As scuba divers, we’re privileged to explore, enjoy and play beneath the surface — something the vast majority of people on the planet will never experience. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, each of us certainly has a dive we’ll never forget. Whether it’s crossing something off our scuba diving bucket list, making eye contact with a humpback whale, or simply enjoying a perfect day underwater with our favorite dive buddies – we love to share these dive stories with other aquaholics.

To celebrate the beauty, variety and joy that this sport brings, we’re sharing some truly unforgettable dives from around the world, as told by the divers who lived them first-hand. We hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we do!

Name: Szilvia Gogh

Certification: Certified in 1990 in Budapest, Hungary to take part in “orienteering”

Current: Underwater stunt woman and safety diver, youth mentor, ocean-inspired jewelry designer at Gogh Jewelry Design

Follow: @GoghJewelryDesign and www.miss-scuba.com

My ‘Must Have’ On Any Dive Trip

A compass. I like to know my whereabouts below and under the water, even when I am following a guide.

[We suspect this is a smart holdover from Szilvia’s orienteering days. The sport functions like an underwater treasure hunt in murky lakes – with a map and compass helping to compensate for poor visibility.]

My Unforgettable Dives: Antarctica

If someone had told me when I was a child that I would one day travel to a place as remote as Antarctica, I would have not believed them.

When I received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to document the maiden voyage of the “Plancius Basecamp Expedition,” it was impossible not to accept the invitation. On the third afternoon of our journey, it was time for our first scuba dive.

Even though looking at giant whale bones was impressive underwater, my favorite type of dives during our journey were the ones around floating icebergs. The ten-stories-tall, shiny, white sculptures were intimidating at first, but, once I calmed my breath, I enjoyed them in a state of awe while descending along the constantly changing wall. I imagined the ice to be smooth underwater, but its texture was covered with dimples. Our dive guide, Kelvin Murray, explained that the even-sized interesting domes were created by the reflection of the sunlight through the ocean’s surface.

Related Reading: The Arctic Is Acidifying Up to Four Times Faster Than Other Oceans, New Study Finds

We were fortunate enough to also dive with penguins one afternoon. Unlike on land, where they trot around awkwardly, penguins fly effortlessly through the water with the speed of a bullet. After we surfaced, our group spent another hour snorkeling amongst them. They seemed to love the zodiac boat as well as the interaction with the divers.

Related Reading: The Dark Side of Our Fascination with Antarctica

On several dives, we were accompanied by seals. Fur seals were the most daring and curious, but occasionally a crab eater seal would investigate our presence. On one dive we were lucky enough to dive with a leopard seal. A few of our divers were treated to a very rear encounter with this creature. They witnessed the leopard seal catching a penguin and spending the next 20 minutes eating it. It was an intense experience – particularly because this seal was considerably bigger than our dive buddies. While it was tough to see the seal peel the penguin like a banana and have it for lunch, you have to bear in mind that they have to eat, just like us.