Reviews
Here are nearly 50 reviews of “Scuba Storyteller: Mostly Humorous Diving Tales by an Addicted AquaNut” by industry icons, fellow authors, dive buddies, advertising colleagues, and friends.
Divers Who Are Writers
“Gil Zeimer’s new book is a walk through the author’s life, illustrated with anecdotes, short personal stories, and real-life examples that played a significant role in communicating, many times through humor, the areas that shaped his life.” – Dan Orr, Past President, Divers Alert Network
“This is more than a dive book—it’s a biopic on paper. Blending family, career, and a deep love of diving, it creates a story that entertains, informs, and stirs your emotions. At times, I was laughing so hard I nearly peed in my drysuit; other times, I caught myself thinking, ‘Damn! I need Gil to give me writing lessons!’ Whether you’re a diver or not, this book has something for you. Enjoy the ride!” – Jeffrey Bozanic, Ph.D., JeffBozanic.com
“Scuba Storyteller: Mostly Humorous Diving Tales by an Addicted AquaNut is like swapping stories with your favorite dive buddy—funny, humble, and quietly wise. Gil Zeimer, a pro writer and lifelong recreational diver, packs 65 short pieces with crisp leads, punchy headlines, and clean pacing that make the book endlessly browsable for both seasoned divers and the dive-curious.
“Zeimer’s voice is the hook: conversational, self-deprecating, and generous. He pairs warm-water wanderlust (Cozumel drifts, Roatán macro, Baja mantas, a Walt Disney World aquarium dive shared with family) with real-world pragmatism. Newer divers will find standout, experience-tested lessons embedded in the stories.
“The ‘mixed marriage’ thread—diver husband, non-diver spouse—adds empathy for planning trips where not everyone dives, making this a friendly pick for couples and casual vacationers. A bonus for pros: B2B essays on attracting older divers, “Blue Friday,” and AI marketing keep the same approachable tone.
“Bottom line: candid, clever, and deeply human. It celebrates the joy of getting wet without glamorizing risk. If you dive, you’ll feel seen. If you’re considering it, you’ll feel welcome. Two fins up.” – Alex Brylske, Author, Beneath The Blue Planet
“Gil is an extraordinary storyteller. His book chronicles his longtime passion for scuba diving with heart and humor. There’s something here for divers of all ages.” – Cathryn Castle Garcia, scuba industry professional, writer, and consultant at ClearStoryCoach.com
“Gil has done a masterful job of bringing the diving life to readers, and this book collects some of his best. But be careful sitting down with Gil. You might just show up in his next essay.” – Eric Douglas, BooksByEric.com
“Gil takes us on a remarkable journey through his amazing life with an even blend of fascinating personal experiences, belly-busting humour, thought-provoking philosophies, and a summary of the astonishing number of publications he has authored. This is not just a diving icon’s life journey, but a legacy document for all of us in the dive industry to treasure and hopefully emulate.” – Dr. Terry Cummins OAM. Ph.D., Dive Queensland
“Scuba Storyteller is an upbeat and accessible read, offering insights that appeal to both divers and non-divers. Whether you’re looking to travel with family or considering learning to dive, this book encourages everyone to embrace adventure together.” – Gretchen Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, SSC, NBFE, ScubaFit.com
“Gil’s book resonates deeply with any diver whose spouse doesn’t share the same passion for diving. He explores diverse subjects with humor while inspiring contemplation and reflection. This captivating book draws from his dive logbook, allowing you to explore his fascinating thoughts and relationships—just like Captain Kirk on Star Trek! A truly intriguing, humorous journey awaits! My two favorite chapters are “Love and Marriage” and “Taste of My Own Medicine.” I found the chapter “The Diary of an Unemployed Ad Man” to be a thought-provoking encounter with destiny.” – Carlos Lander, Beyond The Diving Course Series, CarlosLander.bio.link
“Zeimer’s book bubbles with his passion and enthusiasm for scuba. The whimsical stories blended with useful anecdotes, dive history, and dive science make this an entertaining and informative read for newbies and veterans in the underwater world.” – David McGuire, Shark Stewards
Get Set to Get Wet!
