The Science Behind Buoyancy
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve logged hundreds of dives, understanding buoyancy is one of the most important skills you’ll ever master underwater. It’s not just about staying off the bottom or avoiding an uncontrolled ascent—it’s about safety, control,…
#FFF 19: the Horseshoe Crab
Okay, it’s time we admit it. There’s too much fun stuff in the ocean to limit our Friday posts to just being about fish. So, from now on, #fff stands for Friday Fun Fact! As a scuba diver, I’ve had…
#FFF 18: the Ocean Surgeonfish
The reefs off the coast of SouthFlorida, are home to a diverse array of marine life, including the Ocean Surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus). This beauty plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of coral ecosystems. With its distinctive…
#FFF 17: the Longspine Sea Urchin
It’s Friday, and you know what that means… it’s time for another #FFF! The longspine sea urchin (Diadema antillarum), is a keystone species in the coral reef ecosystems of the Caribbean and western Atlantic, including South Florida. With its striking…
Mermaids and Mangroves, the wrap up
Whew! It’s been two days since the event, but we’re all still exhausted (in a good way) from putting together Mermaids and Mangroves 2025. It was a huge success, thanks to all of you and our many volunteers. Many people…
#FFF 16: the Longspine Squirrelfish
It’s Friday, so it must be time for another #fff, friday fish fact. The Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) stands out based solely on its appearance. This fish always looks like it just woke up, is grumpy about it, and has…
Is mini-season worth the risk?
Every year, Florida’s two-day spiny lobster mini-season draws thousands of divers into our waters, eager to snag their share of delicious bounty before the regular season begins. If you’re up at 12:01 am on Wednesday July 28th of 2025, you’ll…
#FFF 15: The Giant Basket Star
If you’ve ever done a drift dive over a soft coral reef in South Florida , you may have seen a Giant Basket Star (Astrophyton muricatum) and never known it. During the day these amazing creatures curl into a tangled…
Must See Nature Videos
Inventor, videographer and photographer Michael McCarthy has become world famous for his amazing shots using a combination of drones and other cameras filming wildlife in Tampa Bay. He is also the owner of the See Through Canoe Company, which was…
#FFF 14: the Black Tip Reef Shark
It’s Friday, so it must be time for another #fff, Friday Fish Fact, from Out Scuba! If you’ve ever dropped into the waters off Fort Lauderdale and spotted a sleek, torpedo-shaped fish with a black-tipped dorsal fin slicing through the…
Christ of the Abyss
Key Largo is considered the gateway to the Florida Keys, and you can’t drive down US 1 without seeing a dive operator every 50 feet. With John Pennekamp State Park just offshore, it is truly magical. It’s a place where…
#FFF 13: the Black Durgon
If you’ve ever drifted along a coral wall in the Keys or hovered near a patch reef off Fort Lauderdale, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of a sleek, dark fish darting like a shadow through the blue. Meet the…