In this post, I share with you my ultimate list of best scuba diver books. I’ve compiled over 45 books on scuba diving, marine life, ocean conservation, and exploration.
If you’re looking for books on scuba diving, whether to add to your personal collection or to give as gifts for scuba enthusiasts, here are my top recommendations for diver books.
I. Best Inspirational Scuba Diving Books
Are you looking for books on scuba diving that will inspire you to go diving, here are some of best inspirational books for divers.
1. The Silent World by Jacques Cousteau
Reasons to love this scuba diving book:
- The International Bestseller by the Father of Underwater Exploration
- Jacques Cousteau’s chronicles on his days of underwater adventure
- Published in 1954, now with a National Geographic 50th anniversary edition
- Hardcover Book
- Cousteau, Jacques (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
2. 100 Dives of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Underwater Destinations by Carrie Miller
Reasons to love this scuba diving book:
- filled with more than 350 images from National Geographic
- ultimate bucket list guide for scuba divers
- expert tips and travel advice
- Hardcover Book
- Miller, Carrie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
3. Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die by Chris Santella
Reasons to love this scuba diving book:
- diving experts from around the world share their favorite destinations
- 40 beautiful color photos from the world’s greatest underwater photographers
- small and handy book
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Santella, Chris (Author)
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4. Dive Atlas of the World: An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites by Jack Jackson
Reasons to love this scuba diving book:
- 300-page global guide to the world’s top dive sites
- Written by experienced dive authors
- Helps you select the type of diving experience you are looking for
- Hardcover Book
- Jack Jackson (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
5. Diving the World by Beth and Shaun Tierney
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- Anecdotes from dive experts
- offers the ultimate inspiration as well as all the practical information you need to plan your next dive
- Planning section includes all the essentials, from equipment & packing to locals laws & customs
- Tierney, Beth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 360 Pages - 01/07/2015 (Publication Date) - Footprint (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
6. Trailblazer: The Extraordinary Life of Diving Pioneer Dottie Frazier
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- the life story of Dottie Frazier, the world’s first certified female scuba instructor, a hard-hat diver, and the first female dive shop owner and wetsuit manufacturer.
- wonderful collection of photos and stories about a woman who achieved so much in a male-dominated industry
- Frazier, Dottie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 114 Pages - 09/28/2019 (Publication Date) - Bonnie Toth Advertising & Design (Publisher)
II. Learning How to Scuba Dive Books
If you’re looking for scuba diving books that can be good supplementary reading here are some recommendations to add to your collection.
7. The Complete Diver by Alex Brylske Ph.D
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- a comprehensive guide to recreational scuba diving
- includes chapters on diving history, physics and physiology, diving medicine, health and safety practices for scuba divers
- great book for beginning divers, dive instructors, marine scientist and ocean explorers
- Brylske Ph.D., Alex (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 346 Pages - 10/29/2012 (Publication Date) - Dive Training LLC (Publisher)
8. NOAA Diving Manual
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- combining new developments in equipment and cutting-edge methods and procedures to provide a reference text that is useful for not only scientists but also all divers
- includes new chapters include advanced platform support diving with ROVs/AUVs, submersibles, and atmospheric diving systems as well as underwater photography and videography
- significantly revised and updated chapters include diving equipment; procedures for scientific dives, rebreathers, and polluted water diving
- NOAA Diving Division (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 800 Pages - 07/31/2017 (Publication Date) - Best Publishing Company (Publisher)
9. Diver Down by Michael Ange
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- true stories on diver error and accidents resulting in serious injury or death with in-depth analysis of what went wrong
- helps you can recognize, avoid, and respond to similar underwater calamities
- explores diving situations in caves, wrecks, deep-waters, rivers and more
- Ange, Michael R. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 10/18/2005 (Publication Date) - International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
10. Scuba Fundamental: Start Diving the Right Way by Simon Pridmore
Reasons to love this scuba diving books for beginners:
- this book will make the learning process much easier for new divers to help you become a capable and competent lifelong diver
- helps you prepare for a scuba diving course and what a good beginners course should entail
- anecdotes from people who are now experienced divers but were once beginners
- Pridmore, Simon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 210 Pages - 03/21/2016 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
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Are you learning how to scuba dive? Here are 25 FAQs about getting certified as a scuba diver that you might want to read.
11. Scuba Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Better Diver by Simon Pridmore
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- full of valuable tips and expert advice
- access to the secrets of dive professionals and technical divers
- earn how to master skills and techniques that will make you a more confident, capable, and safe diver.
