December 2025 Current Bubbles
President’s Message
By: Owen Autry
Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento,  December 1, 2025
🎅🤿 Santa Claus and the Christmas Dive 🤿🎅
Every year, after the last gift is delivered and the reindeer are settling into their stalls, Santa Claus slips away for his favorite tradition—his Christmas Day Dive. Far from the snow and sleigh bells, he trades in his red suit for a custom neoprene wetsuit trimmed with white fur, and straps on a pair of fins that shimmer like candy canes.
This year, Santa descended into the warm, crystal-clear waters off a tiny tropical island. As he swam deeper, the ocean welcomed him with vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish that sparkled like ornaments on a tree. Curious sea turtles paddled alongside him while swirls of silver jacks circled like ribbons in a bow.
Santa always brought a sack underwater, but not for presents. This magical waterproof bag held treats for the creatures of the sea: biodegradable toys for playful dolphins, healing salve for injured corals, and special glowing “guiding stars” he gently placed along dark reef passages to help lost fish find their way home.
As he reached a wide sandy clearing, Santa spotted something unusual—a young octopus tangled in discarded fishing line. With a warm chuckle and a twinkle in his eye, he floated closer.
“Ho ho ho, no one gets left tangled on Christmas” he said, carefully cutting the line free.
The octopus flashed bright colors in gratitude and wrapped a tentacle around Santa’s glove in a gentle hug before jetting off toward the reef.
After hours of exploring, helping, and leaving little bits of magic throughout the ocean, Santa finally rose toward the shimmering surface. As he climbed back into his sleigh-shaped dive boat, the sun was setting, painting the sky in reds and golds—the perfect match for his suit.
With a final wave to the sea, he whispered, “Merry Christmas, my underwater friends. See you next year.”
And somewhere far beneath the waves, a chorus of dolphin clicks, and whale songs echoed back, as if saying, ‘Merry Christmas, Santa.’
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I also hope to see you at this year’s Christmas Party. We’re excited to celebrate at our new location, The Aviator Restaurant, where we’ll enjoy a fresh menu and a great atmosphere. If you forgot to register or send in your payment, please call or text me at 916-955-9105, and I will see if I can get you into the door.
Our next Dolphin Diver of Sacramento General Meeting will be in person on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, located at 2220 Gold Springs Court, Gold River, CA.
Warm regards,
Owen Autry, President 2025–2026
QUOTES FROM THE SEA
“All I want for Christmas is 60 feet of visibility.”
– Every Diver Ever
(Stevenson spent many Christmases in the South Seas and wrote this in a letter from Samoa)
“To be sitting in a warm sea on Christmas Day is a thing quite out of reason, and yet delightful beyond belief.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
“And the waves always sang the same low song at Christmas: of remembrance, of home, and of the hearts waiting across the sea.”
Charles Dickens (From A Child’s Dream of a Star)
“Every dive feels like a gift, but a Christmas dive is wrapped in wonder.”
Sylvia Earle
(From NOAA’s holiday campaign)
“Here am I… against the winter’s cold waters, with all the world asleep and the sea singing Christmas to me alone.”
Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows)
Please send in your favorite “Quotes from the Sea” if you have not already seen them here. I am always looking for more.
Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove
Heading to the California coast – take care!
If you have plans on heading to the California coast during the next couple weekends, you might want to watch the weather channel, check out any tsunami reports and look at the tide charts. During the past few weeks, several people have been swept away by big waves. Winter weather and King Tides have combined to generate some really large waves.
So, if you are heading to Monterey to check out the Monarch butterfly migration or going diving at the breakwater or Pt. Lobos, you might want to check the local weather reports and ocean conditions for signs of trouble.
Monterey Area during high and low tides
If you do go to the coast, you might want to take a couple photos of the waves. You can enter your photos in the California King Tides Project annual photo contest. You can visit their website at coastal.ca.gov/kingtides/.
December 4-5 and January 2-3 would be a great time to take your photos. Maximum high and low tides take place on the same day.
Top destinations for a Blue-Ocean Christmas
The Best Oceanfront Places to Spend Christmas: Sun, Sand & Holiday Magic
For many travelers, Christmas brings visions of snow, fireplaces, and frosty mornings. But for others, the perfect holiday happens where the ocean meets the horizon—where warm breezes replace winter chill and waves sparkle brighter than tinsel. Whether you dream of a tropical escape, a coastal village filled with holiday charm, or an underwater adventure beneath the Christmas sun, the world offers unforgettable oceanfront destinations ideal for celebrating the season.
Below are some of the best oceanfront places to spend Christmas, each offering a unique blend of sunshine, culture, and holiday spirit.
1. Maldives – A Tropical Snow-Free Wonderland
With overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, and barefoot Christmas feasts, the Maldives transforms the holidays into pure tropical magic. Resorts host special holiday dinners, fire dancing shows, stargazing events, and even “Santa arriving by jet ski.”
Perfect for: Romantic getaways, luxury travelers, SCUBA divers, families seeking warm weather.
2. Maui, Hawaii – Island Christmas Spirit
Hawaii blends classic Christmas celebrations with Hawaiian culture and warm aloha energy. In Maui, oceanfront resorts illuminate palm trees with lights, whale-watching season peaks in December, and surfers wear Santa hats as they ride winter swells.
Perfect for: Surfing families, adventurers, and those who want holiday cheer on the beach.
