#FFF 21: Valonia Algae, The Ocean’s Shiny Bauble
If you’ve ever been diving off the coast of South Florida and spotted shiny green bubbles clinging to rocks or coral, you’ve likely encountered Valonia Algae (Valonia ventricosa). These little spheres look like something out of a sci-fi movie—glassy, vibrant, and almost…
Don’t be scared of the dark…
Night diving in South Florida offers a unique and mesmerizing underwater experience. As the sun sets, the ocean transforms into a realm of bioluminescence, nocturnal marine life, and serene silence. Among the region’s most iconic night dive sites is Blue…
#FFF 20: The Striped Burrfish
Alright, let’s dive in to another #fff—pun absolutely intended—because the striped burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfi) is one of those quirky little ocean characters that deserves way more love than it gets. If you’ve ever been scuba diving in South Florida and…
Citizen scientists and Out Scuba go hand-in-hand
We just learned about the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA, pronounced sea-mare-uh) from new member Karen Patrick, and she had a fascinating experience that we think a lot of you would like to know about. The Coastal Marine Education…
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…