Country of residence: USA
Diving since: June 2014
Level/agency of certification: PADI-MSDT Scuba Instructor
United States Marine Corps veteran, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, travel photographer, and Guinness World Record holder Barrington Scott grew up in the Bronx and discovered diving on a trip to the Cayman Islands in 2014. In December 2024, he set the record for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents, completing the feat in 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes.
Beyond setting the record, Scott's mission is one of representation: he is a vocal advocate for increasing diversity in the diving community, with a focus on encouraging more Black Americans to access watersports and the ocean. He also authored a children’s book featuring a young Black protagonist exploring the underwater world.
In his own words, here’s a little more about Barrington and what drives him in and out of the water.
How did you get into diving?
I actually got into diving by accident. I was on a cruise in the Bahamas and signed up for a Discover Scuba Diving excursion just because it sounded like something fun to do and I loved being in the ocean. That one dive sparked an obsession. I went from someone who had never really thought about scuba diving to becoming an instructor, diving all over the world, and eventually making the ocean a huge part of my life.
What is your most memorable underwater experience?
Without a doubt, it was my recent trip to Fuvahmulah in the Maldives. I spent a month there training to become a Tiger Shark Safety Diver. Diving with tiger sharks had been on my bucket list for years, so finally seeing them in person was surreal.
What made the experience so memorable wasn't just the adrenaline. It was getting to observe these animals up close and realizing how misunderstood they are. Spending that much time in the water with them gave me a completely different level of respect for their behavior. It was about understanding them, learning how to safely interact with them, and experiencing their world on their terms. That's something I'll never forget.
What is your proudest professional moment?
One of my proudest professional moments was earning my Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification. It's a step beyond becoming a scuba instructor because it allows you to teach specialty courses. While I'm proud of the certification itself, what it represents means even more to me.
When I first entered the dive industry, I didn't see many people who looked like me. One of my goals has always been to help change that by being visible, showing what's possible, and encouraging more people from underrepresented communities to explore the underwater world.
What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?
I wish more people understood just how much of our lives depend on the ocean, even if they never set foot in it. The ocean produces around half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates our climate, absorbs carbon dioxide, and helps feed billions of people around the world. It's one of the biggest reasons life on Earth can exist the way it does.
What advice would you give to a new diver?
Enjoy every second of it, but always respect the ocean. One thing I see with new divers is that they get so caught up in the excitement of being underwater that they forget they're visitors. They'll accidentally kick coral with their fins, chase marine life, or get too close just to take a photo. It's usually not intentional, but it can still have a real impact.
Being underwater is a privilege. Every dive is an opportunity to experience a world that very few people get to see. So have fun, be curious, but also challenge yourself to become a better diver. Work on your buoyancy, stay aware of your surroundings, and learn how to move through the water without disturbing the environment. The less your presence is noticed underwater, the better of a diver you've become.
What is your favorite piece of Cressi gear and why?
My favorite piece of Cressi gear is definitely the Apnea freediving wetsuit. I'll admit, it looks pretty good on me, but beyond that, the quality has really impressed me. I've put that wetsuit through a lot over the last few years. Between constant travel, freediving, and countless hours in the water, it's seen its fair share of use. Comfort, durability, and reliability are everything when you're spending that much time in the ocean, and it's never let me down.
What does being a Cressi ambassador mean to you?
Being a Cressi ambassador means being part of a brand that believed in me before a lot of others did. When I went out to set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive all seven continents, Cressi was the brand that stepped up and supported the journey. That kind of belief is something you don't forget.
Beyond the gear, it's about sharing the same values. We both care about exploration, adventure, and helping more people discover the underwater world. As someone who's passionate about making diving more inclusive and showing people from all backgrounds that they belong in this space, it's meaningful to represent a company that has supported that mission.
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