First published in 2007, the Diving Almanac celebrates the achievements of a unique group of people that share a passion for underwater adventure and discovery. Ten years later, the Diving Almanac has become the world’s only central body of information for diving records, personalities and history, and it is 100% FREE.
First dive with a coelacanth
By Jeffrey Gallant
2000 — Pieter Venter, Peter Timm, and Etienne le Roux, encounter a coelacanth in Sodwana Bay (South Africa) at a depth of 104 m (340 ft) [...]
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First scuba diving club
By Jeffrey Gallant
1935 — The club named Club des scaphandres et de la vie sous l'eau, a.k.a. Les Sous l’eau, (scuba diving and life underwater club, a.k.a. the underwater people), was founded [...]
More
Most active submersible in service
By Jeffrey Gallant
Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Alvin (a.k.a. DSV-2) — Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). On November 25, 2018, Alvin had [...]
More
![Longest underwater human chain [Women]](https://divingalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Human_Chain_5.jpg)
Longest underwater human chain [Women]
By Jeffrey Gallant
107 — The group of women led by Divetech Grand Cayman, was linked in a human chain off Lighthouse Point to celebrate Women's Dive Day on July 20 [...]
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Largest underwater clean-up
By Jeffrey Gallant
633 divers — The event organized by Dixie Divers took place off the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier on June 15, 2019. Divers recovered [...]
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Largest sea turtle
By Jeffrey Gallant
Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) — In September 1988, a leatherback turtle estimated to be 100 years old was found washed ashore in Gwynedd (UK). Length: 2.74 m (9 ft). Weight [...]
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Saltiest body of water
By Jeffrey Gallant
433 parts per thousand (ppt, ‰) — Gaet'ale Pond, Ethiopia. It is approximately 12 times saltier than sea water (35 ppt), and its temperature is 60°C (140°F). The water is saturated with salts [...]
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Largest glacier calving ever filmed
By Jeffrey Gallant
The largest glacier calving event ever recorded took place on May 28, 2008, when Adam LeWinter and Director Jeff Orlowski were filming the Ilulissat Glacier [...]
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![Deepest submersible dive [Solo | Men]](https://divingalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Deepest_submersible_R2_13.jpg)
Deepest submersible dive [Solo | Men]
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,928 m (35,853 ft) — Victor Vescovo aboard the Limiting Factor (Triton 36000/2 model submersible) | April 28, 2019 | Challenger Deep [...]
More
![Deepest submersible dive [Ocean]](https://divingalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Deepest_submersible_R2_22.jpg)
Deepest submersible dive [Ocean]
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,928 m (35,853 ft) — Victor Vescovo aboard the Limiting Factor (Triton 36000/2 model submersible) | April 28, 2019 | Challenger Deep [...]
More
Deepest point in Earth’s oceans
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,994 m (36,070 ft) — The Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench, 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, is the deepest [...]
More
Most sensitive tooth
By Jeffrey Gallant
The narwhal’s (Monodon monoceros) single spiral tusk is really an overgrown tooth. It has recently been discovered that there are up to 10 million nerves extending from [...]
More
![Under ice [Constant weight]](https://divingalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Sonnanen-UW_6.jpg)
Under ice [Constant weight]
By Jeffrey Gallant
75.2 m (246.72 ft) — Ant Williams (New Zealand), Storskog Lake, Sør-Varanger, Norway, March 29, 2019. Total dive time: 2 min 40 sec. [...]
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GRUBER, Samuel H., Ph.D.
By Jeffrey Gallant
Shark researcher specializing in anatomy, behaviour, habitat selection, homing behaviour, sensory systems, tracking, and shark repellents; worked [...]
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Deepest diving tank (and deepest pool)
By Jeffrey Gallant
42 m (137 ft) — Y-40 located at the Hotel Terme Millepini, in Italy. Volume: 4,300,000 litres (1,135,939 gallons) of chemical-free thermal water kept at a [...]
More
Longest beaver dam
By Jeffrey Gallant
850 m (2,790 ft) — The world’s longest known beaver dam was discovered in Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta, Canada) on October 2, 2007. Satellite photos from the 1990s and [...]
More
![Deepest dive under ice [Freshwater]](https://divingalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Deepest_Ice_Fresh_R10.jpg)
Deepest dive under ice [Freshwater]
By Jeffrey Gallant
132 m (434 ft) — Kevin Brown (Canada) dove to the record depth under landfast ice during an exploratory dive of Lake Mazinaw, the second- [...]
More
World’s deepest fish?
