds and those older than 60 pick up scuba diving and excel at it! The secret is following safety rules and paying attention to your body. With the correct attitude and equipment, scuba diving is a rewarding sport seniors can enjoy for years.

There is no age limit for discontinuing scuba diving, just as there is no maximum age limit for beginning the hobby. Your health, degree of fitness, and comfort in the water will all impact whether you choose to keep diving or stop at a certain age. Like other scuba divers, evaluating whether scuba diving is recommended for your state of health and fitness depends on regular checks with your doctor and honest self-assessment.

When taking a scuba diving course, always follow your instructor’s directions, practice and achieve a mastery of the skills, follow safety guidelines and never exceed your limits of training and experience. Diving is enjoyable and carries minimal risk so long as you ensure you are medically fit to dive, keep current with your training and maintain your gear in good operating condition. Finding the correct community and keeping up your diver education will enable you to regularly enjoy diving.

Scuba diving is an adventure waiting to happen at almost any age. Seniors can explore the underwater world with the right attitude, planning, and training. Don’t let false ideas about age stop you. Take your first step to answer the ocean’s call and begin to “Live Unfiltered.”

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Thumbs up for seniors diving

• November 11, 2012 By DIVER Editorial
• 42 Comments

By Stan Waterman

I grow old… I grow old… I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing each to each. I do not think that they will sing for me.

…We have lingered in the chambers of the sea,

By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

T.S. Elliot

 I share none of Elliot’s thoughts expressed in his epic poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock . However, I must confess to having physically grown old. I have no more hair to part. One eye is gone, and I do mean it’s no longer there. I have four titanium bolts in my lower vertebra and two-feet of my colon were removed many years ago. Eager as you may be to hear more, I will desist. But I do agree with one definition of old age I encountered some while back. It read, “Old age seems to be one continuous round trip to the lavatory.” As I write this I am 88, I can no longer walk a straight line, due in part to a plentiful lack of balance, but I have not yet subscribed to Pampersâ.

I am an active diver.

So what about the sea and diving for us geezers? If I could shake Poseidon’s hand and slap him on the back with heart-felt thanks I would do so many times over. The simple fact is that when you drop into the sea with your aqualung, all gravity is shuffled away. Balance is restored. A flick of your fins and you move through the aquatic world as if on a magic carpet. You may not be able to run a marathon or play vigorous singles tennis any more, but with your wits still about you and the ability to travel, you can continue to explore and enjoy diving.

Some years back I documented a dive trip for a Boston dive group, the Moray Wheels, dedicated to handicapped divers. Both young stars of the show were paralyzed from the waist down, paraplegics and wheelchair-bound. But with help in and out of the water from their group dive buddies they were able to scuba dive effectively and continue to enjoy the greatest adventure of their lives diving in the distant Caribbean around the island of Bonaire.

Seniors, who might be apprehensive about their dexterity aboard live-aboard dive boats, or a daily dive regimen too vigorous for their level of energy, may gain reassurance from my own experiences with the very considerate and experienced crews of the live-aboards I still serve as a tour host. Typically, guests may make as many as five dives a day, including a night dive. I limit myself to two dives a day and forego dives where big currents are present. I suit up on the dive deck. As I sit at the edge of the dive platform or skiff there is always a helping hand with my tank, BC, weights and fins. So I am launched with zero effort. By handing up my fins, weights and tank at the ladder – or being hauled over the side of the skiff like a sack of potatoes – I am retrieved just as effortlessly.

The above care would surely resonate for a ‘special’ seniors dive tour. Such a tour would schedule just two – possibly three – dives a day if requested. Night dives would not be scheduled, allowing the amenities of cocktails before dinner and wine with dinner. On all my dive tours, I provide after dinner entertainment. For an hour or less I present a world of underwater video that I’ve produced during the last half century, and I take no offence if snoring drowns out my narrations.

Since I passed 80 and decreased agility and energy have become a fact of my daily life, a thought – a prospect perhaps – has grown in my mind, one that I’ve shared with other guests well into their senior years. Would a tour expressly for senior divers, custom-designed for their levels of comfortable physical activity, be viable and find a welcome market?  I very much hope so and would delight in sharing stories and life experiences with my diving contemporaries.

Hello out there! What say you?

In 1833 Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote in his poem Ulysses ,

“…How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!

As though to breathe were life!”

And in his book, Ulysses Found , Ernle Bradford, a contemporary writer and mariner, followed the course of Ulysses in the Odyssey. He speculated that the great adventurer, not long after he returned home safely, became restless and yearned for adventure. Bradford wrote, “I do not think he was content. One night they slid the black ship down into the sea. They unloosed the mooring rope from the pierced stone. They turned the eyes of the ship to the west and, sitting all in order, they smote the gray sea waters”.

I concede this brief essay is self-serving. But there are many veteran divers in their retirement years, like me, with a harvest of rich experience and stories to share.

Though many may have found, as I have, that their energy for vigorous sports is diminished, I have found the sea a gentle mistress and diving a most happy way to continue physical activity. “Activity” is the operative word; it is the key. Stay active.