3. Bondi Beach, Australia – Christmas in the Summer Sun
Bondi is famous for hosting massive Christmas Day gatherings right on the sand. Locals and travelers celebrate with beach barbecues, live DJs, surfing competitions, and ocean swims. It’s festive, lively, and unmistakably Australian.
Perfect for: Backpackers, surfers, and anyone who loves a high-energy holiday.
4. Belize Barrier Reef – A Diver’s Christmas Dream
Belize offers one of the best underwater Christmas experiences in the world. Warm waters, gentle currents, and vibrant reefs make December ideal for diving. Many dive shops host “Christmas Day Dives” and special night dives.
Perfect for: SCUBA lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and families seeking Caribbean charm.
5. Cape Town, South Africa – Ocean Views With Holiday Elegance
Cape Town brings Christmas to life against dramatic coastal landscapes like Camps Bay and Clifton Beach. Add in holiday markets, penguin encounters at Boulders Beach, and warm summer breezes, and you get a festive season unlike any other.
Perfect for: Explorers, photographers, and travelers seeking culture + coastline.
6. Santorini, Greece – A Peaceful, Magical Winter Escape
Santorini in winter is quieter, cooler, and beautifully atmospheric. Cliffside villages glow with lights, ocean views are dramatic, and tavernas offer warm hospitality. While it’s not beach-swimming season, it is deeply romantic and serene.
Perfect for: Couples, photographers, and travelers wanting peaceful beauty.
7. Key West, Florida – Tropical Christmas With Quirky Charm
Key West celebrates Christmas with boat parades, decorated palm trees, and lively island events. Warm waters make snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sunset cruises perfect holiday activities.
Perfect for: Families, party-goers, and sun-seekers.
8. The Bahamas – Crystal Waters & Holiday Luxury
With pristine beaches and bright turquoise water, the Bahamas deliver a picture-perfect Christmas getaway. Many resorts offer beachfront Christmas dinners, Junkanoo parades, and festive light-up boat events.
Perfect for: Luxury travelers, families, and divers.
9. Phuket, Thailand – Christmas With Flavor & Fireworks
Phuket combines tropical beaches with holiday feasts, floating lanterns, fireworks, and lively celebrations. December is peak season for diving, island hopping, and relaxing in warm waters.
Perfect for: Food lovers, adventurers, and warm-weather holiday seekers.
10. The Amalfi Coast, Italy – Coastal Christmas Magic
Though cooler in December, the Amalfi Coast offers charming Christmas markets, seaside nativity scenes, cliffside lights, and cozy trattorias serving festive meals. It brings old-world Christmas charm to the Mediterranean.
Perfect for: Couples, foodies, and travelers who prefer cool, dramatic coastlines.
How to Choose the Perfect Oceanfront Christmas Destination
✔ Warm or Cold?
Decide whether you want a tropical Christmas or a crisp winter coastal retreat.
✔ Activities
Surfing? Diving? Sailing? Wildlife? Cultural events?
✔ Energy Level
Australia and Hawaii = lively.
Santorini and Amalfi = peaceful.
Belize and the Bahamas = relaxing + adventurous.
✔ Travel Style
Family? Romantic escape? Luxury? Adventure?
The Magic of a Coastal Christmas
No matter where you go, Christmas by the ocean offers something special: peace, beauty, and the rhythm of the waves. Whether you spend your holiday diving with sea turtles, watching Santa surf to shore, or enjoying a seaside feast, the ocean brings a Christmas experience like no other.
Pictures From The Sea
Member News
January Birthdays:
Update Coming Soon
New Members:
Update Coming Soon
Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
| Dec. 13, 2025 | Christmas Party | Aviator’s Resturant | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Jan 7, 2026 | DDS Board Meeting | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Jan 21, 2026 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| Feb 4, 2026 | DDS Board Meeting | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Feb 18, 2026 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| Mar 4, 2026 | DDS Board Meeting | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Mar 18, 2026 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| Apr 1, 2026 | DDS Board Meeting | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Apr 15, 2026 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan
I AM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SEND IN PICTURES OF DIVING, DIVING VACATIONS ETC.
- Trip Reviews: Let us know where you have been diving, what operator you used, the hotel you stayed at and how was the diving there. Let us know if the operator was safe and fun. Let us know if the hotel was a good deal, give us as much detail as possible and hopefully more Dolphin Divers will venture there in the future.
- Recipes: I was told that in the past Dolphin Divers gave each other SEAFOOD recipes that they loved so that everyone could enjoy the bounty of the sea, I hope to continue that each month with at least one good recipe.
- Dive and Camping yard-sale items you wish to include in the newsletter.
- Dive Activities: Please let me know if there are any dive-related activities you would like included in the newsletter.
- Pictures from your last dive. Please make sure to let me know how you would like the picture credited in the newsletter. -example – Picture by John Member, of a Silky Shark, at Roca Partida Mexico.
PLEASE MAIL ALL SUBMISSIONS TO
Editor@dolphindivers.org
DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Owen Autry – President
Ken Takata – Vice President
Marlyn Sepulveda – Treasure
Corinne Fuerst – Secretary
Douglas Hillblom – Events Chair
Brad Freelove – Safety Officer
Renee Viehmann – Webmaster
Jack Millard – Historian
Joe Morgan – Editor
Tracy Clarke – Promotions
Dave Whiteside – Member at Large
Tom Mischley – Member at Large
Sally Walters – Member at Large
Cheryl Anderson – Member at Large
Ed Hurff – Member at Large
Chris Matthews – Member at Large
