Scuba Show, largest diving expo in U.S., returns to Long Beach

Scuba Show, the largest consumer scuba diving expo in the U.S., is back in Long Beach this weekend.

The two-day expo will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, at the Long Beach Convention Center. With interactive try-dive experiences, expert presentations, and activities for all ages, Scuba Show is the ultimate destination for divers and ocean enthusiasts alike, organizers said.

The show is in its 39th iteration and is under new ownership this year. Over a decade ago, Mark Young – who also owned and ran California Diving News – took over the Scua Show from founders Kim and Dale Sheckler. Last year marked Young’s last time organizing the show before handing it over to UK-based Rork Media this year.

The media company is cofounded by Ross Arnold and Mark Evans. Rork Media has already established UK and Sydney shows as well, and will be adding a show to the East Coast this year as well in Atlantic City.

“It’s exciting because this is a 39-year-old show,” Evans said in an interview on Friday, May 29. “It’s exciting that we’re taking the brand, the Scuba Show brand, which is well established in the U.S., we’re taking that to the East Coast with a brand new show on that side.”

The Scuba Show has drawn thousands to Long Beach each year. This weekend, it’s anticipated that nearly 7,000 people are expected to attend the show, Evans said.

The two-day event will feature more than 300 exhibitors, showcasing the latest scuba gear, dive destinations, underwater photography equipment, training programs, and ocean conservation initiatives.

Something new this year is that attendees will get an opportunity to listen to scuba experts and industry professionals, such as Chris Lemons, who survived a 2021 North Sea diving accident, and Liza Parkinson, a Hollywood stunt performer who has worked on several notable films, including “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

“We’ve tried to bring some new elements,” Evans said, “what we didn’t want to do was come in and completely upset the applecart. What we tried to do is all of the elements that people enjoyed of the Scuba Show, we’ve kept in place but then we’ve tried to bring added enhancements to make it even more interesting.”

Another new element this year is a virtual reality wreck-diving zone, Evans said. Attendees can explore the historic Mars shipwreck in Sweden. Through virtual reality, visitors can experience this iconic shipwreck from a diver’s perspective – without getting wet.

The Try Dive Pool is one of the highlights of the Scuba Show. Visitors have the opportunity to experience diving firsthand in a safe, controlled environment for anyone to try – from beginners to qualified divers. It is first-come, first-served, and guests must bring their own swimwear and towel, but all scuba equipment is provided.

The Scuba Show will be in Long Beach on Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets start at $33 for a single day, with unlimited re-entry to the expo. Children under 16 can enter the expo for free. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit scubashow.com.