The poet, A.E. Housman, wrote in Reveille ,

“…Up, lad: when the journey’s over

There’ll be time enough for sleep.”

42 Responses to “Thumbs up for seniors diving”

Hi, I think a senior dive trip is a great idea. Actually, I landed at this site while searching for one. Is there any other information available?

Rosalind Ruhl

Dear All, I also am looking for dive programs for seniors. I was Certified basic in 1974(at 25)and as rescue diver through NAUI in 1977, I was checked out in August in Sardinia for open water diving again as it has been some years since I dived. I did very well and am really wanting to go with a safe and friendly senior oriented group! If you know of any please respond. We are not done yet!!! My interests are in warm water dives in the following places: Komodo Islands, Seychelles , Australia…west coast ! If it is a senior trip and a fun group I could join even if I already have been to the destinations! Kind Regards , Rosalind Ruhl Waknu Creek ,CA [email protected]

Searched high and low for exactly that. Live aboard or other diving holiday specifically for senior divers. Still in my 60s and well …arthritis no problem in warm seas. Susan

I’m not a senior (yet) but was so disappointed on a recent dive safari in Thailand and Malaysia not to have happened upon a single senior diver. Which gave my wife and I the idea to start up a business focusing entirely on the needs of this group. But what about getting seniors interested in an open water certification, seniors who perhaps have never had anything to do with diving in their youth? Combining training, diving etc. with new cultural experiences.

I’m searching for people to have a conversation with about the requirements, interests, infrastructure, marketing, etc. for this group. Land based tours and training (possibility for better accommodations) or live aboard? Etc? Who wants to talk about the possibilities? I need input for a business model!

Marilyn Flaherty

Would love to discuss your business model. I was certified at the age of 68, but haven’t been on a dive since. I’d be interested in hearing from you…

Ray, I’ve been thinking the same thing. The 76 million baby boomers include millions of divers who are in good health and have the financial resources to travel. We want different services from 20-year-olds — decent beds, somebody to carry our tanks and the company of grownups. I think the key is to partner with a large established dive shop like Mike Ball or Captain Don. And I think one would want to focus on one thing, at least at the beginning. I.e. start with senior-only dive trips, see how it goes and then later maybe branch out into certification for seniors. I believe this could be a brilliantly successful business.

patricia bennett

I am 68 years young and taking my first open water class tonight. I am so excited and yes a little fearful. However this is something I have always wanted to do. I am single so that has held me back also. Now it doesn’t matter I feel it will all work out. I was a fan of “Sea Hunt” never missed an episode. 🙂 so here I go. Patricia

I found this post while searching for senior dive trips. I think it’s a great idea. I’m in my early 60’s and have been diving for just a few years. On most trips I’ve been the oldest by quite a bit. I’d really enjoy more company closer to my age. There’s gotta be more like us out there.

Mary, there is…ME!! I was certified by PADI when I was 68 and I have not been on a dive since! I’m afraid I won’t be able to lift the tank, get back on board, etc., etc. I’m remain active however. Would be interested in what you have found…

Hi, I was just certified at 60 and was looking for somewhere to dive too. I have trouble getting out of the water so, the divemaster let me take my bcd off in the water….very helpful. Please keep me posted. This is a GREAT ides.

John Parker

I hope to hear more from this group. I’m 71 and an active senior male. I started diving in my late twenties, and was very active at one period, getting my DM status. I have my own gear and I can handle it alone. I’ve done several dives this year, but don’t enjoy the youth culture of today…constant sexual innuendo and profanity…I’d like to dive with real adults.

Christine (Chris)

I am 66, was certified in 2005 at age 57. I have been diving in Maui, the FL keys, and the Galapagos, on a liveaboard with my son in 2008. Sadly, that was my last dive. I would love to dive with a senior group.

Christine, have you found a senior group yet? I share your interest. My last dive was 2008 – looking to get back in!!!

Patricia Silver

At Last…. a few time a year I search for “senior scuba trips”; this is the first time I have found any kind of answer.I am interested. I do not have a dive buddy so a group of like-minded divers is just what I need. I am 70, PADI certified in the early “80s. if this happens – please contact me.

I would be up for it,69 and not dived for two years due to struggling on a tossing live aboard with full kit etc. and left to my own devises,I was by far the oldest on the boat. Once in the water though,it was a different story and I was down the longest,whilst the younger ones were out within 30/40 mins. I just felt out of the group,and a week seems a long while on your own.

Brenda Brooks

I have not dived in several years, around 20 years to be exact. I am 75 years old and still very active. I train and ride horses. I would love to dive again and feel confident I would be fine with a little assistance getting in and out of the water. I am sure it would be more enjoyable with a group of older, active people like myself. If anyone is interested in putting together a dive trip for seniors I would love to get in on it.

I am 62 year old male. I have been an active diver for over 40 years. I am a dive master. In Jan and Feb of this year I worked on a dive boat in Honduras. I did 72 dives in 45 days. My wife is no longer interested in diving. If you are interested in an experienced dive buddy for a Caribbean trip, please contact me.

