This summer may have reached all-new lows in certain aspects, but one thing to perk up the spirit is to reach all-new depths. The best social distancing out there starts with swimming further from the surface, into the crystalline blue waters of the Gulf where abandoned shipwrecks and coral reefs abound with a frenzy of fish and marine wildlife await. That’s no prophecy; there’s some warranty backing that claim—Florida is spoiled with endless dive destinations from miles of clearwater coastline to deep water caverns/caves and freshwater springs.  

Scuba Quest not only sells top-quality dive gear and the latest high-tech diving equipment, but offers scuba diving certification classes and exotic dive charters throughout the year to locals and visitors alike. The full-service shop is ready to teach, excite and guide watersports enthusiasts to a quiet, enchanting underworld. So if you’ve got some extra time to spare nowadays, and have always wanted to get certified in scuba diving, here’s a chance to carve out a few days to make it happen with the Scuba Quest guys. They provide the BCD, regulators, tanks and wetsuits as part of your class, in addition to the eLearning course, classroom, pool and boat dives. Students are responsible for their own personal mask, fins, snorkel, weight belt, weights and surface marker buoy—which can all be picked up right at the shop where the guys will help you pick the best individual size and style for you. 

Aside from beginner courses to get entry-level certification, they teach advanced courses as well as specialty courses such as First Aid/CPR/Oxygen rescue, Technical diving, NAUI Leadership courses, Divemaster courses and more. For avid divers already exploring many feet deep, know that Scuba Quest provides additional services such as tank fills of air and Nitrox with whatever mixture desired for your next diving adventure, along with visual inspections, Hydrostatic inspections, tumbling and valve repair. And if your gear is getting overly used or old from wear and tear, don’t hesitate to take it to the guys for some ultrasonic cleaning, degreasing of parts, replacement of all o-rings, seats and seals per your manufacturer’s guidelines. For the adrenaline junkie watermen and waterwomen, Scuba Quest and Splash Charters will be hosting a Night Dive Swim Off Sarasota excursion on Wednesday, September 2. The two-tank night dive will kick off with a meetup at 5:30pm at Nora Patterson park and then head to the launch site at twilight to explore the dark night underseas. Participants must have two lights (primary and backup). 

And if after reading that, you got all hot, sweaty and nervous, maybe scuba diving isn’t for you, and that's okay. If the whole tank and regulator thing seems too out of your comfort zone, perhaps consider becoming more like the fish you want to swim alongside of. Conveniently enough, Scuba Quest has also been partnering with local freediving instructor and spearfishing professional, Danyar Diving to host Free Freediving Seminars at the Sarasota and Bradenton shops this summer. The next one on the calendar is set for Saturday, August 29 from 12pm-2pm at the Sarasota location where Danyar will be covering beginner freediving topics including increased breath-holding tips and techniques, safety concerns, equipment needs, and will be discussing the upcoming Level 1 Certification Course. 

RSVP to the events is preferred. And you can book a private or group lesson by calling or emailing either of the Scuba Quest shops: 1055 S Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-366-1530, sarasota@scubaquestusa.com, and 3318 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, 941-745-2511, bradenton@scubaquestusa.com, @scubaquest. 

Photo courtesy of Scuba Quest