A few observations from the perspective of a U.S. (KY) recreational scuba diver. You may know some of this. It's not all-inclusive; there are too many holes in my knowledge. It might provide some overview.
1.) There are a number of kinds of non-recreational or otherwise professional divers. Commercial divers, military divers, public safety divers, scientific research divers (which probably drives some of those claiming they're going to become marine biologists) and the dive instructors who teach recreational divers.
2.) Of the recreational divers, you'll see 2 board divisions; 'recreational' divers (the very large majority, with multiple levels of training, competence and experience - typical recommendations for self-restraint at this level include don't go > 130 feet deep and don't incur any decompression obligation or do 'overhead' (e.g.: cave or wreck penetration) diving. Then there are 'technical' divers - who have advanced training and advanced knowledge, skill and whatever additional equipment to bypass those restrictions and dive greater depths and/or durations, or enter environments that would get me killed.
3.) Some dive mainly locally; in the U.S. California and Florida are good 'bases' for that. In your region, some dive the Great Lakes - I believe
@Marie13 got into diving to do that. Many people travel to dive - hence trips to southeastern Florida, the Caribbean islands, etc... And many do both. There's a slang term 'vacation diver' for people who only dive on vacation, I think mainly targeting very occasional divers - such as might do a couple of dives on a cruise every year or two? Some are more active - whether they take a couple of weeks/year for 'dive vacations' or dive locally.
4.) Not everyone dives for pretty coral reefs in tropical seas with excellent water clarity. California diving has colder water, requires more exposure protection and lacks most hard corals, but offers a 'forest' of kelp, and sea lions and harbor seals you won't see in the Caribbean. Some dive for pretty coral reefs and cute tropical fish, some for big animals (e.g.: manta rays, sharks, dolphins, whale sharks), some 'macro' (e.g.: small creatures, like sea slugs), some historical wrecks, and some love diving underwater caves.
5.) Scuba diving can be a way to 'relate' to a travel destination. Just as some marathon runners travel to participate in events at distant locations (why? You can run around the block a couple hundred times at home, right?), others hang at the beach (why? You can put a lounge chair in a sand box in your backyard) or photograph scenes or birdwatch, etc..., there's more to diving than diving. Both topside and underwater, there are new experiences to be had pursuing the hobby.
6.) Worth mentioning 'live-aboards' - where you spend a few days to a week or move living on (& diving from) a boat/yacht.
7.) Also worth mentioning in this day and age a lot of the regional destinations are pretty easy to reach and get around. English is widely spoken in the Caribbean, particularly touristy areas. With a little researching you can find destinations safe enough for most people's comfort level.
I'll post a few trip reports/research notes from some diverse destinations.
Coral Reef-focused:
Key Largo with Rainbow Reef Dive Center 2013 -
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...iving-key-largo-rainbow-reef-dive-center.html
Tres Pelicanos & Casa Mexicana, Cozumel Sept. 2018 Report -
Tres Pelicanos/Casa Mexican Trip Report Sept. 2018
Cayman Aggressor IV May 2016 -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/cayman-aggressor-iv-trip-may-2016.527640/ (Example of a live-aboard trip).
Curacao Trip Report with SB Surge Jan. 2019 (Example of staying at an all-inclusive resort).
Big animal-focused:
Jupiter 2014 -
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/491927-jupiter-trip-report-9-7-14-9-11-14-a.html
Morehead City, NC August 2015 -
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/no...us-dive-center-aug-9-13-2015-trip-report.html
Emerald Charters Trip Report 2017 -
Emerald Dive Charters Trip Report
California:
My Notes For Researching My California Dive Trip -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/my-notes-for-researching-my-california-dive-trip.532316/
I'm not a particularly diverse or widely traveled diver yet my experiences have enriched my life. You don't have to 'go a long ways' in scuba diving if it's impractical or you don't care to, but it's there if you want it.
Richard.