My husband and I turn 65 this October and are interested in finding dive trips that are geared toward seniors. Any information would be appreciated.

Love to dive

I would like to further converse about age diving financial ability to pursue diving as we get older and placement in a older set of divers as such I think if some will come together offering desire, dive certifications, finances, business aspirations etc….together we could work something out to everyone needs and enjoyment! Please give me a shout 🙂

Kyle Fisher

I wanted to voice my support in favor of senior divers. I came across this article while looking for dive boats in the keys that cater to senior divers but amazingly couldn’t find any. My 65 year old father who has had heart bypass surgery, enjoys diving and I enjoy diving with him. Diving itself is calm, relaxing, and weightless but the prep, amount of gear, boat ride and wearing a hot wet suit on the surface can be taxing. Most boats are cattle boats and not prepared for senior divers. When we go diving I always carry my father’s tanks and weights; I help him get get his gear on and off, in and out of the water. Even I have trouble slipping a BC with a tank on by myself and walking on a rolling deck with fins and weight belt. It’s not that my father can’t do this; he plays softball twice a week. It’s just the opposite, without help he will do it on his own in a hot wet suit and I don’t want him straining. What this means is that I’m constantly last in the water and exhausted. You try to tip the mate well for help but on most boats, the mates are overwhelmed by the number and inexperienced divers. I’d love to find and pay extra for a dive charter in the keys that meets the needs of senior divers; helps them with gear and getting in and out of the water. I also want them to carry a defibrillator and have a crew that knows how to use it. The boomers are the largest, wealthiest demographic group, why is no one catering to them? My father loves diving and I want to keep him diving. If anyone has recommendations for boats in the keys that meet my requirements, please let me know.

I’m 65 and have begun my certification in the Philippines this past week. My plan is to retire from teaching in 2 years and in the meantime finish my Dive Master and Instructor certification during the summers. Once retired I intend to work as a dive professional in the Philippines. After reading comments by others I was wondering just how many Senior Americans could see themselves taking a 2/3 week dive safari to some of the best diving the world has to offer … the Philippines …

I am 64 male living in Hawaii for the last 23 years. In two years I am thinking to retire in Philippines. Kip, where are you diving in the PI? I will make a short trip to Olangapo in December near Subic area. I surely like to scuba dive with a group of serior divers in PI.

Marty Crapper

I am wondering how your journey went? Is there an older (55+) new diver opportunity that your have become involved in?

I will be 68 this upcoming summer solstice, and I just finished my Padi Dive Master course and feel in tip top shape and look forward to many more years of diving. Would love to hear more ideas about a trip for older bolder adults!

Marion T Chlebana

The last time that my husband and I went diving was on our honeymoon in Hawaii in 1977!! Heading to Roatan in November 2016 and was looking to get recertified…or redo everything since I was PADI certified in 1970. I could match all of that titanium and more that Stan was mentioning. Would love to go on a dive trip with some young aged folks like us. Give us a shout if something comes together; or if help is needed to organize. Not interested in a business of doing so; just retired 2 years ago to a northern oasis. If there is an interest in diving on wrecks, there are schools of them in the Great Lakes.

Elaine J Bentzley

I RECENTLY RECIEVED MY OPEN WATER SCUBA LICENSE. i’M 59 YEARS OLD 1.5 MONTHS AWAY FROM THE BIG 60. WHERE DO I LOOK FOR SENIOR SCUBA DIVES 60 FEET OR LESS DEEP AS I’M NEW. ELAINE 59

Ruth Holmes

Has anyone found a provider/ club organizing dive trips for us experienced, but older divers yet? We are previous owners of a dive business, so understand the logistics, but just want to go on trips with others our age and enjoy relaxed and fun holidays. We would especially like to dive Bonaire!

It has been a number of years since I dived but I’d love to try again with people in and around my age group. I. willing to take the PADT course again if required and invest in today’s state of the art equiptment.

Please get back to me with information about your organization.

We are looking for a senior dive trip. Any suggestions?

I am 60 and keen to begin a new adventure. Avid snorkler with sons who dive. Certification with peers rather than be the old guy in a group of kids has become appealing. What are some suggestions?

Ann Ellenson

I am a 71 year old, active senior and very good swimmer, who is very interested in a senior scuba diving trip. I am not certified now but would do so if a group is available

Kendall Gray

I’m not a new diver (did mostly cave diving in 60s and 70s) but I am new to dive computers and BCs (we used Navy tables and plastic jugs) and I want to go diving with other seniors. Surely someone will start a seniors dive club soon. I don’t care to go cave diving (been there, done that) but I would like to dive some pretty reefs with people that know how to respect each other.Where can I sign up?

