Scuba Diving Is Dying – And The Industry Doesn’t Care

I recently turned 41, and over the last ten years, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some of the world’s most remote dive locations. I’ve seen incredible sights and met amazing people. Yet, one thing stands out: the lack of younger people on the boats. While it’s understandable that financial limitations might keep younger divers from the most exotic resorts, there’s a noticeable shortage of youth in the diving community as a whole. This led me to take a closer look at the dive industry—how well is it really doing? Is it in decline?

The answer is yes, the scuba diving industry is experiencing a noticeable decline in participation, even as outdoor activities grow in popularity. In recent years, activities like hiking, camping, and water sports have seen an increase, while scuba diving has struggled to maintain interest. Here’s an overview of the current challenges, future outlook, and strategies to reignite interest, especially among younger generations.

Current State of the Diving Industry

According to 2021 data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the United States saw a 1.3% increase in overall sports and activities participation over 2020, with a 7.8% increase over the past five years. Water sports specifically saw a gain, rising from 13.6% pre-pandemic (2019) to 14.0% in 2021, representing an overall growth of nearly 3%. However, scuba diving diverged from this trend, with participation among Americans decreasing by 8.8% from 2019 to 2021. This decrease continues a downward trend: participation numbers in scuba diving shrank from 3.1 million in 2016 to 2.7 million in 2019 and further to 2.5 million by 2021. These are scary numbers, and it’s a trend we see worldwide.

Why is the Industry in Decline?

The decline in scuba diving participation can be attributed to several interrelated social, economic, and environmental factors. Financial barriers are significant, as diving is a costly pursuit. Certification fees, equipment purchases, and travel expenses can make the sport prohibitively expensive for many, especially for younger individuals facing high student debt and living costs. Scuba diving demands an initial investment that is notably higher than most outdoor activities, which deters newcomers in an era when more affordable and accessible outdoor sports like hiking, camping, and paddleboarding are widely available and growing in popularity.

Accessibility also plays a role in this decline. For many people, the nearest diving sites require travel, whether to the ocean, a large lake, or specific diving resorts. In comparison, outdoor activities like trail running, biking, or kayaking can often be pursued in local parks or within a short drive, reducing logistical barriers. Additionally, diving requires a longer time commitment per excursion, including preparation, setup, and post-dive decompression, which contrasts with other outdoor activities that can be done on a more casual, flexible basis.

I’ve also worked in Cairns, Australia—backpacker central—and seen firsthand the impact of Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) programs, which offer a tempting entry point for newcomers, especially younger people, by allowing them to try diving without a major time or financial commitment. However, this approach often fosters a “bucket list” mentality, where diving becomes a one-time thrill rather than a lifelong passion. The focus on quick, memorable experiences can lead to superficial engagement with the sport, which may discourage participants from seeking further training or certification. As a result, many young people enjoy that first dive but don’t develop a lasting interest in becoming dedicated divers.

The accessibility of snorkeling and the perception that it as a good as diving also reduces diver participation in younger people. Snorkeling is great, it’s cost effective and more accessible, but it should be the gateway to diving and not the first and last step.

The Decline of the Local Dive Store and Local Clubs Such as BSAC

The decline of local dive centers has significantly impacted the scuba diving industry, making the sport less accessible for newcomers. Many dive shops, struggling with financial pressures and competition from online retailers, have closed their doors in recent years. This trend reduces the availability of essential services like training, equipment rentals, and organized local dives. As a result, aspiring divers face greater obstacles in gaining entry into the sport, limiting opportunities for training and community engagement. The lack of local resources has lead to decreased interest and participation in diving, as potential divers find it challenging to connect with the sport.

The closure of local diving clubs, such as the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), has created significant challenges for the scuba diving community. The BSAC was founded in 1953 and at its peak in the mid-1990s had over 50,000 members declining to around 30,000 in 2009. These clubs have historically been vital in fostering a sense of belonging and providing essential training and organized diving opportunities. As these clubs diminish in number, new divers find it increasingly difficult to access mentorship and social networks that support long-term engagement in diving. This disconnect not only discourages potential divers but also limits the overall growth and vitality of the diving community.

Future Projections

Without a change in current trends, diving faces an uncertain future. The industry is aging, with fewer young divers taking up the sport. As indoor activities and technology-based hobbies, like virtual reality and gaming, capture more attention, scuba diving must innovate to remain relevant. If we carry on as we are, the industry will continue to shrink and decline until all that is left are a few rich older people.

Lets face it, today and for the last 10-15 years diving just hasn’t been cool, and with nothing in sight to change that then the industry will continue to decline.

What Inspired People to Dive in the Past?

The previous generation of scuba divers drew inspiration from a blend of cultural phenomena, groundbreaking documentaries, and the growing environmental movement. Iconic films like The Deep (1977) and Jaws (1975) captured the public’s imagination, revealing the ocean’s allure and mysteries. Meanwhile, Jacques Cousteau’s documentaries brought the wonders of underwater exploration into homes worldwide, popularizing scuba diving and marine conservation. Cousteau’s passion for the ocean and dedication to its protection inspired many to take up diving not merely as a sport but as a way to engage with and advocate for marine ecosystems. Additionally, shows like Sea Hunt inspired countless divers from a young age to explore the underwater world.