By Jeffrey Gallant
Depending on where you get your information, the Mariana snailfish, a.k.a. Swire's snailfish, is not the world's deepest fish nor is there a depth limit beyond which fish can live [...]
More
Most dangerous seal
By Jeffrey Gallant
The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) — Leopard seals live around the pack ice in Antarctica where they hunt penguins and other seals. They are the only seal species that feeds on [...]
More
Divers rescue 12 boys and coach from flooded Thai cave
By Jeffrey Gallant
[2018] On July 2, cave divers Rick Stanton and John Volanthen locate all 12 members of a youth football team and their coach [...]
More
The records chapter showcases over 650 underwater feats and firsts by humans, machines and animals. If you are looking for the world’s deepest scuba diver, freediver, fish or submersible, they’re all here. The 16 categories include scuba diving, freediving, submersibles, oceanography, biology, and underwater art.
First dive with a coelacanth
By Jeffrey Gallant
2000 — Pieter Venter, Peter Timm, and Etienne le Roux, encounter a coelacanth in Sodwana Bay (South Africa) at a depth of 104 m (340 ft) [...]
Read More
First scuba diving club
By Jeffrey Gallant
1935 — The club named Club des scaphandres et de la vie sous l'eau, a.k.a. Les Sous l’eau, (scuba diving and life underwater club, a.k.a. the underwater people), was founded [...]
Read More
Most active submersible in service
By Jeffrey Gallant
Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Alvin (a.k.a. DSV-2) — Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). On November 25, 2018, Alvin had [...]
Read More
Longest underwater human chain [Women]
By Jeffrey Gallant
107 — The group of women led by Divetech Grand Cayman, was linked in a human chain off Lighthouse Point to celebrate Women's Dive Day on July 20 [...]
Read More
Largest underwater clean-up
By Jeffrey Gallant
633 divers — The event organized by Dixie Divers took place off the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier on June 15, 2019. Divers recovered [...]
Read More
Largest sea turtle
By Jeffrey Gallant
Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) — In September 1988, a leatherback turtle estimated to be 100 years old was found washed ashore in Gwynedd (UK). Length: 2.74 m (9 ft). Weight [...]
Read More
Saltiest body of water
By Jeffrey Gallant
433 parts per thousand (ppt, ‰) — Gaet'ale Pond, Ethiopia. It is approximately 12 times saltier than sea water (35 ppt), and its temperature is 60°C (140°F). The water is saturated with salts [...]
Read More
Largest glacier calving ever filmed
By Jeffrey Gallant
The largest glacier calving event ever recorded took place on May 28, 2008, when Adam LeWinter and Director Jeff Orlowski were filming the Ilulissat Glacier [...]
Read More
Deepest submersible dive [Solo | Men]
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,928 m (35,853 ft) — Victor Vescovo aboard the Limiting Factor (Triton 36000/2 model submersible) | April 28, 2019 | Challenger Deep [...]
Read More
Deepest submersible dive [Ocean]
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,928 m (35,853 ft) — Victor Vescovo aboard the Limiting Factor (Triton 36000/2 model submersible) | April 28, 2019 | Challenger Deep [...]
Read More
Deepest point in Earth’s oceans
By Jeffrey Gallant
10,994 m (36,070 ft) — The Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench, 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, is the deepest [...]
Read More
Most sensitive tooth
By Jeffrey Gallant
The narwhal’s (Monodon monoceros) single spiral tusk is really an overgrown tooth. It has recently been discovered that there are up to 10 million nerves extending from [...]
Read More
Under ice [Constant weight]
By Jeffrey Gallant
75.2 m (246.72 ft) — Ant Williams (New Zealand), Storskog Lake, Sør-Varanger, Norway, March 29, 2019. Total dive time: 2 min 40 sec. [...]
Read More
Deepest diving tank (and deepest pool)
By Jeffrey Gallant
42 m (137 ft) — Y-40 located at the Hotel Terme Millepini, in Italy. Volume: 4,300,000 litres (1,135,939 gallons) of chemical-free thermal water kept at a [...]
Read More
Longest beaver dam
By Jeffrey Gallant
850 m (2,790 ft) — The world’s longest known beaver dam was discovered in Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta, Canada) on October 2, 2007. Satellite photos from the 1990s and [...]
Read More
Deepest dive under ice [Freshwater]
By Jeffrey Gallant
132 m (434 ft) — Kevin Brown (Canada) dove to the record depth under landfast ice during an exploratory dive of Lake Mazinaw, the second- [...]
Read More
World’s deepest fish?