30 years ago my dad introduced me to diving…it was his passion and something he wanted to share not just with me but with my friends at school too! He helped run a SCUBA club at school…how lucky were we! This year I suggested a father/daughter trip to the sun, we don’t live close enough to see each other regularly and thought some time together would be fun. My 72 year old father’s response was…’yep Wend, I’d love to do that…do you think we could fit in a few dives too? Haven’t done it for a few years but I reckon I can still remember what to do!’ And so here I am, looking for advise and suggestions… can you help? Many thanks…wishing us all many more happy underwater adventures! Wendy

Ahmad Al-Akhras

This is wonderful, I love the piece. And God bless you Stan, you are inspirational. I am not yet there, your age that is, but you give me hope. I am a Scuba Instructor and doing Tec diving. I hope I will be able to continue diving until the journey is over. Very profound. Thanks a million.

cheryl axley

Has anyone found a senior dive group? I am interested in going on some warm water scuba trips with a group more in my own age. Please advise.

Jane Potter

Seniors dive trip? Did it happen? Does it exist? How can we make it happen?!

Arnie Wilenken

Last month (September), I traveled to Key Largo, FL to dive with Conch Republic Divers. They’re an incredible group of folks to dive with and their skippers who helm the “Republic Diver” boat are awesome! The upper Keys are pretty much an all-year place to dive and there are several nice places to stay during a trip there. This might be something worth looking into.

Just discovered this article. This article is clearly a classic! I started diving in my ‘teens’, but didn’t continue until in my late 60’s, a few years ago. A great editorial by “Diver” magazine! Unlike us, it never gets old, lol!

This is something worth “working up”! Not sure what sort of dive trip you’re interested in. I just returned from Key Largo, FL last month (September). The diving there is awesome! The particular dive shop I dived with, Conch Republic Divers, was excellent and I definitely plan to dive with them again in the future.

Tamelyn Peper

Has anyone found a dive group for seniors yet? I know The Villages in Florida has one, but it is only open to residents of The Villages. I am 64, feel fit and would love to find a group of 55+ divers! I am primarily interested in warm water live aboard trips, but I am open to considering other options.

I’m wondering whether anyone has found a dive group for seniors yet? I know The Villages in Florida has one, but it is only open to residents of The Villages. I am 64, feel fit and would love to find a group of 55+ divers. I am primarily interested in warm water live aboard trips, but I am open to other options as well.

Vivian Tung

Hi, is this group still doing dive trips? Anyone going to SEA? I am almost senior but have past injuries which reduced my flexibility and mobility. Would love to join a group or create our own if anyone is thinking of doing a trip to South East Asia. Can contact me at [email protected] please.

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Diving for seniors citizens : 10 tips for an exceptional experience

As the population becomes older diving is important to be careful.

our seniors are not resolved to stay on the sidelines. Indeed, more active, still in good health, eager to travel, having a purchasing power generally superior to young people who start and have a major capital of time, diving for seniors is increasingly more important.

In absence of disease and / or pathologies in contra-indication with a sporting activity, studies show that it is beneficial for the more than 60 years, having a good medical follow-up, to have a regular physical activity. Scuba diving is an option since it has opened in recent years to a practice more focused on leisure than on sports capabilities.

Anxious to discover new activities and feeling that diving can bring them well-being and that little adrenaline that will make them still feel active, seniors do not hesitate to throw themselves into the water for their biggest Pleasure 😊

But can we dive at 60 years or more as we dive at 30 years? Focus on the differences that can ensure a pleasant experience for seniors and their buddies.

– Apart from diving of the “old divers” who have practiced for many years, scuba diving for seniors is a relatively new phenomenon and very little (see not) studied

– Seniors are advised to take a check-up before starting the practice of scuba diving to detect any contraindications.

– Seniors will have the best interest to equip themselves with a suitable material easy to put on. Similarly, they should take readable measuring devices and / or equip their diving mask with corrective lenses.

– Seniors should not hesitate to be helped both when going in and going out of water. This to avoid the weight too heavy on their shoulders : Unnecessary to play “hard” and pay it long after

– In addition to exercising and maintaining a leisure activity, diving is an opportunity to continue to build social and friendly ties. A good point for diving for seniors that asks to be willing to invest time in pleasure.

– If, with age, the cardiovascular system is less resistant to exertion and gaseous exchanges are less effective in a senior than in a younger person, seniors will ensure that their risk of accident is not unnecessarily increased Decompression. The limitation of dives called “in the curve” is a limitation here very judicious. You do not have to dive in extreme depths to enjoy the pleasures of underwater discoveries. Similarly, the ORL sphere may be more sensitive; A descent and a slow ascent will be recommended.

In short, tips for seniors who start (and for others)

Before engaging in diving for seniors, carry out a full medical examination Take appropriate equipment and make it easy to put on Choose patient and experienced instructors Get hydrate before and after the dive : drink, drink and still drink water the whole day long Do not hesitate to give up a dive in case of fatigue or simply if “I do not feel it” Getting help again and again, without shame Avoid carrying heavy loads before and after diving Limiting descend and ascent speeds Limit the depths Diving for seniors will be better when avoiding required deco-stops) And for those who want to, take a specialization and dive with Nitrox for even more safety.

With the respect of these tips, the good sense of the instructors and that of the seniors, all the chances will be matched to allow the senior divers to realize many magnificent discoveries of the underwater environment.

Of course, whether or not they are beginners, all seniors would gain by following these little tips of common sense to continue diving with pleasure for a long time, safely.