“Gil Zeimer’s entertaining beach-read is packed with humorous and interesting dive stories, as well as tips that divers and vacationers will find useful on their next trip. The book features fascinating stories from Gil’s adventures around the world and under many conditions, from warm tropical waters to the bone-chilling Northern California Pacific. If you’re getting ready to travel, don’t forget to pack this book in your luggage; you won’t regret it. An added bonus for those ‘in the business’ is GIl’s insights into attracting and engaging new and existing customers.” – Paul J. Mila, MilaBooks.com
Great for Scuba Travelers
“A great collection of stories from multiple publications. A great reference guide for the Scuba Traveler! Entertaining and fun!”
– Liz Parkinson, Los Angeles, CA
“Divers have some of the best stories––and scuba addict Gil Zeimer has more than most. The seasoned writer has created a rollercoaster of a read that’ll have you on your toes for the whole read––and provides plenty of laughs along the way too. This memoir-divelog-biopic-travel blog tells the tale of Gil’s journey, including becoming an unemployed ‘ad man’, taking the marital plunge with a dive-averse partner––and of course, there’s a great bunch of encounters from his underwater adventures. It’s a fun book that covers enough topics to keep both divers and non-divers turning the pages.”
– Catherine Milford, Editor, Divepacific.co.nz
“The unique genius of Gil Zeimer’s Scuba Storyteller is how it captures the way in which diving becomes a central theme and a lasting joy throughout our lives. Read on and enjoy!” – John Woodbury, NAUI #7328
“The 65 episodes in this entertaining and informative book trace Gil’s 40-year diving career, starting with his attempt to propose to his girlfriend underwater. The proposal didn’t work out, but the marriage did, and the book is dedicated to Gil’s wife, Ellen, ‘for her support of my addiction to diving.’ With its breezy style and catchy pop culture references, Gil’s book is a great read for the beach or on a liveaboard.” – Larry Clinton, The Complete Outfitting & Source Book for Sport Diving
Divers Shop Owners
If a dive log could talk, it would sound a lot like Scuba Storyteller.
“Gil Zeimer’s collection of tales reminds us that diving is so much more than a pastime.”
– Natalie Shuman, PADI Instructor / Eco Dive Center Owner, Sun Divers Roatan
A Must-Read for Every Diver
“Don’t wait until next Christmas to get this book as a present for yourself or your dive buddies. Short stories packed with helpful information across the whole range of a diver’s life — written so beautifully, and with a little smile. This still fits in your carry-on bag on the way to the next dive destination. And then you can leave it for the local dive crew to read. Would ask Gil to come for a book reading, if we weren’t in remote Fiji without even road access.” – Marina Walser, Co-Founder and Director, DiveAcademyFiji.com
Gil takes us on his personal journey as an addicted AquaNut.
“Scuba Storyteller is a combined memoir, travel log, how-to (or how-not to), and a bit of history.”
– Jeff Cinciripino, Founder and President, Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut
Writers Who Are Not Divers
“As a non-fiction, personal development author, I couldn’t help but see more than the laughter in Scuba Storyteller. These entertaining anecdotes are proof that joy and perspective are as essential as oxygen.” – Bradley Charbonneau, Author of 39 books, Repossible.com
“This ‘can’t-put-it-down’ book chronicles how a Mad Man morphed into Aquaman. Gil hilariously tells his story—from a botched underwater marriage proposal to near-death experiences, and on to convincing his toddler daughter she’s a fish at heart. And all accompanied by wondrous photographs.
