Author: John

Underwater cultural heritage sites are fascinating for both researchers and the general public. Some of these spots are not easily accessible, but thanks to the advancements in technology it is now possible to explore these magnificent sites without getting wet. We’ve compiled some of the most interesting virtual underwater museums so you can discover historical wrecks from behind the screen.

People have long been fascinated with shipwrecks and the treasures they may hold. These windows to the past connect us to our cultural heritage and teach us lessons about the impact of the environment, human error, or war upon human life. These wrecks can ultimately help the environment as over time, they can become a habitat for many marine plants and animals.

Due to their size or history, some shipwrecks have become more popular than others. Let’s look at the most famous shipwrecks that you can get up close to.

New year, new ban on harmful sunscreens. As of January 1, 2021, the state of Hawaii is no longer selling over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. It is the first state in the United States to pass such a law.

Although 2020 has been overshadowed by a global pandemic that reshaped our society, there were still quite a few awesome things that happened this year. Throughout the months, we’ve kept you posted on many scuba and aquatic-related events worldwide because we like to focus on the positive. As this hectic year is coming to a close, it’s time to look back at the great news that you may have missed:

Wreck diving is one of the most exciting underwater experiences. The shores of Europe have their fair share of wreck dive sites. From ancient wooden vessels to recent purposely sunk ships, the Mediterranean is littered with wrecks of all types, sizes, and ages. As the diving season in many parts of Europe is coming to a close (unless you enjoy diving in cold water), we can now move online and still do a little bit of “diving.”

This year, the Malta Tourism Authority, the University of Malta, and Heritage Malta launched the country’s first Virtual Underwater Museum. The platform offers a way for people to access the underwater wreck sites of Malta straight from the comfort of their homes.

A warship believed to have sunk approximately 250 years ago was recently discovered off the town of Foça in the İzmir province of Turkey. The wreck was added to the “Turkish Shipwreck Inventory Project: Blue Heritage (TUBEP)” study carried out by the Dokuz Eylul University (DEU) Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology with the support of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget.

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a strange year, and although the current global pandemic has put a halt to many of our travel plans, we were still curious to know who took a slice of the World Travel Awards cake.

On November 21, Poland broke a world record by opening the deepest swimming pool in the world. Aptly named “Deepspot,” the swimming pool has a maximum depth of 45.4 meters and is filled with 8,000 cubic meters of water. About 5,000 cubic meters of concrete were used over the two years it took to build the complex.

Earlier this month, 29-year old Saddam Al-Kilany emerged from the waters of the Red Sea after having spent six days underwater to set a new world record for the longest open saltwater scuba dive.

Everybody loves sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, rays and other warm-water animals. But we also know that there are plenty of cold-loving animals that thrive in areas such as the Arctic. Here are some of the unique creatures that live beneath the ice: