Alternatives to Scuba Diving You Should Try<\/h2>\n
If, for some reason, you can\u2019t or won\u2019t go scuba diving, here are nine other options to try.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Breathing Observation Submersible Scooter (BOSS)<\/h3>\n
BOSS is a type of excursion where you get to ride on a submersible scooter<\/a> with a helmet attached to an air tank so that you can breathe underwater. For the divers\u2019 safety, the top of the helmet is attached to the boat via a chord.<\/p>\n Also, there\u2019s no need to worry about the helmet limiting your view of ocean life. Most of its parts are clear, and you can easily move your head around, so a 360-degree view is totally possible.<\/p>\n The best part? You don\u2019t need any kind of training or previous diving experience to get started! However, there\u2019ll be an in-depth orientation at the beginning so that you know what to do when you\u2019re in the water.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to go on a BOSS excursion, don\u2019t forget to bring a comfortable bathing suit and a waterproof camera.<\/p>\n If you want to experience something more challenging than scuba diving<\/a>, consider freediving. This activity is also known as breath-hold diving<\/a> because you go into depths without a breathing apparatus, just pure lung power!<\/p>\n This adventure can be done in saltwater and freshwater, but the main types include:<\/p>\n That said, you\u2019ll need to master a couple of pool disciplines<\/a> for a smooth experience.<\/p>\n The first one is static apnea, which is holding your breath for as long as you can while staying still. The other discipline is called dynamic apnea and is used in competitive freediving with similar principles as static apnea, except, this time, you\u2019re moving.<\/p>\n However, we recommend freediving only if you\u2019ve had sufficient training and are confident underwater without a breathing apparatus. If it\u2019s your first time, it\u2019s best to go with a team or a professional diver to guide you.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, trainers and safety divers may not allow you to go deep diving if you have health problems like coronary artery disease, epilepsy<\/a>, or asthma triggered by exercise and cold temperatures.<\/p>\n For good measure, visit your trusted physician to make sure that you\u2019re fit enough to go freediving.<\/p>\n Those who are uncomfortable under extreme depths may opt for helmet diving, which is usually done in relatively shallow waters. In this activity, the diver can breathe normally inside a clear helmet as he walks on the ocean floor.<\/p>\n The diving helmet<\/a> has weights on the rim so that it remains steady, thus retaining the air inside with an external supply. It also has pads on the shoulders to keep the diver comfortable despite the weight.<\/p>\n Plus, with helmet diving, communication and movement aren\u2019t too restricted. This way, you get a good view of colorful undersea creatures swimming about.<\/p>\n What newbies like best about this scuba alternative is that it doesn\u2019t require complex skills. As long as you don\u2019t have breathing or walking difficulties, you\u2019re qualified to go helmet diving.<\/p>\n For safety reasons, most tours allow only those who are thirteen years old and above.<\/p>\n Going on a semi-submersible submarine, nicknamed semi-sub, is an exciting way to observe marine activity while staying dry. For this, you don\u2019t need to learn how to swim or be at a certain age.<\/p>\n Semi-subs have two sections, the upper and lower floors. The former sticks out of the surface, while the latter stays underwater.<\/p>\n Through the viewing windows, you can marvel at the colorful reefs and fishes while staying comfy inside. In most cases, the semi-sub tour could take about 25 minutes, with a guide giving commentaries along the trip.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no need to bring diving equipment or even a suit for this. Just be in your regular clothes and bring a camera phone for photo<\/a> souvenirs!<\/p>\n The major difference between scuba diving and snorkeling is the depth. The deepest you can go in this exciting experience is 6 feet, and it usually doesn\u2019t take longer than 30 minutes.<\/p>\n So, if deep-sea diving stresses you out, snorkeling might be more comfortable for you. You\u2019ll just need to make sure that you bring the appropriate gear and suit to make the most out of your trip.<\/p>\n When snorkeling, a snorkel mask<\/a> helps you see clearly and breathe underwater. However, the tube is usually short, so you need to stay close to the surface so that the free end of the tube sticks out of the water.<\/p>\n There are two types of masks that you can use: the traditional kind, where you breathe through the mouth, and the full-face one, where you can breathe normally through the nose and mouth.<\/p>\n All in all, you have to know, at least, the basics of swimming and diving to go snorkeling. It would also help if you could practice breathing through your mask for an effortless experience.<\/p>\n You probably know snorkeling and scuba diving<\/a>, but have you heard about their love child? In essence, snuba diving is the combination of both diving activities. The name says it, after all.<\/p>\n So, where do they differ, and how are they similar?<\/p>\n While snorkeling lets you stay close to the surface, snuba lets you dive a little deeper. Yet, not deeper than 60 feet because then you\u2019ll need a scuba certification<\/a>.<\/p>\n Snuba diving lets you go as deep as 20 feet while wearing fins, a mask, a weight belt to maintain buoyancy, and a harness for air supply.<\/p>\n Therefore, if you\u2019re having a hard time choosing between scuba diving<\/a> and snorkeling, you might as well go for scuba diving and have the best of both worlds!<\/p>\n Skin diving is the marriage of two other underwater adventures: snorkeling and freediving.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re skin diving, you spend part of the time at the surface, observing the scenery. Then, you can dive deeper from time to time to get a closer look at marine life and coral reefs that could catch your eye.<\/p>\n Generally, this activity doesn\u2019t require bulky diving equipment because it holds the breath-holding principles of freediving. So, to savor your time skin diving, be sure that you\u2019ve mastered static and dynamic apnea.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no need for a diving suit, either, thus, the name. This is why you\u2019ll often see skin divers only wearing small pieces of bathing suits, swimfins, and snorkel masks<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a fun and safe skin diving adventure, don\u2019t skimp on preparation and go with a trusted diving team.<\/p>\n Do you want to know what it feels like to live a day in the life of a mermaid? Well, there\u2019s a name for that leisure interest, and it\u2019s called \u2018mermaiding.\u2019<\/p>\n This activity gained popularity in the early 2000s, especially among women. They do this by wearing mermaid-like tails and swimming in motions similar to a dolphin\u2019s.<\/p>\n Mermaid tails are usually made of fabric, neoprene, and sequins to mimic scales and latex. Some may also come in silicone or urethane. In principle, the lighter and more stretchy the material, the better.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, basic swimming skills won\u2019t be enough for successful mermaiding. You have to be, at least, a good swimmer, if not an expert.<\/p>\n To become a professional mermaid (which is a legitimate occupation now, by the way), you also need the skills of a freediver. After all, you\u2019re going to need to hold your breath for longer periods at a time. Watch this video about being a professional mermaid.<\/p>\n2.\u00a0\u00a0 Freediving<\/h3>\n
![\"freediving](\"https:\/\/diving-info.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_393581302-1-300x200.jpg\")
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3.\u00a0\u00a0 Helmet Diving<\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0 Semi-Submersible Submarine<\/h3>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0 Snorkeling
![\"snorkeling\"](\"https:\/\/diving-info.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1832483269-300x200.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n6.\u00a0\u00a0 Snuba<\/h3>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0 Skin Diving<\/h3>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0 Mermaiding<\/h3>\n