Why I’m building GoDive
Updated: Jul 21
When I first started scuba diving five years ago, I carried my paper PADI booklet with me on trips and I diligently jotted down my stats after each dive. Pretty quickly, I realized that keeping a dive log was more than just a requirement for certifications. It’s a way to remember the places I’ve explored, the marine life I’ve seen, and the skills I’ve developed underwater. And as a computer scientist and avid technologist, I quickly ditched the paper for a digital log. But it didn't take long to realize that the existing digital logbooks can be frustrating. They either felt outdated, lacked useful features, or appeared to be abandoned by the developers. That’s why I decided to build GoDive — The dive log app I actually want to use.
I hope you will find it equally valuable as a companion in your diving journey.
My dive log frustration
Since moving away from paper logs, I've been a user of various digital logs, and while they served me well, some were missing key features and others appear to have lost developer support. That’s a problem for anyone who wants to keep a dive history they can trust long-term. Dive logs aren’t just data; They're your proof of experience and more importantly, memories. Losing access or having to switch to a new system every few years is a hassle no diver should face.
I wanted a digital logbook that feels modern and practical. Something that goes beyond just recording depth and time. I wanted to keep photos and videos alongside my dive details, track my progress as a diver, and share my experiences with dive buddies. Most importantly, I wanted an app that respects privacy and keeps my data in my hands.
Building GoDive with a diver’s perspective
As a Rescue Diver, I’ve learned that diving isn’t only about what happens underwater- it’s about awareness, preparation, and learning from what went right and what didn’t. A solid logbook supports that. Tracking conditions, depth and time, who you were with, what you saw, and how the dive felt can help you spot patterns, stay honest about your experience, and show up better for your buddy. Logs also hold the fun side of diving- the trips, the people, the fish you finally identified, the cool sites that you’ll talk about for years. Logging shouldn’t feel like a chore; it should be exciting and easy. GoDive is built with this in mind. The app features are designed to make logging comprehensive, easy to navigate and understand, and fun to look back at.
Not only does GoDive let you import dives from your dive computer, it also supports bulk imports from other dive log apps, so you don’t have to start from scratch. You can add photos and videos, jot notes about marine life, conditions, or anything else you want to remember. Over time, your log becomes a rich record of your underwater adventures.
I’m also building features to help divers connect with buddies, explore new dive sites, and discover new marine life species. The goal is to make the logbook a place to connect with friends and other divers, to learn and share together.
Transparency about AI-assisted development
I want to be upfront about how I’m building GoDive. I use AI-assisted software development tools to speed up coding and feature creation. This doesn’t mean AI is building the app on its own. I review outputs, decide what features make sense, and take full responsibility for the app’s quality, privacy, and user experience.
As a solo developer, AI helps me move faster, but the product will always be human-directed. I’ll always make sure GoDive stays practical, reliable, and focused on what divers really need.
What I hope GoDive becomes
My vision for GoDive is to become the best in class application for all things scuba, snorkeling, and free diving. And my promise to always gather feedback from users so I can continually improve the app and release new features.
Join me on this journey
If you’re interested in trying GoDive early or want updates on the launch, you can join the waitlist at godiveios.com.
Thanks for reading and happy diving!
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