For many years, scuba diving was a male-dominated sport, so PADI set out to change that. PADI Women’s Dive Day began in 2015 to encourage more women to discover scuba diving—not only as a recreational activity but also as a career. Today, this annual event is celebrated in 183 countries around the world, and women now earn nearly 40% of recreational scuba certifications worldwide.
Frida Yolotzin Jonguitud, a marine biologist, is one such woman who has turned her passion for diving into a career. She specializes in blackwater underwater photography and videography, capturing the fascinating planktonic creatures that emerge from the depths after dark.
As the sun sets off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, the warm Caribbean waters transform into a stage for one of nature’s most mysterious events. Suspended over the abyssal depths of the Cozumel Channel, Mexican biologist and underwater photographer Frida embarks on blackwater dives to document the strange, beautiful creatures rising from the deep. Jonguitud, an early member of Blackwater Cozumel, uses powerful underwater lights to observe, photograph, and film rare open-ocean species during Diel Vertical Migration (DVM)—the largest synchronized migration of biomass on Earth.
What is Diel Vertical Migration?
Every evening, trillions of marine organisms travel hundreds of meters toward the surface to feed under the cover of darkness. This massive influx includes delicate, gelatinous zooplankton such as siphonophores and ctenophores (comb jellies), alongside the larval stages of deep-sea fish. Before sunrise, they plunge back into the abyss to escape daytime predators.
Through her ongoing work in the Cozumel Channel, Jonguitud is gathering crucial observational data. Her photography and video are helping researchers better understand the secret life cycles, behaviors, and biodiversity of pelagic communities throughout the Western Caribbean that occur during Diel Vertical Migration.
PADI Women’s Day at Sand Dollar Sports
PADI Women’s Day, celebrated annually on the third Saturday of July, honors the achievements of women across the diving industry while inspiring future generations of divers, researchers, and ocean advocates. photography. To celebrate PADI Women’s Day on July 18, Sand Dollar Sports hosted a special talk featuring marine biologist Frida Yolotzin Jonguitud. During the event, Jonguitud offered a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of pelagic ecosystems and highlighted the expanding roles of women in marine science, technical diving, and underwater photography. By sharing her research and personal journey, Jonguitud demonstrated how visible female role models help pave the way for more women to step into leadership roles within ocean exploration and conservation.
Through her stunning underwater photography, Jonguitud reveals an ecosystem that few people ever witness. Her work reminds us that ocean conservation extends far beyond the coral reefs we know and love—it also includes the vast and fragile pelagic environment that supports countless marine species. By showcasing the otherworldly beauty of Cozumel’s nighttime ocean life, she inspires both scientific curiosity and a deeper appreciation for protecting our oceans from the surface to the deepest waters.
Blackwater Photographs by Frida Yolotzin Jonguitud
At its heart, PADI Women’s Day is a powerful catalyst for change. As Frida Jonguitud’s work beautifully demonstrates, visible female role models don’t just inspire individual divers—they transform how we study, advocate for, and safeguard our oceans. As more women step into leadership across marine science, technical diving, and conservation, the future of ocean exploration becomes brighter, more inclusive, and infinitely more inspiring.
Interested in Scuba Diving?
Inspired by Frida’s story to explore the underwater world? If you’ve never dived before, join us at Sand Dollar Sports for a Discover Scuba Dive! This two-hour introduction takes place right on our house reef, giving you the chance to experience the magic of breathing underwater without needing a full certification.
