Award-Winning Actor Discusses Passion for Scuba Diving in Exclusive Interview

Anca Vaida is a scuba diver and an award-winning actor, director, writer and producer. She recently won Best Actress for medical drama Psyched! at the Miami Web Fest. The TV series, which she also wrote, produced and directed, has picked up over fifty honours, including two Telly Awards for Television General Entertainment and Television Public Interest/Awareness. Originally from Târgu Mure in Romania, she now lives in London, UK, with her cat, Toki.

You’re a London based actor with many credits to your name but how did you get into Scuba Diving?

Back in 2012, a friend invited me to go on a scuba diving holiday in Egypt. I’m always excited to try new things, so I set about earning my Open Water PADI Qualification and, honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

The waters in Sharm El-Sheik were just amazing. I’ve been back to Egypt since, diving in Hurghada and Dahab.

You mention that you’ve been to Egypt but where else in the world have you dived?

At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve dived Iceland’s Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park. Seeing the underwater ‘Cathedral’ and ‘Great Hall’ is worth the trip alone. The water is so pure that the visibility is breath taking.

Other than that, I’ve also dived in Cape Verde, in the Atlantic, and Lefkada in Greece.

What took you to Miami this November? Florida has some incredible diving spots

I was invited to Miami to attend the Miami Web Fest for my tv series Psyched! which had been nominated for an award. With this in mind, it was the perfect excuse to celebrate my ten years of diving by visiting the wreckage of the SS Copenhagen off the town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

I managed to see sea turtles, rays and lobsters on my dive, amongst the wreckage. Just when I thought my trip couldn’t get any better, I was presented with the award for Best Actress at the Web Fest gala.

I was delighted to win the award and enjoyed my time diving so much. The only downside was that I didn’t get to see any nurse sharks. Oh well, it looks like I will have to come back!

Photo: Ella Albert

You’re a huge advocate for protecting the environment. What can we do to protect the coral reefs around the world?

Keep diving! On a basic level, diving supports the local economy but also raises awareness of the wildlife down there. As long as people are diving in the waters around the reefs, it ensures that their condition is monitored and the effects of climate change are being mapped. I learnt that the Florida reef is the only living barrier reef in the US and that’s very concerning.

Even if you prefer diving wreckages to seeing the wildlife, great! These wreckages become artificial reefs and are important to the marine ecosystem. Diving them can contribute to them being designated national parks and places of historical interest, much like the SS Copenhagen was.

Living in London, have you ever dived in British waters?

I always saw diving as something I’d do on holiday and I’ve mainly gone abroad, when I can. Having said that, I will be going to Cornwall to dive this summer! I’ve read about the wrecks down there, like the James Egan Layne, and can’t wait. I’d also like to snorkel with basking sharks. In spite of their size, they’re apparently quite timid, so we’ll have to stay on the surface if we don’t want to scare them away.

Where would you like to dive in future?

I have plans to dive in Thailand in 2023 and would love to go to the Surin Islands in particular. From my research, they’re a bit quieter than the Similans and the chance to see Whale Sharks is too good to resist!

To top it off, there are sea turtles, reef sharks and manta rays feeding in the waters there too. The Surin Islands combined with a few wreckages would be the ideal holiday for me, not to mention a visit to Richelieu Rock if I have time!

About Anca Vaida

Top photo credit: Andrew Phipps
Profile photo credit: AP Wilding