Moreover, the rise of adventure tourism in the latter half of the 20th century added to this enthusiasm, making exotic dive locations more accessible and desirable. The idea of exploring underwater worlds teeming with life became a bucket-list goal for many, thanks in part to promotional campaigns and travel shows highlighting these experiences.

Environmental consciousness also played a critical role in motivating divers. The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in awareness about marine issues, with organizations like the Cousteau Society leading the charge. This led many divers to not only pursue their passion for exploration but also become stewards of the ocean, participating in conservation efforts and raising awareness about the importance of preserving marine habitats.

These influences fostered a vibrant community of divers, motivated not only by the thrill of diving but also by a deep connection to the ocean and a commitment to its protection for future generations. However, as this pioneering generation ages, their relevance within the industry is waning, leaving a gap in engaging newer generations.

Where is the Inspiration for Youth Today?

I love diving, no question about it. Yet, when I look at TV today, there’s almost nothing showcasing the world of diving. The last notable series I recall was Monty Halls’ Dive Mysteries in 2013, a show that still resonates with me. As a tentative new diver back then, the series was a true inspiration. Its stories and mysteries were fascinating, sparking a genuine desire to dive in and learn more about the underwater world. But since then, there hasn’t been anything of serious note on television to capture that same sense of adventure.

Where is the inspiration for this generation? I believe it’s largely absent. I haven’t seen anything in recent years that truly inspires me to dive. Today, there’s no iconic face of diving—no one like Monty Halls or Jacques Cousteau to ignite passion in the next generation. Even incredible programs like BBC’s Blue Planet fail to showcase the human element behind the scenes. They rarely highlight the dedication of divers who spend weeks, even months, capturing those breathtaking shots and stories. By sharing the journey of these passionate individuals, we could connect viewers more deeply to the magic of diving.

What are the Training Agencies Doing?

As a PADI instructor for many years, I have to admit I often find the organization frustrating. The only noticeable communication I typically receive from the agency comes once a year—right around the time they try to auto-charge my credit card for fees. When that doesn’t go through, my inbox suddenly fills with emails from them, as it did this week.

It seems dive agencies might be overlooking a critical fact: their entire business model is built on a pyramid-style progressive training system, where the base—new divers—needs to remain the largest segment. Without adapting and modernizing their approach to attract and retain new divers, particularly younger generations, the industry risks a steady decline, leaving fewer people to engage in and sustain the sport.

It’s surprising how outdated the dive agencies are in terms of online training and general promotion of the sport. Their marketing efforts remain focused on showcasing only the most popular, high-end dive destinations—places that are financially out of reach for most young people. To attract new generations, agencies need to focus on promoting diving itself, emphasizing accessibility and the joy of underwater exploration close to home, rather than selling an extravagant, costly dream. Yet, it seems there’s little effort from any major dive agency to make this shift.

Can we stop Diving from Dying Out? 

Despite the challenges, there’s a promising opportunity: younger generations are increasingly drawn to sustainable, environmental activities, which creates a chance to connect diving with marine conservation. By emphasizing eco-friendly practices and conservation-focused dive programs, the industry can uniquely appeal to environmentally conscious individuals. Diving offers a direct, powerful connection to wildlife—each ocean dive brings authentic encounters with marine life, providing a rare, immersive experience that resonates with the values of the eco-aware younger generation. This approach could transform diving into a sought-after activity for those passionate about environmental stewardship.

For diving to thrive, the industry needs to modernize and diversify its offerings. Building communities among divers through social media, conservation projects, and eco-tourism initiatives can foster a stronger sense of belonging and purpose within the sport. Involving divers in meaningful activities, like underwater cleanups and coral restoration, can also create a positive impact that resonates with eco-minded younger generations.

Diving operators and organizations can further appeal to sustainability-minded divers by forming partnerships with eco-resorts, travel companies, and conservation agencies, creating incentive-based opportunities to dive while giving back to the environment. Additionally, investing in marketing that showcases the adventure, wellness, and conservation aspects of diving could help reposition it as a lifestyle rather than just a leisure activity.

Diving agencies must respond to the decline in participation by shifting their marketing focus away from the older generation who are already engaged in the sport. Instead, they should highlight the exciting and dynamic connections individuals can forge with underwater wildlife. By telling compelling stories about how participating in diving can positively impact the ocean and the environment, agencies can attract a new wave of divers eager to make a difference while exploring the underwater world.

While the scuba diving industry faces significant challenges, strategies focused on accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement may help reinvigorate interest in the sport. By aligning with current environmental values and creating more inclusive pathways into diving, the industry has a path toward revitalization …but the question remains… Who will actually do anything about this situation?