Do you have your Divers certification?

[Delphinus]

Sean, FWIW, first time I saw the GBR, I only snorkeled. I could hold my breath and swim down 20 feet to get a good look at the reef in spots where it was that deep, but my sinuses were killing me. That and fighting the extra buoyancy you get in SW, by the time I could equalize my ears at that depth, I was out of air and had to come up.

Next time I went back and dived with an instructor (I don't have my certification, but that doesn't mean you can't ever go out). Sinuses still hurt but having an air supply meant I could equalize without running out of air, and thus stay down.

You might want to still give diving a try. Do it like I did, find an outfit who will take you out with an instructor after a quick lesson. They won't take you anywhere deep, but realistically, the stuff we aquarists are interested in are in the top 10 to 20 feet anyhow.