Retirement Hobby: Scuba Diving

by Love to Dive
(Toronto, Canada)

If you can float in water, if you enjoy snorkeling, you can dive!

I'm a 60 year old, 5-foot tall woman who is semi-retired (casual work). I'm definitely not the sporty type, but I've just finished traveling solo and diving (on a budget) for 4 weeks all over the Philippines!

I like my ocean water warm and inviting, therefore I do my diving in the Caribbean and the Pacific. So far, IMHO, Cozumel in Mexico, the Island of Koh Tao in Thailand and the islands in the Eastern Indonesia have the best dive sites.

Of course, when I'm low in funds (quite often) and as a Canadian, I'd go to Southern Cuba and dive in the famous Bay of Pigs for US $20/ dive (super cheap!).

I only come truly alive when I’m underwater. I feel truly privileged to be allowed to observe the many amazing creatures in an environment that is totally alien, yet somewhat parallel to us land-based beings.

Ocean is important to the humans’ survival (perils of global warming, coral bleaching, etc.) and I believe that diving makes one think and care for conservation matters and invariably act more Green and responsible.

Most important, it keeps you feeling young at heart and wanting to keep yourself in shape as you need to do some daily moderate exercises to keep your cardiovascular in decent shape. Oh yes, you also get to meet and make friends with like-minded divers from all over the world whom you could keep in touch on FB, emails, etc. and might even travel together on future trips!

I close my eyes and I see the blue ocean…beguiling me! (Hey! If you don’t mind the cooler water, there are lakes and seas in the northern hemispheres as well! The choices are limitless! Then there are also caves, caverns, wrecks…and the wonderful world of underwater photography to explore)

So, try the Discovery Dive offered at many resorts in the South and see for yourself…and indulge!

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