Global Dive Team - Christian Biancheri
Christian Biancheri
Location: Antibes, France
Occupation:
- French Federation Dive Instructor, French Federation Dive Instructor Trainer
- CCR Instructor
- Scuba Diver 2B (Hyperbaric Operations Leader: Archaeology, Science, Photo-Video)
- Underwater explorer
Scuba Diving Since: 1985
Favorite Local Dive:
- Monaco, Alpes Maritimes, Var
- Cap d’Antibes, Golfe-Juan, Cannes, Théoule sur Mer
Favorite Dive Location: Mediterranean
An Interview with Christian Biancheri
Why did you decide to take the giant stride into the oceans?
For me, the sea is an ocean of freedom in which I thrive, and without which I couldn't live. My mission is to pass on my passion for diving to all those who are ready to explore the oceans while protecting them.
How has diving changed your life?
Diving has changed my life, opening doors to 70% of the planet that many humans can't explore. It created my universe and gave me the opportunity to protect nature from the surface to the depths of my explorations.
What kind of diving do you like to do?
I love exploring forgotten dive sites and discovering new ones that have never been dived before.
I also like to plunge back in time and history by exploring wrecks that have given their carcass to the sea; and I often find that Nature has given them a second reason to exist by allowing them to become shelters for fauna and flora. I also have a particular affection for night dives, as during the day, sunlight doesn't allow us to admire all the colors of the deep. At night, on the other hand, the beams from our torches allow us to see all these colors at their most intense, giving us the impression of painting the scenery ourselves. What's more, at night, as a privileged guest, we can observe a completely different organization of underwater life.
Tell us about one of the most amazing experiences you have had underwater?
The most memorable dive of my diving life took place in the Maldives, when I was lucky enough to immerse myself alone with a whale shark in the depths of the Indian Ocean. Just as curious as I was, this prince of the oceans allowed me to accompany him for over 20 minutes, before melting away into the night of the abyss. From time to time, his questioning gaze met mine in wonder...
Where are some of your favorite places underwater?
One of my favorite spots lies just between the Lérins islands and the Antibes coastline, and is known as "Dante's Inferno". It's a poorly chosen name, as this site alone is a paradise of biodiversity for our regional species, sinking from 15m below the surface to almost 60m in a palette of dazzling colors.
Another of my favorite spots is a series of dive sites discovered by my late friend Jacques Degrémont, on the Island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. Jacky introduced me to the most beautiful coral display of my entire diving life! Diving the sites he showed me gave me the impression of walking through the backroom of the ocean's colors.
What is your advice to someone considering diving?
I'd tell him to take the time to equip and train himself, so he can safely approach a world he'll never forget, and certainly never want to leave. But I would add to this advice the importance of protecting this world with the utmost benevolence, so that future generations will in turn have the chance to marvel at it.
What would you tell people about the oceans?
70% of our planet lies beneath the surface of the sea. A marvellous world of complex, enchanting life awaits you. Life was born in the oceans, and the survival of life on earth depends on safeguarding them. The oceans are an infinite universe that has been weakened by man, so explore them with the greatest respect, take care of them, protect them and tell everyone what you've discovered so that, in turn, the people who've listened to you can continue your work.
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Photo Credits :
- Jean Michel Mille
- François Würz
- Georges Antoni
- Kevin Sempé
- Sébastien Covili
- Alain Girard
- Christian Biancheri