Reef Smart Guides Beneath the Blue Planet: A Diver’s Guide to the Ocean and Its Conservation (Gift for Scuba Divers, Snorkelers, and Travelers)

Dive Into the Fascinating World of Marine Biology!

#1 New Release in Scuba Travel Guides

Beneath the Blue Planet is the perfect educational guide for divers, snorkelers, children, and parents. Learn about the ocean, its ecosystems and its conservation from the founders of Reef Smart Guides!

Your blue planet adventure starts now! Beneath the Blue Planet is the ultimate guide to the ocean, its creatures, and its conservation. This comprehensive and pioneering book answers many of the burning questions that divers and snorkelers have after exploring the underwater world. If you want to know how the ocean works, understand the perils that coral reefs face and learn about some of the world’s most fascinating marine creatures, then this book will guide you.

Beneath the Blue Planet traces the story of our ocean from Earth’s formation to the modern day, detailing the science behind everything from currents and chemistry to the fascinating ecology of its creatures, ranging from plankton to whales. Beyond explaining why the ocean and its inhabitants are so remarkable, Beneath the Blue Planet explores the serious challenges this precious environment faces, and offers insights into how we can work to preserve it for future generations and continue ocean exploration.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• The story of the ocean from its formation to the modern day
• Coral reefs and the remarkable creatures that inhabit this ecosystem
• The fascinating natural history of modern-day sharks and their ancient relatives.
• The challenges faced by the ocean and what we can do to preserve it for future generations

If you liked Oceanology, 100 Dives of a Lifetime, and are a fan of the Reef Smart Guides, Dive and Snorkel travel series, you’ll love Beneath the Blue Planet.

Dr. Alex Brylske is a self-described “story-teller for the ocean.” Over his 40-year career he has written hundreds of articles, curricula and books that have influenced education in both the scuba industry and the marine conservation community. During the 1980s, Alex was the educational program development manager for PADI, where he designed and wrote many of the programs and materials used around the world today to train divers of all levels. During his tenure as Professor of Marine Science and Technology at the College of the Florida Keys he conceived and taught numerous field-based courses on coral reef ecology, conservation, management, restoration, and assessment while serving as the institution’s Diving Safety Officer. Alex’s numerous honors include NOAA’s Walter B. Jones Memorial Excellence Award for Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the 2012 DAN Rolex Diver of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in diving.

Peter McDougall was born and raised in Canada where he received his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from McGill University. His focus on behavioral ecology and coral reef ecology led him to two field seasons at Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. In 2003, Peter moved to the United States and began a career in science communication and writing, publishing in both peer-reviewed academic journals and the popular press. He has written on a variety of coastal ecosystem issues, including extensive work surrounding the science of ocean acidification. He is a PADI Rescue Diver with over 300 dives in 19 years of experience. Peter resides in Osprey, Florida. 

Ian Popple was born and raised in the United Kingdom where he earned his undergraduate degree in oceanography from the University of Plymouth. He worked for five years at Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, supporting research projects across the region, before completing his Master’s in marine biology at McGill University in 2004. He co-founded a marine biology education company, Beautiful Oceans, before founding Reef Smart in 2015 to raise awareness and encourage people to explore the underwater world. Ian has published in both the scientific and mainstream media, including National Geographic, Scuba Diver Magazine and the Globe and Mail. He is a PADI Dive Master with over 3,000 dives in 25 years of diving experience. Ian resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Otto Wagner was born and raised in Romania where he graduated from the University of Art and Design in Cluj, Romania. He moved to Canada in 1999 where he studied Film Animation at Concordia University in Montreal. In 2006, Otto turned to underwater cartography and pioneered new techniques in 3D visual mapping. He co-founded Art to Media and began mapping underwater habitats around the world. Throughout his 25-year career, Otto has received numerous awards and international recognition for his work, including the Prize of Excellence in Design from the Salon International du Design de Montréal. He has also illustrated seven books. Otto is a PADI Advanced Diver with over 500 dives in 15 years of diving experience. Otto resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.