“It’s also a diving primer, travelogue, photography handbook, dive shop marketing plan, and advice for people who love a sport their spouse does not. Told in short, funny, intriguing, beautiful stories, Zeimer has done the near impossible: he makes scuba diving seem as natural as breathing.” – Beverly Rose, Author of novels Meant to Be and Born to Be Wilder
“Twelve fins up! Zeimer’s sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartwarming true stories are a great read for divers or landlubbers who like their life lessons served up with a shark-eating grin.” – Phil Caragol, author of The Blunder Years: A Boyhood Memoir
“If you grew up in The City (San Francisco) in what has been called the Outsidelands where the salt air and ocean breezes welcomed every morning and closed off every day, it was a given that all the young men would find a place in their hearts for a water life whether it be as surfers, swimmers, fishers, sailors, or as in Gil Zeimer’s case, a life-long diving enthusiast. If you have been a fan of Zeimer’s columns and blogs over the years, you will rejoice in Scuba Storyteller. If you are new to Gil’s writings, this will be a welcome read.” – Norman A. Stahl, Professor Emeritus, Literacy Education, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with Gil for several years as a copywriter. Little did I know he was also an esteemed author, writing a book about his true passion, diving. It’s quite a body of work.” – Shelley Senzon, Senzon Media Marketing
“Gil is a very talented storyteller. His descriptions are so vivid, I felt as though I was underwater with him. His family stories particularly resonated with me. Bravo!” – Jillian F.
“The closest I have ever come to diving was reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. Still, Gil managed to draw me into the magical world of exotic sea life while, at the same time, offering humorous anecdotes about balancing family life with his diving obsession. I was absolutely mesmerized by the chapter about riding on the back of a huge manta ray. Whether you dive or not, you’ve got to read this book.” – Duff Reiter
Tales well-told. Many interesting (often hilarious) viewpoints explaining that a dive experience is not just the site. Travel, accommodations, food, dive site support, fellow divers, and scuba stories all combine to make for great dives.” – Edward Henckel, Jr.
“Scuba Storyteller is a great read. Gil’s stories are relatable to life, whether you are a scuba diver or not. You will genuinely get to know this ‘AquaNut’ and not regret it.” – Ellen Greenberg
“This is more than a travel book; it’s a laugh-out-loud accounting of various experiences in the author’s life, as well as an informative guide to some of the world’s best diving spots. I highly recommend it.” – Cynthia Z.
Scuba Storyteller provides wonderful insights into the life of a committed diver.
“Zeimer shares experiences from around the world in a genuinely personal voice. There are achievements, disappointments, frightening occurrences, challenges, and exhilarating discoveries. Gil also provides advice and valuable information for fellow divers. It’s a fun read.” – David Z.
“Gil’s book of scuba chronicles is an amusing, easy-to-read account of his diving experience around the world. As a fellow senior citizen and childhood friend, what really struck me was the fact that scuba diving is one of the few sports that people can enjoy well into their 70s. His accounts of diving in Micronesia especially interested me because I had spent some time in Kosrae. Even if you are not a diver like me, this light-hearted book is captivating.” – Myron Berkman
“I loved reading Gil’s stories. He has a way of bringing the reader down to the depths and exploring a journey that most of us can only dream of.” – Mike Brown
“I am a devoted snorkeler, but have never attempted to scuba dive. Gil’s book opened up the vast and magnificent world of oceanic exploration in a way that I had only glimpsed before by watching Jacques Cousteau documentaries. This delightful compendium of all elements of the scuba diving experience is a perfect gift or read for any lover of the ocean.” – Ron Blair
“As an old friend of Gil’s who lives close to one of the most amazing underwater environments in the world and who knows very little about the world of diving in general, I found Gil’s book very easy to read and understand. I came away understanding how diving works and feels. More importantly, I now see the joy it brings to a writer who knows how to tell a story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone.” – Tom Fox, Los Barriles, Baja Sur, Mexico
Congratulations on writing and publishing your book.
“I bought a Kindle copy and just finished reading it. Very entertaining and impressive. Of course, I knew of your love of scuba diving and writing, but I had no idea how many different articles you’ve had published in so many different media. It was clear that this was the result of a lifelong passion, and your love of diving (and writing) comes through on every ‘page’. Illustrations and cover photo are also a nice touch!” – B.M.
Welcome to the life and times of scuba diving. As a hobby. A sport. A vacation. An adventure.
“What can I say? This is a definite deep dive into the ups and downs, ins and outs, thrills and chills of one man’s deep-sea, saltwater adventures. You’ll laugh and cry, live and sigh as you travel vicariously through each chapter, immersed in each story and experience first-hand what it’s like to live this breathtaking underwater life. It’s a sink-and-swim journey. But don’t take my word for it. Grab a book and enjoy the tide.”
