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Welcome to Diaries of a Waterwoman : Gabriella's Ocean Chronicles! Dive into my world of ocean exploration, marine conservation, and exciting underwater adventures. From spearfishing in tropical waters to discovering unique seashells, I share my passion for the ocean and the incredible experiences it offers. Join me as I explore the beauty beneath the waves, advocate for a cleaner, healthier planet, and celebrate the wonders of marine life. Let's embark on this journey together and make waves for a better future! 🌊🐠🪸

Costa Rica Jungle Adventure

Gabriella Gerbasi February 24, 2024

Our 2024 Costa Rica adventure was an unforgettable experience filled with romance, thrill, and natural beauty.

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In Travel, Spearfishing Tags costa rica, diving, dolphins, whales, spearo, spearfishing

Spearfishing for Yellowfin Tuna in Costa Rica: A True Test of Teamwork

Gabriella Gerbasi March 4, 2023

Our recent spearfishing adventure for yellowfin tuna in Costa Rica was an exhilarating challenge. I worked incredibly hard for this tuna! I shot at 4-5 tunas, and one of them was almost 200lbs according to CJ. Unfortunately, they all ripped off or barely poked the fish because I was just a little too far. Despite the frustration, I did some of my best diving.

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In Spearfishing Tags tuna, yellowfin tuna, costa rica, spearfishing, girls who spearfish, Freediver
ocean flower, costa rica diving, travel costa rica, valentines day

Most Epic Valentine's Day Ever - Diving in Costa Rica

Gabriella Gerbasi March 4, 2022

I woke in Pavones, known as a surfer's haven, and got ready to go diving. On our way to the boat CJ picked some flowers and that immediately put a smile on my face. There’s just something about wearing flowers in my hair that makes me feel like a real island / coconut girl. I mean it was a Monday morning and I was wearing a bikini on a remote beach in Costa Rica with flowers in my hair next to the jungle. It felt pretty amazing.

Dolphins

We were on the boat for a while before getting to our first location of the day. On the way there, we saw a pod of dolphins swimming right next to us. For those who know me, I love dolphins and the symbolism associated with this creature. Dolphins have been a symbol of protection and good luck since Ancient times. To encounter a dolphin at sea has throughout the ages in cultures around the world been considered a good omen and a great symbol of good luck. The Dolphin is an emblem of living our true purpose of living a creative life, filled with joy and fulfillment - living a life on purpose and contributing to the greater good of all. Needless to say that I felt pretty lucky and aligned in that moment.

humpback whale in costa rica, pura vida, pavones costa rica

Humpback Whales

A few minutes later, we were putting our wetsuits on and getting our dive gear ready when our captain noticed a humback whale swimming right next to our boat!!! I don’t think I ever had the chance to be so close to one of these giants. We saw the whale swim up and down, coming up for air a few times before finally diving into the depths.

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A post shared by Gabriella 𓇼 Ocean | Travel (@ggerbasi)

Personal Best Cubera Snapper

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A post shared by CJ Duffie | Spearfishing Guide (@cjduffie22)

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CJ then got in the water, saw this monster cubera snapper and stoned it. I took some underwater pictures of him and listened to him tell the story of what happened below the surface.

This 60 pounder would have gotten dragged him around if he didn’t hit the off button. These fish usually destroy gear and break hearts, but not this day! When he saw this fish, he knew it was going to be hard to play tug of war and keep this fish from rocking up.

He was using his @neritic_diving enclosed track reel gun, pulling the trigger just as it turned its head. He watched as the shaft entered the the head of this animal, immediately sinking without twitching.

We then jumped in the water for a quick mermaid shoot and then headed back home while seeing more dolphins swim by. It’s like they were escorting us back safely.

The day couldn’t have been any better! The view was amazing, the weather was perfect and I was with my person enjoying the ocean.

In Travel, Spearfishing, Ocean Lover Tags valentine's day, pavones, costa rica, dolphins, humpback whale, costa rica jungle, underwater photography, spearfishing

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Bringing awareness to ocean conservation and empowering action through art.

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ocean-friendly favorites

Explore brands, companies, and products that share my passion for ocean conservation, sustainability, and conscious travel.

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Listen to my playlist and escape to a tropical beach with me.

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favorite books

Ocean, mindfulness, lifestyle and empowerment, here are the books that changed my life and perspective on it.

 

featured posts

Featured
Ever wondered how a simple workout product can help save the ocean?
Apr 14, 2025
Ever wondered how a simple workout product can help save the ocean?
Apr 14, 2025

Just tried the @oceanfoam rollers and I’m officially hooked! 🌿🌊💪 As someone committed to sustainability, I love that these innovative foam products are made with algae and recycled materials. Not only are they functional and sleek, but they also align with my values of supporting eco-conscious brands.

