For us divers, the underwater world is so interesting that even the mundane things that we do on the surface (like getting a haircut or ironing) can become exciting when done underwater! So why not try our list of 10 everyday things that can be done underwater and tell us what you think!
1. Iron your clothes underwater
While we hate doing chores like ironing our clothes, we think ironing underwater with our scuba tank on sounds like fun. Extreme Ironing (also known as EI) is a sport that has been around since the 90s and the idea is to take an iron, an ironing board, and some clothes to a remote location (think the top of a mountain or the bottom of the sea) to “iron” your clothes. The crazier the location the better! And don’t worry, the iron isn’t actually plugged in, it is really more of a gimmick to take some fun pics and videos. Or if you are really serious about it you can compete in the extreme ironing world championships!
2. Practice underwater yoga
Scuba diving and yoga are both similar sports in that they teach calmness and breathing techniques, so it’s no wonder that underwater yoga is a new sport. Offered in Indonesia the underwater yoga class is called Zen Harmony Diving and you can practice your tree and warrior poses in your scuba gear, all while gazing at the marine life swimming by. You will be sure to have a very serene and relaxing experience!
3. Cycle underwater
Why cycle on the land, when you can strap on your scuba gear and cycle underwater? In Northern Carolina, every 4th July, an underwater charity bike race is held for children’s cancer research. As a competitor, you can use any bike you like (as long as it doesn’t have a motor) to get to the finish line, which makes for a very challenging bike ride!
4. Get a haircut underwater
If you are looking for a “wet look” hairstyle then why not get your hair cut underwater? There are a few places around the world where you can get your hair cut underwater, with the most famous being at the bottom of the world’s deepest pool, Y-40 The Deep Joy at Montegrotto Terme, Italy. Note this service isn’t available all the time but is available during special events. Getting your haircut underwater is quite a process, in addition to yourself, two others also get suited up in their scuba gear and you all head to the bottom of the pool. One hairdresser is in charge of the cutting, while the other holds a vacuum tube which is designed to suck up the discarded hair. As this is quite an involved process, we don’t recommend trying this one yourself!
5. Visit an underwater cemetery
There are a couple of underwater cemeteries around the world (due to flooding of above-ground cemeteries), but the most famous intentionally built underwater cemetery is called Neptune Memorial Reef and is located in Key Biscayne, Florida, USA. The cemetery allows the ashes of a loved one to be stored within a memorial at the bottom of the sea, and friends and family can snorkel or scuba dive to visit, which we think is a great idea for ocean lovers.
6. Perform an underwater cleanup
Most of us have heard about beach cleanups, but did you know you can organize your own underwater cleanup to help get rid of the debris in the water? You and your buddy can perform your own underwater cleanup or grab a bunch of other divers to help. Some things you may want to consider before doing a cleanup is to pick a dive spot that is easily accessible and simple to dive. You will also want to make sure that you have good buoyancy, that you wear gloves and that you only pick up trash (but not anything sharp or heavy).
7. Play an escape room underwater
If you want to try something that will make you think and strategize underwater, check out the world’s first underwater escape room at LBD Diving in Koh Tao, Thailand.
Called Escape the Reef, your mission is to release Willy (a toy whale) from a cage at the bottom of the ocean. Armed with your own underwater metal detector you will need to find the hidden treasure and clues, and work as a team to free Willy in 45 mins. The game is a fun way to spend a dive and is suitable for those with an Open Water certification or above.
8. Post a letter underwater
3m below the surface in Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary, Vanuatu, is an underwater post office where you can dive down and post your own waterproof postcard! This actually makes sending physical mail fun! And while you are down there you can check out the amazing marine life swimming by.
9. Do underwater gym exercises
In recent years we have seen people start to use underwater gym equipment like underwater weights, jump rope, treadmills, and bikes. Personal trainers are adding these underwater exercises to their clients’ programs as the water-resistance can make doing these exercises more challenging, while also being easier on their joints.
10. Play chess underwater
Underwater chess (also known as diving chess) is when two people play a game of chess at the bottom of a swimming pool. The rules are similar to regular chess, but there is the added difficulty of holding your breath. Players take it in turns to sit at the bottom of the pool and make their move on a weighted/magnetized board. They only get as long as they can hold their breath to make their next move, or they forfeit the game. This is both a physical and intellectual challenge and if you find you are good at it, you can even compete in the Diving Chess World Championships!
And if you have tried all of the above and are still looking for more unique things you can do underwater, check out our article on 10 unique dive experiences to cross off your bucket list!
Note no affiliate links are included in this article.
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About the Author
Amanda and her husband Dean have been certified divers since 2009. Amanda has her advanced open water and Dean is a dive master. They have travelled the world and dived many sites in Australia, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean.
Amanda and Dean have a travel blog called Scatabout which details the fun and unique experiences they have had on their world travels. You can find them doing something adventurous like scuba diving, hiking or something strange like running down the side of a building.
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