Diving Duo Releases ‘National Geographic A Diver’s Guide to the World’ [REVIEW]

When they first met, they had no idea that they would one day set off on an epic adventure together, venturing from one place to another in search of the best places to slip into their wetsuits and dive deep beneath the surface of the world’s oceans. But that is exactly what writer Carrie Miller and professional diver Chris Taylor have done in order to pen National Geographic’s latest travel guide, A Diver’s Guide to the World. The result is a must-read for anyone who loves to dive or has ever even dreamed of doing it!

Chris and Carrie take us from the wildly beautiful Island of Alonnisos in Greece (where all roads lead to a beach) to Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (a wonderland surrounded by warm turquoise waters filled with coral gardens and marine life) and nearly everywhere in between.

Stateside, the duo inevitably takes us to the Florida Keys. Despite its small size (Key West is only 2 miles wide), the Keys are rich with history (author Ernest Hemingway lived here in the 1930s) and natural beauty, including the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (home to North America’s only living coral barrier reef) and the United States’ first undersea park, Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Across the pond, they introduce us to the UK’s Orkeny Islands which is comprised of 70 islands located 10 miles north of mainland Scotland. People have lived here for 5,000 years. Vikings discovered the natural harbor more than a 1,000 years ago and used to hide their ships in the maze of narrow channels. As a result, this is a great place to dive and see sunken ships, including battleships from WWI.

Below the equator, we’re invited to set sail for Chile’s Easter Island (renowned for its legendary moai statues). First settled between A.D. 800 and 1200, this “wild and windswept peak of a submerged mountain range” is the perfect place to get ink, whether you’re looking for a traditional tattoo or body paint by Mokomae Araki, one of the island’s premiere artists. Undersea, however, it’s a fine place to go on a unique, exploratory dive with remarkable visibility.

In all, this book showcases 50 different locations that offer something for everyone, including mouth-watering food options, cultural encounters, breathtaking scenery, and memorable adventures including phenomenal underwater vistas you won’t be able to resist exploring. The authors make sure they deliver plenty of details to get you started on planning your dream vacation, including a “Need to Know” section at the end of each chapter that features tips on both how to reach each destination and how to get around once you do, as well as what to pack, what weather you can expect, and info on where to dive, stay, and eat.

Also, if you’re like me, you love finding out how people are doing good in the world—and how you can help—especially when it comes to preserving Earth’s natural wonders. This book introduces us to many of the people and organizations in the “Make a Difference” section. It makes getting involved easy, whether you do so online or in person while you’re on your next trip.

As always with National Geographic’s books, this volume is jam-packed with striking photos, lush descriptions and valuable insights that will make you want to grab your passport, pack your beach bag, and contact your travel agent to book your next journey of a lifetime. After a pandemic with global lockdowns, A Diver’s Guide to the World is bound to become the travel bible you need to get you back on the beach—and in the water—where you belong.

Want to find out even more about the book? Check out this fun interview that Carrie and Chris did with Studio 10’s Jess Eva and Tristan McManus in Australia. We loved it!