INNOVATION Exploring Reef Smart Guides: The Future of Dive Mapping – by Lisa Malachowsky, owner, Dive N Ride Adventures, Phoenix, AZ
While at DEMA 2024 in Las Vegas, I always make it a point to meet new people doing interesting things in the dive industry. After 15 years of attend- ing, it’s a great way to discover fresh ideas. My chance meeting with Ian Popple at the Adventure Connect
lution images to create detailed 3D models of dive sites. Their team of divers, equipped with specialized cameras, fol- lows carefully planned routes, photographing reefs and wrecks from multiple angles. These images are then processed using advanced photogrammetry software, which analyzes overlapping sections and calculates depth and struc- ture. This results in an incredibly accurate digital model of the underwater environment, capturing fine details such as coral formations, caves, and shipwrecks. Enhancing the Maps with Data Layers: Once the 3D model is created, additional data layers are added using Ge- ographic Information System (GIS) tools. For example, ba- thymetric data is incorporated to provide precise depth measurements. Other environmental factors, such as water
breakfast was one of those surprises. Ian and I bonded im- mediately over technology, and I knew there would be future conversations about his work. Ian and Peter McDougall are two of the founders behind Reef Smart Guides—a com- pany revolutionizing how divers explore dive sites. The Evolution of Reef Smart Guides: Founded in 2017, Reef Smart Guides started with printed dive maps and
hand-held products but is now shifting toward digital, online-based mapping. Their product line includes destination guidebooks, shoreline signage, briefing charts, and waterproof dive site cards, all using the same core technology. However, Ian and Peter believe the fu- ture lies in detailed digital dive maps in- tegrated into websites. I couldn’t agree
currents, hazards, and biodiversity hotspots, can also be included— turning these maps into valuable navigational tools for divers. 2D, 3D, and Interactive Map- ping: What sets Reef Smart apart is its ability to produce both 2D and 3D maps. The 2D versions
A sample dive site map.
provide top-down site views, complete with points of inter- est, dive routes, and depth markers. Meanwhile, the 3D mod- els offer an immersive experience, allowing divers to explore sites virtually before entering the water. Reef Smart is also integrating Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) into their maps. These features allow divers to interact with the models using just a smartphone or computer—no spe- cial equipment needed. Users can zoom in on reef struc- tures, navigate dive paths, and even simulate their dives. The Future of Dive Mapping: Reef Smart’s technology could significantly improve diver engagement. For those of us who are science geeks—and that includes many frequent diving travelers—this innovation could enhance trip plan- ning and site understanding. More destinations should em- brace detailed mapping, particularly areas like Fiji’s Rainbow Reef or Chuuk Lagoon’s wrecks. Beyond tourism, this tech- nology has conservation applications. By mapping sites in
more—these 2D and 3D dive site maps enhance online en- gagement and provide divers with valuable insights before they even arrive. One of the biggest challenges in planning dive trips is the lack of accurate underwater site maps. Often, information about what’s beneath the surface is vague or missing altogether. This affects divers, dive shops, and travel planners trying to sell trips to exotic destinations. With Reef Smart’s mapping technology, resorts, liveaboards, and tourism bureaus can provide more comprehensive informa- tion to attract divers and showcase their unique offerings. The Technology Behind Reef Smart’s 3D Mapping: Reef Smart’s mapping approach is built on photogrammetry, a technique that stitches together thousands of high-reso-
detail, Reef Smart’s models could help monitor the impact of diver activity on reefs, highlighting both positive and negative changes over time. I look forward to seeing more of the dive industry adopt this game-changing technology.
email Lisa
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