Ocean First

The Latest from Ocean First

The Sea Is Waiting: Travel & Diving in the New Normal

As our country begins to reopen I felt it was time to get back on an airplane, get back to the ocean, and get back to diving. The travel aspect was as expected, including masks, social distancing, and precautions taken everywhere. Being back in Key Largo the humid air and ocean smell brough happiness and relief, and the diving did not disappoint! We must be extra cautious and thoughtful now, but we also need to live. The ocean knows and she is waiting for you to come back and immerse yourself.

Safety & Wellness Update

Updates regarding our swim school, training, retail shop and travel guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last updated 6/2/20 2:30pm

The Domino Effect: Sometimes You Have to Roll With the Punches

Planning a trip takes a lot of work whether it is a family, solo, or group adventure. This is often a fun and exciting task with a great deal of research, anticipation, and expectation once the trip commences. It can also be a bit nerve-wracking not knowing exactly how things are going to work out. There are always surprises along the way regardless of how well-planned the logistics are.

The Humble Reef Saver

Five reasons why the deceptively simple reef saver is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can own, plus a cautionary tale about how to avoid being "that diver."

Our Swim School Has Gone Digital!

Since we can't get in the pool, our staff has been hard at work to bring you great virtual content to keep your mind & bodies moving.

Ocean First in Palau & Yap 2020

Exploring Yap was full of diving, amazing food and restaurants, cultural tours, and local culture. Moving on to Palau, it was full of experiencing the Rock Islands, World War 2 wreck dives, manta rays, cave diving, Jellyfish lake, land tours, and a hike to a waterfall.

Top Things To Do in Quarantine to Fuel Your Divelust

With much of the world under quarantine there isn’t a lot of diving going on right now. We have put our training, traveling, and diving on hold until we can inevitably flip on our fins once again. Fortunately, there is plenty to do from the safety of our homes to fuel our divelust.

Freediving: Below the Ice

For most people, the sport of freediving is an intimidating pursuit. Although I would typically argue that it’s an accessible activity for everyone, the trip I embarked on one year ago was not for the timid or inexperienced. In February of 2019, I traveled to the Canadian Great Lakes with six other freedivers from various parts of the US. It was not easy to leave Colorado mid-winter for a destination that promised to be even colder, but freediving under ice was a bucket-list opportunity I could not let pass by.

Why Buy a Back Inflate BCD over a Jacket Style?

For those leery of back inflates, they may believe that the slimmed down size of the back inflates means they are losing features. This used to be true with older models, but the newer models give you just as many features as a jacket without the bulk! Back inflates now tend to have front pockets, that are in many cases the same size as a jacket, they have just as many attachment points, weight integration, and are just as comfortable if sized correctly.

Summon Your Inner Naturalist

Educated divers are smart, compassionate divers. The more you know the better diver you become, and the creatures of the ocean can tell if you care. These majestic creatures need our help and we can only help if we understand. Start your journey to become an underwater naturalist; the world opens up, and Ocean First will be ready for you when you are.

Manufacturer's Plastic - It's Time For Change

Reducing plastic consumption should be a top priority for those with a stake in the game, including those in the dive industry. And yet, with every shipment of dive gear Ocean First receives for our retail floor, we are bombarded with mounds of plastic packaging. Read on to find out what our retail manager and buyer, Kathy Gagliardo, has done to make a stand.