- Pridmore, Simon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 356 Pages - 10/10/2013 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
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12. Scuba Exceptional: Become the Best Diver You Can Be by Simon Pridmore
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- reflects the philosophy of safe diving through the acquisition of knowledge and skills
- has useful cautionary tales on issues that face experienced divers
- tackles bad practices in scuba diving industry while offering solutions
- Pridmore, Simon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 306 Pages - 10/27/2018 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
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Whether you are a new scuba or advanced scuba diver, you want to be the best diver you can be. One way to do it is by logging your dives. Here are 35 best scuba dive log books you might want to have.
13. Scuba Professional: Insights into Sport Diver Training & Operations by Simon Pridmore
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- looks at how diving is taught and how dive operations are conducted
- an excellent source of out-of-the-box ideas for instructors and dive operators
- guide for those aspiring to become dive professionals
- Pridmore, Simon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 308 Pages - 07/17/2015 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
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14. Deco for Divers by Mark Powell
Reasons to love this scuba diver book:
- an overview of the principles of decompression theory
- bridges the gap between introductory books and source scientific information
- gives students a better understanding of what was happening during decompression dives
- Powell, Mark (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 12/30/2014 (Publication Date) - AquaPress (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
III. Scuba Diving Novels
Are you on your surface interval and wanting to curl up with a good book? Here are some scuba diving novels you might enjoy.
15. The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury
What this scuba diving book is about:
A story about an experienced father-and-son scuba diving team who were obsessed to solve the the secrets of a mysterious, undocumented World War II German U-boat that lay under 230 feet of water.
- Chowdhury, Bernie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 02/19/2002 (Publication Date) - Harper Perennial (Publisher)
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16. The Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
What this scuba diving book is about:
The true story of two Americans who discover a World War II German U-boat sunk 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey.
- Kurson, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 432 Pages - 05/24/2005 (Publication Date) - Random House Trade Paperbacks (Publisher)
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17. Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson
What this fiction book about scuba diving is about:
A story of two men in a quest is to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister.
- Kurson, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 03/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Random House Trade Paperbacks (Publisher)
IV. Best Ocean Conservation Books
Here are some book recommendations for ocean lovers.
18. A Life on Our Planet by Sir David Attenborough
Reasons to love this ocean conservation book:
- written by an award-winning broadcaster and natural historian
- a scientifically informed account of the changes occurring in the world over the last century
- contains a lifetime of wisdom and a hopeful vision for the future
- Hardcover Book
- Attenborough, Sir David (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
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19. Blue Hope by Sylvia Earle
Reasons to love this ocean conservation book:
- inspiring insights from international ocean icon Sylvia Earle and other notable ocean advocates
- a poignant tribute to the beauty and magic of the ocean and shedding light on its abundant gifts to the planet.
- stunning photographs of beaches, coral reefs, and underwater life
- Hardcover Book
- Earle, Sylvia A. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
20. The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson
Reasons to love this ocean conservation book:
- one of the most influential books ever written about the natural world
- made it to the top of The New York Times best-seller list
- provides a timely reminder of both the fragility and the centrality of the ocean and the life that abounds within it
- Carson, Rachel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 12/18/2018 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)
21. Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution by Michiel Roscam Abbing
Reasons to love this ocean conservation book:
- beautifully-illustrated survey of the plastics clogging our seas
- discusses the impacts of plastic on wildlife and people around the world
- highlights a diverse array of projects to curb plastic waste and raise awareness
- Hardcover Book
- Abbing, Michiel Roscam (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
22. Plastic Ocean by Charles Moore
Reasons to love this ocean conservation book:
- About a researcher who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, unveiling the secret life of plastics
- inspires a fundamental rethinking of the modern Plastic Age
- advocates for plastic pollution awareness
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Charles Moore (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
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V. Best Coffee Table Books for Ocean Lovers
Here are some coffee table books showcasing the beauty of our oceans. These books are great addition to you home to entertain guests, spark conversations, or pass time. Ocean coffee table books are great to give as gifts for divers.
23. The Life and Love of the Sea Hardcover by Lewis Blackwell
Reasons to love this coffee table book for ocean lovers:
- showcasing underwater photography from the world’s leading marine and nature photographers
- a breathtaking visual tour of the ocean’s great diversity
- bonus footage via a scannable QR code from multi-award- winning underwater cameraman Steven Hathaway.
- Hardcover Book
- Blackwell, Lewis (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
24. Silent Kingdom: A World Beneath the Waves Hardcover by Kristian Vizl
Reasons to love this coffee table book for ocean lovers:
- an ethereal collection of black-and-white underwater photography
- an ode both to the beauty of the ocean and the magnificent creatures that inhabit it
- calls to action to preserve the fragile underwater world of our planet.
