The Long Beach Scuba Show returns in 2026 with a fresh lineup. Underwater photography, gear exhibits, and hands-on discovery all take center stage, and there’s a local twist—Marin County’s own Bruce Sudweeks is in the spotlight.
Sudweeks, who’s based in Monterey Bay, brings his coastal know-how to the Adventure Stage on May 30–31. He’ll share stories about Carmel’s kelp forests and Monterey’s Breakwater Cove.
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Divers from San Rafael, Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Novato might start planning a winter-to-spring road trip. Rork Media Limited, the show’s new owner, says they’re aiming for an even better experience for Bay Area fans who want to stay on top of ocean exploration and conservation.
What to Expect at the 2026 Long Beach Scuba Show
This year, the event’s expanding its footprint with a Main Stage and a giant video wall. The layout’s been reimagined to encourage wandering, and there’s a bunch of interactive experiences for both beginners and seasoned divers.
If you’re from Marin and want to mix coastal knowledge with hands-on skills, this show’s got you. It’s a blend of education, entertainment, and community networking—very much in the spirit of local clubs from Tiburon to Fairfax.
Sudweeks’ presentation offers a rare peek into kelp forest ecosystems and shipwrecks. He’s an underwater photographer who often contributes to California Diving News and Scuba Diver magazine.
He’s also written five ocean-themed children’s books and landed in plenty of photo contests, so his storytelling style tends to click with families and teachers from San Anselmo, Ross, and beyond.
Adventure Stage: Sudweeks’ Local Spotlight
Sudweeks will share insights from Carmel’s kelp canopies and Monterey’s Breakwater Cove. It’s a natural bridge between California’s iconic kelp forests and the Bay Area dive sites many locals know best.
If you’ve trained at shops in San Rafael or Novato, his talk could be your ticket to Southern California’s underwater world—just a few hours down the coast from your favorite Marin haunts.
The Adventure Stage will also feature practical field experiences and tips for photographing marine life. There’s a strong sense of stewardship here, and Marin divers—especially those from Larkspur and Sausalito—will probably recognize that vibe.
The program wants to connect inland Bay Area communities with the ocean habitats that attract photographers and researchers from Corte Madera to Point Reyes Station.
- Hundreds of exhibitors will show off the latest scuba gear, dive destinations, underwater photography equipment, and training programs. Divers in Sausalito and San Marin counties can expect plenty to check out.
- Interactive attractions include a VR dive among Baltic wrecks and a digital dive wall—something tech-minded Marin teens from Mill Valley and Fairfax might love. There’ll be hands-on demos for all ages.
- Ocean conservation initiatives are a big focus, echoing Marin’s strong community stewardship from Marin City to Point Reyes Station.
- Specialized training like PSI-PCI Visual Cylinder Inspection courses and sessions for inspectors close to renewal. Local dive shops in Novato and San Rafael are backing these programs.
New Ownership, Main Stage, and Interactive Attractions
Rork Media Limited, the team behind GO Diving Shows and Scuba Diver magazine, is shaking things up while keeping the event’s core intact. The Main Stage will have immersive video and a layout that’s easy to navigate, plus new interactive attractions to spark curiosity—exactly the energy Marin divers look for when they make the trip from Larkspur or Corte Madera.
Organizers want to keep things welcoming for first-timers and veterans alike, just like Marin clubs do in San Anselmo and Ross. Greg Holt of Scuba Radio will host lively morning entertainment and prize-driven activities to kick off each day, adding a bit of fun that fits right in with the Bay Area’s love of ocean storytelling.
Tickets, Access, and Planning Your Bay Area Weekend
Tickets are now on sale for what organizers tout as two full days of seminars and hands-on experiences. There’s also community networking at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Bay Area enthusiasts should plan ahead to coordinate travel from Marin’s towns. Whether you’re coming from Tiburon, Sausalito, or San Rafael, it’s worth considering a coastal detour to Santa Monica or Catalina after the show.
Under-16s get in free, so it’s a solid family-friendly weekend escape. Marin families looking for marine education and outdoor adventure might find this especially appealing.
- Day ticket: $33
- Weekend pass: $60
- VIP Pass: $100 (includes a weekend pass, magazine subscriptions, and a Scuba Show Dive Team T-shirt)
If you’re a Marin County reader hoping to blend ocean exploration with a weekend getaway, the Long Beach Scuba Show could be your ticket. You’ll meet fellow divers from Corte Madera to Fairfax and maybe pick up new ideas for preserving the kelp forests and rocky reefs along our Marin coastline.
Go ahead and bookmark the Long Beach Convention Center dates. This community-driven celebration of underwater discovery travels well from the heart of Marin to the edge of the Pacific, and honestly, it sounds like a blast.
Here is the source article for this story: Gateway to diving California’s top sites
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