Today, let's uncover some intriguing facts about one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures: the sand dollar. These flat, burrowing sea urchins are often found washed up on beaches, but there's much more to them than meets the eye.
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Shark Squalene: Protecting Marine Life with Sustainable Alternatives
Squalene, a natural oil found in shark liver, has been used in cosmetics and skincare products for its moisturizing properties. However, the demand for squalene has led to the overfishing of sharks, putting many species at risk. Millions of sharks are killed each year solely for their liver oil, contributing to the decline of shark populations and disrupting marine ecosystems.
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Celebrating Shark Week and Shark Awareness Month: Amazing Facts About Sharks
As we celebrate Shark Week this July, let's dive into the fascinating world of sharks! These incredible creatures are often misunderstood, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystems.
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Diving with Sharks: Embracing the Calm Beneath the Waves
As Shark Week approaches, I’m reminded of my first dive with sharks in the Bahamas back in 2020. This experience wasn’t about the adrenaline; it was about finding calm and stillness in the face of a stressful situation. A few years ago, I was struggling with stress and anxiety and wasn’t in the shape I am today. Jumping into the water with sharks and swimming towards them would have been unimaginable. But that day, I kept challenging myself to go deeper and stay down longer while my friends were there to watch my back.
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Join the #PlasticFreeJuly Challenge: Let's Protect Our Beaches and Oceans
July is here, and it's time for #PlasticFreeJuly! This global movement invites everyone to join the challenge to reduce, reuse, and recycle, helping us protect our beautiful beaches and oceans from plastic pollution. Every small step we take can make a significant impact, and I’m excited to share how you can get involved.
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Discovering the Wonders of Starfish: Fascinating Facts About These Ocean Gems
The ocean is full of remarkable creatures, but few are as captivating as the starfish. Despite their name, starfish are not actually fish. They belong to a group of animals known as echinoderms, making them close relatives of sea urchins and sand dollars.
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Diving with My Dad: A Journey Back to the Ocean
I learned how to scuba dive with my dad, and though he stopped diving years ago, we recently had the chance to explore the ocean together again for the first time in almost ten years. 🩵🤿 We went diving in French Polynesia, creating unforgettable memories.
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How to Prepare your New Dive Mask Before Diving for the First Time
Burning a new dive mask I’m gearing up for a dive trip, and with my usual routine of packing two of everything in case of any mishaps, I've just added a new Cressi Super Occhio dive mask bag. Before I hit the water, it's time to prep this mask so it's ready for action.
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Unleash your inner mermaid with Neritic Diving
When it comes to freediving and spearfishing, having the right gear is crucial for a successful and enjoyable experience. My favorite brand for diving essentials is Neritic Diving. Their products are top-notch, offering both quality and performance that I can rely on during every dive.
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Costa Rica Jungle Adventure
Our 2024 Costa Rica adventure was an unforgettable experience filled with romance, thrill, and natural beauty.
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Making Salmon Gravlax with Fresh Alaskan Salmon
This gravlax, made with salmon our friend brought us from Alaska, is a delightful way to enjoy the freshness and flavor of the fish. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, showcasing the bounty of our travels.
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Christmas in the Keys: Fresh Stone Crab Cakes for Dinner
Spending Christmas in the Keys was a unique and delightful experience. One of the highlights of our holiday was checking our stone crab traps and making fresh crab cakes for the whole family.
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Discovering the Spider Conch in French Polynesia
One of my most exciting seashell finds in French Polynesia was the Lambis lambis, commonly known as the spider conch. This large sea snail, part of the Strombidae family, can be found near shore along sandy sea floors throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
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Discovering the Lightning Whelk
Fun fact: The whorls of the lightning whelk shell coil in a counter-clockwise direction, with its opening on the left. This unique feature makes it easily distinguishable from other shells.
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Diving with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia
Feeling tiny and humble next to these underwater giants 🐋 Diving with humpback whales in Moorea last September was an experience I'll never forget. There's something profoundly awe-inspiring about being in the presence of these magnificent creatures in the crystal-clear waters of French Polynesia.
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I Got Engaged!!! - A Magical Engagement in French Polynesia
On September 2nd, my life changed forever in the most magical way possible. After spending the night in a luxurious overwater bungalow at the Hilton in Moorea, CJ planned an amazing day that ended with our engagement, set against the stunning backdrop of French Polynesia.
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Cooking is My Love Language: Preparing Hamachi Crudo
Cooking is my love language 🤍🐟, and one of my favorite dishes to prepare is Hamachi crudo, a delicate Japanese appetizer made from raw yellowtail. Crudo, which literally means “raw,” can include fish, shellfish, or beef. Unlike sashimi, where the fish is dipped in soy sauce, crudo is topped with olive oil, citrus, or some type of vinaigrette to enhance the dish.
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The Wagyu of the Sea: Bluefin Tuna Toro
Bluefin tuna toro is often considered the wagyu of the sea, and it’s easy to see why. The rich, buttery texture and delicate flavor of this prized cut make it a favorite among seafood lovers. I was thrilled to prepare meals for my friends and family with the bluefin tuna we caught on our travels.
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Diving in the Kelp Forests off Catalina Island
Kelp forests can be seen along much of the west coast of North America. Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore. They grow in dense groupings much like a forest on land. These underwater towers of kelp provide food and shelter for thousands of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammal species.
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Diving with Mola Mola in California: A Surreal Experience
Encountering a sunfish, or mola mola, was one of the most surreal diving experiences I’ve ever had. These fascinating creatures develop their truncated, bullet-like shape because the back fin they are born with never grows. Instead, it folds into itself as the enormous creature matures, creating a rounded rudder called a clavus. The name "mola" means "millstone" in Latin, describing the ocean sunfish’s somewhat circular shape.
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