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 05/14/2019 (Publication Date) - Earth Aware Editions (Publisher)
25. Pristine Seas: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places by Enric Sala
Reasons to love this coffee table book for ocean lovers:
- dazzling array of photographs that capture the beauty of the water and the incredible wildlife within it
- shows you the brilliance of the sea in its natural state
- reminds you of what we have to gain by protecting our seas through impactful visuals
- Hardcover Book
- Sala, Enric (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
26. Sharks by Michael Muller
Reasons to love this coffee table book for ocean lovers:
- one of the most spectacular portfolios of underwater shark photography
- images are contextualized with essays from Philippe Cousteau, Jr. and marine biologist Alison Kock
- discuss exploration and conservation of our oceanic kingdom
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 334 Pages - 03/19/2016 (Publication Date) - Taschen America Llc (Publisher)
Are you looking for gifts for scuba divers? Here are 40 gifts for women divers and 40 gifts for men divers.
VI. Sea Creatures Books
Here are more scuba diver books you might want in their collection that focus on sea creatures.
27. What You Should Know About Sharks by Ocean Ramsey and Juan Oliphant
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- bestselling book with full-color
- goes into shark language and safety
- great read for those interested in sharks and ocean conservation
- Ramsey, Ocean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 244 Pages - 10/22/2019 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
28. The World Beneath by Dr. Richard Smith
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- 300 color photos and extraordinary text from a leading marine biologist and underwater photographer
- learn about fish and coral species that are often overlooked.
- learn about fish behavior: what they eat, how they care for one another, how they play, how they live on one another, how they mimic others when they’re afraid and many more
- Hardcover Book
- Smith, Dr. Richard (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
29. Citizens of the Sea by Nancy Knowlton
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- captures the astonishing diversity and the most intriguing organisms in the ocean
- learn about sea creatures’ names, defenses, migration, mating habits, and many more.
- beautifully photographed and written in an easygoing style
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Knowlton, Nancy (Author)
30. Shark by Brian Skerry
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- showcases the amazing work of Brian Skerry, an award-winning National Geographic photographer
- spectacular photo collection featuring 4 shark species- great white, whitetip, tiger, and mako sharks.
- text by top National Geographic writers
- encourages its reader to change their attitude toward these top predators
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 208 Pages - 06/13/2017 (Publication Date) - National Geographic (Publisher)
31. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- book explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus and the remarkable connections it makes with humans
- chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk was she tells a unique love story
- New York Times Bestseller, A Huffington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of the Year, One of the Best Books of the Month on Goodreads, An American Library Association Notable Book of the Year
- Montgomery, Sy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages - 04/05/2016 (Publication Date) - Washington Square Press (Publisher)
32. The Marine World: A Natural History of Ocean Life
Reasons to love this sea creature book:
- a book for everyone with an interest in the ocean
- encompasses all those organisms that live in, on, and around the ocean
- contains color illustrations, line drawings, more than 1,500 color photographs, and clear accessible text, this book
- Hardcover Book
- Dipper, Frances (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
VII. Best Cave Diving Books
If you’re in cave diving or curious about it, here are some cave diving book you can check out.
33. Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth
Reasons to love this cave diving book:
- written by one of the top female cave divers
- blends science, adventure, and memoir to bring readers face-to-face with the terror and beauty of earth’s remaining unknown
- transports readers deep into inner space, where fear must be reconciled and a mission’s success balances between knowing one’s limits and pushing the envelope of human endurance
- Heinerth, Jill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 08/04/2020 (Publication Date) - Ecco (Publisher)
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34. Essentials of Cave Diving by Jill Heinerth
Reasons to love this cave diving book:
- contemporary cave diving instructional guidebook written by Jill Heinerth, Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Inductee
- contains practical, 21st century underwater knowledge, including side-mount techniques and the latest in rebreather technology
- Encompasses all levels of cave diving, from entry-level to expert
- Heinerth, Jill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 281 Pages - 05/10/2020 (Publication Date) - Heinerth Productions Incorporated (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
35. The Boys in the Cave: Deep Inside the Impossible Rescue in Thailand by Matt Guttman
Reasons to love this cave diving book:
- definitive account of the the miraculous rescue of twelve Thai boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave miles underground for nearly three weeks
- recounts the amazing story in depth and from every angle, and the daring mission that ultimately saved them
- the author, Matt Gutman covers the story intensively with accounts of how he went deep inside the caves himself, and interviews with rescuers, experts and eye-witnessed around the world
- Gutman, Matt (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 06/06/2019 (Publication Date) - MorrowPb (Publisher)
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36. Caverns Measureless to Man by Sheck Exley
Reasons to love this cave diving book:
- the story of the passion of an extraordinary individual who spent his life exploring underwater caves
- written by a cave diver who has set records, developed the techniques, and he maintained the highest standards of excellence in cave diving
- accounts the fear and joy of diving diving into the depths of the earth
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Exley, Sheck (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
VIII. Best Underwater Photography Books
Do you love underwater photography or want to venture into scuba diving with a camera? Here are some underwater photography books you might want to check out.
