Fastest Scuba Dive Across All Seven Continents, Barrington Scott sets world record

January 30, 2025

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States--Marine veteran Barrington Scott, also known as BJ, has set a World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents, completing the feat in just 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes, the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY reports.

"A new Guinness World Record has been set by a U.S. diver, Barrington Scott. Scott, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, set out to dive across all seven continents in record time," the Sports Illustrated reports.

"I'm still floating on Cloud 9 — [I'm] a Guinness World Record holder!! I want to thank everyone who supported me on this journey," Scott wrote on his Instagram page. "Every message, every dollar donated, and every share has helped make this possible."

"US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents," the Diver Net says.

The mark to beat was 30 days but Scott, also known as BJ, succeeded in completing the feat in fewer than 20. His round-the-world trip was carried out over 19 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes between 13 November and 3 December last year.

"A PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer since 2021, Scott is also a trained chef, freediver, children’s book author and photographer. He grew up in New York’s Bronx before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, but now spends most of his time in Thailand, which he says he chose as his base for its diving opportunities as well as its culture and beauty."

"Barrington “BJ” Scott has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents, completing the feat in just 19 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes. Scott’s path to this record was shaped by a lifetime of challenges and triumphs," the DeepBlue.com reports.

"After spending time in foster care and completing a military deployment to Afghanistan, he found healing and purpose through his love of scuba diving. His diving journey began in 2015 in the Bahamas, and he became a master scuba instructor three years ago.

"Scott’s accomplishment goes beyond the record. A passionate advocate for representation in watersports, he’s dedicated to increasing diversity in the scuba diving industry, where African Americans make up only 5 to 8 percent."

"Marine veteran Barrington Scott has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents, completing the feat in just 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes," the official press release says.

"A passionate advocate for exploration and representation, Scott's achievement highlights his commitment to inspiring others, especially within the Black community, to embrace adventure and the underwater world.

"Barrington Scott, also known as BJ, has made history as the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents. Scott has solidified his place in the annals of diving and adventure history by completing this monumental feat in just 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes between November 13 and December 3, 2024."

"Setting this record is more than a personal accomplishment," said Scott. "It's a testament to resilience, exploration, and the beauty of our planet's underwater world. I hope this inspires others—especially within the Black community—to embrace watersports and adventure."

"Scott's path to this record was shaped by a lifetime of challenges and triumphs. After spending time in foster care and completing a military deployment to Afghanistan, he found healing and purpose through his love of scuba diving. His diving journey began in 2015 in the Bahamas, and he became a master scuba instructor three years ago," the official press release says.

"The journey across seven continents brought Scott face-to-face with diverse marine ecosystems, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences in some of the world's most breathtaking underwater landscapes. From the pristine waters of Antarctica to the coral reefs of Australia, each dive showcased the planet's beauty and underscored the urgency of marine conservation."