1. Underwater Music Festival
Divers and snorkelers can explore the only living coral barrier reef around the United States while rocking to a unique sub-sea concert. The festival encourages coral reef protection and environmentally responsible diving. Now in its 31st year, several hundred divers and snorkelers annually swim among colorful tropical fish and coral formations, while swaying to a sea-themed playlist that typically includes humpback whale songs and melodies like the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins.”
2. Maldives Underwater Festival
Boasting a gathering of marine experts on a global scale, the festival highlights intense sessions of underwater photography led by award-winning photographers, ground-breaking introductory courses of free-diving and the innovative technique of fluo night-diving. An intense ensemble of water activities stretched over one week of lighter learning for keen divers, photography fanatics and water enthusiastic or just simply curious guests in search of a holiday with a difference.
3. Miami Underwater Festival
Held in Miami, the festival is an attempt to educate the public about the wonders of ocean life through scientific learning made fun. The festival hosts underwater photography workshops and exhibitions, fish and plant dissections, informational talks about coral reefs, the ecology and conservation of sharks etc.
4. Seychelles Ocean Festival
The Seychelles Ocean Festival comprises various academic activities such as the screening of prominent international films, presentations by visiting speakers, school visits, photographic exhibitions, a competition to select the best underwater photograph, special activities undertaken by the various NGOs and dedicated festival events in various hotels during the SOF week. Apart from the official side of the event it also hosts a Family Fun Day including a triathlon event, live music and a bazaar-type atmosphere.
5. Underwater Festival – The Australasia Challenge
Held annually, The Australasia Challenge incorporates an Australasia-wide simultaneous photo and video shootout competition like no other with close to U$100,000 in prizes. Hundreds of divers take part in this huge event, not unlike an underwater ‘Earth Hour.’ This helps highlight not only underwater beauty but also issues of the fantastic bio-region and shows the world what we’ve got to lose.