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A Scuba Woman

HELPING SENIOR WOMEN DIVE CONFIDENTLY

Senior Scuba Diver

As a Scuba Woman who embarked on her open water scuba diving journey in her fifties, I found myself pondering: is there an age limit for scuba diving? The question lingered in my mind as I ventured into this exhilarating world. Yet, since diving into this journey, I’ve encountered numerous older scuba divers, some well into their sixties and seventies, dispelling any notion of age restrictions. It became clear: I am not too old to scuba dive. Residing and diving primarily along the Capricorn Coast, I’m surrounded by a vibrant community of women divers, many of whom are of similar age. Together, we convene at the dive center, don our scuba gear, and embark on underwater explorations of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. For those medically fit to dive, I encourage considering a diving course as a means to enrich life’s experiences. Personally, I’m committed to diving for many decades to come, and I invite others to join in this journey of rediscovering youth through scuba diving.

It’s Never Too Late to Become a Confident Scuba Woman – Take the Dive with Me,  Tanya .

Discovering Scuba Diving in My Fifties

Having resigned myself to the humdrum of advancing years, I accepted my son Joshua’s gift of a Discovery Dive graciously but without much enthusiasm and plenty of suspicion. Josh seemed to derive great pleasure from pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Thanks to him, I’ve experienced the adrenaline rush of horrific rollercoasters, struggled to climb active volcanoes, been fed insects, and traversed dense jungles confronting wild animals in their natural habitat.  In the scheme of things, a Discovery Dive didn’t sound too bad – if I didn’t drown or get eaten by a shark. Little did I know this one Discovery Dive was about to change my life.

The Discovery Dive was to happen at Great Keppel Island, a hidden paradise only a 30-minute ferry ride away. I cannot believe GKI has been on my doorstep all these years. Its pristine white beaches and sparkling blue waters make it a hidden paradise. A Discovery Dive might not be so bad after all.

Guided through the essential skills required for the PADI Discovery Dive, I felt a flutter of nerves as I descended beneath the water’s surface. As the underwater world unfolded before my eyes, I found myself entranced by its beauty. Forgetting my nerves, I marvel at all that I see. Our dive site, the Underwater Observatory, is brimming with fish life. It is so much fun! My instructor points to a pipe where a large whiskery Wobbegong shark hides. Entranced, I felt a trickle of water sneak under the lip of my mask as I spontaneously grinned.

Surfacing from the dive, I bubbled my thanks and gratitude to Josh, who encouraged me to get my open water certification. Riding high on the euphoria of the experience and without any thought, I promptly signed up for open water diver training the following week.

I did not realize my life was about to change as I embraced the thought of becoming a Senior Scuba Diver. As a certified scuba diver, I can dive in open water with a buddy to a depth of 18 meters. It is both exciting and daunting.

Ageless Adventures: Embracing Scuba Diving in My Fifties

Initially I am overwhelmed with the skills I need to learn to stay alive underwater. The road to certification was much more challenging than anticipated. I was being challenged in more ways than I could imagine. Amplifying my anxiety was my body’s inability to manage small things.  Awkward by nature, my age is not helping. Arthritis in my hands makes it difficult to connect my hoses; I can’t undo the bungee cord holding the tank or pull on my dive boots. Trudging through the soft sand feels like I am wading through quicksand as I lug my heavy dive gear to the dive boat.  I really began to question my life choices; after all, I had resigned myself to the fact I was getting old, dumpy, and boring. Why was I doing this to myself?

I need weights to sink, but I can hardly move with them out of the water. The tank almost flattens me, and more than once, my legs buckle. Even putting on a wetsuit turns into a strenuous 20-minute dance as I try to pull the sticky neoprene onto my body. I don’t have the strength in my arms to pull a wetsuit up, nor can I get it off without help. I feel at a distinct disadvantage to my fitter, younger peers. I start to wonder – am I too old to scuba dive?  Age aside, there’s my lack of coordination. Which way do I put my BCD on my tank? The answer is the wrong way—every time. In fact, that’s the answer for most of the skills I need.

Instead of succumbing to feelings of inadequacy, I found myself inspired to overcome the physical and mental challenges scuba diving presents.

With the unwavering support of the dive team at PADI Keppel Dives, I find reassurance and assistance at every turn, enabling me to focus on the joy of diving rather than my perceived shortcomings. Their encouragement and assistance made me realize that age is no barrier to pursuing my passion. I feel empowered when I become a qualified open-water diver—a Senior Scuba Woman.

Discovering the wonders of being an open-water diver has been a revelation. Witnessing the breathtaking beauty below the water’s surface exhilarates me. There are moments when I become completely immersed in the tranquility of the ocean, feeling a profound connection to the underwater world. I take pride in my exceptional air consumption. Returning to the boat with ample air to spare sets me apart from my fellow divers and fills me with a sense of accomplishment. (Apparently, senior bodies require less air than our younger counterparts – but I’m not telling anyone that.)

