The Difference Between Vacationers and Divers in Florida
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Florida attracts millions of visitors every year.
Some come for the beaches.
Some come for the sunshine.
Some come for the theme parks.
And then there are divers.
While the average vacationer and the average diver may be staying in the same state, they are often living in completely different worlds.
Let's take a look at the differences.
Vacationers Check the Weather / Divers Check the Tide Chart
A vacationer wakes up and asks:
"Will it be sunny today?"
A diver wakes up and asks:
"When is slack tide?"
The weather could be perfect, but if the tide isn't cooperating, divers know it's time for Plan B.
Or Plan C.
Or breakfast.
Vacationers Pack Swimsuits / Divers Pack a Small Sporting Goods Store
The average tourist arrives with a suitcase.
The average diver arrives with:
A dive bag
A gear bag
A backup gear bag
A camera case
A flashlight case
A save-a-dive kit
A mysterious bag nobody is allowed to touch
By the time everything is unloaded, it looks like a marine expedition is being launched.
Vacationers Look for Dolphins / Divers Look for Nudibranchs
Vacationers get excited about spotting a dolphin.
Divers get excited about finding a sea slug the size of a jellybean.
And somehow, the diver will spend twenty minutes photographing it.
The vacationer remains confused.
Vacationers Come Home with T-Shirts / Divers Come Home with Photos of Fish
Most vacation photos include smiling people on beaches. Dive photos include:
Fish
More fish
A different fish
A blurry fish
A fish that only another diver can identify
The photographer insists every image is unique.
Vacationers Worry About Sunburn / Divers Worry About Forgetting Their Mask
A vacationer realizes they forgot sunscreen.
A diver realizes they forgot their mask.
One problem is inconvenient.
The other creates a very awkward trip back to the dive shop.
Vacationers Sleep In / Divers Set Alarms for Ridiculous Hours
Many Florida vacationers plan relaxing mornings.
Divers voluntarily wake up before sunrise.
Nobody really understands why.
Not even the divers.
Vacationers Spend Money on Souvenirs / Divers Spend Money on Gear
Vacationer:
"I bought a magnet."
Diver:
"I bought a new dive computer, backup dive computer, upgraded regulator, underwater flashlight, and a camera housing that cost more than my first car."
Priorities.
Vacationers Watch the Ocean / Divers Want to Get Inside It
Most people admire the ocean from the shore.
Divers spend the entire trip trying to get underneath it.
The ocean isn't just scenery.
It's the destination.
Vacationers Avoid Rain / Divers Are Already Wet
The average tourist sees rain and heads indoors.
Divers shrug and continue putting on their wetsuits.
At that point, additional water seems largely irrelevant.
Vacationers Tell Stories About Their Hotel / Divers Tell Stories About What They Saw
After a Florida vacation, most travelers talk about restaurants, beaches, and attractions.
Divers talk about:
Sea turtles
Octopuses
Seahorses
Eagle rays
That one fish that stole the entire dive
And if they visited Blue Heron Bridge, they'll probably spend the next six months talking about the incredible marine life they found hiding under a bridge.
Vacationers Relax / Divers Relax Differently
To non-divers, carrying tanks, wearing heavy gear, and swimming underwater might not sound relaxing.
To divers, few things are more peaceful than floating weightlessly beneath the surface while the rest of the world disappears.
It's therapy with fish.
The Verdict
Florida has something for everyone.
Whether you're lounging on the beach, exploring local restaurants, or searching for the perfect underwater photo, there's no wrong way to enjoy the Sunshine State.
But if you see someone walking through a hotel lobby carrying enough equipment to outfit a small submarine crew, smiling because they just spent an hour staring at a tiny sea creature...
Congratulations.
You've spotted a diver.
Planning your next Florida dive adventure? The Blue Heron Bridge Hotel & Dive Club is located just minutes from one of the most famous shore dives in the world, making it the perfect base camp for divers who know that the best part of Florida is beneath the surface.
👉If you want to stay and dive at the Blue Heron Bridge
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