By Jeffrey Gallant
Depending on where you get your information, the Mariana snailfish, a.k.a. Swire's snailfish, is not the world's deepest fish nor is there a depth limit beyond which fish can live [...]
Read More
Most dangerous seal
By Jeffrey Gallant
The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) — Leopard seals live around the pack ice in Antarctica where they hunt penguins and other seals. They are the only seal species that feeds on [...]
Read More
The Diving Almanac features more than 650 celebrities or locally-known champions from all parts of the world. Discover long-forgotten pioneers and current day explorers and inventors in our industry-exclusive Who’s Who.
GRUBER, Samuel H., Ph.D.
By Jeffrey Gallant
Shark researcher specializing in anatomy, behaviour, habitat selection, homing behaviour, sensory systems, tracking, and shark repellents; worked [...]
Read More
LONG, Dick
By Jeffrey Gallant
Founder of Diving Unlimited International (DUI); diving instructor (1960, NAUI #49); diving contractor in San Diego (1965-72); developed procedures and equipment for [...]
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LABAN, André
By Jeffrey Gallant
Underwater photographer; filmmaker; world’s first underwater painter; musician; longtime crewmember and diver of the Cousteau Society; chemical engineer; co-designer and [...]
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COUSTEAU, Jacques-Yves
By Jeffrey Gallant
Diving pioneer, visionary, and inventor; world-famous underwater explorer and advocate for the environment; prolific author and film [...]
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MCDANIEL, Neil
By Jeffrey Gallant
Marine naturalist; writer; photographer; cinematographer (IMAX); Associate Producer of The Blue Realm; author of Sea Stars of the Pacific Northwest; former Editor of Diver [...]
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COSGROVE, Jim
By Jeffrey Gallant
Marine biologist and expert on the Pacific giant octopus; former Manager of the Natural History Section at the Royal British Columbia Museum; public speaker, underwater [...]
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WATSON, Neal
By Jeffrey Gallant
Pioneer of dive resort franchising; President of the Bahamas Diving Association; commercial diver; dive instructor; treasure salver; underwater stuntman; holds the world record for the longest [...]
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CALYPSO, The
By Jeffrey Gallant
BYMS-1 Class Motor Minesweeper: laid down 12 August 1941 as BYMS-26 by the Ballard Marine Railway Co., Inc., Seattle, WA; completed and transfered to Great Britain [...]
Read More
WATERMAN, Stan
By Jeffrey Gallant
Pioneer underwater filmmaker and photographer; owned and operated a dive charter business in the Bahamas (1954-1958); co-producer and cameraman for Blue Water White Death [...]
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BEMIS, Gregg
By Jeffrey Gallant
Sole owner of the wreck of the RMS Lusitania since 1982; dove the wreck at age 76 in 2004, setting a record for the oldest decompression diver; explored the wreck aboard a [...]
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HILDRED, Alex
By Jeffrey Gallant
Marine archaeologist; author; researcher; Head of Research and Curator of Ordnance & Human Remains for the Mary Rose Trust; consultant; university lecturer; member of the [...]
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DORADO, François
By Jeffrey Gallant
Photographer and crewmember of Cousteau's Calypso; former photographer at National Geographic Magazine; had to be picked up by helicopter from the Woodstock music festival [...]
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COUSTEAU, Pierre-Yves
By Jeffrey Gallant
CEO and Founder of Cousteau Divers, whose mission is to bring the legacy of Jacques-Yves Cousteau to life, making each diver an agent of the study and conservation of the aquatic [...]
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COURTEAU, Jean-Louis
By Jeffrey Gallant
Artist; writer; photographer; finds his inspiration while diving; shark conservationist; founder and Director of CIEL; co-discoverer of submerged First Nations artifacts in Québec; founder of [...]
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EARHART, Amelia
By Jeffrey Gallant
Aviation pioneer; first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (1928); author; early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment; conducted two hardhat dives in 1929 [...]
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BARTH, Robert A.
By Jeffrey Gallant
Retired United States Navy Chief Warrant Officer; saturation diver; helped establish U.S. Navy dive tables; joined the Naval Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) Genesis habitat program [...]
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PARTRIDGE, Bruce
By Jeffrey Gallant
Technical diver; computer systems designer and programmer; Chairman of Shearwater Research, a manufacturer of dive computers and rebreather electronics [...]
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BOISSINOT, Paul
By Jeffrey Gallant
President of the Quebec Federation of Underwater Activities (FQAS); former DSO of the Quebec Aquarium; former President of the Canadian Association for Underwater [...]