37. Underwater Photography Masterclass by Dr. Alex Mustard
Reasons to love this underwater photography book:
- this book provides all the background you need before you take the plunge into underwater photography- information about diving equipment and cameras, to crucial advice on understanding and controlling light underwater
- covers topics on wide-angle light, macro lighting, ambient light and macro techniques
- written by marine biologist Dr. Alexander Mustard, with 30 years of experience taking underwater photographs
- Mustard, Alex (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 07/15/2016 (Publication Date) - Ammonite Press (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
38. Underwater Photographer by Martin Edge
Reasons to love this underwater photography book:
- definitive guide to underwater photography- covers everything from the basic principles, the equipment and approaches to composition and lighting through to creating an individual style
- features over 400 updated colour images – taken on numerous dives around the world with an accompanying narrative that provides detailed information on how the shots were taken, their strengths and weaknesses and how to fix mistakes
- packed with inspiring examples from global diving destinations and speciality chapters written by professionals in the field
- Edge, Martin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 486 Pages - 04/08/2020 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
39. Advanced Underwater Photography: Techniques for Digital Photographers by Larry Gates
Reasons to love this underwater photography book:
- Designed for photographers who already have strong diving skills and understand basic photographic techniques
- has a quick overview of the basics—such as exposure, focus, subject selection, and composition
- shows the techniques pros use to achieve truly stunning images
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Gates, Larry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
40. Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users by Maria Munn
Reasons to love this underwater photography book:
- a step-by-step guide to taking professional quality underwater photos with a point-and-shoot camera.
- advice for both beginners and more advanced compact camera users
- easy-to-follow techniques accompanied by hundreds of photographs that show you how it is done and the results you can achieve.
- Munn, Maria (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages - 07/29/2012 (Publication Date) - Fernhurst Books (Publisher)
This book is also available on Amazon Kindle. Get your Free 30-day trial here.
Need some quick read about underwater photography? Here are 85 best tips on underwater photography for beginners.
IX. Reef Fish Identification Books
Scuba divers love fish and any fish-nerd would love any of these reef identification books.
41. Reef Fish Identification Tropical Pacific by Paul Humann
Reasons to love this reef fish identification book
- includes 2,000 species with 2,500 photographs of fishes in their natural habitat from Thailand to Tahiti
- multiple photographs for many species show variations in color and markings, life cycle phases and gender
- include common and scientific names, family, size, visual descriptions, geographical ranges and distinctive characteristics
- Paul Humann (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 502 Pages - 10/29/2015 (Publication Date) - New World Publications (Publisher)
42. Corals: A Quick Reference Guide by Julian Sprung
Reasons to love this reef coral ID book
- detailed full color photographs of hundreds of species, encompassing the majority of coral genera one is likely to encounter on reefs around the world
- corals are described and compared to similar looking species, and their range and the correct pronunciation of the Latin name
- quick reference charts concerning each coral’s requirements for light, water movement, and food, hardiness
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Sprung, Julian (Author)
43. Nudibranchs of the World by Helmut Debulius
Reasons to love this reef fish identification book
- identification of most Nudibranchs known to species level with over 2500 color photos of Nudibranchs in their natural environment
- over 1180 species of Nudibranchs illustrated, in large letter format, 360 pages, hardcover bound, it is a comprehensive photo identification guide to Nudibranchs of the world seas
- explains the relationships between species from different oceans, and it gives information on behavior (defense, camouflage, mimicry and more).
- David Behrens (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages - 10/05/2005 (Publication Date) - New World Publications (Publisher)
44. The Reef Set: Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral (3 Volumes) by Paul Humann
Reasons to love this reef fish ID book
- 3 books are Flexibinding – pages are stitched in like a hardcover
- Copies of: Reef Fish Identification, Reef Creature Identification, Reef Coral Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Paul Humann (Author)
45. Reef Creature Identification Tropical Pacific by Paul Humann
Reasons to love this reef identification book
- the most comprehensive visual field guide to marine invertebrate life inhabiting the waters from Thailand to Tahiti with over 500-page reference detailing 1,600 animals with 2,000 photographs and descriptive text
- focuses also on crustaceans, mollusks, worms and echinoderms and also explore facets of marine invertebrate behavior
- provides information for diving photographers and critter hunters
- 500-page reference detailing 1,600 animals with 2,000 photographs
- text focuses on mobile species, highlighting crustaceans, mollusks, worms and echinoderms
- Paul Humann (Author)
Bookends for your Scuba Diver Books
Grab these unique bookends to help display your scuba diving book collection!
Do you have recommendations for the best scuba diving books? Leave a comment below!