Blake Dowling: Diver down, snorkel up and other eternal truths

A few years ago, during a family vacation in Panama City Beach, we went snorkeling with a local boat captain. Despite being a Georgia Bulldog fan, he turned out to be a really nice guy. He introduced us to an old shipwreck, rekindling my love for snorkeling and underwater exploration — an experience I hadn’t enjoyed since childhood.

While jotting down ideas for this column last week, the title “Diver Down” came to mind. For context, “Diver Down” was Van Halen’s fifth studio album, which was nearly never released. After their 1981 Fair Warning Tour, the band was pressured by^[1] their label to release new music. They recorded a cover of “Pretty Woman” along with four other covers and managed to complete the album in just 12 days.

The resulting album, “Diver Down,” became a multi-platinum success.

The album’s cover features the symbol used by divers to indicate someone is underwater, and to the band, it represented the idea that not everything is apparent beneath the surface. Isn’t that one of life’s eternal truths?

For instance, you wouldn’t want to travel to the Caribbean during hurricane season.

First things first: gear. If you plan on snorkeling more than once a year, invest in your own equipment. It’s typically of better quality than rental gear, and sharing a snorkel with a stranger is, quite frankly, unpleasant (another eternal truth). We found our gear at World of Water in Tampa.

The shop owner not only guided us through their inventory but also thoroughly cleaned our chosen Scuba Max line using toothpaste. Cheers to World of Water for providing an epic shopping experience, far superior to online shopping. You might wonder about the toothpaste — read here for the details^[2].

With our gear in hand, we set off for our latest snorkeling adventure in the Virgin Islands. Our first stop was The Baths National Park, Virgin Gorda^[3]. Upon arrival, we were dropped off by a guide who, unfortunately, neglected to mention the $3 admission fee, leaving us swimming ashore without cash.

The park guide was quite demanding as we navigated through the caves, reminding me of the “I want my two dollars” kid from “Better Off Dead.”

I offered to swim back to the boat to retrieve her fee, but she wasn’t having it. I even suggested paying online, but she insisted we stay put. After several tense minutes of negotiation that tested my diplomacy skills, she ultimately let us go without having to contact the U.S. Embassy or call in the Marines. A close call! For anyone planning a visit, remember to bring cash.

Next, we headed to The Indians, a stunning dive location with^[4] underwater tunnels, drop-offs, coral formations, and abundant marine life. We spent a couple of hours exploring this area near Norman Island, which was truly a highlight of our trip.

On the boat ride back, our guide played what I dubbed the “tourist mix” — a blend of Caribbean tunes followed by Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney to keep the vibe alive as we returned to Scrub Island. Brown^[5] is set to perform at the Sphere this Fall if you’re considering a pre-Christmas country-fueled Vegas getaway.

You don’t have to travel to the Caribbean to find great snorkeling spots. Florida is rich with options. Panama City was great, but there are other destinations from Williston to Key West that cater to various budgets and schedules. Visit Florida highlights some fantastic locations here: 10 great places for snorkeling in Florida^[6].

It’s estimated that recreational diving and snorkeling activities generate over a^[7] billion dollars in revenue for Florida each year, creating thousands of jobs — including those for park rangers. If that’s your career goal, consider the Baths at Virgin Gorda for a fitting position.

In an increasingly noisy world, time spent underwater is always peaceful — yet another eternal truth. If you encounter someone struggling with mental health issues or making morbid jokes, reach out to them. Suggest they take a vacation. Just as the Van Halen album reminds us, we often don’t know what’s happening beneath the surface of our neighbors’ lives, so it’s essential to look out for red flags and offer a helping hand when possible. Our humanity is collective, and we rely on one another to lift each other when needed.

After “Diver Down,” Van Halen released their most successful album, “1984^[8].” Like our society and our lives, the band’s journey had its ups and downs, but overall it was magical. Remembering the big picture is yet another eternal truth. We were fortunate enough to see Van Halen live on their 2008 reunion tour in Jacksonville. Dave and Eddie may have aged, but they were magnificent. Rest in peace, Edward Van Halen.

If you’re curious about their journey, you can read Alex Van Halen’s book “Brothers^[9].”

For our next Caribbean adventure, I’ll think twice before rolling the dice during hurricane season. Battling passing storms in and out was a unique kind of anxiety. Thank you for reading today, and we’ll sign off with wise words from two ocean adventurers: the legendary Jacques Cousteau^[10], who said, “From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders… But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free,” and the fictional adventurer Steve Zissou, who added, “The deeper you go, the weirder life gets^[11].”