Alice tells us about her first time scuba diving
Whilst many of us will be enticed by the idea of a first-time scuba diving experience, we often don’t know what to expect. Uncertainty can often be the hurdle that prevents us from enjoying new experiences, so Alice talks us through her first experience of scuba diving.
My initial reaction to the suggestion of Scuba Diving in Croatia
When my parents first suggested that we could go Scuba Diving during our upcoming family holiday, I envisaged being dropped off in the middle of the ocean and descending to the gloomy depths of the sea bed, where I’d feel all alone with no way out, surrounded by darkness. So my initially reaction to their idea was that of trepidation.
Growing up in the Lake district, I have always known what it was like to swim out of my depth in lakes and rivers. We would jump off the jetties in summer-time with friends over and over again until it was time for tea. The water never scared me in those moments but rather acted like a catalyst for my enjoyment. It was when heading out on boats that I would begin to feel uncomfortable, taking too much notice of the murky water beneath. It often felt as though the water might swallow me up whole, and I would beg my brothers to take me back to the shore. This is what I was reminded of when the idea of Scuba Diving was initially suggested to me.
Arriving at the Dive Centre
At the Scuba-hire place in Croatia, we tried on wetsuits and tanks (it seemed impossible to walk with the weight on my back). We then took a short transfer bus down to the shore. I still wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the instructor informed us that she would be holding onto us almost all the time to make sure that we weren’t going to drift off or do anything we shouldn’t. Her safety debrief, which included how to use the hose, was fairly straight forward. But at the time I was concentrating on what was to come.
Heading out in our private family boat
Onto the little boat we go! My fears of deep water began to creep in, but we had already set sea. It was a fairly calm ride to our “drop-off” which helped with some of those unresolved nerves. We parked up by some rock features and the boat was anchored. It was just my family and the scuba-team on board. Once we were ready to go, one by one we had to sit backwards on the edge of the boat, and roll backwards into the sea. Without having to be convinced, I agreed to go last.
Stepping onto the edge of the little blue wreck, I edged my way backwards. I decided not to take another look into the deep dark sea and just go for it. The moment between pushing off the boat and landing in the water was the most frightening, but once I relaxed I began to feel the calmness of the ocean instead of the eeriness. I trod water for a few moments then was told to start lowering down. Having my whole head in the water and still being able to breath was bizarre but the most incredible thing I had experienced. I felt as if I was playing mermaids in a dream world. I could breathe underwater!
Delicate shoals flitted by me, displaying flashes of reds, oranges, and indigos.
The weight belt around my waist assisted me downwards until we reached about 19 meters. Looking up, I didn’t feel trapped or suffocated, or that the world was so far away from me, but like I was right here with it. The burst of colours was beyond anything I had previously encountered. But what was even more astonishing was that the colours were moving. Delicate shoals flitted by me, displaying flashes of reds, oranges, and indigos. Tiny pink starfish were everywhere, clung onto the fluffy sea moss on the rocks.
My instructor tapped me on the shoulder and pointed into the distance. At first it just looked like more colourful fish but, as my eyes adjusted, I saw something green floating towards me. A turtle serenely glided past our feet. How could an animal that we constantly see in pictures in our daily lives look so staggering in real life? I still swear he winked at me as he passed, so of course he is now my spirit animal 😊🐢
A centipede-like creature inched its way across a rock
We were about 5 minutes into the dive by this point and all my previous built up worries had dissipated (quite literally). Another sea discovery: a centipede-like creature edged with flashes of red was inching its way across a rock. I definitely didn’t feel comfortable trying to pet it or pick it up, but enjoying watching it take its daily commute made me have a whole new perspective in that moment. I remember thinking how totally mind boggling it was that every single living thing on this earth has a different purpose, and experiences life completely differently to the next. Even Mr centipede it seems.
Considering how nervous I was at the start, I couldn’t believe how calming the whole experience was. I can honestly tell you that descending deep into the water gave me no unnerving senses whatsoever.
Would you like to enjoy a Scuba Diving Experience?
If you would like to go Scuba Diving, we have a range of great experiences available in many of the destinations within our range of holidays. Whether its in close by Azores or Madeira, or heading further afield to the tropical waters of Sao Tome and Principe, we can advise you on the best Scuba Diving excursions.
📞Called us to find out more: 017687 21040
💻or email:team@archipelagochoice.com