The Bucket List Family: Exploring the World's Oceans with Cressi – Cressi 1946

Country of residence: USA
Diving since: 2010
Level/agency of certification: PADI Open Water

Garrett and Jessica Gee sold everything they owned in 2015 to travel the world full-time with their young family and haven’t looked back. Over the past 11 years, the Bucket List Family has visited 100 countries, built a following of more than 3 million on Instagram and 1.5 million on YouTube, and published a National Geographic family travel guide.

Named “Travel Influencer of the Year” two years running by the American Influencer Awards, the family has built their adventures around water wherever they go, from swimming with humpback whales in Tonga to snorkeling on some of Earth’s most remote reefs. Now based in Hawaii, they also own two family-friendly resorts and continue to document a life built around curiosity, exploration, and the ocean.

In the words of Jessica Gee, here is a little more about the Bucket List Family and what drives them in and out of the water.

How did you get into diving?

Our first dive was on our first international trip as a couple to French Polynesia. We absolutely fell in love and right away returned home to get certified. We returned to French Polynesia many times to dive since. The water clarity is so clear and the ocean wildlife is some of the best we’ve seen!

What is your most memorable underwater experience?

We have many! Last summer our family was able to swim with orcas in Baja California, Mexico. It had been on our bucket list for many years and it did not disappoint. On one drop, we had a mother and calf who swam right past us but then turned around and circled us to check us out. It was so cool!

What is your proudest professional moment?

Recently, we visited our 100th country as a family to the Philippines. On our visit, our entire family, including our kids ages 8,11 and 12 all went on a scuba dive together. We had a surprise visit from a dugong and I was so thrilled to be doing something that I’ve loved for many years with my kids.

What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?

In our family we say “You care about what you know about.” I think it’s so important to learn about the ocean. Find an activity—scuba, snorkel, surf, diving, fishing, anything—that will help you learn about and fall in love with the ocean. In turn, you’ll care about it and treat the ocean well!

What advice would you give to a new diver?

I work really hard to control my anxiety. I don’t let my brain worry about everything that could go wrong. I like to focus on what’s right in front of me when I start my dive. Diving can be intimidating if you overthink it, so just breathe normally and go down controlled. Enjoy what is around you!