However, with every dive, I face challenges. Everyone is always waiting on me as I struggle with the small steps. I am slow to get my gear on, I am still battling with my wetsuit and can’t lift my tank and BCD on without help. I am ungainly as I try to get my fins on and shuffle into position for a backward roll. Anxiety means I am slow to complete a Buddy Check.  I am paranoid about stray hairs causing my mask to leak and my legs cramp as I bob in the water by the boat. I need help to pass up my weights and struggle to climb the boat ladder with my tank on, bruising my shins against the moving rungs as I all but fall into the boat.   

Luckily for me, I have discovered an excellent dive company, PADI Keppel Dives . They are there with me every fin of the way, encouraging, helpful, and reassuring.  All my “issues” were a non-issue to them. There was always someone there to pull off my wetsuit, relieve me of my tank, and help me with the heavy lifting. I like to be independent and contribute, but I also realize that I am a Senior Scuba Diver. I appreciate the support I receive and accept it, very thankfully, most days.

Each dive becomes a triumph over my perceived limitations, a testament to my spirit. Rather than viewing age as a hindrance, I embrace it as a badge of honor, a testament to a well-lived life.

Despite setbacks, I refuse to be deterred, viewing each obstacle as an opportunity for growth. Through diving, I discover a newfound strength and resilience, challenging preconceived notions of aging and capability. Empowered by the transformative power of the ocean, I embark on a journey of self-discovery, shedding self-imposed limitations and embracing my authentic self.

Rather than feeling weak and defeated, I feel inspired. I have made a very clear decision to overcome the challenges diving presents, both physically and mentally.

It’s as though I’m experiencing a profound awakening. Instead of merely drifting into old age, I am taking back the years. I yearn to effortlessly undo the bungee cord and climb the boat ladder with my gear on.  I have always seen myself as awkward and unathletic, a bit slow to catch on, and hard on myself.  Now, I choose to be kind to myself, cutting the ropes of self-doubt and embracing my true self. There is no age limit for scuba diving.   I am determined I am not going to be old – in mind or body. No longer embarrassed, I am breaking free from self-imposed limitations and steadfastly refusing to be defined by age. My resolve is unwavering I can do this and more.

I feel privileged, humbled, and inspired by the opportunity to explore amazing underwater ecosystems when I scuba dive. As a woman diver, I want to be strong and healthy.  Not from the vanity perspective of my youth but for me. I want to be at my best. I strive for strength and vitality for my own well-being. I aim to be in peak physical condition, not only to enhance my own diving experiences but also to contribute meaningfully to the dive community. I endeavour to be a valuable member of the dive community, contributing to its richness and diversity.

Diving serves as a unifying force, bringing together individuals of all ages and backgrounds and surpassing barriers and preconceptions. It’s remarkable to witness the diverse array of people who share this passion; individuals I least expected, including long-time acquaintances, have embraced the wonders of the underwater world.

My new motto is “55 feels like 35 when you dive,” and I truly embody it. In my younger years, at 35, I focused on everything and everyone else, busy working and raising a family, neglecting my own well-being. Now, at 55, I am prioritizing self-care.  I plan to enjoy 35 this time around! Yes, there are days when my body and I disagree, yet I am determined to prevail. I recognize the importance of both mental and physical health, so I’ve begun with small, manageable steps: stretching, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet, exploring natural remedies, and establishing an exercise routine that I enjoy. My goal is clear: to demonstrate that age is no barrier to scuba diving. I intend to continue diving well into my later years, embracing the role of a woman who scuba dives with grace and vitality.

Each small step I take propels me forward into a giant stride. Diving has become the catalyst for an expanding life, and I’m grateful for the positive changes it’s bringing. I’m discovering more about myself through diving, shedding limiting beliefs and fears to emerge stronger and more self-assured. I’m beginning to grasp my true power, fostering quiet confidence and a sense of inner achievement.

As I witness my body and mind transform, I deeply appreciate the Discovery Dive that ignited this incredible journey. Every underwater moment is a joyous exploration, and I relish every aspect. With a growing list of dive sites to explore, it’s clear that diving will remain a passion well into my later years—perhaps even my seventies or eighties. This, to me, epitomizes the essence of a true Senior Scuba Diver.

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emptynestdiver

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Learning to dive in my fifties has been a great adventure, I am a senior scuba diver but young at heart. View more posts

9 thoughts on “ Senior Scuba Diver ”

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What an incredible inspiring story, thanks for sharing the beautiful images and the story with us 😇!

This reminds me of a Scuba diving vacation me and my wife took not a long ago, in a tiny island nation called ‘Sri Lanka’ which simply is a paradise for divers. 🐠🐟🐳

We explored a ship wreck called ‘Lord Nelson’ few miles off of a small southern coastal town of the country. Trust me it is an experience that i cherish and holds dear to me and will keep doing so!

See the full story here👇, https://sachsattic.wordpress.com/2022/08/04/discovering-a-paradise-at-sea-scuba-diving-at-lord-nelson-ship-wreck-in-unawatuna-sri-lanka/

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Love this! I will definitely be following. My husband and I were certified last October, we cannot wait to get back in the water. ☺️ The sea is my sanctuary.

