Diving is more than just a sport—it’s a gateway to adventure and a lifelong learning journey. Whether you’re an experienced diver or just starting out, the right book can transport you to the water between dives, teach you new skills, and deepen your appreciation for the underwater world.
For 2025, we’ve gathered an exciting collection of books that every diver should have on their shelf. From classic must-reads to new releases and hidden gems, this list covers a little bit of everything. Whether you like deep-sea mysteries, adventure travel, marine conservation, or freediving and wrecks, there is a book listed here for you.
The only question is, which ones are going on your reading list for 2025?
Best Books on the History of Scuba Diving
1. The Silent World – Jacques Cousteau
A timeless classic, Jacques Cousteau’s 1953 masterpiece remains one of the most influential books in diving history. Chronicling the early days of scuba diving, it details his pioneering underwater explorations and the invention of the Aqua-Lung.
2. Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World – Tim Ecott
Tim Ecott blends history, marine science, and his own diving experiences to craft a beautiful narrative about the world beneath the waves.
Best Books for Thrilling Diving Adventures
3. Shadow Divers – Robert Kurson
A gripping true story of deep wreck diving This thrilling non-fiction book follows two divers as they risk their lives to uncover a mystery wreck off the coast of New Jersey.
4. The Last Dive: A Father and Son’s Fatal Descent into the Ocean’s Depths – Bernie Chowdhury
A sobering account of the dangers of deep technical diving, this book recounts the tragic story of a father-son dive team who perished while exploring a German U-boat.
Best Books on Diving Safety and Skills
5. Diver Down: Real-World Scuba Accidents and How to Avoid Them – Michael R. Ange
This book details real-life scuba diving accidents, analyzing what went wrong and how they could have been prevented.
6. Scuba Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Better Diver – Simon Pridmore
For divers looking to improve, Pridmore shares practical insights, expert tips, and personal anecdotes to help divers refine their skills and make better decisions underwater.
7. Scuba Fundamental: Start Diving the Right Way – Simon Pridmore
Perfect for new divers, this book provides a no-nonsense guide to learning to dive, filled with practical advice on choosing gear, training, and diving safely.
Best Books about Wreck Diving
8. Where Divers Dare: The Hunt for the Last U-Boat – Randall Peffer
Following the discovery of a sunken Nazi U-boat, this book dives deep into one of the most daring underwater expeditions in modern diving history.
9. Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria – Kevin F. McMurray
A gripping account of the dangers and triumphs of wreck diving, Deep Descent chronicles the experiences of divers exploring the Andrea Doria, one of the world’s most infamous shipwrecks. McMurray captures the technical challenges, personal risks, and allure of deep wreck diving with vivid storytelling and detail.
Best Books on Marine Conservation and Ocean Exploration
10. Reef Life: An Underwater Memoir – Callum Roberts
Marine biologist Callum Roberts shares his lifelong passion for coral reefs, blending science, storytelling, and personal reflections on ocean conservation.
11. The Deepest Map: The High-Stakes Race to Chart the World’s Oceans – Laura Trethewey
This book dives into the ambitious global effort to map the ocean floor, revealing the technology and people behind one of the biggest projects in marine exploration.
Best Books for Freedivers
12. Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves – James Nestor
James Nestor’s captivating book takes readers on a journey through the extreme sport of freediving, uncovering the hidden physiology of the human body and the mysteries of the ocean.
13. Oxygen – William Trubridge
William Trubridge, a world-record-holding freediver, explores the science, philosophy, and mental strategies behind breath-hold diving and pushing human limits underwater.
Best Books on Underwater Photography
14. The Underwater Photographer – Martin Edge
This comprehensive book covers everything from camera settings and composition to lighting techniques, making it perfect for divers looking to capture stunning underwater images.
15. Underwater Photography Masterclass – Alex Mustard
Alex Mustard’s Underwater Photography Masterclass is a must-read for divers looking to improve their underwater photography. Covering camera settings, lighting, and composition, this guide offers expert tips alongside stunning imagery.
Best Books for Personal Inspiration & Memoirs
16. No Damage: An Adventure in Courage, Survival, and the Pursuit of Dreams – Kathryn Hodgson
Kathryn Hodgson’s memoir follows her escape from a traumatic past to a life of adventure as a diving instructor and shark diving guide. A deeply personal and inspiring read, it highlights the transformative power of the ocean and the courage to rebuild one’s life.
17. Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver – Jill Heinerth
A thrilling memoir from a world-renowned cave diver, Jill Heinerth’s autobiography offers an intense look at the extreme world of cave diving, highlighting both the dangers and the awe-inspiring beauty of underwater caves.