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From the deepest dives to the most dangerous sea creatures, our feature posts showcase outstanding diving facts and trivia, hand-picked from our Diving Records, Diving History, and Who’s Who. Nothing here is fake or clickbait!
By Jeffrey Gallant
From true to life nature scenes to the surreal, these amazing underwater artists will make you dream of diving [...]
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By Jeffrey Gallant
These trailblazing underwater women have inspired so many divers to follow their passion and make a difference [...]
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By Jeffrey Gallant
These legendary figures left such a mark in their respective fields that they would change the world of diving forever [...]
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Our Timeline of Man Underwater, which chronicles over 6,000 years of exploration and innovation, is the most thorough history of diving available online.
Divers rescue 12 boys and coach from flooded Thai cave
By Jeffrey Gallant
[2018] On July 2, cave divers Rick Stanton and John Volanthen locate all 12 members of a youth football team and their coach [...]
Read More
Archaeologists find HMS Terror
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2016 ] On September 18, 2016, Parks Canada confirms that the wreck discovered by the Arctic Research Foundation is HMS Terror. The archaeological [...]
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Discovery of HMS Erebus
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2014 ] On September 7, Parks Canada archeologists from the 2014 Victoria Strait Expedition discover the wreck of one of the ships from the ill-fated [...]
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Leonardo Da Vinci designs a diving suit
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ CIRCA 1500 ] Leonardo Da Vinci designs a diving suit and flexible snorkel system for breathing at depth. The snorkel is made of cane tubes [...]
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First dives for treasure
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 480 BCE ] Herodotus tells of Cyana (a.k.a. Hydna of Scione) and her father Scyllias, a pair of divers who recovered sunken treasure for the Persian King Xerxes. When Xerxes [...]
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Divers in the Trojan War
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1194 BCE ] Homer writes of divers attacking ships during the Trojan War in the Iliad. Whether there is any historical reality behind the Trojan War remains an open question. Many [...]
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William Bourne designs a wooden submarine
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1578 ] William Bourne, an English mathematician draws the first plans for an underwater boat powered by oars. The wooden submarine covered [...]
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Commeinhes develops open-circuit scuba
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1937 ] The first model of a two-cylinder open-circuit breathing apparatus with demand regulator is developed by Georges Commeinhes for [...]
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Edmond Halley improves the diving bell
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1690 ] English astronomer Edmond Halley—of Halley’s Comet fame—improves the diving bell. Additional air is available in weighted barrels [...]
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Artifacts recovered from Antikythera
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2015 ] Archaeologists excavating the Antikythera shipwreck recover more than 50 items including a bronze armrest, remains of a bone [...]
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Anthony’s Key Resort is founded on Roatan
By Jeffrey Gallant
[1968] Julio Galindo Sr. and his wife, Cheryl Galindo, welcome their first guests on the island of Roatán, Honduras. Anthony’s Key Resort has since become [...]
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Refit of Cousteau’s Calypso restarts
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2016 ] Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s famed oceanographic vessel Calypso is moved to Turkey for a full refit, including new engines; Calypso's sad saga began [...]
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Two divers die in Johnson Sea Link
By Jeffrey Gallant
[1973] Edwin Clayton Link and Albert Dennison Stover died from carbon dioxide poisoning after the submersible was entangled for over 24 hours at a depth [...]
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Record habitat dive in Romania
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1994 ] Romanian aquanauts Liviu Miron and Constantin Mihaï set the European record for the longest uninterrupted stay in an underwater [...]
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Renowned explorers in the High Arctic
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2015 ] A team of renowned explorers mounts the Elysium – Artists for the Arctic expedition to the High Arctic to produce a feature documentary, a book [...]
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Kessler designs diving bell
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1616 ] German inventor Franz Kessler designs an unstable diving bell with a harness and glass ports. Kessler was also a was a portrait painter, a [...]
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Antikythera Shipwreck found
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 1900 ] Greek sponge divers discover the Antikythera Shipwreck and recover artifacts, including the oldest known analog computer. The [...]
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Natalia Molchanova disappears
By Jeffrey Gallant
[ 2015 ] World champion freediver Natalia Molchanova (Russia) disappears while teaching a freediving course off the coast of Formentera [...]
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Join the editor of the Diving Almanac as he visits record destinations, and meets notable divers and personalities from our international Who’s Who.
The Diving Almanac is the only central body of information on diving records, people, and diving history. Browse the website or search our exclusive database of thousands of records, diver profiles and historical events covering every aspect of the underwater world.