I’m so happy that there are more of us out there. Not letting age stop you from doing what you love. I’m hoping to link more senior divers around the world, so wherever we are, there is always diving buddies to share info/diving places/and perhaps go on dives together.

Hi all, I found this site by chance and can’t help but to “jump in” 😄. I got my open water certificate 30 years ago and had not dive since until a few months ago, again by a very unlikely opportunity, after raising three children and got through many bumpy bits of life. Aside from financial difficulties, the biggest hurdle for me to overcome was the lack of a buddy. As an over sensitive Asian woman with little English, I was such an odd one out in the diving community in Canberra. Fitting in was impossible, so I backed out completely. Moving to Bundaberg and raising the family in a problematic marriage, I was too preoccupied In everything but myself. For the past few decades, scuba probably was the furthest in my thought. Now age 62, slightly improved in English, I was oddly reintroduced to the beauty of the underwater world by a scuba diving friend back in my home country during one of my rather infrequent visit. Returning to Bundaberg, I started to look around and tried a few more dives. I’d love to go diving more often but feel the cold so badly, and newly discovered that I can get very seasick! I also need to change my worrying attitude, re-shovel my priorities, find a new financial balance! Maybe like trying to achieve peak buoyancy, I need to tweak it patiently? Hope everything goes well, I may have the privilege to meet up with some senior women divers one day in my gradual journey of returning to scuba diving.

With warm regards

Hi Tinyu, thank you for your comment, you have certainly had a journey. I am not a doctor, so seek medical advice but I find taking a Phenergan the night before and the morning of a dive can help with sea sickness or a Kwell though they can give you a dry mouth. diveherveybay.com.au in Hervey Bay are a great dive centre and I am sure they can help build your confidence. When you a confident the Tobruk is fantastic dive, but before then local reefs are great way to tweak your skills. http://www.wolfrockdive.com.au at Rainbow Beach are also excellent. Wolf Rock is an advanced dive, but again very good operators to help you be comfortable in the water. Remember It’s never too late!!

Thank you for your response. I’m still working to pay off a mortgage, and am not very comfortable whenever I had to drive on the highway. To reach Harvey Bay is 1.5 hour drive, 2.5 hours to Rainbow Breach from where I live. That’s nothing to most people who grow up in Australia. But for me, I will be exhausted from the drive even before the dive, and then I’d have to drive back after the dives. 😳 So, local reef dive is about the only option for me at the moment. But that’s alright. I’m just glad to know about you and others are out there enjoying it. Cheers

Becoming a senior scuba diver is a testament to a lifelong passion for exploring the underwater world. Scuba diving is a sport that knows no age limits, and many divers continue to enjoy the beauty of the oceans well into their senior years.

This senior scuba diver’s journey is inspiring! It’s never too late to pursue your passion, and diving into the world of scuba is an incredible adventure. Considering a scuba diving course could enhance skills and safety underwater. Embracing new experiences enriches life at any age. Cheers to this diver’s remarkable story and the joy of exploration!

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Age is just a number: Becoming a Scuba Diver after 60.

There are people who are introduced to scuba diving at the dawn of their lives. They are tempted by oceans with water as warm as a bath and visibility as clear as glass to take a sabbatical after high school, from college, or from their careers to travel and to scuba dive.

They use the break to dive often, build experience through certifications, enroll in a Dive Master Internship program, or become Scuba Dive Instructors. They have salt in their hair, hint of a sunburn on the tips of their noses, and nothing but time and opportunity ahead of them.

At 65 years old, Terrance Devery is not one of those people.

Terrance (Left) with Dive Instructor Ben just before diving Bats Islands (Murcielago).

Terrance grew up in Seattle, Washington (USA) where he recalls seeing only one scuba dive shop in the area. No one he knew went scuba diving, so he just didn’t think about it. The self-described “adrenaline junkie” spent his time hiking mountaintops in places like Africa or going on 30-mile bike rides. After retiring from a long career in construction, specializing in safety & training, he relocated to Costa Rica .

He was privileged to spend a year with his son in his new home country where, together, they snorkeled everywhere they could find; bonding in a way that’s a different kind of special when your child has become an adult. After his son returned to The States, Terrance’s curiosity about what it was like to be “inside of the fishbowl” grew.

That curiosity led him to Rich Coast Diving where he initially planned to purchase better snorkel gear. Observing the excitement of the staff and how well the shop was ran (and after years of working in safety & training, he knows a well-run shop when he sees one!), Terrance decided to ask the shop’s owner, Celine Monfort , questions. Lots and lots of questions. Questions she took the time to patiently answer. Terrance knows he is healthy. He stays active even in retirement, but he couldn’t help but wonder “Could this old man dive?”.

The answer is an absolute and resounding " YES" !

People of any age should consult a doctor before engaging in scuba diving to ensure there are no underlying heart or general health issues that could be impacted by the activity. However, the risks in scuba diving for a healthy individual do not increase solely because of age.

