"You want to introduce divers, especially new ones, to show them what they could be missing.”

Rose Bennett, PADI Master Scuba Diver, has been running Bubbles or Not in Harlem, Georgia, since 2016. Bennett and her late husband, Bob, both Army retirees, founded the PADI Five Star IDC in the hopes of encouraging divers to learn new skills and have fun in their corner of Georgia, about 30 minutes west of Augusta. James Currence, the shop’s general manager and a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, says the shop draws interest from divers as far away as Hilton Head, South Carolina, who are interested in discovering the area’s lakes and other special diving adventures.

“A lot of us up here enjoy lake diving because it makes you a better diver,” Currence says. “You don’t have that crystal-clear water, great temperatures like you see in the Caribbean and the coast of Florida.” But there is one opportunity where clarity and consistent dive conditions are just small parts of a remarkable experience: Through the Journey With Gentle Giants guided dive program at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, small groups of open-water divers can swim with whale sharks, rays, grouper and dozens of other species—including endangered ones like the bowmouth guitarfish.

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“For some, encountering these majestic creatures up close instills a deep appreciation for marine life and conservation efforts. It fosters a sense of connection to the ocean and its inhabitants, igniting a passion for protecting these fragile ecosystems,” says the aquarium’s assistant manager of dive immersion programs, Charles Mowery, who is also a PADI Instructor.

“Moreover, the Journey With Gentle Giants dive often serves as a catalyst for overcoming fears and pushing personal boundaries. Divers who may have initially been apprehensive about diving with such large animals in the open ocean often emerge from the experience with newfound confidence and a sense of accomplishment.”

The Journey With Gentle Giants dive often serves as a catalyst for overcoming fears and pushing personal boundaries. It fosters a sense of connection to the ocean and its inhabitants, igniting a passion for protecting these fragile ecosystems.

Divers drop into the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager, a tank holding over 6.3 million gallons of water, for approximately 30 minutes. (The overall experience, which includes an orientation and equipment briefing, lasts about 2.5 hours.) Folks can either book directly through the aquarium or through a participating dive shop like Bubbles or Not— you might find discounts if you book through the shop, whereas going directly through the aquarium offers more flexibility with dates.

Before the pandemic, Bennett and her husband heard about the program from a client and were interested in bringing it to their dive community. The shop now makes quarterly trips to the Georgia Aquarium, and Bennett views the program as a dynamic addition for divers looking for unexpected adventures.

“It’s a great trip for those people who can’t afford to go to Fiji,” explains Bennett. “I want people to be able to come and dive and have fun.”

Related Reading: Rescued Endangered Sawfish in Florida Keys Dies in Captivity

The aquarium provides all dive gear to protect its marine life. Personal masks and dive computers are permitted, but the staff will sanitize them before diving. “If you don’t have your own mask, they are happy to provide it,” Bennett says.

Mowery, who has been a dive instructor for 10 years, says he has seen the impact on participants following their Journey With Gentle Giants dive.

“Being in the presence of such incredible creatures can inspire a sense of empowerment and wonder. It’s a humbling reminder of our place in the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”

Site Spotlight

Bowmouth guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma) are among the more unusual creatures swimming with divers in the aquarium— and they might have the most fun name! Sometimes called shark rays, these sea marvels are officially rays. Their half-ray, half-shark bodies can grow up to nearly 10 feet long but are usually smaller. In the wild, bowmouth guitarfish are typically found hovering on the bottom of shallow waters near coral reefs or mangroves.

Their habitat ranges from the Middle East to the South Pacific. Spikes protect the head and fins, which are prized for shark fin soup. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the depletion of the species around the world due to demand.

Need To Know

Conditions

Water temperature: 76 degrees. Depth: 20 to 30 feet.

What to Bring

Just a swimsuit—everything else is provided.

Certification

Open-water certification is required. Prepare further by taking the PADI Aware Shark Conservation course.

Recommended

Refresh your skills if it’s been a while since your last dive.

For Nondivers

Look into Journey With Gentle Giants—Swim, a similar experience for snorkelers.

Local Resources

Georgia Aquarium georgiaaquarium.org Bubbles or Not bubbles-or-not.com