Why Do We Dive?

Because we love it. Of course, that answer is far too simple — and I don’t think it should be. Every diver has their own reasons, and in this post, I’d like to share mine. I actually have a long list, but I’ll try to summarize. Naturally, loving it is something all divers can relate to, including myself. But beyond that, what matters most to me is the sense of freedom it gives.

Those who know me will recognize the example I always give — one that even inspired the name of this site. The only other place where you can feel this combination of weightlessness and freedom is in outer space. As you know, experiencing that sensation in space comes with an enormous price tag. So, how does diving give us this freedom?

First, the underwater world is an isolated environment. Apart from a few exceptions, the only sound you hear is your own breathing. That means you're free from city noise and all other artificial sounds. (In a future post, I might talk about how sound behaves underwater — it's a fascinating topic.) Besides, as you know, space is a zero-gravity environment — it gives people the sensation of flying. Similarly, if you achieve perfect buoyancy underwater (which you absolutely should — and I’ll dive deeper into that topic in future posts), the ocean becomes a gravity-free zone for us divers. When you're hovering in shallow water above a 10–20 meter drop, that's when you truly grasp what it means to fly.

Another reason — and a deeply meaningful one for me — is the friendships and bonds formed through diving. You don’t need to take a course to experience this reason. Just sharing dives and time together is more than enough. After all, diving is an activity that requires at least two people, right? Personally, diving has brought many true friendships into my life.

Sometimes, I’m sure you also find yourself searching for a reason to escape the noise and chaos of the city — even if just for a brief moment. I remember when I first started diving: my wife and I would hop on a bus on Friday evenings and travel at least 8 hours. Of course, after the long trip, it would be Saturday morning, and after breakfast, we’d throw ourselves onto the dive boat. After two days of diving, we’d start the journey back home on Sunday. And naturally, Monday meant returning to city life and work. But honestly, if I said those two days of diving and shared moments weren’t worth all that exhaustion, I’d be lying.

There’s still so much more to say, but I’ll stop here—some things are better left for you to discover on your own once you start diving.

To those who already dive, I wish you many more dives; and to those who haven’t started yet, I hope you get to taste that freedom very soon.

Burhan SÜRENSOY