Scuba diving has been proven to strengthen muscles, bone density, and cardiac health. Hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, and calves are leg muscles employed when kicking with fins. Core muscles are activated by swimming, kicking, and for stabilization in the boat when the seas are feeling feisty. Even consider how the muscles in the arms and shoulders are engaged when lifting BCDs attached to air tanks. Resistance experienced when pushing arms and legs through water challenges muscles as well as the cardiovascular system. (Like water aerobics, only with a better view.)

The health community advises exercising our hearts at least three times a week for at least thirty minutes each day. Terrance’s desire to stay under water longer motivates him to work on my cardio outside of the water. Overall, scuba diving is a low impact exercise that yields high results. So scuba diving is a great option for seniors. (Maybe we should all get a prescription from our doctors to scuba dive more!)

Terrace had all of his questions answered and began his journey to become a scuba diver. It was important for him to maintain his training exclusively at Rich Coast Diving because he built a rapport with the world-class instructors who know his skills and he, in turn, knows theirs. He’s familiar with the instructor who swims a little faster, but is a whiz at locating bigger marine life like reef sharks, schools of jacks and spotted eagle rays. Or another instructor who guides more slowly in order to discover smaller nudibranchs and octopi in hiding.

Terrance has earned his PADI Advanced Open Water certification and can’t believe how much fun scuba diving is! Scuba diving once a week allowed him to complete a deep dive, meet his first white tip reef shark, see new and healthy coral on every dive, and become experienced at spotting scorpion fish - a fish with sharp spines coated with venomous mucus who are so adept at disguising themselves as ocean rocks that people call them “rock fish”. Next, he’ll complete the PADI Rescue Diver certification as well as travel to Cocos Island to witness schools of hammerhead sharks.

Terrance’s philosophy of scuba diving for divers at any age is that “scuba is safe if you make it safe” . Instructors at Rich Coast Diving “balance encouragement with ass-chewing”, something that rarely happens but is crucial when it comes to safety. Like the time when Terrance wanted to scuba dive at a site with conditions that exceeded his skills as a new diver.

Celine (the owner) mentored him by creating a training plan to help him build the skills needed for that type of dive. Training that was surprisingly fun as Terrance essentially played an underwater game of “Red Light / Green Light” to learn how to manage the underwater surge. Terrance takes his role as a dive buddy seriously which, unexpectedly, opened him to another benefit of scuba diving: community.

Scuba diving was never on his bucket list and a small part of him was nervous about being the oldest person on the dive, potentially, making him stand out as a novelty. But we all look silly in wetsuits, we all need to look out for our dive buddy, and we all squeal when we see turtles. We’re more alike than we are different and time spent with complete strangers before the dive, during the surface interval, and after the dive when you run into other wet-haired folks in restaurants; you discover that age ain’t nothing but a number.

Your reasons for diving, what excites you about marine life, and photos from past dives are far more interesting than the number of candles on your birthday cake. For Terrance, whose background is firmly rooted in safety, he found “People are your safety, so they open up more.” Terrance is the dive buddy who will take videos for new divers on his GoPro and email them to after the dive. Some people return and request to dive with him again. He’s made friends with the staff and often receives invitations to their events and activities.

Terrance uses the 3 minutes of every safety stop to reflect on just how special scuba diving can truly be. At the moment when he’s quietly floating below the ocean’s surface and above the sea floor, he is a grateful that he’s found this kind of peace. He’s happy to give up a few of steak dinners (and a couple bottles of wine!), to have swapped out his car for a bike in order to fund his new passion. Even on the days he would like to dive with some of the older, active people he sees around Playa del Coco, he’s content that he’s found a home at Rich Coast Diving.

For more information about becoming a scuba diver, contact:

Rich Coast Diving

Mrs. Céline Monfort

Email: info @richcoastdiving.com

WhatsApp +506 8610 0914

www.richcoastdiving.com

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Best Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Senior Travel Tour Companies

Search 95 Scuba Diving & Snorkeling tour operators and travel companies, with 161 reviews.

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ROW Sea Kayak Adventures

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Featured Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Trips

ROW Adventures

On The Go Tours

Audley Travel

Road Scholar

AdventureSmith

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Un-Cruise Adventures

National Geographic Expeditions

Liveaboard Adventures

REI Adventures

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Oceanwide Expeditions

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Pro Dive Cairns

Expect In Africa Safari

Metropolitan Touring

Myths and Mountains

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Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Reviews & Ratings

A must for anyone....

A Culture Trip curated trip is a must for anyone burnt out planning their own trips or going to a remote or unfamiliar area. Having a local insider was the highlight...

We had a family trip of 5 of us and we absolutely loved the Alb...

Everything was pretty much perfect

Great beaches

Definitively compared to the best of Italy. I loved the involvemen...

The tour was well conducted

The tour guide was really friendly and the selection ...

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Trip planning.

The Villages Scuba Club

Adventure Diving for Seniors

Seniors and Diving

Here are a few links about diving as seniors:

Diver Magazine: Thumbs up for seniors diving

Scuba Diver Life: Too Old to Dive?

Leisure Pro Aqua Guides: Health Benefits of Scuba Diving for Seniors

Dive Training Magazine: Divers of a Certain Age: Scuba Diving for Seniors