Apr 14, 2025
Spring Clean for the Sea – Beach Clean-Up with Neritic Diving in Pompano Beach
Apr 10, 2025
Spring Clean for the Sea – Beach Clean-Up with Neritic Diving in Pompano Beach
Apr 10, 2025

There’s nothing like giving back to the ocean that gives us so much. This past weekend, I joined Neritic Diving and an amazing group of divers, spearos, and ocean lovers in Pompano Beach for our Spring Clean for the Sea event. We gathered for a full day of beach cleanup, removing plastic, debris, and marine litter left behind after Spring Break.

Apr 10, 2025
 Kicking off Earth Month with an Amazing Beach Cleanup with 4ocean
Apr 7, 2025
Kicking off Earth Month with an Amazing Beach Cleanup with 4ocean
Apr 7, 2025

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to partner with @4ocean and an amazing crew of ocean lovers to kick off Earth Month with a beach cleanup that left my heart full. Together, we removed over 500 pounds of plastic and trash from our coastline—proof that when a community comes together, we can create real impact.

Apr 7, 2025
World Water Day 2025: Protecting Our Oceans, Protecting Our Future
Mar 22, 2025
World Water Day 2025: Protecting Our Oceans, Protecting Our Future
Mar 22, 2025

No matter where you live, we are all connected to the ocean in some way. Even if you’re far from the coast, the actions we take on land—such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and supporting ocean conservation efforts—directly impact the health of our seas. Every bit counts, and it’s up to all of us to make a difference. 🌊

Mar 22, 2025
ShopMy Account: Travel, Diving Essentials, Clean Beauty & Swimwear with Purpose
Mar 5, 2025
ShopMy Account: Travel, Diving Essentials, Clean Beauty & Swimwear with Purpose
Mar 5, 2025

I’m so excited to share my ShopMy account with you all, where I’ve curated a collection of travel, diving essentials, clean beauty and swimwear that align with my passion for sustainability and ocean conservation. From eco-conscious fashion to clean beauty products, these are the brands and companies that I trust because they share the same values and commitment to preserving our planet.

Mar 5, 2025
Happy World Wildlife Day 2025: Investing in People and Planet
Mar 3, 2025
Happy World Wildlife Day 2025: Investing in People and Planet
Mar 3, 2025

As someone deeply connected to the ocean, World Wildlife Day has special meaning for me. Over the last few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some of the most incredible encounters with marine animals—humpback whales breaching in the distance, manta rays gracefully gliding past me, sharks weaving through coral, and vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. Each of these experiences has strengthened my connection to the ocean and deepened my commitment to protecting the creatures that call it home.

Mar 3, 2025
Honeymoon Adventures in Fiji and Christmas in Australia
Jan 2, 2025
Honeymoon Adventures in Fiji and Christmas in Australia
Jan 2, 2025

Our honeymoon in Fiji was nothing short of incredible. We flew halfway across the world for the elusive dogtooth tuna, but what we found was so much more than we imagined. Pristine waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an ocean full of life both above and below the surface. We dove Rainbow Reef and saw some of the most beautiful reefs I’ve ever experienced—so much life on the bommies, it was a truly magical underwater world. 🐠

Jan 2, 2025
Our Magical Beach Wedding in Key West
Dec 9, 2024
Our Magical Beach Wedding in Key West
Dec 9, 2024

I am officially married!!!

Our wedding in Key West was nothing short of a dream come true. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and sandy shores, we exchanged vows on the beach with the ocean as our backdrop. The warm breeze, the sound of waves crashing, and the golden sunset created the perfect setting for the most memorable day of our lives.

Dec 9, 2024
Why I’m Obsessed with Oceanfoam: Sustainable, Stylish, and Perfect for My Active Lifestyle
Dec 3, 2024
Why I’m Obsessed with Oceanfoam: Sustainable, Stylish, and Perfect for My Active Lifestyle
Dec 3, 2024

Just tried the @oceanfoam rollers and I’m officially hooked! 🌿🌊💪 As someone passionate about sustainability, I love that these innovative foam products are made from algae and recycled materials. Not only are they super functional and sleek, but they also align perfectly with my values of supporting eco-conscious brands.

Dec 3, 2024
Make Waves: The Importance of Coastal Cleanup on International Coastal Cleanup Day
Sep 21, 2024
Make Waves: The Importance of Coastal Cleanup on International Coastal Cleanup Day
Sep 21, 2024

Beach clean-ups are essential for preserving our oceans and protecting marine life, but it’s important to remember that sustainability is a journey we can all embark on, no matter how imperfectly. We often think that to make a difference, we must achieve perfection, but the reality is that many people taking small, imperfect actions can collectively lead to significant change.

Sep 21, 2024

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