– Paschal Sabatella
Gil Zeimer’s ‘Scuba Storyteller’ is a joy to read
“His humorous descriptions of his underwater adventures, the magical moments, and many mishaps that he encounters in our world’s seas are punctuated by beautiful, vivid descriptions and the wild curiosities of the inhabitants of the deep blue, reefs, wrecks, and whale songs. You’ll be enthralled, inspired, amused, and informed. Without leaving your chair, you’ll experience scuba diving with a very likable, funny, smart, wise, and humble buddy.” – Carole Pertofsky
Underwater Adventures of a Passionate Scuba Diver
“I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Zeimer’s accounts of his experiences as well as his numerous other endeavors in the world of SCUBA. I’m a part-time diver (certified) myself and learned so much that it’s educational for anyone new to diving or a veteran of the beautiful underwater sport. And because Gil’s a long-time professional writer, it’s entirely engaging, along with being doused with humor and wit, so I recommend it even for non-divers for that reason alone.” – Dr. Michael Hack
Delightful Life Lessons from Under The Sea
“A delightful collection of life lessons told through the stories of someone who spends an awful lot of time underwater. I really enjoyed the bursts of joy in each of these short stories from the author’s life. His writing style makes it an easy breezy read.” – Erin Kane, San Rafael, CA
Hilariously Addictive Writing by One of America’s Top Diving Writers Will Both Entertain and Enthrall You!
“Packed with hilarious diving tales like ‘Warm Memories of Hypothermia,’ ‘Honeymooning With Humpbacks,’ and ‘My Dive Buddy Wears Diapers’ by super-talented scuba writer Gil Zeimer, ‘Scuba Storyteller: Mostly Humorous Diving Tales by an Addicted AquaNut’ is anything but watered-down. It’ll leave you chortling and wanting more, which is no problem because it sports a whopping 65 amazing, real-life stories.
“You don’t need to wear a wetsuit to soak up some of Gil’s fun. But here’s a warning––if you wind up savoring his stories as much as I did, you’ll find his writing is infectious and addictive. I can’t wait to someday go to Palau or some other tropical dive setting with Gil––whether in person or through his incredible storytelling––but first I’ll have to convince him to drop by the pool where I swim every day and give me some scuba lessons. Either that, or give me a plane ticket to paradise!” – Gary Hanauer, San Leandro, CA
Gil is a Linguist with Wit and Charm
I learned more about scuba while Gil took me to exotic locations. I couldn’t put it down.” – Joyce
I Feel as Though I’ve Participated in a Learning Experience!
“I’ve always been interested in scuba diving but never had the chance to try it. After reading this book, I feel as though I’ve been there! Gil Zeimer obviously loves scuba diving and it shows in his writing. There are plenty of opportunities to laugh out loud at his stories as he has a great sense of humor. However, he also discusses the dangers one should be aware of when taking up Scuba Diving and not take any unnecessary chances. Scuba diving is a whole other world and Gil is definitely an expert explorer!”
– Serenella Leoni, Millbrae, CA
Candid and Clever Storyteller That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
“Scuba Storyteller is a refreshing departure from dry technical manuals, offering 65 hilarious essays that capture the ‘human side’ of diving. Spanning 40 years of adventures, from tropical reefs to bone-chilling California waters—Gil focuses on the relatable mishaps, gear obsessions, and ego checks that every diver experiences.
“Stories like ‘Warm Memories of Hypothermia’ and ‘My Dive Buddy Wears Diapers’ resonate with veterans and non-divers alike. The short, episodic format makes it an ideal ‘beach-read’ for surface intervals. As a retired diver, I found the book as educational as it is funny, perfectly capturing the ‘soul of diving.’ Whether you’re an ‘AquaNut’ or a total landlubber, Gil’s candid and clever storytelling makes this an essential, laugh-out-loud addition to your collection.”
– Bart Saling, San Rafael, CA
Fun and Funny Compilation of Diving Stories
“Gil Zeimer’s storytelling weaves together the fabric of family and his love of scuba diving. It is an entertaining compilation of short stories that offer humor, travel advice, and fun encounters underwater.”
– Barb Wambach, Mill Valley, CA